Knitting Yarn

Would you like some help selecting a knitting yarn for your project? If you are going to take up knitting as a hobby (or as a business) then you are going to need to learn more about the various types of yarn that are available to knitters today, and what they are used for.

To help you out I have outlined some of my favourite yarns, or at least the ones I use most often, on this page for you to review.

Baby Yarn

Although some baby knits are made in double knits or novelty yarns, most baby knitting yarns are generally finer than other yarns.

You can buy baby yarns as fine as a 1 or 2 ply (if you look very, very hard mind you!), but the 4 ply is the most common weight used for baby knitting.

The feel of baby yarns can vary significantly from very soft to slightly scratchy depending on the brand and what the yarn is made of. Personally I have trouble with static electricity with some of the synthetic (acrylic or nylon) baby yarns so I prefer to use wool or wool blends.

So, which baby knitting yarn should you choose for your knitting project?

I tend to have a few favourites that I go back to time and time again, as they are easy to knit with and the finished result is what I am looking for.

If you would like more information on my favourites, you will find a description of each one with details of what I have used them for on my baby knitting yarn page.

Bamboo Yarn

Yes, you did read that correctly - you can now buy yarn made out of bamboo fibre!

Bamboo knitting yarn is generally used for summer weight garments and can be used as a substitute for cotton as this yarn is not only more environmentally friendly than cotton, but it feels and looks silkier when it is knitted up.

I have seen it knitted up, but I haven't been able to use this type of yarn myself yet. But as soon as I do, I will add a review page for you. I can tell you that I am impressed with the look and feel of the knitted fabric this yarn produces!

Cotton Yarn

Cotton knitting yarn is lightweight and durable and tends to be used for summer weight garments.

Cotton is usually available in both 4 and 8 ply, but bear in mind that cotton is not a yarn that is recommended for beginners as the yarn is less elastic than pure wool making it more difficult for inexperienced knitter to work with.

The less elastic your yarn is the harder it is to maintain an even tension.

Knitting Wool

What I mean by knitting wool, is yarn made of 100 percent pure wool or wool blends (yarns with a high percentage of real wool).

This is usually my yarn of choice. Real wool is durable, comfortable (it breathes!) and it is fire and dirt resistant. With the proper care your woollen garment can and will last for decades.

Bear in mind though, not all wool is equal.

The quality and feel of your wool will depend on a number of factors, including the breed of sheep that has produced the fleece wool and the country of origin. Australian Merino wools are very fine and super soft and my wool of choice. But some wools that you can buy are of a much lower quality. They can be coarse and rather scratchy!

The best way to select your wool is by feel. Pick up a ball of the wool and feel the texture of the yarn before you buy and remember that you generally get what you pay for.

Organic Yarn

Organic knitting yarn is very similar to knitting wool, except that the sheep who grow the wool have not ever been exposed to any man made chemicals. Companies that produce organic (all natural) wool only source their raw fleece for spinning from organic farmers. So no chemical drenches, and no antibiotics in their feed.

This makes the yarn rather expensive but if buying organic or being environmental friendly is important to you, organic knitting yarn might be the way to go.

The Other Stuff

You have probably noticed that most of the yarn above is either 100 percent natural fibre or a natural fibre blend. Although my preference is for the types of knitting yarns mentioned above, you do have other choices.

One of the reasons people cite for buying a synthetic or man made fibre for their knitting is the difficulty of washing natural fibres and particularly pure wool. These days, however, most wool manufacturers worth their salt who are producing yarns made from natural fibres are making them so that they can be machine washed.

Not convinced?

Okay, just for you I will add a page on acrylics and nylons!

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