Have you ever looked at a yarn label and felt totally confused?

It can feel like you’re trying to read a different language!!

But don’t worry, once you understand what everything means, it actually becomes really simple.

Why yarn labels matter

Your yarn label tells you everything you need to know about your yarn:

• what size hook or needle to use
• how to launder
• how your project will turn out

Step-by-Step: How to Read a Yarn Label

Step 1: Yarn weight

Yarn weight tells you how thick the yarn is.

The thicker the yarn, the higher the number.

For example:

• smaller numbers = thinner yarn
• larger numbers = bulkier yarn

In the example shown, this is a Super Bulky Weight #6 yarn.

Step 2: Hook, needle, and gauge

This section tells you what size tools to use.

For example:

• knitting needles: US 13 (9.0 mm)
• crochet hook: N-13 (9.0 mm)

You’ll also see a small square with numbers.

This is your gauge guide
It shows how many stitches and rows should fit into a 4″ x 4″ square.

In this example, you see the crochet hook symbol shows on a size US13/9mm hook, you would get 8 rows (8 R) and 6.6 stiches (6.6 S) in a 4 inch by 4 inch (10cm x 10cm) square swatch that you crochet.

See my step by step tutorial on making a 4 inch by 4 inch crochet swatch here!

Step 3: Washing instructions

Look for the basin symbol.

This tells you how to wash your yarn.

• machine washable = basin symbol
• hand wash = hand inside the basin
• numbers = water temperature

Step 4: Bleaching

Look for the triangle symbol.

If there’s an “X” through it:

• do NOT bleach

Anytime you see an X through a symbol, it means don’t do it.

Step 5: Drying

Look for the square with a circle inside.

This tells you how to dry your yarn.

• plain symbol = normal drying
• dots, lines, or X’s = special instructions

Step 6: Ironing

Look for the iron symbol.

If it has an X through it:

• do NOT iron your yarn

Some symbols may include dots to show heat levels.

1 dot = iron low / 2 dots = iron medium / 3 dots = iron hot

Step 7: Dry cleaning

Look for the circle symbol.

This represents dry cleaning.

In this example:

• a “P” inside means it can be dry cleaned with certain solvents (not all)

Free Yarn Label Chart!

Download your free yarn label symbols chart here and keep it in your project bag for easy reference.

Hope this empowers your crochet journey ❤️

~Angie