Yarn Labels by Janice Jones |Updated 08-14-2022
If you are like many, and I'm included, trying to decipher what the label is trying to tell you is daunting.
One of the best reasons for taking up either knitting or crocheting is the Yarn. There are so many on the market these days in every possible color and texture. Yarns can be made from natural fibers such as cashmere, angoras, and alpacas or human-made acrylic and nylon and anything in between. But before you can purchase that first ball of Yarn, you need to know a little about what the label is trying to tell you.
There is some necessary information on most yarn labels that will be of interest to you.
To make it a little easier to understand, The Craft Yarn Council has provided some industry standards. yarnstandards.com
Take a quick look at the yarn section of your favorite craft store, and you will immediately notice how different yarns look based on their weight.
Some yarns are very thin and are meant to be used in intricate pieces and baby garments. In contrast, others are so thick that the yarn fiber's circumference is wider than my fingers.
There is a type of Yarn available today for any project that you could conceive and plenty of unique patterns that work well with all of them. Choosing the correct category of Yarn is the key to your next project's success.
Here are the standard weights of yarns available today, but if you need more information about specifics, the Craft Yarn Council will be able to help you.
https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/yarn-weight-system
0 Lace (also called fingering) Recommended Needles in U.S. Sizes: 000 to 1; Used For – Lacy patterns, dollies, scarves, and shawls.
1 Super Fine (also called a sock, fingering, baby yarn) Recommended Needle sizes in U.S. 1 –3; Used For – Shawls, mittens, fine sweaters, and garments.
2 Fine (also called baby, sport yarn) Recommended Needle Sizes in U.S. 2-5 Used For – All sorts of projects, cardigans, sweaters, socks, hats, and scarves.
3 Lightweight (also called DK, (double knitting) light worsted) 5-7 needle sizes in the U.S.: Often used in sock patterns
4. Medium (Also known as worsted, Afgan, Aran) Recommended needle size in the U.S 7-9 Perfect for beginner projects.
5. Bulky (also called Chunky) Recommended needle size in the U.S. 9-11 Used For – Chunky crochet projects, rugs, carpets, thick throws, cowls, and scarves.
6. Super Bulky (Also called Roving) Recommended needle size in the U.S. 11-17 Used For – Hats, thick garments, and blankets.
7. Jumbo (also called Roving) Recommended needle size in the U.S. 17 and larger Used For – Jumbo and extreme crochet, like scarves, afghans, and household accessories.
The thinner the Yarn, the smaller the needle you will use. The label will generally indicate what size needles (knitting) or hook size (crocheting) are best used with a particular size yarn.
https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/standards/yarn-weight-system
You can purchase yarns as a hank, ball, or skein. But what is the difference?
Never has there been a period in history where there were so many different synthetic yarns available at very reasonable costs.
Most, however, get mixed reviews from knitters knowledgeable about the different types of yarns available.
On the plus side, synthetics are easy to care for. They are machine washable, won't stretch or shrink, and be dyed to any color imaginable. They are also the most affordable.
On the downside, they can create static and aren't very breathable. Many manufacturers are working hard to combine synthetics with natural fibers to create yarns with the best of both worlds.
Yarns made from natural fibers can be divided into two groups: Animal based and plant based. There is a third category of yarns and they are combinations of both natural and synthetic fibers.
Take this label, for example; if I didn't know what all the little symbols meant, I'd be scratching my head wondering if this was some secret code. Luckily, there is a meaning for each little sign, and I'm here to help you make sense of it.
Choose your Yarn wisely. If you plan to wear the object and need to launder it frequently, your best bet is a synthetic yarn that is machine washable. If dry cleaning is not a problem, you may have more options available to you.
Not all yarn labels will have a free pattern printed on the back, but those that do will need to indicate the difficulty level. Pattern difficult ranges from beginner or basic, to easy, intermediate and complex or advanced. Look for these symbols on both the yarn label as well as any pattern.
Patterns printed on the yarn label will also include the following:
The more expensive yarns won't be found in your local large
retail establishments. You will need to
seek out local yarn shops and online resources.
Remember, the most straightforward yarns for beginners are medium weight or number four yarns. Number 3 and number 5 yarns are next. Finish a few projects before you begin using extra fine or bulky yarns as your hands feel quite different.
Buy the required number of balls of yarn before you begin the project. You may be able to pick up additional balls but they may not be in the same dye lot meaning that the colors won't match completely.
If you plan to make the pattern printed on the label, pay close attention to the gauge and make a swatch that matches the gauge before beginning the project.