Tips and tricks
Which yarn to use with the addiExpress knitting machines
Not every yarn is suitable for processing with our addiExpress knitting machines. The gauge, material and fiber type should match so that the yarn delivers even and beautiful results.
This article explains which yarns are best and what you should look out for.
Table of contents
Which yarn to use with the addiExpress knitting machines:
We recommend yarn for needle sizes 4 - 8 mm for the addiExpress. This is only a guideline. Not every yarn structure can be cranked well, please try out what works well for your project.
- Basically, more stable yarns work better than very fine and fibrous qualities that can get caught in the knitting machines.
- The yarn has a significant effect on the appearance of the knitting result - thinner and tightly spun yarns produce a rather airy result, thicker yarns and very bulky qualities produce a denser and firmer stitch pattern.
- You can use any yarn, even “flamed” ones, including yarn grades of different thicknesses.
- Fluffy and cosy yarns are particularly effective on the purled side/inside of the knitted fabric, while the knitted side tends to show the solid ribbon side.
Thinner yarns can also be knitted in double yarns to achieve a firmer result or to create color effects.
Ribbon yarn must be held at an angle, so that the needles pick up the entire ribbon. Always let the yarn run loosely through your hand.
Which yarn to use with the addiExpress knitting machines:
We recommend yarn for needle sizes 4 - 8 mm for the addiExpress. This is only a guideline. Not every yarn structure can be cranked well, please try out what works well for your project.
- Basically, more stable yarns work better than very fine and fibrous qualities that can get caught in the knitting machines.
- The yarn has a significant effect on the appearance of the knitting result - thinner and tightly spun yarns produce a rather airy result, thicker yarns and very bulky qualities produce a denser and firmer stitch pattern.
- You can use any yarn, even “flamed” ones, including yarn grades of different thicknesses.
- Fluffy and cosy yarns are particularly effective on the purled side/inside of the knitted fabric, while the knitted side tends to show the solid ribbon side.
Thinner yarns can also be knitted in double yarns to achieve a firmer result or to create color effects.
Ribbon yarn must be held at an angle, so that the needles pick up the entire ribbon. Always let the yarn run loosely through your hand.
The correct thread tension
Regardless of the yarn used, the yarn tension has a strong influence on how stretchy or tight the knitted piece will be. You can influence this by allowing the yarn to glide not only through the thread holder of the machine, but also easily through your hand.
Uneven unwinding of the yarn through a ball that unrolls unevenly on the floor or becomes tangled also leads to uneven yarn tension.
The more even the thread tension, the more even the mesh structure will be.
- If you hold the yarn tightly in your hand while knitting, the knitted fabric will be tighter, but also less stretchy.
- If, on the other hand, you only allow the yarn to glide very loosely through your hands, the knitting result will be looser.
The elasticity and needle size of the yarn also have an effect on the width of the finished knitted piece.
- Thicker or double-threaded yarns produce a wider result than thinner yarns.
- Elastic yarns can be stretched further than non-elastic yarns.
Which yarn can be used for addiExpress knitting machines:
Good and inexpensive classics, which are also used in our addiExpress instructions, are for example:
- Double used 6-ply or 8-ply sock yarn - makes very sturdy and thick knitted pieces
- Merino and blended yarns ( 64-91 yd/ 1.75 oz, 70-10 m/ 50g, needle US 6-11, 4-5 mm) - they are suitable for any application and are available in many colours
- Felting Wool (78 yd/ 1.75 oz, 85 m/ 50 g, needle US 10-8, 6-8 mm) - crank quickly and felt into sturdy baskets, bags etc. in the washing machine
- Particularly light and bulky yarns (91-137 yd/ 1.75 oz, 100-150 m/ 50 g, needle US 8-10, 5-6 mm) - they create a uniform and dense stitch pattern with little weight.
Which yarn can be used for addiExpress knitting machines:
Good and inexpensive classics, which are also used in our addiExpress instructions, are for example:
- Double used 6-ply or 8-ply sock yarn - makes very sturdy and thick knitted pieces
- Merino and blended yarns ( 64-91 yd/ 1.75 oz, 70-10 m/ 50g, needle US 6-11, 4-5 mm) - they are suitable for any application and are available in many colours
- Felting Wool (78 yd/ 1.75 oz, 85 m/ 50 g, needle US 10-8, 6-8 mm) - crank quickly and felt into sturdy baskets, bags etc. in the washing machine
- Particularly light and bulky yarns (91-137 yd/ 1.75 oz, 100-150 m/ 50 g, needle US 8-10, 5-6 mm) - they create a uniform and dense stitch pattern with little weight.
