Can you mix different brands together in crochet? | TALK | The Crochet Crowd

You can mix different brands as long as you prepare to do so. Looking at the thickness of the yarn is different than actually crocheting with it. Let me explain some things.
This video is closed-captioned for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. The captioning is also available in multiple languages such as Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese. The written pattern is only available in English.
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[@maryhiser3648]

In my opinion you can mix and match any element in your project, it just depends on how you want it look in the end.

[@ashleelarsen5002]

😆 I bought yarn at the dollar store once, it was so gross, I beyond threw it was I gave up on crochet for like 5 years. Mikey's enthusiasm is so refreshing, I bought real yarn this time... Happy Sunday, Earth Week, take care

[@Michelle.05]

Great info Mikey, thank you! I mix yarns only when I do scrap blankets with 2+ strands.

[@singerredeye6639]

Thank you for addressing the need for swatching and gauge. I usually do not attempt patterns if the designers neglect to include gauge.

[@patbrain913]

After a few failures, I now bite the bullet, and do a tension square. I write on the pattern or use my note book, hook tension ect. This has saved me so often. Thank you I agree tension squares are a pain,

[@justtracy1832]

I feel so stupid! It never clicked with me that I could use the gauge listed on a skein of yarn as a comparison to a different type of yarn. Wow my mind is blown! Thanks Mikey! ❤️🧶

[@denisejf]

Thanks so much for the info. Sometimes I use the gauge and sometimes I don't. It just really depends on what I'm making 😊

[@kennethmullen7183]

Thank you Mikey for clarification. I see and hope a lot of our yarnie friends with KZbin channels watch this. I have asked them why they mix and match and no response why they do it. You are awesome and you have 1 awesome channel. Keep doing what you do Mikey. Again thank you for clarification.

[@vikkiemonument7807]

I did my first guage swatch 2 days ago.. I’m a late starter for the study in geometry and couldn’t get the Caron yarn suggested at my local store in Australia. I’m still using Caron for the colours but in a cake. I’m so glad I did the swatch because I found I needed to go to a 6mm hook . I’ll definitely be doing guage swathes again 😊. I’m always excited to start my new project so don’t want to take the time to do the swatch lol… Happy crocheting everyone 😊

[@gayriellester40]

Thank you. Sometimes the color also makes a slight difference! I guess it’s the weight of the dye. I truly don’t know. Again thank you Mikey.

[@cataloger25]

Thanks, Mikey! I’ve been crocheting a long time but never had this explained to me. Your videos are the best! You’re a natural born teacher. Thanks for more great content!

[@gerribotfeld9306]

Thank you for that information. I never thought about gauge before, I thought a medium 4 of one brand was the same as another. Learned something new today, thank you again.

[@encouragement_club]

Hey Mikey, Thanks for always teaching & helping me understand! Btw, here in the U.S., all O’Go yarns are currently on clearance at Michael’s for $4.99. 🥰

[@saltyseaair]

Here in Canada too. Apparently they're not selling as well as anticipated.

[@nannynae10]

Thank you for clarifying that for me. I never really thought about it.

[@candy614]

What a great idea to catalog swatches! Genius! This was really helpful. Thanks and thanks!

[@sandygeddes8226]

I recently completed the all in the family afghan using the following brand of yarns: red heart with love, premier anti pilling basic stitch and I love this yarn using a 5 mm hook. It turned out great...I'm a rule breaker by nature.😉

[@juliewarrington5582]

‘Gauge’ is the swear word! 🤣 I don’t like making a swatch. But..have done more swatches since watching you, Mikey, on you tube. I love love love the ideas of recording the yarn and the swatch info! Thank you 😊

[@HeatherMStarchuk]

Mikey, you brighten my day just by being you!

[@lennieblue]

I've never done a gauge. I probably should, I tend to work more loosely. Your video has me motivated to do this. I've mostly done blankets and stuffed figures but I've done hats and some came out way too big. Yep, need to do those gauges. Thank you!

[@sondrabowers4837]

Thank you for explaining “The Gauge”. Anything goes , when you mix & match.

[@nancyhildreth8582]

Thanks Mikey

[@beckv8526]

Ugh! I hate to gauge. Luckily I haven't had to in anything I've made even though I've made dresses for little girls. I make a lot of amigurumi and luckily that doesn't need it. I refuse to gauge for blankets. I haven't had an issue. 😁 Thank you for the advice on different yarn. 🙂

[@clairechapin5221]

I was about to ask this very question. I have 2 yarns to use. One is 3 the other 4. So now I have my answer. Never thought to compare the ply. Now I will. I'm in a nursing home. Bedridden so I need my crochet more than most. Money is tight and I get yarn donated. Gotta work with what I've got. Thanks for the info.

