If you are new to crocheting you might want to learn a little bit about yarn first. It is important to understand that there are different types of yarn. Yarns have different weights and textures so it is important to understand what you are going to need before you start. Below I am going to tell you a little bit about the different weights and textures and let you know what they are commonly used for.
The first type of yarn that I would like to tell you about is what I call baby yarn. Baby yarn is used for crocheting baby blankets, baby bibs, and baby booties. Basically, it is a very soft yarn that is going to be next to the baby’s skin. You want it to be soft, not harsh. If you read the label on the yarn generally you will see that it says 2-ply. This means that it is a very thin yarn. The more ply’s that there are in yarn the thicker that they are.
The next type of yarn that I would like to tell you about is called worsted weight yarn. Worsted weight yarn tends to be rougher. This yarn is pretty thick. If you look at the label it will usually say that the yarn is 3-ply. This is what gives it its thickness. This type of yarn is used for crocheting Afghans, sweaters, and adult booties. It can also be used for other heavy items such as handbags, shawls, and pillows.
The last yarn that I would like to tell you about is called chunky yarn. Chunky yarn is one of the thickest yarns to be found. This yarn will be labeled 4-ply or more. This type of yarn is used for crocheting anything that you want to be super bulky. Some of the things that you might want to be super bulky will be blankets, baby clothing, and rugs. If you live in an environment that gets snow then this is the yarn for you. It will keep you nice and cozy. One advantage that there is to using this yarn is that your product will come together faster. Generally the thicker the yarn the less stitches that you will need. The thickness takes up the room.
The next thing that I would like to share with you is that yarns are made out of different materials. Some of the types of materials that yarns are made out of are cotton, wool, and acrylic.
1. Cotton yarn is one of the inexpensive yarns. It is very easy to crochet with. The disadvantage to having a cotton product is that it can loose its shape and it can also shrink when it is washed. Cotton yarn tends to be thin.
2. Wool yarn is a very popular yarn but is more expensive. Wool holds its shape better than cotton. The disadvantage of wool is that it can be itchy and it can shrink in the washing machine if you use warm water. Wool yarn tends to be thick.
3. Acrylic yarns are also very inexpensive. They are also very popular to use. The reason that they are popular to use is because they are easy to take care of. You don’t have to worry about the shrinkage as you do in cotton or wool yarn. The acrylic yarns come in different textures and weights.
The last thing that I would like to share with you is that it is always best to follow the directions of the pattern. If a pattern tells you to use a certain type of yarn then it is best to get that yarn. The reason for this is because then you won’t have to adjust the stitches of the pattern. Another reason is that you may encounter problems when you go to wash the product. If it tells you not to use a cotton yarn then don’t use it. The product might shrink and then you will have wasted all of your time crocheting the item for nothing. Be sure to always follow the instructions. This will stop a lot of headaches. It will also bring great pleasure with your product.
