• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • SHOP
    • Upcoming Release Gallery Photos
    • Free Classes/Workshops on Teachable
    • Special Offers on New Releases!
    • Why Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns are Expensive
  • BLOG
  • LEARNING
    • Free Classes/Workshops on Teachable
    • What Is An Action Chart?
    • Menu of Techniques
    • Techniques Library : What’s In There?
    • Abbreviations
    • Sizing Tables / Charts / Guidelines & Croquis
    • Pattern Difficulty Levels / Type of Knitting
    • Why Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns are Expensive
    • Inside a Jill Wolcott Knits Pattern
    • How-To Videos: Learn from Jill
      • Why I Love . . . Techniques
    • Jill Wolcott Knits: A Fit Background
    • 2021-2022 Workshops With Jill Wolcott Knits
    • Overview of ASOG – A System of Grading
  • ABOUT
    • Designer’s Story
    • Calendar Events Schedule
    • Inside Scoop Subscribe & Newsletter Archives
    • Fundraising Projects
    • Jill Wolcott Knits
      • Jill Wolcott curriculum vitae
    • Techniques Library : What’s In There?
    • Abbreviations
    • Errata
    • Privacy Notice for Jill Wolcott Knits
  • CONTACT
  • My Account
  • Press

Jill Wolcott Knits logo

August 26, 2016 Leave a Comment

Yarn Substitutions Revisited

Substitutions: Copperfield from Filament No. 1Last night I made the first of two yarn substitutions in 12 hours. I did it so that I could start a project from the Filament, No. 1 collection from Kathleen Dames and Anne Podlesak. I am doing a review of the collection, so I wanted to try out the patterns. I looked at what yarn was used, but I really needed to grab something from my shelf so I could get started. I noticed Targhee-Columbia was the fiber in their yarn, and remembered that one of my Sheepspot Yarn Club yarns was a Targhee-Columbia, so that’s what I grabbed.  I’m actually pretty sure both yarns are from the same mill, but that is probably irrelevant to making a substitution. The pattern I’m working is a shawl, so I really don’t care if it is precisely on gauge.

Why We Make Substitutions

Substitutions: Lazy Sunda SockSo I’m thinking about yarn substitutions today. I began this morning in my studio staring at the “islands of chaos” that remain on my floor. I wondered why the four Lisse Hat samples were sitting there and what I should do with them. At the same time, I spotted a cake of yarn I’d had on hand for a couple of years; they company just announced that they were no longer going to be dyeing, so I grabbed that to do another collection review. I knew by looking at the needles used in the pattern that my yarn wasn’t going to get gauge–and I wasn’t really interested in making socks at 8.5 sts/in anyway, socks not really being my thing. I’ll just make a smaller size (yay!) and adjust length. I’ve made yarn substitutions that are situationally okay, but that are not going to get me what I know the designer had in mind.

Why We Should Make Substitutions

As a designer I find these substitutions completely understandable, and at the same time annoying. No way is the knitter going to get the same thing I showcased, yet I feel I will be blamed for any deviations that result from the substitutions.

But we are all sitting with stashes of yarns we acquired because we loved/wanted them. They are classified in the same yarn weight as the pattern, and that desire/need to start that project is hitting right now. By grabbing what we have on hand or is readily accessible to us, we can use up our stash yarn, satisfy our urges, and be that much better off for not having spent time, money, energy, getting the yarn used in the sample.

What Happens When We Make Substitutions

Substitutions: Four LissesI offer my Lisse Hat samples as evidence. They are all great. They each yielded a completely different hat. Just as a note, they are not all knitted the same size. This is a great hat if you are looking for a small project.

 

Related Posts

  • Gauge Swatching, Except When I Don't
    Gauge Swatching, Except When I Don't
  • Casting On the Lisse Hat
    Casting On the Lisse Hat
  • Problem Solution
    Problem Solution

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Filament No. 1, Lisse Hat, substitutions, yarn, yarns

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Jill’s Story

Teacher, Designer, with expertise to lead you where you want to go as a knitter/designer. Read More…

Blog Archive

Don’t Miss these Techniques!

Image of the calculator

Rounds Calculator

purl into the bar of dropped stitch for JSSBO

I-cord swatch from the back side

I-cord swatch (ITR, but flat)

drawing of how a button link is put together. design, writing, technique

Button Links

Popular in the Shop

  • photo of golden fern by our front entry Free Workshops, Classes, Webinars, Chats Created With You In Mind $0.00
  • Chattanooga Cosy - 20 Sizes. One is Just For You $22.00
  • Smallest Number of Stitches to Cast On A Moebius Suggested price: $3.00
  • Tulle Collar on dress form with taupe side out, a view of tope and bottom Latvian braid, and 3 vintage button links. Tulle Collar $12.00
  • Half-size dress form wearing dk version in pink and purple from Oink Pigments Clapham Trio: Junction, Road, & Common $20.00

Stay Updated

Footer

About Jill

Teacher, Designer, with expertise to lead you where you want to go as a knitter/designer.

Pattern Availability

If you live outside of the US and Canada you can now purchase Jill Wolcott Knits PDF patterns directly through Payhip.

Stay Connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Ravelry

© 2023 Jill Wolcott Knits