Brand & Yarn Name
The brand and yarn name help you identify the yarn you are using.
The brand refers to the company that produces the yarn. Some well-known brands include Lion Brand, Red Heart, Cascade Yarns, and Malabrigo... The brand name is usually easy to spot on the yarn label, often alongside the brand logo.
The yarn name refers to a specific product line within the brand. Each yarn name represents a different combination of fibers, thickness, and texture. For example, Lion Brand offers yarns like "Wool-Ease," "Homespun," and "Mandala."
Knowing both the brand and yarn name makes it easier to recognize yarns and compare them.
Yardage/Meterage & Skein Weight
The yardage (or meterage) and skein weight tell you about the length and weight of the yarn.
Yardage refers to the length in yards, while meterage is the length in meters. Most yarn labels include both, making it easier for knitters in different countries. This information helps you estimate how much yarn you’ll need based on your pattern.
The skein weight shows how heavy the yarn is, usually in grams or ounces. It helps when comparing yarns or checking how much you have left. Note that skein weight is different from yarn weight, which describes the yarn’s thickness.
You can find yardage, meterage, and skein weight on the yarn label, often near the fiber content or care instructions.
Yarn Weight And Gauge
The yarn weight and gauge help determine how the yarn will work in your project.
Yarn weight refers to the yarn’s thickness. The Craft Yarn Council classifies it into categories:
- Super Fine (sock, fingering, baby)
- Fine (sport, baby)
- Light (DK, light worsted)
- Medium (worsted, Aran)
- Bulky (chunky, craft)
- Super Bulky (roving, super chunky)
- Jumbo (jumbo, roving)
Yarn labels often show weight as a number (1-7) inside a skein symbol or a descriptive term like “worsted” or “bulky.”
Gauge refers to the number of stitches and rows per inch (or per 4 inches/10 cm) using the recommended needle or hook size. This helps ensure the right size and fit for your project. The gauge section on a yarn label usually includes a small square with stitch and row counts.
Checking both yarn weight and gauge is important for a well-sized project. Making a gauge swatch before starting can help adjust your needle or hook size if needed.
Recommended Needle Size
The recommended needle size on a yarn label helps you achieve the correct gauge.
This size is based on the yarn weight and is a good starting point for most knitters. It is usually shown in both millimeters (mm) and US sizes. For example, "US 8 / 5 mm" means the recommended knitting needle size is US 8 (5 mm in diameter).
Since knitting and crochet tension vary, it’s important to make a gauge swatch before starting a project. If your gauge doesn’t match the pattern, you may need to adjust your needle size.
Some labels also include a recommended crochet hook size, displayed in both mm and US or UK sizes (e.g., "US H-8 / 5 mm" or "UK 6 / 5 mm").
While these recommendations are useful, checking your gauge and making adjustments is key to a well-fitting project.
Common Types Of Fibers
Yarn labels list the fiber content, which affects how the yarn behaves in your project. Different fibers offer unique qualities in drape, warmth, durability, and care.
- Wool: A natural fiber from sheep. It’s warm, breathable, and elastic, with good stitch definition. Merino wool is especially soft and warm.
- Cotton: A plant-based fiber that’s soft, breathable, and absorbent. It’s great for warm-weather garments and household items but has less elasticity than wool.
- Acrylic: A synthetic fiber that’s lightweight, affordable, and easy to care for. It comes in many colors and textures, making it a versatile choice.
- Nylon: A strong and durable synthetic fiber, often blended with wool or acrylic for added stretch, making it common in sock yarns.
- Alpaca: A soft, warm, and lightweight fiber from alpacas. It has a luxurious feel and excellent drape but can be pricier than other fibers.
- Silk: A luxurious natural fiber with a smooth texture and beautiful sheen. It drapes well and is often blended with other fibers for added strength.
- Linen: A strong, breathable fiber from the flax plant. It has a crisp texture but softens with use, making it ideal for warm-weather garments.
- Bamboo: A silky, breathable fiber with moisture-wicking properties. Often blended with cotton or silk, it has excellent drape and a soft feel.
Many yarns combine fibers to balance warmth, durability, drape, and care requirements. Checking the fiber content on the label helps you choose the right yarn for your needs.
Yarn Ply
The term "ply" refers to how many strands of fiber are twisted together to form the yarn. While ply can give some insight into texture and strength, it doesn’t always determine thickness.
- Single Ply: Made from one continuous strand. These yarns can be delicate and prone to pilling, often used for lightweight projects like lace shawls.
- Two-Ply (2-ply) and Higher: Created by twisting multiple strands together. More plies generally result in stronger yarn with better stitch definition.
In the past, ply was used to indicate yarn thickness, but modern yarn production has made this less reliable. Instead, the yarn weight system (1-7) from the Craft Yarn Council is now commonly used. Yarn labels typically provide this information along with gauge, fiber content, and recommended needle size.
While some labels still mention ply, it’s more important to check yarn weight and gauge to ensure your project turns out as expected.
Colorway and dye lot
A colorway refers to the specific combination of colors used to dye a yarn. Yarn manufacturers create multiple colorways for each type of yarn, and on a yarn label, the colorway is usually identified by a name or number.
Common types of colorways:
- Solid colors: A single, uniform color throughout the yarn.
- Variegated colors: Multiple colors applied randomly, creating an unpredictable pattern.
- Gradient or ombre colors: A smooth transition between colors, either by blending shades or changing saturation.
- Self-striping colors: Designed to create distinct stripes when worked up, with colors changing in a specific sequence.
What is a dye lot?
A dye lot refers to a batch of yarn that was dyed together in the same vat, ensuring consistent coloration. The dye lot number (printed on the yarn label) helps you match skeins when buying multiple for a project.
Since small variations can occur between dye lots due to differences in dye concentration or temperature, it’s best to buy enough yarn from the same dye lot for a project. If you must mix dye lots, alternating skeins every few rows can help blend any color differences.
Care Instructions, Care Symbols
Yarn labels typically include care instructions to help maintain the appearance, shape, and durability of the finished knitted or crocheted item. These instructions vary depending on the fiber content and characteristics of the yarn.Here are some common care symbols and their meanings:
Washing:
- A hand inside a basin = Hand wash only.
- A machine inside a basin = Machine washable.
- A number inside the basin (e.g., 30, 40, or 60) = Maximum washing temperature in °C.
- A crossed-out basin = Do not wash.
Bleaching:
- An empty triangle = Bleaching allowed.
- A triangle with diagonal lines = Use only non-chlorine bleach.
- A crossed-out triangle = Do not bleach.
Drying:
- A square = General drying instructions.
- A circle inside the square = Tumble dry allowed.
- A crossed-out circle inside the square = Do not tumble dry.
- A horizontal line inside the square = Dry flat.
- A vertical line inside the square = Hang to dry.
Ironing:
- An iron symbol with one, two, or three dots = Low, medium, or high heat.
- A crossed-out iron = Do not iron.
Dry Cleaning:
- A circle = Dry clean only.
- A letter inside the circle (e.g., "P" or "F") = Specific dry cleaning solvents required.
- A crossed-out circle = Do not dry clean.
Incorrect washing methods or temperatures may cause your item to shrink, felt, or lose its shape. Following these care symbols ensures that your knitted or crocheted project remains in good condition for a long time.
Yarn labels contain important information about the yarn, so it's a good idea to save your yarn labels, even after you've started or completed a project, as they can be useful in various ways.
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