The ABC's of Yarn
I began crochet thanks to my pastor's wife at a ladies crafting group, and ever since I have become more and more curious about the mechanics of the craft from different size hooks to different types of yarn, in addition to learning new stitches. YouTube and blogs have been a wonder in teaching me new stitches and its inspiring to see what other people have created. A few months ago I found a local store that sold crochet hooks for $1 each, so I grew my crochet hook collection, acquiring some small steel hooks for doilies.
I recently discovered www.ravelry.com where you can search for knitting and crochet patterns (free and for sale) that have photos and give you the ability to make notes for when you do the project - i.e. if you used a G hook instead of a J hook, or if you did HDC instead of DC. You can also quantify your yarn stash (with photos) and remind yourself where it is stored. I highly recommend it whether you are simply looking for projects, want a way to organize your yarn, or perhaps the many projects you have started...and not finished (shh, no ones judging!). This article is about the different types of yarn you might encounter at the craft store, your neighbor's yarn stash, or a local fabric thrift shop. After raiding my mom's yarn stash I learned first hand that the really "cool" looking yarns are often the most difficult. Additionally, since I am budget conscious, I've also discovered a few blog posts about softening your cheaper yarns, such as Red Heart. Let's begin. |
Types of Yarn Fibers
Yarn can be divided into categories based on the type of fiber it is: natural or synthetic. Each type has a different property.
Natural fibers include cotton, wool, cashmere, alpaca/llama, mohair, angora, silk, and linen. Eco-friendly yarns include organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp.
Synthetic fibers include nylon, rayon, acrylic, viscose, and polyester.
> 100% acrylic yarn is the most common and the most inexpensive (Red Heart, for example).
Plant-based fibers include soy, bamboo, and corn that are in betwen natural and synthetic.
I suggest learning your stitches with a yarn such as Red Heart. It is not always the best choice for a project because it is not soft, but it is thick enough that you can see your stitches and it is easy to work with. Great to practice making a block of a certain type of stitch...then practice unraveling and trying another stitch!
Natural fibers include cotton, wool, cashmere, alpaca/llama, mohair, angora, silk, and linen. Eco-friendly yarns include organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp.
Synthetic fibers include nylon, rayon, acrylic, viscose, and polyester.
> 100% acrylic yarn is the most common and the most inexpensive (Red Heart, for example).
Plant-based fibers include soy, bamboo, and corn that are in betwen natural and synthetic.
I suggest learning your stitches with a yarn such as Red Heart. It is not always the best choice for a project because it is not soft, but it is thick enough that you can see your stitches and it is easy to work with. Great to practice making a block of a certain type of stitch...then practice unraveling and trying another stitch!
Wool Yarn
Wool yarn is made from sheep's fleece. There are many different types of wool, and they can be spun into different weights and textures for yarn. Benefits of wool yarn include its warmth, and that it accepts color very well. Merino wool yarn is popular for knitting/crocheting garments.
Wool yarn is made from sheep's fleece. There are many different types of wool, and they can be spun into different weights and textures for yarn. Benefits of wool yarn include its warmth, and that it accepts color very well. Merino wool yarn is popular for knitting/crocheting garments.
Fleece Yarn
Fleece yarn includes mohair, angora, and cashmere. Mohair is a thick yarn from the Angora goat, and has a fuzzy appearance. Angora is from Angora rabbits with very soft fur, also with a fuzzy appearance. Cashmere is from the undercoat of Cashmere goats and is more expensive - it is very smooth while still warm.
Fleece yarn includes mohair, angora, and cashmere. Mohair is a thick yarn from the Angora goat, and has a fuzzy appearance. Angora is from Angora rabbits with very soft fur, also with a fuzzy appearance. Cashmere is from the undercoat of Cashmere goats and is more expensive - it is very smooth while still warm.
Cotton Yarn
This yarn is from the cotton plant, and many types of cotton yarn are treated with chemicals that make them more durable, mildew resistant, and better accepting of dyes.
This yarn is from the cotton plant, and many types of cotton yarn are treated with chemicals that make them more durable, mildew resistant, and better accepting of dyes.
Silk Yarn
Silk yarn is very smooth and light but does not have much stretch. It is typically combined with other fibers to create a yarn. When combined with cashmere, it creates an incredibly luxurious yarn.
Silk yarn is very smooth and light but does not have much stretch. It is typically combined with other fibers to create a yarn. When combined with cashmere, it creates an incredibly luxurious yarn.
Novelty Yarns
Novelty yarns have a very different appearance from traditional yarns.
Ribbon - ribbon is knitted into a rayon or rayon blend yarn fiber.
