Q: How do I read the label [on a skein of yarn]?
Andrea S. asks while holding a skein of a cashmere blend and squinting at the tag, "How do I read this label?!?"
The answer to many questions a knitter may have about their yarn is usually on the label or tag of the yarn. The information on a yarn tag can be overwhelming if you are not sure what it all means. A yarn tag usually lists the name, and color of the yarn in addition to the dye lot. Dye lot is the number associated with the yarn dyed in one batch (e.g. all the yarn dyed in batch 1 would have a dye lot of 1 and all the yarn dyed in batch 2 would have a dye lot of 2). There can be variation in color from dye lot to dye lot ranging from very slight to very dramatic which is why it is recommended that people buy an extra skein when purchasing their yarn in case they run out before finishing a project.
The fiber content is usually on the package and sometimes care instructions are included as well. If the label does not tell you how to clean and dry your yarn, consult your favorite knitting book as it should have this information.
The weight and yardage also makes an appearance on the yarn label. If your yarn comes from another country the yarn may be measured in meters, 1 yard = 0.9 of a meter. Yarn companies also put the suggested needle size for the yarn on the label. This may differ from the size you wish to use or that your pattern calls for. It is merely a recommendation made by the yarn company and nothing that should discourage knitters from experimentation.
One of the most important things on the tag of yarn is regarding the gauge. This indicates the knitting weight of your yarn (e.g. worsted). This may be measured across one inch but is most often seen measured across four. Most knitters are interested in how many stitches are in one inch so they must do some knitter’s math.
For example, on the label of Manos del Uruguay, the gauge is listed as 18 sts (stitches) = 4”. To know how many stitches per inches you must divide 18 by 4. So if you knit with an average tension and use the size needle recommended on the label you should get 4.5 stitches per inch.
There are various other things that may be on your yarn label like the story of the company that makes the yarn, a description of the fiber or dying process, or there may even be a pattern. So use your labels to learn more about your yarn. You may even want to keep a knitting journal; save the labels and rate how much you (dis)liked the fiber. Another suggestion may be to include the label with a hand knit gift so the recipient also knows not only how to care for the garment but more information about the fiber that was used to construct it.
- Answered by Renee P., Spark's Yarn Department Manager
The answer to many questions a knitter may have about their yarn is usually on the label or tag of the yarn. The information on a yarn tag can be overwhelming if you are not sure what it all means. A yarn tag usually lists the name, and color of the yarn in addition to the dye lot. Dye lot is the number associated with the yarn dyed in one batch (e.g. all the yarn dyed in batch 1 would have a dye lot of 1 and all the yarn dyed in batch 2 would have a dye lot of 2). There can be variation in color from dye lot to dye lot ranging from very slight to very dramatic which is why it is recommended that people buy an extra skein when purchasing their yarn in case they run out before finishing a project.
The fiber content is usually on the package and sometimes care instructions are included as well. If the label does not tell you how to clean and dry your yarn, consult your favorite knitting book as it should have this information.
The weight and yardage also makes an appearance on the yarn label. If your yarn comes from another country the yarn may be measured in meters, 1 yard = 0.9 of a meter. Yarn companies also put the suggested needle size for the yarn on the label. This may differ from the size you wish to use or that your pattern calls for. It is merely a recommendation made by the yarn company and nothing that should discourage knitters from experimentation.
One of the most important things on the tag of yarn is regarding the gauge. This indicates the knitting weight of your yarn (e.g. worsted). This may be measured across one inch but is most often seen measured across four. Most knitters are interested in how many stitches are in one inch so they must do some knitter’s math.
For example, on the label of Manos del Uruguay, the gauge is listed as 18 sts (stitches) = 4”. To know how many stitches per inches you must divide 18 by 4. So if you knit with an average tension and use the size needle recommended on the label you should get 4.5 stitches per inch.
There are various other things that may be on your yarn label like the story of the company that makes the yarn, a description of the fiber or dying process, or there may even be a pattern. So use your labels to learn more about your yarn. You may even want to keep a knitting journal; save the labels and rate how much you (dis)liked the fiber. Another suggestion may be to include the label with a hand knit gift so the recipient also knows not only how to care for the garment but more information about the fiber that was used to construct it.
- Answered by Renee P., Spark's Yarn Department Manager
posted by sparkcrafts at 1:23 PM
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