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 (501)

Reidun wrote:

Drops air kan det brukes isteden for lieve/mondial skal strikke stits genser

01.02.2024 - 00:48:

Ursula wrote:

Hello! I am not good at calculating.... Help please! I have just finished knitting the Cherished Moments jacket in Brushed Alpaca Silk (turned out beautifully, by the way!) . I would love to knit the same jacket for the summer with Drops Paris. How much of Drops Paris would I need for this jacket, size M? Your help would be very much appreciated! Thank you in advance, with best regards - and happy knitting -, Ursula

31.01.2024 - 11:57:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Ursula, you would then have to work with 2 strands Paris to get same tension (remember to check your gauge and tension first and also check if you like the texture as 2 strands Paris would give another result as 2 strands Brushed Alpaca Silk). In that case you could just use the maths under 1 strand for 1 strand but remember then to work with 2 strands. Should you need any further assistance, feel free to contact your DROPS store even per mail or telephone. Happy knitting!

01.02.2024 - 09:03:

Mette Paulsen wrote:

Hei, strikker med 1 tråd drops børsta alpakka silk og 1 tråd Kid silk, hva kan jeg erstatte børsta alpakke silk med siden dere ikke har den fargen jeg trenger

29.01.2024 - 09:17:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Mette. Du kan erstatte 1 tråd DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk med 2 tråder DROPS Kid-Silk. Og har du 1 tråd DROPS Kid-Silk fra før, blir det da 3 tråder tilsammen. Bare husk å få den oppgitte strikkefastheten. mvh DROPS dDesign

29.01.2024 - 14:23:

Hege wrote:

Kva eg bruke garnet Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk i stedet for Fnugg? Skal strikke Kari genseren.

28.01.2024 - 03:35:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Hege. Hverken garnet Fnugg eller Kari genseren er fra DROPS , så de kjenner jeg ikke til. Men ta en titt på beskrivelsen til Fnugg og se om det stemmer overens med DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk (som kommer i nøste på 25 gram, har en løpelengde på 140 m og en anbefalt strikkepinne på 5 mm). mvh DROPS Design

29.01.2024 - 08:25:

Isa wrote:

Hej! Jag vill sticka Winter Smiles hat men med Drops Merino extra fine. Kan jag byta Air mot detta eller måste jag lägga till en tråd ex kids silk? Mvh Isa

26.01.2024 - 09:49:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Isa. DROPS Merino Extra Fine tilhører garngruppe B, mens DROPS Air tilhører garngruppe C (tykkere enn B). Så da vil ikke oppskriften stemme 100%. Legger du til DROPS Kid-Silk (garngruppe A) med DROPS Merino Extra Fine vil det bli litt tykkere en garngruppe C. mvh DROPS Design

29.01.2024 - 14:21:

Shirley Du Mays wrote:

Bonjour, Que pouvez vous me suggérer dans les fils Drops pour remplacer les fils suivant? Lamana Como Grande et Lamana Premia Merci. Shirley

24.01.2024 - 22:13:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Du Mays, nous ne connaissons malheureusement pas ces fils, mais n'hésitez pas à demander conseil à votre magasin DROPS qui saura vous aider et vous conseiller, même par mail ou téléphone. Bon tricot!

30.01.2024 - 08:50:

Noemi wrote:

La lana lima posso sostituirla direttamente con la karisma? Ho letto che per a pari peso é lo stesso metraggio 50g=100m. O ci sono dei calcoli da fare per essere sicuri? Grazie in anticipo

18.01.2024 - 23:49:

DROPS Design answered:

Buongiorno Noemi, DROPS Lima e Karisma hanno lo stesso metraggio nei gomitoli, e appartengono allo stesso gruppo filati: si ricordi di verificare che il suo campione corrisponda a quello indicato prima di iniziare a lavorare. Buon lavoro!

03.02.2024 - 11:47:

Celine wrote:

Bonjour Par quelle laine puis-je remplacer la Kid Silk, que je trouve très jolie. La Kid Silk me gratte ( le mohair je pense)et je souhaiterais avoir une laine duveteuse aussi. De la même taille. Merci 😁

16.01.2024 - 11:30:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Céline, vous pouvez utiliser une autre laine du groupe de fils A (cf ici), vous n'aurez pas exactement le même effet toutefois, mais en fonction du modèle, vous pourrez vous orienter vers l'une ou l'autre de ces laines, pensez à bien utiliser le convertisseur pour faire calculer la quantité requise pour remplacer Kid-Silk. En cas de doute sur le choix d'une laine, votre magasin saura vous aider, même par mail ou téléphone. Bon tricot!

17.01.2024 - 09:42:

Marit Nilsen Sjølander wrote:

Hvilke andre garntyper kan man bruke i stedenfor Karsmir. Ønsker litt mer pusete

15.01.2024 - 12:22:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Marit. Tenker du på DROPS Karisma? Vi har nok ikke et pusete garn i den garngruppen (garngruppe B). Men ta en titt på DROPS Kid-Silk (garngruppe A), DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk (garngruppe C) og DROPS Melody (garngruppe D). mvh DROPS Design

18.01.2024 - 12:17:

Ilka Müller wrote:

Ich habe bisher immer auf die lauflänge geachtet und nicht nach der maschenprobe oder wäre das dann dasselbe. Zuletzt habe ich 3 mal die drops air verstrickt, möchte aber gerne mal eine andere wolle von ihnen ausprobieren. Also, geht auch die lauflänge vergleichen? LG ilka

14.01.2024 - 21:25:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Frau Müller, solange die Maschenprobe stimmt, dann können Sie nach der Lauflänge wie beschrieben kalkulieren, oder benutzen Sie einfach unseren Garnberechner. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

15.01.2024 - 10:22:

Pernille Nymann wrote:

Det gamle omregner system var MEGET nemmere.

