How do I choose what yarn to use instead of the one shown in the pattern?

Question

I am new to knitting and don't know how to choose a similar yarn because I don't know how to tell what will match up especially as I haven't seen the orignal yarn suggested.

Answer 1

The best idea is to ask at your local wool shop, they are always really helpful.

However I would look at the features of the wool suggested, firstly I would try and match the thickness - if they say chunky wool try and find "chunky", if it's double knit try and buy "double knit".

Then there is the material, if they suggest a brand of wool that mainly contains cotton try to find a wool with a similar cotton content.

However the beauty of knitting is that you don't have to do exactly what the pattern says, experimenting can be really good and give you better and more individual results so don't feel too pressurised do everything exactly the way the pattern says, including your choice of wool.

Answer 2

The pattern should have some kind of designation as to the thickness of the yarn: bulky, fine, superfine, etc. Those are pretty much standardized, and if you go to the store the labels on the yarn should say what it is. Some magazines (I know Interweave Knits does it) have a picture of the yarn. That should be actual-size, and if you hold a strand of yarn right on top of the picture you will be able to tell if it's about the same thickness. Be sure not to stretch the yarn out when you do it.

As far as fiber, I may upset some purists by saying this, but I think you can pretty much sustitute acrylic for wool as long as the pattern doesn't involve felting. Certain other fibers like cotton or silk I don't suggest substituting another fiber, because those have very singular texture to them and if you use, say, wool instead of silk, your finished product will come out very different from what is pictured.

Answer 3

If youv'e got the pattern, it should say what type of yarn to use.
If your'e not sure when you go to the yarn store ask the girl behind the counter she should be able to help.
If you still have no joy, if you have a picture of the final product or know what its meant to be, be adventurous, and try it with a yarn that you think will look good, or that you really like.

PS If your'e just starting it's worth sticking to Acrylics and mixes unless you can get wool on sale because it can get really expensive, and if you don't get all the same lot colour,at the same time, it is really hard to match up from another lot.

Answer 4

The pattern should say what gauge needles to use. Most yarn packages say which gauge is best with that yarn. And yes if you are new to knitting try to stick with acrylics and also yarn that does not have a lot of texture. Yarn that is really fuzzy is sometimes hard to work with and can get frustrating if you are beginner.

Answer 5

Go to Michael's, AC Moore, Rag Shop or any craft shop that sells yarn (I don't mean WalMart or KMart) & there will be someone there that can help you out. Yarn is distinguished by numbers, some are 4-ply & others are only 2-ply. Go to a speciality craft store & they can help you.

Answer 6

Your pattern should also suggest the tension at which the item is worked, ie "x stitches and y rows over z inches/cm" When you've got your yarn, try a tension sample and see how it works up.

Answer 7

Wool comes in 1ply 2ply 3ply Double knit and chunky .It would be best to stick to the nearest thickness .If you don't your garment will come out ether to small or to big .Also you must use needles according to the ply you are using .