Yarn

Participate in the age-old practice of spinning wool into yarn by spinning worsted and woollen yarn onto spindles. Before the invention of the spinning wheel, wool fibers were twisted into thread by…

Basic knit scarf patterns are simply long rectangles, providing an ideal opportunity for beginning knitters to practice the knit stitch -- without having to understand decreasing and increasing the…

You put in all that time and effort to find just the right colors of yarn and got every pattern section perfect. Now that you're done, don't forget to finish the scarf by binding or casting it off.…

A craft room is often a place bustling with creative ideas and materials. Unfortunately, all of this creativity can lead to a big mess. Yarn skeins may be bundled in baskets, boxes and odd cubbies.…

A braided tassel has a braided head at the top with flowing strands at the bottom. Making a braided tassel is not difficult, and it is possible to create a wide variety of tassel designs using the…

Alpacas are small, domesticated relatives of the camel and are indigenous to the Andes of South America. The Incas who dominated much of the region in the 15th and 16th centuries used alpaca fleece…

When you make yarn on a drop spindle, the fat spots in the yarn are called slubs. These are typically considered mistakes. However, if you want a bulky yarn, you can make slubs on purpose by adjusting…

Embroidering with yarn uses the same techniques as standard embroidery with embroidery floss. Yarn is exactly the same as floss, only it is rougher and thicker. Yarn embroidery will produce a slightly…

A sling is a weapon used to hurl stones or other projectiles using a pouch or cradle suspended between two cords held together in the hand. It is swung in a circle to build up momentum and centripetal…

A yarn swift is an adjustable, spinning device used by crafters – especially knitters – to wind off large amounts of yarn. As the swift turns, the yarn is wrapped around the outside of…

A yarn octopus can be given to a small child as a present and helps introduce younger children to craft skills such as braiding. Any color yarn can be used, or even a mixture of several colors. This…

A soft, warm scarf crocheted out of angel hair yarn and paired with a warm coat can help you ward off cold winds during the winter. Angel hair yarn is made from wool, nylon and acrylic, meaning it…

Embroidery is an artful way to embellish gifts and personalize items in your home. Embroidering letters onto handkerchiefs, hand towels, kitchen towels and other linens can transform plain cloth into…

"Kirby's Epic Yarn" is a platforming video game released for the Nintendo Wii in 2010. Players take the role of Kirby, as he travels through Patch Land defeating enemies by transforming them…

Variegated yarn is a type of yarn that is dyed multiple colors. This is helpful because the knitter does not need to changed yarns throughout their project. But, variegated yarn can be difficult to…

Pompoms are useful for a multitude of craft and clothing projects. You can purchase ready-made yarn pompoms in craft and sewing stores. They are so simple to make, however, that it is worth the effort…

If you've ever wanted to make a child's knit hat or knit gloves more durable, then felting is one way to make that happen. Felting uses heat, agitation and moisture to open the tiny scales found on…

A yarn fringe can be a decorative way to finish off the ends of scarves, shawls, bed covers and blankets. On hand knit items without ribbing, a fringe is a way to keep the ends from curling and it…

Knitters and crocheters working with yarn tend to wind up at loose ends. That is; as they finish projects, extra pieces of yarn (too short to be made into things like blankets or mittens) fill up…

Yarn offers the softness and comfort of fabric with affordability. Simple, acrylic yarn is no longer just for crochet and knitting projects, but can be utilized to make festive children's crafts as…

Children can come up with the most imaginative uses for the simplest props. A strand of braided yarn can be a horse's tail, a rescue rope or a ponytail under a hat. Give your child a plaything to…

Yarn is available in a variety of colors, weights and materials, which are identified with lot numbers. Specialty yarn makes knitting, crocheting and crafting projects unique, but companies commonly…

The Sweets Park level in "Kirby's Epic Yarn" features a bakery filled with giant donuts, cookies and cake. You must guide Kirby through Sweets Park to reach Squashini, the boss of Treat…

Crocheting is a wonderful hobby that yields a variety of creative projects and keepsakes. However, at the end of every project, there is likely to be a certain amount of yarn left over. Before you…

When making garment scarves, many projects require a sewing machine and/or knitting skills. But if you don't have the equipment or experience to make a traditional scarf, you can create scarves out of…

Hand spun yarn is an art piece unto itself. Instead of buying machine spun yarn at the craft store, buy hand spun yarn through a local spinner or online retailer. The spinner puts her own art into the…

Keychain plushies are popular items that people of all ages enjoy. Even children can use keychain plushies, dangling them from a backpack or bag. These items are also very practical, since the plush…

Knitting projects using intarsia and fair isle techniques require you to use multiple skeins of yarn at once. This is also true for crochet color work. If you find that your skeins get tangled, yarn…

Turn leftover fingering-weight yarn and a large safety pin into a fancy yarn brooch with basic crochet skills. Once you've figured out the basic mechanics of making a brooch, the sky's the limit in…

For a simple and fun spring craft, parents and teachers can have children create bunnies out of yarn and Styrofoam balls. This craft can be personalized by each child so that each finished bunny…

A beanie, because it fits snugly to the head, is one of the easiest and most adaptable hat styles to make. Crochet is the easiest yarn craft for working in tight rounds. Crochet is also the easiest…

"Kirby's Epic Yarn" is a video game released exclusively for the Nintendo Wii by Good-Feel and HAL Laboratory in 2010. In this game, Kirby can complete numerous levels in addition to two secret levels…

If you have a stash of leftover yarn, you likely already know how to crochet or knit. Using up your leftovers by making a throw is a good way to create an extra project without incurring any supply…

Even if you don't have knitting needles you can create a simple scarf by weaving yarn through your fingers. It's possible because the finger knitting techniques turns your fingers into a mini knitting…

Whether you are an avid keyboard percussionist or a music teacher, purchasing mallets can be a costly endeavor. Prices for a pair of mallets can range from about $20 to more than $200 at the time of…

In weaving, there are two different and distinct sets of yarn that are interlaced to form a cloth: the warp yarn, which is placed around the loom and extends lengthwise, and the weft yarn, which moves…

Make a yarn mane for a stick horse, a rocking horse or a horse costume. A stuffed sock on a broomstick makes a friendly stick horse. All it needs are button eyes, a ribbon bridle and a yarn mane to…

The process of sewing up a hole in a knitted sweater is called darning. When a sweater gets a hole, it loses threads and unravels. When you darn a sweater, you are sewing the knit stitches closed…

If your child would like to dress up as a fox for Halloween, then he will need a tail. Make a fox tail out of scrap yarn that you have at your home. You can use any shade of yarn in brown, black, red,…

"Kirby's Epic Yarn" is a platform game, designed for the Nintendo Wii, in which players take on the role of Kirby as he travels to save his land from King DeDeDe. During the journey, you have the…

Cheerleaders and ice skaters may be involved in two different sports but they both have a use for yarn puffs. These fluffy balls of yarn, also known as pompoms, can be tied to shoes, at the top of ice…

You can make boots out of yarn by knitting a large "sock" and then "fulling" it to make it more sturdy and boot-like. "Fulling" is the process of washing knitted or woven fabric in hot water so that…

Originally associated with the Ojibway tribe of the Great Lakes region of the United States, dream catchers became a symbol of unity among Native Americans in the 1970s. Non-natives adopted the symbol…

If your cat loves to grab your yarn while you are knitting or crocheting, or if you're just tired of your yarn getting tangled, there is a solution. A yarn barrel can hold a skein or ball of yarn and…

Make your own key chain lanyard in the colors that you like, so you won't lose your keys in the dark depths of your purse. Macrame is a technique used to knot lengths of string together to make a…

You have likely snuggled up under a warm afghan at some point in your life, especially if someone in your family likes to crochet and knit. Afghans are large, crocheted blankets made out of colored…

The process of making silk was a closely held secret in ancient China for many centuries. The Chinese exported silk to the West by way of the famous Silk Route, but they kept the method for making the…

Knowing the thickness of a strand of yarn is crucial to knitting or crocheting a garment that fits properly and drapes well. Use a yarn that is too thick, and your project will be stiff and may be too…

