Useful To Know - yarns
date: 07/08/2019
Useful To Know - yarns
Recently many companies offer organic /bio/ yarns.
From organic cotton to organic wool, bamboo and others, this label appears on all kinds of products. But what does it really mean, and what are the benefits of using organic yarn?
Organic yarn means that yarns are produced without the use of artificial and synthetic chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers. When the fiber comes from an animal, it must be fed with organic feed and grown in biological standards. The yarns undergo a certification process to enable the company to be able to call organic / bio yarns. It is said that their wool is certified in accordance with the USDA Organic National Livestock Program standard of accredited third party certification. In addition, spinning is certified for Global Organic Textile Standards from Oregon Land Processing or Third-Party Certification Authority.
Organic yarns are often left in their natural state rather than dyed, but there are companies that dye organic yarn. Non-toxic, organic dyes are much more expensive than ordinary dyes, so organic dyed yarns can cost far more than normal dyes.
If you are really interested in using the most environmentally friendly yarns, contact the manufacturer and ask questions about who certifies them, what dyes they use, and even the way the animals are grown.
Basic materials and yarns for hand knitting
The publication of the article aims to reveal to the beginner all the subtleties of knitting art. Besides the standard ones, we will also emphasize the little-known, at least in our country, new knitting techniques. Nowadays, there are dozens of women's magazines that include a variety of sweaters, waistcoats, scarves, hats, etc. On the other hand, many other publications are being printed, but what is really useful is Pam Allen's "Knitting" by Alex Soft , but in general, it is best for those who have a "knitting grandmother", to explain to them how a specific knitting is being made / and finally to knit the knitting /. And don’t let us start on more sophisticated techniques. Hand knitting is a very old art. It was in ancient times when the knights' jackets and fishing nets were knit. It is obviously invented by men, but it has become one of the most popular female activities. From knitwear, devoid of any elegance and serving only for warm clothing, thanks to its continuous improvement, hand knitting today is one of not only the desired but also the necessary " benefits "in everyone's wardrobe. With a little work, taste and skill, original clothing, other than all the widespread fashion models, can be knit. Let's not forget another well-known advantage - knitting is also a type of therapy, or as it is called, nerve cure. This can not be understood only by a person who has never tried to knit. The explanation is very simple - watching the knitting scheme and the number of stitches, we can not think of anything else. So we leave back the everyday problems and troubles and, even for an hour, we break from the grayness of the world around us. What if we do not care and think about the knitting? Well, then we unravel. Believe us, this is far from pleasant. But let's start with the base of hand knitting - the types of yarn used and knitting tools. For those who are not familiar, we would like to mention that all imported hand tools and handmade materials are already available in Bulgaria. Until recently, we watched them only in glossy magazines, and we were waiting for someone to go abroad to bring quality hooks, for example.
The shop that we would recommend and where you will find knitting needles and almost all of the materials described here, and with the highest quality, is the Stenli Shop.
Types of Yarn
The most important of course is the yarn. The variety of yarn on the market is great - from natural wool, to cotton and all kinds of impressive yarns, both native and imported. The hand knitting yarn can be made with one, two or more threads, must be soft, bulky and lightweight.
Here are some types of yarn that are available in our market:
Natural wool yarn. It comes from the wool of a common, local sheep breed. It has a very strong and durable thread. Clothes made with it warm up a lot, but they have one major disadvantage - the yarn is not softened. There are old recipes to soften and bleach wool.
Merino wool yarn. It comes from a wool of merino sheep and has a very fine and soft hair, so you knit it smoothly and easily.
Fancy yarn. It is produced both from artificial yarns (polyester, polyamide) as well as cotton. Very nice to wear.
Angora yarn. It is made from angora rabbits and is particularly soft and light. Used mainly for knitting baby clothes. Apart from the softness, it is associated with another property - absorbs 2 times more moisture than wool and 4 times more than cotton yarn before it starts to create a feeling of moisture.
Cotton yarn. Cotton, also called "white gold", is the oldest known yarn extraction plant in the world. Grows in the tropical and subtropical climate zone, pure and natural product that does not cause allergies. It can absorb enough moisture and is especially airy. It causes temperature equalization, so a cotton yarn is comfortable to wear during the hot days. The quality cotton yarn is combed and mercerized, which gives a strong luster, softness, volume and high resistance. It is available in a variety of colors and is suitable for babies and young children as well as for adults - especially for people who are sensitive and allergic.
Onde fancy yarn. The machine on which is made is a Bulgarian patent. It is cotton, wool and mixed. At the appropriate thicknessit can be machine knitted.
Boucle. Effective yarn with uneven, loop-like bumps, twisted on a thin stitch base. The knitting becomes bulky, soft and warm. The bigger the bumps, the more "thick" the knitting will become.
