How to change yarns or yarn amounts

Changing

1 strand of yarn for another:

If the yarn gives the same knitting gauge it is easy to change from one to the other.

Follow the given knitting gauge in the pattern – remember needle size is only a guide; change to the needle size you need. For more info on knitting gauge, see here

Be aware: When changing yarns, the amount of yarn might also need adjusting, because the meterage of yarn in a ball (50 gram = X metres) varies from yarn to yarn - see the calculation below.



1 strand within a yarn group:

All our yarns are spun to standard thickness and can be used for the same pattern if you change within the one DROPS Yarn group. See our yarn groups here.

Different yarns have different structures.

Be aware: When changing yarns, the amount of yarn might also need adjusting, because the meterage of yarn in a ball (50 gram = X metres) varies from yarn to yarn - see the calculation below.



1 strand of yarn to 2 or more strands:

DROPS yarns are spun so the thickness of the strands fit each other.
By working with more than one strand from one Yarn Group, you can easily find patterns in other Yarn Groups (see yarn groups here) or see our suggestions (see recommended yarn combinations here).

Be aware: When changing yarns, the amount of yarn might also need adjusting because the meterage of yarn in a ball (50 gram = X metres) varies from yarn to yarn - see the calculation below.

Here is a list of yarns which can easily be exchanged between Yarn Groups:

Yarn Group A 2 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group C
Yarn Group A 3 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group D
Yarn Group A 4 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group E
Yarn Group A 8 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group F
Yarn Group B 2 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group D
Yarn Group C 2 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group E
Yarn Group C 4 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group F
Yarn Group E 2 strands = 1 strand Yarn Group F

In DROPS patterns this is written as: A + A = C


The amount of yarn is adjusted when changing:

1 strand for 1 strand.

When changing yarns, the amount of yarn might also need adjusting, because the meterage of yarn in a ball (50 gram = X metres) varies from yarn to yarn - see the calculation below:

In the pattern you need 300 g Yarn-X
We need the meterage to be able to calculate how much Yarn-Y you need:


Yarn-X: 50 g = 170 metres = 186 yards
Total yarn required: 6 balls x 170 metres = 1020 metres = 1115 yards

Yarn-Y: 50 g = 150 metres = 164


Number of metres of Yarn-X = 1020 metres = 1115 yards
divided by the number of metres Yarn-Y = 6.8 balls

Result:
7 balls = 350 g of Yarn-Y
replaces
6 balls = 300 g of Yarn-X.

Need help to do the sums? Try our calculator!

1 strand for 2 strands with the same meterage.

This is an example, to show you how you calculate the yarn needed when changing from 1 strand DROPS Snow (Yarn Group E) to 2 strands DROPS Air (Yarn Group C) - see calculation below:

The pattern states 1150 g DROPS Snow.
We need the meterage to be able to recalculate:


DROPS Snow: 50 g = 50 metres = 54 yards
Total yarn required: 23 balls x 50 metres = 1150 metres = 1 257 yards

DROPS Air: 50 g = approx. 150 metres = 164 yards


Number of metres of DROPS Snow = 1150 metres = 1 258 yards
divided by number of metres of DROPS Air = 7.67 balls

You are going to work with 2 strands instead of 1 strand, therefore the number of balls is x 2: 7.67 x 2 = 16 balls

Result:
1150 g DROPS Snow
is replaced by
800 g DROPS Air

Need help to do the sums ? Try our calculator!

2 strands of different meterage to 1 strand.

This is how to calculate the yarn needed when you wish to work with 1 strand in a pattern which uses 2 strands
Example: 1 strand DROPS BabyAlpaca Silk (from Yarn Group A) and 1 strand DROPS Kid-Silk (from Yarn Group A)
is changed to:
1 strand DROPS AIR (from Yarn Group C)

The pattern states:
300 g DROPS BabyAlpaca-Silk and 125 g DROPS Kid-Silk
(= 2 strands from Yarn Group A)

Re-calculate this to:
1 strand DROPS Air (Yarn Group C)
We need the meterage to be able to re-calculate:

DROPS BabyAlpaca-Silk: 50 g = 167 metres = 183 yards,
Total yarn required: 6 balls x 167 metres = 1002 metres = 1 096 yards

