Are you a newbie when it comes to knitting? If that's the case and if you're building up your yarn supplies, you probably want to know what are some great options. Besides the colours, you should consider the materials, weight and ply. Fiddlesticks Yarn is an Aussie-owned company that focuses on crochet and knitting yarns made from natural materials like bamboo, cotton, and wool. They also claim to have the best acrylic yarn available.
They source and create their yarns with some of the top spinners globally. The offer Fiddlesticks Yarns is selected for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship. With more than 50 years in the textile game, they’ve made a name for themselves.
Consider the Materials
Wool
The go-to yarn that’s both popular and budget-friendly comes from sheep's fleece. People always choose it because it's super durable, meaning it can handle a lot of tension while you’re knitting and your finished projects will stand the test of time. Plus, if you mess up, you can easily unravel it without a hitch.
Wool has a nice stretch and elasticity, making it a breeze to knit with as it glides smoothly on the needles. You’ll also find a wide variety of colours to choose from, so if you fall in love with a yarn, there’s a good chance it comes in your favourite shade. It’s available in different sizes and blends too, like those perfect for sock knitting. Lastly, it’s a natural and eco-friendly material.
Polyester and Nylon
Even though polyester and nylon aren't natural fabrics, and will make you sweaty, the good side is that they're durable and don't require any special treatment. As a beginner who's still learning, it's perhaps best to invest in this material. Fiddlestick Yarn has some great choices and colours of synthetic yarns that won't cost you more than ten dollars, which is quite great. Besides this type of yarn is affordable, smooth, shiny and easy to wash, most of it drapes lovely, although they don't always show off stitches as nicely as silk or wool. Keep in mind that these aren't breathable fabrics, so you will end up sweating.
Cashmere
Cashmere might not be the best choice for beginners. For starters, cashmere yarn can be pretty delicate. If you pull it too tight, it could easily break. Plus, if you want high-quality cashmere, it can really hit your wallet hard. You can find some budget-friendly blended cashmere yarns out there (often just 5 or 10% cashmere), but, they usually don’t feel much softer than regular wool.
You’d be better off going for merino or alpaca wool instead.
Another thing to consider is that cashmere is super fluffy and can be a bit slippery. It typically comes in 2-ply, which is great for warmth but not the easiest for beginners. Keep in mind that cashmere doesn’t show stitches well. This means you miss out on the benefits of hand-knitting. Cashmere shines with simple stitches like stockinette, where you can see that lovely halo effect.
Cotton
Cotton is a fantastic choice for beginners, especially if you're diving into knitting during the warmer months. Let's be real, no one wants to be stuck in a wool sweater in April! Plus, when it's hot out, your fingers might get a bit sweaty, which can make knitting with wool pretty tricky due to the extra friction. While cotton does take a bit longer to knit up compared to most wools, it has its perks.
- Cotton really shines when it comes to showcasing detailed patterns and crisp stitches.
- It's super affordable.
- Being a plant-based fibre, it's a great option for vegans, although other options like hemp, linen, and bamboo might be even more eco-friendly.
- It's also super easy to wash
Alpaca
This fabric is way softer than sheep wool and has that luxurious feel, but isn't as pricy as cashmere, yak, or Qiviut. It's a solid choice for those with sensitive skin since alpaca wool is known to be hypoallergenic. However, pure alpaca yarn can be a bit tricky to work with and takes some skill to get those stitches looking even. So, if you're just starting out, it's better to go for blends with wool and other natural fibres. This way, you still get the durability and stretch that make wool such a fantastic yarn to knit with.
Things to Have in Mind
Weight
When it comes to picking the right crochet yarn for your project, weight is super important. You want to match the yarn weight to what you're making. For example, if you're crafting a shawl, a heavy, chunky yarn isn't necessary. But if you're working on a cozy winter blanket, then a thicker yarn is definitely the way to go. The yarn's thickness really impacts how your finished piece will look.
Ply
Not all knitting patterns are created equal; some work best with specific types of yarn. Ply refers to the individual strands that are twisted together to give the yarn a more textured and defined look. If you're just starting out, it's a good idea to use worsted-weight yarn, which is medium-thick and makes it easy to see each stitch. However, if you're aiming for a softer finish on your project, opting for a single-ply yarn would be a smarter choice.