Choosing The Right Yarn For Your Project

There’s a lot more to choosing the right yarn for your knitting or crochet project than just walking into the yarn shop and buying whatever looks pretty. If you don’t use the right yarn, you’ll be disappointed in the results, besides wasting your time and money. How do you know which yarn is best for your project?

Yarn is made from many different fibers. Cotton, linen, and bamboo yarns are spun from cellulose fibers from plants. Wool, silk, and mohair are made from protein fibers from animals (or an insect in the case of silk). Synthetics include acrylic and other man-made fibers. And of course there are countless blends of any of these.

Each fiber has its pros and cons. Some yarns are better for outer garments, while others are better against the skin. Some are machine washable, others aren’t. Some people are allergic to wool, others to mohair or angora. Natural fibers are more absorbent than man-made fibers.

It’s important to think about your lifestyle, or the lifestyle of the intended recipient. That fluffy angora yarn may be gorgeous, but do you have the time or the inclination to hand-wash it? We’ve all seen the angora or wool sweaters at the Goodwill store that somebody tossed in the clothes dryer. A once-beautiful garment has been transformed into an elf-sized piece of felt. You don’t want this to happen to you.

Match your yarn to your project. You wouldn’t use a non-absorbent yarn like acrylic to knit a dishcloth, or a fine delicate mohair yarn to knit a sweater for an active toddler.

Consider your skill level too. That cool novelty yarn with the bumps and eyelashes may be very difficult for a beginner to work with. If you’re just starting out, it’s best to stick to a simple yarn that’s not too slippery.

Yarn weight is important too. If you use a heavy yarn with fine needles, your sweater will be stiff and thick, and probably very uncomfortable. Using a fine yarn with big needles results in a thin, flimsy fabric full of holes. If you’re looking for this effect, it’s one thing, but getting it accidentally is quite discouraging.

How much does the yarn cost? Start out with an inexpensive yarn if you’re just learning. If you’re really tempted by that beautiful fuzzy yarn, plan a small project like a scarf. Most scarves only take one skein of yarn, so if the project doesn’t work out, you’re not out a large amount of cash.

Try to buy your yarn in pull skeins. If you buy yarn in a hank, you have to wind it into a ball before you can use it. Most yarn shops can do this for you if you ask.

Keep these tips in mind when choosing the yarn for your next project, and you’ll be happy with your results.
Read more about Crochet as a hobby at HobbyNook.com!

John