We have asked our partners for a variety of yarn qualities for needle size 4-8 mm and cranked many samples to put together a selection that will work well on our knitting mills.
The following yarn qualities from our partners have been tested by us on the addiExpress knitting machines and achieve beautiful knitting results:
Merino yarns (single color)
- Elisa “Merino 55“ (RL 110 m/ 100 g, needle: 7-8 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Kremke Soul Wool “The Merry Merino 70” (RL approx. 70 m/ 50 g, needle: 5 – 6 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Merino 70” (RL approx. 70 m/ 50 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm), Densitiy: ♥♥♥
- Elisa “Merino 80”
- (RL approx. 80 m/ 50 g, needle: 4,5 – 5,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- BC Garn “Semilla grosso 80” (RL approx. 80 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Austermann “Merino 85 EXP” (RL approx. 85 m/ 50 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm)
- Austermann “Merino 85” (RL ca.: 85 m/ 50 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm), Densitiy: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Merino+” (RL approx. 90 m/ 50 g, needle: 4,5 – 5,5 mm), Densitiy: ♥♥♥
- Pro Lana “Merino Mix 90” (RL approx. 90 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm)
- Austermann “Merino 105 EXP” (RL approx. 105 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Kremke Soul Wool “The Merry Merino 110” (RL approx. 110 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Elisa “Merino 120” (RL 120m / 50g, needle: 3,5-4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Pro Lana “Merino pur 125” (RL approx.: 9125 m/ 50 g, needle: 3,5 – 4 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Elisa “Apollo” (RL approx.: 125 m / 50 g, needle 3 – 3,5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- LANGYARNS “Lambswool“ (RL 150m / 50g, needle: 4,5-5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Elisa “Merino 175” (RL approx.: 175m / 50g, needle: NS 2,5-3,5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
Wool yarns (single color)
- LANGYARNS “Cashmere Classic“ (100% cashmere, RL 50m / 25 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Wool Addicts “Glory” (100% new wool, RL 70 m/ 50 g, needle: 7 – 8), Density: ♥♥♥
- Fraya “Caring“ (97% Recyceld Cashmere, 3% recycled Wool , RL 75 m / 25 g, needle: 4 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- LANGYARNS “Cashmere“ (88% cashmere, 12% polyamid, RL 85 m/ 25 g, needle: 5,5 – 6 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Carpe Diem“ (70% New wool, 30% Alpaka, RL 90 m/ 50 g, needle: 6 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Fraya “Warm Hearted” (100% Organic wool, RL approx.: 100 m/ 50 g, needle: 4,5 – 5,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Austermann “Biola” (70% new wool, 30% alpaka, RL 112 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- LANGYARNS “Yak“ (70% new wool, 30% yak, LL 120m / 50 g, needle: 4,5 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Erika Knight “Big Vintage“ (100% wool, RL 122 m/ 100 g, needle: 8), Density: ♥♥♡
- Austermann “Alpaca Cotton” (51% alpaka, 49% cotton, RL 165 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Erika Knight “Wild Wool” (85% wool, 15% viscose (nettle), RL 170 m/ 100 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Erika Knight “Wool Local Aran“
- (100% wool, RL 180 m/ 100 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Elisa “Schafwolle” (100% virgin wool, RL 200 m/ 100 g, needle: 3,5 – 4 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- BC Garn “Big Bio Balance“ (55% wool, 45% cotton, RL 280m / 100 g, needle: 3,5 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
Blended yarns (single color)
