The main reason most people get interested in knitting is that they like all the different kinds of yarn that are available to play with. Making your own sweaters is nice, but it's really getting to spend time with the yarn that makes knitting fun for a lot of people.
If you're new to knitting, you might not be having a love affair with fiber yet, and that's OK. In fact, it's probably better. You don't want to be spending $20 a skein on yarn for your first project.
I won't say cheaper is better when it comes to yarn for your first project, because cheap yarns are often scratchy and uncomfortable both to work with and to wear.
Choosing yarn for your first project of course will depend on the project. So the first step should be picking a first project, so you can answer the following questions:
- What weight of yarn do you need?
- How much yarn do you need?
- Do you need a basic yarn or a novelty yarn?
- Is there a particular fiber you want to use? You don't have to pick what was used in the pattern, but as a beginner that is often helpful because you can compare your finished project to the picture with the pattern more easily.
Choosing Your Yarn
Armed with an idea of what you need for your project, visit your local crafts shop or yarn store and let your fingers do the walking.
Touch the different yarns that fit your needs. Pick something that looks good, of course, but also something that feels good, something that will make you smile when you work with it and when you wear it.
Watch your budget, though, while you are exploring. You probably shouldn't spend more than $10 a skein on the yarn for your first couple of projects, because yarn is sensitive and if you have to rip out your work several times, the yarn will start to show wear. It's better to save the beautiful, expensive yarns for when you have a little more experience.
