So, you completed your project and the next thing is to wash it. Do you just toss it to the washing machine or does it need to be hand washed only, and what about drying or ironing it? The answers to all those questions can be found on the yarn label. In this article you will find the meaning of the most common Care Symbols, so you will be able to properly take care of your finished items.


The care symbols you will find on your yarn label are the same as the ones you find on your clothes. They will help you understand how to wash, dry and iron your knitted or crocheted item. It is a good practice to check the label before buying the yarn, that way you will know if it is suitable for the project you have in mind, for example, if you want to make a baby garment that requires frequent washing you need to use a yarn that is machine washable. Also, if you are going to gift the item, make sure to include the care instructions so that the recipient will know how to clean it. 

Yarn Care Symbols

There are five basic categories of care symbols:

Tub: Washing instructions
Square: Drying instructions
Triangle: Bleaching instructions
Iron: Ironing instructions
Circle: Dry cleaning instructions

Let’s have a closer look at them.

Washing Instruction Symbols 

A tub with water means that your item can be washed in the washing machine.

A tub with a hand means that your item must be hand washed (or put in a delicate washing cycle).

If there is an X over the tub symbol you should not wash your item.

The lines under the tub are for the washing machine spin cycle: One for permanent press, two for gentle. No lines under the tub means that you can use any washing machine cycle

The number (or dot) inside the tub symbol indicates the maximum temperature that can be applied:

  • One dot means a cold wash temperature of 30° (85°F) 
  • Two dots means a warm wash temperature of 40° (105°F)
  • Three dots indicate a warm/hot wash temperature of 50° (120°F)
  • Four dots shows a hot wash temperature of 60° (140°F)
  • Five dots means a hot wash temperature of 70° (160°F)
  • Six dots indicate a hot wash temperature of 95° (200°F)

Drying Instruction Symbols

An empty square means that you can dry the item.

A square with three vertical lines inside indicates that you should drip dry on a clothes hanger.

A square with one horizontal line inside means that the item should dry flat.

A square with a curved line at the top means that the item can be hung to dry on a clothesline.

A square with two slanted lines in the corner indicates that the item should dry in the shade away from harsh sunlight.

When a square combines the two slanted lines in the corner with one of the above squares it means that the item should drip dry, or dry flat, or hang to dry in the shade.

If there is an X over the square symbol you should not dry your item.

The twisted cloth symbols indicate that you can wring your item.

If there is an X over the twisted cloth symbol then you should not wring the item.

A square with a circle within it shows that your item can be tumble dried.

The dot inside the tumble dry symbol indicates the maximum temperature that can be applied:

  • One dot means low heat
  • Two dots means medium heat
  • Three dots indicate high heat

A tumble dry symbol with the circle filled in means that no heat should be used.

An X over the tumble dry symbol indicates that you should not tumble dry your item.

Bleaching Instruction Symbols

A triangle means that you can bleach your item 

An X over the triangle indicates that you should not bleach your item.

A triangle with two angled lines inside (or if there is a cross over the triangle and the CL is written inside) means that you should use non-chlorine bleach.

Ironing Instruction Symbols

An iron symbol means that your item can be ironed.

The dot inside the iron symbol indicates the maximum temperature that can be applied:

  • One dot means low heat
  • Two dots means medium heat
  • Three dots indicate high heat

An X over the iron symbol shows that you should not iron your item.

Sloped and/or vertical lines under the iron means that you can use steam.

If there is an X over the iron symbol with sloped and/or vertical lines under the iron means that you should not use steam.

Dry Cleaning Instruction Symbols

An empty circle means that you can dry clean the item.

An X over the circle indicates that you should not dry clean your item.

The letter A inside the dry clean symbol indicates that any solvent can be used.

The letter F inside the dry clean symbol means that only Petroleum solvent can be used.

The letter P inside the dry clean symbol shows that you can use any solvent except tetrachloroethylene.

The letter W inside the dry clean symbol indicates that the item should be wet clean.

If there is an X over the symbol and the circle is filled means that you should not wet clean the item.

The combination of a circle and a straight line means:

  • If the line is on the top left, it means to reduce moisture
  • If the line is in the upper right, it means not to use steam
  • If the line is lower right, it means low heat
  • If the line is at the bottom left, it shows a short cycle

Now you will know how to care for your knitted or crocheted items. If you worry that all those symbols are a lot to remember, just feel free to download the complete care symbols guide and print it out for reference, you can use it not only for your precious yarn, but for your clothes too.

Leave a Reply