Author: Courtney Whitehead
Crochet designer and educator Courtney Whitehead is the owner and designer of Creations By Courtney, which offers size-inclusive crochet patterns for garments and accessories. Courtney’s website is a great place to find helpful crochet tips and crochet stitch tutorials.
Because of her years of experience in crochet design, we asked Courtney to break down the ins and outs of yarn substitution—when to do it, why it matters, and how to approach it with confidence. Whether you’re subbing yarns for budget, availability, or personal style, Courtney’s insights will help you make smart swaps so your finished pieces will have the fit, drape, and look you want.
Let’s be honest—how many times have you fallen in love with a crochet (or knit) pattern… only to realize the recommended yarn is just not your vibe? Maybe it’s the feel, maybe it’s the fiber, or maybe that yarn has gone to yarn heaven, i.e., it’s been discontinued.
You’re not alone. Yarn substitution is something every crocheter faces at some point, whether it’s because of availability, price, or personal preference. And while swapping yarns might sound as simple as picking a new skein you like, it actually takes a little know-how to make sure your project turns out just right.
We’re diving into everything you need to know about substituting yarn confidently—without the frustration or the guesswork. We’ll talk fibers, weights, calculating yardage, and how to keep your crochet projects looking fabulous no matter what yarn you use.
Before you dive in, don’t forget to sign up for the Creations by Courtney newsletter for more crochet tips, free patterns, and exclusive updates delivered right to your inbox.
Why Substitute Yarn? Common Reasons and Considerations
So, why bother with yarn substitution in the first place? There are plenty of reasons you might want—or need—to swap a yarn that’s called for in a pattern. Here are some of the most common:
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Fiber Preference: Maybe the original yarn is acrylic, but you’re dreaming of something breathable, like cotton or bamboo.
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Allergies & Sensitivities: Wool might not be your skin’s best friend, so you’re looking for something soft and non-itchy.
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Availability: Sometimes the pattern’s yarn is discontinued or impossible to find locally.
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Budget-Friendly Choices: Some yarns are beautiful but expensive. Substituting lets you stay on budget without sacrificing style.
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Eco & Ethical Reasons: You may prefer plant-based, vegan, or sustainably sourced yarns.
Whatever the reason, it’s your project.
Choosing a yarn that suits your needs, style, budget, and preferences is more than okay—it’s part of making the piece your own. You wouldn’t want to add yet another project to the unfinished pile because you’re working with a yarn that you don’t like.
How to Choose a Good Yarn Substitute (Without Overwhelm)
Choosing a yarn substitute doesn’t have to be complicated, as long as you focus on a few key things:
Match the Yarn Weight
Yarn weight refers to thickness and is usually categorized by numbers from 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo). If the original pattern uses a worsted weight (#4), aim for a substitute in the same category.
Consider the Fiber Content
Different fibers behave differently, impacting stretchiness, drape, and how the yarn feels in your hands (the texture) while you work.
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Cotton: sturdy, little stretch, breathable, can be stiff depending on the thickness and hook/needle size
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Wool: elastic, cozy, holds shape, can be scratchy depending on type of wool
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Bamboo: breathable, soft, amazing drape, but will stretch over time and when wet
When choosing the substitute fiber, consider if your project needs to flow (drape well) or structure. Any differences in yarn texture can impact the finished look.
Check the Gauge
Matching the pattern’s gauge is key. Even with the same yarn weight, fibers and brands can vary. If you struggle with understanding how to fix gauge, compare your gauge to the pattern gauge for instant tips.
Don’t forget: If the pattern states that blocking is required, block the swatch in the substitute yarn. You don’t want to finish your project and then find out that the substitute yarn doesn’t stretch, or stretches too much.
Quick Tip: If you can match weight, fiber, and gauge, you’re 80% of the way to a successful substitution.
How to Substitute Yarn for Lighter or Heavier Weights
What if you fall in love with a yarn that’s not the same weight as the pattern calls for? Here are a few things to keep in mind to make adjustments:
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Know Your Yarn Weight Categories: Each weight—lace, fingering, DK, worsted, bulky—has its own thickness and behavior. Moving up or down affects size and fabric.
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Hold Multiple Strands Together: You can hold two or more strands of a lighter yarn to create a heavier weight. Always check by making a swatch.
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Adjust Hook or Needle Size: You might be able to use the hook or needle size from the pattern with thinner yarns and still match gauge, whereas using a smaller hook or needle with thicker yarn will not work unless you want a stiff fabric.
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Size and Measurement Impact: If you’re making garments and changing yarn weight, you’ll have to account for the changes in size. For example, thinner yarn will create a smaller size, and thicker yarn will create a larger size. If you’re making scarves, blankets, or shawls, you don’t have to be as mindful of the size adjustments, but do consider the impact to the yarn required.
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Yardage Considerations: You receive less yarn per skein in thicker yarns, and typically receive more yarn per skein in thinner yarns. You want to account for the differences to ensure that you buy enough yarn, especially if holding multiple strands.
Calculating Yardage When Substituting Yarn
To make sure you have enough yarn for your substitution yarn in the SAME WEIGHT, follow these steps and then check out the example:
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Find the total yards (meters) for the project: If number of skeins is listed instead, skeins × total yards (meters) per skein
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Calculate how many skeins for the substitute yarn: Total yards (meters) in project ➗yards (meters) per skein for substitute yarn
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Swatch to confirm that you like the look of the fabric
Example
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Pattern lists 765 yds (700 m) for a shawl in Loops & Threads Soft Ombre: 426 yds (390 m) per skein
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Substitute Yarn is Hobbii Happy Place Melange: 273 yds (250 m) per skein
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765 total yards ➗273 yds = 2.8 > 3 skeins (700 total meters ➗250 m = 2.8 > 3 skeins) in Happy Place Melange
To learn the specifics of calculating yardage when using DIFFERENT WEIGHT yarn, click here to read more.
Practice Makes Perfect—Your Yarn, Your Rules
Yarn substitution is part of the creative process.
With these tips and considerations, you can successfully substitute yarn for almost any project and avoid common problems of drape differences, elasticity, sizing, and texture.
Choosing a yarn that you enjoy is what makes every project of the same pattern unique pieces of art.
It’s okay to experiment, to make mistakes, and to learn along the way. Every project teaches you something new.
Before you pick up your next project, don’t forget to join the Creations by Courtney Newsletter for more helpful crochet tips, free patterns, and inspiration for your next masterpiece.
Curious about Courtney’s designs? Explore some of her popular patterns:
Looking for more help with yarn weights and substitutions? Check out these two helpful resources:
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Yarn Guide Part One: Understanding Yarn Weight Charts – Learn how yarn weights are categorized and why they matter for your projects.
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Yarn Guide Part Two: Yarn Weight Substitution and Conversion Charts – Dive deeper into how to use yarn weight charts to confidently choose substitute yarns and adjust for different weights.
These guides are perfect companions to Courtney’s tips and will give you even more confidence when making yarn swaps.