- Fraya “Comfy“ (50% wool, 40% acrylic, 10% alpaca, RL 80 m/ 50 g, needle 7 – 8 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Touring” (88% cashmere, 12% polyamide, RL 85 m/ 25 g, needle 5,5 – 6 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- LANGYARNS “Poseiodon” (60% virgin wool, 40% acrylic, RL 90 m/ 50 g, needle 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- LANGYARNS “Cashmere Light“ (88% new wool, 12% polyamide, RL 100 m/ 50 g, NS 6 – 7 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Austermann “Flake Dance“ (66% cotton, 21% acrylic, RL 100 m/ 50 g, needle: 5 – 6 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Wooladdicts “Memory“ (88% new wool, 12% polyamide, RL 100 m/ 50 g, NS 6 – 7 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- WoollyHugs “Charity“ (75% merino, 5% polyamide, 10% milkfibre, RL approx.: 100 m/ 50 g, needle: 3,5 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Woolly Hugs “Sheep” (50% wool, 28% cotton, 22% polyamid, RL 110 m/ 50 g, needle: 5,5 – 6,5 mm)
- Fraya “Happy” 44% baby alpaca, 32% fine merino wool, 22% polyamide, 2% viscose, RL 110m/ 50 g, needle 6,5 – 7 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Woolly Hugs “Merino Stretch” 44% wool, 47% acrylic, 6% poliester elité, RL 110m/ 50 g, needle 3,5 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Pro Lana “Merino Super Kid” (81% merino, 12% mohair, 7% polyamid, RL 115 m/ 50 g, needle: 5 – 6 mm)
- Schoeller+Stahl “Allround“ (50% virgin wool, 50% acrylic, RL approx.: 125 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Elisa “My Socks “Classic” 6-Fach“ (75% virgin wool superwash, 25% polyamide, RL approx.: 130 m/ 50 g, needle: 3 – 4 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Fraya “Fuzzy“ (74% alpaca, 13% merino wool, 13% polyamide, RL approx.: 135 m/ 50 g, needle: 4,5 – 5,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Wooladdicts “Air“ (84% virgin wool, 16% polyamide RL 155 m / 50 g, needle: 5 – 5,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Kremke Soul Wool “Reborn Wool recycled” (65% wool, 25% polyester, 10% nylon, RL 200 m/ 100 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Elisa “Hauswolle” (60% virgin wool, 40% acrylic, RL 200 m/ 100 g, needle: 3,5 – 4 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Elisa “My Socks “Classic” 4-Fach” (75% virgin wool superrwash, 25% polyamide, RL 210 m/ 50 g, needle: 2,5 – 3 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Fraya “Cosy” (60% wool, 25% baby alpaca, 10% microfibre, RL 240 m/ 50 g, nedle: 4,5 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- LANGYARNS “Phoenix“ (93% New wool, 7% polyamid, RL 270m / 100g, needle: 7-8 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Elisa “My Socks “Classic” 8-Fach“ (75% virgin wool superwash, 25% polyamide, RL 300m / 150g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Woolly Hugs “Merino Silk Socks” (58% wolle, 25% polyamide, 11% silk, 6% poliester elité, RL 420 m/ 100 g, needle: 2 – 3 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
Acrylik blended yarns (single color)
- Elisa “Quickstep“ (75% acrylic, 25% wool, RL 57 m/ 50 g, needle 6,5 – 7 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Elisa “Sport 2020“ (50% virgin wool, 50% acrylic, RL 100 m/ 50 g, needle 3,5 – 4 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Elisa “Sprint“ (80% acrylic, 20% wool, RL 140 m/ 100 g, needle 4,5 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Elisa “Rumba” (75% acrylic, 25% wool, RL 140 m/ 50 g, needle 3 – 4 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Schoeller “Soft Touch“ (80% polyacryl, 20% wool, RL 235 m/ 100 g, needle: 4 – 4,5 mm)
Acrylik yarns (single color)
- Pro Lana “Baby Plüsch“ (100% polyamid, RL 80 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Elisa “Easy“ (100% acrylic, RL 125 m/ 50 g, needle 3,5 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
Tweed yarns
- BC Garn “Hamelton Tweed” (90% new wool, 10% viscose, RL 60 m/ 50 g, needle: 6 – 8 mm)
- Austermann “Nordic Tweed“ (46% polyacryl, 20% wool, 17% viscose, 17% polyester, RL 100 m/ 50 g, needle: 5 – 6 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Yoko“ (36% acrylic, 27% alpaca, 21% wool, 16% polyamide, RL 110 m/ 50 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm), Densitiy: ♥♥♥
