Selecting the Right Yarns for your Projects

Before I launch into this blog post, I need to clarify one thing. When I put in my patterns or class materials the brand and base of yarn I selected for the sample, this is just a suggestion. Many people purchase a pattern and think they MUST make it in “that color”. Working in my local yarn shop for several years, I cannot tell you how many times I would hear that in a week. That is when I decided to add to all my patterns what yarn I used for that particular one. But you, dear follower, are completely different! The question I get the most, in the classroom and my inbox, has got to be about swapping yarns for the yarn I suggest in my patterns and class materials. This can be scary, especially when pulling yarns from your stash. “I absolutely have to use that color for this hat” or “This is exactly the softness I want for my sweater” can become a huge disappointment when you start creating. Fortunately, there are a few ways to zero in on how to choose a yarn that may not be the exact yarn used for the pattern sample, but still, get the best results.

Check the original yarn’s weight and fiber blend

So let’s say you have a hat pattern where the sample was made using Ella Rae Cozy Alpaca. If you look at the label you will see that it is a Worsted Weight Yarn (CYC #4) and is a 70% Acrylic, 30% Baby Alpaca blend. If you want the hat to have the same look as the one in the pattern, you need to find a yarn that is #4 and has a similar blend as the acrylic/alpaca in the Cozy Alpaca. Getting the same fiber content will cause the yarn to behave in a very similar way.

• Acrylic – Acrylic fiber is meant to imitate wool, but it lacks wool’s insulating properties. It can be very durable and soft, but pilling can be an issue.
• Alpaca – Alpaca is a soft fiber, with a sheen and a slight halo, giving it an ethereal and cozy look. It can have a lot of drape but pure alpaca yarn will droop because it is a heavy fiber.
• Mix the two fibers and you have a yarn that will have structure but the cozy, warmth of alpaca.

Selecting yarn with a different fiber or blend

If all you can find in your stash is a lovely #4 in superwash merino, or even a 100% acrylic, you need to do some swatching.

• First – can you get the same gauge? Ugh. ← I can hear you saying that now!  For anything wearable, you must first be sure the gauge will work out. This is non-negotiable.
• Next, the swatch needs to tell you a few things about how the fabric will act.
  • How does it drape? Is it soft and have movement or, does it sit stiffly?
  • If you stretch it, does it go back to shape, will it stretch out and stay put?

If the hat should be slouchy, you want to be sure the fabric moves and drapes.  If it is supposed to be more of a beanie that sits close to the head, you want to make sure it stretches and goes back to shape but still have movement.

Use yardage to help select yarns

Some fibers are thicker and heavier than others so when you are selecting a different yarn than suggested, you want to look for the yardage rather than how many ounces. For example: If you are working on a sweater that uses merino fingering weight at 450 yards a skein for 3.5 oz but want to swap fit or alpaca, you’ll want to find a fingering weight closer to 450 yards. A hank of fingering with alpaca in it might weigh 3.5 oz (as that can be a standard for fingering hanks) but may only have 380 yards in it. Remember alpaca is heavier than merino.

Know your fibers for yarn selection

My favorite book for looking up fibers and their properties is the Clara Parkes Classic: The Knitter’s Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn. (affiliate link) Yes, I know it says “knitters” in the title. But remember, everything here applies to crochet too! I believe it is the best resource to help you choose yarns for every project you might be working on. 

Your turn!  What is your biggest problem when you are selecting yarns for a project? Tell me in the comments.