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 (501)

Solva wrote:

Skal strikke Abby Vest, størrelse L, vil gerne strikke med Drops Air istrdet forFlora, hvor meget garn skal jeg bruge?

17.02.2023 - 12:25:

Solva wrote:

Skal strikke Abby Vest, vil gerne bruge Drops Air at strikke med, i størrelse L. , hvor meget garn skal jeg bruge? Venligst Solva

17.02.2023 - 12:19:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Solva. Se vårt svar på ditt forrige spørsmål. mvh DROPS Design

27.02.2023 - 07:36:

Solva wrote:

Skal strikke Abby Vest, st. L.. vil bruge Drops Air, hvor meget garn skal jeg bruge? Venligst Solva

17.02.2023 - 12:15:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Solva. Denne vesten er strikket med DROPS Flora, et garn som tilhører garngruppe A. DROPS Air tilhører garngruppe C (tykkere enn garn i garngruppe A), og kan ikke brukes til oppskrifter der det er brukt garn fra garngruppe A. Ta heller en titt på vestene i DROPS 235-17, DROPS 227-41, DROPS 215-39 eller DROPS 210-28. Her kan du bruke garnet DROPS Air. mvh DROPS Design

27.02.2023 - 07:33:

Susan Armes wrote:

Hi Good Morning, I would like to knit 210-34 Set Sail jumper, but would like to change the yarn to a single yarn, could i use drops Nepal or Drops Air ? thank you in advance for your help

06.02.2023 - 12:54:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Armes, this might not be the best choice, but you can always swatch to check both tension and texture. Your DROPS store can help you finding the best matching yarn for your project - even per mail or telephone. Happy knitting!

07.02.2023 - 10:50:

Johanna wrote:

Hej! Om jag vill sticka med enbart en tråd i garngrupp A, men mönstret är gjort för två trådar i grupp A. Hur kan jag då räkna ut hur många maskor jag måste lägga upp?

03.02.2023 - 16:52:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Johanna. Om du bare vil strikke med 1 tråd er det mye i oppskriften som ikke vil stemme (maskeantall, cm måle, garn mengde osv). Anbefaler da heller å finne en lignende oppskrift som er skrevet med 1 tråd og se om du kan tilpasse den oppskriften med 2 tråder du ønsker å strikke om til 1 tråd. mvh DROPS Design

06.02.2023 - 07:46:

Sigrid wrote:

Hallo, ich möchte die Garne drops Fabel und drops kid Silk für einen Pulli kombinieren. Ist das eine gute Idee? Der Pulli soll nicht kratzen. Und welche Garnkombi ergibt sich?

30.01.2023 - 17:53:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Sigrid, es ist ja schon eine gute Idee - hier finden Sie einige Beispiele von Pullover, mit diesen beiden Garne zusammengestrickt. Für weitere Hilfe, die besten Farben zu finden hïlft Ihnen gerne Ihr DROPS Laden -auch per Telefon oder per E-Mail weiter. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

31.01.2023 - 10:06:

Mary wrote:

I want to knit 'Ar Tresins' nordic sweater and use Lion Brand Fisherman Wool. I am getting 5 stitches to the inch (or 20 to 4") on size 10 1/2 needles. What adjustments can I make to the number of stitches called for in the pattern?

28.01.2023 - 18:38:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mary, we are not familiar with the pattern you are indicating. This webpage is for solving any doubts our readers may have when working DROPS patterns or using DROPS yarns. We recommend you get in touch with the designer of the sweater if you have any doubts. Happy knitting!

29.01.2023 - 19:44:

Angelin wrote:

Hejsa, jeg skal strikke Summer Melody by Drops Design i str. Small, som bruger Drops Melody (garngruppe D). Jeg vil hellere bruge Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk. Kan man det? Og hvis man kan, hvor mange garnnøgler skal der bruges i stedet? Mange tak.

25.01.2023 - 22:32:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Angelin. DROPS Melody og DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk tilhører 2 forskjellige garngrupper og man kan ikke bruke oppskrifter om hverandre. De må tilhøre samme garngruppe . Du kan evnt prøve med 2 tråder DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk og se om du får den strikkefastheten som er opplyst i oppskriften (du vil da trenge ca 6 nøster). mvh DROPS Design

30.01.2023 - 07:59:

Antoneta Irimia Hågensli wrote:

Hei. Jeg vil strikke en vest, størrelse L i Drops Air. Skal bruke rundpinne størrelse 5, følger ikke en bestemt oppskrift. Hvor mange masker anbefalles? På forhånd takk for hjelpen.

25.01.2023 - 22:01:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Antoneta. Strikk en prøvelapp og se hvor mange masker du får på 10 cm og så finne ut hvor mange cm du ønsker at vesten skal være. Så kan du regne ut hvor mange masker du bør ha. Om du bruker vår søkemotor og skriver vest og velger garnet DROPS Air, kan du ta utganskpunkt i allerede skrevet oppskrifter, f.eks DROPS 235-17, 215-39. mvh DROPS Design

30.01.2023 - 07:49:

Atania wrote:

Bonjour, je souhaitais réaliser le modèle femme Set Sail mais avec un seul fil. J'ai utilisé vos explications pour choisir une alternative, j'ai trouvé que 1 fil du groupe A+1 fil du groupe B= 1 fil du groupe C J'ai donc remplacé 1 fil kid silk +1 fil sky par 1 fil brushed alpaca silk mais il est trop fin. Ai je fait une erreur ?

24.01.2023 - 19:07:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Atania, 14 m de largeur pour l'échantillon de ce modèle correspond à une épaisseur du groupe D plutôt que du groupe E - toutefois, vous pouvez essayer avec 2 fils Brushed Alpaca Silk, vous pourriez avoir la même tension. Bon tricot!

