Of all the different yarn weights that exist, Malabrigo lace yarn is categorized as one of the thinnest and lightest of yarns. It can be confusing to both new and veteran knitters to understand the meaning of yarn weights, but once you get it, it’s pretty straightforward. Contrast this lightweight yarn with the stronger, more robust and hearty yarn fiber weight known as worsted. But that heavier yarn won’t work if you are creating really delicate or web-like intricate items to wear like openwork scarves and pretty shawls. This is where something like Malabrigo lace yarn is perfect. To make these openwork lacy patterns in yarn, the lace yarn is often times knitted or crocheted on larger needles and hooks. As such, you might find it difficult to determine a gauge range, so your best bet is be sure you follow the gauge as specified in your pattern.

The Malabrigo lace yarn, which is hand spun from Merino sheep wool in the Northern areas of Uruguay, is a difficult one to categorize in terms of yarn weight. It’s naturally hand dyed and comes up very light in weight. But the deal is that the gauge is tough to determine. The weight itself is not a big deal to determine since any yarn finer than fingering weight can be considered lace weight. You cannot even count stitches per inch when you are working with Malabrigo yarn knitting patterns that have a lot of specifically placed airy and holey (meaning full of holes) designs. Why is this? Because there are some knitters you like a tightly stitched lace and so will choose size 2 or 3 knitting needles. But there are other knitting hobbyists who strive for a gossamer type of feeling in their fine delicate lace Malabrigo lace yarn creations who will tackle the same exact pattern but use size 6 or 7 needles instead.

What’s nice about lace garments made from Malabrigo lace yarn is that exact measurements are not required. As such, the fun and enjoyment of knitting comes into full play since you are free to experiment as you make the fabric that will make the garment and come up with something that’s particular to your own preference. Knitting in general is like good therapy, but working with the fine delicate lace grade of yarn can make it more so. And you may find it even more rewarding since you have to develop the discipline to work correctly with such fine yarn. Check out any number of helpful books either at the library or online to discover how to knit properly using this and other types and weights of yarn. Careful though because the more knit and start perfecting your skills, you may find you become addicted to it! You might end up making all kinds of scarves and shawls nonstop when you start working with Malabrigo lace yarn.