Guide for Reading a Yarn Label

Yarn labels carry a load of information when it comes to the likes of knitters/crocheters. Especially if you are shopping for yarn for the first time, you can be sure that everything you need will be printed on the label. 

The most important step prior to beginning your project is reading the yarn label. This will determine what your project will consist of, how it will turn out and whether or not it will fit your technique. 

There are essentially 7 parts of a yarn label that one must know before attempting to read one. The brand, yarn weight, gauge, needle size, crochet hook size, yarn wash instructions, care, etc. 

Weight

Yarn weight is classified into eight categories. They range from sizes 0-7. These sizes are labelled according to thickness. 0 for the least thickness and 7 for maximum thickness. In knitting terminology, they are labelled, lace (0), superfine (1), fine (2), light (3), medium (4), bulky (5), super bulky (6), jumbo (7). 

Gauge

The gauge is usually printed with a lot of symbols and abbreviations that might confuse a lot of novice knitters. Refer to these squares below. The numbers outside these squares will give you information about the gauge this yarn will produce. The numbers inside will tell you the recommended hook and needle sizes. 

Needle Size

Once you look into the squares, you will see numbers from 0 and 50 (US) or 14 – 000 (UK) and their metric counterparts in millimetres (mm). This number denotes the recommended needle size for that yarn. For crocheting, you will see the same listed in alphabets. Refer to the image below to get a better idea about needle sizes.

Yarn Care and Instructions

The last thing to look for is the care and instructions. This section will also have information on what type of fabric the yarn is made up of. Based on the kind of fabric used, the yarn care and washing instructions will vary drastically. For example, for cotton, acrylic and nylon yarn, it may be recommended that you can machine wash at any settings. For delicate yarns like wool and some silks, you will need extra caution. 

Dye Lot

Sometimes, you will also need to look at the Dye lot or Batch Number. If you require more than one ball/skein to complete a project, it is recommended that you choose them from the same batch so that your colours are as consistent as possible. If you can’t find this information on the label, speak to customer care or the nearest available storekeeper. 

If you would like to know more about yarn and how to choose the perfect yarn for your project, check out Vardhman’s knitting diaries here: https://vardhmanknitworld.com/blogs/knitting-diaries 

If you have any questions regarding the knitting labels, please Reach Us at customercare@vardhman.com or 8146625292 for any queries.