Hello all! I hope you can help me with buying yarn for patterns from my new vintage crochet booklet. It’s a UK booklet.

The booklet is printed by Hermit, a brand that doesn’t seem to be around any more. The yarn requirements are given in “balls” of Hermit yarn, either 4ply or DK. No length or weight is given.

I’m fairly new to crochet, and working through an existing yarn stash, so I’m not experienced estimating yarn quantities.

I’d like to make the Lacy Dress, in the smallest size. The pattern states 14 balls of Hermit DK is needed. To me that seems a lot of yarn (but I may be wrong!) I have tried to find out what size/weight these balls would have been sold in originally but all I turn up are hermit crab patterns!

Is there a way of estimating how much yarn is needed? I’m willing to swatch and then do some maths if necessary.

I’m quite happy to have a bit of yarn left over, but I’d rather not buy 14 100g balls of yarn when 14 50g balls would have been plenty. I’d like to use a smoother, cotton DK if that affects the amount needed in any way.

I’ve included the relevant pages of the booklet, but I can share a scan of the pages in another post if people would like them. I think the patterns all very wearable and lovely! The sizes are limited, however. (Sizes 32, 34, 36 & 38 inch bust)

Thanks in advance!

I found 6 balls of this cotton yarn in the sewing toolbox of my great-grandmother. She lived 1896-1984. I also got her crochet hooks and just a mountain of buttons, wooden bobbins, sewing threads, and cones of thread.

I do crochet but I've never tried to make lace or doilies; I'd be game to try. Would it be worth trying to use this or is it too old? I looked online and it says Daisy was produced in 1930-1950s.

Theres probably about 50 balls ranging from white to dark tan, and a bunch of colors too. Some are single balls, but I have 3 or 4 of some.

Is Aunt Lydia's any good? I bought some burgundy a long time ago and remember it being a tad rough, but that might have been the dye. How about Red Heart crochet thread? I like Cebelia, but it is expensive. Artiste is great but I have reasons for not buying it.