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. jo
http://www.articlesbase.com/needlework-articles/understanding-yarn-for-your-knitting-project-682744.html
Filed under: Merino Wool Socks
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You should try and get a book from the library on beginning knitting. then you’ll understand about putting pieces together. Most of the time you knit a front piece, then a back piece and put them together. You should mark front or back simply by using a safety pin in the finished piece. You could even write "BACK" on a paper and pin it on.
AS for yarn, it’s usually measured in skeins, not yards, and YES, depending on the gauge will depend on how much yarn you need. Now, gauge would depend on the needles used as well as the type of yarn. A baby yarn is much finer than a sport yarn which is much finer than a rug yarn. If you go to a yarn shop or a hobby shop like Michael’s you will probably be able to see the differences in the yarns. The most common type of yarn for your basic scarf or sweater is a sport yarn. Two 3-1/2 oz skeins should be more than enough to make a 5 ft scarf.
Acrylic yarns are much easier to wash, even in a machine, than wool, are more readily available and more comnfortable than other types of yarn. Have Fun!!!!!!
References :
Been crocheting & knitting since I’m 8
Hi,
Most yarns will tell you on the label if they are machine washable. Most won’t felt unless you try washing them in hot water – it’s important to keep the label to check the washing instructions also note that some say you should not dry clean. You will however find quite a few yarns that may pill (leave little pills on the item where they rub against anything). Wool yarns are generally warmer and softer than acrylic yarns.
Length or number of ball/skeins of yarn you need will depend greatly on how wide and/or how long you want the scarf to be as well as the thickness of the yarn aon-line gauge of the needles. I suggest you either look online at free patterns (just do a search for ‘free knitting patterns’) or browse some of the pattern books where you buy the yarn and go from there.
If you find the stitches too tight when trying to knit two together, try either not putting the needle completely through the two stitches, or just gently easing the needle in. I usually only have this problem with certain types of yarn or if you are only in the first or second row and it may be that you are knitting too tight. Have you tried doing a tension square to check this? Most pattern advise you to knit a square first to check your tension against the suggested pattern so that you will get the best result – not so important in scarves but it is important for sweaters etc.
The easiest way to tell the front from the back in your knitting is to see where the tail from the first stitch is hanging – after you cast on your first knitted row will generally be the front (unless otherwise stated), therefore when looking at the front, the little tail of yarn should be on your left side, assuming you are knitting right handed.
If I am knitting the ‘back’ then I am usually knitting the back section of a sweater that will later be attached to the front/s and sleeves of the sweater. It will be knitted differently only for the neckline and front openings.
Hope this helps
References :
http://www.bestlearntoknit.com
Yarn for knitting and other questions?
I recently started to learn to knit and I’m wondering what some good yarn is that’s thick and warm and that wont felt, and also if there’s any that’s machine washable, as well.
And also, is there a general rule about how many yards it would take to make a five foot scarf, or is it dependent upon the gauge, and how could you figure it out? I want to make some stuff for presents, but I’m not sure what kind of yarn to get or how much and how long it usually takes to knit a scarf.
Also, I have a problem with doing some knitting, one being knitting two together; when I cast on, the stitches aren’t too tight and I can easily knit normally, but it seems really tight trying to knit two together. Another thing I don’t understand is knitting the front and/or back; I know the finished project looks different on both sides, but while you’re knitting it, how do you tell which is the front and which is the back? Or… how do you specifically even try to knit *just* the front or *just* the back?
Thanks!