There are many different types of knitting yarn produced these days that are suitable for all types of needlecrafts that involve yarn. In my opinion, there are not any dedicated ones for hand knitting.

When following a pattern, it is always advisable to use the yarn that has been specified as this will ensure that the finished garment is created to the correct size and texture. However, experimenting with different yarns is also possible, but it is recommended that you create a swatch or sample square to ensure that the measurements remain correct. It may also be necessary to adjust the amount of stitches required to complete the project.

Ply

One question that is asked when it comes to yarn is what is meant by ply? Well, basically, it refers to the number of strands of fibre that are twisted together to form the yarn. For example: 2 ply has two strands of fibre. By untwisting a piece of yarn you will be able to work out its ply. Having said that, there are yarns which are thick, that are constructed of two or three fibres. So sometimes, it is not just the ply that has to be considered but also the thickness, texture and weight of the yarn.

Some Different Knitting Fibres

Different yarns are used for the creation of different projects.

• Acrylic is generally the cheapest manufactured yarn. It is sometimes blended with other fibres to increase the strength of those yarns. They can be used for knitting jumpers, cardigans, scarves and gloves.
• Cashmere, angora, mohair and wool are all animal fibres. They tend to be more elastic, breathable and more expensive than acrylic. These are also used for all types of knit wear.
• Cotton and linen are natural or plant fibres. These fibres tend to be less warm than animal hair and can therefore be a good choice for creating spring and summer items.

Best Selection For Allergies

In my opinion, knitters and people who are allergic to animal hairs, should choice either acrylic or natural yarns such as cotton and linen for projects. These are also useful when knitting for small babies.

Colours

The colours added to yarns are either natural or manufactured dyes. Again I would advise to go for natural colouring if you suffer from allergies.

Yarns come in a host of different shades and textures. There are uniformed colours, Tweed wools with flecks of coloured fibre attached to the yarn strands and marled yarns that are two or more different coloured strands of fibre twisted together.

Where to Start

So as you can see, knitting yarns come is a variety of sizes, colours and textures. If you were to knit the same project using different types of yarn they would all be different. But the most important thing to remember is that if you use your own selection from what is suggested by a pattern, don't forget to do a sample to test your measurements.

I hope my take on yarns has been helpful in assisting you to choice the right one for your project.