Types of Yarn for Knitting
New knitters might find themselves overwhelmed the first time they step foot in their local yarn store. What's the difference between mohair and alpaca? Why is acrylic so cheap and cashmere so expensive? It can be intimidating, especially for a beginner. This article will demystify some of the more commonly found types of yarn, giving you an easy reference to use the next time you need to find the perfect yarn for your latest knitting project.
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Wool
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Wool is yarn that comes from sheep. However, many knitting guides and sites will refer to yarn and wool interchangeably, which can be confusing to new knitters.There are almost as many different types of wool as there are different breeds of sheep. This comes as no surprise, considering that it is durable, resistant to dirt and can wick away moisture naturally. Wool is waterproof, colorfast, flame retardant and even resists wrinkles. Humans have been using wool for more than 12,000 years. Common types of wool include merino, Corriedale, Shetland and loden. Wool can be coarse, medium or fine, and comes in different weights depending on its usage.
Cashmere
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Cashmere yarn comes from the aptly named Cashmere goat. The yarn comes from the underbelly of the goat and it is most often removed by hand during the molting season. It is a beautiful, soft yarn that is also extremely warm. However, it is not bulky, and is often noted for its fine fibers. It is very desirable and it can often be very expensive. Keep an eye out for cashmere blends, as these have many of the same qualities but are often cheaper. Cashmere fibers can be made into any thickness of yarn, making them easily adaptable for any weight of fabric. If you are going to invest in cashmere yarn, there are many pattern books that will give you great patterns using just one skein.
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Alpaca
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Alpaca yarn comes from--you guessed it--an alpaca. The yarn is warmer than sheep's wool, and as a result it is great for winter accessories like gloves, but a bit too much for sweaters. Alpaca yarn lacks lanolin, so it is hypoallergenic, but not water-resistant. It isn't as elastic as some other types of yarn, so if you are knitting with it, you should always gauge it very carefully. There are blends of alpaca and wool fibers, as well as different weights of alpaca yarn.
Mohair
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Mohair yarn is another goat yarn. The type of goat is called the Angora goat, however mohair yarn is not to be confused with Angora yarn, which comes from the Angora rabbit. Mohair is very soft, but it can be itchy and irritate the skin. It is often blended with other fibers to stop this from happening. It is a light yarn, very durable, water-resistant and it takes dye very easily.
Acrylic
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Acrylic yarn is made out of synthetic fibers. It feels somewhat like wool, but it does not insulate as well, nor is it as durable. It tends to fuzz and pill more than natural fibers. You can generally wash acrylic in a machine, though it is best to check the label on your yarn. Acrylic yarn tends to be cheaper than any other type of yarn and, since it is easily washable, it is good for baby and pet projects. Additionally, you can buy many acrylic-wool blends and some of these are easier to work with and wear.
Angora
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Angora yarn is a downy yarn that comes from Angora rabbits. The best quality wool is taken from their back and sides because it tends to be the longest. Most people associate Angora yarn with the 1950s, when Angora sweaters were in fashion and the yarn was everywhere. Angora is very fluffy and silky, but it has a tendency to shed and it has very little elasticity. The yarn fibers are very thin and Angora is very often blended with wool fibers to create a yarn that is better for knitting pieces like sweaters. Pure Angora is good for making cuffs and decorative accents.
Cotton
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Cotton yarn is formed with the fibers of the cotton plant. Beginners might want to shy away from cotton as it is neither as forgiving nor as stretchy as other yarns. If you make a mistake knitting with cotton yarn, it will show up more glaringly than if you are using wool. If you are brave enough to try it, however, the results can be very rewarding. Cotton makes extremely breathable garments and, because it's so absorbent, you can knit things like washcloths and towels that are extremely durable.
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