DROPS Kid-Silk: 25 g = 200 metres = 218 yards
Total yarn required: 5 balls x 200 metres = 1000 metres = 1 093 yards

Alternative new yarn:
DROPS AIR: 50 g = 150 metres = 164 yards


Begin with the yarn with the shortest meterage = 1000 metres = 1093 yards
Divide by the number of metres of DROPS Air:
1000 metres divided by 150 metres = 1093 yards divided by 164 yards = 6.7 balls; so 7 balls


Result:
300 g DROPS BabyAlpaca-Silk
125 g DROPS Kid-Silk
is replaced by:
350 g DROPS Air

Comments (502)

Sylvia O'mahony wrote:

Is there a way to adapt a pattern for group c yarn to a group b yarn please? I've read how to adapt c to a by doubling but not sure if it's possible to get a good result changing from c to b, using 5mm needles. TIA

26.10.2017 - 14:33:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs O'mahony, you can try different needle size to check your gauge and see how the texture will look at. Remember for such individual assistance your DROPS store will help you, even per mail or telephone. Happy knitting!

27.10.2017 - 10:25:

Nicole Grund wrote:

Sorry, habe mich verschrieben, also nochnal Ich habe eine Anleitung für Garngruppe E. Möchte aber andere Garngruppen (A&B) benutzen. Ist 2×B & 2×A = E oder 2×B & 1×A = E ? Vielen Dank für dir Hilfe

09.10.2017 - 22:25:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Frau Grund, 4xA = E ; 2xA + 1xC = E ; 1xA + 2xB = E. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

10.10.2017 - 11:20:

Nicole Grund wrote:

Ich habe eine Anleitung für Garngruppe E. Möchte aber andere Garngruppen (A&B). Ist 2×B & 2×A = E oder 2×B & 2×A = E ? Vielen Dank für dir Hilfe

09.10.2017 - 22:20:

Katrin wrote:

Hei, ich moechte gerne Anleitung 172-46 stricken, die ist mit DROPS ANDES und ich moechte gerne DROPS extra fine benutzen. Geht das und wie kann ich das? danke schon mal im vorraus

06.10.2017 - 19:44:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Katrin, DROPS Andes gehört Garngruppe E und DROPS Merino Extra Fine Garngruppe B. So können Sie entweder mit 4 Fäden DROPS Baby Merino (4 Fäden A = 1 Faden E) oder mit DROPS Big Merino (= 2 fäden C = 1 Faden E). Viel Spaß beim stricken!

09.10.2017 - 10:08:

Anita Stensrud wrote:

Hei 😃 Jeg vil strikke med 2tråder flora. Hvilken pinne str burde jeg bruke? Mvh Anita

30.07.2017 - 11:55:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Anita. Det kommer an på hvilken strikkefasthet du må ha. Se hva som står i oppskriften og om du har forskjellige pinne nr, prøv med pinne 5,0 - 5,5 og 6,0. God Fornøyelse!

09.08.2017 - 08:25:

Grethe Thorgersen wrote:

Hei! Jeg ønsker et rimeligere alternativ til Hexa, 15m p 7 = 10 cm. Hva anbefaler dere?

19.07.2017 - 15:09:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Grethe. Nå kjenner jeg ikke til garnet Hexa/eller pris, men vi har et alternativ i den tykkelsen. DROPS Melody. Anbefalt strikkefasthet på pinne 7 = 14 m x 19 p = 10 cm. Ta gjerne en titt på vår hjemmeside og oversikt over våre garn. God Fornøyelse!

09.08.2017 - 08:35:

Jane Curley wrote:

Would Air & Alpaca Boucle blend ok to make a group E? Thank you Jane

03.07.2017 - 10:49:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Curley, 2 strands yarn group C = 1 strand yarn groupe E, but remember to always make a swatch before to check tension, needle size etc... so that you are sure to get the desired texture for your fabric. Happy knitting!

