Reading Yarn Labels: What Do the Symbols Mean?
Have you ever wondered what these small symbols on the yarn label mean? These symbols are a kind of secret code that contains various information such as weight, fiber content, maintenance guidance, and suggested needle or hook size. For instance, you bought a yarn but don't know what these symbols mean in a hand-dyed yarn. Hence, it is essential that you know the meaning of and uses of each symbol. In this blog, we help you understand what these symbols mean and how they will help you make your project outstanding.
Understanding Yarn Labels or Packages- What do they include? A yarn package or a bee label is not just a decorative piece, it contains valuable information. Let's check out the table below, which usually contains: Brand and Company Name
Suggested Gauge for Knitting and Crocheting
Yarn Weight Category (light, medium, Recommended Hook and Needle Size and bulky) Fiber Content
Color Dye and Number Lot
Care Instructions
Yardage
Let's cover each section and understand the symbols. 1. Brand and Company Name This is the first information you catch on the yarn label that will tell you the name of the company that manufactured it, and the specific name or number of the yarn. 2. Yarn Weight Category It is the most important information on the yarn label, which tells you how thick or thin the yarn is. As per the standard yarn weight system, it classifies yarn into 0-7 categories. Check out the yarn table guide below: Yarn Weight
Number
Best For
Lace
0
Shawls and Delicate projects
Super Fine
1
Socks and Lightweight Scarves
Fine
2
Baby clothes and Light sweaters
Light
3
Sweaters and Blankets
Medium
4
Hats, Scarves, and Cozy Sweaters
Bulky
5
Chunky Blankets or Fast Projects
Super Bulky
6
Extra-thick scarves and Warm blankets
Jumbo
7
Blankets and Oversized Cardigans
For example, Terra from Symfonie Yarns blends beauty and strength, perfect for crafters looking for lightweight yarn. This yarn is available in solid and semi-solid shades, such as Electric Lime, Zap, Lemon Glow, Mocha, Macha, and many more. On the other hand, Viva from Symfonie Yarn includes extrafine Merino wool, offers smoothness and beautiful stitches used for a wide range of projects like pillows or throws. Read More: Complete Guide to Yarn Weight and Sizes 3. Fiber Content Knowing the fiber content in your yarn is essential, you will easily find out what yarn is made of and how it behaves and feels after using it. For example, Merino wool is an excellent choice for winter due to its warmth and softness. You can try the lovely merino blend in Luna Yarn from Symfonie, which is available in Morning Dew, Foggy, Lavender, or Rosewater. See this also: Sustainable Yarn Choices: Eco-Friendly Fibers and Ethical Production 4. Yardage Yarn yardage(grams or ounces) refers to the length of yarn in a ball or a skein, hence, M refers to meters or yards on the yarn package. This information will give you an idea of the yarn size required for your project, and knowing this will help you plan your project efficiently. 5. Gauge The next part is gauge on the yarn label. In knitting and crochet projects, it measures how many rows and stitches you will cover in the given area. It is a crucial part of the yarn label because it will directly affect the finished project.
We recommend that you make a simple gauge swatch and estimate it by counting the stitches and rows within a 4-inch square. 6. Care Instructions Care symbols on yarn labels tell you exactly how to wash and maintain your yarn. The quality of colorful yarns can be easily maintained and cleaned by hand gently, and then laid flat to dry. Avoid twisting or wringing the fabric, as this can result in felting. See this also: Yarn Care and Storage: Keep Your Precious Fibers Vibrant 7. Color Dye and Number Lot The dye lot means the number allotted to the batch of yarn that has been dyed together. To know this information when buying several yarns for the project. If you are working with more than one yarn skein, ensure that they come from the same dye lot, as each lot produces with slight color variation. Hand-dyed collections, from Symfonie Yarns in the Bella yarn range, offer distinctive variations for those crafters who love to work with colorful yarns. Read also: Origin and Care of Naturally Dyed Yarns 8. Recommended Hook and Needle Size On the yarn label, you will see tiny diagrams that will tell you the hook and needle size needed for your project. By following these instructions, ensure the project is made according to the pattern. But always make sure to check your pattern for any particular gauge requirements. It will become much easier to choose appropriate yarn for your project once you have a thorough understanding of the yarn bee label. Understanding the meaning of yarn symbols will ensure your project turns out to be perfect.
Summary: Are you confused about how to read a yarn label? It is one of the important parts before you plan to buy a skein of yarn for your project. The yarn package contains information regarding fiber, suggested hook or needle sizes, weight, and much more. In this tutorial, let's unravel this crucial information, which will help in buying yarn. Related Links: ● The Complete Guide to Reading a Knitting Pattern ● Second in a Series on Yarn Weights & Thickness
