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When you decide to take up knitting or crocheting as a hobby, it can be a little overwhelming to try and
figure out what all the different types of yarns are, and what you should be
using them for. This guide has been designed to get you started:
Lace
This is the thinnest yarn, and is to
be used with the smallest crochet hooks and knitting needles. It is sometimes
referred to as fingering yarn or crochet 10 count thread. It’s used with a 1.5 to
2.25 mm crochet needle, or 000 to 1 knitting needle range.
Super Fine
This is also referred to as sock yarn,
fingering, or baby yarn, and is used with 2.25 to 3.25 mm crochet needle, or a
1 to 3 knitting needle range.
Fine
This is sometimes known as sport yarn
or baby yarn. It’s used with a 3.25 to 3.75 mm crochet needle, or 3 to 5
knitting needle range.
Light
Also known as DK or light worsted
yarn. It’s used with a 3.75 to 4.5 mm crochet needle, or 5 to 7 knitting needle
range.
Medium
This is called worsted, Afghan, or
Aran yarn. It’s used with a 4.5 to 5.5 mm crochet needle, or 7 to 9 knitting
needle range.
Bulky
This is sometimes known as chunky,
craft, or rug yarn. It’s used with a 5.5 to 8 mm crochet needle, or 9 to 11
knitting needle range.
Super Bulky
This is the thickest yarn available,
and is also referred to as bulky or roving yarn. It’s used with a 8 to 12.75 mm
crochet needle, or 11 to 17 knitting needle range. There is some materials that
are thicker, and that use bigger needles, but the ones listed are the most
commonly available.
For more help on this, check out the Craft Yarn Council website for full details. There is also a
more detailed look at the varieties of yarn at Dummies.com. This website goes into greater detail about the
different types of wool, fleece, and novelty materials.
The lighter yarns are often used to
create clothing and home ware items, whereas the thinker yarn is for toys and
knitwear jumpers, but of course the choice is up to you. The beauty of knitting
is that you can be as creative as you like – there are no restrictions.
A lot of websites have been designed
to help out beginners, by suggesting the correct yarn and needle size along
with each pattern. They are a good place to get started until you understand
what you’re doing yourself, and you can make your own judgments. Knitting is a
hobby that you need a little time to get used to before you can start going too
wild – practice makes perfect!
For more information on terminology
used for yarn, check out the Soft
Textile Glossary –
the more you learn about the correct language used, the easier buying the
correct yarn will be.
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Do you knit or crochet? What type of yarn do you use most often?
I don't do either, but a good friend of mine does, and she loves it! She says it's so cathartic and relaxing!
ReplyDeleteI have tried both and was terrible at them both. Every now and then I think about taking a class but then decide against it. I really should since I have all the knitting supplies. They just sit in my closet.
ReplyDeleteYou are speaking my language here...
ReplyDeleteI love bulky yarn for hats just because its like a day project.
I love the fingerweight for the finished product but MANNNN it feels like it takes forever knitting it up.
I just do not have the patience to knit or crochet... I had no idea there was such a science to the types of yarn, too! I wish I had the ability to make myself some fluffy scarves or warm sweaters... Maybe someday!
ReplyDeleteI'm not patient enough for knitting needles, so the fam has asked I avoid crafts that can be turned into weapons.. I did, however, pick up a loom for 12year olds which seems to suit my skill level and patience and everyone in the house feels a little bit safer.. Lol Since I've only mastered touques, I always go with super bulky.
ReplyDeleteSuper bulky is awesome!
DeleteI wish I were more crafty in this department, but kudos to you and all the others out there who can knit and crochet! So awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis is a hobby I wish I had picked up from my mom, at least she passed the baking gene on to me! She loves to sew, knit, crochet, etc... and even has an Etsy shop full of wonderful items. It's amazing how beautiful, but labor intensive the handmade items are <3
ReplyDeleteIO learned a little as a kid too but lost all of it. My xMIL can pretty much knit and crochet anything. I would love for my girls to learn from her. Many of the women in my family who are now gone made me beautiful things when each of my children were born. Family treasures.
ReplyDeleteWho knew there were so many types of yarn?? My mom taught me how to crochet when I was in college and I too have lost the skill. I wish I knew how to sew!!! I seriously need to look in to learning.
ReplyDeleteI am a newbie knitter but I love how therapeutic it is. Seriously I can get lost for hours just knitting away!
ReplyDelete