# Yarn (crochet) question **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 5, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-crochet-question/714301 "2015-03-05T19:44:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-crochet-question/714301/1 "2015-03-05T19:44:20Z")
Calling any yarn experts! I am going to make a shawl for a good friend. The pattern calls for a main color of a variegated yarn and a contrasting solid color, in fingering weight (Weight [1]). After I started in I noticed that the solid color yarn is the wrong weight. It’s actually Weight 2. I contacted the place I ordered it from, and they says that’s the only weight they have in that yarn, but offered me store credit to get something else if I want. Now, here’s my problem. My variegated yarn is primarily silk. I can get the right weight and a good color, but by fiber choices are either mostly wool or mostly synthetic. Am I better off with a mismatch in yarn weight or a mismatch in fiber type? ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-crochet-question/714301/2 "2015-03-05T19:58:42Z")
Given that you’re using a be-careful-when-washing fiber for sure, I think you would be better off mismatching fibers than mismatching weights. If the yarn you were keeping were one that could be machine-washed I’d say the other yarn must be machine-washable too… but since this is hand-wash and dry-flat stuff… you know? You definitely don’t want a too-thick yarn for the border. I would expect it to bunch up and wave and look Not At All Smart. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-crochet-question/714301/3 "2015-03-05T20:07:51Z")
Thanks, Sattua. That makes sense. I’ll look for right color and weight. Obviously if something is machine washable it can certainly be washed by hand, too. ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-crochet-question/714301/4 "2015-03-05T20:27:17Z")
I’m going to have to disagree. Even with careful blocking, I think wool next to silk will set differently after cleaning, and be ripply due to that. If it were a blanket or slippers, I might chance it. But I’d honestly get the different weight, same material, and crochet a little tighter or looser depending on what stripe (or whatever) I was on. Or even change the stitch type. But then, I tend to use patterns as suggestions. Good luck either way. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-crochet-question/714301/5 "2015-03-05T20:45:53Z")
Hmmm. Well, I’ve ordered another yarn that is mostly wool, but I’m keeping the original also. I can always go back to that and start over once again. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-crochet-question/714301/6 "2015-03-05T20:59:24Z")
Mrs Bricker, crochet expert extraordinaire, says: You’re much better off with a mismatch in fiber. A mismatch in weight will create rows that end at different lengths; a mismatch in fiber won’t. Blocking should not be a concern if you’re making a shawl. It’s true that washing might be an issue: solve that by getting your replacement yarn to also be hand-washable and when you give your friend the shawl, make sure she knows that that the shawl needs only hand-washing. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-crochet-question/714301/7 "2015-03-05T21:27:03Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Mrs Bricker, crochet expert extraordinaire, says: > > You’re much better off with a mismatch in fiber. A mismatch in weight will create rows that end at different lengths; a mismatch in fiber won’t. Blocking should not be a concern if you’re making a shawl. It’s true that washing might be an issue: solve that by getting your replacement yarn to also be hand-washable and when you give your friend the shawl, make sure she knows that that the shawl needs only hand-washing. I’ve been crocheting for 35+ yrs (knitting for almost 10) and this is basically what I was going to say. The only thing I disagree with is that I think blocking is very important in a lace/fingering weight shawl, which is why you need both yarns to be the same weight. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2015, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-crochet-question/714301/8 "2015-03-05T23:08:13Z")
Thanks to all.