[@wendimitilinakis1291]

😱WOW...🤯Thank you so much. I always assumed you could just match by weight. Just think ow any people's sanity you just saved by making this video.🥰

[@strngenchantedgirl]

Color is much more important to me than anything else in a project. I definitely used several different brands and types of the same gauge and it was fine. Yes there is a bit of a thickness difference. But I really didn’t have any problems. I mean I don’t know that I would do it to make a pillow or wearable where you need to get the correct size. But I had no problems doing it to make blankets.

[@MaryVGomez]

So true, I for one hate to make a swatch, absolutely hate it. But learned the hard way why they're very important on a wearable garment.

[@kathyvanderslice6518]

I first try to check what type of yarn and the "care" instructions. If they're not the same, I don't use them together. No "care" instructions on the yarn, I don't buy it. There's nothing worse than putting time into a project and then the project is wonky because of my yarn choices. I then always try a large enough swatch of the yarns together and tag it. Sometimes with just a slight hook change, the results can be awesome!

[@oldlady7035]

Great advice.

[@BellaDonna.58]

Gauge gauge gauge… so important! That is why I mostly make afghans when a girl just wanna have fun.

[@kimbernard9250]

Yeah, that's not fun especially when you're excited to start the project, but gauging is the key to success.

[@lindarodgers7538]

Hi Mikey, I do swatches even though I don't particularly care for it, but usually take it apart to use the yarn, but now I should keep a catalog of each one with all the information, that makes sense. Thank you for sharing, I really appreciate it. Until the next time. 💕💕

[@nate_1283]

I really enjoy you addressing everyday questions and problems we have (like handling knots and swatches) -- I have these problems as a new crochet student but didn't want to ask

[@preciousbeautyj1043]

Never be afraid to ask questions, n question is a dumb/silly one. We learn n advance by asking abt things we don’t know/understand.

[@vickyhall1202]

The only dumb question is the one not asked.

[@ginnyc]

The other thing to check is the care instructions. If you put a some wool blends in the washer, it will shrink and the project will looks like....gauge! ( Or another bad word). Thanks Mikey for all the helpful advise! 💜

[@amandah4834]

Thank you for more great tips mikey love your little friend 😊Amanda xx💕

[@lorapills5275]

Thank you for explaining this. I noticed the difference for the last SAL when I used the suggested Caron 1lb for the background color and then I had to substitute the ombré with red heart brand. I am glad that I used Caron for the background because it was stiffer, therefore a great foundation for the waterfall stitch.

[@ramonac6426]

Yes I did the same thing. It worked out but using Caron for MC was key for sure.

[@Laceycrochet]

Great video! Thanks Mikey 👌💜

[@patriciacorey8650]

I certainly learned this problem in a project I was making. So I now do a gauge with different brands or stick to same brand and use different colors.

[@terrillcampbell673]

Thank you Mikey

[@lindasmith319]

I love watching your channel you are so informative and easy to follow on your crocheting tutorials thank you Mikey

[@gaylescovel7308]

You crack me up! 😆 Dirty word = gauge! Oh yep it is! 😉😆 Edit to add: thanx for the tip about changing hook size. Im currently experiencing this very problem. 😂

[@sarahnicol7767]

Thanks Mikey! I literally asked you this on one of the blanket videos. This explains things so much better that what I could wrap my brain around on my own. Thank you.

[@KLD521]

Truthfully I never gauge, not a fan at all but currently I don't make garments and the rule of thumb will change in the future when I decide to do sweaters. As far as my other crochet projects I mix and match different brands, weights and compromise on whether I crochet using one strand vs two strands. I kinda do my own thing when it comes to whatever I decide to create. I kinda break the rules and having fun with learning different things with crocheting. Thanks for sharing.

[@JoyceLolly2]

I understand and agree with you

[@lenaraullo5263]

Gauge is a must for garments. I prefer not to mix different fiber/brands.

[@conniepack7155]

I l love you channel. Cancer keeping from doing crotching. Miss it.

[@barbaram5787]

This is information those new to crocheting really need to build up their skills.

[@michellelareau5023]

Thank you!!!! My same question has been answered. Your awesome😊

[@liap1293]

Excellent - I needed to know this.

[@FriendlyCrochetCreations]

Thank you for clarifying this.

[@debc8197]

Thanks for the info. 🤗

[@marycarlson5382]

Great information. Thanks

[@naomiacaprio4164]

Thanks Mikey great video!!

