Have you ever wondered what the symbols mean on a yarn label? In this section we go over these symbols and what they mean.

Above is a picture of a yarn label. At the top it says “NO DYE LOT”. When a batch of yarn is being dyed, it is usually assigned a number. Different batches of yarn can take dye differently sometimes. So even if it is the same brand yarn in the same color, it could be slightly off. So when you buy your yarn, you would want to make sure your numbers match to ensure the color is the same for every skein of yarn. And you always would want to be sure you buy enough yarn for your entire project if dye lots are involved. Sometimes I buy one more than a project calls for, just to be sure. But with this particular yarn, it does not have a dye lot. I still try to compare skeins to see if they match. You never know.

Starting on the top left, the first symbol has a skein of yarn that says “MEDIUM” at the top and “4” in the center. This is the yarn weight. So this yarn is a medium weight or #4 weight.

The center symbol with a crochet hook in the middle is the recommended hook and gauge swatch. This yarn recommends a 5.5 mm or I-9 crochet hook. The “12 SC”, “14 R”, “4 in x 4 in”, and “10 cm x 10 cm” is the gauge swatch instructions.

The last symbol in the top right is the recommended knitting needles and knitting gauge. And it is set up similarly to the crochet one.

The bottom symbols are the washing symbols. You may have seen them on clothes before. Thankfully the explanation of the symbols are written out underneath.

The first one on the left looks like a bucket of water. This means it can be machine washed. The two lines underneath mean to use gentle or delicate cycle. The temperatures given are the maximum allowed. It is best to wash below these temps.

The square symbol with a circle in it refers to tumble dry. So this yarn can go in the dryer, but on low. That is what the one dot in the center means. Two dots would be medium temp, and three would be high temp.

The iron symbol is pretty self explanatory. This yarn can not be ironed.

The triangle symbol is the bleach symbol. So this symbol means this yarn can not be bleached.

The circle symbol is the dry cleaning symbol. This symbol means the yarn can be dry cleaned.