How to change yarns or yarn amounts

Changing

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



1 strand of yarn for another:

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

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



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
Total yarn required: 6 balls x 170 metres = 1020 metres

Yarn-Y: 50 g = 150 metres


Number of metres of Yarn-X = 1020 metres
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
Total yarn required: 23 balls x 50 metres = 1150 metres

DROPS Air: 50 g = approx. 150 metres


Number of metres of DROPS Snow = 1150 metres
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,
Total yarn required: 6 balls x 167 metres = 1002 metres

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

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


Begin with the yarn with the shortest meterage = 1000 metres
Divide by the number of metres of DROPS Air:
1000 metres divided by 150 metres = 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 (500)

Mana wrote:

Hi, Sorry if this is a weird question but how will I be able to use Flora (group A) for Lima (group B)? Will I use 1.5 of Flora?

08.02.2022 - 16:38:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mana, Flora will not give you the same tension as Lima, you can try to work it with 2 strands, but the fabric might be tighter than desired with Lima. Make your own swatch to make sure you get the desired fabric, that's the best way to find out your alternatives. Your DROPS store can also help you even per mail or telephone. Happy knitting!

09.02.2022 - 09:16:

Asuncion Etxeberria wrote:

Buenos días😊\r\nMi pregunta es: Si el patrón me pide 16 cm. De tensión y el hilo con el que quiero trabajar es de 21 cm. de tensión? Como hago el cálculo. \r\nMuchas gracias 🙏💕

05.02.2022 - 14:13:

DROPS Design answered:

Hola Asunción, te refieres a 16 pts en 10 cm o 21 pts en 10 cm? Son diferentes grupos de lana, el que pide el patrón es de grupo C y el tuyo es de grupo B. Por lo tanto, no puedes sustituir uno por otro; necesitas ajustar los cálculos con una regla de 3 (si para tensión de 16 pts se trabajan p.e 120, para tensión de 21 pts necesitas X ).

13.02.2022 - 18:10:

Paola wrote:

Posso sostituire Drops Paris con Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk? Per il modello Love Letter

05.02.2022 - 04:24:

DROPS Design answered:

Buonasera Paola, questi 2 filati appartengono entrambi al gruppo filati C, per cui può usarli per gli stessi modelli: si ricordi di controllare che il campione corrisponda a quello indicato. Buon lavoro!

05.02.2022 - 21:11:

Aafke wrote:

Hi! Ik vroeg me af tot welke garengroep een draad van garengroep A + een draad van garengroep B behoort. Alvast bedankt!

04.02.2022 - 18:14:

DROPS Design answered:

Dag Aafke,

Twee draden van Garengroep A geeft een stekenverhouding van Garengroep C en 2 draden van Garengroep B geeft een stekenverhouding van Garengroep D. De combinatie van A + B zit daar dus ergens tussenin. Als je wat strakker breit of dunnere naalden neemt kom je op Garengroep C, als je wat losser breit of dikkere naalden neemt kom je op Garengroep D.

13.02.2022 - 10:38:

Lynn Booth wrote:

Can I use Drops Snow in place if Drops Air?

04.02.2022 - 12:35:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Lynn, they belong to different Yarn groups. Working with Snow (D) is the same as working with 2 threads of Air (C). So unless the pattern is for working with two threads of Air, you can't work the pattern, because you won't be able to get the same gauge. Happy knitting!

05.02.2022 - 17:59:

Thalia wrote:

Good day, there are so much beautiful patterns for toddlers to knit. We don't get Drops yarn here. I although have lots of DK yarn. Which Drops yarn is the same as DK?

03.02.2022 - 09:29:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Thalia, great news: there are DROPS stores shipping worldwide, you will find the whole list here - feel free to contact them for any information or assistance. Happy knitting!

