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 Lynne wrote:

I would like to knit a pattern using Eskimo, which alternative wool can I use please? 🙏

27.09.2021 - 16:52

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Lynne, you can use any other yarn group E or 2 strands yarn group C - use our yarn converter to get the new amount or calculate how explained in this lesson. Your DROPS Store will help you, even per mail or telephone if needed. Happy knitting!

28.09.2021 - 08:38

Country flag Simone Mashlan wrote:

Hello, Could you help with working out a yarn exchange please? I have already knitted the mens jumper Aberdeen in Drops Air it was a great success, Thank you!.. and I now would like to knit this same jumper again in alternative yarn - Can I use soft Tweed? Many thanks

22.09.2021 - 17:11

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Mashlan, you cannot use Soft Tweed since it's a yarn group B while Air belongs to yarn group C - but you can use any other y arn group C or 2 strands yarn group A - see in this lesson "1 strand of yarn to 2 or more strands:" and find our groups there. Happy knitting!

23.09.2021 - 09:08

Country flag Sigrid wrote:

Kan jeg anvende DROPS Alaska garn til denne opskrift på pindestr. 5? Eller bliver antallet af masker osv. forkert?

21.09.2021 - 13:15

DROPS Design answered:

Hej Sigrid. Vilken opskrift ska du göra? Mvh DROPS Design

23.09.2021 - 11:43

Country flag Irene Luiro wrote:

Montako silmukkaa laitan kokoon L, kun minun langassa 10cm mallitilkun koko on 28x40

20.09.2021 - 17:18

Country flag Laila Persson wrote:

Hej. Tänkte sticka "mönster Drops 194-27" men jag tåler inte ull. Vad kan jag byta ut Drops Fabel mot, något som inte innehåller ull??

18.09.2021 - 16:42

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Laila. Du kan bytte ut DROPS Fabel med andre kvaliteter som tilhører samme garngruppe (garngruppe A). F.eks DROPS Safran, DROPS Loves You 7 eller DROPS Loves You 9. Men ingen av disse kvalitetene har den meleringen/flerfargende som DROPS Fabel har, de er kun ensfarget. Se fargekartet til disse kvalitetene under Garn. mvh DROPS design

20.09.2021 - 08:59

Country flag Freja Rasmussen wrote:

Hej! Jeg skal strikke en kjole i drops karisma, som er bomuld. Men jeg vil gerne have kjolen får er mere mohair lignende look, måske ved brug af Drops Kid Silk. Så hvilet garn kan jeg bruge i stedet for, eller kan jeg bruge en-to tråde mohair sammen med karisma?

17.09.2021 - 09:42

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Freja. DROPS Karisma tilhører garngruppe B, men DROPS Kid-Silk tilhører garngruppe A. Slik at du ikke kan strikke etter en Karisma oppskrift, med begge disse kvalitetene. Du bør da strikke etter en oppskrift i garngruppe D (A+B =D). Nå har vi ikke mange kjole oppskrifter i garngruppe D, så du kan evnt ta en titt på kjoleoppskrifter i garngruppe C, men det er da viktig at du overholder den strikkefastheten som er oppgitt i oppskriften, evnt strikke med 2 tråder av garn fra garngruppe A (f.eks Alpaca+Kid-Silk). mvh DROPS design

20.09.2021 - 08:53

Country flag Anne wrote:

Har köpt och tänkte sticka en väst i Voolevo baby merino. Stickfasthet 25-28 cm, 50 g/ 175 m, stickor nr 3,0. Har letat men hittar inget mönster där garnet som använts kan bytas till Voolevo. Tacksam för hjälp // Glad nybörjare.

15.09.2021 - 10:21

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Anne. Voolevo baby merino er ikke et garn DROPS garn, så det kjenner jeg ikke til. Men sjekk ut oppskrifter som er strikket i garngruppe A og strikke noen prøvelapper slik at du får den riktige strikkefastheten til den oppskriften du måtte finne . mvh DROPS design

15.09.2021 - 13:19

Country flag NievesRA wrote:

Si quiero hacer una prenda con una lana más fina, por ejemplo de una Del grupo E a otra del grupo B, y quiero la prenda más ligera, como calculo el tamaño? Al cambiar de agujas tendré que ajustar el número de puntos? Los menguados serán los mismos?

14.09.2021 - 00:00

DROPS Design answered:

Hola Nieves, al cambiar a dos hilos completamente diferentes habría que recalcular todos los puntos. Tanto las disminuciones como los números de puntos van a ser diferentes, teniendo que trabajar más filas con el Hilo del Grupo B. Para ello, puedes hacer una regla de tres teniendo en cuenta la muestra; miras el número de puntos y filas en 10x10 cm y a partir de ello recalculas el número de puntos necesarios en el patrón.

19.09.2021 - 21:44

Country flag Catarina Lundqvist wrote:

Hej! Jag ska sticka babykläder i Drops Ice, men det verkar som det garnet utgått. Vill gärna ha tips på ett ersättningsgarn, bör helst gå att tvätta i maskin. Det ska ju vara mjukt och inte stickas.

07.09.2021 - 20:47

DROPS Design answered:

Hej Catarina. Du kan ersätta DROPS Ice med 2 trådar DROPS Paris. Se bara till att få den stickfasthet som uppges i mönstret och att beräkna riktig garnåtgång. Mvh DROPS Design

09.09.2021 - 08:43

Country flag Claudette Cochin wrote:

Bonjour, Merci de votre réponse, mais j'aimerais substituer un fil mohair pour un autre car ma peau ne tolère pas ce fil. Merci de m'aider.