Plush yarn. Effective yarn composed of cotton and synthetic materials. There are short hairs that give a soft, "velvety" look to the knitting. It is suitable for any kind of knitting.
Wick yarn. Effective yarn made of one ply slightly twisted soft yarn. The knitting is particularly effective when combined with a "fiery" yarn.
Fiery Yarn. Effective yarn with unevenly spaced small, wick-like bumps, very often with a color different from that of the base thread.
Lustrous and fancy yarns. The list of fancy yarns is infinite. The natural "exception" is the silk yarn only, because most of the shiny yarns are made of chemically formed fibers.
Artificial yarns. All polyesters, polyamides,acrylics, etc. Vidlon or sock yarn also belongs to artificial fibers. It is used in knitting slippers, handbags, mats and other items where the main requirement for the fiber is to be strong and very wear-resistant.
Camel wool. There is a slight natural glow. It can not be dyed, so it is mixed with another kind of yarn for passing another color. Since it is very similar to woolen yarn, it is often twisted with it.
Lurex. It is also called lame and is made of polyester yarn, covered with a very thin metallic layer with different effects. Often, to add more effect, it is combined with another, not shiny, yarn.
Melange yarn. The name comes from the French word "melange", which means a mixture. In order to produce the melange yarn before it is twisted, fibers of different color are mixed.
Mohair yarn. Angora goats have a long, soft, curly fur. Mohair yarn is made from the fur of young Angora goats. It does not felt, but it is not durable and resistant to wear. It allows to be dyed, which is why it can be found in any color.
Mulline. The name comes from the French word "mouline", which means twisting. The yarn is composed of two or more different threads or fibers.
Silk yarn. The silk yarn is two types. Artificial and natural. The artificial can be polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, acetate, viscose. The latter is closest to the natural one. It is obtained by chemical processing of a natural raw material. Such a fiber is viscose. It is made from liquid solutions of natural cellulose - from wood of pine, fir, stems of some plants or cotton processing waste. The viscose fiber is soft, pleasant to the touch, stretches a lot, creases, its strength is reduced by wetting. Silk yarn should be knit more tight, because with the first washing it stretches. The number of stitches and rows is determined after the knitted sample (10x10 cm) is washed and then measured. It is usually found in a mixture of cotton and linen. Natural silk is a protein (fiber) fiber obtained from a silk worm cocoon. The silk fibers have the form of a triangular prism with rounded tops. This reflects the light at different angles, giving the silk a natural shine. It has a gentle and soft texture that is not slippery, unlike some synthetic fabrics. The silk is one of the strongest fibers but loses up to 20% of its strength, when it is moistened. It has a good moisture return of up to 11%. Its durability can be weakened in the presence of strong sunlight. It is also very enjoyable for both wearing and knitting.
Washing
A major rule for washing - the artificial yarns stretch and the natural ones shrink. The hand knitting is washed by hand and dried under atmospheric conditions. It is advisable to wash the hand knitting with the special laundry detergents. They are usually liquid, flavored and combined with a softener and antistatic. It is a basic rule that knitting is never soaked because it will lead to a faster yarn felting. It is best to wash in lukewarm water without rubbing and brushing. After washing, do not twist. The removing of water is done by squeezing. Then knitting is placed between two towels, rolled up and pressed. If the knit garment can be washed in a washing machine, it is advisable to use lukewarm water. Knitted clothing should not be rubbed with soap. A soap solution can be used. Clothes should never dry in the sun, because then they become stiff and felted. Clothes made with "angora" yarns often shed hairs. Put it in a polyethylene bag and keep it for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The hairs will not fall. Linen clothes should be dried completely, then moistened and ironed with a very strong iron on the back side. Knitting from fine yarn (Mohair or Angora) is washed in lukewarm water with a mild detergent without twisting. Once it is rinsed, it is placed on one or a couple of towels until the final drying. Finally, the hairs are brushed with a soft brush.
Drying
When drying, knits should be stretched to take the right shape. Cotton sweaters, for example, slightly shrink and need to stretch while still wet. If the parts of the garment are woven in different colors, it is advisable to put dry towels between the front and back and in the sleeves, for example, so as not to stain the parts of each other. Never dry hand knitting in a dryer!
Basic rules for washing and drying clothes knitted from the most commonly used yarns. Garments made from natural cotton yarn can be washed even up to 60 ° C. However, first look at the yarn labels. Only a specialized knitwear detergent is used. Since cotton takes a lot of water, after wetting the garment becomes very heavy. The natural silk is not elastic, so it stretches even during the first wash. As already mentioned, the sample should first be washed and dried, and then count the stitches and rows. Clothing knitted with silk yarn is always washed separately and with as few movements as possible. Rinse with plenty of cold water. Drain carefully and dry in a lying position on a towel.
