Where Do We Get Yarn From? What It’s Made From and More

In hindsight, yarn is defined as "a continuous string of twisted threads of natural or synthetic fibres, such as wool or nylon, used in weaving or knitting" by the English Dictionary. Fibre or Thread is defined as a "thin strand, cord, or filament of natural or manufactured material" OR "a fine cord of a fibrous material, such as cotton or flax, composed of two or more filaments twisted together and used in needlework and cloth weaving."

Natural or synthetic fibres can be used to make yarn. Natural cotton fibre and synthetic polyester fibre are two of the most popular choices. Yarn is also made from animal fibres such as wool, cashmere, silk, and angora.

In the textile world, yarn is everywhere. We use, and interact with yarn-based things on a daily basis. The textile material can be found in the clothing people wear, the carpet they walk on, and the decorations in their homes. Yarn is used as a core component in even hobbies like crocheting and knitting.

How is yarn made?

Yarn is made through a process called spinning. It can be done by machine or even by hand. It uses natural and synthetic fibres resulting in natural or synthetic yarn.

Yarn is made in a variety of ways, depending on the fibres and filaments used.

Sometimes, several blends of synthetic and natural fibres are also used. It results in yarn that is much stronger, lustrous and better feeling. Some of the most commonly used yarn combinations at Vardhman include cotton-polyester, cotton-acrylic among others.

Types of Yarn

Different types of yarn are used for various activities or processes. As a result, the properties of finished yarn frequently vary to best suit the desired method of application.

For example, weaving yarns are made to be strong, durable, and non-stretchable. They have a tight twist, a smooth surface, and a lot of lengthwise strength.

Textile yarns designed for knitting have a looser twist, greater elasticity, and a softer feel.

What is the Difference Between Spun and Filament Yarn?

Spun yarn is created by twisting staple fibres in either a S or Z twist to form a single thread. Spinning is the process of twisting fibres together to make yarn. Spun yarns can be made from a single type of fibre, or they can be made from a blend of fibres.

Filament yarn is made up of twisted or clustered filament fibres. A monofilament is made up of only one filament; a multifilament is made up of several filaments. It could be as little as two or three filament fibres or as many as 50 or more.

Choosing the best yarn

Choosing the right type of yarn is critical for your project. The outcome of your project will depend on the type of yarn you choose among other factors.

If you're a beginner, knitting with cotton yarn can be difficult. Wool or acrylic yarn, on the other hand, is better suited for beginning knitters.

You'll also need to choose the appropriate weight for the yarn type. If you're using a pattern, the weight, colour, and recommended brand will most likely be included.

Checkout our blog on yarn weights to understand more about choosing the right yarn weight for your project: https://vardhmanknitworld.com/blogs/knitting-diaries/everything-you-need-to-know-about-knitting-needle-sizes

When shopping for yarn, think about what you want to knit and what season it is. If you are making a garment, you should also think about who will use the finished thing and how often they would use it.

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand better what yarn is, where it comes from and more. You’re now ready to play your hand at knitting and choosing the right yarn for your project.

Head to https://vardhmanknitworld.com/ to shop for the best quality yarns online in India.

For more such blogs, visit the Vardhman Knitting Diaries: https://vardhmanknitworld.com/blogs/knitting-diaries