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In this issue we'll explore the characteristics of different types of yarn in order to help you make smart choices when choosing the perfect yarn for your projects. We'll also share letters from readers who have more tips for yarn safety with animals, and others who give of their crochet time and talents to brighten the lives of others. If you enjoy puzzles, we've got a fun crochet word-search puzzle just for you! And spring just wouldn't be spring without some fancy new duds, so pick up your hooks and yarn, and crochet our light and lacy cardigan and tunic vest.
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Understanding Yarn Characteristics
Years ago, yarn choices were pretty limited. Times have changed. In today's market, yarns are manufactured from a wide variety of fiber sources and offer a wonderful array of characteristics that enhance the crochet and knitting experience. Having a basic understanding of how yarns are manufactured and described will help you make decisions about the best yarn for a particular project.
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Fibers
Many different plant, animal (protein) and synthetic fibers are used to make yarn. Cotton, linen, ramie, bamboo and corn are examples of plant fibers. Protein fibers include wool, mohair, angora, silk, cashmere, camel, llama, alpaca and qiviut (pronounced "kiv-ee-ute"). Acrylic, nylon, polyester, metallic and microfiber are synthetic.
Each fiber has its own characteristics, and different fibers are often blended to take advantage of the best properties of each. Fiber characteristics include how it feels to the touch (the "hand"), how much elasticity it has ("resilience"), how well it absorbs moisture ("absorbency"), how fluffy or fuzzy it is ("loft") and how well it accepts dye.
Here is a helpful chart that shows the origin and characteristics of a variety of yarn fibers.
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Manufacturing
Natural fibers other than silk come in short strands rather like locks of hair, called "staples." While silk comes in one continuous strand, it is often cut into manageable lengths for processing. Most man-made fibers are produced in single long filaments.
Before being spun, these fibers must be prepared by a carding, or combing, process. This process aligns the staples so they are parallel to one another.
Fibers are spun, or twisted together, in either an "S" twist or a "Z" twist. An "S" twist yarn is spun so that the fibers look like the center curve of an S, or . A "Z" twist yarn resembles the center slant of a Z, or / /.
The twisted strand, or "ply," may then be twisted together with other plies in the opposite direction to make a multi-ply yarn, which adds strength and balance to the yarn. An unbalanced yarn may pull to one side or the other (bias) when stitched. A tight twist will produce a strong yarn with good stitch definition. These yarns will resist pilling and may be used for garments that will get a lot of heavy wear, like socks or work sweaters.
Sometimes fibers are left unspun. Unspun fiber, called "roving," is weak and breaks easily during crocheting or knitting. However, it creates a very warm garment for its weight because the air between the fibers traps heat.
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Finishing
Certain fibers may be specially treated after spinning to change their characteristics. Mercerized cotton is cotton that has gone through a finishing process that makes the fiber stronger, more lustrous and more accepting of dyes than regular cotton. Superwash wool fibers have been coated with a resin to prevent the fibers from felting, thus making the yarn machine-washable and dryable.
Knowing and understanding the specific traits of various yarn fibers is an important factor in the yarn choices we make for our projects. The old saying "forewarned is forearmed" is certainly true when it comes to making sure we select the right yarn for those special patterns we want to make.
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More Yarn Safety Suggestions for Animals
In our last issue, we included an article cautioning crocheters and other crafters who work with yarn to be careful about leaving yarn within reach of pets and children. Several readers wrote with their own additional safety suggestions after reading our article.
From Virginia:
"In addition to yarn, protecting our pets from eating Easter grass is important, too. My daughter has a friend whose cat had to have emergency surgery to remove a ball of Easter grass. With Easter coming up, this would be good to keep in mind. I have seen similar cautions about Christmas tinsel and sewing threads, too. Anything stringlike can be dangerous to little digestive tracts."
From Janie:
"Yarn scraps can pose a danger for birds. While putting out leftover bits of yarn for birds to use in building their nests is a well-meaning thing to do, birds have very sensitive respiratory systems and even the tiniest bit of fuzzy fiber can cause damage. Birds can also get tangled in yarn and easily break legs, and a broken leg is death to a baby bird. It's best to use scraps for stuffing pillows and other things."
