Do you know what information is on your yarn label? Newer crafters sometimes struggle to understand what is on the label so here is a handy overview of what you'll find and why that information matters.
1. Brand Name and Yarn Line 🏷️
- Description: The label typically displays the brand (e.g., Lopi) and the specific line of yarn (e.g., "Léttlopi").
- Importance: Knowing the brand and yarn line is useful for consistency and helps if you need to find more of the same yarn in the future or look up specific details about the yarn online.
2. Color Name and/or Color Number 🌈
- Description: Many yarns have both a name and number assigned to each color, like "Colour # 1705" or “Royal Fuschia”.
- Importance: This helps you identify and reorder specific colors. If you need more yarn, knowing the color name/number makes it easier to find the exact match.
3. Dye Lot Number 🎨
- Description: The dye lot number (Lot # 0101) represents the batch of yarn dyed together, ensuring consistent color across skeins. Dye lots can vary slightly in shade, even within the same colorway.
- Importance: When purchasing yarn for a project, buy all skeins from the same dye lot to avoid noticeable color variations. This is especially important for large projects like sweaters or blankets where color consistency matters.
4. Yardage/Meterage and Weight of the Skein 📏
- Description: This indicates the length (110 yards or 100 meters) and the weight (50 grams or 1.75 ounces) of the yarn in the skein.
- Importance: Yardage and weight help you estimate how much yarn you’ll need for a project and make substitutions if you’re using a different yarn than the one specified in a pattern. The yardage-to-weight ratio can also give you insight into the density and feel of the yarn.
5. Fiber Content 🌱
- Description: The label will list the materials used in the yarn, like wool, cotton, acrylic, alpaca, silk, or blends (e.g., 100% Wool).
- Importance: Fiber content affects the yarn’s texture, warmth, durability, and care requirements. Knowing the fiber content helps you choose a yarn that aligns with the needs of your project (e.g., wool for warmth, cotton for breathability).
6. Yarn Weight Category 🧶
- Description: The yarn weight category indicates the thickness of the yarn, such as lace, fingering, sport, DK (double knitting), worsted, aran, bulky, or super bulky. This may also be indicated with numbers 1, 2, 3 etc.
- Importance: Yarn weight affects gauge (stitches per inch) and the type of projects it’s best suited for. Knowing the weight category helps you choose the right yarn for your pattern and get the expected look and size for your project.
7. Recommended Needle/Hook Size and Gauge 🧵
- Description: The label typically suggests a needle or hook size (in millimeters and/or U.S. sizes) along with a gauge, which tells you how many stitches and rows you’ll get per 4 inches (10 cm).
- Importance: The recommended needle or hook size and gauge give you a starting point for achieving the desired tension in your project. If your gauge matches the label, you’re more likely to get the correct size and drape for your project.
8. Care Instructions 🧺
- Description: Care instructions indicate how to wash, dry, and store the yarn, including symbols for machine-washing, hand-washing, air-drying, ironing, and other specifics.
- Importance: Following care instructions is crucial to maintaining the yarn’s quality and durability over time. Certain fibers like wool may shrink or felt in the washing machine, while acrylic yarns are usually more durable and machine-washable.
9. Country of Origin 🌎
- Description: Some yarn labels include where the yarn was produced or spun, such as “Made from Icelandic Wool”. Istex is an Icelandic company.
- Importance: For many crafters, knowing the origin is important for ethical or quality reasons. Yarns produced in certain regions, like Peruvian alpaca or Italian merino, are known for high quality.
10. Special Characteristics or Certifications 🏅
- Description: Labels may indicate if the yarn has special characteristics, like being organic, fair trade, or superwash (machine-washable wool). It might also include certifications, like OEKO-TEX for non-toxic materials.
- Importance: Special characteristics can guide your choices if you’re looking for yarns that are eco-friendly, ethically sourced, or safe for baby items.
By understanding the information on a yarn label, you can make more informed choices, ensuring that the yarn is suitable for your project and that you achieve the results you want.