04.07.2017 - 09:17:

Susanne Nilsson wrote:

Hej . Jag har hittad gamla babyrecept som är stickade med Phildar Luxe. 30 maskar -40 varv =10+10 cm. Vilket Drops garn kan jag använda istället.Stickar mest i Drops garn idag. Mvh Susanne

11.06.2017 - 22:44:

Linda Benjaminsen wrote:

Hei! Jeg tenkte å strikke en jakke med Tynn alpakka fra Du store alpakka. Men et nøste koster 65 kr. Jeg trenger et billigere garn. Kan du foreslå noe for meg? Strikkefasthet er 27 m glattstrikk på p nr 3=10 cm i bredden.

02.06.2017 - 10:42:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Linda. Vi har et garn, DROPS Alpaca, som har samme løpelengde som Tynn Alpaca, 167 meter/50 gram, men vi bruker en annen strikkefasthet, 23 masker på 10 cm. Vårt garn, DROPS Alpaca kan du få fra 18 kr pr 50 gram (sjekk ulike DEALS vi oppgir på nettsiden vår) og den skal ikke koste mer enn 35 kr. DROPS Alpaca er testet opp mot Tynn Alpaca, og DROPS Alpaca er like god, bare til en mye bedre pris. Sjekk også DROPS BabyAlpaca Silk, DROPS Baby Merino og DROPS Flora. Veldig gode kvaliteter, både i Merino ull, Alpaca & silke og Aplaca & Ull, og prisene er mye lavere enn Tynn Alpaca. Bare test ut din strikkefasthet. God Fornøyelse.

06.06.2017 - 09:19:

Hanne wrote:

Jeg vil gerne strikke Princess Chantilly by Drops design - babytæppe. I opskriften anvendes Merino Extra fine og pind 4.5. Er det muligt at skifte til tyndere uldgarn strikket på pind 3-3½ og hvor mange masker skal der mon så bruges i stedet for 127 m , som står i opskriften? Hvilket garn vil du anbefale? Med venlig hilsen Hanne

03.05.2017 - 15:46:

DROPS Design answered:

Hej Hanne, Vi har ikke mulighed for at skrive opskriften om til en anden strikkefasthed, så er det bedre hvis du søger på tæpper i Baby Merino. God fornøjelse!

12.05.2017 - 13:44:

Claaudine wrote:

Bonjour, je désire faire un pull modèle phildar avec la laine drops népal. comment calculer le nombre de pelotes. chez phildar, pelote de 66 mètres et l'échantillon :15 mailles et 21 rangs pour un carré 10*10. Népal pelote de 75 mètres et échantillon :17 mailles et 22 rang. phidar préconise 19 pelotes pour modèle. pouvez vous m'aider. j'attends pour commander la laine merci pour votre réponse

20.01.2017 - 11:41:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Claudine, Certains de nos modèles en Nepal se tricotent aussi sur 15 m (cf ici), à échantillon égal (pensez à le vérifier auparavant), calculez le métrage total nécessaire dans votre taille, divisez-le par 75 m (= 1 pelote Nepal) pour avoir le nbe de pelotes Nepal pour votre taille. Votre magasin DROPS saura vous conseiller si vous avez besoin de conseils supplémentaires. Bon tricot!

20.01.2017 - 16:49:

June wrote:

I'm terrible with formulas. Can you please recommend a yarn using 1 strand for this pattern? I don't have access to both Drops Karisma and Drops Kid Silk using 1 strand of each. I'd like only 1 strand if you can give alternate yarns. Thanks

04.01.2017 - 06:11:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear June, you will find the list of DROPS stores in/shipping to Canada here. Happy knitting!

19.04.2017 - 10:23:

Bars wrote:

Bonjour, Si je remplace le fil du groupe C par un ( 1 ) fil du groupe B, comment calculer la quantité de fil nécessaire pour réaliser mon modèle ? Et comment calculer le nombre de maille nécessaire pour réaliser chaque morceau du modèle ? Merci pour votre réponse

27.12.2016 - 14:52:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Bars, vous pouvez remplacer 1 fil du groupe C par 2 fils du groupe A mais si vous utilisez un fil du groupe B, votre tension sera complètement différente, il vous faudra recalculer votre modèle et probablement la quantité en fonction de la quantité utilisée pour votre échantillon par ex.. Bon tricot!

