Demystifying Yarn Labels

Published: October 18, 2021  ~   0

We get a lot of questions about individual skeins of yarn and what their labels/symbols mean. The information on the label is critical when choosing what needle/hook to use, knowing how many skeins you will need, and so much more. Most questions about a specific yarn and how to use it can be answered just by reading and utilizing the information given on its label. Here is an overview of how to read one:

  1. Brand name of the yarn
  2. Yarn materials – This details the composition of the yarn itself.
  3. Yarn weight symbol – This symbol represents the size of the yarn from numbers 1-7, with 1 (Lace) being the smallest/thinnest to 7 (Jumbo) being the largest/widest. We are going to delve into all of the yarn weight numbers and what they mean in our next blog post, so stay tuned! 
  4. Color name and number – This is the name of the color and its corresponding number. The color name/number and the brand name are vital identifiers when you need to locate some more of the exact same yarn, whether at a store or online.
  5. Dye lot number – Have you ever noticed that sometimes the same color of a brand of yarns don’t quite look the same? Most of the time, there is going to be some variance even within the same colors! Use the same dye lot number whenever you can if you are planning to start a project that will require more than one skein of yarn. Some yarns will not have a dye lot number and will simply state “no dye lot.”
  6. Weight of yarn in ounces and grams
  7. Care instructions
  8. Company name and address
  9. Yarn length in yards and meters – The length of the yarn is very important information, as most if not all patterns detail just how much you will need to complete the project. Knowing the yarn length and how much your pattern calls for will save you another trip to the store if you can purchase exactly what you need beforehand!
  10. Gauge information – These information boxes detail the suggested knitting needles and crochet hooks to use when working with the yarn. The other numbers around each box represent the expected gauge, which is the number of stitches per inch and 10x10cm swatch. Use the information provided here to help choose what size needle or hook that you will need, whether by going with the suggested size or making a swatch with the yarn and adjusting your size based on your particular knitting/crocheting tension and output.

Pro Tip

Published: October 8, 2021  ~   0

Happy Friday dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association Family! This week we thought that we’d offer some words of wisdom to our crafting family; gauge is important. Having the right gauge for the project that you are going to be crafting can genuinely be the difference between having a nice, properly fitting garment that looks professional, and one that doesn’t look at all like the garment from the pattern that you chose. 

Before starting a project, work a gauge swatch. We know that gauge swatches can seem tedious and redundant, especially when you are raring to go on an exciting new garment. However, knowing that you have the right gauge for the project that you are going to be working on can offer great peace of mind and can make all the difference in the world! Knitting or crocheting a swatch can also save you a lot of time and heartache in the long run. 

If you find from measuring the stitches from your gauge swatch that you are a tighter knitter/crocheter than your chosen pattern calls for, consider moving up a needle/hook size. Conversely, if you find that you are a loose knitter/crocheter, move down a needle/hook size. 

Moral Injury

Published: October 1, 2021  ~   0

Happy Friday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family. Yesterday, two of our Board Members attended a very insightful Moral Injuries course compliments of one of our most awesome community partners, StopOne. We are so thankful for their tireless efforts and dedication in helping to end veteran suicide, as well as their drive and determination to inform their community partners in best practices. We here at T.H.R.I.V.E. Association have used several of these learned practices in our efforts to help the veterans that we serve.

The Garter Stitch Scarf

Published: September 24, 2021  ~   0

Happy Friday, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! In continuing with our Question and Answer series, we have been asked numerous times about scarf patterns for beginner knitters who want to help our cause. After some thought and deliberation, the answer came to us; The Garter Stitch Scarf! For many knitters, a Garter Stitch scarf is their first project. This is not to downplay the Garter Stitch, though. It can work up very quickly and makes a lovely fluffy garment that everyone will love.


Tips and tricks:
1) Remember to watch your gauge. In our experience, uneven tension does show up, especially when using acrylic yarns.


2) Always cast on 2 extra stitches. These do not count as pattern stitches. They are your edge stitches. These two stitches ensure a nice tidy edge. When you are working your edge stitches, remember to always slip the first stitch on all new rows, knit to the end of the row, knit the last stitch, turn the work, and repeat until the garment reaches the desired length.


If you would like to donate a hat, scarf, face mask or other handcrafted garment to our cause, please remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit, crochet, or sew a garment in a brighter color, red or deep purple are always popular bright colors. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns and fabrics. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of choking hazards).


If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead. Please remember you can support our cause by shopping on AmazonSmile. See the “Shop for Our Cause” blog post for additional information.


If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. Please be aware that any communications are recorded. If you have donations and cannot make it to one of our in-person knitting groups, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).

ASIST Certification

Published: September 17, 2021  ~   0

We would like to offer a very special and heartfelt thanks to the Wounded Warrior Project for sponsoring our Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). We are so grateful! We would also like to give a shout out to our awesome community partners at Stop One. Our hats are off to them for their tireless efforts, hard work, and dedication to end veteran suicide. And last but certainly not least, many thanks to the Cohen Military Family Clinic for kindly hosting the two-day training event. Together we will all succeed!