"Kirby's Epic Yarn" is an adventure platform game for the Nintendo Wii video gaming console. It is the 10th game in the Kirby video game series. Players in the game control Kirby as they collect and…

Finding thread that's an exact match to a sweater may be difficult, but you can fray yarn taken from an unseen part of the sweater and use one of the threads to repair small tears or holes. Use the…

Making variegated yarn is a way to add unique color patterns to crafts through hand-dyed fibers in a cost-effective way. It does not require special equipment or materials. Follow the manufacturer's…

Thrift stores and garage sales can yield surprising riches of high-quality yarn in the form of old sweaters. If a sweater has been sewn together using yarn rather than sewing thread, you can unravel…

People that are getting into sewing and yarn work are looking at a variety of ways to improve their skills. There are several ways to attach yarn to make a seam and exploring each one would take a…

When you are putting together a horse costume for a theatrical production, class play or for Halloween, you can end up spending a lot of money on costume accessories if you buy them from a costume…

When you find a pattern you love but don't have the right yarn or want to use a different yarn, you will often need to adjust the gauge. If you want to knit with the yarn double-stranded, you will…

When you learn how to knit, it is important to first understand how the basic functions of knitting work. One way to do this is to finger braid a chain with yarn. Finger braiding, also known as finger…

The term "worsted" describes a method of spinning fibers into a strong yarn. To make worsted yarn, a spinner combs the fibers to keep them parallel, removes shorter pieces of fiber and presses the…

In the 2010 game "Kirby's Epic Yarn" for the Nintendo Wii, you must maneuver the rotund pink character through a series of levels that bring yarn and other textiles into the gameplay. At the end of…

Once upon a time, the only fabrics available were from natural materials: wool, linen, cotton and silk. Today, the options have expanded exponentially, with the addition of synthetic fibers and new…

If your yarn comes in a "pull skein," then a piece of yarn will be sticking up out of the center of the skein. This should be easy to find and pull out. The problem arises when the yarn manufacturer…

Although the term "knitting" actually encompasses many different stitches you create with yarn and knitting needles, the garter stitch involves knitting every row of your project. By knitting every…

Clothes hangers are made from wood, plastic and metal. The simplest homemade clothes hanger is one made with wire. Wire is easily bent by hand. The use of a protractor allows for an angled bend.…

If you knit, crochet or weave, a trip to the yarn store can send you into sticker-shock. Good quality yarn is expensive and the price of luxury yarns like cashmere or silk can be staggering. Frugal…

If you knitted a set of leggings, working them flat instead of in the round, finish them by closing the seam. Create the long, round stocking-like legging that covers your legs and keeps them warm…

When you wear a sweater, scarf or shawl made from angora yarn, it's easy to imagine the warm, fuzzy bunny who grew the fiber. One angora rabbit can produce enough fiber in a year to knit a women's…

Corn fiber yarn is a type of yarn that looks like cotton, breathes and is fire-resistant. It's ideal for knitting, because it's resilient and springy, and has soil-release properties that render it…

Blocking a knitted garment is necessary for the fit, shaping, and overall look of the piece. Wet blocking will help to regularize uneven stitches and any gauge issues you may have encountered -- it…

If you are putting together a costume that requires you to stretch yarn across the front of your clothing and around to your back, you will need the help of an assistant. Because yarn is lightweight,…

Almost all "bargain" yarns, and the majority of yarns sold in craft stores and department stores, are classified as worsted weight. If you knit or crochet, the most important aspect of worsted-weight…

A single playing card presents a balance challenge when you attempt to spin it using only one hand. Though it proves more simple than most card tricks, the finger spin requires a great deal of…

With fiber and a spinning wheel, a hand-spinner can create distinctive yarn for knitting, crocheting or weaving projects. If a spinner wants a yarn with texture, one technique is a coiled yarn. These…

When tying a knot that will be subjected to pressure or movement, you need one that will remain secure for a long time. One long-lasting, all-purpose knot commonly used by rock climbers is the Alpine…

Knot tying is an interesting and easy-to-learn discipline that can help with everyday tasks. It is popular among groups such as the Boy Scouts. The friendship knot is simple to tie and is a popular…

Old watches, particularly antique pocket watches, often are miniature works of art. Even those with simple faces usually have delicate and complicated workings that make attractive jewelry features.…

Polyester filament yarn comes in a variety of measurements, including 150 denier. Denier refers to the weight in grams for every 9000 meters of yarn. Higher denier counts indicate a heavier or thicker…

Alpaca fiber is prized for its softness and warmth. Alpaca wool is warmer than sheep's wool or mohair and is less likely to be itchy. People who are sensitive to wool can often work with or wear…

Chenille yarn is one of the softest yarn choices for knitting and crochet patterns. Surprisingly, it is also used in fly-fishing. Chenille yarn is available in a broad range of sizes, to fit its many…

Blending filament is a metallic thread used to create special effects on craft projects. Used alone or with other fibers, such as embroidery floss, crochet thread or knitting wool, it adds sparkle and…

When you are learning how to weave, you may think you need to use a large, complicated weaving loom that can take years to master. However, you can create a smaller knitted craft weaving using a basic…

A gathering knot brings multiple strands of rope or string together so you can tie additional knots. Use this type of knot to secure strands for macrame, jewelry-making and other stringing projects…

A tallit is a prayer shawl that is used in Jewish religious services. These shawls also show up in the Old Testament of the Bible, and students may learn about the tallit in Sunday school or Hebrew…

For some knitters, felting knitted items breathes new life into their hobby. Knitting a project, washing it in hot water and having it emerge from the felting process in a completely different form…

Bead organizers help you separate your bead collection, which is especially useful if your beads are small. Having an organized collection will make crafting easier and quicker. You can purchase…

Rayon is a cellulose-based fiber that makes a soft, silky yarn knitters and crocheters love for its drape. It is a cross between a plant fiber and a synthetic fiber, which can make it a confusing yarn…

Lopi wool was originally the unspun wool roving that yarn factories in Iceland used to spin into yarn. The wool was a special dual-coated fleece from the native Icelandic breed of sheep. In the…

A cowl is a type of head covering originally worn during the medieval time period. This type of garment consists of a long hood with a face opening. The edges of the hood rest on the wearer's…

Many yarns are wound into skeins with center-pull access, but some are still wound with the reeled, twisted skein method. The latter type of skeins need to be wound into balls before using them. The…

Woven cloth consists of a warp and a weft (also know as a woof). The warp travels lengthwise on the loom, and the weaver inserts the weft cross-wise, interweaving the weft yarn between the warp…

It is important to find the exact center of a skein of yarn before untying it for unwinding. Skeins of yarn are carefully wound and twisted, and the strands are organized. You need to find the…

Wool is warm and cozy, but it can be itchy to those with sensitive skin. If you have a sweater that makes your neck itch or you find that your hands itch when knitting with wool, you can soften it…

There are two spinning systems used for creating yarn from wool: woolen and worsted. Prior to spinning, both woolen and worsted wools are initially carded. This mechanical method of cleaning the…

A weighted wristband is a type of exercise equipment that you wear around your wrist. This type of weight can be worn when you're running or participating in an exercise class, the help with strength…

Technically speaking, you don't have to block your knitted work. You can cast off, stitch any seams, weave in loose ends and put whatever you just made to use right away. But taking the time to block…

As the holidays draw closer, quick gifts like a handmade beanie strike a balance between the thoughtfulness of giving a personal gift, and the practical demands that keep you from crafting gifts as a…

Louisiana has been part of the cotton belt for most of its contemporary history. Along with fertile river valleys ideal for growing the cash crop, Louisiana is home to the major port city of New…

There are many reasons you might need to split a skein of yarn in half. Some patterns call for knitting with two strands of yarn at once, while other skeins are too large and unwieldy to knit without…

There are many different variations on the theme of friendship bracelets. One way to keep it simple and classic is to limit your colors to two and to braid instead of knotting. You don't have to…

An umbrella swift is a framework of spokes that are secured together in the center. The center piece revolves in a circular pattern. Each of the spokes has a peg around which yarn can be wound. Swifts…

Chotki knots are complex knots that, when joined together, create Orthodox prayer ropes. Typically, prayer ropes contain 33, 50 or 100 knots. Prayer ropes aid worshipers in praying the Jesus Prayer.…

