How to Choose the Right Yarn for Your Weaving Project
Weaving is the process of turning yarn or thread into fabric. No matter the type of weaving loom you use -- from a do-it-yourself cardboard loom to a room-sized floor loom -- the yarn you choose will determine the outcome of your woven project. For beginners, a thick, sturdy yarn made from natural materials would be the easiest thing to use; aside from the simplicity of the task, however, weavers have to make other considerations when matching up a yarn to a weaving project.
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine the needs of your project in terms of strength and choose a yarn with equal amounts of strength. A woven belt or bag strap, for instance, needs to be stronger than a wall hanging; stronger yarns are usually those made from natural materials such as wool or cotton with more than one ply.
-
2
Identify how and how often you will wash your finished item. If you are weaving a wearable item, you may need to wash it frequently, so you should choose yarns that are machine-washable. If your woven piece will be on display, you probably won't need to wash it, so it's not as important that the yarn is washable.
-
-
3
Pair up your warp and weft yarns based on thickness. A thin warp with a thick weft means you will mostly only see the weft and not the warp. A thicker warp thread will show through in the finished project more and choosing warp and weft of equal weight will mean you see both in the project.
-
4
Choose a color scheme for your project. If you want to weave a pattern, you will need yarns in a variety of colors that are all the same thickness or approximately the same. If you want to weave in all the same color, then you need to be able to find enough yarn in that color to finish your project.
-
5
Experiment with variety. Thin, cotton yarns will make a lightweight yet sturdy piece of weaving. Textured, handspun yarns will bring color and depth into your project. Mass-produced commercial yarns are both inexpensive and easy to find.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The thicker the yarn you choose, the faster you will finish your project. Thinner yarns will take longer to weave.
Avoid yarns that are single-ply or that break easily, as they may likely fall apart in the weaving process or in the finished woven piece.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
