Good afternoon, dear friends!

We knitters always accumulate so much leftover yarn. Isn't that right?

I have two huge shelves of this stuff in my closet. I was recently putting things in order, sorting it out and thinking about how I could put the leftover yarn into use.

Therefore, I want to discuss with you this topic, what to knit from leftover yarn, ideas for knitting and crocheting, what crafts you can make.

While I was thinking and selecting different ideas from leftover yarn, I came up with an article - a review of my blog posts. It turns out that quite a few things have already been proposed to be knitted, for which leftover yarn can be used.

Well, a review just like a review, with pictures and links to relevant articles, maybe it will be useful to someone. For some, the ideas will be new, while others have seen them, but put off knitting until future times. Let me just remind you. Well, I’ll throw in a few new ideas.

What to knit: in general, this question may worry many who, in principle, love to knit and it doesn’t matter what, as long as they always have their hands busy, because from this you get such enormous satisfaction! It comes from somewhere inside, knitters will understand me. By the way, we recently reflected on the topic ““, if interested, come read and participate in the discussion.

Homemade ideas from leftover yarn

Let's start with the little things.

Cute little things made from leftover yarn

Potholders and coasters

The first thing that always comes to mind, for some reason, is oven mitts for the kitchen. The easiest way to use leftover yarn.

Indeed, old or outdated items often require replacement, and new decorations for the kitchen will not hurt.

I will offer you a couple of new bright ideas.

The first potholder is crocheted in the form of a square of bright threads. When knitting corners diagonally, the hook is inserted under the leg of the column of the previous row, which is why such an interesting effect is obtained.

For the second potholder with a flower in the center (you can see a diagram of the flower), a different color of yarn was used for each of the four sides. It also looks very bright and fun.

Other potholders made from leftover yarn:

In addition, you can knit wonderful ones from leftover yarn.

Cases

Have you seen oven mitts in the form of covers for the handle of a frying pan? Very creative and always at hand.

Here’s just another idea from leftover yarn - to knit all kinds of covers:

• on arms, legs, shoulders,
• for and
• For ,
• For .

You can knit or crochet such things. You will find various ideas with diagrams at the appropriate links.

Knit a pocket for small items and attach it to the armrest of the sofa. It will be convenient to store remote controls in it, and you can put your phone and knitting needles, or you can pour some candy and drink some tea while ironing the TV.

Covers for our legs can also be knitted from leftovers.

Flower decorations

Couple creative ideas: make a cover for an armchair using only flowers and decorate the wall with knitted flowers. I also came across crocheted flowers on mesh country fences. I implemented this idea for my flower garden.

I also really like topiary, including crocheted flowers. This idea is still awaiting my implementation.

Baskets

What else can you knit from leftover yarn?

What do you think of the idea of ​​crocheted baskets for the kitchen and bathroom?

A basket will also help to store the yarn itself. Bright, cozy. And it’s convenient to knit by putting the balls there, then they won’t roll all over the floor and get tangled.

Crocheting a basket is not difficult. First we knit a circle for the bottom, and then we continue knitting upward without adding loops in the rows. Use single crochets and take a thicker hook. Then the knitting will be tight and the basket will keep its shape well.

You can also knit from leftovers.

Panel

The next photo shows the idea knitted panel knitting needles I liked it so much that I even wanted to make it happen. All you need to do is knit a small rectangle with knitting needles from the leftover yarn in a braided pattern and place this work of art in a frame.

You can use a pattern that you once knitted for a pullover.

You can knit a more complex picture - my dream is still the same.

Different original panels and can be crocheted. I knitted a panel in the shape of a sunflower for my kitchen. Master class.

Cushions and rugs made from leftover yarn

You can make pillows and rugs with your own hands from leftover yarn.

First, knit, of course. Use bright remains yarn and knit a pillow from the motifs, maybe a square one, or a pillow with a zigzag pattern, or like the one in the photo - . And you can even knit a fashionable one!

And I also like this bright one from tiny squares. I recorded a video of how to knit the motif:

A rug made from leftover yarn can be knitted round in any way, decorated with tassels or not decorated.

I really like pillows and rugs made from pom-poms and knitted flowers from various leftovers.

First you need to tie on a bunch of flowers or wind pompoms, and then sew them tightly together onto some kind of fabric base.

