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 fiber and wool is the most common animal fiber. 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 fiber 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 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.
Phat Fiber September Box Part I
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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Ultimate Sweater Machine with DVD Excellent condition | US $60.00 | 3h 35m |
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Yarn Lot (3) Twilleys Freedom #426 Damask | US $9.95 | 4h 34m |
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Lot of 8 Skeins ICE LONG EYELASH Hand Knitting Yarn Burgundy | US $5.99 | 6h 36m |
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Lot of 4 x 100gr Skeins ICE FLAMENCO Ruffle Scarf Yarn White | US $12.99 | 6h 38m |
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Lot of 4 x 100gr Skeins ICE MAXI CHENILLE Hand Knitting Yarn Dark Green | US $4.99 | 7h 6m |
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Lot of 4 x 100gr Skeins ICE MAXI CHENILLE Hand Knitting Yarn Light Brown | US $4.99 | 7h 8m |
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Lot of 6 Skeins ICE SOFT FRILLY Ruffle Scarf Yarn Green Shades | US $7.50 | 7h 21m |
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Lot of 6 Skeins ICE FRILLY Ruffle Scarf Yarn Green Shades | US $3.99 | 7h 26m |
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Lion Brand Landscapes Yarn 4 Skeins Spring Desert super bulky roving | US $15.99 | 12h 32m |
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Lion Brand Landscapes Yarn 4 Skeins Pastel Meadow super bulky roving | US $15.99 | 12h 33m |
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Lion Brand Landscapes Yarn 4 Skeins Deep Sea super bulky roving | US $15.99 | 12h 38m |
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1979 Plymouth Knitting pattern booklet: Sweater Coat & Hooded Pullover | US $1.25 | 1d 1h 52m |
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Lot of 8 Skeins ICE EPHESUS Hand Knitting Yarn Pink Brown | US $5.99 | 1d 6h 28m |
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Lot of 8 Skeins ICE LONG EYELASH Hand Knitting Yarn Cream | US $5.99 | 1d 6h 40m |
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Lot of 8 Skeins ICE LONG EYELASH Hand Knitting Yarn Grey | US $5.99 | 1d 6h 42m |
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Lot of 8 Skeins ICE LONG EYELASH Hand Knitting Yarn Navy | US $5.99 | 1d 6h 44m |
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Knit 15 1/2" SANTA "Old St. NicK" Christmas decor doll 4 applique ornaments | US $4.99 | 1d 9h 46m |
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2 sk.418 Yd. Bernat Mosaic Self Patterning Blending Yarn Worsted | US $10.99 | 1d 12h 13m |
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2 sk.418 Yd. Bernat Mosaic Self Patterning Blending Yarn Worsted | US $10.99 | 1d 12h 13m |
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Yarn Lot (2) Berroco Jasper® #3831 Rojo Coralita | US $8.95 | 2d 4h 8m |
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SPIN OFF MAGAZINE, FALL 2000 | US $4.99 | 2d 14h 6m |
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Lot of 2 Lion Fancy Fur Yarn Electric Slide NEW | US $13.99 | 2d 17h 45m |
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Lot of 2 Lion Fancy Fur Yarn Jungle Print NEW | US $13.99 | 2d 17h 46m |
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Lot of 2 Lion Fancy Fur Yarn Mixed Berries NEW | US $13.99 | 2d 17h 46m |
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Lot of 2 Lion Fancy Fur Yarn Tiger Eye NEW | US $13.99 | 2d 17h 47m |
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Lot of 2 Lion Fancy Fur Yarn Brilliant Blue NEW | US $13.99 | 2d 17h 48m |
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Lot of 2 Lion Fancy Fur Yarn Sunrise NEW | US $9.99 | 2d 17h 48m |
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ot of 2 Lion Fancy Fur Yarn Bold Black NEW | US $9.99 | 2d 17h 51m |
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STARBELLA - PREMIER | US $7.99 | 18d 10h 51m |
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Moroccan Oil Original Moroccanoil Hair Treatment 100ml/3.4oz + Pump *Best Price* | US $19.99 | 28d 18h 26m |
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Men's Custom Design Hand Knit 100% WOOL Mohair Alpaca Wool Winter Hat | US $49.99 | 3d 5h 27m |
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USA Wool Mohawk Winter Ear Flap Ski Hat,Earflap,Patriotic,Cap,# 500 White Stars | US $17.89 | 29d 2h 7m |
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Moroccan Oil Original Moroccanoil Hair Treatment *Light* 100ml/3.4oz + Pump | US $19.99 | 28d 18h 25m |
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Rowan ::Rowan Magazine #48:: Fall-Winter Brand New | US $22.95 | 23d 6h 27m |
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LOT OF 4 ROVING CHUNKY WOOL BLEND YARN, FELTS WHEN WASHED, SHADES OF MAUVE, NEW! | US $9.99 | 3d 9h 37m |
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Bond Ultimate Knitting Machine | US $99.00 | 3d 9h 44m |
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Rasta Commando Winter Visor,Skull,Hat,Hippie,Jamaican,Cap,Beanie,Ski,# 452 Black | US $6.89 | 29d 2h 11m |
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NEW 1 YARD NIDDY NODDY & DROP SPINDLE spinning roving | US $9.95 | 21d 5h 46m |
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Skull Design Winter Ear Flap Ski Hat,Beanie,Earflap,Stocking,Cap,# 378 Black | US $8.89 | 29d 2h 14m |
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2x Gamila Secret 100% Olive Oil Soap Bar - Mix of Rose Lavender Vanilla Natural | US $29.99 | 26d 20h 38m |
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RARE Pencil Roving Corriedale Wool Fiber hand dyed SPINNING FELTING * INDIA * | US $17.50 | 28d 15h 4m |
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Rasta Visor Hat,Boho,Jamaica,Beanie,Cap,Stocking,100% Cotton,# 458 Black | US $12.89 | 28d 4h 58m |
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2 Winding Wood Browns Ice Frilly Trim Ruffling Ribbon Yarn 54Y 17578 FREEshipUSA | US $8.99 | 28d 6h 59m |
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Shamrock Irish Winter Skull Beanie,Cap,Hat,Stocking,Celtic,# 800 White/Green | US $5.89 | 28d 4h 9m |
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CRAZY ~ Crab ~Fiber Roving/Top to spin High Luster 6 oz | US $32.50 | 29d 3h 27m |
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WISTYRIA FELTED WOOL FABRIC FLOWER PATTERN - MUMS | US $4.25 | 29d 16h 15m |
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WISTYRIA FELTED PURSE PATTERN ~ TWEEDY~KNIT & FELTED | US $4.00 | 29d 16h 1m |
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WISTYRIA FELTED PURSE PATTERN~OUT AND ABOUT~ KNIT/FELT | US $4.00 | 29d 15h 57m |
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WISTYRIA FELTED PURSE PATTERN - "THE BUCKET BAG" | US $4.00 | 29d 15h 53m |
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THE LITTLE CLUTCH BAG PATTERN- WISTYRIA -KNIT & FELTED | US $4.00 | 29d 15h 47m |
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Kid/Child Winter Ski Mask Visor Beanie,Hat,Cap, # 200 Purple/Orange "Pink Love" | US $7.89 | 29d 15h 4m |