02.01.2017 - 10:01:

Sonja Hilbig wrote:

Guten Tag ich möchte gern Andes durch Cloud ersetzen. Für meine Anleitung brauche ich 4x100g a 80m= 320m. Nehme ich Andes wären das 400g/360m. Nehme ich nun 4xCloud sind das auch 320m, aber bloß 200g!!! Sieht man da einen optischen Unterschied zu Andes in Bezug auf Bulky oder sieht Cloud genauso bulky aus, ist bloß leichter wegen des Blow-Garns? Also, kann ich ich ein Knäuel Andes durch ein Knäuel Cloud ersetzen? Danke! SH

08.11.2016 - 21:25:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Frau Hilbig, bei Cloud is die Lauflänge grösser weil das Material leichter ist, also immer auf die Lauflänge schauen, nicht das Gewicht (Andes = 100 g/90 m - Cloud = 50 g = 80 m). So mit anstatt 4 Knäuel Andes würden Sie 5 Knäuel Cloud brauchen. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

09.11.2016 - 10:22:

Hella wrote:

Ich möchte gern das \\\\\\\"Bobble Sheep\\\\\\\" von Pearl Soho stricken, und zwar mit Big Merino.\\r\\nDamit ich die empfohlene Nadelstärke US 11 = DE 8 nehmen kann, möchte ich das Garn doppelt verstricken. Brauche ich dazu dann wohl auch die doppelte Menge an Garn ?\\r\\nEine Lauflänge wird in dem US Shop nicht angegeben.

23.10.2016 - 10:09:

Maria wrote:

Hola, he leído cómo hacer el cálculo y no me sale. El caso es que en el patrón se usa un hilo de 7mm que viene con ovillos de 100g y unos 75 metros. En total usa cinco ovillos. Yo quiero usar el patrón pero usando el hilo Drops Paris. Cuántos ovillos necesito para usar el patrón y me quede del mismo tamaño? Muchas gracias

05.09.2016 - 13:02:

DROPS Design answered:

Hola Maria. Primero tienes que tener en cuenta que el hilo que estás comentando es el doble de grueso que el Paris y la prenda no va a salir igual (Paris tiene 75 m en 50 gr). Necesitarías también 5 ovillos de Paris por que calculamos por metros y no por peso. Otra opción es que lo hagas con 2 hilos de Paris en cuyo caso necesitarías el doble de ovillos.

11.09.2016 - 15:58:

Claudia Carolina wrote:

Buon giorno e grazie mille per il sito e i filati fantastici. Desidero realizzare il modello 106-27 con un filo di Paris (C) più un filo di Delight (A)... non trovo più il link dove spiegavate a cosa corrispondeva A + C... anche per trovare eventualmente modelli alternativi. Grazie mille. Claudia

17.03.2016 - 13:06:

DROPS Design answered:

Buongiorno Claudia Carolina, questo modello è realizzato in Vivaldi, che appartiene al gruppo C come Paris, se aggiunge anche Delight rischia di non ottenere il campione indicato. Può comunque vedere qui il riferimento sui filati che stava cercando. Buon lavoro!

17.03.2016 - 13:13:

Andréanne wrote:

Bonjour, Quels sont les fils possibles et où puis-je me les procurer?

15.03.2016 - 16:31:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Andréanne, vous trouverez ici tous les fils DROPS classés par groupe, Trouvez un magasin près de chez vous ou en ligne dans la liste - sélectionnez votre pays en fonction. Votre magasin DROPS saura vous conseiller sur le choix du fil en fonction de votre projet. Bon tricot!

15.03.2016 - 16:53:

Martina wrote:

Ich möchte gerne Nepal durch 2 Faden Alpaca ersetzen. In der Anleitung ist 100 g Nepal angegeben: brauche ich dann 200 g von Alpaca?

21.12.2015 - 13:23:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Martina, Sie können sich die verschiedenen Alternativen errechnen. Die Meterzahl muss immer die gleiche sein, aber wenn Sie doppelfädig stricken, brauchen Sie 2 x die angegebenen Meterzahl. Die Laufläge der einzelnen Qualitäten finden Sie auf den Farbkarten.

02.03.2016 - 09:31:

Lidia Costa wrote:

Gosta multi de trabalhos com lâ Drops

22.10.2015 - 15:31:

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