Using the right yarn!
So I’ve made a ton of faux pas in the last year while learning to crochet and actually become decent at it. One thing that took me several tries to figure out was why my projects didn’t seem quite right. Sometimes they looked or felt off, and I couldn’t put my finger on it for the life of me. One time it was a hat, another a wash cloth, but having been self taught without a mentor I had no idea what was wrong. Most people who learn to crochet now a days are self taught with videos on youtube or crocheting classes, but nowhere can you even find a single article on the importance of using the right yarn. What can be found references and emphasizes mainly on the gauge of the yarn rather than the material. What usually is said about the type of yarn is whittled down to ‘use the right type of yarn for your project’. So what in the heck does that mean? The right type? How do people know if nobody ever expands on it? So by trial and error I will give you a rundown that I hope is useful to somebody.
Natural (non animal) Fibers
Cotton, hemp and bamboo are the major natural fibers. These different yarns are great for things that get washed frequently. Hemp and bamboo are found in a lot of sock yarns, they are soft and easily washed with minimal shrinking, and also can be thrown in the dryer. Cotton on the other hand is spectacular. You can use cotton yarn for washcloths, towels, hot pads and anything that will be used around heat temporarily. The more you wash these fibers, the softer they get.
Natural (animal) Fibers
Wool, mohair, or anything that comes from an animal are the big winter fibers. These animal fibers are used to create warm clothing and winter blankets. These are also used for felting projects, like purses, because they are washed with hot water and matted to make a hole-less project or the illusion that something isn’t stitched at all. These fibers are easily shrunk in the wash, which is why reading the label is important before starting a project. Do not, under any circumstances make hot pads or oven mitts, or anything pertaining to high heat exposure out of these fibers what-so-ever! Animal fibers are hair, and hair burns! You might think a color way, or the way a particular yarn feels is cool, but safety is important when making things with heat exposure in mind.
Acrylic and other synthetic fibers
Acrylic and other synthetic fibers are cheap and versatile. They can be used in a number of projects ranging from rugs to hat and scarfs. There is an almost endless possibility with them. Some of them are made to be super soft, others are meant to be non-pilling, which is a fancy way of saying you don’t get fuzz balls. These are usually the easiest to find and create things with. Like natural animal fibers, don’t ever make anything for high heat scenarios, or low at that thought. Synthetic fibers are made from plastic byproducts, and plastic melts. You don’t want an ER trip because the cute little bright colored oven mitt melted into your skin and became a permanent part of your body while you were baking cookies.
So with practicality and safety in mind, I hope this little guide serves you well!