In addition to knitting, you can use another method for making pillows and rugs: cut the yarn into pieces and attach them with a crochet hook to a mesh base. For pillows it can be knitted into fillet technique. And for rugs you will need to find a special type of burlap, even construction mesh will do.

A detailed description of this technology is in the article.

See patterns for rugs.

Maybe someone will feel sorry for cutting the yarn, but the result is such fluffy beauty, and even with a pattern! I once decided and did not regret that I made a pillow from threads. And I didn’t spend that much time.

Blankets made from leftover yarn

We came to bigger things. A blanket made from leftover yarn? Why not?

Some of my readers said that after knitting something, any thing, they immediately knit a square motif from the remnants of yarn and gradually assemble them into a blanket. I wonder if this work has already been completed or not?

Blankets with squares always look very interesting; you can even knit squares in different patterns and combine knitting and crochet in one blanket.

Of course, to knit a blanket from the very beginning as a separate piece of work, you will need quite a lot of leftover yarn, and the most difficult thing is to choose them according to the color and thickness of the thread. But over the years of knitting, a lot of these can accumulate, this is in principle possible. In addition, you can unwind old pullovers and sweaters.

I present ideas for blankets made from leftover yarn in the photo.

One bright plaid knitted in patchwork style, using short row knitting.

For another plaid, you need to knit individual colored stripes and then sew them together.

We have a diagram and description of knitting something like this.

There has already been a story about crocheted blankets.

Another bright plaid is crocheted in rows of simple single crochets: two rows of single crochets, in the third row - several single crochets at the base of the previous row and several double crochets, when knitting which the hook is inserted into the columns on the row below.

From the leftover yarn you can make knitting and crochet, and from new ideas you will find patterns and descriptions by following the appropriate links, and I will post the video here again.

Or this bright “Rainbow” blanket, in which you can use almost all colors at once. How to knit a pattern to it with embossed diagonal columns, see the video.

Crafts from leftover yarn

How else can you use leftover yarn? You can knit different toys. So far I’ve only knitted, it, along with its brothers from other materials, helps me get rich.

You can make all kinds of crafts from pompoms for children and just for comfort.

10.25.2017 23 294 0 Igor

Skillful hands

Plaid is a very popular product, the interest in which increases significantly in the autumn - winter period. Classic “checkered” options are no longer relevant for a long time. Volume, softness and naturalness of the material are in fashion. Therefore, a large knit merino blanket has become a real hit for home comfort and stylish photographs. The main objectives of this product are to decorate the interior and provide its owners with warmth and softness.

Content:

How to choose a blanket?

These blankets do not miss the opportunity to appear on the pages of glossy magazines, and bloggers can no longer imagine their photographs without a “blanket” beautifully thrown on the sofa. And we have no choice but to rush to look for an excellent specimen for our home. So where can you get it?

The founders of this “innovation” were the American company Modern Wool, which still operates today. In addition, they produce hats, scarves, pillows - everything is very thick and merino. The disadvantage of this company for the Russian consumer is the lack of delivery to Russia and significant prices. The situation is approximately the same with a fairly young Ukrainian brand, oriented primarily to the West.

It’s good that Russian manufacturers are not lagging behind. Reasonable price, good quality and ability different options purchases are the hallmarks of a domestic seller.

How to knit a chunky knit blanket?

If for some reason it was not possible to choose a suitable model, this project can be carried out independently. To do this, you just need to tie it with your hands with a little effort.

Types of thick yarn for knitting a blanket

The material plays the greatest role in this process, because if it is poor quality, then you won’t be able to get any pleasure from the finished product. Thick blankets are made from merino wool. Its undoubted advantage is the absence of causticity and hypoallergenicity, which makes it an ideal option even for children's things. It is worth considering that this is a fairly expensive material that you will have to spend a lot of money on.

This material is divided into 2 types: raw unspun wool or processed spun wool. Each of them has a number of pros and cons, assessing which you can make the right choice.

Raw Tops or Combed Tape

It is a ribbon formed from wool fibers. Its width can reach 5 cm. This material is suitable for making many things by crochet or knitting: hats, scarves, sweaters, etc.

Among the advantages are:

1. The ability to use hands as a tool, instead of knitting needles or a crochet hook. It can be inconvenient to move huge knitting needles, so your own hands are often used instead.
2. This material is highly airy and soft;
3. Often the effect of raw yarn creates a special chic and piquancy to the product.