07.09.2021 - 18:03

Country flag Claudette Cochin wrote:

Bonjour, Je ne supporte pas le mohair sur la peau, par quel fil pourrais-je le remplacer ? Merci de m'aider.

07.09.2021 - 06:14

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Cochin, reportez-vous aux groupes de fils et à leurs équivalences pour savoir comment remplacer un fil par un autre, dans le modèle concerné, vous pouvez également utiliser le convertisseur pour afficher les alternatives possibles et les nouvelles quantités. Votre magasin DROPS saura également vous conseiller la meilleure alternative possible - même par mail ou téléphone. Bon tricot!

07.09.2021 - 09:00

Country flag Misia wrote:

Hello, I'd like to make Sidewalk Artist with Drops Alpaca. How could I replace Drops Air by Drops Alpaca? With double Alpaca?

05.09.2021 - 07:27

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Misia, yes, you should be able to replace DROPS Air with 2 strands of DROPS Alpaca, however, before starting to work you need to check that the gauge is the correct one. Also, you need to take into account that double strand DROPS Alpaca is heavier/ less airy than DROPS Air.

05.09.2021 - 16:21

Country flag Ana Cayatte wrote:

Como posso fazer os cálculos para trocar um fio por dois de metragem diferente?

03.09.2021 - 13:07

DROPS Design answered:

Deve fazer a conversão separadamente para cada fio substituto. Bons tricôs!

30.03.2022 - 09:28

Country flag Ana Cayatte wrote:

Boa tarde nunca experimentei trocar 1 fio por dois queria experimentar mas ao fazer isso vou ter que alterar o numero da agulha para uma agulha de tamanho superior. fazendo a amostra tenho o numero de malhas mas e depois como sei quando e a que distancia fazer os aumentos ou diminuições? E nas mangas como faço a conversão?

02.09.2021 - 19:35

DROPS Design answered:

Bom dia, Se ao fazer a amostra, tem o mesmo número de malhas e de carreiras ou voltas do que o indicado no modelo, não precisa de fazer qualquer conversão. Bons tricôs!

30.03.2022 - 09:27

Country flag Mimi wrote:

I need an all acrylic yarn for this. Can you please recommend wither British or Canadian? I’m not good at figuring out substitutes….

31.08.2021 - 17:15

Country flag Lena Stenseng wrote:

Jeg skal strikke en jakke med to tråder Drops Melody. Finner ikke de fargene jeg ønsker så da lurer jeg på hvilket annet garn jeg kan bruke? På forhånd takk 😊

30.08.2021 - 15:41

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Lena. Om du går inn på den oppskriften du ønsker å strikke og deretter bruker du vår garnkalkulator (du finner linken under STRIKKEFASTHET). Du kan evnt strikke med 4 tråder DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk eller DROPS Sky eller 6 tråder DROPS Kid-Silk. Kanskje du finner noen farger i disse kvalitetene du ønsker. mvh DROPS design

06.09.2021 - 07:21

Country flag Rosalind PASCAL wrote:

Hello. This is a question... I want to make the model Lovely Camellia, but instead of double yarn Nepal/Kid-Silk, I want to make it with one yarn only. I can't make out how to do this and get the same measurements. I was thinking of using Big Merino, but presumably it would not be thick enough. Could you help me, please? Thank you.

30.08.2021 - 15:38

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Rosalind, you could use DROPS Melody, of Yarn Group D, which would have approx. the same gauge, although you should check the knitting tension matches just in case, to make sure it's identical, and change the needle you're using to make it match. Happy knitting!

30.08.2021 - 18:42

Country flag Stella wrote:

Hej, jeg vil så gerne strikke en herresweater med den nye lækre tweed. Kan jeg skifte Air ud med tweed + evt anden kvalitet i opskrift 224-2? Kommer der snart flere herre-opskrifter? Mvh Stella

30.08.2021 - 13:04

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Stella. DROPS Air og DROPS Soft-Tweed tilhører forskjellige garngrupper og kan strikkes om hverandre. Vi har heller ingen kvalitet DROPS Soft-Tweed kan strikkes sammen med for å få samme tykkelse som DROPS Air. Ja, det kommer ganske snart noen nye herre modeller :) mvh DROPS design

06.09.2021 - 07:12

Country flag Nina wrote:

Jeg vil hekle girlfriend-lua med Drops Merino Extra Fine garn (garngruppe B). Girlfriendlua har oppgitt garngruppe C og pinne 5. Så hvilken pinne skal jeg bruke for å kunne bruke garngruppe B i stedet? Kan jeg bruke nr 4?

29.08.2021 - 00:06

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Nina. Om du ønsker å strikke luen med Drops Merino Extra Fine vil ikke en oppskrift som er tilpasset /skrevet for garn i garngruppe C passe. Anbefaler deg å finne en oppskrift som er tilpasset garngruppe B, eller strikke luen i garn fra garngruppe C. mvh DROPS design

30.08.2021 - 09:40

Country flag Kirstin wrote:

Ich habe eine alte Dropsanleitung für ein Strickjacke mit DROPS Eskimo. Jetzt gibt es wohl das Garn nicht mehr? 1. Welche Merinoalternativen kann ich denn da nehmen? 2. Welche Lauflänge hatte das Garn Eskimo? Ich hoffe sehr auf Hilfe und bedanke mich schoneinmal herzlichst Kirstin

27.08.2021 - 19:49

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Kirstin, DROPS Snow ist nun die neue Name für DROPS Eskimo, die Wolle ist immer noch dieselbe, nur der Name wurde verändert. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

30.08.2021 - 09:40

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