If you enjoy crafting with cotton, you may be surprised by the high costs of cotton fiber. For example, hand-spun cotton yarn costs a lot more than commercially-produced cotton yarn. Instead of buying…

There's actually no such thing as worsted cotton, because the adjective refers to the nature of woolen yarn and the fabric woven of it. In the age of industrially standardized craft goods, however,…

Alpacas are domesticated animals that originally hail from South America. Able to survive in a variety of climates, they are popular pets because they are gentle and easy to care for. Each year the…

Beautiful, intricate and practical, wearing a knitted hat will bring you compliments, especially when you've knitted it yourself. But there's nothing more frustrating after finishing knitting a hat…

A friendship band symbolizes a friendship between two people. There are various styles but most, like the braided bracelet, are uncomplicated. The braid is straightforward once you learn the basic…

Whether you like to knit, crochet or weave, odds are you have a few short bits of yarn lying around. You know the kind; they're too long to throw away, but too short to make anything from immediately.…

Embroidery uses a plethora of stitches to achieve a finished design on a piece of cloth, leather or plastic. Embroidery done with yarn is known as crewel. Fine, delicate stitches are not possible when…

Yarn skeins are available in a vast rainbow of colors, fibers and textures. They are useful in making afghans, sweaters, mittens and all types of warm, soft apparel. Knowing the correct way to start…

Many crafters begin weaving with a pegged loom and stretchy fabric loops, making potholders at camp. That same humble loom graduates to grown-up projects when you weave with yarn. Assemble the squares…

Knitters and crocheters know that virgin wool is warm, cozy and often an excellent value. Natural virgin wool absorbs dye readily, making it an ideal choice for crafters who wish to dye their own…

While it may look like an activity done to stave off boredom, spinning a pencil between your fingers is actually a type of juggling. Spinning a pencil is a type of contact juggling as your hands never…

Blocking is the process of finishing a knitting project by wetting or steaming it, then shaping it. The item will dry and take whatever shape you have blocked it into. Blocking will smooth wrinkles…

A Swedish umbrella swift, more commonly referred to as an umbrella swift, is a tool that holds a skein of yarn while you wind it. Usually used in conjunction with a hand-cranked ball winder, an…

Whether you knit or crochet, you use the same types of yarn and fiber, which typically come rolled into a skein. While a skein of yarn typically has a visible end laid along the outside of the yarn,…

When creating a knitting or crochet project, several factors contribute to the overall look and size of the finished piece. These factors include the size of the needles or hook used, the tension of…

Spinning yarn and weaving cloth are two crucial practices in the textile arts, or the practice of creating cloth-based forms of expression. Clothing has been around for millennia, and many ways have…

If you purchase yarn in a major craft store, chances are it will come in a ball or skein that is ready to use immediately. If you buy your yarn in an independent yarn store or an online yarn store,…

CD spindles meant for keeping CDs organized make an excellent base for other useful and entertaining crafts. Spindles come in multiple colors and many different sizes in order to accommodate the size…

Blocking is a finishing technique that allows you to reshape and set your knitted project using water. The yarn becomes pliable when moist, allowing you to gently stretch and mold the piece to the…

The tahkli spindle is one of the oldest tools used for spinning cotton. The tahkli is a bottom whorl spindle as opposed to a drop spindle. A bottom whorl spindle works by weight support and rests on a…

If you have a fidgety personality, you probably don't deal very well with long lectures or extended meetings. Having to sit for extended periods of time without anything to occupy oneself has led to…

The repetitive nature of crafts that use yarn, such as knitting and crocheting, is often considered relaxing. However, that sense of calm can turn quickly to frustration when the yarn tangles or the…

Wool yarn is a craft material made from animal hair, such as sheep or alpaca. It is a common material used in knitting clothes, blankets, and other items. Wool yarn can have a rough or itchy texture.…

If you have been knitting or crocheting for any length of time, chances are you've accumulated a "stash" of yarn. Some of it may be in pristine condition, retaining its original tags or labels, while…

Yarn is made up of various strands of natural fibers, synthetic fibers or a blend of the two. Whether you are working with a natural fiber like wool or a synthetic or blend, each skein of yarn will…

Skeins, or hanks, are twisted lengths of yarn. Many crafters and supply stores prefer to store their yarn in skeins, instead of balls, because this form prevents the material from becoming tangled;…

The Tallit, a traditional article of clothing in Judaism, serves predominately as a prayer shawl. Most often made of wool, the Tallit traditionally comes in white with blue stripes. Additionally, a…

Many yarn companies, including small independent designers, package their yarn in twisted, hot-dog bun shapes called skeins. The twists add some stability to the strands of yarn during shipping and…

Cotton yarn, unlike other types of yarn, is naturally strong and inelastic. When used in the place of other types of yarns, it creates a finished work that can be machine washed and wearable in all…

Spinning a pen around your fingers is a good way to impress your children or your colleagues at an office party. This skill may also be used as a relaxation technique to relieve stress. A pen may be…

A niddy noddy is an essential tool to have if you are a spinner or a dyer of textiles. Spinners use the niddy noddy to wind skeins of yarn off a bobbin or a spindle; dyers wind commercially spun yarn…

Because clay modelers or sculptors usually harden their clay in the air or kiln, you must craft your sculptures with this process in mind. After spending one hour or 10 hours on a sculpture, to have…

Amigurumi is Japanese for a crocheted or knit stuffed toy. Amigurumi tend to be small animals or inanimate objects (e.g. a smiling pear), although some amigurumi do not have an assumed shape. Your…

A skein of yarn resembles a small loaf of bread. The yarn is mechanically wound with one end on the outside and the other tucked inside. To knit or crochet with a skein, you can take the yarn from the…

Spinners and weavers for thousands of years have been making linen yarn with flax plant fibers. After purchasing the raw fiber, set aside time to spin the fiber into yarn. Spinning linen yarn has a…

In the Jewish faith, some wear a tallit or a rectangular shawl during prayers. A traditional tallit is placed over the person's shoulders before prayer. The tallit can be knitted from yarn of any…

Yarn cone winders are machines that are used to create cones of yarn from the balls or skeins that they are originally purchased in. Yarn cone winders can be hand-cranked or electric. The crank or…

Berroco Chinchilla is a classic chenille yarn whose softness, shine and synthetic composition make it suitable for a wide array of knitting and crocheting projects. This yarn was discontinued in fall…

If you've ever wound skeins of yarn into balls by hand, you may have wondered how to make the process faster. A ball winder, often used with a tool called a swift, makes quick work of the task. A…

A half-skein of yarn left over from that sweater, a couple of irresistible skeins of wool you picked up last year, and before you know it you've got an out-of-control knitting stash. When your wool…

Wander through a yarn store, and you'll discover that yarn is "put up," or packaged in several different ways. Among these are sausage-shaped twists of yarn, called skeins or hanks. When you untwist…

Craft projects often combine household items in a creative way. Craft projects provide time for families to share in an activity and spend quality time together. Working with yarn and buttons,…

Knitted scarves are handmade accessories that can transform your style while adding warmth to your outfit. Simple knitted scarves highlight the colors and characteristics of the yarns that make them.…

Yarn bracelets are a craft tradition that have been a symbol of friendship for many years. They are not only colorful and fun to wear and trade among friends, but they are easy to make. Yarn bracelets…

Wrap yarn into a skein so it can be stored with other skeins and not tangle. It also makes the yarn easy to work with without becoming tangled. Wrapping a skein requires wrapping the length of yarn…

Yarn is a versatile material used to knit, crochet and weave. In craft projects, it can be used to replicate hair or fur. Yarn comes in a wide variety of textures and colors, making it an excellent…

Toy octopus dolls made from yarn are a no-sew, no-knit craft, and are ideal projects for children to develop their creativity and fine motor skills. Let your child to turn her octopus into a pirate by…

The Craft Yarn Council places symbols on craft yarn to enable consumers to choose yarn in the weight they need to achieve the correct gauge. Yarn labels contain symbols showing yarn weights and the…

