Welcome to the vibrant and fibery world of yarn for knitting and crochet! Here you’ll find a variety of unique yarns full of color, texture, and possibility. There’s no better place to buy yarn online than right here at Missouri Star! Browse our curated collection of knit and crochet yarn for sale in a vibrant spectrum of hues and fiber blends to spark your next project.
Did you know that you can use the same yarn for crochet that you would for a knitting project, and vice versa? We stock all of your favorite crochet and knitting yarn brands like Berroco, Cascade, MadelineTosh, Malabrigo, and more. You’ll find budget yarns for knitting and crochet that won’t break the bank as well as hand dyed yarns that will dazzle the senses.
For beginners in knitting or crocheting, understanding the basics of yarn is essential to set a strong foundation for enjoyable and successful crafting. Whether you're a seasoned knitter, crochet aficionado, or just starting your fiber journey, we’re here to answer all of your yarny questions!
What Types of Fiber Can Be Used to Make Yarn?
The short answer is: just about anything! The world is filled with amazing fibers that can be used to create irresistible yarns, from 100% wool yarn to beautiful multi-fiber yarn blends. Best knitting yarn
Generally speaking, knitting and crochet yarn types can be grouped into two categories: natural fibers and synthetic fibers.
Natural Fiber Yarns
Derived from plants, animals, or minerals, natural fibers are considered environmentally friendly as they are renewable resources and are biodegradeable. However, factors such as water and land usage, pesticides, and transportation can impact the overall sustainability of a specific natural fiber.
Cotton yarn is a versatile option known for its softness and breathability. For those with sensitivities to wool or other fibers, cotton yarn can be an excellent choice for garments, accessories, and other items that are worn close to the skin. Cotton knitting yarn is generally durable and can withstand regular use and washing. And did we mention that it’s easy to care for, too? 100% cotton yarns can be machine-washed and dried, becoming softer with each wash. So if you are looking for the best yarn for crochet beginners, give some cotton crochet thread a try!
Wool yarn is warm, elastic, and well-suited for cold weather. There are hundreds of different sheep breeds, each with their own unique characteristics. Cashmere and merino wool yarn for knitting are perhaps the best-known wool types, but there are plenty of other interesting sheep breeds worth exploring, such as Blue-Faced Leicester or Corriedale. Wool can be blended with a variety of other fibers, from natural to man-made, to create beautiful crochet wool yarns and artisanal knitting wool for sale.
Alpaca yarn is known for its exceptional softness, often described as silky and comparable to cashmere. Interstingly, alpaca fiber also has excellent insulation properties and is warmer than sheep's wool, making it ideal for creating cozy garments for colder weather.
Silk yarn has a natural sheen and luster that gives it a beautiful, glossy appearance. Silk is a luxurious and highly sought-after natural fiber that is produced by silkworms during the cocoon stage of their life cycle. Silk is a surprisingly strong fiber with natural moisture-wicking properties and excellent drape. It can be blended with other fibers to impart these qualities to the finished yarn.
Linen is one of the strongest natural fibers, known for its durability and resistance to abrasion. Linen yarn can withstand regular use and washing, making it suitable for items that require strength and longevity. Linen fibers have a cooling effect on the skin and excellent breathability, making it an excellent choice for warm-weather wear.
Mohair yarn is known for its fluffy halo effect, but there is a misconception that it is itchy, scratchy, and unpleasant to the touch. While you may still encounter some mohair yarns that fit that unfortunate description, the majority of the mohair fibers available on today’s market are silky, lustrous, and amazingly soft.
Synthetic Fiber Yarns
Created through chemical processes using raw materials derived from petrochemicals or other polymers, these man-made fibers are engineered to have specific characteristics, such as durability, resistance to wrinkles and moisture, and color retention. They can be designed to mimic the qualities of natural fibers or have entirely different properties based on the intended use.
Perhaps the most well-known synthetic fiber is Acrylic. This affordable option is easy to care for and usually comes in a wide variety of color options. Acrylic yarn is durable and resistant to moths and other pests. For individuals with wool allergies or sensitivities, acrylic yarn is a hypoallergenic option to try.
