How to Read a Yarn Label: A Beginner's Guide to Knitting with Jennifer Knits
Have you ever picked up a beautiful skein of yarn, turned it over and wondered what all those little numbers and symbols mean?
You're not alone! Yarn labels are packed with useful information, but when you're new to knitting, they can be a little confusing. The good news is that once you know what to look for, reading a yarn label is actually pretty simple. Think of it as a little guide to help you choose the right yarn for your project.
Let's take a look at what you'll find on a typical yarn label and what it all means.
1. Yarn Weight
One of the first things you'll want to look for is the yarn weight. Yarn weight doesn't refer to how heavy the skein is. It tells you how thick or thin the yarn is. Some balls or skeins will use a numbered system. (Check out our post on yarn weights for more info)
2. Fiber Content
Next, look for fiber content. This tells you what the yarn is made from. You might see fibers such as wool, merino wool, cotton, alpaca, cashmere, acrylic or blends of fibers. Fiber content matters because it affects how your finished project will look and feel. For example, a cotton sweater will feel quite different from one made with wool, even if both yarns are the same weight.
3. Yardage and Skein Weight
You'll usually find two measurements on a yarn label, the weight of the skein and the amount of yarn inside it. For example, a label might say: 100 grams/220 yards, this means the skein weighs 100 grams and contains approximately 220 yards of yarn.
Why is this important? When you're following a knitting pattern, it will usually tell you how many yards of yarn you'll need. Always check the yardage rather than relying only on the number of skeins. Two skeins that weigh the same can contain very different amounts of yarn.
4. Recommended Needle Size
Most yarn labels include a suggested knitting needle size.
You might see something like US 8 (5mm), this means the manufacturer recommends starting with a US size 8 knitting needle. Keep in mind that is only a suggestion. The needle size you actually use will depend on your knitting pattern and personal tension. If you're following a pattern, start with the needle size recommended in the pattern and make sure to do a gauge swatch.
5. Gauge
Gauge might sound complicated but it's simply a way of measuring how many stitches and rows fit into a certain space.
A yarn label might say: 18 stitches/24 rows = 4 inches (10cm), this means that using the suggested needle size, approximately 18 stitches and 24 rows should create a square measuring 4x4 inches. Gauge is especially important when knitting something that needs to fit, like a sweater.
Everyone knits a little differently, so making a gauge swatch before starting a fitted project is very important.
6. Care Instructions
Before you fall in love with a yarn, take a look at the care instructions. You'll often see little laundry symbols that tell you whether the yarn can be machine washed, what water temperature to use, whether it can go in the dryer and if ironing is allowed. This is especailly helpful when making gifts, baby blankets or anything that will need frequent washing.
7. Dye Lot Numbers
Most yarn labels include a dye lot number. This identifies the batch in which the yarn was dyed. Even when two skeins are labeled as the exact same color, there can be slight variations between dye lots. If you're making a larger project that requires several skeins it's a good idea to get 1 or 2 extra of that same dye lot to make sure you have enough to finish your project.
A Few Final Tips
The next time you're shopping for yarn, take a moment to read the label before making your selection. When you're shopping on jenniferknits.com we have all the important information listed for you! Don't worry if you don't remember everything right away. The more you knit, the more familiar all those little symbols and numbers will become.
Happy Knitting!
Jennifer Knits