Recently many companies offer organic /bio/ yarns.
From organic cotton to organic wool, bamboo and others, this label appears on all kinds of products. But what does it really mean, and what are the benefits of using organic yarn?
Organic yarn means that yarns are produced without the use of artificial and synthetic chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and chemical fertilizers. When the fiber comes from an animal, it must be fed with organic feed and grown in biological standards. The yarns undergo a certification process to enable the company to be able to call organic / bio yarns. It is said that their wool is certified in accordance with the USDA Organic National Livestock Program standard of accredited third party certification. In addition, spinning is certified for Global Organic Textile Standards from Oregon Land Processing or Third-Party Certification Authority.
Organic yarns are often left in their natural state rather than dyed, but there are companies that dye organic yarn. Non-toxic, organic dyes are much more expensive than ordinary dyes, so organic dyed yarns can cost far more than normal dyes.
If you are really interested in using the most environmentally friendly yarns, contact the manufacturer and ask questions about who certifies them, what dyes they use, and even the way the animals are grown.
Basic materials and yarns for hand knitting
The publication of the article aims to reveal to the beginner all the subtleties of knitting art. Besides the standard ones, we will also emphasize the little-known, at least in our country, new knitting techniques. Nowadays, there are dozens of women's magazines that include a variety of sweaters, waistcoats, scarves, hats, etc. On the other hand, many other publications are being printed, but what is really useful is Pam Allen's "Knitting" by Alex Soft , but in general, it is best for those who have a "knitting grandmother", to explain to them how a specific knitting is being made / and finally to knit the knitting /. And don’t let us start on more sophisticated techniques. Hand knitting is a very old art. It was in ancient times when the knights' jackets and fishing nets were knit. It is obviously invented by men, but it has become one of the most popular female activities. From knitwear, devoid of any elegance and serving only for warm clothing, thanks to its continuous improvement, hand knitting today is one of not only the desired but also the necessary " benefits "in everyone's wardrobe. With a little work, taste and skill, original clothing, other than all the widespread fashion models, can be knit. Let's not forget another well-known advantage - knitting is also a type of therapy, or as it is called, nerve cure. This can not be understood only by a person who has never tried to knit. The explanation is very simple - watching the knitting scheme and the number of stitches, we can not think of anything else. So we leave back the everyday problems and troubles and, even for an hour, we break from the grayness of the world around us. What if we do not care and think about the knitting? Well, then we unravel. Believe us, this is far from pleasant. But let's start with the base of hand knitting - the types of yarn used and knitting tools. For those who are not familiar, we would like to mention that all imported hand tools and handmade materials are already available in Bulgaria. Until recently, we watched them only in glossy magazines, and we were waiting for someone to go abroad to bring quality hooks, for example.
The shop that we would recommend and where you will find knitting needles and almost all of the materials described here, and with the highest quality, is the Stenli Shop.
Types of Yarn
The most important of course is the yarn. The variety of yarn on the market is great - from natural wool, to cotton and all kinds of impressive yarns, both native and imported. The hand knitting yarn can be made with one, two or more threads, must be soft, bulky and lightweight.
Here are some types of yarn that are available in our market:
Natural wool yarn. It comes from the wool of a common, local sheep breed. It has a very strong and durable thread. Clothes made with it warm up a lot, but they have one major disadvantage - the yarn is not softened. There are old recipes to soften and bleach wool.
Merino wool yarn. It comes from a wool of merino sheep and has a very fine and soft hair, so you knit it smoothly and easily.
Fancy yarn. It is produced both from artificial yarns (polyester, polyamide) as well as cotton. Very nice to wear.
Angora yarn. It is made from angora rabbits and is particularly soft and light. Used mainly for knitting baby clothes. Apart from the softness, it is associated with another property - absorbs 2 times more moisture than wool and 4 times more than cotton yarn before it starts to create a feeling of moisture.
Cotton yarn. Cotton, also called "white gold", is the oldest known yarn extraction plant in the world. Grows in the tropical and subtropical climate zone, pure and natural product that does not cause allergies. It can absorb enough moisture and is especially airy. It causes temperature equalization, so a cotton yarn is comfortable to wear during the hot days. The quality cotton yarn is combed and mercerized, which gives a strong luster, softness, volume and high resistance. It is available in a variety of colors and is suitable for babies and young children as well as for adults - especially for people who are sensitive and allergic.
Onde fancy yarn. The machine on which is made is a Bulgarian patent. It is cotton, wool and mixed. At the appropriate thicknessit can be machine knitted.
Boucle. Effective yarn with uneven, loop-like bumps, twisted on a thin stitch base. The knitting becomes bulky, soft and warm. The bigger the bumps, the more "thick" the knitting will become.
