A comparison of documented specifications

Stylecraft Special DK
vs Paintbox Simply DK

Both are listed as 100g acrylic DK yarns. Stylecraft lists 295m per ball; Paintbox lists 276m. That 19m difference can affect whole-ball quantities for a stated length.

Specifications published by the manufacturer or brand retailer
Label detailStylecraft Special DKPaintbox Simply DK
Metres per ball295m276m
Weight per ball100g100g
Fibre100% acrylic100% acrylic
Listed weightDKDK
SourceStylecraft ↗LoveCrafts ↗

When does that change the shopping list?

For a hypothetical requirement of 1,400m in one colour, the arithmetic is 5 Stylecraft balls or 6 Paintbox balls. At 1,200m, both round to 5 balls. These are equal-length comparisons, not evidence that your project consumes the same length in either yarn.

One colour, individual balls, no stash or additional allowance
Entered lengthStylecraftPaintbox
600m3 balls3 balls
900m4 balls4 balls
1200m5 balls5 balls
1400m5 balls6 balls

Which costs less?

That depends on current prices, the amount you need, pack sizes and delivery. Five balls at one price can cost more than six at another. We do not hold live prices or claim a cheapest retailer.

What this comparison cannot tell you

It cannot establish softness, durability, colour matching, fabric drape or a guaranteed substitution. We have not physically tested these yarns. Follow the pattern’s requirements and assess a suitable swatch before changing materials.

Plan the yarn you have chosen.

Stylecraft quantity reference · Paintbox quantity reference