From Emily:
"Pet owners must also watch out for the dangers of open-weave afghans. Seven years ago, my kitten was running around playing. She suddenly got very quiet, so I checked on her. She had her head through one of the openings in an afghan. It was twisted tightly around her neck, and she was near death. I was finally able to revive her. Since then, I have been more careful."
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Readers Reach Out
Thanks to the following readers for sharing their charitable crochet experiences:
From Kathy:
"I just wanted to tell you about the wonderful people I work with. A friend of mine has a son who lives in a boys' home because of a severe birth defect. When she told me that he is constantly taking his quilt off his bed and carrying it, I suggested we make him an afghan. She then told me the seven other boys at the home also did the same thing. We decided it would be a great project to crochet an afghan for each boy. When the people I work with heard about it they gathered all their old yarn and some donated money to help make this project become a reality. Three of us crocheted afghans for the boys, and they loved them."
From Lori:
"I recently began learning how to crochet. As I learn a new stitch, I practice it by making rectangles of different sizes that can be used as pet blankets. When I have crocheted a nice box full of blankets, I plan to donate them to our local animal shelter. It's a win-win situation -- I learn my stitches and the puppies and kitties get cozy blankets!"
From Christie:
"In December 2008, several members of our Threads of Comfort group visited two local nursing homes in Beeville, TX, and donated shawls, lapghans and neck scarves that we had crocheted throughout the year. The joy of being able to do this is truly something you have to experience because words can't describe how it feels to be able to give something you've created to someone who has need of it. It is a blessing beyond compare."
From Karen:
"It was almost seven years ago that I went to prison for five years. During that time, I picked up my crochet hooks again. I lived in a cottage that required you to do a craft in order to stay there.
"I was asked to teach a crochet class for other interested residents. I was nervous, but I discovered I was good at teaching others. The classes were very popular because not only did we learn, we had fun.
"When I returned home two years ago, I found a Web site about prayer shawls. I started making prayer shawls for my older friends in the church, but I wanted to do more. Our associate pastor asked if I would be interested in teaching women of the church how to make prayer shawls for people in hospice care.
"I've taught crochet to 10 women since last October. This class has become our Prayer Shawl Ministry at my church. The original ladies are now my intermediate class, and a new beginner class will start later this month. This has been a wonderful, gratifying time, and I can't wait to see where 2009 will lead us."
From Donna:
"Last year I 'walked' (rocked) for Relay for Life to support the fight against cancer. Every 15 minutes of rocking in a rocking chair equaled one lap around the track. This year, a few friends and I are crocheting, knitting and sewing blankets, quilts, bookmarks and other items to sell, raffle and give away for the Relay. My mother died of lung cancer, and I believe in doing what I can for cancer awareness. I only know how to do three crochet stitches, but I'm trying to learn more. I'm 72 years old, and, in spite of my health issues, I love reaching out to help others."
From Sue:
"In my hometown, I attend a senior center where the residents make lap robes and hats for veterans, hats for hospital babies, and this past year, we began making booties for pregnancy crisis centers throughout our state. So far, our group has made and sent off around 400 pairs. I just wish I had more time to do more things. There is so much joy in making things to help others."
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"Looking" for Some Crochet Fun?
I have always enjoyed word-search puzzles, and if they are crochet-related, that's even better!
One of our favorite crochet designers, Brenda Stratton, created a fun word-search puzzle (PDF format) that I hope you will enjoy. Look closely and see how many crochet terms you can find. You'll find the answers here (PDF format). No fair peeking!.
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Dress It Up for Spring!
Now that spring is here, I thought it might be nice to include patterns for a couple of light and lacy fashions that will be cool and comfortable for spring right on through summer. Our Cut-Away Cardi and Earthy Glow Tunic Vest are sure to complement your spring and summer wardrobes, and plus sizes are included!
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FEATURED IN OUR JANUARY ISSUEA classic quilt design is beautifully rendered in this colorful crocheted afghan. A...
