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Yarns
If you have questions call (613)836-1107 or email.. Not all yarns are created equal, and making the correct choice of yarns can be the determining factor in completing a beautiful garment. Most of us are driven by photo's of garments, but sometimes want to substitute the specified yarn. With a basic understanding of yarns and fibers, this can be accomplished successfully. I hope that this breakdown will help you make the right choice for your next project. Our basic two categories are: Machine Knitting Yarns and Hand Knitting Yarns. They are more easily recognized by being “coned and spooled” yarn or, “balled and skeined” yarn. CONED AND SPOOLED YARN: These yarns have been produced specifically for industrial and home knitting machines. They are “doubled” or plied more slowly than a hand knitting yarn, allowing the yarn to pass through the tension discs much more evenly and faster. Most of these yarns are waxed before and after plying, and also tend to have more finishing products in them. Therefore, machine knitters must never judge the “feel” of the yarn before laundering it according to the manufacturers instructions. It is essential that these yarns be used on standard (4.5mm) gauge and fine (3.6mm) gauge knitting machines. BALLED AND SKEINED YARN: These yarns have been produced for hand knitting and crocheting. The twist on the yarns tends to be tighter, allowing the needles to slip past the stitch, and not split the yarn. These yarns are seldom waxed, but will have a small amount of finishing product in them, and will change slightly when laundered according to manufacturers instructions. Although these yarns have been designed for hand knitting, if you own a European (5mm) gauge, Mid (6.5 or 7mm) gauge, or chunky (9mm) gauge machines, these balled and skeined yarns will be appropriate for your knitting machine. Your next choice will be that of Natural Fibers or Synthetic Fibers. With synthetics being engineered using very sophisticated processes, this is a matter of lifestyle rather than comfort. Micro fiber has all the appeal of synthetic with the breathing ability of natural fibers. So before making your purchasing decision, do a little homework, it might be worth your while. Natural fibers are either protein based (wool, silk, alpaca, angora, etc) or plant based (cotton, ramie, linen, rayon etc). These fibers generally require more care than synthetics, and are usually priced as a premium fiber. Synthetics are a petroleum based product. Requiring little or no care, are impervious to insects, and are usually very colour fast. Blends of both natural and synthetic fibers can really give you the best of both worlds. Keep in mind that once your tension swatch is knitted, it is paramount that it be laundered and blocked. Blocking will set the stitches and finish the front face of the fabric. The use of heat and steam is essential for giving a good block, with the exception of nylon, where a lower temperature is required. If you are not sure of the blocking method to use, steam the garment first (but keep your iron OFF the garment) then stop the steam, and lightly skim the iron over the surface of the garment. Too much pressure on the iron will flatten the stitches essentially “killing” the fabric. Wool is one of the rule breakers. Steam and heat can be used at the same time. If you have questions call (613)836-1107 or email.. Choosing the Correct Yarn
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