Are you looking to start a new or even your first knitting project? You might be unsure of which yarn type to go for. Should it be wool, acrylic or maybe a wool-blend? Even for the most experienced knitter, the sheer abundance of different types of yarns you can choose from can be daunting. For that reason, we have gathered the dominant types of yarn that are out there, which will help you in starting your knitting project.
Which Different Types of Yarn Are There?
Yarn types can be divided into three different groups, which are indicative of how the fibers are sourced and which characteristics they have.
Plant fibers
Plant fibers are characterized by being biodegradable and eco-friendly. In addition, they are breathable and lightweight, making them a perfect contender for sweaters, scarfs or other garments that are nice to have in both colder and warmer climates.
Examples of plant fibers are: Cotton, linen and hemp.
Natural fibers
As opposed to plant fibers, natural fibers are not necessarily as eco-friendly. They are animal fibers, and vary in characteristics depending on what kind of breed the fiber is sourced from. Our yarn however, is produced in a Fairtrade certified factory as well as being GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified.
Examples of natural animal fibers are: Wool, cashmere, alpaca and mohair.
Synthetic fibers
Synthetic fibers are man-made, as opposed to the previous groups of yarn types. These are durable and less expensive. However, they are not suitable for all climates and types of garments.
Examples of synthetic fibers are: Acrylic, rayon and nylon.
🧶 Head’s up! We will go into depth about the most popular types of natural and synthetic fibers later on in the guide.
Blended types of yarn
A lot of knitters use blended yarns, either wool-blend or acrylic-blend yarns, that consist of the best features from each fiber. That way you can keep warm and stay away from any allergy-inducing fibers. Wool-nylon blends are for instance perfect for washable socks, while wool-acrylic blends are ideal for warm and durable garments.
What to Look for When Choosing Yarn
In this guide we will cover everything you should know about the different yarn types.
- Yarn weight
- Fiber content
- Texture
- Other characteristics
Yarn Weight
Yarn weight is a term we use to describe how thick the strands of yarn are. Some ideas are better realised with a less thick yarn, such as delicate baby garments or socks, while others rely on thick strands. Chunky sweaters or blankets for example. The thickness also affects how the garment or knitting piece will look and feel. So, yarn weight is not descriptive of how heavy the yarn is.
Want to learn more about yarn weights? Read our comprehensive beginners guide to yarn weights!
Picking the correct yarn weight for your project
When you are out buying yarn, either in a physical store or online, you may spot a number on the label. This indicates the weight of the yarn, and thereby the thickness of the fibers. This spectrum is divided into 7 categories of ply, from 0 til 6, where 0 is the thinnest yarn weight available.
What is ply?
A ply is a knitting term that refers to the number of strands that are twisted together to form the yarn. The overall thickness of the yarn is determined by the individual thickness of each ply.
Have a look at the overview below for an explanation of the various yarn weights and which number that correspond to which type of yarn.
Fiber Content
The fiber content of the yarn is a deciding factor when it comes to choosing the correct yarn type for your knitting project. The fiber content indicates the qualities of the yarn, from its insulating abilities, how easy it is to maintain and clean, and its broader sustainability characteristics.
This also influences the texture of the yarn. Some are smooth, others are fuzzy. Cashmere is the smoothest type of fiber out there, while some synthetic fibers like rayon and acrylic might be more rough to the touch. The actual fiber content and how the yarn has been spun decides the texture of the yarn.
Common Types of Yarn and Their Characteristics
Yarns can be made from many different fibers, as we have roughly introduced you to earlier in the article. In the following chapter, we will deep dive into some specific types of yarn that many gravitate towards. It is a wide spectre of yarns, from natural fibers like luxurious cashmere to synthetic fibers like durable nylon.
Wool
Wool yarn is made from sheep’s fleece and can be spun in a variety of ways. For that same reason, there are many different types of wool yarn to choose from. These variations vary in weight, texture and usage. Wool is among the most common yarn types to use in knitting projects due the large amount of options you have. It is especially common to use in sweaters, blankets or other garments and accessories.
Merino wool is a very popular variation of wool yarn, since it is both thin and warm. Another variation of wool yarn is virgin wool, which is sourced directly from the sheep.
Pros of wool yarn: Warm, durable, breathable and versatile.
Cons of wool yarn: Can be itchy and prone to pilling.