Never Forget

Published: September 11, 2021  ~   0

Today we honor the victims of 9/11 and also the first responders who lost their lives in their heroic efforts to help them.

Questions and Answers Continued

Published: September 10, 2021  ~   0

Happy Friday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We hope that you all had a great Labor Day weekend. Some of our staff were recently asked about our requirements for donated scarves; so we would like to take a this moment to address those questions.

We have touched on our requirements for scarf donations before, but we wanted to take this moment to really flesh out those requirements. If you would like to donate a scarf to our cause, we do ask that they be at least 8.25 inches (21 cm) wide and 60 inches (152.4 cm) in length so that the wearer can wrap it around themselves comfortably. Also, our dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit a scarf in a brighter color, red is always a popular bright color. We have found that royal purple is also quite popular and one of the first to be chosen at some Stand Downs. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of choking hazards). If you need inspiration for an item to donate to our cause, please check out the blog on our website for a multitude of free patterns.

If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead. Please remember you can support our cause by shopping on AmazonSmile. See the “Shop for Our Cause” blog post for additional information.

If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. Please be aware that any communications are recorded. If you have donations and cannot make it to one of our in-person knitting groups, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).

Labor Day 2021

Published: September 3, 2021  ~   0

Happy Friday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! In 1894, Labor Day became a national holiday and was meant to pay tribute to the American workforce. During this extended three day Labor Day weekend, please give thought and thanks to those who help and serve us. From the front line doctors and nurses, to the food delivery couriers, and every one in between, we are thankful to all of those individuals who have continued to help us through these trying and uncertain times. We would also like to thank our amazing staff and phenomenal volunteers whose hard work and dedication to our Nation’s veterans and their dependents make everything possible!

Red Heart Buffalo Plaid Crochet Hat

Published: August 27, 2021  ~   0

Happy Friday, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! Today we have a wonderful crochet hat pattern, compliments of Yarnspirations. It is called the Red Heart Buffalo Plaid Crochet Hat.

As the Covid-19 Delta variant continues to ravage our great nation, we and all of our community partners are monitoring the situation closely and having to change our schedules and plans accordingly. But as the situation progresses, some of the things that have not changed are the needs of the veterans and their dependents whom we serve. With that in mind, the Red Heart Buffalo Plaid Crochet Hat is a wonderful plaid patterned hat that is sure to be a hit.

Follow the links below for both the free hat pattern and also a very helpful corresponding tutorial video on Yarnspirations’ own YouTube channel:

Download the pattern: https://www.yarnspirations.com/red-heart-buffalo-plaid-crochet-hat-for-him/RHC0416-027025M.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2020_01_HeatWaveBuffaloPlaidHat&utm_content=RedHeartBuffaloPlaidCrochetHatForHim

Watch the tutorial video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMclyg0oZlQ&ab_channel=Yarnspirations

In our example, we slightly modified the pattern by adding an additional 6 stitches (as suggested in the tutorial video), chose not to include a pom, and chose some colors that we had on hand for a different plaid effect. We would strongly suggest to add the 6 additional stitches to the garment (maybe even 12!) for added comfort and fit. Otherwise, it was a fun and surprisingly simple hat to crochet!

If you would like to donate a hat, scarf, face mask or other handcrafted garment to our cause, please remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit, crochet, or sew a garment in a brighter color, red is always a popular bright color. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns and fabrics. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of choking hazards).

If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead. Please remember you can support our cause by shopping on AmazonSmile. See the “Shop for Our Cause” blog post for additional information.

If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. Please be aware that any communications are recorded. If you have donations and cannot make it to one of our in-person knitting groups, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).

Call for Face Masks

Published: August 20, 2021  ~   0

Happy Friday, dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! As we are all keeping abreast of the current news, we are seeing spikes of Covid-19 infections and hospitalizations across our nation- the delta variant being a huge concern at this point. With that being said, the VA’s that we work with for Stand Downs are requesting face masks for our homeless and underprivileged veterans. 

Please understand that this is not a political matter. A mask is one of the essential components for stopping this pandemic. Our staff will continue to mask at our office and in the field. Additionally, we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

If you would like to donate a hat, scarf, face mask or other handcrafted garment to our cause, please remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. If you would like to knit, crochet, or sew a garment in a brighter color, red is always a popular bright color. We cannot emphasize this important point enough: please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns and fabrics. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of choking hazards).

If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead. Please remember you can support our cause by shopping on AmazonSmile. See the “Shop for Our Cause” blog post for additional information. 

If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. Please be aware that any communications are recorded. If you have donations and cannot make it to one of our in-person knitting groups, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat or scarf can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent(s).