Caron Simply Soft vs Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling

Technical verdict: Caron Simply Soft vs Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

Caron Simply Soft 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.

Their linear density is practically identical: Caron Simply Soft gives 169 m per 100 g and Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling gives 170 m per 100 g. A project that uses 1,000 m of yarn weighs about 590 g in the first and 588 g in the second, so the finished piece will feel equally heavy.

Per ball, Caron Simply Soft holds 288 m in 170 g and Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling holds 170 m in 100 g. Five balls of Caron Simply Soft (1,440 m) are replaced by 9 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 Simply Soft. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

Both yarns share the same fibre family: Caron Simply Soft 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 Simply Soft 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 Simply Soft (Plied) 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.

At least one manufacturer does not publish a reference gauge, so work a 12 × 12 cm swatch with your usual hook before comparing sizes.

Verdict: can you swap them?

Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling is a strong substitute for Caron Simply Soft, with a Match Score of 92 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

Caron Simply Soft 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 Simply Soft data sheet → Full Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →