Choosing your yarn

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brenda Piatz on March 31, 2011 at 10:33am

I don't know much about how yarns are made, but I often use whatever yarn the pattern I'm using recommends.  After I've made the item, then I may switch to a different type of yarn since I'm familiar with the pattern and how it turns out.  I love cotton yarns.  Acrylic works well for stuffed toys because it's not very expensive and it's durable and machine washable and dryable.  Often my choice of yarn depends on cost.  If I intend to sell the item I make, the yarn has to be affordable so that I can keep the price of the item reasonable.  A different yarn may be prettier or more desirable, but if it's too high priced I won't be able to sell the item because I'll have to price it too high to make any profit.

Permalink Reply by All About The Buttons on March 31, 2011 at 10:39am

Brenda expressed my thoughts exactly so I won't repeat. I do go for the feel and don't or rarely work with 100% wool as I am allergic. My hands will be all red and itchy-not nice! If it's not soft I won't use it. I do use the cotton Sugar'N'Cream a great deal but as with everything the price is rising. Lion Brand yarns are very good and often on sale. There was a scarf I wanted to make but the yarn alone would have been $30...what would I charge? Too high for me.

Permalink Reply by Brenda Piatz on March 31, 2011 at 11:00am

I forgot about the wool--some wools don't bother me but others make me itch and alpaca wool makes me sneeze because the fibers fly around!  Mohair is kind of scratchy too, but if I don't work with the wools and mohairs for hours at a time I can usually manage.  I'm really sad that the price of cotton has gone up so much.  I used to be able to sell dish cloths at craft shows for $1.50 and make a nice little profit, but not anymore.

Permalink Reply by Darlene Skidmore on March 31, 2011 at 11:10am

I agree that the yarn is often dictated by the pattern. I make mostly crocheted amigurumi toys, childrens and adult's purses, along with baby items.

I have found that Red Heart is great for the toys and purses. It's acrylic, soft, washable and most importantly relatively inexpensive. I also love that it comes in a really wide variety of colors which suit my work great.

Michaels craft store often have 40% off coupons. And just after Christmas, they had their Red Heart yarn on sale, and surprisingly the 40% off coupons were also valid this time on sale prices!! I stocked up on every color of yarn I could get at a really cheap cost!! I know have enough yarn to crochet a wrap to cover my entire house, or to make a scarf that would probably reach the moon, LOL.

So stick with the yarn suggested in the pattern the first time, then you can experiment with others. Good Luck!!

 

 

Permalink Reply by My Blooming Threads (Kim) on March 31, 2011 at 12:02pm

Again, it depends on the pattern.  I order all of my yarn directly from the company. Most offer a discount with your vendor's license.

Permalink Reply by Joyce Wilson on April 4, 2011 at 3:53am

I use a wide variety of fibers and yarns, but I've been crocheting since the 1970's, and have a huge stash.  It depends on the project, and I use the recommended yarn or a similar one (look at the number on the yarn label for the weight).

Permalink Reply by All About The Buttons on April 4, 2011 at 5:51am

I too, have been knitting and crocheting for a very long time. If I only worked from my stash I would never step in a yarn shop again!!! if only!

The yarn numbers are helpful and be sure to check yardage as well, if you're not using exactly what is called for.

Permalink Reply by Brenda Piatz on April 4, 2011 at 6:37am

How true!  I have enough yarn that I never really need to buy any again, but I always do!

Permalink Reply by All About The Buttons on April 4, 2011 at 6:39am

I say that yarn is just like potato chips, can't have just one!

Permalink Reply by Pamela Veller on April 4, 2011 at 10:10am

Use what makes you happy and is the best for your project.  One tip I would give you is if you decide to alternate colors that you stay within the same company/fiber.  The reason is when washed if you have say acrylic and 100% cotton, you may see some shrinkage because of the different fibers.

 

I use primarily Caron Simply Soft.  Love the finished texture/weight and it's so easy on my hands :)  They do have an ECO line.

 

Have fun!

Permalink Reply by amanteslove(kleosupplies) on July 23, 2011 at 12:10am

i am always choosing only natural yarns , sometimes viscose for make they shine , so can be sure for they using and not allergic at all

Permalink Reply by Jaemy on July 31, 2011 at 6:18pm

I have this same conundrum, Sunfire.  I try to make my things with all natural products... except my crochet/knit things.  I end up buying what I can afford/what was on sale/inheriting from others and then go from there.  In a perfect world, I'd make everything from hemp, recycled cotton, llama, alpaca or the rare and delicious vicun~a.  I am not quite good enough to do clothes, so I don't mind it too much, but once I get to that level, I will definitely go exclusively natural.  Mostly I have acrylic and it works out because some of them are really soft and pretty.  As for the pattern, I don't care!  Hahaha.  I just make what I what with whatever I want and end up with striped funky whales and wristbands of green and grey.  :)  It makes my items even that much more unique.

 

Good luck to all of us in our efforts to be more sustainable and mindful!  :D

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