Boucle - a very bumpy textured yarn formed of loops
Chenille - velvety texture, but can be tricky to work with
Thick-thin - alternates between thick and thin sections to give a bumpy look to the final
fabric
Railroad ribbon - tiny tracks of fibers are strung between two parallel strands of thread.
Faux fur - fluffy strands on a strong nylon base thread to resemble faux fir when knitted.
Novelty yarns have a very different appearance from traditional yarns.
Ribbon - ribbon is knitted into a rayon or rayon blend yarn fiber.
Boucle - a very bumpy textured yarn formed of loops
Chenille - velvety texture, but can be tricky to work with
Thick-thin - alternates between thick and thin sections to give a bumpy look to the final
fabric
Railroad ribbon - tiny tracks of fibers are strung between two parallel strands of thread.
Faux fur - fluffy strands on a strong nylon base thread to resemble faux fir when knitted.
Specialty Yarns
These yarns create a special look in the final knitted/crocheted fabric.
Tweed - background color flexed with bits of fiber in different colors.
Heather - blended from different-colored fleeces and then spun together.
Marled/ragg - plied yarn with different plied colors.
Variegated - yarn is dyed several different colors, or shades of one color.
These yarns create a special look in the final knitted/crocheted fabric.
Tweed - background color flexed with bits of fiber in different colors.
Heather - blended from different-colored fleeces and then spun together.
Marled/ragg - plied yarn with different plied colors.
Variegated - yarn is dyed several different colors, or shades of one color.
Yarn Weights
When you look at the label of your yarn, you may see a number. These correspond to the weight of the yarn with 0 = lacy, and 6 = super bulky. The thickness of a yarn is determined by the individual thickness of each ply, not the total number of plies. If the plies are thin, a 4-ply yarn could be heavier than a heavy single-ply yarn. A "ply" is the number of strands twisted together to form the yarn.
(0) - very fine. Used for lace and bed spreads, etc. Crochet thread size #10, see next section.
(1) - super fine, fingering, baby-weight. Used for light layettes and socks.
(2) - fine, sport-weight. Used for light sweaters, baby things, accessories.
(3) - light worsted or DK (double knitting). Used for sweaters, other garments, light weight scarves
(4) - medium- or worsted-weight afgham, Aran: Used for sweaters, blankets, outdoor wear such as hats, scarves and mittens.
(5) - bulky, chunky: Used for rugs, jackets, and blankets.
(6) - super bulky: Used for heavy blankets and rugs, and sweaters.
(1) - super fine, fingering, baby-weight. Used for light layettes and socks.
(2) - fine, sport-weight. Used for light sweaters, baby things, accessories.
(3) - light worsted or DK (double knitting). Used for sweaters, other garments, light weight scarves
(4) - medium- or worsted-weight afgham, Aran: Used for sweaters, blankets, outdoor wear such as hats, scarves and mittens.
(5) - bulky, chunky: Used for rugs, jackets, and blankets.
(6) - super bulky: Used for heavy blankets and rugs, and sweaters.
Crochet Thread
Cotton crochet thread is a different sizing, with smaller numbers meaning a thicker yarn (opposite of the system above). This is what I use for my doilies. With this cotton thread, you use steel hooks that look itty bitty, and a small hook size (2) means a larger hook size.
Even if a cotton crochet thread is a similar size to a yarn, they don't behave the same way. For example, crocheting jewelry often calls for crochet thread because it is smoother, very finely twisted, and does not stretch.
Size #3: equivalent to a sport weight yarn in thickness (thickest of the cotton crochet threads)
SIze #5: equivalent to a fingering or super fine weight. Six-strand cotton embroidery floss works in this range when used with all 6 strands together.
Size #10: this is a very popular size, often called for when crocheting a thread bedspread. This is often grouped with #0 lace weight yarn - but remember, yarn does not behave the same as crochet thread.
Size #20: Extra fine thread. 6-cord or cordonnet thread is the best choice for long lasting crochet jewelry.
Cotton crochet thread is a different sizing, with smaller numbers meaning a thicker yarn (opposite of the system above). This is what I use for my doilies. With this cotton thread, you use steel hooks that look itty bitty, and a small hook size (2) means a larger hook size.
Even if a cotton crochet thread is a similar size to a yarn, they don't behave the same way. For example, crocheting jewelry often calls for crochet thread because it is smoother, very finely twisted, and does not stretch.
Size #3: equivalent to a sport weight yarn in thickness (thickest of the cotton crochet threads)
SIze #5: equivalent to a fingering or super fine weight. Six-strand cotton embroidery floss works in this range when used with all 6 strands together.
Size #10: this is a very popular size, often called for when crocheting a thread bedspread. This is often grouped with #0 lace weight yarn - but remember, yarn does not behave the same as crochet thread.
Size #20: Extra fine thread. 6-cord or cordonnet thread is the best choice for long lasting crochet jewelry.