Loop yarn sizes: How do they compare?

Loop yarn is rapidly becoming a worldwide hobby - but that doesn't mean we all have access to the same loop yarn brands!  

I am frequently asked if customers can use a different brand of loop yarn with my patterns. The answer is usually 'yes', but because different brands can have different size loops and skeins, the results can be a bit unpredictable!

I thought it might be helpful to write a blog post de-mystifying the differences between brands. 

 

 

There are three variables that you need to consider when converting a loop yarn pattern from one brand to another: The length of your balls, the loop height (this will affect the length of your blanket) and the space between loops (this will impact the width of your blanket).

I've made a chart detailing the dimensions for each yarn brand below. They generally fall into four size categories: 

• Extra-large:  Bernat Alize EZ-Wool
• Large: Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ, Alize Puffy
• Medium: Lion Brand Off The Hook, Red Heart Loop-It
• Small: Alize Puffy Fine, Alize Puffy More, Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Graph It

Of note, I have found that Red Heart Loop-It yarns appear to have inconsistent loop sizes - see in the photo below: The loop size of Berry Gorgeous (on the left) is a full 3mm shorter than the loop size of Purr-ple (on the right). Because of this, I definitely recommend measuring your loop size when using this brand to confirm before estimating your results.

 

 

Also, many people confuse Alize Puffy and Alize Puffy Fine yarns - there is a big size difference between the two - Alize Puffy is the one that is most similar to Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ; whereas Alize Puffy Fine is much tinier, and most often used for baby blankets, baby clothing and knitted toys.

 

YARN BRAND	Material	Skein weight	Skein length	Loop height	Space between loops
Bernat Alize EZ-Wool	Wool blend	150g / 5.3oz	10m / 11y	50mm / 2"	10mm / 0.4"
Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ	Polyester Chenille	180g / 6.4oz	16m / 18y	40mm / 1.6"	20mm / 0.8"
Alize Puffy	Polyester Chenille	100g / 3.5oz	9.2m / 10y	40mm / 1.6"	20mm / 0.8"
Lion Brand Crayola Off The Hook	Polyester Chenille	100g / 3.5oz	7m / 8y	40mm / 1.6"	15mm / 0.6"
Lion Brand Off The Hook	Polyester Chenille	100g / 3.5oz	7m / 8y	40mm / 1.6"	15mm / 0.6"
Red Heart Loop It	Polyester Chenille	100g / 3.5oz	7m / 8y	38-41mm / 1.5-1.6"	15mm / 0.6"
Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Graph It **NEW**	Polyester Chenille	180g / 6.4oz	14m / 15.3y	25mm / 1"	15mm / 0.6"
Alize Puffy Fine	Polyester Chenille	100g / 3.5oz	14m / 15.3y	20mm / 0.8"	15mm / 0.6"
Alize Puffy More	Polyester Chenille	150g / 5.3oz	11.5m / 12.6y	20mm / 0.8"	15mm / 0.6"

 

I've included a conversion chart below for the yarns you will find in my patterns. 

To use the chart: Find the yarn brand suggested in the pattern in the 'From' column, then scroll down to the yarn you want to substitute in the 'To' column. The 'Result' column tells you how the pattern dimensions will be affected, and how much more/less skeins of yarn you will need to complete the project as-is.

You can also find a link to our Loop Yarn Conversion Chart at the bottom of this page, along with other useful reference tables. If you'd prefer to print off your own copies of our charts, check out our Loop Yarn Worksheets download.

Conversion Chart

These results are only estimates and because of variations in manufacturing, your results may vary.

From	To	Result
Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ	Alize Puffy	Height: same Width: same Skeins: You will need 80% more skeins
	Lion Brand Off The Hook yarns	Height: same Width: 25% narrower Skeins: You will need 120% more skeins
	Red Heart Loop It	Height: May be slightly shorter (depends on the colour - size is irregular). Width: 25% narrower Skeins: You will need 120% more skeins
	Alize Puffy Fine	Height: 50% shorter Width: 25% narrower Skeins: You will need 15% more skeins
Lion Brand Off The Hook yarns	Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ	Height: same Width: 33% wider Skeins: You will need 55% fewer skeins
	Alize Puffy	Height: same Width: 33% wider Skeins: You will need 20% fewer skeins
	Red Heart Loop It	Height: May be slightly shorter (depends on the colour - size is irregular) Width: same Skeins: same
	Alize Puffy Fine	Height: 50% shorter Width: same Skeins: You will need 100% more skeins
Red Heart Loop It	Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ	Height: May be slightly longer (Red Heart yarn height is irregular). Width: 33% wider Skeins: You will need 55% fewer skeins
	Alize Puffy	Height: May be slightly longer (Red Heart yarn height is irregular) Width: 33% wider Skeins: You will need 20% fewer skeins
	Lion Brand Off The Hook yarns	Height: May be slightly longer (Red Heart yarn height is irregular) Width: same Skeins: same
	Alize Puffy Fine	Height: up to 50% shorter Width: same Skeins: You will need 100% more skeins
Alize Puffy	Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ	Height: same Width: same Skeins: You will need 45% fewer skeins
	Lion Brand Off The Hook	Height: same Width: 25% narrower Skeins: You will need 25% more skeins
	Red Heart Loop It	Height: May be slightly shorter (depends on the colour - size is irregular). Width: 25% narrower Skeins: You will need 25% more skeins
	Alize Puffy Fine	Height: 50% shorter Width: 25% narrower Skeins: You will need 50% more skeins
Alize Puffy Fine	Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ	Height: 100% taller Width: 33% wider Skeins: You will need 12% fewer skeins
	Lion Brand Off The Hook	Height: 100% taller Width: same Skeins: You will need 50% fewer skeins
	Red Heart Loop It	Height: 100% taller Width: same Skeins: You will need 50% fewer skeins
	Alize Puffy	Height: 100% taller Width: 33% wider Skeins: You will need 33% fewer skeins
Alize Puffy More	Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Graph It  **NEW**	Height: 25% taller Width: same Skeins: You will need 15% fewer skeins
Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Graph It  **NEW**	Alize Puffy More	Height: 20% shorter Width: same Skeins: You will need 20% more skeins

 

Do you use a different brand of loop yarn? Want to help me make a more extensive resource list?

If you use a brand of loop yarn not shown here, please send me the details in the comment section below or using my contact form!