How To Read A Yarn Label (Step By Step)

How To Read A Yarn Label

1. The Brand Name/Yarn Name

   You will see the brand name of the yarn company that makes the yarn on the label as well as the name the yarn may have.
   In the example below, you can see that the company name is We Are Knitters and the yarn name is The Petite Wool.
   

2. Yarn Weight Category

   Look for the category that determines the yarn weight.
   Some but not all yarn labels will provide this information.
   It looks like a yarn ball illustration with a number on it.
   This number is given by the Craft Yarn Council and tells you the yarn weight category.
   For example, the number 6 will tell you that this yarn is super bulky weight/super chunky/14-ply yarn.
   Lace weight yarn is mainly used for knitting socks (sock yarn can also be fingering or DK).
   Learn everything about the different yarn weights here – Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)
   The image below shows a Lion Brand yarn label.
   

3. The Fiber Content

   The label will tell you what the fibers are made from, this could be 100% wool, cotton, nylon, acrylic, or mixed fibers.
   The mixed fibers will normally show a list of the fibers included.
   

4. The Yarn Length

   The ball or skein will normally say how much in grams for example 50g/100g/170g etc.
   It will also say on the label how much there is in meters and yards too.
   In most patterns, the designer gives you the quantities of yarn you need in grams, meters, or yards.
   This information will help you to find out how much yarn you need for your project and if it will be enough!
   

5. The Needle And Hook Size Suitable

   There is a lot of information that is helpful for the maker on the label, including the recommended knitting needle size and crochet hook sizes.
   You can see in the image below that the recommended hook and needle size is 8mm / US size 11.
   

6. Gauge Information

   The label will include yarn gauge and tension information also – this will normally be shown in a 4×4 inch / 10 x 10 cm square.
   You will see the number of stitches and rows you can expect using the yarn and the recommended needle size in that square.
   The information below shows the knitting gauge and the crochet gauge.
   You can learn more about creating a gauge swatch here – How to measure gauge in knitting.
   

7. How To Wash

   The label will show you yarn care instructions, mainly how to clean your knitted piece once finished.
   You need to know if machine washing is ok or if it is hand washing only etc.
   You will normally see the standard laundry care symbols.
   Different types of yarn will have varying instructions about the care of the fibers.
   You can see the little symbols below – telling you that this yarn is hand wash only and giving some drying instructions.
   Some types of yarn fiber can be washed only in cold water, others need dry cleaning.
   

8. The Color And Dye Lot Number

   You will see the yarn color/color name and dye lot number on there too.
   It’s best to get skeins/balls all with the same dye lot number – because if you get a batch with a different dye lot there will be a slight variation in the color.
   When working on a knitting project like a sweater you will need to make sure all of the yarn you buy is the same dye lot so it can blend together.
   

9. Should I Keep My Yarn Labels?

   Yes! I would keep them and wrap a piece of the yarn around them so that you can remember what you used for a particular project.
   I normally staple the labels together that I used for larger projects like sweaters, so I know how many skeins or balls I needed.
   Plus you have any important information like laundry care instructions.
   You can store the labels in a couple of ways, for one skein project you could place them into a ring-bound notebook with a piece of the yarn next to it. This is also helpful if you keep notes and sketches.
   For a larger project, staple them together, then wrap a length of the yarn around them, and keep them in a basket.
   You never know when you will need this valuable information.