How Skeinote works

The calculation

Skeinote has three inputs: a pattern yarn line, an amount, and a yarn line you want to use. The amount can be entered as skeins, yards, metres, or grams.

If the pattern quantity is in skeins, the calculator multiplies that quantity by the selected pattern line's stored length per skein. If it is in yards or metres, it uses that entered length. For grams, it divides the entered mass by the selected pattern line's published package mass, then multiplies that unrounded package count by the same line's published package length. It does not use a generic grams-to-length conversion.

The calculator converts the required length to the target line's unit when necessary, divides it by the target line's stored length per skein, and rounds the result up to a whole skein.

The result also shows the unrounded quotient so the rounding is visible. Unit conversion is arithmetic only. It does not turn a published yarn length into a new manufacturer specification.

Weight-category check

When both selected records include a numeric weight-category value, Skeinote compares those two numbers. If they are different, it does not return a skein count. If either record has no numeric category value, it says that the categories were not compared.

This check is deliberately narrow. Equal category numbers do not prove gauge, construction, fiber behavior, or fabric similarity. Different category numbers do not prove that a project cannot work. Both cases call for a swatch and the pattern maker's guidance.

Missing values

The calculator stops rather than inventing a count when the pattern line lacks a stored length per skein or the target line lacks one. A grams calculation also stops when the selected pattern line has no published package mass. It does not infer length or mass from yarn weight, fiber, category wording, or a similarly named product.

Record evidence

Each catalogue record carries a source URL and a checked date alongside its fields. The intended source is the maker's own product page, with the maker's words retained for label-style fields. Records are added and rechecked individually. A checked date means the page was read on that date, not that the maker guarantees the page will remain unchanged.

The catalogue is still being expanded. If a record looks wrong or incomplete, please send the product page to [email protected] so it can be reviewed.

What this does not decide

Skeinote does not recommend a yarn, certify a substitution, or provide a guarantee about gauge, fit, appearance, drape, wear, care, availability, or price. Read the pattern, compare the label, and swatch before committing to a project.