Organizing your stash
Why substitute yarn?
You can successfully substitute yarns in your stash instead of buying the yarn called for in a pattern. This both accomplishes our goal of de-stashing while saving some big money.
Other reasons to substitute yarn might be because the yarn called for is discontinued or not available in your area.
There are some pitfalls that you should avoid, like using the wrong type of yarn or not having enough.
Follow these guidelines and you will be substituting your yarn like a pro.
Fiber content
Match the fiber type and content of the yarn that you will be replacing. For instance, if your pattern calls for a Wool+ Acrylic blend you would NOT want to substitute with a 100% cotton yarn. You should aim for percentages that are similar, but they don’t have to be exact.
Not sure what the content of your scrap yarn is? There is a simple test that you can do to narrow down the fiber content. Use a lighter and some tweezers, and a bowl of water. Hold a small scrap of yarn ( 2-3 inches long) and light an end. Natural animal fibers will smell like burning hair, they will turn to ash and will not burn very quickly. Cotton and other Natural plant fibers will smell like burning paper and turn to ash. Synthetic fibers will burn more quickly and leave a nub and not turn to ash. While this is not 100% foolproof, it can help give you a better idea of the content. Note: This test is best done outside or in a well-ventilated area. Use Caution, of course.
Yarn Weight
The replacement yarn should match the required yarn by weight. This might be confusing because the term weight has nothing to do with how much it actually weighs. Confused? No worries. I’ve made a handy chart of the standard weights.
Yardage required
You will need to determine HOW MUCH of your yarn you will need. The pattern should tell you how much yarn you will need to complete the project. You might have to measure and/or weigh your yarn to find the required amounts.
For instance, if your pattern calls for 340 yards and you have 3 balls of 120 yards each, you would multiply the quantity by the yardage. 3X120=360. Bingo! You just might have enough yarn.
Stitch gauge
Now to the final, and most dreaded step: making a gauge swatch. Please hear me…Don’t skip this step. See that you are using the right needles to get the gauge required by the PATTERN.
Look your swatch over and consider the following:
- Drape
- Sheen
- Elasticity
- Texture
If the garment should drape,( ie. shawls) consider alpaca, mohair, silk, bamboo
If the garment is sturdy or firm, try wool, cotton, or acrylic blends.
If the garment requires elasticity try wool or acrylic blend.
Also, consider the texture, you wouldn’t want course wool on sensitive areas like your neck. Instead, opt for an alpaca blend.
Lastly, In the event your pattern calls for Steeking, you should use a wool or wool blend.
Final Suggestions
I hope these guidelines have been helpful in finding the perfect yarn substitution for your project. Check out this post about choosing the best color combinations. Getting creative with colors can mean we finally can salvage our stash! Use even the smallest bits of yarn. Learn how I systemize my stash to make this a painless task.
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