Yarn

Yarn is the basis for just about every textile we use today, from clothing and bedding to upholstery fabrics, fishing nets, and industrial coverings. Its structure is seen in non-textile applications as well, as seen in the steel cables that hold up suspension bridges.

The variety of yarn available now is due to a resurgence of crafts, specifically, knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving, and felting. Indie spinners and dyers make small artisinal batches, while large yarn companies have begun listening to the desires of their customers and creating yarn lines that reflect modern tastes. Natural and sustainable fibers are easier to find now than ever before, though synthetics are still popular as well.

Yarn has been spun by people for over 20,000 years, and then woven into fabrics for warmth and protection, ever since the first hunter-gatherer tribe figured out that plant and animal fibers could be made stronger with the introduction of twist. Over time, knitting and other ways of using yarn were created to fill society's needs. Methods for spinning yarn changed as well, from the drop spindle and other hand spindles to spinning wheels and then machines designed to spin huge amounts of yarn automatically.

Because of the long history and many uses of yarn, it has been difficult to categorize properly. Two yarns of the same diameter may be completely different weights or densities, meaning that they may not be appropriate for the same task. However, the Craft Yarn Council of America has attempted to corral the basic yarn weights and uses. A listing can be found at CraftYarnCouncil.com.http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/weight.html

Loosely-spun yarns create a warm fabric. A thick, fluffy yarn traps air within itself, making it good for objects that keep in heat. These yarns may not be able to withstand much wear and tear, however, making them inappropriate for weaving. These yarns are best for knitting and larger gauges of crochet.

Tightly-spun yarns, however, withstand quite a bit of abuse. The fibers are less able to move around and abrade each other. Socks made from tightly-spun yarns last longer. These yarns work well for weaving as well, since warp threads are under constant strain on the loom.

Overview of Yarn Weights

This list is just a basic overview. Each yarn type can be used for almost any project, depending on the crafter's needs and desires. Project suggestions are just that, and should not be taken as a hard-and-fast rule. Experiment with using a chunky yarn with a lace pattern, for example.

Laceweight yarns are intended for light wear and delicate fabrics. They are usually soft and drape well.

Fingering or Sport weight yarns are slightly heavier than laceweight. Used for baby clothes or socks and worked at a fairly tight gauge.

DK or Double-Knitting weight is heavier than fingering weight, and is used primarily in stranded colorwork or double knitting. Lighter than worsted weight, it makes a fabric that isn't too heavy when doubled, but is still warm.

Worsted weight is a standard, basic yarn, popular for sweaters, blankets, hats, and scarves. It is easy to work with, making it a good yarn for a beginning knitter.

Bulky weight is very thick, up to 1" and more in diameter. Intended for speedy projects on big needles/hooks, it makes good scarves, hats, slippers and blankets.