Types of Knitting Yarn
Visiting the yarn store can be an intimidating experience. There are so many choices. What's the best fiber for your project, and how can you care for your yarn and your garments so they will last? Let's explore the wide world of fiber -- even spinning and dyeing your own.
How to Make Plarn
Everyone has a bunch of plastic shopping bags lying around, so why not turn some into a raw material for knitting by making plarn or plastic yarn? It's a quick and easy process you're sure to enjoy.
Everyone has a bunch of plastic shopping bags lying around, so why not turn some into a raw material for knitting by making plarn or plastic yarn? It's a quick and easy process you're sure to enjoy.
Tips for Working with T-Shirt Yarn
T-shirt yarn is a great way to recycle old shirts, but it can be a little tricky to work with. Here are some ideas that will help make your crafting with T-shirt yarn a little easier.
T-shirt yarn is a great way to recycle old shirts, but it can be a little tricky to work with. Here are some ideas that will help make your crafting with T-shirt yarn a little easier.
How to Make T-Shirt Yarn
Making T-shirt yarn is a quick and easy way to use T-shirts that you might have lying around the house that are stained, don't fit or that you just don't wear anymore. Use the yarn for bags, rugs, coasters and other bulky projects.
Making T-shirt yarn is a quick and easy way to use T-shirts that you might have lying around the house that are stained, don't fit or that you just don't wear anymore. Use the yarn for bags, rugs, coasters and other bulky projects.
Measuring Yardage in a Hank of Yarn
Whether you've recycled yarn or simply don't have the ball band for the yarn you're looking at any more, there are times when you might want to figure out the yardage of a yarn with no information to go on.
Whether you've recycled yarn or simply don't have the ball band for the yarn you're looking at any more, there are times when you might want to figure out the yardage of a yarn with no information to go on.
Washing Yarn
When recycling yarn from an old project or a thrift store sweater, you might find it helpful to wash the yarn and allow it to relax into a smoother fiber before working with it. Here's how it's done.
When recycling yarn from an old project or a thrift store sweater, you might find it helpful to wash the yarn and allow it to relax into a smoother fiber before working with it. Here's how it's done.
What is Recycled Yarn?
Recycled yarn is a rather new addition to the eco knitting scene that involves combining new and recycled fibers into a completely different yarn product.
Recycled yarn is a rather new addition to the eco knitting scene that involves combining new and recycled fibers into a completely different yarn product.
What are Natural Dyes or Naturally Colored Yarns?
More small yarn makers and some of the larger manufacturers are using natural dyes for their knitting yarns or choosing to sell naturally colored yarns that have never been dyed. Here's a look at what these terms mean, how yarn is naturally colored and why you might want it.
More small yarn makers and some of the larger manufacturers are using natural dyes for their knitting yarns or choosing to sell naturally colored yarns that have never been dyed. Here's a look at what these terms mean, how yarn is naturally colored and why you might want it.
Eco-Friendly Yarns
There are all sorts of choices out there when it come to picking yarns for your projects, and the field isn't narrowed much by looking a eco-friendly yarns. From yarn made with organic and recycled material to alternative fibers, there are a lot of choices out there.
There are all sorts of choices out there when it come to picking yarns for your projects, and the field isn't narrowed much by looking a eco-friendly yarns. From yarn made with organic and recycled material to alternative fibers, there are a lot of choices out there.
Measuring Wraps Per Inch
Measuring wraps per inch is a quick way to determine what size knitting needle you might want to use for a yarn that doesn't have a ballband or a handspun, one of a kind yarn you want to use for a project.
Measuring wraps per inch is a quick way to determine what size knitting needle you might want to use for a yarn that doesn't have a ballband or a handspun, one of a kind yarn you want to use for a project.
Understanding Yarn Weights
Different yarns are said to have different weights, or thicknesses, and different weights of yarns are used for different types of projects. Learn what the different weights are and how to use them.
Different yarns are said to have different weights, or thicknesses, and different weights of yarns are used for different types of projects. Learn what the different weights are and how to use them.
Making a Center-Pull Ball by Hand
Winding a center-pull ball by hand is a quick and easy way to turn a skein into a center-pull ball of yarn, which can make it easier to deal with than working from the tail on the outside of the ball.
Winding a center-pull ball by hand is a quick and easy way to turn a skein into a center-pull ball of yarn, which can make it easier to deal with than working from the tail on the outside of the ball.
Knitting with Wool
Wool is universally one of the most beloved types of knitting yarn. Learn why, and how to treat your wool yarn well after you make something from it.
Wool is universally one of the most beloved types of knitting yarn. Learn why, and how to treat your wool yarn well after you make something from it.
Knitting with Cotton
Knitting with cotton can be frustrating for some knitters because of its inelasticity, but it is a good choice for light, breathable, utilitarian items. Here are some great tips for knitting with cotton.