- Austermann “Wooly Shine“ (70% wool, 29% polyacryl, 1% elastaen, RL 125 m/ 50 g, needle: 5 – 6 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Schoeller “Cosy Tweed” (31% acrylic, 20% wool, 16% polyester, 15% polyamide, 10% silk, 8% alpaca, RL 165 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Elisa “Hauswolle“ (60% virgin wool, 40% acrylic, RL 200 m / 100 g, needle: 3,5 – 4 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- LANGYARNS “Phoenix Tweed“ (93% New wool, 7% polyamide, RL 270 m/ 100 g, needle: 7-8 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
Gradient yarns (wool)
- Austermann “Alpaca Love” (98% alpaca superfine, 2% polyester elité, RL 60 m/ 50 g, needle: 7 – 8 mm), Densitiy: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Lovis” (100% new wool, RL approx.: 170 m/ 50 g, needle: 4,5 – 5 mm)
- LANGYARNS “Merino + Color“ (100% virgin wool, RL 220 m / 100 g, needle: 4 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- LANGYARNS “Cloud” (90% new wool, 10% polyamid, RL approx.: 260 m/ 100 g, needle: 7 mm), Densitiy: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Frida“ (100% virgin wool, RL approx.: 260 m/ 100 g, needle: 7 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
Gradient yarns (blendet)
- Austermann “Maila Multicolor“ (65% new wool, 35% acrylic, RL approx.: 90 m/ 50 g, needle: 5 – 6 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Austermann “Antea Soft” (70% cotton, 18% new wool, 12% alpaka RL: 100 m/ 50 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Orion“ (88% virgin wool, 12% polyamide, RL 270m / 100g, needle: 6 – 7 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Snowflake Multicolor“ (47% Cotton, 42% Alpaka, 7% Polyamid, 4% wool, RL 150m / 50g, needle 6-7 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Pro Lana “Jubilee” (100% polyacryl, RL approx.: 240 m/ 100 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm)
- LANGYARNS “Cloud Tweed“ (84% New wool, 10% Polyamid, 6% Alpaka, RL approx.: 260 m/ 100 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm), Densitiy: ♥♥♥
- LANGYARNS “Orion“ (88% New wool, 12% polyamide, RL approx.: 270 m/ 100 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm), Densitiy: ♥♥♥
- Austermann “Fairshine“ (65% virgin wool, 35% acrylic, RL approx.: 90 m/ 50 g, needle: 5 – 6 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Austermann “Fairshine“ (70% virgin wool (superfine), 30% Lyocell (Tencel), RL approx.: 280 m/ 100 g, needle: 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Austermann “Runa“ (32% Wool,
32% acrylic, 20% polyamide, 16% alpasa, RL approx.: 375 m/ 150 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm), Density: ♥♥♥ - Woolly Hugs “Year Socks color“ (75% wool, 25% polyamide, RL approx.: 400 m/ 100 g, needle: 2,5 – 3 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Woolly Hugs “Paint Socks“ (75% virgin wool, 25% polyamide, RL approx.: 420 m/ 100 g, needle: 2,5 – 3 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Pro Lana “Diamant” (60% new wool, 40% polyacryl, RL approx.: 525 m/ 150 g, needle: 4,5 – 5 mm)
- Woolly Hugs “Bommel Cotton“ (50% cotton, 50% acrylic, RL approx.: 800 m/ 200 g, needle: 2,5 – 3,5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
Multicoloured Yarns
- Schoeller “Lania” (100% new wool, RL approx.: 105 m/ 100 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Wool with spray print in harmonious colors
- Woolly Hugs “Sheep Color” (50% wool, 28% cotton, 22% polyamid, RL 110 m/ 50 g, needle: 5,5 – 6,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Flattering yarn made from fine merino
- LANGYARNS “Norma color” (55% cotton, 35% modal, 10% viscose, RL 135 m/ 50 g, needle 4 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- Schoeller “Marit” (70% polyacryl, 30% new wool, RL approx.: 180 m/ 100 g, needle: 6 – 7 mm)
- Easy-care yarn with a beautiful color gradient
- LANGYARNS “Twin Soxx 8 ply” (75% virgin wool, 25% polyamide, RL 320 m/ 150 g, needle 4 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
Self-patterning yarns
- LANGYARNS “Bergen” (93% Alpaka, 7% Polyamid, RL 120 m/ 50 g, needle 6 – 7), Density: ♥♥♥
- Two-tone Norwegian pattern in the colours of the houses in Bergen.
