How To Read A Yarn Label The Right Way
Let’s start learning how to read a yarn label! Manufacturers include all the information you need on a yarn label to ensure you pick the perfect yarn for your crocheting and knitting needs. This article will go through reading yarn labels, including the yarn weight, gauge, and fiber content.
How To Read a Yarn Label Tutorial
Why Are Reading Yarn Labels Important? Yarn labels include all the necessary information to ensure your purchase will work for your chosen crochet project. Different yarn types suit different purposes, and learning how to read a yarn label will stop you from making mistakes.
Are you a new crocheter? Read my starter article on how to crochet for beginners and the 6 basic crochet stitches.
What is on a Yarn Label
Each yarn brand or manufacturer can include different labels and symbols in their packaging. However, here are some of the most common ones:
- Yarn Brand And Yarn Name
- Color Name And Number
- Dye Lot Number
- Fiber Content
- Physical or Skein Weight
- Yarn Length
- Yarn Weight Category
- Gauge Swatch
- Yarn Requirements
- Yarn Care Instructions
How to Read a Yarn Label, The Parts
1. Yarn Brand And Yarn Name
You won’t be able to ignore these two pieces of information, written in huge letters and usually placed in the central area at the front of the packaging. Most manufacturers place the brand name on top of the label, and the specific yarn name is right below it.
2. Color Name And Number
Color names might seem straightforward, but beginners should know that most yarn color names are unique. You won’t just find green, red, blue, or any basic color names on your yarn label. Instead, you’ll find moss green, sweet orchid, pistachio ice cream, etc.
Manufacturers also include the specific color number for each yarn. These two pieces of information are placed right next to or below each other.
3. Batch or Dye Lot Number
This information is written in small letters, symbols, and numbers. Look for the Batch #, Batch No, Lot #, or Lot No on the package.
This yarn label part provides information on the specific batch the colored skein of yarn belongs to. Skeins are made in different dyeing batches since you can’t dye unlimited quantities at once.
The exact shade or hue of the same color name might be slightly different for each batch. That’s why if you need more than one ball of yarn for a project, you shouldn’t ignore this number on the yarn label.
For instance, if your project will require five skeins of apple green yarn. Don’t just pick any apple green yarn from the same brand. Ensure the dye lot number is also the same.
You might not notice it at first, but when you use a different lot number, even though the color names are the same, you will notice the difference in shade or hue once you have completed your crocheted or knitted project.
4. Fiber Content
Like fabric, yarns are made using different types of fiber. You will need a certain type of yarn based on the requirements for each project. Different fibers are needed for sweaters, scarves, and other accessories.
The specific fiber content will give your yarn certain characteristics that make them more ideal for a particular project. For example, cotton is the go-to option when the product requires breathability. Meanwhile, opt for wool or acrylic to crochet or knit durable items that provide warmth.
When learning how to read a yarn label, you’ll also find yarns composed of a blend of two or more fibers. You will notice percentages right next to each type of fiber. If it’s made with one fiber type, the manufacturer usually places 100% right next to it.
| Type | Characteristics | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Wool | Warm and insulating, Can be itchy for some, Often more expensive | Winter garments (sweaters, scarves, hats, socks, blankets) |
| Acrylic | Synthetic and affordable, hypoallergenic, easy to care for | Children’s clothing, toys, everyday items, Afghans, blankets |
| Cotton | Cool and breathable, easy to wash, hypoallergenic | Summer clothing (tops, dresses), dishcloths, washcloths, light blankets, Amigurumi (crochet toys) |
5. Skein Weight (Physical in g or oz)
The skein weight will tell you in ounces or grams how much the yarn ball weighs. Fortunately, you can easily identify this label. That’s because you will find the unit of measurement Oz (ounces) or g (grams) right next to a number.
6. Yarn Length Or Yardage
Usually, right next to the weight of the skein, you will find the yarn ball’s length, sometimes also called yardage. This number will help you calculate how much yarn you will need for your specific project.
When looking at the yarn label, simply look for a number with meters (m) or yds (yards) right next to it.
7. Yarn Weight Category
Notice the skein of yarn image with a number in the middle? Well, this refers to where the yarn’s weight belongs to the standard categorization the Craft Yarn Council created.
Let’s take, for example, sock yarn and baby yarn. They both belong to the Lace Weight (0) category. Meanwhile, DK yarn and light worsted yarn are under the Light Weight (3). Finally, Aran yarn and worsted weight yarn are categorized as Medium Weight (4) yarns.
- Lace (0): Extremely fine yarn used for delicate lacework and lightweight projects.
- Super Fine (1): Also known as fingering yarn, suitable for lightweight garments and baby items.
- Fine (2): Often referred to as sport weight, ideal for lightweight garments and soft baby wear.
- Light (3): Known as DK (double knitting) yarn, versatile for a wide range of clothing and accessories.
- Medium (4): Also called worsted or aran weight, this is the most commonly used yarn for a variety of projects.
- Bulky (5): Thick yarn great for quick projects, warm winter gear, and cozy home accessories.
- Super Bulky (6): Extremely thick yarn used for fast projects, chunky blankets, and bold textures.
- Jumbo (7): The thickest yarn category, perfect for arm knitting, super chunky blankets, and dramatic pieces.
8. Hook Size and Gauge Swatch
Each yarn will have two gauges a crocheting gauge and a knitting gauge.
