Knitting might seem like a simple enough task. Weaving a few pieces of string together with needles looks like an easy enough task. However, you will definitely be astounded by the number of complexities found in this humble hobby.
The amount of thought and effort that goes into selecting the material and equipment itself is jaw-dropping.
And the types of yarn that are used in knitting have complicated enough topics to understand. Each thread can be used for a specific task only. Therefore, a lack of knowledge regarding the suitability of yarn will cause your entire clot to be ruined.
To help you better understand the softest yarn types, we’ve classified them based on two categories: the material and the number of strands. Start reading to discover the yarn that is best for your knitting projects!
Types of Yarn According to Material
Yarns are either made from animal hide, plants, or synthetically in factories. Below are the popular kinds of yarn that are currently being used in knitting based on its material.
Wool Yarn
Woolen yarn is a top pick when it comes to creating winter wear. Regardless of the change in trends, sweaters made of wool never seem to go out of fashion. Woolen clothes are significant in terms of comfort.
One of its most redeeming qualities is that they never lose shape and can be worn over many years. Wool yarn (organic yarn) can also sustain a lot of spills. Stains can easily be avoided as they can be easily washed.
Other than minor cases of itchiness and people allergic to wool, it still remains the popular choice by knitters worldwide compared to synthetically made yarns.
Cashmere Wool
One of the lightest forms of wool, this yarn was initially extracted from Cashmere goats. Originating from the Kashmir region of South Asia, it is durable and yet very comfy.
Its unparalleled quality makes it a very expensive yarn. The extraction process of this wool is quite tricky and time-consuming. Wants to know a fun fact? This yarn is six times finer than a human hair.
Unlike most wool, it is not itchy at all. This is the perfect yarn when thinking about knitting socks and gloves.
Silk Yarns
Silk yarn is one of the smoothest and easiest yarns to work with. It has a beautiful shine and is very strong.
The most expensive form of threads, the coolness that it provides to its users, makes it an excellent choice for summer wear. Perhaps the most potent type of natural fiber, it takes a very skilled user to apply it to its full potential.
Cotton Yarns
Commonly found in parts of the world having tropical or humid climates, this fabric is made from cotton plants. Cotton is firm, versatile, and aerates easily.
Its ability to let clothes breathe makes it a perfect fit for summer dresses and dishcloths. Cotton can soak in more water than its original yarn weight.
It should be noted that this yarn doesn’t precisely maintain a good shape, so there’s no point in fussing over uniformity when stitching clothes with this fabric.
Polyester Yarns
Polyester is a hybrid of cotton, wool, and a mishmash of other yarns. Some of the more novelty clothing are mostly made from polyester, which is produced commercially in factories.
There are loads of DIY videos on the internet that can allow you to make some for yourself.
However, polyester yarns ( bulky yarns and novelty yarns) are pretty challenging to manage, and the knitting process is also very much tiring.
Acrylic Yarns
Acrylic yarn is a manmade synthetic fiber and is more affordable than many other yarns in the market. It is basically a type of plastic made out of a poly compound named acryonile.
This yarn is durable, machine washable, and widely available. Because of its softness, It does not cause allergic reactions. If you are a beginner knitters you can start working with this lightweight yarn without any hesitation.
Yarn Types Based on the Number of Strands
Here are a few kinds of yarn that veteran knitters would look for on the basis of the number of strands.
Single Yarns
Commonly known as one-ply, single yarns consist of natural fibers attached with little buckles or filaments that are compiled without twists.
Twists that are commonly used in single yarns are the S-twist and the Z-twist. It’s an excellent option for use because of the abundance of fabrics it can be used for.
Ply Yarns
Made by having more than one yarn tweaked together, there is an excellent variety in ply yarns, depending on the number of threads that are being attached together.
The yarn becomes more robust if the single strands are twisted in a single direction.
This helps to increase the strength and hardness of the thread while reducing its flexibility. Ply yarns are typically used to make products that require high strength and are used for industrial purposes.
Cord Yarns
Cord yarns can be produced when ply yarns are twisted to each other, with the last twist being different from the ply twist.
The cord yarns follow a combination of S-twists and Z-twists. Cord yarns are used to make ropes or durable industrial fibers. It’s recently also been used to make materials for dresses too.
Textured Yarns
Texturizing was first applied to make synthetic fibers yarn to minimize the defects of transparency, pumping, and slipperiness. Textured threads are much more opaque than other wools.
It also has a certain aesthetic appeal and has a heightened ability to generate warmth and increased absorbency. They are modified to have this vibrancy and unique texture.
Stretch Yarns
Stretch yarns are factory-made artificial products. These yarns are wound up tightly, compressed by heat, and untangled to have a delicate texture.
A lot of twists are applied to this yarn alongside the bulk to ensure high flexibility and density.
Better known as spandex, the feel of this texture is similar to that of rubber. It is often used for making swimwear, deep-diving gear, and sportswear.
Conclusion
The amount of variety and classifications in the case of yarns are vast, to say the least.
However, the common types of yarn mentioned here can easily cater to your requirements best. Regardless of you being a veteran tailor or a newcomer looking to try out their hands in knitting, these yarns should be a perfect choice.
From personal projects to factory-made products, these yarns cover them all. So head out, buy your preferred type of yarn, grab your sewing kit, and make that piece of clothing you’ve been holding off for too long.