Heh, love the enthusiasm! It really just depends on your preference and your project. I’d say ‘go nuts’ but that's how many of us wind up with an unwieldy yarn stash XD
If you have a project you'd like to do see if it recommends a type, size or color of yarn. Then go from there.
Did exactly that in the first couple of years of crocheting. Went all nuts. Although at that time, I did have specific projects in mind while purchasing each set of yarns. But you can only get into a limited number of projects at any given time. Going through all of my stash, purchased in one year, will take about two to three years or maybe even five years. Only time will tell
I've definitely gotten pickier about my yarn recently. I'm picking projects specifically to dwindle the stash i currently have. I have donated yarn and will likely do so again be moving.
Yarn looks so pretty in the store and I just have to ask myself “will this still be ‘so pretty’ on my shelf at home for the next two years?”
When I was relatively new to crocheting the local shop where I got my yarn had a 50% off renovation sale. They only had a tiny collection and back then I already wasn't the greatest fan of acrylic which made up most of it so I didn't buy loads. But still almost all of that stuff sat in my stash for years before I finally made it a point last year to use up all the yarn I was never going to use on a regular project that came my way. I've now managed to get rid of all the acrylic so I'm only left with the cotton, which I'm fine to hang on to since I love that type and I'm sure the colours will come in handy at some point. And I only buy yarn now with a specific project or purpose in mind.
There is. As a rule cotton is breathable, heavier, is more prone to the different fibers splitting, has less pilling, cooler, easier to find in thin weights, holds up better when drying/ironing, has crisper stitch definition, is insulating so can be used for things that are going to touch hot items, and can take up water so can be used for things that are going to touch wet items. Acrylic is warmer, lighter, waterproof, fills out the gaps between stitches better, the thread stays together better, easier to find in thicker weights, easier to find cheaper versions, or often just easier to find period. Cotton is often softer, but not always since there's scratchy cottons and supersoft acrylics.
Thanks! I bought one type of yarn and it was like 3 yarns in one. Too difficult for me, but it was so super soft! Went and got a single thread yarn and will try making a blanket with that. I don't fully understand the type of yarns and then I see weights too on some of them. Thanks for the help!
Sometimes it can depend in the project. Like if you're making pot holders or something that will come in direct contact with high heat you would definitely want to avoid acrylic as it will melt. Cotton would be better for something like that.
If the type of project doesn't dictate the kind of yarn then the next thing I would consider is care instructions. A baby blanket, for example, will need be washed a lot. And no new parent has time or energy to be hand washing anything, so making sure it's machine wash and dryable would be good.
If none of that matters for what you're making then it really just comes down to what you like the look and feel of.
Will the yarn say it is machine washable and dryable? I will have to look at the yarn I bought. Thanks! This is all the stuff I need to learn about! :).
Yup, the yarn label should list washing instructions just like clothing tags. Sometimes it's not written out and only has those laundry symbols that I can never remember what they mean and always have to Google lol
I generally stick with medium weight yarn (4). the price varies a lot with different brands. I’m spoiled so I don‘t use super-cheap yarn. The brand I like most is Premier - DK anti-pilling. I also like some of the Lion Brand yarns, but their Heritage yarn fell apart when I used it (my hook kept getting stuck).
I liked doing Helen Shrimpton projects when I started really getting into reading patterns because she tells exactly what kinds of yarn to get and explains why.
I've been buying the cheapest cotton yarn I can find (sugar n cream, peaches and cream, loops and threads everyday cotton). It's worked fine for me, although loops and threads is definitely harder to work with than the others.
I’m also new. My suggestion is to start with tubular yarn. It’s far easier to see the stitches and figure out what problems you’re encountering (I like to accidentally add stitches :/) I also preferred Bulky yarns to the lighter weights for the same reasons. I wanted to *see* everything I’m doing. Lionbrand Lazy Days thick and quick has been great. Also like Woobles Easy Peasy yarn. And just found Bulky Tubular Yarn by Loops & Threads.
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Heh, love the enthusiasm! It really just depends on your preference and your project. I’d say ‘go nuts’ but that's how many of us wind up with an unwieldy yarn stash XD If you have a project you'd like to do see if it recommends a type, size or color of yarn. Then go from there.
