{"id":19008,"date":"2013-10-13T09:00:15","date_gmt":"2013-10-13T13:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lionbrand.com/community/blog\/?p=19008"},"modified":"2023-03-09T17:13:06","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T22:13:06","slug":"cracking-the-pattern-code-part-3-selecting-yarn-buying-the-right-quantity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lionbrand.com/community/blog\/cracking-the-pattern-code-part-3-selecting-yarn-buying-the-right-quantity\/","title":{"rendered":"Cracking the (Pattern) Code, Part 3: Selecting Yarn & Buying the Right Quantity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Technical editor and yarncrafting expert Kj Hay<\/a> joins us for a series on understanding the different elements of patterns. Click here<\/a> to read her earlier blog posts.
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\"Cracking

For best results, when a substitution must be made<\/strong>, select a yarn of the same weight and with similar fiber content. Yarn comes in balls of different weights and lengths. When determining how many balls of a substitute yarn will be needed, compare the total yardage. For example, if there are 120 yards in each ball of the specified yarn and 4 balls are needed, 4 x 120 yards = 480 total yards are needed.<\/p>\n

If you wish to substitute a yarn that comes in balls of 110 yards each, you will need 480 \/ 110 = 4.63 balls, or 5 balls, of the substitute yarn. Different yarns look and behave a bit differently when knit or crocheted even when the exact same pattern stitch is used. A substitute yarn may yield firmer or looser fabric than the specified yarn. Make a swatch in the project pattern stitch, study the drape of the resulting fabric, and decide if the drape is acceptable.<\/p>\n

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Pro Tips<\/b><\/p>\n

Because there can be slight differences in yarn usage, it is wise to purchase an extra ball of yarn. It is usually much easier (and fun) to find a new use for an unneeded ball of yarn than it is to locate an additional ball of yarn when your project is not quite complete.<\/p>\n

When purchasing multiple balls of yarn for a project, check both the color number and the dye lot. Achieving beautiful yarn colors is both a science and an art. Each batch of Blow-My-Mind-Blue  can differ ever so slightly in color from other batches. Different batches of color are known as dye lots. For best results, make sure that all the balls of yarn for the same project come from the same dye lot. The slight difference is color between dye lots is another reason why it is a good idea to purchase an extra ball of yarn before beginning a project.<\/p>\n

Related links:<\/em><\/p>\n