But there are also a number of disadvantages:

1. Sometimes the top breaks during the process, since it is not finished yarn, but only raw material for it. Consequently, it does not have all the qualities of the finished product, in in this case strength.
2. The following follows from the previous statement: knitting can be accompanied by deformation of the combed tape, its division into individual fibers, and the formation of spools.
3. Due to the technical features of the top, it cannot be washed, and it will also be difficult not to damage the product during dry cleaning.

Spun wool

The processed material has the best characteristics in this regard. It is already completely ready for use, and its thickness ranges from 0.5 to 2 cm. The main difference from tops is the special mechanical and thermal treatment, which ensures the thread is twisted and matted. This allows you to achieve many advantages.

Advantages:

1. The wet-heat treatment allows the future product to retain its original shape and not stretch during use.
2. It is protected from separation into fibers, thread breaking and other similar situations, both during the knitting process and in the finished product.
3. It is possible to hand wash finished items in cool water if their size allows this.

But it also has some disadvantages:

1. Low degree of product stalling.
2. Hand washing is not available for all wool products - large items can only be dry cleaned.

Taking into account all the features of a particular material, you can highlight the important aspects for yourself.

Calculate the amount of yarn needed

Calculating a sufficient volume of yarn is no less important than its selection. Especially considering that this material is far from cheap. The following method is often used for this:

• purchase 1 skein of the material needed for knitting;
• using the selected pattern and tools, a fragment measuring about 7*5 cm is knitted;
• it should be washed and dried;
• Once the sample has reached its final size after drying, the density is calculated, i.e. number of rows and loops in each row;
• Now the knitted sample is unraveled and the length of the used thread is measured.

All necessary data for the calculation have been received.

The footage required for a blanket can be determined by the following formula:

(area of ​​the desired product, expressed in centimeters * length of thread for the sample) /sample area in centimeters.

* - multiply;

/ - divide.

Important! Washing the untied sample is mandatory, since only after washing the product acquires its final size.

Knitting

To knit, you will need to have some knowledge and skills. In this case, these are elementary skills in casting on loops, knitting knit and purl loops, as well as closing them. Other skills are not required, since the main pattern used for such blankets is stockinette stitch. This is due to its simplicity - more complex manipulations will not be easy to perform on such material, as well as its thickness - large patterns will add more volume and weight to an already large product.

The making of the blanket itself occurs in two ways: with tools or by hand. The tools most often used are knitting needles and sometimes a crochet hook.

Spokes

To fulfill her idea, the needlewoman will only need the following:

1. Suitable thick yarn.
2. Knitting needles of the required diameter. The usual size is not suitable here, so you should take care of purchasing very thick knitting needles in advance - not all stores sell such products. Often improvised means are used, for example, plastic tubes with a diameter of about 2-3 cm are suitable as knitting needles.

The remaining steps are no different from regular knitting.

Hands

This method is not classic, but rather an innovation. It is performed on the performer's wrists. The first step is to set the loops. To do this, measure out about 3 meters and form the first loop on the right wrist, tightening it a little. In the same way, cast on the required number of loops.

The first row is performed like this: the thread from the work is clamped in the fist of the right hand, after which the very first outermost loop is tightened on the wrist. The thread in the fist thus forms a new loop. As in the case of knitting needles, it is put on left hand. The entire row is also knitted.

All other rows are knitted in a similar way, with the purl rows being done in a mirror image and with purl stitches.

When closing, leave 4-5 meters of free yarn. Then the first 2 loops are knitted as usual. The 3rd one is removed from the wrist, and the next one is left on the hand. After knitting it, the previous one is removed from the hand. Continue in this manner until the end of the row. Thread the thread into the very last loop and simply tighten it.

Features of care

An unusual piece of furniture requires some special features in care, which are determined by its size, weight and material:

• remove small dirt using a dry brush, gently brushing the desired area with it;
• when washing, it is necessary to observe the temperature of the water - below 30? C;
• Only special products with lanolin intended for this purpose are suitable for washing;
• merino wool does not require stretching and friction during washing; the wet item should be slightly wrung out and laid out on a flat horizontal surface until completely dry;

If necessary, you can use dry cleaning. Proper care will preserve the beauty and qualities inherent in merino wool.

A beautiful and unusual item is an excellent decoration for the interior. And creating such a masterpiece with your own hands is a special pleasure.

