DROPS Children 49 · Lots of new kid designs!

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 (590)

Country flag Friederike wrote:

Hallo, wenn ich ein Garn der Gruppe C Paris durch A+A Baby Merino ersetzen möchte, wie berechne ich den Garnbedarf bitte? Bei der Anleitung ist der Bedarf für meine Größe für die Paris mit 800 g angegeben.

07.06.2022 - 14:56

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Friederike, benutzen Sie unseren Garnumrechner, so bekommen Sie die neue Garnmenge in allen Alternativgarnen, einschl. Baby Merino. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

08.06.2022 - 08:23

Country flag Monika Opočenská wrote:

Dobrý den, chtěla bych uháčkovat Breath of Summer z jednoho vlákna Drops Paris. Je to možné? A kolik příze si mám pořídít pro velikost M? Dle mého výpočtu by to mělo být 450g. Cotton Viscoze již není v prodeji a dala bych přednost háčkování jednoduchou přízí před dvojitou. Případně mi doporučte jinou variantu. Děkuji Monika Opočenská

05.06.2022 - 11:24

Country flag Mette wrote:

Hej Hvilket garn kan erstatte Drops Air?

30.05.2022 - 00:40

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Mette. DROPS Air tilhører garngruppe C, så da kan du erstatte DROPS Air med andre garn i samme garngruppe, f.eks DROPA Alaska, DROPS Nepal og DROPS Paris. Men husk at strikke/heklefastheten må stemme med det som står i den aktuelle oppskriften du skal strikke/hekle. mvh DROPS Design

30.05.2022 - 07:30

Country flag Rita wrote:

Ik breide het herenvest Richard by Drops Design met garen Drops Karisma Superwach en Drops Alpaca zoals aangegeven. Het vest kan niet gedragen worden omdat het fel uitzakt en veel te lang is geworden en trekt bij de rits. Wat is er fout gegaan?

29.05.2022 - 12:37

Country flag Jenniefer wrote:

Hello! So, I'm dying to crochet the Afternoon Romance cardigan, but I would like to do so with a thicker yarn. I have an absolutely RIDICULOUS amount of Drops Paris, I mean, bags full. So I would like to use that instead... can I size the pattern down one or two sizes? Since the yarn and hook will be twice what the pattern falls for. Any tips on this would be beyond appreciated. Thank you!

28.05.2022 - 00:37

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Jenniefer, yes, you can adjust the gauge in this way, working 1 or 2 sizes less (you may need to check the measurements of your work and gauge to select the size). If you use the gauge of Paris, you will have approx. 14 treble crochets in 10 cm. Take into account that the work will have a different texture since it will be thicker. Happy crocheting!

29.05.2022 - 22:03

Country flag Ronja wrote:

Jeg vil strikke Moroccan Market Muse, er det mulig å bruke DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk istedenfor DROPS melody? Og i såfall hvor mye garn trenger jeg, prøvde garnkalkulatoren deres og det står jeg kan bytte ut 350g DROPS melody til 350g Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk (2 tråder), betyr det at jeg strikker med to tråder og må kjøpe dobbelt opp eller hva betyr det?

19.05.2022 - 17:13

DROPS Design answered:

Hej Ronja, det betyder at du skal bruge samme antal gram, men at du skal strikke DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk med dobbelt tråd :)

20.05.2022 - 10:28

Country flag Hilary wrote:

I want to knit a pattern that is written for 1 strand BabyAlpaca Silk and 1 strand Kid-Silk (= 2 strands) using just Baby Alpaca Silk yarn. Can you advise whether this would be possible and how to do it.

18.05.2022 - 21:39

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Hilary, if your pattern is worked with 2 strands yarn group A the tension is completely different as if you would work it with only 1 yarn Baby Alpaca Silk (group A), you have then to calculate entirely the pattern again to adapt it to your own tension. You can get help from similar patterns with the same tension - use our search engine to help you. Happy knitting!

19.05.2022 - 09:23

Country flag Allison wrote:

Which yarn can I use instead of Paris (cotton) as I dislike knitting with cotton yarn. It is for the pattern Romantic Twist, Garnstudio, Drops design, and the quantity that will be required too. Many thanks Allison

17.05.2022 - 19:07

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Allison, you can use any other yarn from yarn group C or 2 strands yarn group A, try out our yarn converter to get a list of yarns you can use (and the matching amount). Happy knitting!

18.05.2022 - 08:31

Country flag Donna Noble wrote:

I am in love with the DROPS pattern Mister Bean. He is stuffed bear. Very cute! He is made by holding 3 strands of alpaca together. Alpaca is in the A group. I would like to use Drops brushed alpaca silk. This is C group yarn. I see that 2 strands of A equal one C. Is it possible to substitute these yarns. Would I need another strand of something else. Thanks!

15.05.2022 - 18:47

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Noble, sure you can replace 2 strands of Alpaca with 1 strand Brushed Alpaca Silk but then you will have to work with 1 extra strand Alpaca (or any other yarn group A) and work with 2 strands (1 x C + 1 x A) - you might have to make a swatch to check the new fabric and remember to check your tension. Happy knitting!