Nylon yarns are made from polyamide fibers, which are known for their strength, durability, and versatility. Ease of care is another benefit of nylon fiber, with many nylon yarn options being machine washable.
Polyester is a synthetic fiber made from polymer-based fibers, specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET). While polyester yarn has many positive properties such as versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness, some people may find it less breathable than natural fibers like cotton or linen.
Types of Yarn Construction
Yarn construction refers to the way individual fibers are twisted and combined to form a yarn, resulting in unique textures, appearances, and properties. Here are some common types of yarn construction:
1. Singles: Single-ply yarns consist of fibers twisted together to form a single strand. They often have a smooth and sleek appearance, but they can be more prone to pilling and wear due to the absence of additional plies, which add strength and structure/
2. Plied Yarns (2-ply, 3-ply, etc.): Plied yarns are created by twisting two or more singles together. Plied yarns are known for their durability and strength. The number of yarn strands (plies) affects the finished yarn's thickness, texture, and appearance.
Most commercially-made plied yarns can be categorized like so:
- 2-Ply: Commonly used for lightweight yarns with a smooth finish.
- 3-Ply: A versatile construction often used for medium-weight yarns. It provides good stitch definition.
-4-Ply and Higher: Used for heavier yarns, with each additional ply adding thickness and strength.
3. Cabled Yarns: Made by twisting plied yarns together, the resulting yarn is typically more robust with enhanced stitch definition. Cabled yarns can have a braided or textured appearance.
4. Bouclé: Bouclé yarns feature loops or curls along the strand, creating a textured or bumpy surface. This construction is often used to add interest and uniqueness to projects like scarves and shawls.
5. Chenille: Chenille yarns have a velvety appearance due to their short, fuzzy pile created by wrapping the yarn core with short strands. This soft, plus texture is ideal for a variety of projects, from fuzzy scarves and mittens to home decor items like pillows and blankets.
6. Tape Yarn: Yarns with a flat, ribbon-like structure are known as tape yarns. They can vary in width, thickness, and texture and are used to create a modern, smooth fabric with unique visual appeal.
7. Bulky and Slub Yarns: Bulky yarns are thick and often have a lofty, plush appearance. Slub yarns contain irregular thick and thin sections, creating a textured and visually interesting fabric.
8. Tweed Yarns: Colorful specks or nubs of fiber are used to create the flecked appearance found in tweed yarns. This effect is achieved by adding contrasting fibers or bits of colored fiber during the spinning process.
Understanding yarn construction is crucial for choosing the right yarn for a specific project. Each construction type imparts distinct qualities to the yarn, influencing the final look and feel of the finished item.
All About Yarn Weights
Yarn weight refers to the thickness or diameter of a yarn strand. It is an important characteristic that influences the appearance, drape, and texture of the finished project. Yarn weight is categorized into standard classifications, and each weight has its own characteristics and recommended uses. The determination of yarn weight involves measuring the thickness of the yarn, and it is typically expressed using standardized terms.
The most common yarn weight classifications include:
1. Lace (0): Very fine yarn. Often used for delicate, lacy projects like shawls and doilies. Lace weight yarns are thin and may require smaller needles or hooks.
2. Fingering (1): Also known as sock yarn or baby weight, fingering weight yarn is commonly used for lightweight garments and accessories, including socks, baby items, and lace projects.
3. Sport (2): A lightweight suitable for lightweight garments, including sweaters, baby clothes, and accessories.
4. DK (3): Stands for "double knitting." DK weight is versatile and suitable for a range of projects, including sweaters, scarves, and blankets.
5. Worsted (4): A medium weight that is commonly used for a variety of projects, including garments, blankets, and accessories. It is a popular choice for both beginners and experienced crafters.
6. Aran (5): Slightly heavier than worsted weight. Often used for warm, cozy projects like sweaters, scarves, and blankets.
7. Bulky (6): A thick, heavy yarn that works up quickly. Ideal for warm and chunky projects such as scarves, hats, and blankets.
8. Super Bulky (7): The heaviest yarn weight, suitable for projects that need to be completed quickly. Often used for warm, chunky accessories and home decor.
