In the world of wool and yarn, there are many terms that sound familiar to Haaksteres and knitters. Still, there are a few things that raise questions. For example, a number of people have asked us: what does the abbreviation “DK” actually stand for, and what does “Aran” mean in the names of certain yarns? Yarnplaza.com explains it all.
Are you familiar with “Stylecraft Special DK” and “Rico Essentials Merino DK”? Or how about Rico’s “Cotton Aran” and “Baby Teddy Aran”? Some brands indicate this on their yarns, and you often see it in patterns. For example, there are also Bulky, Lace, and Sport yarns. However, the yarn’s name doesn’t necessarily have to specify what type it is. The yarn’s weight and the most suitable Needle Size determine which standard term a skein falls under.
What is DK?
Recommended needle size for knitting: 4–4.5
Recommended needle size for crocheting: 4.5–5.5
DK (“Double Knit”) is a lightweight yarn that weighs, for example, 50 grams per Ball. DK yarns are thinner than Aran yarns and are often used for projects that call for lightweight yarns, such as a summer sweater, a Hat, accessories, or Kidswear.
What is Aran?
Recommended Needle Size for Knitting: 4.5–5.5
Recommended crochet needle size: 5.5–6.5
Aran yarns are also known as “medium-weight yarns.” They are thicker than DK yarns and are often sturdier and more dimensionally stable. If you need a slightly heavier yarn that still looks delicate, you might want to use Aran. Sometimes this term is confused with the original Aran sweaters, which were particularly popular during the winter of 2013. These cable-knit sweaters owe their name to the Aran Islands off the coast of Ireland and have nothing to do with the standard weight of wool. Of course, you can knit a beautiful cable-knit sweater like that using Aran yarns!
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