[@amandasmith8012]

Thank you for the informative video!!!

[@sweetbeach29]

I have wondered about this question myself . Thanks so much for your time and the information.

[@lindabrown2170]

Thankyou Very helpful.

[@pjscelfo916]

Thank you for explaining how this process works. It sounds fascinating.

[@lorifitzgerald-leger6503]

Great information!! Thanks so much for explaining this yarn information 😊!!

[@rena2836]

I love your videos. I would love to see you do a true scrap yarn blanket. Different weights, different colours all put together creating a true symphony of yarns. Is that too much?

[@simtagous77]

My daughter in law just did this while she was Underway on her Ship (Navy) from all the scrap yarn her Grandma gave her. She would keep going with one color until it ran out even if in the middle of the row. some yard only had 1 or 2 rows of a certain color. She would reach in the bag without looking to choose the next color. It turned out so beautiful! and makes it extra special because it was her grandmas yarn. plus a memory of her deployment.

[@rena2836]

@@simtagous77 wow. That sounds so much fun just reaching out into a bag with no looking. I will have to try that. Thank you for sharing.

[@Christena1601]

Great tip, thank you

[@dooglitas]

Personally, I very seldom crochet clothing items. I don't think I have done a gauge swatch in over 30 years. I have used different brands together in a single project. I have never had any problems, even when two yarns are significantly different in thickness and texture. I find that after years of experience, I can adjust tension as needed to make the yarns work together. It's almost automatic at this point. However, I think it is much easier to do this if you use an in line hook (which I ALWAYS do) and use the pencil grip rather than the other grip. The pencil style grip and an in-line hook allow more precision in tension control. That's my personal experience, for what it's worth.

[@cindydriver9112]

That is very interesting!

[@Frostedminifirecracker]

Must be a schizophrenic knit/crocheter. I like gauging swatches. I use them for coasters usually. Mix/matching yarns is tricky and this is a great video Mikey. Thank you. There is a wide variety in the “4” worsted weight category alone.

[@maritzascraft]

Thanks for the information

[@sunshinebadger4910]

Ahhh…my ears ….you said the “g” word! Love your tutorials and sense of humor. You brighten my days while teaching me how to improve my craft. It has been a challenge to teach myself as I am a leftie.

[@vickyhall1202]

Mikey has many videos for lefties. So do many other people.

[@elaineyakatan2310]

Hi Mikey! Your 1st answer was best . NO. As you demonstrated within the same brand gauge is different! Thanks for making this gospel.

[@feinacolon698]

I know made crochet 🧶 Love it .

[@kalinaphillips9779]

😱😱😱 Since my very first project (a skirt) at the age of 10, I have been mixing not only brands but also the thickness of the yarn and the type of yarn (wool and acrylic). NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY A LOT OF MY PROJECTS LOOK WEIRD, WONKY, CROOKED. 😱😱😱

[@soozieevans7222]

You don’t ever have to go to the store to buy…..you have so many. I just make sure I have the same that is needed😊

[@samanthamurdock3752]

Yes!!! Anything Goes Babey!!!

[@mommamimaashouse9511]

I’ve never done a gauge check. I mix yarns all the time…I adjust with my hooks and my tension. If it doesn’t work out, I frog and use something else, lol.

[@erinmurray6957]

I make amigurumi and I usually have no problem switching out Caron One Pound with Loops & Threads Impeccable with Big Twist Value. I always make sure they recommend similar hook sizes and are all worsted weight and similar thickness and ply of the yarn before starting a project. I generally use a 3.5-4.0 mm hook size for amigurumi.

[@sandybechtle2295]

I always use different yarns together . To me it depends on how they can be washed

[@alejandraacosta2692]

Gracias! Muy útil y con los subtítulos aprendo mucho de sus consejos!!!! 😘🇲🇽👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🌺🌺

[@rltnoyb3825]

A gem as usual. Gadgets, what's a gadget? Lol, has that thought process gotten me in trouble worth the time to do it. Ugh. Don't have to like it. Lol

[@lindatrombley3]

I have and t turned out great. even used different weights and it turned out great also.

[@elained8893]

I have sometimes found different colors in the same brand/type are very different thicknesses. I need to learn to gauge!

[@45beetle]

thanks

[@sarahboynton1614]

Hi from the UK, would love to make the sheep that's next to you in this video, is there a video tutorial for it? Thank you so much for all your hard work and teaching us how to make beautiful things!! Love from the UK xx

[@shrutimajalikar1627]

I didn't understand this technicality , thank you mikey, i don't like to make a guage swatch

[@tracydean3678]

Thank you for the info! I don't really mix yarns unless its a flower or something like that.

