Understanding Yarn Labels Crochet Resources

Understanding Yarn Labels Crochet Resources by Dearest Debi. Click on any image below to see a larger version.

Every pick up a ball of yarn, look at the label and wonder what it all means? Below is a Beran Sox Label, I picked this Bernat Sox label because it has a lot of details on it.

At the top of the label there is the colour and dye lot number, this information is the colour of your yarn and it’s dye lot number. If you need more then one ball it’s best to get the same dye lot number because the colours will be the same, different dye lot numbers will mean a variance in the colour of your yarn. Some yarns have no dye lots.

Some yarn companies name the colours of there yarn, as you can see Bernat has used the name Hippi Hot which is listed directly below the bar code. Below the colours name you will see a bunch of boxes.  These boxes will list the yarns weight, gauge and care instructions.

There are six different weights of yarn.

1.  Super Fine
2. Fine
3. Light
4. Medium
5. Bulky
6. Super Bulky

The Bernat sox yarn label shows a number 1 super fine yarn.

Here is a break down of some terms used for yarn weights.

#0. Fingering, 10-count, crochet thread
#1. Sock, Fingering, Baby
#2. Sport, Baby
#3. DK, Light, Worsted
#4. Worsted, Afghan, Aran
#5. Chunky, Craft, Rug
#6. Bulky, Roving

Next on our Bernat sox label is the gauge box for knitting and then crocheting. These boxes can look different between yarn labels. The Bernat sock label states that that you want to use US 3/3.25mm knitting needles to knit 28 stitches by 36 rows to make a 4 inch square. For crocheting it is suggested to use a US D3/3.25mm hook.

If you need help understanding how to correctly gauge your crochet work check out my blog post on yarn weights and gauges available HERE.

After the weight and gauge boxes on our Bernat label there are the yarn care boxes. Most laundry care symbols are universal but there still are some variances between symbols, sometimes they will include written instructions. Below is an image of some common symbols that are used in laundry care.

The most important laundry yarn care tip of all is to use a laundry care bag or a pillow case to wash your yarn items, you want your yarn protected when washing that it won’t snag or stick to other laundry.  A laundry tip in general.. Always make sure if velcro is stuck together, zippers are zipped up and buttons are together and ALWAYS check pockets!! I use Charlie’s soap and wool dryer balls for all my laundry.

Tip: Keep the yarn label to give to the person who receives the item made with the yarn so they will have the laundry care information.

After all the laundry care, there is written information on the Bernat Sox label. They have written instructions for their laundry care. All textiles must have listed what is used to produce the textile. Bernat Sox is made from 60% acrylic and 40% nylon.

Lastly we have listed the approximate length, and weight. These numbers help you to find out how much yarn you need for your pattern, most patterns will list one of these 2 specifications or both when listing how much yarn to use complete a pattern.

~Happy Hooking~