YARN

Substitutions

CREATE YOUR OWN UNIQUE PROJECT WITH ANY YARN.

Why substitute?

As a knitter or crocheter, you may want to start a new project, but the pattern calls for a specific yarn that you don’t love or can’t find. This is where yarn substitution comes in handy.

factors to consider

yarn wieght

yarn fiber

yarn guage

yarn density

color and texture

combining yarn

pattern characteristics

ravelry + yarn sub

amount needed

Easy Steps...

Finding a suitable yarn substitution requires you to consider several characteristics of the original and new yarn you are considering swapping in.

Weight

Yarn weight is significant, but it is just a jumping-off point for figuring out the best yarn substitution for your project.

Make sure you download and print the yarn weights chart for reference when making yarn substitutions.

Free PDF HERE

Arrow

Fibers

different fibers have different characteristics

plant-based fiber

animal fibers

superwash v non-superwash wool

synthetic fibers

sock yarn

Guage

Gauge refers to the number of stitches and rows per inch that the pattern calls for. If you substitute a yarn with a different gauge, the final product may not fit correctly or require pattern adjustments.

Density

Yarn density is calculated by dividing yardage by weight, which is typically in ounces or grams.

color and texture

When substituting yarn, it’s also important to consider its color, texture, and appearance as it relates to the pattern.

combining yarn

pattern characteristics

Make sure to fully appreciate the characteristics that attract you to specific knitting patterns you hope to recreate.

Consider its color, texture, and appearance as it relates to the pattern.

ravelry + yarn sub

get enough

Two great resources for finding yarn substitutions are ravelry.com and yarnsub.com.

Once you’ve found the yarn you want to use, divide the length of yarn you need (meters or yards) by the length of the yarn in the skein you’ve chosen.

More helpful knitting blogs

knitting needle sizes & Material

Knitting journal  and organizer

bind off your knitting

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