On knitting yarn in Germany: What is 3 - 3.5 for an American?

Yarn is usually rated by its size, and I'm totally unfamiliar with "3.0 - 3.5" as a yarn size (although needles are sized that way--that would be a US 2, 3, or 4). A more practical means of deducing what yarn you have is by determining the *weight* and the *length* of the yarn.

For example, worsted weight yarns measure about 1 meter per gram, more or less. Double-knit/sport yarns measure about 3 meters per gram, more or less. Bulky yarns measure .6 to .75 meters per gram. Those aren't exact, but you can judge the weight approximately. If, for example, a 100-gram ball of yarn has 275 meters of yarn, it's DK weight, not worsted.

Do you have a brand name? If so, you can search the web site for the yarn's brand to get more information.

It would be hard to answer your question about what you need, without knowing what project you're doing and what gauge you need. Every yarn is suitable for something--but maybe not for the project you have in mind.

It really doesn't matter one way or the other what size the number is. Those numbers reflect needle size (metric measurement) more likely since yarn is not measured that way.

But the thing to remember is that you need to use the needle that is appropriate to the yarn you are using, and the finished outcome. You would not use the same needle for socks, or sweaters, or scarves even if using the exact same yarn. You will learn through experience that certain size needles work best with this kind of yarn FOR YOU while someone else will have a different experience.

If you are planning on using this new yarn in the same project, that may present problems. Even with the same brand, there are variations in dye lot, or sizing. If you are starting a new project, there is no problem whatsoever -- just use a needle that is appropriate to the yarn. You will have the opportunity to get some great yarn that we just do not have on this side of the big pond. Enjoy it!

I learned to knit in Europe and had to learn to convert the other way when I came home to the US. She was giving you the size needle required for that yarn. That's how they rate the yarn, by the size needle you'll need. Go to Google (or your favorite search engine) and type in "knitting needle conversion chart -- metric to US sizes free." You'll get several pages to choose from that can tell you which US size needle to buy.

I'm sorry I can't tell you, because I brought all my European needles with me and only know the metric sizes.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the Europeans like a tighter stitch than do the Americans. In Europe, I always used a needle about 1mm larger than they recommended to get the knit the way I liked it. (I knit without patterns, so gauge wasn't a problem.) In the US, I don't have to use a larger needle because it comes out the way like it with the recommended size.

3.0 - 3.5 refers to the millimeter size of the needles that are recommended for the yarn you got. In US sizes that would be a 2 (2.75 mm), or 3 (3.25 mm), or 4 (3.5 mm). It depends on if you are a loose or a tight knitter which size will work best for you. The best way to find out is to knit a swatch and see what looks best to you.

Are you sure that this isn't the size needles required to knit it? Sounds like it to me. There's a needle sizing chart here: http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/needles.shtml but it sounds like you have a fingering/sport weight, in US terms, yarn that will need on US needle sizes 2, 3, or 4.

Besides categorizing yarn left-overs in zip lock bags by color and type of yarn (you don't want to store wool with acrylics), and using the three ring binders with plastic sheet protectors for computer patterns or patterns I've cut out of magazines I no longer want, I also use some plastic holders to put my paperback books and leaflets in the binders. Annie's Attic has some in their last catalog. They slip over the pages of your book to the center and have a three hole punch on them to hook them into the binder. If you use the view binders, you can make decorative binder spines and covers for your categories of patterns. I also use the hard plastic magazine holders that you find in office supply stores and categorize patterns and pattern books by crochet, knit, cross-stitch, etc. You can also make these by taking a cereal box and cutting it on two sides diagonally and then covering with contact paper, fabric or whatever, but the hard plastic ones are cheap and come in lots of colors. If floor space for shelves to store the magazine holders is a problem, put some shelves up higher, around each wall to store them. It really helps keep them organized. I have 60 gallon plastic tubs for skeins of yarn, but cubicles would be more ideal if you have the space in a closet. Another room or two for yarn, crafts and sewing would be ideal!! =)

Try this site and maybe talk again to the shop owner. By bringing your yarn with you, she should be able to make the comparison for you. Good luck and happy knitting.

German Yarn

If you can use the APO just order what you need from the U.S.