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| Decision field | Open accessHook & Needle Diameter ReferenceGlobalRemove | Open accessFreeSewingGlobalRemove | Open accessYarnSubGlobalRemove | PaidPatternLab LondonGlobalRemove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decision fit | ||||
| Primary job | Learn techniques | Find patterns & fit | Choose materials | Find patterns & fit |
| Also useful for | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded |
| Area | Yarn | Patterns & fit | Yarn | Patterns & fit |
| Best for | Checking which U.S. alias the current Craft Yarn Council table gives a known metric package size before confirming project gauge | Custom-fit home sewing patterns | Building a substitution shortlist for a discontinued or unavailable yarn before checking quantity, availability, and a representative swatch | Generating an editable custom-measurement block |
| Know before using | The reference is not a dimensional measurement, manufacturer inspection, UK or Canadian conversion, steel-hook chart, tool recommendation, yarn assignment, gauge result, or proof that a proposed tool will produce the required fabric. | A generated pattern is not independent fit evidence or a production-ready graded block. The result still depends on accurate measurements, the selected design and options, ease assumptions, fabric behavior, construction, and representative test garments. An account stores saved patterns and measurement sets, so review the platform's privacy terms before retaining personal measurements. | A suggested match is a data-based shortlist, not proof that the yarn suits the pattern or maker. Records can be incomplete or wrong, price bands are approximate, availability varies by country and seller, and shade-level matching is unavailable. YarnSub says affiliate status does not change suggestions, but equally rated matches are ordered by brand popularity. Confirm required gauge, total length, fibre behavior, construction, care, colour, dye lot, accessibility, price, availability, and seller terms, then make and assess a representative swatch before committing. | A measurement-generated draft is a starting block, not independent evidence of body capture, comfort, mobility, balance, garment ease, or production fit. The result depends on measurement accuracy, supported ranges, formula assumptions, selected options, and output handling. Review the service's privacy terms before storing body data and sew a representative toile before design, grading, or production use. |
| Practical access | ||||
| For | Makers | Makers | Makers | Both |
| Location or jurisdiction | Global | Global | Global | Global |
| Access | Open access | Open access | Open access | Paid |
| Format | Stitch Authority | Software | Reference | Software |
| Source type | Stitch Authority | Open-source project | First-party platform | First-party platform |
| Account, payment, and exit | ||||
| Access scope | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Maker comparing a replacement for a named yarn before buying. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Before an account | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Search a named yarn, inspect suggested substitutes, and filter by fibre and approximate price band without creating an account. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Free-account boundary | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | The checked core substitution route does not require an account, and the FAQ does not offer user-entered yarn records. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Payment boundary | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | No subscription is presented for the core route. Affiliate retailer links and optional donations help fund the site; equal-rated matches are ordered by brand popularity. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Cancellation or exit | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | There is no account or recurring plan to cancel for the core route. The newsletter has a separate unsubscribe link. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Saved work and data | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | YarnSub does not expose an API and does not accept user-entered yarn details. Use the data-issue link on a yarn page for corrections. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Source and review | ||||
| What the source establishes | Rechecked July 27, 2026. The lookup reproduces the current public Craft Yarn Council metric and U.S. alias rows and follows the Council's warning that company letter and number labels vary; blank aliases remain blank instead of being inferred. | FreeSewing's official documentation says the browser editor drafts a selected design in real time from a measurement set rather than scaling or grading a standard-size pattern. Users can adjust design options and export the generated result, including as PDF; saving the pattern to an account is optional and is used to revisit it later. | YarnSub's official FAQ says its matching software compares gauge, texture, yarn weight and density, fibre content, and fibre qualities such as drape and softness. Discontinued yarns remain searchable as starting points but are excluded from suggestions. Result filters can exclude animal, animal-derived, synthetic, or plant fibre groups and use a subjective $ to $$$$$ price indicator. The site does not accept user-entered yarn details, individual shade cards, or expose an API. Each yarn page provides a data-issue route. | PatternLab London's current drafting page says a user creates a measurement profile, selects a basic block or sloper, adjusts fit, dart placement, length, seam allowance, and sleeve options, then downloads the generated result as tiled PDF, AI, or SVG. The live catalogue names bodice, dress, trouser, and stretch blocks and displays a price before purchase. |
| Linked page reviewed | Jul 27, 2026 | Jul 21, 2026 | Jul 28, 2026 | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Next review due | Jul 27, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | Jan 24, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 |
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