Separate a possible record match from a physical match
Search a plain core name alongside brand, product, color code and storage location. Remove harmless name differences for the search, such as capitalization or spacing, while retaining the original label in the record. Do not normalize away meaningful size, fiber, width, color or dye-lot information.
Lion Brand’s manufacturer guidance explains that yarn from different dye lots can vary in color. That supports checking the lot rather than assuming similarly named yarn is interchangeable. This broader matching worksheet is our original method, not a test of every material or a guarantee about a particular project.
Before shopping, check the physical location and whether the stock is already reserved for another project. Existing inventory is not automatically available inventory. A wishlist entry, a purchased supply and a duplicate database row describe different states.
Worked match: same name, three different outcomes
Fictional yarn product “Cloud Wool” in color 17 appears under “Blue yarn,” “Cloud wool blue” and “Cloud Wool 17.” The names alone are not enough. Physical checks find one double-entered skein, another separate skein of the same lot, and a third skein with a different lot.
| Records or item | Label/location evidence | Match result | Action before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| R01 and R02 | Same physical skein S01, color 17, lot A, drawer 1 | Duplicate record | Keep one verified stock count |
| S02 | Separate skein, color 17, lot A, project bag | Same variant, distinct stock | Retain separately; check project reservation |
| S03 | Separate skein, color 17, lot B, shelf | Different dye lot | Keep distinction; assess project suitability |
| Wishlist W01 | Cloud Wool 17 request | Shopping intent only | Check required lot and available quantity |
The two rows R01/R02 do not create two skeins: they point to S01. S02 is genuinely another skein, not a record to delete because its label matches. S03 is another physical skein whose lot differs. Three physical skeins remain after the record duplicate is corrected.
If S02 is committed to a current project, the presence of two lot A skeins does not mean both are free for a new purchase decision. Verify units and remaining quantity too: an opened skein with an unknown remainder is not automatically one full usable skein.
Keep a short reason for buying or postponing
Write the exact requirement: material, variant, quantity/unit and any project-specific constraint. Compare that with verified available stock, leaving uncertain remnants unresolved. Do not add counts, grams and meters as bare numbers or convert them without a supported basis.
If a label is missing, retain “variant unknown” rather than borrowing details from a similar item. If a physical item has moved, update its location without creating another stock item. Keep a correction note where duplicate records were merged or removed so the source of the new total remains clear.
The yarn dye-lot guide handles one specific material constraint; this guide handles the identity decision before a purchase. Fabric measurements and other material properties need their own checks. Avoid deleting all similarly named supplies in an attempt to make a tidy list.
CraftCue stores useful matching fields; you verify the stock
CraftCue’s current listing describes supply photos, quantities, color, location, notes, projects, wishlists and shopping/stock workflows. Current local fields also include brand, color code, fiber and dye lot. Premium lists unlimited inventory/projects/wishlist items and higher Quick Add limits; check current exact allowances.
We publish CraftCue. Optional AI drafts require consent and review; the listing distinguishes on-device photo-label reading from reviewed text sent for third-party AI processing. Neither a parsed name nor an AI suggestion proves a physical duplicate.
The independent CSV does not import into the app or automatically merge records. Use stable physical IDs and verified label details before changing quantity or deciding that a new purchase is unnecessary.
If the method fits your task, explore CraftCue’s listed features on an iPhone. Check current features and plans before downloading.
See CraftCue for iOSDownload the free worksheet
Use the CSV in Numbers, Excel or a spreadsheet editor. Four fictional records for three physical skeins and a blank row. No automatic merge, quantity conversion or material-suitability guarantee. Replace them with your own observations. The CSV is separate from the app and no email is required.
Questions answered
Are identical names proof of duplicate stock?
No. Verify physical identity and variant details.
Should matching separate skeins be deleted?
No. Separate physical stock can share a product label.
Does different dye lot mean identical project suitability?
Not automatically. Retain the lot distinction and check the material and project.
Continue with CraftCue on iOS
Use the App Store listing to check compatibility, privacy information and current plan terms. A free download may offer paid features.
Download CraftCue for iOSSources and product details
- Lion Brand Yarn: Dye lotsManufacturer color/lot guidance read October 24, 2026; no universal interchangeability claim.
- CraftCue on the App StoreCurrent US App Store product description; checked October 24, 2026.
Editorial method: primary guidance, a current Apple listing, an original worked example and an independent critique. No search ranking, install or outcome result is claimed.