Yarn

How to Make Smart Substitutions for Machine Knitters

November 18, 2024
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Finding the Perfect Yarn Substitute: A Technical Approach

The other day, fellow knitter Mary called me in a panic. Her favorite yarn mill, Jaggerspun of Maine, was closing down. Any knitter would understand - we all have that one perfect yarn we can't live without!

"I love their Superlamb 4/8," she told me, "What can I substitute?"

Her question touches on a challenge many knitters face: finding the perfect replacement for a beloved yarn.

Beyond the Basic Numbers

Sure, we all know about those yarn weight numbers (you know, 1 through 6), but there are some really clever tricks to find your perfect yarn match. Let me show you two game-changing methods I use all the time.

Method 1: The Yards Per Pound Approach
Let's talk about yards per pound - think of it as your yarn's unique fingerprint. Take, for instance, the popular Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash. When we run the numbers through the we can determine if it will give us the same drape and feel as another yarn that we've used before.

Method 2: Compare Gauge
The second piece of our substitution puzzle is gauge comparison.

Let's look at two popular options:

Wool of the Andes suggests 18-20 stitches to 4" (10cm)
Lion Brand Wool Ease offers 18 stitches to 4" (10cm)

By comparing these numbers to your original yarn's gauge, you get a much clearer picture of how your finished project will behave.

Why This Matters

Here's the best thing about using both these methods - you're not just guessing anymore!
Instead of crossing your fingers and hoping a yarn will work, you'll actually know if it's right for your project.
Using both of these methods, (the combination of yards per pound and gauge comparison) gives us something the basic numbering system can't: PRECISION.
It's the difference between saying "this yarn is almost the same" and knowing "this yarn will give me the fabric I want."

The Cone Challenge

Here's where things get interesting. Mary's original Superlamb came on cones, and unfortunately, we face limited options for cone yarn here in the US. This means we need to look at balls and hanks – but don't worry, we can still find an excellent match.

Making Your Choice

When you're standing in your local yarn shop or browsing online, don't just reach for a yarn with the same weight number. Take a moment to:

Check the yards per pound
Compare the recommended gauge
Consider the fiber content (Remember, a yarn that matches in numbers but differs significantly in fiber content might still give you unexpected results.)

Final Thoughts

While the closing of Jaggerspun is a loss for our knitting community, understanding these technical aspects of yarn comparison opens up a world of possibilities.

Whether you're working from a vintage pattern or seeking a replacement for a discontinued favorite, these methods will serve you well.

And Mary? She ended up finding a suitable replacement by using these very techniques. Sometimes change leads us to discover new favorites we might never have considered otherwise.