Scheepjes Whirl vs Scheepjes Whirlette

Technical verdict: Scheepjes Whirl vs Scheepjes Whirlette

Weight category, yardage and value per ball

Scheepjes Whirl and Scheepjes Whirlette are both Super Fine (CYC 1) 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: Scheepjes Whirl gives 444 m per 100 g and Scheepjes Whirlette gives 454 m per 100 g. A project that uses 1,000 m of yarn weighs about 225 g in the first and 220 g in the second, so the finished piece will feel equally heavy.

Per ball, Scheepjes Whirl holds 1,000 m in 225 g and Scheepjes Whirlette holds 454 m in 100 g. Five balls of Scheepjes Whirl (5,000 m) are replaced by 12 balls of Scheepjes Whirlette, and five balls of Scheepjes Whirlette (2,270 m) by 3 balls of Scheepjes Whirl. Always convert by length, never by weight or by number of balls.

Drape, fibre and texture

Both yarns share the same fibre family: Scheepjes Whirl is 60 % cotton, 40 % acrylic and Scheepjes Whirlette is 60 % cotton, 40 % acrylic, 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, Scheepjes Whirl and Scheepjes Whirlette 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 (Cake (gradient)), so stitch definition and the way the yarn behaves on the hook should feel familiar when you switch.

Hook size and gauge

Both ball bands recommend the same hook, 3.5–4 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?

Scheepjes Whirlette is a strong substitute for Scheepjes Whirl, 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.

Scheepjes Whirl 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 Scheepjes Whirl data sheet → Full Scheepjes Whirlette data sheet → Calculate yarn for a whole project →