04.02.2022 - 09:37:

Gerie Blankesteijn wrote:

Ik wil graag Drops 170-40 haken. Quito mandje. Hoe kom ik aan dit patroon en kan ik het eventueel ook in vasten haken? Ik ben links, zijn de video's ook in het links te zien?

01.02.2022 - 18:37:

DROPS Design answered:

Dag Gerie,

Het patroon staat hier en is gratis te downloaden vanaf de website via de printbutton onderaan de lijst met materialen. Het telpatroon is gebaseerd op stojes, als je met vasten wilt haken, moet je misschien 2 keer zoveel toeren haken.

03.02.2022 - 12:18:

Sylvia Huguenin wrote:

Hallo, Ik wil graag het vest Autumn Elegance DROPS 134-43 breien, maar het garen Puddel is niet meer verkrijgbaar. Kunt u me zeggen wat het gewicht en de looplengte was van dit garen? Ik kan dan een alternatief zoeken en berekenen hoeveel ik er van nodig heb. Alvst bedankt. Groet, Sylvia

01.02.2022 - 12:36:

DROPS Design answered:

Dag Sylvia,

Op de pagina niet meer leverbare garens kun je alle informatie vinden (klik op 'Zie meer' naast de afbeelding van het garen voor meer info over looplengte etc.

Overigens kun je ook de garenvervanger gebruiken, hiervan staat een link bij ieder patroon onder de lijst met materialen.

03.02.2022 - 12:21:

Mia Wriedt wrote:

Jeg har fundet en opskrift på en poncho med snoning til garngruppe F. Men jeg kunne så godt tænke mig at strikke den i tyndere garn (altså uden at strikke med flere tråde), så ponchoen ikke bliver så tyk. Er det på nogen måde muligt? Eller er der kun at finde en anden poncho at gøre? Hilsen Mia

30.01.2022 - 21:59:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Mia. Det enkleste er å finne en oppskrift i den tykkelsen på garnet du ønsker. Evnt kan du ut fra strikkefastheten i den tykkelsen du ønsker å strikke med, regne ut hvor mange masker du må legge opp, lengde du må strikke osv. mvh DROPS Design

31.01.2022 - 09:59:

Claire Spencer wrote:

Planning to do the 5/6 size in Emu classic DK and Yarnfair supreme acrylic DK. I'm I'm tight crocheter, will I need to adjust hook size - up or down (for a tall 5yr size)? Or guess I'll just have to make a tension square?

28.01.2022 - 01:29:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Spencer, to get the finished measurements as in the chart, you should have the same tension as in the pattern; you will find this tension at the beginning of the pattern, if you don't get correct tension, change to a smaller/bigger crochet hook size, that's the best way to get the correct finished measurements. Your yarn store will help you if you need more individual assistance. Happy crocheting!

28.01.2022 - 10:08:

Paula wrote:

Hi I knitted the sweater in a completely different yarn I used DK premium acrylic I’m a medium it fits beautifully except for the bottom rib is not stretchy so I can’t pull it down too tight is this due to the yarn or the size many thanks

24.01.2022 - 19:42:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Paula, it's a bit tricky to say without seeing the garment; you can check if the cast-on /cast-off edge has been worked too tight -then you can use a larger needle or 2 strands of yarn to cast on/cast off to get a more elastic edge. Bring your work to your store, or send them a picture per mail, it might be easier for them to help you seing your garment.

25.01.2022 - 10:07:

Joëlle wrote:

Je voudrais tricoter un pull avé deux fils kid silk. Quel numéro d’aiguilles dois-je utiliser. Merci.

20.01.2022 - 06:48:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Joëlle, la taille des aiguilles sera à adpater en fonction de votre tension, de la texture souhaitée, etc.. Retrouvez tous nos modèles de pulls femme tricotés en Kid-Silk (seule ou avec une autre laine, s'il s'agit d'une laine de groupe A + Kid-Silk, utilisez le convertisseur pour connaître la quantité correspondante en Kid-Silk) ici - filtrez en choisissant le nombre de mailles pour 10 cm/la taille des aiguilles pour voir les possibilités. Bon tricot!