Plush yarn. Effective yarn composed of cotton and synthetic materials. There are short hairs that give a soft, "velvety" look to the knitting. It is suitable for any kind of knitting.
Wick yarn. Effective yarn made of one ply slightly twisted soft yarn. The knitting is particularly effective when combined with a "fiery" yarn.
Fiery Yarn. Effective yarn with unevenly spaced small, wick-like bumps, very often with a color different from that of the base thread.
Lustrous and fancy yarns. The list of fancy yarns is infinite. The natural "exception" is the silk yarn only, because most of the shiny yarns are made of chemically formed fibers.
Artificial yarns. All polyesters, polyamides,acrylics, etc. Vidlon or sock yarn also belongs to artificial fibers. It is used in knitting slippers, handbags, mats and other items where the main requirement for the fiber is to be strong and very wear-resistant.
Camel wool. There is a slight natural glow. It can not be dyed, so it is mixed with another kind of yarn for passing another color. Since it is very similar to woolen yarn, it is often twisted with it.
Lurex. It is also called lame and is made of polyester yarn, covered with a very thin metallic layer with different effects. Often, to add more effect, it is combined with another, not shiny, yarn.
Melange yarn. The name comes from the French word "melange", which means a mixture. In order to produce the melange yarn before it is twisted, fibers of different color are mixed.
Mohair yarn. Angora goats have a long, soft, curly fur. Mohair yarn is made from the fur of young Angora goats. It does not felt, but it is not durable and resistant to wear. It allows to be dyed, which is why it can be found in any color.
Mulline. The name comes from the French word "mouline", which means twisting. The yarn is composed of two or more different threads or fibers.
Silk yarn. The silk yarn is two types. Artificial and natural. The artificial can be polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, acetate, viscose. The latter is closest to the natural one. It is obtained by chemical processing of a natural raw material. Such a fiber is viscose. It is made from liquid solutions of natural cellulose - from wood of pine, fir, stems of some plants or cotton processing waste. The viscose fiber is soft, pleasant to the touch, stretches a lot, creases, its strength is reduced by wetting. Silk yarn should be knit more tight, because with the first washing it stretches. The number of stitches and rows is determined after the knitted sample (10x10 cm) is washed and then measured. It is usually found in a mixture of cotton and linen. Natural silk is a protein (fiber) fiber obtained from a silk worm cocoon. The silk fibers have the form of a triangular prism with rounded tops. This reflects the light at different angles, giving the silk a natural shine. It has a gentle and soft texture that is not slippery, unlike some synthetic fabrics. The silk is one of the strongest fibers but loses up to 20% of its strength, when it is moistened. It has a good moisture return of up to 11%. Its durability can be weakened in the presence of strong sunlight. It is also very enjoyable for both wearing and knitting.
Washing
A major rule for washing - the artificial yarns stretch and the natural ones shrink. The hand knitting is washed by hand and dried under atmospheric conditions. It is advisable to wash the hand knitting with the special laundry detergents. They are usually liquid, flavored and combined with a softener and antistatic. It is a basic rule that knitting is never soaked because it will lead to a faster yarn felting. It is best to wash in lukewarm water without rubbing and brushing. After washing, do not twist. The removing of water is done by squeezing. Then knitting is placed between two towels, rolled up and pressed. If the knit garment can be washed in a washing machine, it is advisable to use lukewarm water. Knitted clothing should not be rubbed with soap. A soap solution can be used. Clothes should never dry in the sun, because then they become stiff and felted. Clothes made with "angora" yarns often shed hairs. Put it in a polyethylene bag and keep it for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The hairs will not fall. Linen clothes should be dried completely, then moistened and ironed with a very strong iron on the back side. Knitting from fine yarn (Mohair or Angora) is washed in lukewarm water with a mild detergent without twisting. Once it is rinsed, it is placed on one or a couple of towels until the final drying. Finally, the hairs are brushed with a soft brush.
Drying
When drying, knits should be stretched to take the right shape. Cotton sweaters, for example, slightly shrink and need to stretch while still wet. If the parts of the garment are woven in different colors, it is advisable to put dry towels between the front and back and in the sleeves, for example, so as not to stain the parts of each other. Never dry hand knitting in a dryer!
Basic rules for washing and drying clothes knitted from the most commonly used yarns. Garments made from natural cotton yarn can be washed even up to 60 ° C. However, first look at the yarn labels. Only a specialized knitwear detergent is used. Since cotton takes a lot of water, after wetting the garment becomes very heavy. The natural silk is not elastic, so it stretches even during the first wash. As already mentioned, the sample should first be washed and dried, and then count the stitches and rows. Clothing knitted with silk yarn is always washed separately and with as few movements as possible. Rinse with plenty of cold water. Drain carefully and dry in a lying position on a towel.
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