Cashmere
Cashmere yarn is sourced from cashmere goats and belongs to the general category of fleece yarn. Fleece yarn is a broader category within natural fibers, which refers to how the wool is sourced. Fleece yarn is wool that has been obtained from the sheep in one shearing. In the case of cashmere it is sourced from the underbelly of the goats and is very soft, comfortable and warm.
Pros of cashmere: Luxurious, soft and insulating.
Cons of cashmere: Expensive, high maintenance and weaker compared to other animal fibers.
Mohair
Mohair is another fleece yarn, but is sourced from the angora goat. It is much thicker than cashmere and has a fussy appearance.
Pros of mohair: Can be combined with other fibers, fluffy and strong.
Cons of mohair: Expensive, may be irritating to the skin and has loose fibers.
Acrylic
Acrylic yarn is readily available in most places that sell yarn, from specialty shops to grocery stores. It is popular because of the low price, durability and use area. It has some of the same insulating qualities as wool, both in terms of warmth and comfort, but it is always machine washable.
Pros of acrylic yarn: Inexpensive and dryer and machine friendly.
Cons of acrylic yarn: Can melt at high temperatures and it does hold odors and stains more than natural fibers.
Nylon
Nylon is also known as polyamide and is considered as a particularly strong and elastic fiber. In fact, it is widely credited as the strongest textile fiber you can get your hands on. Socks are for instance made with various degrees of polyamide, which gives flexibility when you wear them. Oftentimes wool socks are made with a small amount of polyamide as well.
Pros of nylon: Lightweight and durable fiber.
Cons of nylon: Not sustainable due to being chemically processed. It is also very heat sensitive.
🧶 Looking to knit some socks? Find the best sock knitting patterns here!
Our Preferred Types of Yarn to Knit With
Now that we have introduced you to the different types of yarn and given an introduction to the most common variations of each, we want to highlight some of our personal favorites. Merino wool, mohair and Peruvian Highland wool are ideal yarns for your next projects, as they neatly combine robustness, comfort and style.
Merino Wool Yarn
Merino wool yarn derives from the merino sheep, as the name suggests. After a comprehensive process of cleaning, carding and spinning the wool, it is spinned to become balls of yarn ready for your knitting project.
It is both soft and comfortable, notably more gentle on the skin compared to virgin wool and standard wool knits. It also has natural thermoregulating properties and is less prone to creating an itchy sensation when you are wearing it directly on the body.
🧶 Interested in merino wool? Take a deep dive into everything you should know about this type of wool yarn.
Mohair Yarn
Mohair yarn is also a soft and lightweight type of yarn. By the nature of it being a wool fiber, it is insulating, durable and perfect for a variety of garments. Sweaters in particular are the perfect canvas for this type of yarn. What makes mohair special, is the characteristic fuzz that creates a nice texture to any outfit.
🧶 Are you keen on knitting with mohair? Read our guide on mohair yarn first.
Peruvian Wool Yarn
Peruvian wool hits the ideal combination of durability and softness. Therefore, it is considered a hybrid – and some would say ideal – version of cashmere and merino wool. It is even a contender to the blended fibers, like wool-nylon blends. The fibers are collected from sheep that are raised in high-altitude regions in Peru and are known for their resilience in extreme weather conditions. For that reason, peruvian wool is both durable, breathable, and easy to form into garments of your choice.
🧶 Excited to do a project with Peruvian wool? Explore the benefits of the yarn and find some inspiration here.
Get Inspired to Choose the Correct Type of Yarn
When you are picking out the correct type of yarn for your project you must take into account the pattern or garment you want to knit. You should also consider the fiber content and yarn weight.
Knitting pattern
If you use a pattern for your knitting project, there is in most cases a recommendation for what kind of yarn you should use. It is crucial that you use the same yarn weight and fiber content that is recommended, or the equivalent, if you want the same result.
🧶 We offer knitting patterns for your project: Explore our library in the Knit and Note app!
Fiber content
The fiber should correspond to the garment you are making. A thick sweater or a chunky scarf should keep you warm. Therefore, wool, cashmere or angora yarn would be preferred. For lighter garments, a blend of natural and synthetic fibres can be more beneficial.
Yarn weight
The weight influences the texture, draping and overall feel of the garment. This indicates whether the garment will be sturdy and bulky or smooth and easy. A loose shirt would fall into the latter category, whilst you want a blanket to be thick and cozy.
