Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes vs Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling

Technical verdict: Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes vs Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes and Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling are both Medium (CYC 4) yarns, so on paper they are interchangeable in the same patterns. The weight class only tells half the story, though: the ball band data below shows how much they really differ in thickness, yardage and behaviour once they are on the hook.

Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling is the longer yarn per gram, with 170 m per 100 g against 164 m per 100 g for Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes, a difference of 4 %. For the same 1,000 m of yarn, the project weighs about 610 g in Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes and 588 g in Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling. A lower m/100 g figure means a thicker or denser strand, so the heavier yarn will also make a slightly thicker, warmer fabric.

Per ball, Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes holds 372 m in 227 g and Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling holds 170 m in 100 g. Five balls of Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes (1,860 m) are replaced by 11 balls of Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling, and five balls of Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling (850 m) by 3 balls of Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

Both yarns share the same fibre family: Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes is 100 % acrylic and Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling is 100 % acrylic, so they wash, block and wear in a similar way. Acrylic is light, affordable and machine-washable; it hides small tension changes and suits blankets and everyday pieces, but heat relaxes it permanently, so it should not be ironed.

With such similar density, Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes and Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling will give fabrics of comparable weight and drape at the same gauge; any difference in hand will come mainly from the fibre.

Their construction differs: Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes (Cake (gradient)) versus Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling (Smooth). This changes stitch definition and how easy it is to see your stitches, so expect a different look even at the same gauge.

Hook size and gauge

Both ball bands recommend the same hook, 5 mm, so you can start your swatch with the hook size the pattern already calls for.

Their reference gauges differ: Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes gives 17 stitches and Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling gives 18 stitches in 10 cm. Over 100 stitches that is about 58.8 cm versus 55.6 cm, so check your gauge and adjust the hook before starting a fitted piece.

Verdict: can you swap them?

Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling is a strong substitute for Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes, with a Match Score of 87 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes gives more meters per ball, so you will usually buy fewer balls.

Whichever you choose, buy all the balls for a project from the same dye lot and keep the ball band for its care instructions.

Full Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes data sheet → Full Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →