YARNS
Hopefully the following information will be helpful.
COTTON YARNS -
COTTON/ACRYLIC YARNS -
WEIGHT VERSUS YARDAGE
MEASUREMENTS -
USAGE & STITCH GAUGE
CLASSIFICATIONS OF YARN -
FIBERS -
GAUGE -
PLY -
Gauge
The most important factor in crocheting with yarns is gauge.
Gauge is the number of stitches equaling one inch.
Patterns usually print the following statement at the
beginning of each instruction booklet:
"DO NOT HESITATE TO CHANGE HOOK SIZE TO OBTAIN CORRECT GAUGE."
Test swatches are good to do when trying a new pattern. You can
later use those swatches as squares for an afghan, as hotpads.
As long as the gauge matches the gauge denoted in the pattern,
all should go well.
Ply
Ply is the number of strands of yarn spun or twisted together
to make a finished yarn.
Ply was once the determining factor for weight and gauge of yarn.
Yarns include 1 thick ply as in hand spun yarn ,
few ply as in some cotton and acrylic yarns, and several ply yarns.
Fibers
There are many fibers that are made into yarns today.
Hand & commercial spinners, spin/manufacture acrylic, nylon,
cotton, linen, rayon, silk, and flax from sheep's wool, alpaca
from llamas,
mohair from goats, angora from rabbit fur, camel fur, and wolves,
cats and dogs.
And there are also many novelty yarns and blends of more
than one type of fiber and type of yarn and thread.
Usage
& Stitch Gauge Classifications of Yarn
There are 5 basic classifications of yarn:
1) Baby or Fingerling weight: Less than 7 stitches per inch
2) Sport weight: 5 to 6 stitches per inch
3) Worsted weight: 3 to 5 stitches per inch
4) Bulky weight: 1-3 stitches per inch
5) Super bulky weight - thick craft types of yarn
Weight Versus
Yardage Measurements
Yarns are sold by weight.
Weight is determined by the type, color, and density of the yarn.
Light colored yarns weight less than darker colors due to the dyeing
processes
Cotton Yarns
Below is a listing of available cotton yarns in stores and catalogs:
BERNAT HANDICRAFTER - cotton (aran worsted weight tricot
mode) (softer): 50g in a ball
Suggested hook size - 4.5 or F US
BRUNSWICK CRAFTY - cotten by Coats Paton: 50g in a ball
Suggested hook size - 4.5 to 5 mm
COTTEN 8 - cotten by Southmaid, sport weight cotton
[Size F Hook, 22 sts/30 rows=4 inches]
COUNTY CABLED - cotton, sport weight yarn
NATURA WW - cotton: 70.9 g in a ball
[F hook: 4 sc=1 inch, 4 rows=1 inch]
PEACHES AND CREME WW - cotton: in a ball or 1 lb. cone
[F hook: 4 sc=1 inch, 4 rows=1 inch]
RED HEART WW - cotton: 70.9 grams to the skein
REYNOLDS WW - cotton: Saucy
SUGAR 'N CREME WW - cotton: 70.9 g in a ball
[F hook: 4 sc=1 inch, 4 rows=1 inch]
Cotton/Acrylic Yarns
Below is a listing of a few cotton/acrylic yarns available in stores
and catalogs:
BERNAT DEWDROP - sport weight yarn in 50g balls, 50% cotton,
50% acrylic
[F hook, 22 sts/30 rows=4 inches]
BERNAT ACCENTS - cotton/acrylic throw and afghan yarn, 50%
cotton, 50% acrylic
[F hook, 20 sts/26 rows=4 inches]
Hopefully, you found the preceding
information helpful.
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