Berroco is the brand name of a range of fashion yarns for knitting and crochet. Berroco makes traditional yarns such as Berroco Comfort or Berroco Vintage and also speciality yarns. Examples include…

Roll your used yarn into a ball to recycle that old yarn for using on your craft, crochet or knitting projects. Rolling the used yarn up into a ball makes knitting or crocheting easier, since the…

Large decorative tassels can add style to hats, pillow corners or curtain tiebacks. The tassels are not difficult to make from any type of smooth yarn. Glossy cotton or silk yarn can be used to make…

Peaches & Cream yarn is manufactured by Elmore-Pisgah Incorporated. The 100 percent cotton yarn comes in two weights, worsted and double-worsted. Readily available at craft and department stores and…

You can make a simple yarn holder from a plastic soda bottle for a useful craft item that also demonstrates your commitment to recycling and the environment. Make a holder for each colored yarn or…

Yarn labels go missing all the time. Perhaps you found the yarn at a yard or estate sale. Or you stumbled across a hand-spinner while on vacation. Or the label got lost during a move. The result is…

Most knitting and crochet patterns call for a particular kind of yarn. While the design may be lovely in that yarn, there are a lot of reasons to choose something different. Perhaps the yarn is…

Peaches & Creme yarn is a popular brand of natural cotton and rayon yarns, manufactured in Old Fort, North Carolina. The company began dyeing and packaging yarns for hand knitting, crocheting and…

Colorful friendship bracelets are a symbol of attachment. The time and effort it takes to construct the bracelets will be a testament of your appreciation for a friend. More elaborate jewelry pieces…

Yarn can be spun from a variety of animal, plant and man-made fibers. If you purchase yarn that does not have its contents clearly labeled or unravel old sweaters to reuse the yarn, it can be…

When finishing a project in knitting, quite often the object will not look anything like the picture at the beginning of the pattern. This is because many things effect the fabric as it is being knit.…

There are several reasons to split a skein of yarn into two equal amounts. If you are knitting any project that has two items, such as socks, mittens or gloves, splitting the skein insures that you…

Lush fabric with a soft hand and lustrous sheen are recognizable similarities when working with silk as well as rayon textiles. Though these delicate fabrics are often challenging to differentiate,…

Buying yarn on sale or when a certain color becomes available may mean purchasing a large quantity. When storing unused sock yarn, place it in a dry area to keep moisture from invading and ruining the…

Yarn-crafted pillows are wonderful gifts or accent pieces. You can use several yarn-crafting techniques to create your own 26-inch-square Euro-style accent pillows, or throw and accent pillows or any…

Cotton yarn is a sturdy standard in the yarn arsenal of most yarn crafters, and Peaches & Creme is one of the more popular brands. Available in a wide variety of colors, the yarns can be used for many…

Wristbands can add the final touch to an outfit and bring all the elements of the outfit together. While some are used for style, there are various other uses for wristbands. Amusement parks give out…

A 'hank' of beads is the term for a large amount of the same color and size beads that are already on a string. Bulk retailers frequently sell seed beads on hanks that include thousands of beads…

Knitting, crocheting, and felting are all considered "fiber arts"; they all are performed using various types of fibers, or yarns. There are many options for yarns, both natural and synthetic. Natural…

Hand dying fabric makes it possible to customize the fabrics in your home. One vital step in dyeing the fabric is setting the ink so that it doesn't continue to bleed. If you don't do this, the ink…

Easily coiled and uncoiled, skeins are a knitter's best friend. They can be kept in a knitting box, bag, or anywhere else without the worry of unraveling or knotting. To make a skein, all you need is…

When you hear the word "Kevlar," you probably think of a bulletproof vest. That is one of the products created using this man-made fiber developed by DuPont in 1965. Production of belts for radial…

Spinning a pen is an amusing way to pass the time while sitting in class or waiting in an office. Many of us have admired fellow students or colleagues who can spin a pen between their fingers with…

If you enjoy knitting craft projects, then you know how frustrating it can be when your yarn becomes tangled up as you work. However, you can prevent your yarn from becoming entangled by winding it…

Amigurumi, cute little craft creatures, call to many crocheters, so it's a good thing they're easy to make and the crochet hooks used to make them are common sizes. Amigurumi means crocheted doll in…

A cowl neck turns into a great looking collar when converting a knit pullover to a zippered jacket. Shrinkage often creates the need for this alteration. Nothing is worse than a cowl neck and…

Cone yarn is named as such because it is wrapped in a cone shape around a cardboard or plastic tube, unlike other yarn, which is wrapped into a skein. Cone yarn comes in wool, cotton, polyester and…

You can transform a pullover sweater into a cardigan knit jacket by adding a zipper. This is often done because the sweater is too tight due to shrinkage. Inserting a zipper down the center front adds…

Kevlar is a man-made organic fiber developed at DuPont chemical company in 1965 by Stephanie Kwolek and other scientists. It is a nylon fiber but much stronger than other nylon fibers, with a wide…

Knitters frequently have leftover yarn when they complete projects, which can languish in their stashes. Because many projects have specific yardage requirements, knitters are loathe to use leftovers…

Cotton and wool are both naturally occurring fibers that have been used for centuries for clothing, home furnishings and more. Cotton is taken from the plants of the genus Gossypium, and a number of…

Used for several different types of craft, knitting and crochet projects, yarn is a suitable stringing material for jewelry as well. While it is most readily associated with children's jewelry and…

Amigurumi animals are Japanese stuffed toys often presented to babies and toddlers. Basic animal designs can be modified and expanded upon to add originality and creativity to the work. Interlacing…

Making a pompom for a hat does not require special equipment beyond a scrap of cardboard and scissors. Pompoms embellish hats made for adults, teens and children. You can make them in a variety of…

Bead knitting and crocheting have become popular hobbies for people who want to make their own jewelry and beaded accessories. While handmade beaded items are beautiful, they can be tricky to put…

Hold a golf ball next to a poodle. The dimpled surface of a golf ball is somewhat similar to the texture of a poodles tightly curled fur. Seven golf balls are all that you need to make a basic dog…

Finding clothes in the bottom of your closet can be a frustrating and costly experience. Virtually eliminate rewashing and ironing, or returning unworn clothes to the dry cleaner, by preventing…

Hand painting your own sock yarn is an inexpensive way to create unique variegated colorways. Your dye choices are limited only by the fiber content of your yarn. One hundred percent animal fiber sock…

There is a certain amount of personal satisfaction for the crafter when she is responsible for every step of her project including the materials. To make a handspun scarf, you need to obtain a few…

Silk is a luxury fiber, which when spun into yarn and knitted or crocheted, creates a durable fabric with a heavy, flowing drape. Most knitting and crochet, particularly pieces made of natural fibers…

Chenille refers to a soft, piled yarn that when knitted, can resemble velvet or velour. The yarn can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, acrylic, rayon and silk. Chenille scarves…

Obtaining wool from Scotland is not always easy. Even in Scotland, most of the wool is imported from New Zealand or Australia. But if you find yourself with some Scottish wool you would like to weave,…

Knitted or crocheted pieces are often more interesting when more than one color of yarn is used. An easy way to do this is to follow a pattern that calls for stripes or sections of each color. When…

Indians in Central and South America were the first to make bracelets with cotton -- more commonly known as friendship bracelets. Children, especially girls, love making them for their friends and…

Most dry cleaners still use wire coat hangers. Some are covered with paper that advertises the dry cleaning establishment, but they all may eventually rust or discolor the garments on them. You can…

With some yarn and a wire coat hanger you can craft a whimsical poodle. It is a creative way to put wire hangers and leftover yarn to good use. Use proper precautions when handling a hot glue gun and…

A pull-out ball of yarn keeps yarn from tangling and knotting while you are looping it onto knitting needles or crochet hooks to create stitches. The drag caused from tangling or knotting can make…

Estimating the ounces for worsted weight yarn is entirely dependent on the yarn itself. For instance, silk and alpaca yarns are much heavier than wool yarns, and if you are dealing with a blended…

Yarn donations can help others in a variety of ways. Some organizations, such as Goodwill Industries and The Salvation Army, resell donated yarn and use the profits to benefit local communities. Other…

