Buying yarn could be sometimes overwhelming. They are available in various forms, weights. You can buy yarn online, in store, exhibitions, exclusive yarn shows or some private seller, who can dye yarns in your choice of colors. To make it easy i will try ti list out as per my knowledge.
1. Hank – It is one way to wound yarn. A large loosely wound yarn is twisted in the center to make it easy to ship and store. The yarn needs to be wounded into ball form before using it for crochet or knitting.
Image source : www.etsy.com/shop/ coloreworld
2. Skein – It is an oblong shape of yarn ball. It is convenient to use , as thread can be either pulled from outside or from the center and you can keep working on the project without worrying of yarn getting tangled. I personally pull it from the center , it comes out in a little bunch form, which get used up quickly. However as you use it, the shape of the skein will be lost running the risk of yarn getting entangled. The rest of the yarn can be wound into a ball to avoid this.
Image source : www.wisegeek.org
3. Ball – Ball form is either made by hand (from a skein) or by using a ball winder. In the ball made with the help of the winder, it can be either pulled from outside or from the center. In the ball made by hand, yarn can be pulled only from outside if ball is made by hand.
Image source : www.lumberjocks.com
Image source : www.istock.com
4. Cone – Large quantity of yarn is sold in cone form, where yarn is wound around a cardboard cone. It is difficult to carry it around, therefore to work on a project it can be wounded into balls.
Image source : www.milartmarroquin.com
Yarns are available in 10g, 25g, 50g, 75g, 100g.
THREAD : All the above specified are the forms in which yarn is available. Thread on the other hand is available in a spherical shape. It is wounded in spherical shape cardboard.
Image source : Reg heart yarn featured thread – aunt lydia’s size 20
Whenever you decide on a project, you will be following a certain pattern. Every pattern will have it specified, how much yarn is needed for the project. Always buy your required quantity at once. It helps in avoiding color shade lot issues in the project. Many a times lot difference is not apparent in the yarn, it appears after using it in the project.
YARN WEIGHT : There are different terminologies used in different places. Read along to understand this better. Charts will help in better clarity.
Below chart with the images of the yarns will give clarity on the size and appearance of the yarn.
Image source :www.yarnstandards.com
how to match different terms to find right weight of yarn for your requirement.
To match different terms which are used in different places, below chart will help as guide.
Chart by : Chiming Window
Yarn weight is usually mentioned on the label of the yarn. Many a times ball wrappers have it mentioned as WPI (wrap per inch). If it is not mentioned, then wrap the thread on a pencil. Thread should be touching each other and no overlapping should be there. Count the number of times thread against a ruler in one inch and compare it with the below chart –
Chart by : Chiming Window
For example, in the below image WPI is 14 and as per the chart it is DK yarn. This method also helps in checking the mystery yarn in the stash.
Below chart is helpful in understanding yarn weight, gauge, hook size for specific yarn weight
Image source : www.yarnstandards.com
You can keep a print out of the Cheat sheet#1 – Yarn weight for handy reference on the yarn weight. It is always helpful to have it in your file/folder.
GAUGE : Gauge in a pattern is defined by no of stitches and rows to a given measurement. For example : 12 stitches and 14 rows in single crochet = 4″ defines gauge in the pattern. It is always advised that a swatch of 4″x4″ is made in the stitch pattern which will be used in your project. It keeps a check on how loose or tight your stitch is while crocheting.
As mentioned in the earlier posts, usually a beginner will have a tight hand in crocheting. The measurements of the projects will differ from the pattern is one is crocheting with loose or tight hand. This Cheat sheet #4 gauge will be handy to refer anytime.
Every pattern will have its gauge specified in the pattern itself. Below images have 2 separate swatches. Both the swatches are made in the same yarn size and double crochet but hooks used in making these were of different sizes, hence the difference in the gauge. 
Yarn label : All the info regarding any yarn is mentioned on the yarn label or ball band. While working on a project, keep the label safely. It will have all the required info to get more qty in case if you fall short of the yarn.
Choosing yarn colors : Choosing color combinations for the project is important. After all the hard work which will go in making the project you don’t want colors to pull the appeal down. Invest a god amount of time in choosing the right color combination as per your interest or the interest of the person you want to make the item for.
- – Warm shades
- – Cool shades
- – Pastel shades
- – Bright colors
- – Black and white
Below image shows some inspiration for the color combinations.
Image source : be sweet yarns
Please write your feedback, questions, doubts in the comments. I will surely respond to you.
3 Comments
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Chiming Window
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