04 Mar

The quiet tapping of knitting needles, the calm picking of stitches, measured breathing... Knitting is a real meditation, ideal for a leisurely winter life.

Having decided to meditate in the winter, I audited my yarn reserves and discovered the remains of Soviet wool blends of indistinct shades. Realizing that I couldn’t create a masterpiece from them, I went to the nearest yarn store to buy “something warm” for my future cozy sweater. The assortment was amazing: 20 years ago, when I held knitting needles in my hands for the last time, there was no such choice of yarn.

After examining the contents of the shelves, I settled on alpaca: soft to the touch, this wool promised me a comfortable item at the end of the day. At home, I immediately started knitting the planned pattern - and after 15-20 rows I noticed with disappointment that this yarn was “eating up” all my rich “braids” and “bumps” that were fashionable this season. Having tried it on an alpaca different patterns, I came to the conclusion: this wool does not need any decorations - it is good in the simplest stockinette stitch. But for classic satin stitch I could buy yarn easier and cheaper!..

Before going to the store again, I studied the properties different types winter yarn - and made many interesting discoveries, which I am happy to share with you, so that you can understand what yarn to choose for a hat and many other things.

Winter yarn is divided into three main groups: synthetic, blended and wool.

Synthetic yarn consists of fibers obtained through a chemical synthesis process. The main types of synthetic yarn are acrylic, polyamide, polyester, polyester, lurex, microfiber. It is cheaper than natural yarn, wear-resistant, easy to care for, and not eaten by moths. Synthetic fibers are easily dyed different colors. The choice of shades in their case is very rich.

However, items made from synthetic yarns are often non-hygroscopic and are stiffer and cooler than wool.

Blended yarn– a combined thread made of cotton or linen with viscose, as well as all types of wool with the addition of acrylic, polyamide, lurex, silk, etc. Blended yarn is popular among needlewomen due to its affordable price and optimal combination of the best qualities of natural and synthetic fibers.

Wool– a collective concept for yarn made from the wool of various animals. Depending on the breed of the animal and the time of year in which the haircut was made, the wool can be hard, prickly - and soft, pleasant to wear. Wool products retain heat perfectly, are distinguished by their beautiful fit, elasticity and hygroscopicity. Disadvantages include a tendency to stall and form pellets. Almost everything is knitted from sheep wool - from coats and cardigans to hats and socks - and in almost any pattern.

TYPES OF WOOL

The most impressive are warm clothes knitted from elite varieties of wool: alpaca, cashmere, mohair, merino.

Alpaca

Alpaca is a unique wool of the domestic artiodactyl family of camels native to South America. To avoid having to unravel the product several times when working with wool, be sure to knit samples! Its fibers are seven times warmer and three times stronger than sheep's. Due to the complete absence of organic fats, alpaca is stain-resistant and hypoallergenic, and therefore ideal for making children's clothes. This yarn is also great for knitting a winter hat.

Products made from alpaca do not roll up when worn and are not deformed after washing, and have good temperature-regulating properties. Natural alpaca has 22 natural shades - from white and beige to brown and black.

Yarn characteristics. Soft, smooth, silky, with a pleasant natural shine; comfortable to work with.

What to knit. Alpaca does not hold volumetric designs well, so it is better to choose models made with satin stitch. Usually it is used to knit blankets, cardigans, jackets, sweaters, stoles, shawls, and hats.

Angora

Angora is very soft, fluffy yarn made from angora rabbit wool. IN pure form not many people choose it for knitting due to its high price and poor curlability. To produce yarn, it is combined with sheep's wool, silk or synthetics. Products made from angora are light (for a size 44 pullover you will need only 250 g) and warm. Hats made from this yarn are especially beautiful.

Among the disadvantages, one can note the “capriciousness” in wearing and care: things quickly begin to “climb” and fall off if they are not washed and dried correctly.

Yarn characteristics. Thin, light, soft, fluffy; may “climb” during knitting.

What to knit. Due to the pronounced fluffiness on angora, braids, arans, and plaits are difficult to “read,” but it is quite suitable for satin stitch and openwork.

Popular angora products– pullovers, sweaters, shawls, hats, mittens, socks.

