Lace weight vs lightweight vs sports weight?

[zech13_9_goforgold]

I was thinking about doing some lace work, maybe some curtains for a table runner. I'm wondering if I can use lightweight or sports' weight yarn for them, or if I should only use lace weight. The lace weight looks really thin, like I might cut though my fingers with it. Any tips? Also, how do I know what weight something is? Does it say somewhere on the label or do I need to guess?

Thanks

[flapjack]

Start with 4ply (fingering weight) and work your way down. Are you knitting or crocheting or tatting or ???

And yes, it should say on the label.

[Knittin' in the Shade]

you can really use any weight for lace, it doesn't *have* to be lace weight. I've done several lovely items with worsted weight - you just have to be sure that you're using needles appropriately large to get a nice openwork lace. I did a worsted weight scarf in a nice lace, worked on size 15 needles to make it super airy.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

thanks. I looked for the same answer on the Ravelry blog today and found the same answer. They also had a good chart of the different yarn weights.