How to Read and Understand Yarn Labels

[@jennifermassello8670]

Thanks Barbara! I’d love to see a video on how to substitute yarns!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I've been thinking on that. Are you meaning substituting a yarn that will work the same as the called for yarn, like worsted for worsted .... or how to do a worsted weight pattern with fingering weight yarn?

[@jennifermassello8670]

@@WatchBarbaraKnit I was thinking worsted to worsted. Part of the challenges I've had is trying to substitute a similar weight for the yarn in the pattern, but I've also since learned fiber content plays a big part... but even if the fiber content is the same, there's differences... say a knitpicks 100% acrylic brava bulky, for example isn't the same as a lion brand 100% acrylic color made easy. The beginner mind in me thought since both were the same yarn weight they should be pretty close, right? lol.... and sometimes patterns call for yarns that have been discontinued or were for indie yarns, too. What's a knitter to do? :)

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

OK, that I can probably do! The other one ... that requires a LOOOOOT of math LOL. I am curious about the two acrylics not subbing out well. Looking at the stats for them they seem to be pretty close weight wise, but looking at the online photos the Lion Brand appears to have a very different ply structure. Sometimes it's just a crap shoot!

[@neamhai]

@@WatchBarbaraKnit Actually, just a tidbit on the fact that you _can_ use fingering weight yarn for a worsted weight pattern would be useful. I get really stuck in "if the pattern calls for worsted weight, you have to use a yarn that says it's worsted weight". It wouldn't have occurred to me (before) that you could use other weights....(and I assume you mean by using multiple strands, not just doing the pattern in one strand of fingering - that's a different thing!).

[@virginiaperezhernandez9143]

I really enjoyed a different background! I love yarn shops, so warm and colourful! thanks for telling us about the weight chart. I didn't know about the craft yarn council website and they've got tons of useful info. Although, I prefer to watch your videos. Gracias, gracias y, de nuevo, gracias!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I am glad you liked it. Maybe I should look at shooting there more often? A change of scenery is always nice.

[@nancybwilborn6752]

Thank you for your response Barbara😁

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

My pleasure!

[@rosalindnewman1254]

Love your store! It’s gorgeous.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I am so lucky to work there!

[@rosalindnewman1254]

They are very fortunate to have you.

[@heidicook2395]

I love to seeing all the yarn. And your blouse is a great color for you.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thank you! And I love the yarn too LOL.

[@sandygrogg1203]

Good information. and I love seeng that beautiful store.💜

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Yay!

[@leeannstearns9923]

Thank you Barbara. 👍🤗😘🧶

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@jmicone6895]

I like the yarn shop background, but I also enjoy seeing yout designs on yout silent partner. I call the quantity weight skein, or ball or hank weight. Then I think of yarn weight - fingering, sport, DK, worsted.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thanks for the feedback. It won't become my go-to, but sometimes it's fun to have a change of scenery LOL.

[@nancyincanada5553]

Thanks, Barbara, for this informative video.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I'm glad it was fun!

[@lauraiscrochet122]

Thank you, very informative!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Yay!

[@Misslele1123]

Thanks for the information this was very helpful

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Fantastic!

[@marychristoforo2256]

Thanks for another great video! Only because you asked: I’m afraid I prefer to see you recording from your room. It just feels a little more personal to me. But of course, I will watch no matter where you are!

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

It won't become the go to - simply because I'm not always there LOL.

[@neamhai]

Like the LYS as a nice change; but I agree with others that it's best just every so often. I'm amused by your LYS - I just received a club shipment from there yesterday, and was bummed at first because the "extra" was just a pattern. I'm not usually thrilled with patterns that LYS's or dyers put in. Then when I looked closer - Oh! it's a Barbara Benson pattern! Happy now! :) And a recent newsletter from SpaceCadet yarns had one of your patterns in the "my favorites this week" section.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I saw that from Space Cadet and was super excited! It's always nice when someone likes your work. And I'm glad you like Love Child! I cannot wait to see it knit up in the Purl Diver yarns!

[@nancybwilborn6752]

Very informative Barbara, thank you. If a yarn label gives you information for knitting such as needle size, but nothing about crochet, can you use the yarn for crocheting. I’m inquiring about Yarn Bee Soft Secret yarn purchased at Hobby Lobby?

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I'm pretty sure that you can use any yarn for crocheting. I am not familiar with Hobby Lobby yarns, but I don't know of any yarn that you can't crochet with.

[@marciaargenton953]

😍lindos os fios, não temos aqui no Brasil fios assim.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Você pode encomendá-los?

[@carlamonico4739]

Hi Barbara: thank you for your video. So is it safe to say That estimating yarn weight based on the number yards per 100 grams is less predictable with indie yarns, correct? Because you had an example of a skein of 226 yards that was labeled as DK weight rather than worsted weight.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

So the thing is that there are more variables at play and it is more of an art than a science LOL! Yarn structure and fiber content can play a really big role in the weight and how it knits up. And there are really no enforceable standards. 226 yards is right on the edge of wavering between DK and Worsted. It would be considered a "light worsted". And a lot depends on how it knits. Grist gets you in the ballpark but it isn't precise, and that is for all yarns - not just indie.

[@tevinlewis-johnson9503]

Hi Ms. Benson: Sorry to post this note here but I could not get to this area from where I was watching you. I watched you video on doing a guage swatch. You stated that you left your attached and put it in a bag to wash it (then you are able to still use the yarn so you wont run out). Just how is that done?

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

After I finish the swatch I use a locking stitch marker to secure the last stitch. I soak and block the swatch while it is still attached to the yarn ball. I only have to put it in a ziplock bag because I use a salad spinner to whirl out the excess water. If you just squish the swatch in towels you can skip the ziplock.

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

Not a great or especially skilled knitter, but I try a different size knitting needles, especially if I am not thrilled with the yarn. I never did swatching much previously but now I do. It makes a difference in the fabric. You might love a yarn you do not like or vice versa with the wrong size needle for the way you knit. I also have a few all over texture stitches that I will try that are easy to knit and often I like the fabric better. The numbers on the label are not for sure what will work for you.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Thanks for sharing!

[@meltheredcap6307]

I think WPI (wraps per inch) is a useful measurement to know as well - it tells you how thick a yarn is more reliably than meters per hundred grams. I've got some yarn that's incredibly light, if you look at meters per hundred grams it looks like it should be a really fine laceweight, but it knits up as fingering.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

WPI is a great tool. I think I might make a WPI video!

[@eastlynburkholder3559]

Mohair blooms and so does some wool, so that is another variable to yarn that might be sane wpi.,

[@casar6891]

How do i get ahold of the craft counsel website for this paper ? Thank you’ve been helpful

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/yarn-weight-system www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/laundry-basics

[@nightowl4137]

Fabric care symbols always confuse me the most 🤔 👍🏻 Vickie

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Yeah. They are not instinctual for me LOL.

[@cassandrabrown6440]

Cool job! Thanks for the information.

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

I'm glad if it is helpful!

[@hollieshuler8024]

What does Super Wash mean?

[@WatchBarbaraKnit]

Superwash is a technique that strips the scales off of wool and makes it so it doesn't felt as badly. It makes it so you can put the yarn in the washing machine on gentle cycle.

[@marciaargenton953]

Quem sabe, mais pra frente agora não estou podendo.