How to Use Ribbon Yarn

Crafters can use ribbon yarn to add texture to their favorite projects.

Many knitters and crocheters choose novelty yarns to add texture and personality to their projects. Ribbon yarn will help you add a personal twist to your projects. Though ribbon yarn is not appropriate for every project, you can still use it by itself or with a heavier yarn. Headbands, belts, scarves and lightweight shawls are all ideal projects to create using ribbon yarn. Before you get started on your project, however, it is important to create a swatch, which will help you determine how the ribbon yarn will look for your project and what the size of each stitch will be.

Things You'll Need

• Ribbon yarn
• Knitting needles or crochet hook in sized need to obtain desired gauge
• Towel for blocking
• Ruler
• Additional yarn for texture

Instructions

Using Ribbon Yarn

1. Knit or crochet about 20 stitches and complete 20 to 30 rows in your desired pattern to create the swatch.

2. Block your swatch by wetting it, rolling it in a ball to get rid of the moisture and letting it dry. Blocking your swatch will help you get an accurate stitch count for your project.

3. Count how many stitches you knitted or crocheted per inch using a ruler and count how many rows you stitched vertically. This will help you determine your gauge.

4. Add a heavier yarn if you're knitting or crocheting a piece that is supposed to warm someone or one that needs to have structure and keep its shape well. Choose a color that complements your ribbon yarn. Pull the loose end from both yarns and hold them together, using them as a single piece of yarn while knitting or crocheting.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a project that is appropriate for ribbon yarn. Because ribbon yarn is lightweight---it has a silky feeling---it is not ideal for more intricate pieces that are intended to be used to keep someone warm. Also, fitted projects, such as camisoles or sweaters, might not keep their shape if they're made from ribbon yarn.

• If you work with two yarns, you might notice that you need to work especially hard to keep the skeins from getting tangled. A skein of ribbon yarn already has a tendency to tangle while it's being worked. Place the skeins in separate plastic or Ziploc-style bags or in a knee-high stocking that you roll down.

• When you're working with ribbon yarn, don't expect the piece to turn out like a traditional knitted or crocheted item. Because ribbon yarn has a tendency to twist and turn while it's being stitched, stitches won't necessarily look uniform. Many crafters find that this variation is a bonus as it makes pieces look individual.

• Keep track of your stitch count. Going back and counting the stitches is challenging because of the way ribbon yarn twists as it is worked.

References

• Maggie's Rags: Knitting with Ribbon
• Adventures of the Mad Crocheter: Ribbon Yarn and Other Crochet Hazards