Download the AppSmart Yarn Substitution Tool
Find the right yarn substitution before you buy a single skein. Yarnzy shows you the exact substitute yarn your pattern actually needs.
Download Yarnzy on iOS & AndroidOverride pattern gauge (Optional)
Use the exact gauge in the pattern instead of the CYC standard.
Override substitute gauge (Optional)
If you have a label gauge or you've already swatched.
Calculate skeins & price (Optional)
Round up to whole skeins and show the total cost.
Compare fibers (Optional)
Check whether the substitute will drape and stretch like the pattern's yarn.
Good match
One weight away — swatch first
22% more than the pattern's 1,500 yd
Yardage
Your inputs never leave this device.
The gauge-ratio that makes substitution work.
Substituting worsted (18 sts / 4″) for DK (22 sts / 4″) means a thinner yarn — so you’ll need more length to cover the same area. Here’s exactly how much more.
Pattern · Worsted
Substitute · DK
Worsted → DK · 1,500 yd → 1,833 yd
22% more yardage to cover the same area.
Step 01 · Gauge ratio
Divide new by original.
The DK yarn packs 22 stitches into the same 4 inches that worsted fills with 18 — so it’s a thinner thread. Ratio > 1 means thinner, ratio < 1 means thicker.
Step 02 · Adjusted yardage
Multiply pattern yardage by the ratio.
Thinner yarn needs more length to fill the same fabric. Add about 22% buffer to your shopping list. The reverse (DK to worsted) would save you 18% of yardage but produce a denser fabric.
Step 03 · Skeins to buy
Divide by skein length, round up.
Always round up — partial skeins aren’t a thing at the yarn shop. Buy them all at once from the same dye lot, especially for colour-critical projects.
How Yarn Substitution Works in Yarnzy
Three simple steps take you from confused to confident in under a minute. No yarn expertise needed — just fill in the details and let Yarnzy do the rest.
01
Enter your pattern yarn details
Tap the plus button to set how many skeins your pattern requires, then add the length and weight of your original yarn. This gives Yarnzy the accurate baseline it needs to calculate.
02
Enter your substitute yarn details
Input the length per skein and weight per skein of your alternative yarn. Just two simple numbers are all Yarnzy needs to set up the full comparison and run the math perfectly.
03
Calculate and get your results
Hit the Calculate button and Yarnzy instantly delivers the exact skein count and total weight you need to buy. Shop with confidence knowing your substitute yarn amount is precisely right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on accuracy, edge cases, and what to do when the math doesn't match the pattern label.
Alpaca, acrylic, and cotton are all popular wool alternatives depending on your project needs. Enter your substitute into Yarnzy to get the exact skein count before you buy.
More tools from Skein.
A free toolkit for everything you measure, swatch, or substitute. No sign-up required.
Open tool →Hook & Needle Chart
US, UK, metric, all three systems in one place. Find your hook or needle size and see exactly which yarn weight it pairs with, no conversion guessing needed.
Open tool →Unit Conversion
Switch between meters, yards, grams, and ounces instantly. Whether your pattern is American or European, your measurements always make sense.
Open tool →Stitch Calculator
Know your gauge, know your finished width. Enter both and get the exact cast-on stitch count your project needs, no math, no margin for error.
Open tool →Color Palette
Stop buying yarn in colors that clash. Build your palette using real color theory, complementary, triadic, analogous, and see the combinations work before you spend a penny.
Download Yarnzy on iOS and Android
The smart yarn substitution tool built for every crocheter and knitter worldwide. Start calculating in seconds, free to download on both iOS and Android.
Built for crocheters and knitters • Accurate yarn comparison • Beginner friendly
Scan to Download the App
Start your next project with confidence