Substituting yarn in patterns?

Question

I'm really struggling trying to pick the right yarn substitute for crocheting & knitting. Problem is there are several free patterns online for knitting/crocheting that use yarns that I have no easy access to (like a few from Italy) - or the yarns are just more $ than I'd care to spend. So I'd like to substitute it with something more readily available @ Joann's, Michaels, etc. How do you go about properly substituting yarn for patterns?

Answer 1

Lion Brand has a great site for any help you need. (See link listed below.)

Hope it helps. Good luck.

Answer 2

You can substitute any yarn with the same gauge as what the pattern called for. For example a worsted wool can be substituted for a yarn of the same bulk. Any yarn substitution should be used only after making a gauge swatch to see how the gauge measures up. 6-7 stitches per inch, 4-5 stitches per inch etc. If the gauge is different you can change the pattern numbers to make the different yarn work. Although that is more difficult.