Choosing The Correct Yarn for Your Project

Your choice of yarn is vital for a successful project. Choose wisely and seek advice before purchasing. The correct choice will make your project, so get it right first time.

By Sam Russell

In this article we cover in very basic terms the different kinds of yarns that most knitters would use & the reasons for choosing one over another.

Background..........

 Yarn is a string composed of interlocked fibers used in the production of textiles, crocheting, sewing and knitting.

There are many different fibers that can form a knitting yarn. Cotton is the most popular natural fibre and wool is the most common animal fibre. However, other types of animal fibers are used too, like angora, cashmere and the latest trend in knitting yarns - the alpaca knitting yarn. The alpaca fibers that form a knitting yarn are notable for their strength , which is significantly higher than that in wool fibers, for their softness and, moreover, the alpaca fiber comes in an impressive range of natural colors from white, beige, light brown, dark brown, to black.

Blending for quality ...........

 However, it had been demonstrated that by blending alpaca fiber with wool , we obtain a yarn of a higher quality.  When it comes to the knitting yarn composed solely of  sheep’s wool  , we talk of two categories of wool used in knitting yarn: worsted and woolen.

The yarn that results from  worsted wool is smooth and firm, whereas the one that  results from woolens is fuzzier and not so strong

Other Types ..........

.As for the natural fibers, silk and linen are also used for knitting yarn. Knitting yarn can be also made of synthetic materials, chiefly acrylic. There are all acrylic yarns or acrylic blended with wool. Nylon is another synthetic fibre used in a small quantity in the yarn designed for use in socks as an example.

There are  many different types of knitting yarns you can find obviously  according to  quality and price. You want. For example, you can find usual yarns like cotton and wool and  then luxury yarns like super merino, pure silk, possum worsted , Hana silk , baby alpaca , zephyr(50% Chinese Tussah Silk and 50% fine Merino wool)

What you need to know  before choosing............

You need  to know the properties of your knitting yarn because they affect the look and the feel of the garment. Your first point of call & where you can find out a lots of  information is by looking at the label, such as the fiber content, weight, type of the knitting yarn, and its suitability for the project you have in mind and naturally how many meters of knitting yarn you have and washing instructions.

In most instances however the pattern from which you’ll be knitting will identify and/or suggest the best material with which to knit the item. It is also advisable to buy a little more knitting yarn than the pattern requires. 

About Yarn Weight ...................

Yarn weight is the thickness of the knitting yarn. You will see there is a vast range going from very fine weight or baby weight and chunky yarns as well.

 What does it mean?

Yarn weights are separated into different categories, six categories actually. There is : 1-first a baby, fingering, sock category, which is super fine

2- the second category is  called baby, sport category and is fine yarn weight;

3- the DK, light , worsted category  which is light,

4-the afghan, aran, worsted category ,

5- the chunky, craft and rug category and the fifth,

6- super bulky yarn weight which can be bulky and roving.

 In the UK  yarn is labeled in ply. A ply is a single strand of yarn. Lace weight, or 2-ply/3-ply is a very fine yarn used for lacy garments . scarves and baby clothes.

 Fingering knitting yarn or 4-ply is used for baby clothes but also for adult clothes.

From Around the World

 Sport weight or DK 8-ply in Australia it is a very popular type of yarn because not only it comes in different colors , but it also comes in a range of different effects, such as heather, blushed, tweed and more; Aran, worsted or triple, 12-ply in Australia is generally used for heavily texture garments; chunky or bulky, 14-ply in Australia is a heavy yarn used to make large sweaters and jackets. This last category is called in America super-bulky.