Cashmere

Cashmere is a yarn made from the down of a mountain goat native to Tibet. It was first produced in the Indian region of Kashmir - hence the name. The raw materials for cashmere are plucked or combed by hand, which is why this yarn is one of the most expensive in the world. It makes very warm, light, soft and durable things. In its pure form, cashmere is highly stretchable, so it is usually added to wool or silk.

Yarn characteristics. Soft, elastic, pleasant to the touch; lies evenly during knitting.

What to knit. It is recommended to use this “precious” yarn to knit basic items that will be worn for a long time and thereby recoup their cost: classic sweaters, pullovers, cardigans. How simpler pattern, the better the structure and quality of the thread itself will be read.

Mohair

Mohair is a yarn made from the wool of the Angora goat, grown in Turkey, South Africa and Texas (USA). Thanks to its natural snow-white hue, mohair can be easily dyed any color. Premium mohair is the one obtained during the first shearing of kids (kid mohair). The yarn is twice as warm, lighter and stronger than sheep's wool. The consumption of mohair is economical, which offsets its high cost. Mohair is great as a yarn for hats of different types.

Yarn characteristics. Fluffy, light, airy; Working with thin mohair due to its weightlessness requires some skill.

What to knit. Mohair is beautiful in satin stitch and openwork - relief patterns he won't support it. Mohair pullovers, cardigans, stoles, and hats look impressive.

Merino yarn

Merino yarn is made from wool sheared from the withers of fine-wooled Merino sheep. Australian merino is valued more than others. Thanks to its natural curl, merino wool holds its shape and volume perfectly. Very warm and non-irritating to the skin, it is ideal for creating children's clothing and items intended for people with sensitive skin.

Yarn characteristics. Dense, soft, elastic; working with it is not difficult.

What to knit. Relief patterns are clearly visible on merino - feel free to choose it for plaits, arans, braids, and various convex elements. Knitted from merino wool warm sweaters, pullovers, jackets, cardigans, scarves, snoods, hats, voluminous blankets and bedspreads.

Categories: ,// from 04/03/2018

Good afternoon, dear friends, as always, I am very glad that you are reading me, and today I would like to talk to you about yarn again. You've probably already read my article, where I give general recommendations on choosing yarn, and today in the section I decided to tell you about yarn in more detail, talk about the properties of yarn depending on the composition, how to care for finished products, depending on yarn from which they were knitted, and talk again about purchased yarn: how to read labels, what to do with a skein, and much more useful things.

And, before we start, I want to recommend to you the store where I buy yarn - this is the online store "Azhur". In it you will always find not only yarn from the most popular brands at low prices and a wide range of colors, but also a variety of accessories and knitting equipment. Visit the store page - ajur-shop.ru - and order everything you need with home delivery!

Yarn from natural raw materials

Yarn of animal origin

For the vast majority of knitters - wool (wool) – this is a favorite material, and it certainly deserves it. Wool is obtained by shearing or combing animals, mainly sheep.

The most important property of wool is that it perfectly keeps warm. This is due to the structure of wool fibers; they contain a large amount of air.

No less important are water And dirt-resistant properties of wool that it has due to its thin outer layer. This layer does not allow water and dirt to pass through, but allows water vapor to pass through. Wool can absorb up to 40% of its weight as steam without appearing wet. Many of us know from our mothers and grandmothers that woolen items will keep you warm even when completely wet, and this is true.

Wool is practically wrinkle-resistant and has a high elasticity.

Wool does not have high strength, especially when wet.

If wool fibers are subjected to friction at high temperatures in an alkaline agent, the scales will adhere tightly to each other - wool mats.

Under normal conditions, six statically not electrified.

Knowing these properties, it is easy to deduce care ruleswoolen items:

2) When washing, avoid water temperatures above 30 - 37 degrees.

3) Reduce the use of detergent to a minimum.

5) Dry the damp item in a horizontal position, unfolded.

8) Wool is very susceptible to moths. Nowadays there are a huge number of products on the market that protect our clothes from moths, but you can also use folk remedies, such as lavender, cedar pieces or cedar oil, tangerine peels, and many others.

I also want to add that when proper care high-quality wool is little susceptible shrinkage. But you should pay attention to how much you pull the thread when knitting, or when, for example, winding wool into balls. If you pull the thread too tightly, after washing it will return to its normal state and the item will shrink.