25.01.2023 - 12:28:

Christa Böckmann wrote:

Wieviel Wolle von Drops Air Mix benötige ich für diesen Pullover Größe 98-104

23.01.2023 - 23:15:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Frau Böckmann, hier finden Sie alle unsere Pullover, die mit einem Garn der Garngruppe C gestrickt werden- benutzen Sie den Garnumrechner wenn nötig ist. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

24.01.2023 - 12:24:

Joelle Davis wrote:

Hello there, is there an easy way to calculate what 2 strands of yarn combined would create as a single yarn? For instance, if I used a group C and a group A, what would that work out to as an equivalent single strand? I'm also a bit confused between brushed alpaca silk and kid silk as the meterage to weight calculation is disparate but apparently works out to the same group if I use 2 strands of kid silk to 1 of brushed alpaca. Thanks!

19.01.2023 - 12:34:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Davis, if you want to work with 1 yarn group D instead of 1 yarn group A + 1 yarn group C, calculate the total metarage of each yarn group A and yarn group C required for the size, then take the shortest meterage and divided it by the meterage of your yarn group D to get the number of balls required - And remember your tension should match both in width and height.. Happy knitting!

20.01.2023 - 11:54:

Therese wrote:

Hej, Detta m d att byta Garner är ju väldigt komplicerat :). Kan jag byta två trådar Kids silk mot två trådar Baby Merino? De tillhör garngrupp A båda två. Vilket annat garn skulle ni rekommendera att byta två trådar kids silk mot om man endast vill sticka med en tråd?

18.01.2023 - 07:34:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Therese. Ja, du kan bytte 2 tråder Kid-Silk mot 2 tråder Baby Merino (begge tilhører garngruppe A). Men du må alltid sjekke at du får den strikkefastheten som er oppgitt i den oppskriften du skal strikke etter. Om du ønsker å strikke kun med 1 tråd istedenfor 2 tråder Kid-Silk, kan du bruke 1 tråd DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk. mvh DROPS Design

23.01.2023 - 07:24:

Marie Dominique Simard-Casanova wrote:

Bonjour à vous, peut on avoir les explications en français ? En US c' est compliqué...ou alors un schéma ça serait plus facile. Merci à vous! Cordialement

11.01.2023 - 09:43:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Simard-Casanova, tous nos modèles sont disponibles en français, cliquez sur le menu déroulant sous la photo pour changer de langue et ainsi obtenir toutes les explications, leçons et vidéos en français. Bon tricot!

11.01.2023 - 09:47:

Ann-Sofi wrote:

Kan jag byta garnet Nepal till Drops big Merino el Alaska och hur mycket garn behövs till denna modell i storlek M.

09.01.2023 - 11:00:

DROPS Design answered:

Hej Ann-Sofi, skriv dit spørgsmål ind i selve opskriften, så ved vi hvilken model du vil strikke - du kan også bruge garn kalkulatoren som du finder i selve opskriften :)

12.01.2023 - 15:47:

Florence Gough wrote:

I would like to make Agnes Sweater (kids) which calls for 200g of yarn for larger sizes. I would like to make this pattern one size larger than the pattern size 10/12. Can you tell me how much yarn I would need for this please.

04.01.2023 - 04:13:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Gough, it will depend on how larger you will work it - maybe you can take inspiration from the Agnes Sweater (adult) - see here - Happy knitting!

04.01.2023 - 09:39:

Francesca wrote:

Quel dommage que vous n'ayez tout simplement pas laissé le calculateur que vous aviez avant, c'était beaucoup plus simple et clair à comprendre, et on avait le résultat infaillible...Pourquoi avoir changé quelque chose qui fonctionnait si bien pour ces explications laborieuses et embrouillées ?

31.12.2022 - 18:31:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Francesca, notre convertisseur est toujours disponible sur chacun des modèles - cf ici - ceci n'est que la page explicative de la méthode, qui peut certes paraître complexe, mais qui explique comment ces calculs sont effectués. Bon tricot!

02.01.2023 - 15:30:

Evelien wrote:

Ik wil graag Drops Karisma vervangen door Drops Muskat, hoeveel heb ik dan nodig voor het breien van deze trui? Maat L, alleen tricotsteek

30.12.2022 - 13:26:

DROPS Design answered:

Dag Evelien,

Het hangt natuurlijk af van de maat en het patroon dat je gaat breien. Bij ieder patroon op onze site staan onder de materialenlijst een link naar de garenvervanger. Deze kun je gebruiken om uit te rekenen hoeveel garen je nodig hebt wanneer je een alternatief garen wilt gebruiken.

01.01.2023 - 12:33:

Valérie wrote:

Bonjour comment puis-je convertir le modèle DROPS Children 8-17 Taille : 2-3/4-5/6-7/8 (9/10-11/12-13/14) ans Avec un fil groupe A. Selon mon échantillon (24 maille 32 rang aiguille 3,5) je dois monter 156 mailles pour la taille 4-5 ans. Mais je ne sais pas comment suivre le modèle Merci pour votre aide

29.12.2022 - 19:35:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Valérie, pour plus de simplicité, vous pouvez tricoter avec 2 fils du groupe A - et naturellement bien vérifier votre tension - ou bien recherchez un modèle qui correspond à votre tension, car nous ne sommes malheureusement pas en mesure de pouvoir adapter chacun de nos modèles à chaque demande ni à chaque tension. Merci pour votre compréhension. Bon tricot!

02.01.2023 - 15:32:

Christiane wrote:

Sry, Größe XXXL hab ich vergessen anzugeben

29.12.2022 - 12:14:

Leave a comment or question to this lesson

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *.