Here are some of the introductory basics to know about knitting yarns to get you started.
How to choose yarn for a project
Start by thinking about what you will be knitting. Warm sweaters, scarves, socks, shawls, and the like will need a thicker yarn. Delicate lace, thin sweaters, tablecloths, and doilies will obviously require thin, fine styles of yarn. Although that may seem common sense, starting by having an idea of the weight and function of the project gets you going in the right direction.
Types of yarn
Knowing yarn requires knowing a bit about how different yarn reacts to washing, temperature, moisture, and wear. Different yarns have different advantages and disadvantages in terms of these conditions. Some yarn is from animals, some from vegetable fibers, and some is synthetic.
For example, wool comes from sheep, and it is durable, warm, flame retardant, accepts dye well, and needs to be hand-washed. It is the best choice for a beginner because it hides mistakes well and is easy to use. Other animal derived yarns include mohair, from an Angora goat; cashmere, from the undercoat of a Cashmere goat (rare so expensive), angora comes from rabbits and is very soft and fluffy, and silk comes from silk moths, from silk cocoons and fibers.
Vegetable fiber yarns include the most common, cotton. Cotton yarn comes from the fiber surrounding the seeds in a cotton pod. It's durable but not as warm or strong as wool or silk. It's comparatively inexpensive. Linen comes from flax, and is stronger, the most durable fiber yarn, and won't stretch or shrink after washing.
Synthetic yarns include nylon, which is strong and elastic. This yarn is often combined with wool or others to give a fabric more strength and stretch ability. Polyester is another popular synthetic yarn. It washes easily, dries well in the dryer, and is very comfortable.
Other Yarn and Knitting Terms to Know
The guide on the yarn when you buy it should suggest projects, needle size, and may even include a pattern for what you want to knit. Take your time and enjoy!
 | Learning how to knit may look more simple than it actually is, but once you master knitting basic instructions for casting on, the knit and purl stitches and binding off, you may find your new hobby results in a new wardrobe. |
With some helpful knitting instruction, it isn't difficult to learn the basics behind knitting backwards. |
According to the Craft Yarn Council of America, knitting has caught on in a big way, with the number of practitioners almost doubling from 1996 to 2002. |
You have to learn how to use two needles when you knit, whereas you need only one hook for crochet, but knitting for beginners is simple, and knitters will usually defend their work as the more polished-looking of the two. |
Even though you might think knitting is a complicated craft to learn, you need to master only a few basic types of knitting stitches. With a pair of knitting needles, an inexpensive ball of yarn and a little patience you'll be on your way to knitting scarves and sweaters. |
