How do you substitute yarn in a knitting pattern?
Step by step: find a substitute yarn that gives the same size and feel.
Match the tension
Look for a yarn with the same number of stitches per 10 cm as the pattern. The difference should be no more than one stitch.
Compare length per gram
A yarn with far more metres per gram is finer or airier and gives a different drape. Stay close to the original if you want the garment to look like the photo.
Knit a tension swatch and adjust your needles
If you get too many stitches over 10 cm, switch to larger needles. Too few, switch to smaller needles.
More guides
How do you choose yarn for a pattern?
Start with the yarn specified in the pattern – and know what to look for if you want to substitute it.
How much yarn do I need?
How to read the yarn requirements in a pattern and recalculate when you change size or yarn.
How do you substitute yarn in a crochet pattern?
Crochet is more sensitive to yarn thickness – here is how to find a yarn that works.
What does knitting tension mean?
Tension determines whether your garment will be the right size. Here is how to measure it.