What yarn can i use in place of “Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton” ?
April 16th, 2010 | 
Author: Hello, knitting pros- Another quick question for you all- Im trying to follow a pattern for a baby cardigan and want to use a different yarn from the one thats mentioned in the pattern- "Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton". Im in the process of making a blanket with this yarn already and now want to experiment with other yarns. What can I use in its place- Im a complete novice, so I would appreciate brand names. Thanks again!!
Thanks everyone! Unfortunately, I went and bought yarn that not only doesnt have the same gauge as the pattern mentions but shrinks in the wash as well 
.. Needless to say I didnt read the replies to my question… oh well, a lesson learnt(the hard way!)
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Tags: brand names, cardigan, gauge, knitting, lion brand, names thanks, novice, organic cotton, yarn, yarns
You can interchange this yarn with another worsted weight yarn, but stay away from Lion’s Kitchen Cotton, it is a bit hard for baby clothes. Lamb’s Pride’s Cotton Fleece is a nice one if you want to stay with cottons. That said, it’s now time for you to learn to read a ball band <G> for this purpose. Look at the number of stitches per inch and the recommended needle size. Any other yarn that will match that number of stitches (or a half stitch smaller or larger with different sized needles in the same area–7 to 9 US) will probably work. In this case, the ball band (or hang tag) will most likely tell you it is a worsted weight yarn. If you want to stay away from acrylics (acryllicks to me, I prefer natural fibers) and want a wool, look for one that indicates it is a Superwash. These yarns can be safely washed in the machine, and while they can go into the dryer, really should be dried in the air on a flat surface (you don’t want to see some of my socks <G>. Cascade 220 has a superwash version that is quite affordable, and Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted is absolutely beautiful superwash merino, though more expensive. If you really want a fairly decent acrylic, though, look for Patons Canadiana or Plymouth Encore. Those are about the only two I’ll work with occasionally.
Excuse me but is this a trick question?
I’ve never used the Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton (a dyed boucle) http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/yarnInfo.cgi?yarnPage=1694591 but color-grown organic cotton like Lion Organic Cotton http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/yarnInfo.cgi?yarnPage=1694583 shrinks 10 to 15% in length the first time you machine wash it.
Both yarns say "Hand wash in cool or warm water; dry flat and not by machine," but what parent of an infant has time for that?! The shrinkage isn’t a big deal for a blanket, but it is for a baby sweater.
You can substitute any machine-washable worsted weight yarn. I like Bernat Cottontots, which is 100% cotton: http://www.bernat.com/product.php?LGC=cottontots
and Vanna’s Choice, which is 100% acrylic: http://www.vannaschoice.com/yarns.html
(Be sure to use fabric softener when you wash acrylics.)
Both yarns are available wherever Lion Brand yarns are sold. (Vanna’s Choice is made by Lion Brand — Vanna White from "Wheel of Fortune" is a crocheter.)
For making an article of clothing you would want something that had the same gauge as what the pattern suggests. So many stitches per inch, so many rows, etc, with the needle size it suggests. Then you can use whatever yarn is approximate to that. You can go up or down in needle size but if you are a novice it’s better to have less to fuss with.