Knitting with cotton can be frustrating for some knitters because of its inelasticity, but it is a good choice for light, breathable, utilitarian items. Here are some great tips for knitting with cotton.
Knitting with Bamboo Yarn
Bamboo yarn is a lot of fun to work with and produces beautiful knitted items that are also antibacterial. Here's more information on pros, cons and tips for knitting with bamboo yarn.
Bamboo yarn is a lot of fun to work with and produces beautiful knitted items that are also antibacterial. Here's more information on pros, cons and tips for knitting with bamboo yarn.
What is Mercerized Cotton?
Mercerized cotton is a special kind of yarn that you might want to use for knitting projects. Here's a quick overview of what it is, how it's made and where it got its strange name.
Mercerized cotton is a special kind of yarn that you might want to use for knitting projects. Here's a quick overview of what it is, how it's made and where it got its strange name.
What Makes Yarn Organic?
Many manufacturers are coming out with organic yarns these days. But what exactly does it mean to use organic yarn, and why would you want to?
Many manufacturers are coming out with organic yarns these days. But what exactly does it mean to use organic yarn, and why would you want to?
What is Organic Cotton Yarn?
The biggest new product on the knitting scene these days is organic cotton knitting yarn. Why would anyone want to knit with organic yarn? Read on to find out.
The biggest new product on the knitting scene these days is organic cotton knitting yarn. Why would anyone want to knit with organic yarn? Read on to find out.
How to Substitute Yarns
Substituting yarns is somethine every knitter has to do from time to time. Learn how to substitute yarns with ease and confidence.
Substituting yarns is somethine every knitter has to do from time to time. Learn how to substitute yarns with ease and confidence.
Recycled Silk Yarn
Recycled silk yarn is beautiful, colorful, fun to work with and elegant to wear. Here's all you need to know about buying and using this amazing yarn.
Recycled silk yarn is beautiful, colorful, fun to work with and elegant to wear. Here's all you need to know about buying and using this amazing yarn.
What is Ribbon Yarn?
Ribbon yarn is a fun, novelty yarn that is great to use in accessories.
Ribbon yarn is a fun, novelty yarn that is great to use in accessories.
What is Mothproof Wool?
Mothproofed wool is like any other knitting wool, except that it has been treated with a chemical to help it repel moths.
Mothproofed wool is like any other knitting wool, except that it has been treated with a chemical to help it repel moths.
How Do I Get Rid of Moths?
A moth infestation can be incredibly frustrating. Here are some tips on getting the moths out of your wool and yarn stash.
A moth infestation can be incredibly frustrating. Here are some tips on getting the moths out of your wool and yarn stash.
How Should I Store My Wool?
Storing wool to protect it from moths is very important since your stash can be a big investment. Here are some ides on how to protect your wool knitting yarn from moths.
Storing wool to protect it from moths is very important since your stash can be a big investment. Here are some ides on how to protect your wool knitting yarn from moths.
Interview with Hand Jive Knits' Darlene Hayes
Darlene Hayes of Hand Jive Knits is dedicated to producing eco-friendly yarn that's also wonderful to knit with. About talks with her about the importance of sustainable knitting and what goes into a green yarn.
Darlene Hayes of Hand Jive Knits is dedicated to producing eco-friendly yarn that's also wonderful to knit with. About talks with her about the importance of sustainable knitting and what goes into a green yarn.
Interview with Midnightsky Fibers' Jenn Wisbeck
Midnightsky Fibers is a Pacific Northwest yarn producer that strives to make eco-friendly yarns. Learn more about the process of making green yarn.
Midnightsky Fibers is a Pacific Northwest yarn producer that strives to make eco-friendly yarns. Learn more about the process of making green yarn.
Caring for Yarn Wearables
After you've spent hours on a knitted project, you want to make sure it lasts. These tips from Michaels will help you take care of your yarn after it's been made into a sweater, wrap or scarf.
After you've spent hours on a knitted project, you want to make sure it lasts. These tips from Michaels will help you take care of your yarn after it's been made into a sweater, wrap or scarf.
The Yarn Directory
Yarndex, the Yarn Directory, can give you a good idea of what a yarn looks like and all the necessary details before you buy. The directory includes more than 3,000 yarns searchable by brand, weight, content and more. Clicking on a yarn will get you information about yardage, gauge, care and more, plus pictures of current and discontinued colors.
Yarndex, the Yarn Directory, can give you a good idea of what a yarn looks like and all the necessary details before you buy. The directory includes more than 3,000 yarns searchable by brand, weight, content and more. Clicking on a yarn will get you information about yardage, gauge, care and more, plus pictures of current and discontinued colors.
Frequently Asked Yarn Questions
A good quick introduction to the wonderful world of fiber. This site provides an overview of how yarn is put together, what it can be made of and provides a few specialty definitions.
A good quick introduction to the wonderful world of fiber. This site provides an overview of how yarn is put together, what it can be made of and provides a few specialty definitions.