Choosing yarn for your project can seem like a really intimidating task because there are just so many options and things to consider. For those working with knitwear manufacturers, selecting the right yarn is especially crucial to ensure the final product meets quality and design standards.
Let's start with the basics: What is yarn? Yarn is a textile commonly made of either animal-based fibersĀ (sheep's wool, alpaca, angora), plant-based fibers (cotton, hemp, silk), or synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon, rayon).
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These interlocked fibers, referred to as plies, are spun together into thicker strands. The number of plies will affect the drape, stitch definition, and general feel of the yarn.

Weight Categories
Find a yarn thatās a comparable weight to whatās called for in the pattern. If the pattern doesnāt say a weight but only lists a particular yarn, look up the yarn specified in the pattern to find out more about it. What words like āworstedā and āfingeringā mean can vary a lot in practice.
Category 0: Lace
This is the lightest weight of yarn used for making doilies and other lovely lace designs.
Categories 1, 2, and 3: Super fine, fine and light
This is suited for small items like socks, gloves, hats, or garments for babies and children. Cast on and off loosely. Specifically, fine yarn is commonly referred to as "sport weight."
Category 4: Medium
Also known as "worsted," this is a popular weight among knitters of all skill levels because it provides great stitch definition in sweaters, scarves, hats, and mittens.
Categories 5 and 6: Bulky and super bulky
Materials of this weight produce fast projects on big needles. This type of yarn is good for beginners because it produces projects quickly and is also good for advanced knitters who are looking to create something unique with novel yarn.
Common Fibers
Find a yarn with similar fibre content to the yarn used in your pattern. Think about the properties of each fibre rather than trying to exactly match the content. If you want to use fibres with different characteristics than what the designer used, consider what impact that will have on your fabric.
Wool
Spun from the fleece of sheep and one of the most popular yarns, wool is accessible, priced and easy to handle. It works well for knitwear garmentsĀ in both the winter for its durability and resistance to moisture as well as the summer for its breathability and moisture-wicking.
Mohair
This fluffy, luxurious fiber is known for its soft sheen and lightness despite being one of the warmest animal fibers. It is more expensive than wool. Mohair is very elastic-stretching and springing back to shape so it resists wrinkling and sagging.
Cotton
This is a natural plant fiber and one of the most common. It is fairly inexpensive. Because it is so smooth, it's great for showing off complicated stitchwork.
Cashmere
Due to its superb quality, this is a true luxury yarn. Softness actually improves with wear. Because of its superior insulation, it is well-suited for winter cardigans and accessories.
Angora
This comes from the fur of the angora rabbit. One of the finest animal fibers, it is light, silky-soft and incredibly warm (it is even seven times warmer than sheep's wool). A true luxury yarn, it is one of the most expensive.
Alpaca
Spun from theĀ fleece of alpaca, this dense fiber is hypoallergenic, making it a good option for those with sensitive skin, particularly for baby knitwear. This fiber has a strong tendency to overdrape, so it's blended with other natural fibers to strengthen the tension.
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You might also like: Baby Alpaca vs Regular Alpaca wool
Silk
Obviously, this fiber is "silky" smooth and lustrous. This is most accessible in fine plies because it is a more expensive fiber. While great for knitting lace, it is susceptible to static cling and catching.
Rayon
This is the oldest man-made fiber that can nonetheless imitate the properties of natural fibers-it is shiny, silky smooth, and saturated in color with incredible drape. Because it is cool, comfortable, and conducts heat from the body, it makes a perfect yarn for summer knitwear.
Nylon
This is a synthetic fiber originally manufactured to offer an alternative to silk. Akin to rayon, it is smooth and shiny, easy to launder, and cool to the touch.
Polyester
Polyester blends with natural fibers to yield easy-care yarns. This yarn type has good draping, along with wicking and breathability qualities-making it appropriate for any season in the year.
Construction
Spinning preparation, like woolen or worsted spun, number of plies, and tightness of twist can all make a big difference. If the pattern calls for a chain construction alpaca blend, donāt try a 3-ply alpaca yarn just because the weight and fibre are the same unless you really want more drape and less elasticity.Ā
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Hope you enjoyed this article! Here at Knit-LabĀ Peru we are committed to offer premium quality products that combine modern technology with ancestral tradition. Contact usĀ if you want to learn more or work with us.
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