There are several special types wool obtained from various animals, such wool is especially valued by needlewomen, and, naturally, it is much more expensive than ordinary wool. Quite often, such wool is found in the form of an additive to regular wool, and then their properties harmoniously complement each other, and the price does not bite so much:

Merino (merino wool) (merino) - especially fine wool merino sheep. Ideal for knitting children's items.

Cashmere) - thin, soft, noble wool obtained from a cashmere goat that lives in the mountains of India and China. This is a fairly expensive wool, so it is often used in a mixture with regular wool, silk or artificial additives.

Alpaca) – even thinner than cashmere, has high thermal properties. It is obtained from an animal of the same name (this is a goat), living in the mountains of South America.

Mohair) – produced from Angora goats mainly in Turkey and the USA. Nowadays, the especially soft mohair of a young kid (Kids) Mohair is very popular; to obtain it, very young goats (up to 8 months) are sheared for the first time. You can distinguish an item knitted from yarn with the addition of mohair by its special “fluffiness”; 15-20% mohair content is enough for the yarn to acquire such a fluffy look. In principle, there is no yarn with 100% mohair content; it would simply break up into individual fibers. Mohair does not shrink or fall off.

Angora wool), obtained from a snow-white Angora rabbit, it is exceptionally light, soft and thin, retains heat excellently, but is highly susceptible to moths and easily electrified. Excellent for felting - this wool can be felted even in a dry room.

Well, since most of you, I think, are from Russia, I cannot help but say about dog hair. A lot, a lot is said on the Internet about healing properties this wool, I will neither confirm nor deny anything, but, of course, one cannot help but say that this wool is very warm, and you can easily spin it yourself if you have a furry pet and an electric or manual spinning wheel.

Silk (silk), like wool, it is a yarn of animal origin, as it is obtained from the webs of insects, mainly silkworms.

A few words about properties of silk:

Silk thread has a smooth outer structure; it can absorb moisture up to 30% of its weight without appearing wet.

Silk is soft, it does not electrify and wrinkles little.

Silk provides coolness in summer and warmth in winter, but in light humidity it can stick to the skin.

Silk thread is the strongest of all natural threads; silk fibers are not subject to severe wear.

Rules for caring for silk products:

Silk cannot be washed at temperatures above 30 degrees; it should be wrung out very carefully.

Do not use alkaline detergents for washing.

Dry silk items unfolded until slightly damp, and then iron them from the inside out with a dry iron, without using steam or a damp cloth, as stains may remain on the silk; also, do not dry silk in the sun.

Silk items should not be folded for storage, because silk can become brittle when folded; it should be stored unfolded or hanging.

Yarn of vegetable origin

Plant-based yarns include cotton, linen, jute, ramie and hemp.

The most popular plant-based yarn is cotton (cotton) , needlewomen are happy to use this material for knitting mainly summer things.

Cotton is extracted from the seed pod of the cotton bush. The birthplace of cotton production is India, but currently the main producers are the USA, Russia and Egypt.

Cotton has many beneficial properties properties:

Of all the plant fibers, cotton retains heat best; of course, it does not warm very much due to the fact that it does not retain much air, but it does it better than, for example, flax.

Cotton absorbs up to 20% of its weight in moisture in the form of vapor without feeling wet, making cotton items pleasant to wear.

They are pleasant to the skin due to their softness and thinness; cotton does not electrify.

Cotton lends itself well to dyeing and processing. The main processing of cotton yarn is mercerization – immersion for several minutes in a cold, strong solution of caustic soda. Mercerization gives the thread greater shine and is easier to dye.

Due to its low elasticity, cotton wrinkles a lot.

Cotton is much heavier than wool, in other words, with the same weight, a skein of cotton will be much smaller than a skein of wool, and a cotton thread of the same weight will be shorter than a wool thread.

Rules for caring for cotton simple: when washing, it can withstand high temperatures without problems (white 95 degrees, color 60 degrees), cotton can be washed and wrung out washing machine, you can use strong detergents and even bleaches, you can iron with steam.

Threads flax (linen) obtained from the stems of the plant of the same name, flax is the oldest cultivated plant.

Linen is stiffer than cotton, it is not elastic and wrinkles a lot.

But on the other hand, it is more shiny, it repels dirt better, the linen thread is durable, wearable, and does not fray.

Linen does not warm, but gives freshness and coolness, so it is ideal for summer clothes.

Linen quickly absorbs moisture and does not electrify.