16.05.2022 - 09:42

Country flag Hetty Stok wrote:

I used the converter which said 50 gms of 1 strand Sky was equal to 95 gms of 1 strand Lima. How does that work with the stitches I cast on? Do I double the thread or cast on twice as many stitches? Or do I finish with a garment that is half the size? This conversion makes no sense.

13.05.2022 - 15:12

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Stok, Lima and Sky belong the the same yarn group B since they have the same thickness, but they don't have the same meterage, Lima is 100 m for 50 g while Sky is 190 m for 50 g (reason why you will require a different number of balls for the same pattern), but you should be able to get the same tension, try out our swatch and adjust crochet/needle size if neede (read more here). Happy knitting!

13.05.2022 - 16:34

Country flag Nuttens Martine wrote:

Bonjour , par quel fil peut-on remplacer le fil lace pour réaliser le modèle Moon Jacket , tout en gardant le fil kid Silk … et tout en gardant la qualité de ce mélange Merci

26.04.2022 - 20:28

Country flag Nuttens Martine wrote:

Bonjour , par quel fil peut-on remplacer le fil lace pour réaliser le modèle Moon Jacket , tout en gardant le fil kid Silk … et tout en gardant la qualité de ce mélange Merci

26.04.2022 - 20:21

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Nuttens, vous pouvez utiliser Baby Alpaca Silk (même composition que Lace) ou un autre fil du groupe A, pensez juste à bien vérifier votre tension et si la texture vous convient. Bon tricot!

27.04.2022 - 08:30

Country flag Loredana wrote:

Vorrei realizzare il maglione Sun Pearl con drops Muskat (oppureDrops Safran) invece del Drops Paris. Come posso calcolare la quantità di gomitoli? Drops Paris 750 gr Grazie

26.04.2022 - 15:44

DROPS Design answered:

Buonasera Loredana, DROPS Muskat e Safran appartengono a dei gruppi filati diversi rispetto a DROPS Paris, per cui il campione non corrisponderebbe. Potrebbe al massimo utilizzare il filato DROPS Safran a 2 fili, controllando che il suo campione corrisponda a quello indicato. Buon lavoro!

07.05.2022 - 17:02

Country flag Kathy wrote:

I found a bag of Payton’s yarn Super Bulky 68 yards per 80 g ball. 8 st/14r = 10x10 cm

24.04.2022 - 18:45

Country flag Teresa Guerrero wrote:

Quiero hacer una chaqueta que es con Polaris se necesita 1000 lo quiero hacer en andes cuanto necesito comprar

20.04.2022 - 13:45

DROPS Design answered:

Hola Teresa, necesitarías 4 ovillos de Andes (100gr=90m) para sustituir 10 ovillos de Polaris (100gr= 36m). Son 360m/90m = 4 ovillos.

20.04.2022 - 19:32

Country flag Vivian Kerber wrote:

What yarn can be subtituted purchasing yarn at Michaels or Joanne Fabric in Reading, Pa USA

19.04.2022 - 15:51

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Vivian, we are not familiar with these yarns. To substitute the yarn in one of our patterns, make sure that the gauge of your yarn matches the one necessary for working the pattern.

20.04.2022 - 19:28

Country flag Caroline Carr wrote:

Pattern Set Sail uses a&b yarn Can I sub for melody in group d

10.04.2022 - 23:53

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Caroline, yes, you can work with Melody; just make sure that your gauge will match the one in the pattern. Happy knitting!

11.04.2022 - 22:58

Country flag Hilde Jenny Sørensen wrote:

Jeg ønsker å strikke Modell nr z-031-by, Sweet Rebecca i Drops Air. Er det mulig?

05.04.2022 - 11:44

DROPS Design answered:

Hej Hilde, ja det kan du, brug vores garnkalkulator, vælg DROPS Alpaca, antal gram i din størrelse og vælg 2 tråde, så ser du hvor meget Air du skal bestille :)

08.04.2022 - 09:27

Country flag Patricia Helwig wrote:

Est ce que je peux faire ce modèle avec de la laine fine aiguille 3?

28.03.2022 - 16:46

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Helwig, si vous souhaitez réaliser un modèle avec une tension différente, il vous faut alors recalculer entièrement le modèle en fonction de votre échantillon. Ou bien, plus simple, consulter nos autres modèles avec la tension que vous souhaitez. Bon tricot!

29.03.2022 - 09:29

Country flag Patricia Helwig wrote:

Bonjour Je voudrais realisé le modèle 184-34..je ne comprends pas très bien les explications..est ce juste 36 mailles...ca nest pas très large je n'ai que 14cm... merci Cordialement Patricia Helwig

28.03.2022 - 15:40

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Helwig, attention à bien vérifier votre tension: vous devez avoir 7 mailles et 8 rangs jersey = 10 x 10 cm; ainsi, vos 36 mailles vous donneront les 51 cm indiqués dans le schéma. Retrouvez plus d'infos sur l'échantillon et la tension ici. Bon tricot!

28.03.2022 - 16:18

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