Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Technique – Yarn Substitutions.

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I ran across an awesome resource a long time ago, and I use it so often that it’s just assumed that everyone knows what it is. What is it? Well, hang on there, it’s so awesome that it deserves an introduction like no other.

So you find this great pattern you just have to knit, but would love to knit it in something other than the yarn called for. What to do? Unless you’re a walking yarn encyclopedia you just log on to this wonderful resource, bring up the yarn specified in the pattern and it will tell  you the weight, yardage, company, fiber content and just about everything else you’d want to know about it. Is it Ravelry? Well, yes, Ravelry is an awesome resource unto it’s own, but for the “everything you ever wanted to know about just about every kind of yarn out there” there’s none other than…..

Yarndex! Try it!yarndex_logo5

Comments

  1. I have some old Needleworks magazines and they have some great patterns but the yarns are no longer available. Any ideas of how I can knit these or finding out about older yarns?

  2. Hi,
    See if you can do an internet search for these yarns. You might not be able to buy them, but if you can get a general idea of what weight yarn and how many yards/meters per skein or hank, you can go to http://www.yarndex.com and find a substitution there.
    Good luck!
    Terrye

  3. I have a pattern for a round baby afghan (42″ in diameter) using Baby Sport – H crochet hook, if . . .

    I use a Bulky weight yarn and increase the hook to an N might that be okay to use the same pattern? (ie: be about 64″ in diameter). Or does someone have a round/circular pattern for and adult?

    The baby pattern I have is found on the Bernat website and it’s called Round Blanket to Crochet.

  4. I put in all the information and it either gave me the “sorry” line or it matched it up to itself. Not helpful.

  5. I am trying to find a substitute yarn for Lion Brand Organic Cotton Worse weight to knit a baby hoodie can you help

  7. I am trying to get to Yarndex.com, but several different links take me to LoveKnitting.com. Can you help?

  8. Yarndex was a project of Yarnmarket, which was purchased by LoveKnitting. I think they just got rid of that URL at some point and made it forward to their main site. You can search for it on the Internet Archive (archive.org), or maybe Ravelry can help answer your questions.

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.