What Lion Brand is good at
Lion Brand built its reputation on yarns that are easy to live with: strong, evenly spun, available in big colour palettes and, for the most part, washable. That combination makes the range the obvious first stop for blankets, children's knits, amigurumi and anything that will be used rather than displayed. Wool blends give you the warmth and stitch definition of wool with the practicality of acrylic; the pure wool options are there when you want felting or full blocking.
Choosing a weight for the project
- 4 ply and DK: baby garments, hats, colourwork and amigurumi where you want a firm, tight fabric with no gaps.
- Aran: jumpers, cardigans and cabled accessories. Fast enough to finish, warm enough to wear all winter.
- Chunky and super chunky: throws, oversized cardigans and hats knitted in an evening on 8mm to 12mm needles.
- Textured and roving yarns: best in simple garter or single crochet, where the yarn itself supplies the interest.
How much to buy
Work from the metreage on the ball band rather than the ball count, since ball weights differ across the range. As a rough guide, a large adult throw in aran can run to well over 1,500 metres, an adult jumper commonly between 900 and 1,800, a hat around 100 to 200, and a pair of mittens less again. Blankets are the one place people run short most often, so buy the full quantity in a single dye lot at the start; acrylic dye lots vary more subtly than wool but the join still shows in a big flat expanse of colour.
Substituting into a pattern
If a pattern calls for a different brand, match the tension first and the fibre second. Check the stated stitches per 10cm on both ball bands, then swatch. Acrylic and acrylic blends behave differently from pure wool in two ways worth knowing: they have less spring, so a deep rib will not pull in as hard, and they cannot be blocked into shape permanently, only steamed lightly. Never press a hot iron directly onto acrylic; it flattens the fibre irreversibly and the shine does not come back.
Working with Lion Brand yarns
Smooth plied yarns show cables and textured stitches clearly and are forgiving of frogging, which matters when you are learning a new stitch pattern. Thick-and-thin and looped yarns hide stitch definition entirely, so save them for garter stitch, simple double crochet or arm knitting. If you are making a toy, drop a hook or needle size below the ball band recommendation so the stuffing cannot show through the fabric.
Washing and wear
Machine-washable yarns take a cool wash and a low tumble, but they pill more with heat, so wash cool and dry flat where you can. Pure wool from the range should be hand washed in lukewarm water, rolled in a towel and dried flat. Acrylic blankets can be washed repeatedly with very little change, which is exactly why they end up on the sofa rather than in a cupboard.
Lion Brand yarn questions
Is Lion Brand yarn machine washable? Most of the range is, but check the individual ball band, as the pure wool lines need hand washing.
What can I make with Lion Brand yarn? Blankets and throws, jumpers and cardigans, hats and scarves, baby knits and amigurumi. The washable blends particularly suit anything for children.
Which weight should I buy for a beginner project? Aran or chunky. Bigger stitches on bigger needles are easier to see and much faster to finish.
Can I substitute Lion Brand for another brand in a pattern? Yes, if the tension matches. Swatch before you commit to a full garment quantity.
Does it come in pure wool? Yes, alongside the better-known wool blends and acrylics.
