Wraps Per Inch Tions for the Number of Yards Per Pound for a Given Wpi and the Typical Knitting Gauge Or Weaving Sett by a MANDA B ERKA and Needle Size to Use

HELPFUL HINTS It is useful to be familiar with yarn approxima- Wraps per inch tions for the number of yards per pound for a given wpi and the typical knitting gauge or weaving sett BY A MANDA B ERKA and needle size to use. If you become familiar with these related measurements, then wpi will give you a good starting point to begin your swatching for egardless of how you spin or what equipment a project. It also can help if you wish to replicate a Ryou use, wraps per inch (wpi) can be measured commercial yarn. for most yarns. Wpi is meant to give a rough idea Just as many other measurements or observations of yarn weight—not its physical weight but its cate- of your yarn may change after finishing, such as the gory such as lace, fingering, bulky, and so on. This overall weight or twists per inch (tpi), so, too, can number, together with other details about your your wpi. Given accurate equipment, tpi or yards yarn, can help create a complete picture when per pound (ypp) can be measured consistently. describing a yarn to others or for your own future However, not every spinner will measure the same reference, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. wpi for a given yarn. Your version of packing to refusal may or may not exactly match the next spin- TOOLS ner’s version. Because of this variance, wpi should The first step in using wpi is measuring it. There only be used as a general guideline and must be are several models of wpi gauges (often called inch considered together with other descriptors to give gauges) that can help; they range in price from $2 a better picture of the overall yarn. Also, the com- to $20 depending on the wood used and how ornate monly accepted approximations apply only to plain they are. A ruler can be used, although be wary yarns—not to novelty yarns such as bouclé or spi- because a ruler does not typically have a groove into rals. Wpi alone doesn’t paint a complete picture of which you can pack the yarn to refusal (see below). a yarn because it does not account for fiber type, loft, elasticity, and so many other factors. Amanda Berka lives, works, and plays on the Colorado Front Range Measuring wpi with her husband, Dave, and their son, Isaac.

Wrap a length of yarn around your gauge, packing to While measuring wpi can be useful in finding a replace- refusal, to determine the wraps 2 ment yarn, it is not the only factor to be considered. per inch (wpi) of the yarn. These two samples show just how different two yarns Packing to refusal means that of the same wpi can be. Both are spun worsted from you push the strands together the same preparation type and fiber. Notice that, to fill the 1-inch groove, being although both yarns are swatched on U.S. size 3 sure not to stretch or smoosh 3 4 needles using 20 sts and 8 rows, the results are the yarn as you wrap it, as this very different. 1. Merino, singles, 17 wpi, 1,400 ypp. will distort your result. Strands 2. Merino, 3-ply, 17 wpi, 750 ypp. should not overlap or gap.Then 2.VIP Fibers Spinner’s Control The 3-ply yarn isn’t as lofty as the singles, so the simply count the number of strands Card can be used as a quick check stitches won’t bloom in the same manner. However, in the 1-inch groove to obtain wpi. without having to wrap your yarn. the softer singles yarn will be less hardwearing and 3. Wooden inch gauges made by more prone to pilling. If selecting one of these two Rod Stevens are elegant in their yarns for a project, 1 simplicity and easy to hang from keep in mind the your wheel. 4. Schacht Spindle amount of fiber 1 Company’s Dizzy Yarn Gauge has a needed with such PHOTO BY NANCY’S KNIT KNACK LLC 1 1" groove as well as a ⁄2" groove to differing yards 1. Nancy’s Knit Knacks’ WPI Tool measure wpi and may also be used per pound. A Kit includes a 5" long wpi tool that as a sett gauge for weaving. Be sure sweater made 2 is laser etched with a 3" length of to multiply your result by two if in this 3-ply 1 markings so that you can calculate using the ⁄2" groove.The tool also would be bulky or less consistent yarns by sports two differently sized holes very heavy. taking an average count per inch. to use as a diz in creating sliver.

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