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 (245)
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
Anita Francois wrote:
Je voudrais realiser le modele 47/1 pour femme mais il manque les coloris 14 36 et 49 de la laine KARISMA que puis je faire comment les remplacer merci
28.03.2022 - 11:08:DROPS Design answered:
Bonjour Mme François, n'hésitez pas à contacter votre magasin DROPS qui pourra vous aider, même par mail ou téléphone à choisir les couleurs appropriées en fonction de vos envies. Bon tricot!
28.03.2022 - 16:16:
Alexandra Hetzel wrote:
Kann man auch ein Garn aus Baumwolle benutzen?
18.03.2022 - 13:30:
Wagon wrote:
Bonjour 50g=140m et il faut 9 pelotes ,je voudrais remplacer par 25g =140m ,combien de pelotes dois je prendre. Merci
06.03.2022 - 15:27:DROPS Design answered:
Bonjour Mme Wagon, regardez ci-dessous: 1 fil par 1 autre; ou bien utilisez notre convertisseur sous le modèle, ce sera plus simple. Bon tricot!
07.03.2022 - 10:12:
Mathilde Guiot wrote:
J'aimerais faire un pull qui ai preconisé en Muskat puis-je le faire dans une laine plus fine genre Nord?
03.03.2022 - 10:49:DROPS Design answered:
Bonjour Mme Guiot, pas vraiment car vous n'aurez pas la même tension avec ces 2 laines, Muskat appartient au groupe de fils B alors que Nord est du groupe de fils A; vous devez ainsi rester dans une alternative du groupe B (utilisez le convertisseur), ou bien si vous souhaitez utiliser plutôt Nord, cherchez des modèles du groupe A ou du groupe C (où vous pourrez tricoter Nord en double). Bon tricot!
03.03.2022 - 10:51:
Cécile Marchal wrote:
Bonjour, je suis à la recherche de laine DK double knikking moyen, est ce que vous avez cette laine ou une laine équivalente. Merci
27.02.2022 - 12:45:DROPS Design answered:
Bonjour Mme Marchal, tout à fait, ces laines correspondent au groupe B de nos fils, retrouvez-les ici. Bon tricot!
28.02.2022 - 11:12:
With over 30 years in knitting and crochet design, DROPS Design offers one of the most extensive collections of free patterns on the internet - translated to 17 languages. As of today we count 281 catalogs and 10502 patterns - 10498 of which are translated into English (US/in).
We work hard to bring you the best knitting and crochet have to offer, inspiration and advice as well as great quality yarns at incredible prices! Would you like to use our patterns for other than personal use? You can read what you are allowed to do in the Copyright text at the bottom of all our patterns. Happy crafting!
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: