With so many different types of beautiful yarns available it can be overwhelming for new knitters when choosing a yarn for a project. For a knitting project to be successful the yarn used must go with the type of garment. While it’s usually fine to select almost any type of yarn for knitting a scarf, when knitting wearable garments such as sweaters it’s important to use the yarn recommended by the pattern or at least a similar yarn. .
Selecting a Yarn Fiber
Almost any type of material with a length longer than its width can be made into knitting yarn. For example, knitting yarn can be made from anything ranging from string and sewing cotton to ribbon. However, not all materials that can be made into yarn are suitable for making garments.
- Protein fibers - Protein fibers come from animal hair and insect cocoon fibers. They’re absorbent, take dyes well and are washable. However, they can be damaged by stretching. One of the most common animal fibers is wool. Others include mohair, llama, cashmere, angora, camel and silk. Most scarves and socks are made from lambs’ wool, which has good insulating qualities.
- Cellulose fibers - Cellulose fibers, which are both man-made and natural, come from plant leaves. Some of the most common cellulose fibers include cotton, linen and ramie. These fibers are stronger wet than dry and are able to take high temperatures and scrubbing. Yarns made from cellulose fibers can be used to make garments worn in hotter climates.
- Human-made cellulose fibers – These are synthetic fibers and are either regenerated cellulose or cellulose acetate. An example of regenerated cellulose fiber is viscose rayon. Cellulose acetate, widely known as acetate, is glossy and drapes well.
- Synthetic fibers – Synthetics fibers are made by chemicals and are not fibers. Examples include polyester, acrylic fibers and polypropylene.
Yarns range in weight from fine weight to bulky. The finest yarn is known as fingering yarn and is generally used in making thin socks and light baby clothing. Medium-weight or sport yarns are good for baby items, dresses and indoor sweaters. Worsted-weight yarns are used for making outdoor clothing such as sweaters, mittens, hats and afghans. Bulky-weight yarns are intended for knitting heavy jackets and rugs. The heaviest type of yearn is called extra bulky and is used in making rugs. Beginners should select a yarn that’s somewhere in the middle range of weight, such as 4-ply yarn, so it will be easier to manipulate. Some of the finer yarns are too slippery for novices.
Choosing Balls, Steins or Yanks
While balls and steins of yarn are easy to unwind while knitting, yanks are more challenging. Hanks are big loops of yarn. Usually a hank of yarn is twisted like a pretzel and can’t be knitted the way it’s sold. That’s why a hank should be changed into a ball before used for knitting.
Learn to Read Yarn Label Symbols
Just by noting the symbols on a yarn label a knitter learns all the properties of a particular yarn. For example, symbols indicate if a yarn is hand-washable. Other information includes details about bleaching, drying cleaning, ironing, in addition to gauge and the size of needle to use.
Finally, it’s good to experiment and work with different types of yarns, such as in making scarves. Just because a certain yarn may be more challenging to some knitters doesn’t mean it won’t work for others. It’s all a matter of preference, as well as the type of knitting project.
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