Many people knit, quilt or sew clothing, hats or scarves for those in need or for those suffering from a terminal illness. There are companies that donate yarn to these organizations for these…

Acrylic, a synthetic fiber, will not shrink or felt when washed, unlike natural fibers such as wool. However, acrylic may stretch when washed, especially when using hot water. Items made with acrylic…

When making a project using cotton yarn, chances are you will need to join a new ball at some point. There are several methods in which this is possible. The method you choose when joining yarn will…

Knitting designers often create patterns based on specific yarns, but many yarn crafters substitute other materials for their projects. These switches may be due to preference issues, wool allergies…

Many people still enjoy the ancient crafts of weaving cloth and spinning yarn. Today's weavers can choose from simple wooden frame looms to large floor looms with a complex system of pulleys, levers…

A tahkli spindle is a traditional tool for spinning cotton into yarn. A bottom-whorl spindle, the tahkli is often smaller and heavier than drop spindles used with wool. Their weight also makes them…

Whether you're knitting from a pattern or your own design, it is important to choose the proper yarn for a sweater project. Researching yarns ahead of time can help hand knitters avoid frustration…

Cotton's versatility and variety have made it an ideal fiber for apparel and household items for thousands of years. The process of spinning combines individual cotton fibers to form cotton yarn.…

Tahki Cotton Classic is a Double Knit (DK) weight yarn made from 100% cotton. It is a plied yarn, meaning it is made up of many skinny strands twisted together. Plied yarns like Tahki Cotton Classic…

Malabrigo is a company in Uruguay that produces hand painted, wool yarns. This family-owned business uses merino sheep specifically to produce wool yarn in a variety of different weights or…

Cotton is a vegetable fiber, harvested from the cotton plant. It can be spun into soft, fine yarns. Mercerization, a chemical process, can make the cotton yarn even softer and more lustrous.

Chenille is a fabric with a short pile, giving it a plush feel. Chenille yarn is manufactured by twisting short fibers called the "pile," between two plies of yarn. Chenille fabric can be purchased…

Choosing the right sock yarn is important when starting a sock project. The yarn will determine the thickness of the finished sock, how well any stitch patterns show up, and how well the socks will…

Lopi yarn is a lightly processed yarn from the fleeces of Icelandic sheep.The name "lopi" comes from a word for unspun wool. Crafters use lopi yarn for both knitting and felting.

An attractive and durable rug can be woven from yarn using an inexpensive potholder loom, found at craft stores. After weaving a series of small squares, a checkerboard design can be created by sewing…

Navajo tribes made cotton yarn rugs as early as the 16th century, and made wool yarn rugs after the introduction of sheep by the Spaniards, according to Len Wood's Indian Territory website. Crafting…

Gone are the days when the term "beanie" referred solely to a small multicolored skull cap with a functional plastic propeller on top. Today "beanie" most often refers to a snug-fitting winter…

Weaving is an exciting activity that can turn a strand of yarn or string into a beautiful piece of artwork or fabric. Although you can weave yarn on a loom or by hand, it can be more exciting to make…

Weaving is the process of securing fibers together to create a piece of fabric. The process involves weaving a strand of fiber over and under the warp, a set of parallel fibers, that are secured to a…

Chiffon is a plain-weave, sheer fabric made from highly twisted filament yarns. Originally, the yarns were silk; now they can also be polyester, rayon, cotton-poly blends and other manufactured…

Pom-poms made from yarn are a classic, cute addition to many yarn projects. These pom-poms are not only simple to make but also take very little time and you can make them in any color you desire. Add…

Mercerized cotton yarn is made from cotton fibers that have been treated with a special process that improves their appearance. It is soft and slightly glossy, and comes in a wide range of colors.

When you purchase yarn in a store or from an online retailer, it comes packaged in a skein, which is a long loop of yarn twisted together. Some commercial yarn brands come in skeins that you can knit…

Foxy was a knitting and crocheting yarn produced by the Collection Francaise brand under the supervision of the Plymouth Yarn Company based in Bristol, Pennsylvania.

Weaving is an ancient handicraft that will allow you to transform basic cotton yarn into a piece of fabric that you can use for clothing, linens or bags. Try your hand at making a piece of fabric from…

Knitting, crochet and other yarn crafts needn't be expensive hobbies. With a little planning it is possible to find a wide range of yarns that will meet any budget. Learn how to buy cheap and low-cost…

Knitters and crocheters use a swift and ball winder, which are tools to make yarn ready to use. These two tools are not essential for yarn crafts, but they do make short work of an important task.

Alpaca yarn is an animal fiber, softer than wool, that is lightweight while holding in warmth, making it a suitable choice for cool weather items. Blocking allows you to straighten yarn projects…

The three basic weaves are known as plain, twill and satin. The thinness as well as thickness of the yarns is determined by the weight and fineness of the cotton, which is made in singles or in plies.…

When all the knotting is done on your macrame wall hanging or plant hanger, there are choices yet to be made about the cords left at the bottom of your project. Some braid the cords, or tie beads to…

Novelty yarns generally tend to be produced in a different manner than the traditionally spun wool, cotton or silk yarns, and often feature manmade materials such as nylon, polyester and rayon. These…

Knitters and crocheters use winders and swifts to turn skeins of yarn into knittable balls. A swift is a wooden contraption that folds out like a large wooden umbrella and holds the skein taut. The…

While it may look like nothing but a ball of yarn, it is really a gateway to a world of entertainment and imagination. A ball of yarn serves as a way to break the ice with strangers, as the main item…

Blocking is one of the finishing steps for most knitting projects, and the technique you choose depends on the fiber. Yarn made from bamboo is soft and breathable with a silk-like sheen, which makes…

Acrylic yarn is made of plastic extruded from a machine. Unblocked knitted cloth curls at the edges and may look fuzzy. The conventional myth is that trying to block acrylic yarn will melt the yarn or…

Some yarn comes ready to use in skeins or balls. Other yarn comes in hanks, which are loose rings of yarn. If you try to knit with yarn in a hank, it will quickly become a tangled mess. Winding the…

Yarn bracelets, also called friendship bracelets, use colored twisted threads of wool or nylon. Using thick yarn, thin embroidery floss or another light-weight thread, create chunky or smooth weave…

Needlepoint is the craft of creating a wide range of designs by precisely stitching a canvas, a mesh fabric with vertical and horizontal threads that form openings for stitches. Once complete,…

A yarn swift helps a yarn crafter to wind balls of yarn out of more unwieldy storage methods, such as skeins or hanks. Pre-made ones are quite expensive—needlessly so, since you can easily make…

Chenille yarn is spun from two or more core yarns with soft fibers twisted at right angles to the central threads. This produces a fuzzy yarn that makes soft, velvety fabrics. It's perfect for…

Spinners of yarn may be surprised to learn they can make exquisitely soft items using the mounds of hair gathered from brushing their cats. Owners of Persians who shave their cats in the summertime…

Stringing beads is a simple craft, and yarn can be used as an alternative to other, harder to use beading materials when working with young children. It also provides a distinctive look for your…

When you are knitting or crocheting a baby blanket or other items for an infant, there are several things to look for in a yarn: material that is soft, hypoallergenic, durable, washable and…

The Egyptians first cultivated cotton for textiles about 6,000 years ago. Hand knitters, crocheters and weavers use cotton yarn because it is strong, durable and readily available. For crafters in…

Four-ply, 100 percent cotton yarn can be used to for knitting and crocheting household items, clothing, blankets and accessories. Soft to the touch and cool against the skin, cotton is lighter and…

Bamboo yarn is created from a process that spins the pulp of bamboo grass and with the plant's fibers. Some yarns are 100 percent bamboo fibers, while others are blended with cotton or acrylic fibers.…

Experienced knitters or crocheters looking for a challenge will find it in eyelash yarn, sometimes called "fun fur." Projects made with eyelash yarn are full and fuzzy and lack the stitch definition…

Most knitters and crocheters just cannot throw leftover yarn away. It collects the bottom of project bags, or plastic containers stuffed under the bed, or it just seems to multiply in the closet. If…

The French term for “curl” is “boucle,” which provides some insight on how to spin this novelty yarn. Boucle yarn is a three-ply yarn with loops and bumps. In a factory…

