How to Read Yarn Labels

A skill I wish I had learned much sooner, reading yarn labels will help you pick the right yarn for your project.

Hi everyone!

When you start your crochet journey, you might grab some yarn because you think it’s pretty. Later on, you discovered it didn’t work for your project or it didn’t wash well. That’s where a yarn label comes in. The yarn label will inform you of everything about that yarn and what projects it’s suitable for. Knowing how to read a yarn label is a good crochet knitting skill.

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How to Read Yarn Labels

A yarn label tells you everything you need to know about that ball of yarn, everything from size, what it is made of, and washing instructions. A yarn label is wrapped around your ball of yarn in the store to keep it from getting tangled and falling apart. Not only is it for that, but it’s also a treasure trove of information!

Brand/Yarn Name:

The brand name is the manufacturer of the yarn. For instance, Lion Brand Yarn. You’ll notice that under the brand name, you’ll see a name below like “super saver.” With many kinds of yarn and material blends, companies like Red Heart have “collections.” The yarn name is just the collection it’s from. Each collection has a specific material they are made of, qualities, and size and only comes in a select color range.

Lot Number’s:

You’ll find the lot number beside the color name or near the bar code. When I started, this number meant nothing to me, and I remember a shop clerk telling me once, “make sure the lot numbers match!” Dyeing yarn isn’t a perfect process, and the colors can vary from each batch they dye. The lot number will tell you if each ball is from the same dye batch. Make sure each ball you grab has the same lot number.

Yarn Color:

Yarn color names are like names they pick for paint chips: cute and creative. Knowing what color you need for a crochet project will help you find more if you run out and need to order another ball online or in-store. Name colors are also helpful to include when writing patterns so others can find the exact yarn you’ve used.

Yarn Size:

Yarn can come in various sizes. It usually ranges from 0 to 7. Size refers to the thickness. The larger the size, the thicker it is. 0 is the thinnest. 7 is jumbo. Each yarn size has a term that matches the number seen on the label, such as medium, bulky, and lace. The worsted weight falls under yarn size 4. Always read your pattern carefully so you know exactly what size/weight you need. Keeping a chart handy doesn’t hurt, either. An excellent explanation chart can be found on the Yarn Craft Council website.

Crochet Hook Symbol:

Knitting or crocheting, the yarn label will tell you everything you need to know! The crochet hook on your yarn label (or knitting needles) informs you of the recommended hook size to use with the yarn. For example, you might see 5mm above the crochet hook symbol. This means a 5mm crochet hook should be used. Remember that you don’t have to use the recommended hook size when working with the yarn. Use the crochet hook that the pattern designer has instructed.

Washing Instructions:

With the tags on your clothing, you’ll notice a bunch of weird symbols that tell you what to do. The same goes for a yarn label. Can you wash the yarn in a machine? I don’t know. Only the symbols know! Downy has a chart to figure it out.

How Much Yarn:

Yarn labels will tell you how many ounces, pounds, and yards your skein is. A crochet pattern may tell you that you need 236 yards to complete the project instead of how many balls you’ll need. When you go to purchase the yarn needed, you can look at the label and calculate how many balls you need to buy from the yardage stated. For example, if a label says the ball is only 86 yards and you need 236 yards to complete the pattern, you would need approximately 3 balls.

Blend/Material:

Yarn labels will tell you what your yarn is made of and how much in the form of percentages. It might say 100% Acrylic. Others may say Cotton 75% Acrylic 25%. The material yarn is made of can affect the washing instructions, the size, and the drape. You need to know the yarn blend to determine if it’ll work for the project you have in mind, and the label will tell you everything you need to know about it.

Yarn labels are a fountain of knowledge. If you know how to read them, it’s a game-changer. All yarn labels vary in the presentation of information. Some have more information than others, or things like the color and lot # aren’t always by the barcode. However, most yarn labels follow this general format.

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