The Yarn StudioYarn weight & gauge calculator
Estimate gauge from a yarn weight and needle size, convert a swatch to stitches per 10 cm, or enter a pattern gauge and find yarns that match.
Read guideGUIDES
Maker guides
Practical, no-fluff guides to help you choose yarn, substitute with confidence, and understand gauge.
Popular:
15 guides available.
Mystery yarn identifier
Lost the ball band? Answer a few questions about thickness, ply and feel, add a photo, and get the weight category, fibre family and matching yarns.
Read guideHow to substitute yarn in any pattern
Match gauge, calculate yardage, and swap yarn weights with confidence — with worked examples and a free substitute finder.
Read guideMilk cotton yarn substitutes: best swaps
What milk cotton is made from and the best substitute yarns, including bamboo/cotton blends and high-quality acrylics.
Read guideUS vs UK crochet terms: a translation guide
Translate any crochet pattern between American and British stitch names — with illustrations and a full conversion chart.
Read guideYarn weight chart & gauge guide
Every standard yarn weight from Lace to Jumbo, with recommended needle sizes, hook sizes, and average gauge per 10 cm.
Read guideBest yarn for every project
Which yarn to use for sweaters, cardigans, blankets, scarves and amigurumi — fibres, weights, yardage and pitfalls.
Read guideBest yarn for crochet
Which yarn to crochet with by project — blankets, amigurumi, garments and accessories — plus hook pairings and how much extra yarn crochet uses.
Read guideBest yarn for crochet blankets
Best yarn for a crochet blanket, exact yardage by blanket size, hook sizes by weight, and the yarns to avoid.
Read guideBest yarn for sweaters
Best fibres and weights for a knit or crochet sweater, yardage by size, and mistakes to avoid.
Read guideBest yarn for cardigans
Yarns that keep button bands crisp, the right weights, yardage by size, and what to avoid.
Read guideBest yarn for blankets
Washable, soft yarns for knit and crochet blankets, plus yardage for every blanket size.
Read guideBest yarn for baby blankets
The safest, softest washable yarns for a baby blanket, safety guidance, and yardage by blanket size.
Read guideBest yarn for scarves
The softest non-itchy fibres for scarves and cowls, best weights, and yardage per style.
Read guideBest yarn for amigurumi
Cotton vs acrylic for crochet toys, hook sizing, and how much yarn a plushie takes.
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