20.01.2022 - 10:06:

Ildiko Szabo wrote:

Bonjour, Je suis à la recherche d’une laine élastique pour créer un maillot de bain 👙 est-ce que ça existe chez vous? En vous remerciant ❣️

19.01.2022 - 14:01:

Antonella wrote:

Buongiorno, è possibile convertire un filato Alpaca con uno Sky? Vorrei fare un paio di scalda muscoli aderenti a maglia con il filato Sky ma non trovo istruzioni in merito. Grazie !

15.01.2022 - 22:56:

DROPS Design answered:

Buonasera Antonella, DROPS Alpaca appartiene al gruppo filati A, mentre DROPS Sky al gruppo filati B: dovrebbe cercare dei modelli adatti per il gruppo filati B. Buon lavoro!

16.01.2022 - 18:37:

Anette Andersson wrote:

Om jag byter Wish till Snow i mönster 227-47 vilka stickor ska jag använda. storleken är M

15.01.2022 - 10:44:

DROPS Design answered:

Hej Anette. Du ska använda de stickor som ger dig den stickfasthet som uppges i mönstret. Jag hade provat först med de stickor vi uppger i mönstret. Mvh DROPS Design

17.01.2022 - 14:25:

Mélanie ROBERT wrote:

Bonjour pour mon cas, je ne sais pas cette laine est égal a combien de fils Drops paris. merci

14.01.2022 - 15:01:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Robert, retrouvez les équivalences par groupe ou bien dans le convertisseur du modèle que vous réalisez. Bon tricot!

17.01.2022 - 10:16:

Jenny Wiium wrote:

Jeg strikkede en kosegenser og brukte drops air. Genseren er myk og god men er overasked over at den blir svo humpede efter bruk!!? Hvorfor er det? Ikke sikker med min fornøyelse med garntypen på grun av det! Humper/humper!!!

10.01.2022 - 20:36:

Mrs Paula Byrom wrote:

Hello, could you tell me the measurements of the jumper please?

09.01.2022 - 14:15:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Byrom, you will find them in the chart to the pattern on the pattern page. Happy knitting!

10.01.2022 - 09:46:

Sabine Motti wrote:

Das Modell DROPS / 109 / 8 Wisdom gefällt mir sehr gut, ich hätte die Jacke jedoch gerne in dünner, würde sie daher gerne statt mit Snow (E) mit Big Merino (C) stricken. Gibt es - unabhängig von der Maschenprobe - eine Faustregel, die z.B besagt: "Wenn Garn halb so dick, dann Nadel halb so dick, dafür doppelte Anzahl an Maschen und an Reihen"? Dank vorab für Ihre Antwort! :-)

08.01.2022 - 08:09:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Frau Motti, so eine Regel kenne ich selber nicht, die Maschenprobe wird immer wichtig, auch wenn Sie eine andere Wolle stricken möchten, dh bei dieser Jacke können Sie dann 1 Faden Snow durch 2 Fäden Big Merino ersetzen - benutzen Sie den Garnumrechner, so bekommen Sie die neue Garnmenge. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

10.01.2022 - 09:53:

Gabriella wrote:

Buonasera, vorrei sapere se posso fare il modello DROPS 95-30 con la lana Melody (anziché Brushed Alpaca Silk come da voi indicato) in che quantità, e se posso mantenere lo stesso numero di maglie e misure indicate per quel modello. Ringrazio cordialmente. Gabriella

05.01.2022 - 19:21:

DROPS Design answered:

Buongiorno Gabriella, Melody e Brushed Alpaca Silk appartengono a due gruppi filato diversi: se vuole sostituire Brushed Alpaca Silk deve scegliere un filato che appartiene al gruppo C. Buon lavoro!

08.01.2022 - 13:34:

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