Yarn

Yarn Types And Weight Explained

When you work with yarn on a regular basis, you already know that not all yarn is the same. In fact, some yarns are heavier, while others are considerably lighter. They can also be made from different yarn fibres, which directly influences the suitability of certain yarns for your project. Today, we take a closer look at yarn types and their weight, this will help you determine which yarn is most suitable for the project you have in mind.

What Are The Most Common Yarn Fibres I Can Encounter?

Certain yarn fibres are more common than others. In this overview, we look at some of the most common yarn fibres and their properties.

Wool yarn fibres are incredibly common among crafters. Embellished with properties such as warmth and durability, it is not difficult to see why many people prefer wool yarn.

While basic wool yarn has advantages, one must consider that basic wool yarn can feel a little itchy when used on garments. Some people are allergic to wool as well, so make sure to check this if you decide on making a jumper or a scarf for someone.

There are also some variants of basic wool on the market and one of them is Merino wool. Merino wool is a strong favourite among crafters, mainly because of its soft properties without the allergic reaction regular wool can cause. Of course, this type of wool does have one downside and that is pilling.

When you look for wool yarn, you can also encounter so-called alpaca wool. Considerably warmer than all other natural fibres out there, Alpaca wool should only be used in projects where such warmth is required.

If you do not mind investing a little more, you could look into cashmere yarn. Known for its fluffy qualities, it is undoubtedly one of the favoured yarns for garments. That being said, cashmere is not as strong as some of the other fibres mentioned before.

Cotton yarn is another popular option, especially where strength is concerned. It does have a more serious downside though, as this type of yarn can highlight problems with your stitching. Therefore, this kind of yarn should only be used by more experienced crafters.

If you are looking for some affordable yarns, on the other hand, be sure to take a look at acrylic yarn. Acrylic is a manmade fibre and therefore relatively inexpensive. In short, perfect for beginners who want to put their skills to the test.

Finally, you can consider some silk yarn. Like cashmere, silk yarn can be more expensive. However, you do get quality such as strength and an elegant appearance in return. Please note that materials such as silk can be rather slippery, this means it may not be that suitable for beginners.

What Should I Consider When It Comes Down To Yarn Weight?

While most of the properties of yarn are displayed on the label, it can be useful to know the different types of weight available, this helps you to select the right yarn a little easier.

One of the thinnest and lightest yarns available is the so-called lace yarn. It is a yarn that often finds applications for lace-inspired shawls and detailing. However, it is not as suitable for full constructed garments.

The second lightest type of yarn is so-called fingering yarn. Even though it is somewhat thicker than lace yarn, it does provide some fine stitches that can be useful for detailing.

Sport yarn is another thickness you can encounter. Sport yarn is twice as thick as regular fingering yarn, this means it does have a lot more applications. Its most popular application? Sports socks!

Crafters could also encounter worsted yarn, which is the most popular yarn for beginners. Worsted yarn is suitable for almost all crafting projects too, so most crafters will have a lot of this yarn in their crafting room. If you are unsure which yarn you should stock up on, worsted yarn should be your first go-to.

Finally, you can also encounter bulky yarn, this is the type of yarn used for those quick projects where fast knits are required. While the result may look a little chunkier, quickness is the key with this yarn.