Cotton is an extremely versatile fiber, and cotton yarn is just one of its useful forms. You can find a variety of colors, styles, weights, and textures at your local yarn store or chain craft…

Walk into any yarn store today and along with the standard wool and cotton, you'll find yarns made from many other fibers. Hand-weavers, knitters and crocheters can choose from yarns made from plants…

There are more than 200 distinct breeds of sheep worldwide, and about 30 are raised in the United States for fiber, so hand-spinners have a wide variety of fibers to choose from. There are several…

Of the 47 breeds of sheep raised in the U.S., more than half provide wool for the textile industry, including the production of yarn for knitting and crochet. Although the various breeds each have…

After wool fiber is prepared for spinning, it looks a bit like cotton candy, and it pulls apart just as easily. To create yarn from this loose mass of fibers, hand-spinners use spinning wheels and…

Crocheting and knitting projects may require additional skeins or balls of yarn. At other times the crafter may need to change color to create a pattern in the project. These yarns must be securely…

Acrylic yarn may be cheaper than the other yarns available or might be the only type of yarn that is in stock in the color you prefer. One of the drawbacks of acrylic yarn is that it is harder than…

Crafters that like to knit or crochet often find themselves with leftover yarn that no longer serves a purpose. When this is the case, make a yarn dog with a coat hanger. Making a yarn dog is…

A yarn swift holds skeins of yarn at tension so you can wind the yarn into a ball. A skein, a loose ring of yarn, is one of many ways that yarn is “put up" for sales. Because there is not a…

Determine the yarn count of your unknown cones of yarn with a simple set of measurements and calculations. The yarn count is a measurement of how thick yarn is. Yarn with a lower count is thicker,…

Felted wool yarn makes an amazing craft material for purses, scarves and jewelry. A bracelet made of felted yarn hearts and glass beads, strung together with elastic thread makes for an accessory that…

Though spinning and dyeing your own yarn doesn't happen as often in the modern world as it has in the past, some people still take joy in making knitted projects from start to finish. Even those who…

Cashmere yarn is a luxury fiber made from the downy undercoat of a Capra hircus laniger goat. The yarn gets its name from the region in India, Kashmir, where the species originated. The yarn is…

As you work with a skein of yarn, you have the choice of pulling yarn off the skein from the outside of the skein or from the center of the skein. While both methods work, pulling yarn from inside the…

A favorite method for getting stitches on knitting needles is the long-tail technique. It is stretchy, provides stable stitches and is quick to execute. However, it has one big drawback: Before…

Lion Brand, the creator of Fancy Fur yarn, has stopped production of this yarn, but it still may be found in some yarn stores. Lion Brand has replaced Fancy Fur yarn with a new product it refers to as…

To most people, wool is wool. But knitters and hand spinners know there are differences. For example, a merino sheep produces soft fine wool, while a fleece from a corriedale is a medium wool, with a…

Say you've found a beautiful knitting or crochet pattern. You think you have the perfect polyester yarn in a lovely color in your stash, but it doesn't have a label so you don't know what size the…

The result of the chemical synthesis of coal, air and water, synthetic yarns like acrylic are born in manufacturing environments rather than on ranches or in a field. Acrylic fibers were created by…

Discontinued yarn is a very popular item, as some of the yarn that was made in the 1960s and 1970s were some of the most interesting color combinations available. Also, there is nothing worse than…

Acrylic yarn is one of many synthetic or man-made yarns available for hand knitters and crocheters. It is readily available and comes in an array of weights, colors and textures. Acrylic yarn is easy…

According to the EPA, in 2008, the average American generated 4 1/2 lbs. of trash every day, and recycled only 1 1/2 lbs. of it. While those recycled plastic bottles will probably not end up in your…

Cotton yarn can be bleached by using packets of a color remover product in a volume of water. The color remover will not damage the yarn like a harsh bleach. The process is completed by using boiling…

The phrase "warp and woof" means a foundation or base upon which something is built, usually metaphorically. Literally, it means "fabric": warp and woof are the two components of a woven cloth.

Noro, a luxury yarn, is known for its gradual shifts in color and rustic appearance. When knit up, the yarns produce a gentle striped look, with one color fading into another. Although the yarns are…

Very few crochet or knitting projects use only one color, requiring the maker to add a new color and change balls of yarn. Even if the project contains a single color, a single ball of yarn isn't…

Knitting or crocheting with beads can add a lot of extra style to your project. There are thousands of colors, shapes, sizes, styles and types of beads available to use. Knowing how to quickly get…

Large knitting or crocheting projects use a lot of yarn, and buying it in bulk saves money on what can be an expensive hobby or activity. It also assures the crafter that there will be plenty of…

When working with large projects and lots of yarn, knitting, crocheting and other such crafts can begin to get really frustrating. The sheer amount of yarn involved in large projects can cause…

An alpaca is an animal that resembles a llama but is usually a little bit smaller and does not have a coarse outer coat of hair as do llamas. Alpaca fiber is warmer than wool and extremely soft,…

Many yarns come in skeins or hanks and some upscale handmade yarns come in twisted bunches, but all of them can be made easier to use by winding the yarn into a ball before you begin to knit or…

Cotton fiber has been used for hundreds of years in clothing, linens and other textiles. It is soft, versatile, and the raw fibers can be spun into strong threads and yarns that can rival animal…

Merino yarn is a wool fiber produced from the fleece of Merino sheep. These sheep are known for their luxurious wool coats that offer extra softness in a wool fiber.

Yarn that is made with non-natural material, such as polyester or nylon, is not biodegradable and is a threat to our environment when discarded and placed in garbage dumps. Rubber, leather and…

An amusing way to play with your child is by making homemade yarn marionettes for puppet shows. Because creating standard marionettes is a somewhat complicated task for the novice puppet maker,…

The number of yarns available seems to grow every day. Yarns like mohair and alpaca that were once almost impossible to locate, are now easy to find, and new yarns like boucle or eyelash beckon from…

Polyester yarn is made from a chemical process that combines petroleum products, coal, water and air into chips that are melted, extruded into fibers, and then spun into yarn. There are two main types…

Wire hangers can look cheap hanging in your closet, but they often come home with dry-cleaned clothing. If you need the hangers to hold your clothes, but don't like the look of them, consider wrapping…

The crafting yarn market is expanding into new dimensions by creating yarns out of materials formally not thought of in knitting. Among these natural fibers being produced are those from corn, soy,…

Cotton yarn is a staple in any crafter's yarn stash. Cotton is a breathable fiber that feels soft against the skin. It is ideal to use for baby items and for clothing for people who are allergic to…

Rug yarn is a bulky, plied yarn used to create handmade rugs with punch needle, rya stitch or latch hooking techniques. Often too bulky or coarse for everyday apparel, those who have leftover rug yarn…

Kids love animals, making animal-theme crafts a popular choice of activity. Many children have dogs of their own or know someone who does, so create a craft inspired by these friendly pups. A yarn…

Amigurumi are small stuffed animals that are usually crocheted, then stuffed with fiberfill. "Amigurumi" is a Japanese term for knit stuffed toy--amigurumi are usually crocheted. In order to create…

Pompoms can transform anything that is plain into something fun and whimsical. They can be attached to the top of a hat, sewn to a sweater or glued to assorted craft creations. They can be made with…

If you're taking up knitting, you'll soon learn that serious knitters use a lot of yarn, which means buying a lot of yarn. Buying cheap, inferior yarn isn't a good way to produce high-quality shawls,…

Industrial processing techniques can cause wool yarns to feel more harsh and scratchy than they actually are. If you want to minimize wool yarn's itchiness, you can try a few different approaches to…

Shawls are one of the most basic knit or crochet patterns, but also some of the most complex. There are shawl patterns for every skill level, making them a popular project choice. Multiple yarns…

Wool that is available in your local hobby, craft or discount store has taken a long, journey, coming from sheep scattered around the world. In its natural state, wool is dirty, full of bits of leaves…

Not all wool yarn is created equal. Differences such as fiber content and number of plies (strands) have an effect on how the yarn knits or crochets. You can find dozens of varieties of wool yarn at…

