Novelty Yarn in Knit & Crochet
Use the Newest Kinds of Yarn to Explore Color, Texture & Style
Novelty yarns are wonderful; not only do they look great, but the yarn does most of the work. Discover how easy it is to use these glamorous fibers and adaptable yarns.
Novelty yarns work hard, and they allow knitters and crocheters to coast through projects with the simplest of stitches. Being familiar with the characteristics of these striking yarns gives fiber artists limitless choices in design.
Plied: Most yarns are plied, which means they consist of several equally thick strands twisted together to make another, heavier-weight yarn. This can be done in one solid color or in several shades for a more artistic look. Yarn can be “un-plied,” which simply means it is made out of one ply.
Bouclé: Bouclé yarn is an uneven yarn that has a knobby effect. It is usually three-plied; one thread is typically looser than the others, and that is what produces a rough-textured fiber. Loops are drawn through a base yarn, and are kept in place by a support thread. This support thread is wrapped around the central thread.
Chained/Knitted: Chained and knitted yarns are tubular, and will be thick or thin depending on the weight of the fiber used to make the chain. Typically, these yarns are made by looping threads around the hooks of an l-cord machine.
Brushed yarns consist of bouclé or chained yarns that are pulled across a wire brush to raise the hair. The lofty effect is best created using mohair or angora fibers: the longer the loft, the more luxurious the look.
Chenille is created on a circular spinning machine; the outer head of this machine runs fibers in a circular motion through the center core. Sharp razors are pulled quickly against the fibers to open the yarn, and give it the plush look.
Eyelash: One of the newest yarns to come to the market is eyelash yarn. Although it can be used strung together with other yarns, it stands alone quite well. Eyelash yarn is made of solid-core fiber that has fine gauge yarns laid alongside it. These parallel threads (or “lash”) are locked in every several inches, and are then cut to a desired length. This can be done in various colors, types of yarns, and lengths of lash.
Nubs/Slub/Bump: Yarns of this variety are made by twisting the nub yarn around a core thread as many times as it takes to make the thickness of the desired size. As the yarn flows, it gets thicker in places and thinner in others to created a distinctive effect.
Ribbon: Ribbon yarns are made on a modified weaving loom similar to a knitting machine. The width of the woven yarn will depend on the number of needles used (the more needles, the wider the ribbon). Although the yarn starts out flat, it will roll when made into a finished project, creating visual interest.
Component yarns are mixed with other yarns, and this comingling creates many, many variations of fibers. Components can also be used alone to create a stunning airy look.
Benefits of Using Novelty Yarn
Novelty yarns provide the fiber artist with lovely alternatives to traditional looking items. Even the most experienced knitter or crocheter will find brand new choices.
Since novelty yarn does so much of the work, knitting and crocheting with novelty yarns is incredibly therapeutic. Let the yarn do the work, and get lost in the luscious process of creating a beautiful product.