13.01.2024 - 14:31:

Ka wrote:

Hallo! Ich wüsste gern, wie ich die Nadelstärke anpassen muss wenn ich verschiedene Garne kombiniere oder gegeneinander austausche. Zum Beispiel würde ich gerne Drops Flora und Drops Kid Silk kombinieren. Welche Nadelstärke brauche ich hier?

04.01.2024 - 14:18:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Ka, hier finden Sie ein Beispiel mit diesen 2 Wollen, in diesem Beispiel ist die Maschenprobe 17 Maschen = 10 cm mit Nadeln Nr 5,5 - die Nadelgrösse am besten immer anpassen wenn nötig ist. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

05.01.2024 - 08:41:

Marianne Van Veelen wrote:

Ik gebruik voor dit patroon Drops Alaska en moet extra steken gebruiken. Hoe doe je dit met het minderen en meerdere van steken? Gebruik ik dan dezelfde aantal steken als ik normaal de maat M brei met de garen die er staat voor dit patroon?

28.12.2023 - 12:03:

DROPS Design answered:

Dag Marianne,

Welk patroon je aan het breien bent kan ik niet zien, maar in het algemeen kun je zeggen dat het aantal meerderingen/minderingen in verhouding zou moeten staan met het aantal extra steken dat je hebt opgezet. Heb je bijvoorbeeld 10% extra steken op gezet, dan moeten de meerderingen/minderingen ook 10% extra zijn. Maar waar je wel rekening mee moet houden is dat je uit moet komen met eventuele telpatronen in het patroon dat je aan het breien bent.

07.01.2024 - 14:26:

Camilla Karlsson wrote:

Om jag vill sticka med 2 trådar Drops Puna, vilken stl på stickor blir det då? Och vilken stickfasthet blir det? Mvh Camilla

27.12.2023 - 23:26:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Camilia. Det kommer an på hvilken strikkefasthet du skal ha / hva det står i den oppskriften du skal strikker etter. Pinne str. kan nok variere fra str. 6-8. mvh DROPS Design

08.01.2024 - 10:26:

Wanja Wallin wrote:

Hej, Jag vill sticka Drops mönster 227-37 i garnet Nepal storlek S/M. Har stickat provlapp på stickor nr 5 och då stämmer stickfastheten. Min fråga är: hur många nystan garn behöver jag?

27.12.2023 - 22:23:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Wanja. Ca. 12 nøster. mvh DROPS Design

08.01.2024 - 10:17:

Carole Young wrote:

At the beginning of the cast on it says ...one thread of each quality...I'm not sure what that means . Just using one colour at a time e we not?

26.12.2023 - 20:03:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Carole, if it says one thread of each quality it means you are probably using more than 1 yarn in the pattern. So you need 1 thread of each yarn. The color of each specific yarn should be specified in the same sentence, unless there is only one colour for each yarn. Happy knitting!

28.12.2023 - 18:20:

Laure Forêt wrote:

Hello, To replace drops melody (50g - 140m) with drops brushed alpaca (25g - 140m), shall I just use two strands of brushed alpaca too replace one strand of Melody? Thank you! Best

26.12.2023 - 15:30:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Laure, yes, you can replace it with 2 threads of DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk. Happy knitting!

28.12.2023 - 22:50:

Irmtraud Kauschat wrote:

Ich habe Garn Cotton Viscose, das es nicht mehr gibt. Habe schon angefangen zu häkeln. Welches Garn kann ich stattdessen nehmen?

25.12.2023 - 14:03:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Frau Kauschat, benutzen Sie unseren Garnumerchner um die Alternative und die neue Garnmenge zu finden. Gerne kann Ihnen auch Ihr DROPS Händler damit helfen, die besten passenden Alternative (auch per Telefon oder per E-mail) zu empfehlen. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

02.01.2024 - 12:46:

Ingrid wrote:

Fijn patroon. Duidelijke uitleg. M'n complimenten hoor!

21.12.2023 - 13:07:

Dorothea wrote:

Guten Tag, ich möchte gerne die Moonlight Ocean Cardigan in Gr. L stricken. Ich habe Garn mit 85 m Lauflänge, Nadelstärke 5. Maschenprobe 18M X 24R. Davon habe ich 700 g. Reicht das für das Modell? Ich kann die Wolle nicht mehr nachkaufen, da das Geschäft aufgegeben hat. Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe

21.12.2023 - 12:33:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Dorothea, die Maschenprobe für diese Jacke ist aber 16 M x 20 R = 10 x 10 cm; wenn Sie diese Maschenprobe haben (und die passende Textur mögen), dann kalkulieren Sie die kürzeste Lauflänge Merino Extra Fine oder Kid-Silk für Ihre Größe dann teilen Sie durch die Lauflänge von 1 Knäuel Ihrer Wolle, so wissen Sie wieviele Knäuel Sie brauchen. Ihr Wollladen kann Ihnen noch damit besser weiterhelfen (auch per Telefon oder per E-Mail). Viel Spaß beim stricken!

21.12.2023 - 16:02:

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