Caring for linen is also quite simple; it can be washed at high temperatures, and it is better to iron it while damp to iron out the folds.

Threads ramie (ramie) And hemp (hemp) similar in properties to flax, they are stiff, but strong and durable, used mainly as additives to other yarns to increase wear resistance. It will be difficult to knit with such yarn in its pure form due to the stiffness of the fibers.

Artificial yarn

Semi-synthetic yarn

Semi-synthetic yarn – this is an artificial yarn made from natural raw materials, the basis for this yarn is cellulose, obtained from wood. Depending on the further processing of the cellulose, viscose or acetate fibers are produced from it.

Viscose (viscon) – the most natural of synthetic fibers. The properties of viscose are similar to cotton, but the fact is that by changing the production process of this yarn, you can obtain fibers similar in properties to wool, silk, and flax.

Viscose produces a thread with intense color and slight shine.

It is soft, breathable, pleasant to the touch, absorbs moisture, gives a feeling of coolness in the heat, and does not electrify.

The main disadvantage of viscose is its capriciousness in care: viscose items should be washed by hand or on a gentle wash, using a mild cleaning agent, it is not recommended to twist the products by hand - it is better to do this in a car. After washing, the product may stretch out or, conversely, shrink.

To make yarn, viscose is most often used as an additive, mainly to cotton.

Bamboo (bamboo) – a type of viscose obtained from bamboo wood. It has amazing properties - it absorbs moisture 60% better and allows air to pass through 20% better than cotton due to its porous structure. An item knitted from such yarn will not cause irritation and even has natural antibacterial properties.

Acetate fibers (acetate (acetate) and triacetate (triacetate)) – Unlike viscose, they are not made of pure cellulose, but of cellulose acetate. And, if viscose resembles cotton in its properties, then acetate fibers resemble silk; fabrics made from these fibers are even sometimes called rayon; they have the same shiny surface. Acetate is a component of yarns containing cotton, mohair, and wool.

Products containing acetate do not tolerate high temperatures; they must be washed at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees. Acetate fibers are elastic and the products practically do not wrinkle and dry quickly, but if you still want to iron the product, be careful - you should iron it from the wrong side and through the fabric, otherwise the fibers will melt; do not dry it in a dryer. It is also interesting that acetate fibers dissolve in acetone.

Triacetate fibers are more resistant to high temperatures; they can be washed at temperatures up to 70 degrees and ironed.

Synthetic yarn

Synthetic additives in yarn can be found under many names, which sometimes confuses needlewomen, I will give the main ones:

- polyamide (polyamide), nylon (nylon) (trade name of DuPont polyamide),

- polyacrylic,acrylic), nitron(trade name of polyacrylic, previously produced in the USSR, in other countries it is produced under the names acrylan, orlon and others),

- Lurex(lurex) And metallic (glitter yarn)(shiny threads to add shine to the yarn),

- polyester (polyester) (used in a mixture to give the yarn strength, but also found in its pure form - ribbon yarn, plush yarn),

- elastane.

All of these yarns and additives are produced entirely synthetically. They act as substitutes for rather expensive natural yarns, or as additives to achieve various effects (strength, elasticity, shine, and so on). Synthetic threads are slightly hygroscopic and highly electrified, but they are very elastic, wrinkle little and are durable.

So, we have figured out the composition of the yarn, just a little remains: let’s talk a little about purchased yarn, I already gave basic information in the article “How to choose yarn”, here I will add a few words.

Yarn is most often sold in balls, bobbins or skeins of 50 or 100 grams. If you can knit right away from balls and bobbins (you can knit from a bobbin by unwinding the thread from the outside, but from a ball it’s better to knit from the inside).

With a skein (these are twisted pretzels, like in the photo), the situation is a little more complicated - it needs to be rewound into balls. You can do this manually - unroll the skein, throw it over the back of a chair or over the hands of a volunteer who turns up, and wind balls out of it, slowly and without pulling the thread too tightly.

Now let's take a closer look at yarn tag, and let's figure out what is what.

a) it is indicated that the sample is 10 by 10 centimeters.

b) or 4 by 4 inches (inch - inch, 1 inch - 2.54 cm, 4 inches - 10.16 cm).

d) well, the actual density is 24 s - 24 loops, 30 r - 30 rows.