[@debbieolagues5283]

Thank you! I have been wondering if it was possible to mix different yarns. I also learned more about the "G" word (gauge). I guess I'm going to have to start making gauge swatches, ugh. I will probably learn to be glad i made a swatch.

[@alejandraacosta2692]

Mil Gracias maestro!!! Muy útil su consejo!!!’😘🇲🇽🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺agradezco los subtítulos!!!!!

[@erikagholston6610]

I have wanted to ask this question for many years.

[@ericcub78]

My opinion is it's art and there are no rules in art. I've been known to mix and match all different brands and weights of yarn. I adjust where needed and I have never done a gauge (I don't make garments, lol, blankets and scarfs mostly)

[@wandataylor6266]

Thank you for the info. I do NOT like to do the blame gauge 😝🙄🤦🏼‍♀️ I do it more now because I’ve discovered I hook tighter than some of the patterns I do. I’m like why is my blame afghan shorter than theirs?🤓 I do wonder if I pull up enough for the height because, well it’s seem a bit shorter. 🤔 I do not do the pencil hold because I don’t know how people do that. It’s like playing twister 😂 plus I generally use a clover hook. So if the designer is using say, a bates hook😝 I know I should probably go up or check the gauge. I did discover that the bates hooks work better for me on that scrub-ology scrub it. Who knew🤷‍♀️

[@GlasUndMetall]

This was very helpful information and I've saved it, thank you! I realize this is a year out but just wanted to say I never thought about changing hook size but I have adjusted my tension and sometimes that works, sometimes it's a disaster but nothing is wasted in learning and experimenting with yarn, right? It's only yarn, there's always more. :)

[@elhill6972]

Mikey, thank you so much for this and all the oth we videos you record, I have found them truly wonderful. This video reminded me of another question I have ... what things do you need to consider to change the recommended yarn for a pattern (not mix as in this video but for example, change throughout the pattern from Caron one pound to Caron simply soft)?

[@maryrosemitchell2528]

Same thing....make a gauge swatch to make sure you get the same amount of stitches per inch with the new yarn choice, as the pattern asks for, and adjust your hook size up or down as necessary.

[@creatorsyukur]

Sukses selalu ya saudaraku

[@c.a.s1900]

I mix brands and I mix weights too depending on what I'm doing.

[@JoJo-uq2vo]

Washing instructions are a factor too, certain fibers shrink..so if you mix and then wash you may end up with a totally ruined project

[@LionandLamb316]

I'm really glad you made this video so I bought lionbrand icecream yarn it's a light 3 and I want to add Bernal baby a light 3 with it and I was wondering if it would be allowed it will look great I know it will but I want to sell this pattern.

[@KM-ju6kh]

Thank you for explaining! 😊

[@barbarabrokos2921]

Love the information. Do you have a tutorial for the sheep on your shelf???? ADORABLE!!!!

[@TheCrochetCrowd]

No, I haven't filmed it but we do have a free pattern for it. thecrochetcrowd.com/crochet-round-rascals-sheep/

[@barbarabrokos2921]

@@TheCrochetCrowd thank you. I’m going to give it a go! He is simply adorable

[@lilphaniesline]

I was always concerned about how two brands would wash up in a machine differently besides just gauge?

[@Teqbird]

While yes you can mix match different yarns/ fibers and that is exactly what the guage is for the other thing the guage is for is EVERY HOOK mgf is also different!!!!! I.e. Not all F are same size stitch - I use hero hooks and there are major differences between ones from Germany, England, and US. THEN you have natural hooks that expand and contract depending on environmental changes. Always use the guage

[@lindacrochetandmore9470]

I do mix yarn fiber’s together I live on the dangerous side lol

[@christinetassone3156]

I've used Vannas and Red Heart in the same project. It didn't matter.

[@sandisanchez7005]

Mikey your friend in this video do you have a pattern. Love it he is so cute

[@krislarsen5707]

Just to let you know. Your book is available in australia. Angus and roobertson have it and I got within days of ordering. Kris from aus

[@TheCrochetCrowd]

Oh that's great. I didn't know.

[@stealthwarrior5768]

To gauge or not to gauge? Thanks Mikey 👍

[@krista0222]

I should have ran a gauge before I got married 🤣😂🤣😂

[@tracydean3678]

Hahaha!

[@ginnyc]

So true!!! Luckily mine is within gauge! 💜

[@lisabeiger482]

Just to clarify ....example Mama crochets tighter than I do. So if I do a gauge swatch, I change my hook + or - to correct the gauge? Thank you for your videos! I've learned soooooo much