Crochet guide
Crochet yarn types
Yarn differs most in two things: the fiber it is made of and its thickness, which is called its weight. Cotton, acrylic and wool are three common fibers, and each behaves in its own way. To learn with, choose a smooth, light-colored acrylic or cotton yarn of medium weight.
On this page 6 parts
The main fibers
| Fiber | What it is | What it is like |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | A plant fiber | Strong and absorbent, with very little stretch. Cool to wear. |
| Acrylic | A synthetic fiber | Inexpensive and hard-wearing. Less breathable than natural fibers. |
| Wool | The fleece of sheep | Warm and stretchy. Some wool feels scratchy against the skin. |
| Blends | Two or more fibers spun together | Made to give something of each fiber |
Cotton absorbs water and stands up to hard use, which is why it is the usual yarn for things that get wet. It has little give.
Acrylic is the yarn many people learn with. It costs less than most natural fibers and stands up to wear.
Wool is the warm one. Ordinary wool can felt or shrink if it is washed carelessly. Wool sold as superwash has been treated to resist that.
Blends are common. Acrylic is often mixed with wool, and sock yarn is often wool with some nylon added for strength.
You will also see bamboo, linen, alpaca, silk and mohair on labels. They can wait until you know the first three.
Weight, in short
A yarn's weight is its thickness, not what the ball weighs on a scale. Labels show it as a number from 0, the finest, to 7, the thickest. Yarn weights for crochet explains the numbers and their names, and the yarn weight chart lists them.
A yarn to learn with
- Medium weight. Neither very fine nor very thick: weight 3 or 4, the yarns called DK, worsted and aran.
- Smooth. A plain, smooth strand shows each stitch. Leave fluffy and heavily textured yarns for later.
- Light in color. Stitches are hard to see in dark yarn.
- Acrylic or cotton. Both are common first yarns.
Which yarn for which project
| Project | Fiber that suits it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dishcloths and washcloths | Cotton | It absorbs water and lasts through many washes |
| Winter blankets, hats and sweaters | Wool, or a blend with wool in it | Wool is warm |
| Summer tops and bags | Cotton | It is cool to wear and strong |
| Baby blankets | A soft yarn; acrylic is a common choice | Read the washing instructions on the label before you buy |
| Practice pieces | Acrylic | It is inexpensive |
| Scarves and shawls | Wool for a winter scarf; cotton for a light one worn in warm weather | Wool is warm, and cotton is cool to wear |
| Stuffed toys | Cotton or acrylic, in a smooth yarn | A smooth yarn shows each stitch clearly |
| Rugs | A thick yarn, T-shirt yarn, or several strands held together | A rug wants a thick fabric. Two strands shows how to hold yarns together. |
For any project, think first about what the finished piece has to do: stretch or hold its shape, soak up water, keep someone warm. The fiber decides that.
What the label tells you
The label on a ball of yarn names the fiber the yarn is made of. It also gives the weight and the washing instructions. Read it before you buy. Once you know the fiber, you know roughly what the yarn will be like to work with and how to care for it.
Questions people ask
Is cotton or acrylic the yarn to start with? Either. Acrylic is low in price. Cotton has less stretch. Pick a smooth, light-colored yarn of medium weight in whichever you can find.
Can I make a dishcloth in acrylic? Cotton is the usual choice, because a dishcloth has to soak up water and cotton absorbs it.
Is wool itchy? Some wool is and some is not. It ranges from soft to scratchy, and a wool blend may feel more comfortable.
Next, crochet hooks helps you pick a hook for your yarn, the hook size by yarn weight chart gives a size for each weight, and how to crochet starts with the first loop. When your first piece is done, the dishcloth patterns are a good use for a ball of cotton.