This approximate figures! To knit a product you need most link your sample, and determine their numbers! They can significantly differ!

Balls of the same color, but from different dyeing batches will differ noticeably in color. Therefore, always be sure to buy balls from only one batch, and be sure to take one spare ball. If you don’t need it, you can almost always return it (take a receipt for this), and the leftovers are always useful for hats, booties or patterns. If you do end up with skeins from different batches, you can use different skeins for sleeves or for trims, so the difference will be less noticeable, or, in extreme cases, you can disguise the transition if you knit two rows of two balls alternately for a few centimeters.

And, finally, I want to note, since many of you knit according to descriptions from magazines or from the Internet, that there is absolutely no need to be upset if you do not find exactly the yarn indicated in the description in the store. Ask the seller analogue this yarn. After all, almost every manufacturer has yarn, for example 50% wool, 50% acrylic 125 m per 50 g, and you can easily choose an analogue that suits you in terms of quality and price.

Watch my video master class “How to choose yarn?”

That's all I have for today, this is how it turned out extensive master class– a guide to choosing yarn, I hope you found it useful. See you on the site!

There are three types of yarn: natural fiber, mixed, and completely artificial. Natural yarns include: wool, cotton, linen, silk, bamboo.

Wool yarn

Wool yarn is a yarn made from natural fibers shorn from sheep, rams and goats. Wool yarn is elastic, durable, retains heat well, knitted items are beautiful and durable. There are subtypes of wool yarn according to the type of fiber:

Alpaca. Alpaca llama wool. This yarn does not pill and holds heat very well. She has about 20 natural colors. This yarn is expensive.

Camel hair. The yarn made from this wool is very durable. Products made from yarn save you from cold and even overheating. Camel wool is practically not dyeable, but has about 14 natural shades.

Merino wool. It is obtained from fine-wool sheep. The fiber is thin in structure. The yarn, accordingly, also turns out to be thin and light, but at the same time it is durable and warm. Incompatible qualities are combined in this type of fiber.

Angora. The yarn is obtained from the wool of the Angora rabbit. The yarn is light and soft, but not very strong. Short fibers come out of the threads when worn knitted product. But angora wool yarn is easy to dye.

Cashmere. Cashmere is the down of mountain goats. Since there is little of it, cashmere products are very expensive. That's why cashmere is mixed with other wool. The yarn is soft and warm. With proper care it will last a very long time.

Cotton yarn

Cotton yarn is made from cotton fibers. It is of plant origin. Cotton yarn is stronger than wool, has good air permeability and is hygroscopic. It can be painted well in any shade and is pleasant to the touch. Cotton yarn is not elastic, can shrink and takes a long time to dry.

Linen yarn

Flax yarn is a product of plant origin. Linen yarn wrinkles little, is very strong, smooth to the touch, absorbs moisture well, and dries quickly. Linen yarn is difficult to dye.

Bamboo yarn

Bamboo yarn is made from bamboo fiber. It is of plant origin. Bamboo yarn is very soft, durable, and of high quality, since bamboo products are durable. Absorbs moisture well and evaporates it. This yarn is best used for summer clothes.

Silk yarn

Silk is of animal origin. A silkworm caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon with thread. These threads are collected, processed and made into thread and yarn. Natural silk is very expensive because the process is labor intensive and the resulting silk is very small. Silk thread is durable, dyeable and does not pill. It is also pleasant to the touch.

Artificial yarn

Microfiber- yarn developed in Japan. It is very thin, durable, velvety, and breathable.

Spandex- elastic fiber that stretches very well. Typically used in knitwear.

Acrylic fiber- This is a synthetic fiber. It is better to mix it with wool, otherwise a pure acrylic item will be hard. Acrylic yarn is durable, easy to dye, and voluminous. Its disadvantage is that it has a low level of hygroscopicity.

Blended yarn

Blended yarn is a yarn made by mixing different types of fibers. For example, they mix artificial fiber with natural fiber, or expensive fiber with cheaper one. This is done for the sake of affordability and to eliminate some of the disadvantages that a particular fiber may have.

How to choose yarn

For products for the winter, it is better to choose woolen or mixed with wool yarns so that the products do not become addicted. Wool retains heat well, unlike artificial fibers. For summer products, linen, cotton, silk and bamboo are best suited. You can also take mixed thin and light yarn. Synthetics can be used on special occasions.