Image downloaded from vogueknitting.com
Weight
The first thing to consider is the yarn weight. There are many weights of yarn and thread. The most common are light, medium, and bulky. Most yarn labels will contain a symbol like the one pictured next to this paragraph. For most patterns, they will give you a specific yarn to use (Example: Red Heart Super Saver- Medium). Then, they will give you specific information about that yarn such as weight, yardage, etc. You do not have to use the specific yarn that they give you, but you should try to use the same or similar weight yarn. If the pattern gave you Super Saver as the listed yarn, you should try to use a worsted weight yarn.
Sometimes, you have a yarn that you think would be so beautiful with that pattern, but are not sure whether you can use it for that pattern, because it is a different weight. My opinion is that you can use a weight that is within one unit difference. If the pattern lists a medium weight yarn, you can use a light or bulky yarn. Similarly, if the pattern lists a light weight yarn, you can use a fine or medium yarn. However, if you do this, you will need to change your hook size to create the correct gauge. The exception to this guideline is if the original pattern already uses a smaller than average hook. This will create problems if you want to go up to the larger sized yarn. If you need a F hook to create the correct gauge swatch of a Bulky yarn, you will have trouble in the pattern, because that hook is too small for bulky yarn.
The first thing to consider is the yarn weight. There are many weights of yarn and thread. The most common are light, medium, and bulky. Most yarn labels will contain a symbol like the one pictured next to this paragraph. For most patterns, they will give you a specific yarn to use (Example: Red Heart Super Saver- Medium). Then, they will give you specific information about that yarn such as weight, yardage, etc. You do not have to use the specific yarn that they give you, but you should try to use the same or similar weight yarn. If the pattern gave you Super Saver as the listed yarn, you should try to use a worsted weight yarn.
Sometimes, you have a yarn that you think would be so beautiful with that pattern, but are not sure whether you can use it for that pattern, because it is a different weight. My opinion is that you can use a weight that is within one unit difference. If the pattern lists a medium weight yarn, you can use a light or bulky yarn. Similarly, if the pattern lists a light weight yarn, you can use a fine or medium yarn. However, if you do this, you will need to change your hook size to create the correct gauge. The exception to this guideline is if the original pattern already uses a smaller than average hook. This will create problems if you want to go up to the larger sized yarn. If you need a F hook to create the correct gauge swatch of a Bulky yarn, you will have trouble in the pattern, because that hook is too small for bulky yarn.
Fiber Content
In terms of fiber content, you need to consider the purpose of your project. If it is a household item, not to be worn or in contact with skin often, you might want to choose an acrylic yarn. Acrylic yarn is sturdy without being too expensive. If you are making potholders, you want to make sure that your yarn is heat-resistant. Wool or Cotton will be suitable, because they will not melt as Acrylic yarn might.
In terms of things that will be worn, the season and size of the article are important. For spring and summer, cotton, bamboo and linen are appropriate choices. If you are making a larger sized item, you may want to consider a cotton/acrylic blend, because it is less expensive than other choices. For winter and fall, I would suggest wool or alpaca. If you are making a project that requires a lot of yarn, consider a wool/acrylic blend, If you are making something that you would like to wear in multiple seasons, there are mixes of these fibers. For example, 5th Avenue Silken Effects Bamboo contains an 80% bamboo, 20% wool blend. This makes it appropriate for spring, summer, and fall.
Fiber Qualities
Most natural fibers have unique qualities that you may find appealing to certain projects.
Bamboo- Natural Shine, greater than average water absorption.
Wool- Can still keep you warm even when wet, unique felting abilities
Alpaca- Super soft, light weight and 60% warmer than lambswool
Cotton- Absorbent, Hypoallergenic
Linen- Strong and Durable
There are tons of other weird fibers usually blended with the fibers above. These include soy and sea kelp. Those are just the ones that I have bought. I am sure there are a ton more that I haven't even heard of.
The bottom line is experiment with different yarns to find your preferences and have fun finding all of the different ways that you can use yarn.
Please leave a comment if you would like to tell others about your favorite yarn or have a story about choosing the right or wrong yarn for a project.
In terms of fiber content, you need to consider the purpose of your project. If it is a household item, not to be worn or in contact with skin often, you might want to choose an acrylic yarn. Acrylic yarn is sturdy without being too expensive. If you are making potholders, you want to make sure that your yarn is heat-resistant. Wool or Cotton will be suitable, because they will not melt as Acrylic yarn might.
In terms of things that will be worn, the season and size of the article are important. For spring and summer, cotton, bamboo and linen are appropriate choices. If you are making a larger sized item, you may want to consider a cotton/acrylic blend, because it is less expensive than other choices. For winter and fall, I would suggest wool or alpaca. If you are making a project that requires a lot of yarn, consider a wool/acrylic blend, If you are making something that you would like to wear in multiple seasons, there are mixes of these fibers. For example, 5th Avenue Silken Effects Bamboo contains an 80% bamboo, 20% wool blend. This makes it appropriate for spring, summer, and fall.
Fiber Qualities
Most natural fibers have unique qualities that you may find appealing to certain projects.
Bamboo- Natural Shine, greater than average water absorption.
Wool- Can still keep you warm even when wet, unique felting abilities
Alpaca- Super soft, light weight and 60% warmer than lambswool
Cotton- Absorbent, Hypoallergenic
Linen- Strong and Durable
There are tons of other weird fibers usually blended with the fibers above. These include soy and sea kelp. Those are just the ones that I have bought. I am sure there are a ton more that I haven't even heard of.
The bottom line is experiment with different yarns to find your preferences and have fun finding all of the different ways that you can use yarn.
Please leave a comment if you would like to tell others about your favorite yarn or have a story about choosing the right or wrong yarn for a project.