Buying Yarn Online Doesn't Have to Be a Guessing Game

📖 7 minute read
A beginner-friendly guide to understanding yarn weight, meterage, fibre content, gauge, and everything you need to know before buying yarn online.


Buying yarn online can feel a little daunting.

Unlike shopping in person, you cannot pick up the skein, feel how soft it is, or see how it drapes in your hands. Sometimes ordering yarn online can feel like taking a gamble.

We know exactly how that feels.

We've ordered yarn ourselves, excitedly opened the parcel, and then looked at it thinking, "Well... this wasn't really what we were going for."

It happens.

At Fluffmade, we believe buying yarn online should feel exciting, not uncertain.

Our aim isn't simply to sell yarn. It's to help you choose the right yarn with confidence.

That is why we include as much information as possible on every single product listing. We know that details like fibre content, meterage, yarn weight, gauge, and recommended hook or needle sizes are not just numbers. They are the information that helps you decide whether a yarn is the right fit for your project.

Understanding those specifications can completely change the way you approach making.

Once you know how to compare yarns, understand meterage, substitute fibres, and choose the right weight, an entirely new world of possibilities opens up.

One of the biggest advantages of understanding yarn specifications is that they allow you to make informed substitutions. Instead of relying only on the number of balls recommended in a pattern, you can compare the actual amount of yarn required.

A Real-Life Example

A perfect example happened just this month while we were making the Finestra Beach Bag.

The original pattern recommended six balls of yarn.

By choosing a different yarn with a different meterage, we completed the entire project using only around four and a half balls.

Nothing about the pattern changed. The difference was entirely in the yarn.

This is exactly why understanding meterage is so important. Looking only at the number of balls a pattern recommends does not always tell the full story.

So... What Do All Those Specifications Actually Mean?

Let's break them down.

🧶Yarn Weight

One of the biggest misconceptions is that yarn weight refers to how much a ball weighs.

It doesn't.

Yarn weight describes how thick the yarn itself is.

Some common yarn weights include:

• Lace (Category 0)
• Fingering (Category 1)
• Sport (Category 2)
• DK (Category 3)
• Worsted (Category 4)
• Aran (Category 5)
• Bulky (Category 6)
• Super Bulky (Category 7)

A fingering weight yarn is much finer than a bulky yarn, even if both balls weigh exactly 100 g.

Think of yarn weight as the thickness of the strand rather than the weight of the ball.

⚖️ Ball Weight

Ball weight is exactly what it sounds like.

This is usually listed as 50 g, 100 g, or occasionally another weight depending on the yarn.

Ball weight simply tells you how much the yarn weighs. It does not tell you how much yarn is actually in the ball.

That is where meterage comes in.

📏 Meterage

If there is one specification we recommend paying close attention to, it is meterage.

Meterage tells you how much yarn is contained in the skein or ball.

For example:

• Yarn A: 100 g = 220 m
• Yarn B: 100 g = 400 m

Both balls weigh exactly the same.

One simply contains much more yarn because it is finer.

This is why we always recommend comparing meterage, especially when substituting yarns for a pattern.

🌿Fibre Content

The fibre blend affects almost everything about your finished project.

It influences:

• Softness
• Warmth
• Drape
• Stitch definition
• Elasticity
• Durability
• Care requirements

Different fibres bring different qualities.

🐑 Merino wool offers softness and elasticity.

🦙 Alpaca provides warmth with beautiful drape.

🌱 Cotton creates crisp stitch definition and excellent breathability.

🌸 Silk adds shine, strength, and luxurious softness.

🌾 Linen creates structure and develops beautiful softness over time.

🧶 Nylon is often blended into yarns to improve durability, particularly for socks.

There is no single "perfect" fibre. Every fibre has its own strengths, and the best choice depends on what you're making. A lightweight summer top, warm winter sweater, durable pair of socks, and heirloom shawl may all benefit from completely different fibre blends.

There is only the perfect fibre for your project.

🪡 Recommended Hook and Needle Sizes

Most yarns include suggested hook and knitting needle sizes.

These recommendations are exactly that. Recommendations.

Many knitters and crocheters choose to go up or down a size depending on:

• Personal tension
• Desired fabric
• Stitch pattern
• Project type

Think of the suggested sizes as a starting point. Your personal tension, the pattern, and the type of fabric you want to create may all influence whether you choose to go up or down a hook or needle size.

📐 Gauge

Gauge tells you how many stitches and rows fit within a specific measurement.

If you're making garments or anything that needs to fit correctly, gauge becomes incredibly important.

Taking the time to make a gauge swatch can save a lot of frustration later.

Why We Include All This Information

When we created Fluffmade's yarn collections, we wanted every product page to answer as many questions as possible before you even thought to ask them.

We know how disappointing it can be when yarn arrives and turns out to be completely different from what you imagined.

That is why you'll find detailed specifications on every yarn listing.

We want you to understand exactly what you're buying, compare yarns confidently, and feel excited when your parcel arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between yarn weight and ball weight?

Yarn weight tells you how thick the yarn is.

Ball weight tells you how much the ball weighs.

They are two completely different measurements.

Which matters more, grams or meterage?

For most projects, meterage is the better comparison because it tells you how much yarn you're actually getting.

Does a heavier ball always contain more yarn?

No.

A finer yarn can contain significantly more meters than a thicker yarn of the same weight.

Why does fibre content matter?

Different fibres behave differently.

They influence everything from warmth and softness to stitch definition, elasticity, drape, and durability.

Choosing the right fibre can completely change the finished project.

Ready to Find Your Next Yarn?

Whether you're looking for luxurious natural fibres, soft everyday favourites, or a little sparkle for your next project, we've included detailed specifications on every yarn listing so you can shop with confidence.

👉 Browse our yarn collections here

We Hope This Helps

Buying yarn online should never feel like a guessing game, so we've created an FAQ for you as well.

The more you understand about yarn specifications, the easier it becomes to choose yarn with confidence, substitute yarns for patterns, and find the perfect fit for your next project.

If you ever have questions about one of our yarns, or you're wondering whether a particular yarn would suit your next project, we'd genuinely love to help.

Happy making.

The Fluffmade Team 🧶💛