Katia Capri vs Scheepjes Catona

Technical verdict: Katia Capri vs Scheepjes Catona

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

Katia Capri and Scheepjes Catona are both Fine (CYC 2) 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: Katia Capri gives 250 m per 100 g and Scheepjes Catona gives 250 m per 100 g. A project that uses 1,000 m of yarn weighs about 400 g in the first and 400 g in the second, so the finished piece will feel equally heavy.

Per ball, Katia Capri holds 125 m in 50 g and Scheepjes Catona holds 125 m in 50 g. Five balls of Katia Capri (625 m) are replaced by 5 balls of Scheepjes Catona, and five balls of Scheepjes Catona (625 m) by 5 balls of Katia Capri. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

Both yarns share the same fibre family: Katia Capri is 100 % cotton (mercerized) and Scheepjes Catona is 100 % cotton (mercerized), so they wash, block and wear in a similar way. Cotton is inelastic and absorbent: stitches look crisp and defined, the fabric holds its shape in amigurumi, bags and dishcloths, but garments can feel heavy and stretch downwards when wet.

With such similar density, Katia Capri and Scheepjes Catona will give fabrics of comparable weight and drape at the same gauge; any difference in hand will come mainly from the fibre.

They also share the same construction (Mercerized), so stitch definition and the way the yarn behaves on the hook should feel familiar when you switch.

Hook size and gauge

The ball bands recommend 2–3 mm for Katia Capri and 2.5–3 mm for Scheepjes Catona. The ranges overlap at 2.5–3 mm, which is the safest hook to start a test swatch for either yarn.

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?

Scheepjes Catona is a strong substitute for Katia Capri, with a Match Score of 97 %. Convert by length with the calculator above, work a quick swatch, and most patterns will need no other changes.

Katia Capri and Scheepjes Catona have the same length per ball, so the number of balls you buy stays the same.

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 Katia Capri data sheet → Full Scheepjes Catona data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →