Bernat Pipsqueak 100g - Whitey White

Product Information

Yes, you can do some to make a different yarn weight work, but using a different weight yarn is really a headache. Unless you are super confident, just don’t do it. Look at your swatch not only for gauge, but also for how the stitches look, what the drape is like, how the knitted yarn feels etc. Most swatches measure the gauge over a 4 in. x 4 in. (or 10 cm x 10 cm) area but your swatch needs to be significantly bigger than that to get accurate measurements. Swatch in the same conditions as the project (for example, in the round vs. flat, and using the same stitch patterns etc. )

When the new yarn meets the gauge of the project. But make sure your swatch is the same exact conditions as the project. If it’s in the round, swatch in the round, if it’s a certain stitch, swatch in that stitch.So today we’re going to talk about when and how to substitute yarn in a knitting pattern or crochet pattern and still have your project turn out ok. How to Substitute Yarn Maybe the suggested yarn is hard to find, discontinued, it’s super duper expensive, you really need to use some yarn in your stash before you buy more, or maybe the suggested yarn doesn’t come in a color you like. These are all totally valid reasons to want to substitute yarns. We’ve all been there, you find the cutest, most exciting knitting pattern or crochet pattern but you don’t have the exact yarn it calls for…

MAKE A SWATCH. Seriously. No one really likes swatching. But if there’s one time not to skip it, it’s when you’re substituting yarn. Successful swatching techniques include: Use a yarn that is the same yarn weight for best results. Keep in mind there are subcategories and different names for yarn weights depending on where you live so it’s best to compare the actual weight of a skein in grams or ounces to its length in meters or yards to see if the two yarns are similar.Make sure you have enough yarn. In fact, make sure you have MORE than enough. The suggested length or yardage may not be accurate if you are using a different yarn than suggested. When the yarn you want to use is a dramatically different yarn weight. If the pattern calls for worsted yarn and you want to use fingering weight yarn…just don’t. It won’t be worth the headache! Hopefully this helped! I’d love to hear your successful and disastrous yarn substitution stories friends!