The swatches usually are two small square boxes with numbers and letters and either an image of a crochet hook or a knitting needle.
How to Read a Yarn Label Hook Size:
The number next tto the image of a needle or hook indicates the suggested or recommended needle size or crochet hook size. It may have a US size as well as a metric size in mm.
How to Read a Yarn Label Gauge:
You will notice numbers with inches or cm right next to them on the sides of the box image. These are the yarn manufacturer’s suggested or recommended gauge swatch sizes, which you will want to make. Typically it will be 4 x 4 inches (10 x10 cm).
The number with S or Sc symbolizes the number of stitches you can make in one row for the specific gauge swatch size. Then, the number with the R right next to it is the number of rows you can make for the recommended gauge swatch size.
All these pieces of information in one small box will help you have a good idea of your project’s final size. Of course, the gauge swatch, knitting needle, and crochet hook sizes indicated are just recommendations. Go ahead and adjust if necessary.
9. Yarn Requirements for Different Projects
Besides the suggested knitting needle and crochet hook size, some manufacturers show additional information, such as how many balls of yarn you will need for common projects like scarves, beanies, or sweater.
These labels are helpful for beginning crafters especially while they’re still getting the hang of computing the amount of yarn needed for their specific project.
10. How to Read a Yarn Label Care Instructions
Similar to any fabric-made items, the yarn label will include care instructions or laundry symbols. Of course, it gives you an idea of how you will take care of the finished product.
Can you handwash or machine-wash it? Should you use high, medium, or low heat? Are you allowed to use bleach and iron?
To maximize the space, yarn manufacturers typically place an “X” over a specific symbol to tell you that you can’t do such actions. Put simply, an iron with an X means you can’t iron the product you made from the yarn you used.
You will also notice that some yarn labels include “superwash.” It only means machine washing is OK because the yarn underwent a special process or treatment.
11. Other Symbols
When you start learning how to read a yarn label or symbol, you can also sometimes find a symbol that resembles a sled with a round handle. Or, it looks more like a half circle with a tiny brick underneath it. This image means the yarn was coated or treated with oil or wax. Hence, you can use the yarn not just for hand knitting but also for machine knitting.
FAQs How to Reas a Yarn Label
Should I Keep Yarn Labels?
Now that you have learned how to read a yarn label or symbol, I’m sure you’re wondering whether or not keeping the yarn label is essential. It’s advisable to keep the yarn labels. You won’t be able to remember all the information for each yarn you have, right? Having the yarn label at hand ensures you have quick access to information you might have forgotten.
Also, some yarn manufacturers include a pattern in the labels, which can be handy later when you are searching for a free pattern.
2. How Should I Store Yarn Labels?
Every crafter stores their yarn labels differently. I know some who prefer simply attaching the label to the gauge swatch. Those who have a notebook or a binder for their sketches, patterns, and guides find it more convenient to store the labels in the same place.
You can also insert the label in the middle of the yarn’s center area if you love to wind your skein of yarn into a cake before using it.
3. What Should I Do If I Lost My Yarn Label?
No matter how organized you are, it isn’t uncommon for you to lose a yarn label. Don’t panic; you can still use the yarn for knitting or crocheting projects. All you have to do is to carefully scrutinize the yarn.
The advice I can give you is to determine the yarn weight manually. To do so, you must:
- Wind the yarn around a ruler.
- Then, count the number of wraps you made for every inch. This is now the estimated WPI or Wraps Per Inch of your yarn.
- Then, refer to the table below to identify the type of yarn weight you have.
| WPIs | Yarn Weights | Yarn Types |
| 30 to 40+ | 0 | Lace Weight |
| 14 to 30 | 1 | Sock, Fingering Weight |
| 12 to 18 | 2 | Sport, Baby Weight |
| 11 to 15 | 3 | DK, Light Worsted Weight |
| 9 to 12 | 4 | Worsted, Aran, Afghan, Weight |
| 6 to 9 | 5 | Craft, Chunky, Rug Weight |
| 5 to 6 | 6 | Super Bulky, Roving Weight |
| 1 to 4 | 7 | Jumbo, Roving Weight |
While some can easily distinguish fiber type by touch and look, it takes years of experience to make sure you can accurately do so. Fret not; I have a solution to this!
You can cut a tiny strand of the yarn and place it in a glass or porcelain bowl. Then, place the yarn strand in the bowl or container. Using a lighter or match, light the piece of yarn with it. Always take safety precautions and have water nearby.
Synthetic yarn melts, while a natural one can smolder or burn. I also advise you to pay attention to the lit-up yarn’s smell. A burnt-hair-like odor means you have an animal-based yarn, while a paper-like odor means you have cotton or linen.
How to Read A Yarn Label – In Conclusion
Knitting and crocheting with the correct yarn is easier once you learn how to read a yarn label. The label photographed was from LionBrand which tends to have very comprehensive labels. Other brands may have all or only some of the parts contained in this article.
Author - Luisa Clare
Luisa Clare is the founder of Treasurie, a sewing and crochet education platform offering step-by-step tutorials and printable patterns. With over 15 years of experience in dressmaking, pattern design, crochet, and craft education, she specialises in teaching beginners through clear, easy-to-follow lessons. Her tutorials and patterns are used by home sewists and crocheters worldwide to build practical skills and confidence. Learn more about Luisa and Treasurie.
