| In this article we cover in very basic terms the | | | | because they affect the look and the feel of the |
| different kinds of yarns that most knitters would use & | | | | garment. Your first point of call & where you can find |
| the reasons for choosing one over another. | | | | out a lots of information is by looking at the label, such |
| Background.......... | | | | as the fiber content, weight, type of the knitting yarn, |
| Yarn is a string composed of interlocked fibers used in | | | | and its suitability for the project you have in mind and |
| the production of textiles, crocheting, sewing and | | | | naturally how many meters of knitting yarn you have |
| knitting. | | | | and washing instructions. |
| There are many different fibers that can form a | | | | In most instances however the pattern from which |
| knitting yarn. Cotton is the most popular natural fiber | | | | you’ll be knitting will identify and/or suggest the best |
| and wool is the most common animal fiber. However, | | | | material with which to knit the item. It is also advisable |
| other types of animal fibers are used too, like angora, | | | | to buy a little more knitting yarn than the pattern |
| cashmere and the latest trend in knitting yarns - the | | | | requires. |
| alpaca knitting yarn. The alpaca fibers that form a | | | | About Yarn Weight ................... |
| knitting yarn are notable for their strength, which is | | | | Yarn weight is the thickness of the knitting yarn. You |
| significantly higher than that in wool fibers, for their | | | | will see there is a vast range going from very fine |
| softness and, moreover, the alpaca fiber comes in an | | | | weight or baby weight and chunky yarns as well. |
| impressive range of natural colors from white, beige, | | | | What does it mean? |
| light brown, dark brown, to black. | | | | Yarn weights are separated into different categories, |
| Blending for quality ........... | | | | six categories actually. There is: 1-first a baby, fingering, |
| However, it had been demonstrated that by blending | | | | sock category, which is super fine |
| alpaca fiber with wool, we obtain a yarn of a higher | | | | 2- the second category is is called baby, sport |
| quality. When it comes to the knitting yarn composed | | | | category and is fine yarn weight; |
| solely of sheep’s wool, we talk of two categories | | | | 3- the DK, light, worsted category which is light, |
| of wool used in knitting yarn: worsted and woolen. | | | | 4-the afghan, aran, worsted category, |
| The yarn that results from worsted wool is smooth | | | | 5- the chunky, craft and rug category and the fifth, |
| and firm, whereas the one that results from woolens is | | | | 6- super bulky yarn weight which can be bulky and |
| fuzzier and not so strong | | | | roving. |
| Other Types .......... | | | | In the UK yarn is labeled in ply. A ply is a single strand |
| . As for the natural fibers, silk and linen are also used | | | | of yarn. Lace weight, or 2-ply/3-ply is a very fine yarn |
| for knitting yarn. Knitting yarn can be also made of | | | | used for lacy garments. Scarves and baby clothes. |
| synthetic materials, chiefly acrylic. There are all acrylic | | | | Fingering knitting yarn or 4-ply is used for baby clothes |
| yarns or acrylic blended with wool. Nylon is another | | | | but also for adult clothes. |
| synthetic fiber used in a small quantity in the yarn | | | | From Around the World |
| designed for use in socks as an example. | | | | Sport weight or DK 8-ply in Australia it is a very |
| There are many different types of knitting yarns you | | | | popular type of yarn because not only it comes in |
| can find obviously according to quality and price. You | | | | different colors, but it also comes in a range of |
| want. For example, you can find usual yarns like cotton | | | | different effects, such as heather, blushed, tweed and |
| and wool and then luxury yarns like super merino, pure | | | | more; Aran, worsted or triple, 12-ply in Australia is |
| silk, possum worsted, Hana silk, baby alpaca, zephyr | | | | generally used for heavily texture garments; chunky or |
| (50% Chinese Tussah Silk and 50% fine Merino wool) | | | | bulky, 14-ply in Australia is a heavy yarn used to make |
| What you need to know before choosing............ | | | | large sweaters and jackets. This last category is called |
| You need to know the properties of your knitting yarn | | | | in America super-bulky. |