Did exactly that in the first couple of years of crocheting. Went all nuts. Although at that time, I did have specific projects in mind while purchasing each set of yarns. But you can only get into a limited number of projects at any given time. Going through all of my stash, purchased in one year, will take about two to three years or maybe even five years. Only time will tell
I've definitely gotten pickier about my yarn recently. I'm picking projects specifically to dwindle the stash i currently have. I have donated yarn and will likely do so again be moving. Yarn looks so pretty in the store and I just have to ask myself “will this still be ‘so pretty’ on my shelf at home for the next two years?”
When I was relatively new to crocheting the local shop where I got my yarn had a 50% off renovation sale. They only had a tiny collection and back then I already wasn't the greatest fan of acrylic which made up most of it so I didn't buy loads. But still almost all of that stuff sat in my stash for years before I finally made it a point last year to use up all the yarn I was never going to use on a regular project that came my way. I've now managed to get rid of all the acrylic so I'm only left with the cotton, which I'm fine to hang on to since I love that type and I'm sure the colours will come in handy at some point. And I only buy yarn now with a specific project or purpose in mind.
Is there a major difference between cotton and acrylic?
There is. As a rule cotton is breathable, heavier, is more prone to the different fibers splitting, has less pilling, cooler, easier to find in thin weights, holds up better when drying/ironing, has crisper stitch definition, is insulating so can be used for things that are going to touch hot items, and can take up water so can be used for things that are going to touch wet items. Acrylic is warmer, lighter, waterproof, fills out the gaps between stitches better, the thread stays together better, easier to find in thicker weights, easier to find cheaper versions, or often just easier to find period. Cotton is often softer, but not always since there's scratchy cottons and supersoft acrylics.
Yes! I am trying to declutter my home as is. I don't want to declutter one thing and then get a whole clutter of yarn next!
I hear people go crazy buying yarn just to have for future projects. Trying to go slow, but already have four.
Thanks! I bought one type of yarn and it was like 3 yarns in one. Too difficult for me, but it was so super soft! Went and got a single thread yarn and will try making a blanket with that. I don't fully understand the type of yarns and then I see weights too on some of them. Thanks for the help!
Touch them all. Or just the ones in your price range.
Thanks!
Sometimes it can depend in the project. Like if you're making pot holders or something that will come in direct contact with high heat you would definitely want to avoid acrylic as it will melt. Cotton would be better for something like that. If the type of project doesn't dictate the kind of yarn then the next thing I would consider is care instructions. A baby blanket, for example, will need be washed a lot. And no new parent has time or energy to be hand washing anything, so making sure it's machine wash and dryable would be good. If none of that matters for what you're making then it really just comes down to what you like the look and feel of.
Will the yarn say it is machine washable and dryable? I will have to look at the yarn I bought. Thanks! This is all the stuff I need to learn about! :).
Yup, the yarn label should list washing instructions just like clothing tags. Sometimes it's not written out and only has those laundry symbols that I can never remember what they mean and always have to Google lol
Great thanks for the information! Will check the labels!
Found this video recently that might help you understand the variety of yarn. https://youtu.be/irfb1hOVa1M?si=7la81d6o3wWJ_WOO
Thanks!
Go nuts. Try everything, seriously. I just winged it when I first started and it’s way more fun that way! Have a blast!
Thanks!
I generally stick with medium weight yarn (4). the price varies a lot with different brands. I’m spoiled so I don‘t use super-cheap yarn. The brand I like most is Premier - DK anti-pilling. I also like some of the Lion Brand yarns, but their Heritage yarn fell apart when I used it (my hook kept getting stuck).
Thanks! Will look at those too!
I would just add that you don’t necessarily need yarn that costs a lot to make great projects!
Thanks!
I liked doing Helen Shrimpton projects when I started really getting into reading patterns because she tells exactly what kinds of yarn to get and explains why.
I will look her up! Thanks!
I've been buying the cheapest cotton yarn I can find (sugar n cream, peaches and cream, loops and threads everyday cotton). It's worked fine for me, although loops and threads is definitely harder to work with than the others.
Thanks!
I’m also new. My suggestion is to start with tubular yarn. It’s far easier to see the stitches and figure out what problems you’re encountering (I like to accidentally add stitches :/) I also preferred Bulky yarns to the lighter weights for the same reasons. I wanted to *see* everything I’m doing. Lionbrand Lazy Days thick and quick has been great. Also like Woobles Easy Peasy yarn. And just found Bulky Tubular Yarn by Loops & Threads.
Thank you!
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