Fringe is the perfect finishing touch for many different types of projects. Adding a fringe allows you to not only enhance the look of your knitted or crocheted item, but to hide any flaws in your…

When you purchase skeins of yarn, usually these skeins are ready to use with a tail of yarn extending out from the center of the skein. By simply pulling this yarn tail, you unwind the yarn and you…

If you buy yarn, it usually comes in a skein. Some commercial skeins of yarn are meant to use right away, but others require winding or else they can become tangled. If this is the case for your yarn,…

If you're going to be knitting or crocheting a large project, you may want to purchase a cone of yarn. Cones come in all sizes, weights and colors, and they hold a lot of yarn. Sometimes you can even…

You can wind balls of yarn so the yarn pulls from the outside or the inside. A center pull ball offers a number of advantages. It does not roll easily and may be less prone to tangling. You can also…

Spun novelty yarns are a custom handspun yarn often made of exotic or unusual fibers such as bamboo, silk, tie-dyed wools, pet hair or yak. Spinners add almost any embellishment imaginable to the…

For someone who loves to knit, a delightful, crafty gift would be balls of decorated yarn. Every serious knitter needs a supply of colorful yarn of different weights. These yarn balls can be presented…

Before the Industrial Age, women and men in every household spun fiber into yarn for weaving and knitting clothes. Today hand spinning is a craft enjoyed by people who want to reconnect with that…

Homespun yarn may not be perfect, but that is part of what makes it beautiful. Beginning spinners can make something unique out of a small amount of homespun yarn, and more experienced spinners can…

After a sheep has been sheared, the fleece (or coat) begins its lengthy transformation into wool yarn used for making clothing, bedding and soft furnishings. Getting raw wool ready for weaving…

Because of their vibrant colors and textures, novelty yarns are becoming increasing popular yarn choices in knit and crochet communities. Yarn ladders---commonly called ladder yarn---look like a…

When knitting, you can work in any combination of colors. Fair Isle knitting involves carrying two or more colors along the back of your work as you knit in order to make small splashes of color in a…

Make a shaggy dog using yarn to give to a young child. This simple and enjoyable project will create an adorable little puppy that any child would love. Few materials are necessary for this project,…

Lattice fringe is an attractive way to finish an afghan or a crocheted sweater. A row of filet crochet is made, consisting of double crochet stitches and spaces, creating a row of full and empty…

Yarn ball winders and swifts are very helpful tools for knitters. While some skeins of yarn come in a ready-to-knit form, others come in twisted loops called hanks, which are very difficult to knit…

When you buy yard, it can come in one of several different setups. The most common setup is as a skein of yarn. For a skein, the yarn has been looped in a long cylindrical shape, with a wrapper around…

Yarn is available in a variety of forms. While many brands of yarn are sold conveniently wound into balls, others are sold as hanks. A hank is essentially a large loop of yarn. Unfortunately, you…

Dyeing yarn is creative, challenging and fun. Finding new techniques and methods can add innovation to your yarn. While many dyers have experimented with hand painting or kettle dyeing their yarn,…

Most crocheting and knitting patterns call for more than one ball of yarn or more than one color, if not more of both. Changing yarn is slightly tricky if the finished product is to be smooth and…

Before you knit with yarn that's been skeined into a hank, you need to wind it into a ball. Hanks, or big loops of yarn, tangle easily and can cause problems when you knit directly from the skein.…

You can determine the fiber content of yarn with a burn test, which entails burning a small piece of yarn and observing how it burns and the odor it produces. Wool is protein based and is slow to…

After all the hard work you put into spinning and knitting a garment from homespun yarn, you owe it to yourself to properly block it. Blocking gives knitted items a finished look; it allows you to…

A yarn swift allows crafters to quickly wind skeins of yarn into a more manageable loop. They expand like an umbrella to hold a loop of yarn around their wheel-like shape. As they spin, yarn winds…

There are several different ways that alpaca yarn ends can be joined, the simplest of which is to just knot the two strands together. However, because most yarn joins happen in the middle of a…

When you invest in wool sock yarn or "fingering-weight" yarn with which to make assorted knitting and crocheted projects, it is imperative that you store it carefully to avoid damage to the fibers.…

Scouring to remove oil and dirt is the most important step toward the successful dyeing of fibers. It entails a thorough washing that will not leave behind any residual matter. According to the…

So you have a great pattern for a pair of felted slippers, or you're ready to knit up that top-down sweater pattern you found on the Internet. Maybe a rolled-brim hat or a cozy pair of wool mittens…

Needlepoint and cross stitch are very precise forms of embroidery, so calculating the amount of thread needed to complete a project is fairly easy. But since embroidery yarn varies greatly from one…

Estimating how much yarn to buy for a needlepoint project can be tricky; and if you underestimate, you may end up with colors from dye lots that do not match. Take care to plan ahead to make sure you…

If you want to make yarn hair for dolls, you can do it quickly and easily by building and using your own at-home loom. Using a block of wood and a small dowel rod, you can make an adjustable loom that…

When you reach the end of a length of needlepoint yarn while you're in the middle of a project and you need to continue working in yarn of the same color, you can create a join that will connect your…

Working with the colors of yarn that are specified in your crochet or knitting patterns is a good way to begin learning how to work with yarns and colors. As you become more experienced, think about…

Felting is a popular technique for hand knitters. To create felted fabric, knitters create an item and then machine wash it in warm soapy water. The result is a dense fabric that does not have any…

Made out of long lengths of yarn, yarn balls give cats pleasure and provide a soft alternative to tennis balls or baseballs for indoor play. Yarn balls can also store yarn in a tight and compact form…

Potholders are easy to make using yarn and basic knitting and crochet techniques. Selecting the right combination of fiber, stitch and technique will allow you to craft a potholder to match your…

Two popular knitting techniques, Intarsia and Fair Isle use multiple colors of yarn. Fair Isle is traditionally done in the round and can use many colors, but only two are used per round. The unused…

Cotton yarn is used in all types of needlework projects from knitting and crocheting to weaving and stitching. Cotton is all natural and it takes color well. It is also a renewable resource, which…

Crocheting a hexagon yarn trivet only takes a bit of creativity, perhaps an alteration in type of yarn or stitch, or maybe some experimentation if you are so inclined. Start with yarn, but after you…

If you've already mastered spinning fine fibers with longer staple lengths like merino and alpaca, you should try spinning cashmere into yarn. Soft, short cashmere fiber presents a challenge to…

A yarn swift winds a skein of yarn into a ball or a cone of yarn into a skein. Any yarn enthusiast will tell you that winding a ball of yarn without a swift is possible, but tricky. If you want a yarn…

If you enjoy knitting or crocheting, then a yarn winder is a must-have item for your home. A yarn winder, also known as a swift, helps turn a commercial skein of yarn into a ball that you can use in…

It's essential to choose the right wool fleece to create great hand-spun yarn. If you don't select good wool, you won't have as much fun spinning the product, and you'll end up with an inferior yarn.…

The time to find out whether your yarn is colorfast is before you actually knit with it, not after. Yarn that is not colorfast can ruin your entire project, or even a whole load of laundry. If you…

Golden alpaca yarn, one of several alpaca brands, is harvested from the Huacaya alpaca. The fleece from this animal is a very soft, hollow fiber. Golden alpaca yarn is all-natural and takes dyes well.

