A Dye Lot is the number given to each ball or skein of yarn dyed in the same batch. Even though the colors might be the same, the dye may have change from batch to batch.
Just because the yarns are the same yarn brand, fiber and color does not mean it is the same dye lot.
There can be slight changes in shade that you may not even notice till you are in the middle of a project.
Okay so back to the original Question,
Why do some yarns have a dye lot and some do not?
Acrylic Yarn manufacturers tend to dye the yarn while it is in the fiber stage, which mixes the color in before it is spun into yarn. So it does not have a dye lot as it is a part of the fiber, and the colors are true colors.
Wool, Cotton and other fibers manufacturers dye the yarn while it is in the yarn stage, so the colors will slightly vary. So it will have a Dye lot number.
But always, always check to make sure the dye lot numbers match, especially if you are needing several.
We will be referencing the Yarn above for today's Blog.
It is Red Heart Steller - Nova
1. The Yarn Weight - This Skein is a Super Bulky 6.
All Yarns are classified into different yarn weights.
This refers to the yarn's strand thickness.
0.Lace
1. Super fine –Sock, Fingering
2. Fine –Baby, Sport Weight
3. Light -
Light Worsted Weight, DK Weight
4. Worsted Weight, Afghan
5. Bulky – Chunky weight, Rug yarns
6. Super Bulky – Blanket, Roving
Although most yarns are put in these categories,
there is still " wiggle" room between thicknesses.
1 2 3
2. Knitting
Symbol –
Needle 10
US/ 6 mm
A Swatch of
10 sts wide by 14 rows = 4 x 4 inch swatch (10 X 10 centimeters)
3. Crochet Symbol –
K -10.5 / 6.5 mm
A Swatch 9
single crochets wide and 12 rows = 4 x 4 inch swatch (10 X 10 centimeters)
So those make sense, What about those 5 square symbols beneath those?
They are Care Instructions - For the yarn and as well as,
items made from the yarn.
1 2 3 4 5
1. Washing
2. Drying
4. Ironing
5. Bleaching
6. Dry Cleaning
Red Heart Yarn uses the Garment Standards for Laundry Care and so do most other yarn companies. Here is a link to garment standards of textile symbols : LINK
For this Skein it reads:
Machine Wash, Cold, Gentle Cycle, Dry Flat
Next you will find What the yarn is made of.
This yarn is: 99% Acrylic, 1% Metallic
The amount of yarn per Skein is given in
ounces, grams and yards.
For This Skein it is 8 oz. 224 grams/ 160 yds.
Lastly, if your skein has a dye lot, it will be listed