Yarn weight is determined by measuring the thickness of the yarn in wraps per inch (WPI) or yards per pound. The Craft Yarn Council, an industry organization, has established guidelines for yarn weights to provide consistency and help crafters choose the right yarn for their projects.
Yarn Gauge & Swatching
In both knitting and crochet, gauge is the number of stitches and rows per inch. This measurement is crucial for achieving the right size and will vary from person to person, as some folks knit or crochet with less tension than others. While you can use the recommended gauge on the yarn label as a guide, you may need to make several swatches with different hook or needle sizes before you achieve the gauge stated in your chosen pattern.
PRO TIP! Always swatch before starting a project, especially if substituting yarn or using a new one. It helps determine if the yarn suits the intended pattern and allows you to check your gauge.
It's important to note that the recommended needle or hook size for a particular yarn weight is a general guideline, and crafters may choose different sizes based on their gauge and the desired drape and texture of the finished item. Additionally, some yarns may be labeled with both a yarn weight number and a descriptive term (e.g., "worsted" or "sport") to provide additional guidance to crafters.
Artisan Hand Dyed Yarns
Hand dyed knitting yarns are dyed by individual artisans or small-scale producers. Each hand painted yarn skein is often treated as a unique piece, with the dyeing process done by hand. This manual process involves various techniques like hand-painting, dip-dyeing, or kettle dyeing. The result is distinctive yarns which can vary from batch to batch or even skein to skein. This can be particularly appealing for crafters looking for one-of-a-kind pieces, as the artisan has more control over the color placement and intensity, leading to intentional variations and subtle transitions within the same skein.
An indie dyer might choose a variety of natural or synthetic fibers to dye, allowing for a broader range of options. Although hand dyed wool yarn is quite popular, you may also encounter alpaca, silk, cotton, and more. Hand painted yarn can be more expensive due to the labor-intensive and artisanal nature of the production process, so many knitters and crocheters will seek out hand dyed sock yarn which can be used to create a variety of projects with just one or two skeins, rather than a sweater quantity of indie dyed yarn which can become quite pricey.
Commercially Made Yarns
Hand dyed yarn is wonderful, but commercially made yarns also come with their own set of advantages. Because they are mass-produced on a larger scale using automated machinery, the dyeing process is often standardized to ensure consistency across batches. If color and texture uniformity is crucial for your project, a commercially made yarn is the way to go! Affordability is another major advantage for commercially spun yarns as the economy of scale in large-scale production typically drives down costs for the end consumer. Ultimately, deciding between commercially made and hand dyed yarn will depend on the project requirements, budget, and personal preferences of the crafter.
Yarn Care
The type of yarn you choose will determine how to care for your finished item. Make sure to consult the label that came on your yarn to find out if your yarn can be washed by machine, by hand, or if it requires dry cleaning. Many yarn labels have symbols to indicate the best way to care for your finished project; the Craft Yarn Council has a free guide to yarn care symbols for handy reference.
Choosing Knit & Crochet Yarn for Beginners
Choosing crochet & knitting yarn for beginners involves considering factors such as fiber content, yarn weight, texture, and color. Generally, we recommend starting with a light-colored worsted weight yarn that is smooth and easy to work with such as acrylic or cotton. You needn’t break the bank - just buy the best quality yarn for knitting or crocheting that you can afford! As your skills grow, you can explore higher-quality and more expensive yarns for special projects if you so choose.
While novelty or textured yarns can be enticing, they can make it challenging to distinguish individual stitches. Light colors make it easier to see your stitches, and choosing a solid color yarn will help you focus on your technique without the distraction of color changes. Whenever possible, avoid highly variegated or multicolored yarns, as they can sometimes obscure the definition of your stitches.
Last but not least, it may be beneficial to shop for yarn in person so that you can see and touch each skein. As you become more familiar with the variety of yarn brands and types available, you will feel more confident shopping for crochet and knitting yarns online!
Ultimately, the best yarn for a beginner is one that you feel comfortable working with and suits the needs of your project. Don't hesitate to experiment and find what works best for you! The world of yarn is vast and varied, offering endless possibilities for creative expression in knitting and crochet projects. As you continue your knitting and crocheting journey, you will develop personal preferences that inform your yarn choices.
