Do you know your yarn?

Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, suitable for use in the production of textiles, crochet, knitting, weaving, embroidery and ropemaking.

And to us yarn it is pretty and soft and something to collect and look at and maybe even (heavens, can't believe i'm saying this!) actually use! I love yarn. I love to look at it and touch it and hold it and compare weight and decide on the perfect colours for a new project.

Yarn is beautiful!

Photo curtesy of Patricia Roberts website.

Hi, it's Caz here talking about my obsession, YARN!

Now I must admit that I am a user of yarn. I don't just buy it without having a project in mind, although I do buy yarn in advance. Actually I usually have yarn for at least 5 projects at a time.

And I love to 'pose' yarn.

Or display it in a basket :)

Or bag....

There are many different types of yarn. Yarns are categorised by weight, which in turn depends on the thickness and number of plies, or strands, used to spin it. Though two yarns of the same weight can differ in thickness.

Wool yarns are made from fleeces of sheep, goats and rabbits and are the most popular and commonly used by knitters all over the world. Wool is elastic and soft making it kind on the hands and forgiving of beginners uneven tension. Wool can be itchy if worn directly on the skin so a wool-cotton or wool-silk yarn is easier to wear.

Cotton yarns are cool and ideal for summer garments. Cotton shows stitch detail so is perfect for textured stitch patterns. They can be machine washed, but slow to dry, and are not itchy on the skin making it perfect for babies garments.

Novelty yarns produce a textured or coloured effect when knitted up. They are becoming more popular, especially with beginners, and are made from synthetic or man-made fibers.

Sometimes you will find a pattern you love but not in a yarn that you like. You can substitue another yarn but there are some rules to follow.
Choose a yarn of similar weight, don't substitute DK yarn with chunky/bulky yarn.
The pattern will give you the number of balls you need. Check the meterage per ball of the pattern yarn and multiply it by the number of balls needed. Now buy the same meterage of your chosen yarn.
You must knit a gauge/tension square before you start your project. Different brands of yarn, even the same weight will not necessarily knit up to the same tension.

Changing the size of needle, or crochet hook, will also alter the tension/gauge so experiment until you get it right. It is heart breaking when a project doesn't work because the parts (front, back and sleeves) don't match up.

So much yarn, too little time ;)

Thanks for visiting and happy crafting!
Caz
xx

Comments

[Alix]

Caz i love your blankets they are adorable...i really, really wish i could crochet...i just seem to have a proper mental block about it!!

[Eleanor]

I HAVE to make a stripy basket, it looks just perfect there on the sand with crocs nearby.
E
xx

[Debbie]

What beautiful projects, love the squares are they going to be a blanket? x

[Caz]

Debbie it's going to be a pashmina :) xx

[Caz]

Um did you mean the last photo? Yes it's a throw xx

[GlitteryKatie]

Beautiful Caz! WHERE do you get the patterns for the ripple blanket and the granny squares from- love them!

[jayne]

Lovely work... i can not crochet so do admire those who can x