- LANGYARNS “Snowflake“ (47% Cotton, 42% Alpaka, 7% Polyamid, 4% wool, RL 150m / 50g, needle 6-7 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Wintery pastel colours with speckled pattern
- Pro Lana “Fjord” (70% merino 30% polyacryl, RL 350 m/ 100 g, needle: 5,5 – 6,5 mm)
- Norwegian pattern directly from the yarn
- Woolly Hugs “Scap” (90% new wool, 10% polyamid, RL 480 m/ 240 g, needle: 5,0 – 6,0 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- A colorful color block at the beginning and end, combined with a color gradient in the middle of the ball
Fluffy Lace Yarns
Felting wool
- Pro Lana “Wash Filz” (RL approx.: 50 m/ 50 g, needle: 6 – 8 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Schoeller “Filzi” (RL approx.: 50 m/ 50 g, needle: 7 – 8 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Pro Lana “Wash Filz Uni” (RL approx.: 50 m/ 50 g, needle: 6 – 8 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
Cuddly yarns (wool)
- Austermann “Alpaca Fluffy“ (70% new wool, 30% alpaka, RL approx.: 85 m/ 50 g, needle: 7 – 8 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
Cuddly yarns (synthetik)
- Pro Lana “Baby Plüsch” (100% polyamid, RL 80 m/ 50 g, needle: 4,0 – 5,0 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- schoeller + stahl “Puppengarn” (74% mohair, 17% wool, 9% polyamide, RL 50 m/ 50 g, needle 7 – 8 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
Summer yarns
- Wooladdicts “Joy“ (50% cotton, 50% Lyocell, RL 70 m / 50g, needle: 5 – 5,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- schoeller + stahl “RECORD 210“ (100% cotton, RL 90 m/ 50 g, needle 4 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Wooladdicts “Sunshine“ (100% cotton, RL 95 m/ 50 g, needle 4,5 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- LANGYARNS “Sakura“ (46% cotton, 46% polyarcryl, 8% polyamid, RL 95 m/ 50 g, needle: 7 – 8 mm), Density: ♥♥♥
- Austermann “Cornwall Linen“ (85% new wool, 15% linen, RL 100 m/ 50 g, needle: 4,5 – 5,5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- LANGYARNS “LINO“ (100% linen, RL 110 m/ 50 g, needle 4,5 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Austermann “Ecopure“ (100% cotton, RL 115 m/ 50 g, needle 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- LANGYARNS “soft cotton“ (100% cotton, RL 120m/ 50 g, needle 4 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Austermann “Playa Organic Cotton“ (88% organic cotton, 12% polyamide, RL 120m/ 50 g, needle 4 – 5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Erika Knight “Gossypium Cotoon Tweed“ (96% cotton, 4% polyester, RL 125 m/ 50 g, needle: 3 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Wooladdicts “Happiness“ (65% cotton, 35% polyamide, RL 135 m / 50g, needle: 5 – 5,5 mm), Density: ♥♥♡
- LANGYARNS “Kimberley“ (70% cotton, 22% hemp, 8% polyester, RL 150 m/ 50 g, needle 4 – 4,5 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
- Fraya “Wavy“ (100% Cotton, RL 200 m/ 100 g, needle 5 – 6 mm), Density: ♥♡♡
HiKoo (US yarns)
- HiKoo “Simplicity” (55% superwash merino, 28% acryl, 17% nylon, 456 yards per 200 gram cake, needle 3,5 – 4 mm)
- HiKoo “Concentric“ (100% baby alpaca, 437 yards per 200 gram cake, needle: 5 mm)
- HiKoo “Simpliworsted“ (55% superwash merino, 28% acryl, 17% nylon, 140 yards per 100 gram hank, needle: 6 mm)
- HiKoo “Sueno Worsted“ (80% superwash merino, 20% Viscose from Bamboo, 182 yards per 100 gram hank, needle: 4 – 5,5 mm)
- HiKoo “Simplinatural“ (40% baby alpaka, 40% fine merino, 20% mulberry silk, 183 yards per 100 gram hank, needle: 5 – 5,5 mm)
