How do you choose knitting yarn?

Do you ever find yourself confused between all the yarn options after seeing so many beautiful, stylish knitted garments? There are textures, lengths, and fiber types to consider—not to mention matching the right knitting needles. Yes, it can seem like a whole new science at first, but you will quickly gain confidence and may even be able to knit or crochet your own designs.

You’ve chosen a project and a knitting pattern—but how do you pick the right yarn?

Pay attention to:

Yarn weight (thickness).

 The label often indicates the appropriate needle size (e.g., 3–4 mm, 5–6 mm, or thicker); it may also specify the crochet hook size or the gauge for a 10×10 cm swatch (e.g., 22 stitches × 30 rows = 10 × 10 cm). Thicker yarns knit up faster and create a warmer garment. Thinner yarns are lighter and often used for cooler, summery pieces.

Fiber content. 

Natural fibers are more breathable, while synthetics often offer greater durability and easier care. You can also choose fiber blends or even prepare your own yarn.

Yardage (length). Not all 100g balls are the same—some may contain 100 meters, others 300 meters. Always calculate based on length rather than just weight. For example: a 100g ball with 100 meters of yarn will be thicker than a 100g ball with 300 meters. 

Here is an example of yarn where 100g equals 100 meters:

You may also come across the designation "Nm." This stands for the metric yarn count and indicates the fineness of the yarn.

Nm = the number of meters of yarn per gram (or kilometers per kilogram).

For example:

Nm 2 – 2 m/g = 2000 m/kg (quite a thick yarn).

Nm 7 – 7 m/g = 7000 m/kg (thinner).

Nm 15 – 15 m/g = 15,000 m/kg (very fine).

Knitting yarn Care instructions.

If you want a garment that is easy to care for, choose machine-washable yarn.

Color and dye lot. If you are buying multiple balls of yarn, ensure they come from the same dye lot to guarantee color consistency throughout the finished item. Also, keep in mind that if you run out of yarn, there is no guarantee that a future order will include the same dye lot.

Number of plies

This is particularly important if you are buying yarn on cones.

For example:

1 ply – very fine.

2 plies – thicker.

3–6 plies – even thicker.

Knitters often hold 2–4 strands of fine yarn together to achieve the desired thickness.

Twist

Tightly twisted yarns define stitch patterns better and are more durable.

Loosely twisted or fuzzy yarns offer softness, but stitch patterns are less distinct. 

Superwash wool

This is wool that has been specially treated to withstand frequent machine washing. It is convenient for everyday garments, though it is sometimes slightly less elastic than untreated wool.

Knitters often start by knitting a 10 × 10 cm gauge swatch. This allows them to assess the gauge, drape, and elasticity, and to choose the right needles before starting the actual garment.

Yarn weight

By weight

On average for the sweater:

S – 350–500 g

M – 450–650 g

L – 550–750 g

XL – 650–900 g

This applies to a standard long-sleeved sweater.

When buying yarn on cones or in larger packages,

it is more convenient to calculate based on yarn length (yardage/meterage) rather than the number of balls. For example:

if the yarn specifications are 350 m / 100 g and the project requires 1,400 m, you will need 4 × 100 g (i.e., 400 g).

Important: when knitting cables, chunky textured patterns, or very loose, oversized garments, you may need 10–30% more yarn than for a classic sweater in stockinette stitch. That is precisely why knitting patterns usually specify the required yarn length for a specific size—this is the most reliable guide.

If you are just starting to knit, it is convenient to choose:

medium-weight yarn (worsted or Aran types),

light-colored, solid-shade yarn (making it easier to see the stitches),

a wool and acrylic blend,

4–5 mm knitting needles.

You have learned the basics of knitting and are now ready to tackle large-scale knitting projects.

So, how do you choose chunky yarn?

When selecting chunky yarn, there is no point looking for 100 g packages—that amount won't be enough for a project. Instead, start calculating in kilograms.

When comparing yarn thickness, it is important to pay attention to the number of meters per given amount of yarn.

For example: 1 kg of stuffed cotton tube yarn yields 30 meters, whereas 1 kg of plush yarn yields 90 meters. This means the stuffed cotton yarn is three times thicker. Next, consider your knitting project or pattern—it will often specify the recommended yarn type and quantity, as well as the appropriate needle or hook size. For instance, a 100×200 cm throw requires 4 kg of material when using merino wool roving or stuffed cotton tube yarn. Hand knitting or using 30–40 mm needles is recommended. Now, let’s get started!