What Is The Best Yarn For Crochet?
Do you ever go to the yarn section of a store and just look in awe at all of the pretty yarns? There are so many choices, but what are they for? Different projects require different types of yarn.
You can read on to learn all about which types of yarn are best for different crochet projects, but first you must know a few basics so you know how to find the yarn that you need.
Ball, Skein, Cake or Hank?
Whether your yarn comes wrapped in a ball, a skein, a cake or a hank makes no difference. When you buy yarn in a larger retail setting, it usually comes in a skein. A skein is wrapped in rounds but is more oval where a ball is spherical.
Yarn can be pulled from the middle of a skein or from the outside. Many crafters will re-wrap their skeins into balls to make it easier to work with.
Cakes are a newer option in the yarn world and tend to catch our attention because they look different. They are the shape of a round cake and are different widths and heights depending on the yarn. Yarn is often wrapped this way to show off all of the colors in multi-colored yarns.
When you buy yarn at a small local dye shop or yarn specialty store, it may come in a hank. A hank is simply a large loop of yarn that is then twisted to keep from tangling. Untwist, find the end and work from that, or make a ball with it.
Natural or Synthetic?
Natural yarns are made from fibers of animal hair as in wool or cashmere, or plants as in cotton or bamboo. Generally speaking, these are better quality than synthetic, but they often must be hand-washed.
Synthetic yarn is made from man-made fibers. Examples include polyester, nylon and acrylic. These hold up very well and are usually machine washable.
You can also get blends of synthetic and natural yarn. Wool blends are very common, which helps cut the cost compared to one-hundred percent wool. Cotton blends are also very popular.
Be sure to choose a type of yarn that the recipient of your crocheted piece is not allergic to because many people have allergies or sensitivities to certain fibers. Sometimes the pattern will call for a certain kind of yarn, but you can substitute for a different kind as long as it is the same weight.
Why Does Weight Matter?
The weight refers to the thickness of the yarn, not the actual weight. The thickness matters because of how many stitches you will need per inch are affected by the thickness of the yarn. If you do not get the weight that your pattern is calling for, your final project will not be the size that you expect based on the pattern.
On your labels, there will be a number that tells the weight. It is usually inside of a picture of a skein of yarn. This number will range from zero to seven. Zero is very thin and can be used to crochet lace while seven is considered jumbo and meant for something like a very heavy blanket.
You may also see ply listed and you should know that it is different than weight. The ply tells how many strands there are, but does not refer to the thickness as the weight does. Because of this, you could have a 4-ply yarn that is much thinner than a 2-ply yarn.
You may also hear about yarns being referred to as worsted weight. Worsted weight is one of the most popular medium-weight yarns and can be used for most projects. It is a size four and will often say worsted on the label.
Does Dye Lot Matter?
When purchasing your yarn, be sure that all of the skeins are from the same dye lot. This will be noted on the label. If you cannot find it, ask for help because it is important.
The dye lot notes what batch of dye the yarn came from. Manufacturers try to have the same shade of the color mixed each time, but there can always be some variance. It is better to buy more than you need from the same dye lot and return what you do not use than to end up having to purchase from a different dye lot.
Time to Crochet
Most of the items that you will crochet will come from these categories. To make it easy on you, project types will be displayed with yarns that work best with them.
– Hats
Most hats will use a worsted weight yarn, though bulkier yarns are becoming popular choices for hats as well. Wool blends are great for hats because wool provides warmth, and the added synthetic softens the yarn. Lion Brand’s Hometown USA or Wool-Ease are perfect choices for winter hats.
– Mittens and Gloves
Worsted weight wool is a great choice for mittens because it provides a great deal of warmth. If you are allergic to wool, then other natural yarns are best for warmth. Elegant Yarns has a line called Kaleidoscope which is one-hundred percent wool and comes in gorgeous arrays of colors, perfect for mittens.
– Scarves
Scarves can be made in a variety of weights from four to six. Natural fibers are best for warmth, but blends will work well too. Lion Brand has a line called Mandala that makes gorgeous scarves in coordinating color schemes.
– Baby Items
Baby blankets, booties, and clothing needs to be soft, so while you must choose the correct weight for your pattern, you must also choose a baby yarn. Baby yarns are often grouped together to make shopping easier. Bernat makes a wonderful baby blanket yarn in a variety of soft pastels and Lion Brand has a line called Baby Soft that is not as chunky for other projects.
– Blankets
Most blankets are made with a weight of five, six or seven. Synthetics work great for blankets because they are inexpensive, durable and easy to wash. There are many great yarns made specifically for blankets such as Bernat Blanket yarn.
– Light-Weight Sweaters and Shawls
For these lighter items, you will want to use a weight of three. If you want easy-wash, then synthetic or blends are best. Lion Brand’s line called Comfy Cotton Blend is perfect for these and has fabulous color combinations as well as solid color choices.
– Sweaters, Vest and Other Clothing
A worsted weight yarn is great for regular weight clothing. Caron brand has a line called Simply Soft that feels amazing and is perfect for any clothing. If a heavier feel is desired, then Caron’s One Pound is a great alternative.
– Dishcloths
Some people prefer cotton for dishcloths because it dries quickly and others prefer acrylic because it is durable. Both can be thrown in the washer and dryer. Lion’s Brand line called 24/7 Cotton or Red Heart Super Saver are both excellent dishcloth choices.
These are just some of the wonderful items that you can crochet. While certain yarns as listed as the best for a certain category, please remember that you do have the freedom to change them as long as you are using the correct weight for the pattern that you have chosen.
For example, you may choose cotton over wool because of an allergy. You may choose acrylic over angora because it washes better. There are all different types of yarns available in each weight, so you can definitely find something that you love for your project.
Tips and Tricks
1. Choose the pattern before the yarn to make it easier on yourself.
2. If you are completely in love with a yarn before you have a pattern, find a pattern before you leave the store or you may never come back the yarn.
3. There are tons of free patterns available online.
4. Check out the website for the brand of yarn that you purchase for patterns and tips.
5. Before you begin your project, be sure that you have the correct size crochet hook. You can find this information on the label of the yarn.
6. Some advanced patterns may ask you to use a different size hook than what is on the yarn. Be sure to follow the pattern’s guidelines.
7. If you are new to crocheting, watching videos online is a great way to get started because you can pause the video at each step until you catch up.
8. Even if you have been crocheting for years, you may find a new technique online. New patterns are coming out all the time.
9. Do not worry if the label confuses you at first. Ask an associate to help you or look it up online.
10. Have fun and enjoy your new craft.
