THE SKEIN SISTERS JOURNAL

Sisters Yarn Tales

Guides, techniques and yarn love from our Dulwich Hill studio

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Balls of yarn at Skein Sisters shop, photo by Rhiannon Hopley

Australian yarn beginner beginner knitting DK fingering knitting ply worsted yarn guide Yarn Guides yarn weights

The Australian Guide to Yarn Weights and Ply – for Knitters and Crocheters

Australian and UK patterns talk in ply while the rest of the world talks in weight names. Here's the plain-English guide – with a conversion chart, wraps-per-inch and a yarn idea for every weight.

Choosing a skein of hand-dyed yarn together in front of the yarn wall at Skein Sisters

beginner gauge yarn Yarn Guides yarn substitution

How to Choose Yarn for a Pattern: The No-Panic Substitution Guide

The yarn you want isn't always the one the pattern names – and that's fine. Here's how to substitute with confidence: gauge, fibre, yardage and the tricks we use every day.

crochet knitting yarn Yarn Guides

Why do some yarns come in skeins, not balls?

Today, we’re diving into a topic that lots of our customers often ask us: what’s the difference between yarn sold in balls and yarn sold in skeins and why do they come in both these forms? The answer includes several factors...

cotton yarn Yarn Guides

We love cotton!

Why we love cotton - one of the world’s favourite natural fibres. It's comfortable, naturally sustainable, low maintenance & cool. The fibre is strong and durable, vegan-friendly, hypoallergenic, and odour-free.