Calculate the equivalent number of balls

Replace a Yarn in a Pattern

To replace a yarn mentioned in a pattern with another, you must ensure the following points:

Needle Number: The needle numbers of the two yarns must be identical.

Gauge: The two gauges must be similar.

Yarn Seasonality: The yarns should be intended for the same season, unless you want to knit a summer pattern with a winter quality, or vice versa.

Calculating the Number of Skeins Needed

Next, it is important to check the number of skeins needed for the chosen quality. With the same weight, the yardage of the two qualities can differ. To obtain the correct number of skeins, follow this method:

Calculate the total yardage needed in the old quality:
Multiply the yardage per skein of the old yarn by the number of skeins indicated in the pattern.

Divide this total by the yardage per skein of the new chosen quality.

The result will give you the number of skeins needed for the new quality. If you do not get a whole number, round up.

Example:

Original Yarn: Lambswool (134 m)
You need 10 skeins of Lambswool, which totals:
134 m × 10 = 1340 metres of yarn.

Replacement Yarn: Phil Coton (121 m)
To replace the Lambswool with Phil Coton, you need to calculate the number of skeins required:
1340 m ÷ 121 m = 11.07 skeins.

You round up to the nearest whole number, which is 12 skeins.

Therefore, 10 skeins of Lambswool = 12 skeins of Phil Coton.