How to change yarns or yarn amounts

Tags: alternative yarn,

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 (178)

Marlie Clay 26.10.2021 - 21:13:

I live in a small town and would like to know where I can purchase Drops yarn? Can I purchase your yarn through mail?

Rikke Pedersen 25.10.2021 - 10:26:

Super beskrivelse af omregninger. TAK

Giovanna Michelotti 18.10.2021 - 14:32:

Ho scelto un modello per bambini (bm-026-bn) da lavorare con Baby Merino. Per lavorare con Lima quante maglie dovrei usare per campione e quante ne dovrei montare per iniziare il lavoro (dal collo) per un bambino di 4 anni (alto 105 cm)? Grazie.

DROPS Design 19.10.2021 - 23:17:

Buonasera Giovanna, in questo contesto non ci è possibile fornire un'assistenza così personalizzata, ma può rivolgersi al suo rivenditore DROPS di fiducia. Buon lavoro!

Lesley 13.10.2021 - 09:27:

Do you have an alpaca yarn or similarthat will give me a knitting tension of 22 x 30 ? Please.

DROPS Design 14.10.2021 - 09:55:

Dear Lesley, we do have some patterns worked with a tension 22 sts x 30 row, find them here and see the possible yarns alternatives/needle size suggested. Happy knitting!

ClaireL 12.10.2021 - 18:05:

Bonjour, Merci pour vos tutoriels. Afin d'être sure d'avoir bien compris : lorsque l'on choisi une laine d'un même groupe de fil, il faut seulement ajuster la quantité de laine en fonction du modèle, mais pas le nombre de mailles ? (ce qui serait vraiment génial!) Merci à vous pour votre réponse.

DROPS Design 13.10.2021 - 08:14:

Bonjour Claire, il faut avant tout que votre échantillon soit parfaitement identique en largeur autant qu'en hauteur, puis effectivement, il suffit de recalculer la quantité nécessaire en se basant sur la longueur de chacune des laines. Utilisez notre convertisseur pour voir la liste des alternatives et éviter d'avoir à calculer. Bon tricot!

Hampus 12.10.2021 - 09:14:

Är det möjligt att lägga ihop ett antal trådar för att få garngrupp B? I sådana fall hur?

DROPS Design 15.10.2021 - 11:21:

Hej Hampus. Nej, det är det dessvärre inte. Garngrupp A är våra tunnaste garn och lägger du ihop 2 av de så får du garngrupp C. Mvh DROPS Design

Birgitta Karlsson 08.10.2021 - 13:46:

Drops mönster 174-3 (eller liknande): kan jag använda Lang merino 150? Söker mönster till herrtröja med raglan (helst stickas nerifrån o upp), stickor 3-4 ungefär. Gärna Lang merino 150, alltså ej kliigt garn

DROPS Design 11.10.2021 - 07:48:

Hei Birgitta. Lang Merino 150 er ikke et garn fra oss, så det kjenner jeg ikke til. Se på etiketten til garnet og se om det samsvarer det som mønstret i DROPS 174-3 (eller lignende mønster) er strikket i. mvh DROPS design

Marianne 07.10.2021 - 19:11:

Hej! Jag ska sticka modell 118-7 men vill EJ sticka med dubbelt garn ( Drops Alpaca). Vad kan jag välja för alternativ med 1 tråd? MVH Marianne

Lynne 27.09.2021 - 16:52:

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

DROPS Design 28.09.2021 - 08:38:

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!

Simone Mashlan 22.09.2021 - 17:11:

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

DROPS Design 23.09.2021 - 09:08:

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!

Sigrid 21.09.2021 - 13:15:

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

DROPS Design 23.09.2021 - 11:43:

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

Irene Luiro 20.09.2021 - 17:18:

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

Laila Persson 18.09.2021 - 16:42:

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??

DROPS Design 20.09.2021 - 08:59:

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

Freja Rasmussen 17.09.2021 - 09:42:

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?

DROPS Design 20.09.2021 - 08:53:

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

Anne 15.09.2021 - 10:21:

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.

DROPS Design 15.09.2021 - 13:19:

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

NievesRA 14.09.2021 - 00:00:

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?

DROPS Design 19.09.2021 - 21:44:

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.

Catarina Lundqvist 07.09.2021 - 20:47:

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.

DROPS Design 09.09.2021 - 08:43:

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

Claudette Cochin 07.09.2021 - 18:03:

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.

Claudette Cochin 07.09.2021 - 06:14:

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

DROPS Design 07.09.2021 - 09:00:

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!

Misia 05.09.2021 - 07:27:

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

DROPS Design 05.09.2021 - 16:21:

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.