Knitting a sweater can be a lovely way to entertain yourself while also creating something special. To a large degree, the success of your project will depend on the yarn you choose to use. The best yarns not only create sweaters that look and feel lovely, but they're also easy to work with. So, what should you look for when picking out yarn to use for your sweater? Here are a few key qualities to focus on.
Sport Weight or Worsted Weight Yarn
The term "weight" really refers to the thickness of a yarn. For a sweater, you can either go with sport weight yarn or worsted weight yarn. Sport weight yarn has a pretty medium thickness and will allow you to create a standard, medium-weight sweater. It's quite easy to work with and is often a good yarn choice for beginners. Worsted weight yarn is a bit thicker than sport weight yarn. It's widely available and will make a slightly bulkier, heavier sweater than sport weight yarn. Yet, it is still slender enough that knitters of all skill levels can work with it comfortably.
Soft Texture
If possible, try to buy your yarn in person so you can feel it before you buy it. If a yarn feels soft on the skin, it will feel soft when someone is wearing a sweater made from it, too. Any prickliness, no matter how slight, will be magnified once the sweater is knit and being worn. As such, people often choose from higher-end brands like Malabrigo yarn for sale when their plan is to knit a sweater.
Colorfast Dyes
Most knit sweaters need to be handwashed or dry cleaned. However, you still want to make sure the dyes don't run. Check to make sure the yarn you are buying is colorfast. This means it should not run or dilute if the sweater gets wet.
Natural Fibers
While you could make a sweater from synthetic yarn, the sweater might be scratchy and prone to shrinking over time. It's far better to choose a natural fiber. Wool yarn works well if you want something more traditional. Cashmere is also lovely, although it comes with a higher price tag. Alpaca yarn tends to offer a good balance of affordability and luxury for sweater making.
The advice above should enable you to choose wisely when shopping for yarn. Remember, the knitting part of the process should be enjoyable, too!
When it comes to making things in your house feel like a home, it isn't always easy to know where to start. Fortunately, creating little crafts is easy and it can make your place feel warm and welcoming. I started crafting a lot a few years ago, and I have been really happy to see how much of a difference it has made inside my house. I wanted to create a great website to help other people to make their house gorgeous. Read more about crafting on this blog, and learn how to make your home feel like a little slice of heaven.