A yarn octopus makes a wonderful project for kids' groups or just for a rainy day. Using scraps of yarn and easy braiding techniques, the directions for a yarn octopus produce a great toy for toddlers…

Making wristbands with yarn is an age-old activity for children and adults. Wristbands and bracelets may look alike, but a wristband is tight around the wrist and a bracelet is loose to move around…

Soft and snugly chenille yarn is perfect for crafting baby and bath items. It's warm and super-absorbent, and is made from a variety of fibers including wool, acrylic and cotton. Chenille yarn is easy…

If you knit or crochet, you have a lot of great yarn to choose from. Some yarn is ready to use in pull skeins or balls. But some yarn comes in hanks that must be wound before you can use it. One…

If you enjoy working with yarn for knitting or crochet, perhaps you have considered making your own. While purchasing a spinning wheel might not be in your budget, you can make your own drop spindle…

The yarn over is a technique in which you intentionally make holes in your knitting. Yarn overs are used in lacework and also can create a lacy trim on items such as a baby blanket. The process of…

Staple yarns, despite the name, are not basics to be kept on hand like staple foods would be in a pantry. Staple yarn is a type of yarn distinguished by the materials and method used to make it.…

Crocheted necklaces have gone in and out of fashion over the years. The word necklace literally means "lace for the neck." As early as medieval times, women and men wore handmade lace collars that…

The long fibers used to make linen yarn come from the stalk of the flax plant. Growing flax plants takes about 100 days from seed to harvest. The plant produces blue or white flowers on slender stalks…

Knitters and crocheters who have worked on multiple projects know that scrap yarn builds up quickly. If you have just enough yarn left that you don't want to throw it away, but not enough for another…

Rug yarn is a multiple-ply, generally thick yarn made from a variety of fibers. It's used for making rugs and other hard-wearing textiles. While many vendors carry rug yarn, making your own is a…

Boucle is a nubby yarn that can fit any budget, ranging from discount store varieties to luxurious handspun blends. A characteristically wavy and irregular yarn, boucle is excellent for some projects…

Worsted weight yarn, named from an old term meaning a firmly spun yarn, is a popular yarn weight, as it is able to be used for many different types of projects. It comes in all colors and fiber types,…

Would you rather have a beautiful hat or pair of mittens made from your cat's hair rather than just dumping all the hair in the trash every time you brush your pet? In a few simple steps, you can…

Have you read reviews about Koigu yarn? Maybe your friends have recommended it, or you've seen it on display at your local yarn store and wondered if it was for you. Before you buy, check out these…

Bamboo yarn is strong, soft and has a beautiful sheen. It drapes well and can be blended with other fibers, including cotton, silk and wool. Spinning your own bamboo yarn poses some challenges as it…

There is much to know about Angora yarn--where it comes from, how it's harvested and made into yarn, and the types of things commonly made with it. Angora yarn comes from the fur of the Angora rabbit.

Lanyards are extremely useful for keeping track of everything from I.D. cards to room keys and even small wallets. However, they are not always the most attractive accessory. By designing your own…

Here is the perfect way to cover slippery plastic coat hangers. Blouses and shirts will no longer slither to the ground, because this crocheted hanger covering holds onto the fabric. This is a cute,…

When fibers are spun the resulting yarn is called a "single." To make yarn suitable for knitting or crocheting, it is usually plied. This means that one or more singles are twisted together to make a…

Yarn is made from individual fibers that are spun together to form one long, twisted thread. There are many types of material that can be spun into yarn using either a spindle or a spinning wheel.…

Reading a yarn label is important when deciding on a knitting project. Learn how to read a yarn label with expert tips from a knitting instructor in this free video about how to knit.

Cashmere yarn is spun from the soft undercoat of the Kashmir goat. It is an extremely soft fiber, well-suited to many knitting applications. Cashmere can be spun alone or as a blend with other fibers,…

The wool cut from a sheep's coat is called fleece. It is generally full of natural oils, dirt, manure, grass and other materials that must be cleaned out before the wool can be made into yarn. Washing…

Spinning your own yarn is a great way to control everything about the yarn you will be knitting with. It takes a bit of practice to learn to produce good yarn, but the basic process is easy. The…

One of the many uses of wool is its ability to be spun into yarn. This is an ideal material for many types of clothing and blankets because of its soft texture. To start the process, the wool must…

To start the process of making yarn, fibers are first pulled apart from their bundles and cleaned if needed. For different types of yarn, different fibers are blended together as they are pulled apart…

A yarn boa is a fancy scarf made with lightweight textured yarn. It can be any color or combination of colors and is used to decorate an outfit rather than to keep warm. Making a yarn boa is very easy…

Scarves are one of the most diverse pieces of apparel a person can own. Scarves are great for keeping warm when shoveling snow or casually throwing over a T-shirt while walking along a beach at night.…

Making your own yarn from wool is an incredibly rewarding experience and can be accomplished with a variety of animal fibers. Regardless of whether you choose sheep, angora, llama or alpaca with which…

Have you ever wanted to start a knitting project or a crocheting project but just couldn't find the perfect yarn? Spinning your own yarn is easier than you think. All you need is a drop spindle, some…

When you have a knitting habit, funding it with new yarn can get expensive. But you can often get high-quality yarn from already-knit sweaters you may have at home, or can buy from thrift stores.

Yarn is used in knitting and embroidery thread. Even thin thread used in sewing is considered a yarn. If you look closely, you can see the different fibers that have been wound together. Yarn is…

Keeping your kids active can be a chore in itself at times. But, you can use crafting materials found around your home to create some of the cutest projects. Take your kids on a colorful sea adventure…

Cheerful yarn daisies can be used in dozens of ways; they make attractive package decorations, they can dress up a party table, in autumn colors they look great as part of a fall foliage display and…

Watch an overview of crazy specialty yarns in this free home hobby video.

Learn how to attach yarn to make fringe for an afghan blanket in this free online arts and crafts video.

If you have a knitted or crocheted sweater, blanket or other item that you don't like, you might be able to reuse the yarn. If the item is handmade, the yarn should be reusable. Follow these steps to…

If you buy a lot of your yarn in hanks or in bulk, you're going to need a yarn ball winder to wind the yarn into a manageable ball before you begin to knit. Yarn ball winders are easy to use once you…

There are lots of uses for pompoms and they are so easy to make out of yarn that you should never again buy them pre-made. You can make them as large or as small as you need; whatever color you'd…

As any knitter or crocheter will tell you, a good yarn stash is a wonderful thing. But there comes a time you start to get overrun with yarn and you simply need to get rid of some to make room for…

Angora is a unique fiber to spin. It is extremely fluffy and because of this is seven times warmer than wool. This quality also makes it slippery and somewhat difficult to spin. It is also one of the…

Organizing yarn is a great way to make knitting more efficient. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this using shelves, boxes or open faced crates. You can also use hanging shoe organizers or…

If you've never tried felting, you may discover that it's one of your favorite ways to finish your knitted items. Felting creates a soft, fuzzy, and thick garment that is warm and quite appealing. You…

So you have successfully confirmed your suspicion that there is a knitter in the household. The question now arises is how to live with the affliction.

Mohair yarn comes from Angora goats (named after a region in Turkey now called Ankara). This is a time consuming but very rewarding craft and can produce beautiful results when done correctly. Angora…

You start with a sheep, and end up with knitted and crocheted projects. Steps to producing yarn include carding and spinning. But first, the fleece must be cleaned.

If you knit or crochet, there's a good chance that you have a stash of yarn somewhere.

If you knit or crochet, chances are you have a stash of yarn remnants left over from previous projects that you don't know how to use. Rather than throwing them out, consider some of the following…

If you enjoy producing your own luxury yarn for knitting or crocheting, spin the fur of angora rabbits. Angora rabbit hair is among the finest of all animal wools, so its delicate strands don't cause…

A yarn swift is a great tool to use for fiber crafts in knitting and crochet. This tool make skeins easier to handle by eliminating tangles and keeping the yarn neater. It also facilitates wrapping…

Once you have yarn completely spun it is time to set the twist in the yarn. This is a simple process that ensures that the yarn won't unravel once it is taken off the drop spindle or spinning wheel…

Having yarn in a skein can help keep the yarn in order and is a great way to organize yarn. The skeins can be placed neatly in a box or hung on a wall with thumbtacks. Skeins are made by winding yarn…

Try spinning yarn with a drop spindle. It is a great hobby to have--a constructive way to spend spare time in addition to being creative and making something beautiful. It is relatively easy but may…

If you own a longhaired dog, you may have marveled at the copious amounts of fluff dogs shed during grooming. If you knit, crochet or weave, you can harvest this fur to spin yarn for your crafts. The…

Many people who knit and crochet prefer to roll their yarn into balls before beginning their projects. Many claim that it allows them to become familiar with the yarn and even has a calming effect. It…

Use pompoms of different sizes to decorate baby clothing, home furnishings or even a Christmas stocking. You only need cardboard, scissors and the yarn of your choice.