YARN - UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES

JUST IN TIME FOR THAT EASTER PROJECT!

While unraveling the mysteries of yarn for this article I have learned a lot about what it takes to get these fibers to a condition ready for use. I applaud you and I truly have a new found appreciation for you who venture to take these raw materials, spin and eventually create beautiful works of art.

There are a multitude of fibers used. You have natural cellulosic fibers which come from seed, leaf, and nut fibers. There are Bast Fibers which come from the "inner bark" of the stems of flowering plants. Then you have Protein Fibers which come from animal sources and last but not least are the Regenerated Fibers which are man made. Below you will find some of the various types listed and with a brief explanation as I try to unravel the mystery of yarn.

Alpaca/Llama Yarn: Alpaca offers excellent warmth and insulation. It falls within the protein fiber category. The fibers are strong, silky, and fabrics made from alpaca have a similar appearance to that of mohair. It is incredibly soft, and naturally hypoallergenic, and non-shedding. It can be machine washed in cold water. Alpaca farming is on the rise in the United States as their commercial possibilities becoming more and more lucrative. Lucky for us as this will bring our prices down.

Also, if you are wanting to learn about alpacas and their fleece and starting a business of your own visit the Sweet Creations Alpaca Farm! While visiting the site I could tell how much these beautiful animals are loved by their owners. They literally walk you through a tour of their farm and explain all of the intricate details about the care and maintenance that is needed to raise an Alpaca. Once you visit their site you will learn to appreciate the time and effort that it takes to bring the alpaca fiber to your door.

Also, if your looking to raise Alpaca's for profit visit the Alpaca Fleece Business website. Deb says "it is the greatest home business imaginable. Not just a business but a joy to work with these terrific animals and their fleece." The website will help you to explore the amazing world of the Alpaca. Whether you are just curious about this fantastic animal or are thinking about starting your own Alpaca Fleece Business, you are in the right place.

Araucania Yarn was started when Nora Bierschwale, textile designer and her daughter Michelle Boisier, architect, combined their expertise to the artisan of dyeing fibers for weaving and knitting located in Santiago, Chile, on the southwest corner of South America. They not only run a company that they appear to be passionate about, they are also keeping their heritage alive. Select the above link to further review the beautiful unique colors and the passion of both Nora and Michelle.

Bamboo Yarn: is a natural cellulosic fiber. It is made from 100% bamboo. It is a renewable resource. It can grow at a rate of up to three to four feet a day, depending on the climate.The bamboo yarn comes in a variety of colors and has a soft and silky feel to it. I read an article by Mizchulita at ehow.com and she described using the yarn for the first time and found it to be prickly and rough. However, she goes on to say that the technology of creating the bamboo yarn has improved and that the Bamboo Yarn is very soft and she truly enjoys working with it.

Boucle is a novelty yarn that is made with multiple plies or layers which have curls or loops entwined.

Chenille The appearance and feel of Chenille has made it another favorite among us who work with yarn. It has a sheen that gives it a look of richness and a feel that is as soft as a baby. It is made with multiple plies of yarn twisted together. I couldn't resist using this to create a baby blanket for a friend who lives in the north. It was light weight but very durable and had the look of royalty which every baby deserves.

Corn Yarn: One of the newer selections out on the market, it is made from corn fibers. Corn yarn has a flat, but wide strand. You wouldn't think it but It can be machine washed and dried, making it very easy to take care of. Reinvent described it as "quite soft and had excellent stitch definition". I have not personally tried it but I am looking forward to it in the future.

Faux fur: Fluffy fibers spun on a strong base thread which resembles faux fur when knitted or crocheted. This yarn is usually made of nylon.

Fleece: Fleece is considered a protein fiber. An example would include mohair and cashmere, which come from Angora and Kashmir goats. Angora also comes from the hair of the Angora rabbit. There are many types of fleece available. Holly Spring Homespun has a wide variety of fleece for sale on their website.

Hemp: Hemp is considered a Bast (Skin) Fiber. It is also classified as natural or cellulose. It is harvested from the inner bark or skin of the dicotyledonous plant. Say that three times fast­.. This fiber also comes from a renewable resource. It is at the top of the list because it produces more fiber, oil and protein than any other plant. Hemp fibers are also very strong, which will help your knitted or crocheted pieces to last even longer.

Milk Yarn: This process is fairly new as it was just 2004 that is passed certification testing. Milk yarn is considered a regenerated fiber. Regenerated fibers are produced by dissolving natural materials and then extruded in an acid bath where a spinneret is used to produce the fiber. Milk protein fibers are healthy and comfortable fibers and whose popularity is on the rise as the request for "Green" products is becoming increasingly requested.

Nepalese Recycled Silk Sari Yarn: This yarn is made in Nepal with the scraps of silk fabric that are left over from the process of making saris. In researching this particular recycle yarn found a site on the web called Mango Moon. This site promotes the recycled yarn and at the same time supports the NGO Organization "N-WEG" which helps women who have been rescued from abusive situations.

Novelty: Novelty yarns are easily recognized. Their appearance is so different from traditional yarns as they are usually made with one strand of "traditional" yarn combined with a strand of something else. For instance the eyelash yarn is made from polyester and has the look of an "eyelash" because of the short, thin hairs that are used. This type of yarn is usually used as edging or I have even used it in my amigurumis to represent hair. I've also used it to trim a jacket. Depending on which type of novelty yarn you choose it can create various looks to the same pattern. The possibilities are endless.

Organic Cotton: Made from organically grown cotton without the use of agricultural chemicals. This cotton does not require any special treatment or care. Natural dyes are used to color to the yarn.

Organic Marino Yarn: It's made from 100% certified organic wool. Soft and durable wash after wash.

Railroad ribbon: This "yarn" has tiny tracks of fiber strung between two parallel strands. This is one of the newer novelty yarns. I have not used this yet myself but from the reviews I have read it is great for fringe. I, of course, have some in my stash for a future project. I'll come back later with an update as to the ease of use and more.

Ribbon: This is another novelty yarn that is very popular at this time. This yarn is exactly what the name says it is ­ribbon. The ribbons are made from just about any material. My favorite craft store carries a large like of ribbons for which you can use to knit or crochet. Use your imagination when selecting your ribbon. Depending on the type of ribbon you choose you will receive a totally different look.

SeaSilk Yarn: Who would have thought it was possible - yarn made from seaweed. About 70% is made from silk but the remaining 30% of the yarn is made from seaweed fiber. It is hand dyed and because it accepts the dye very well the colors I've seen are absolutely rich in color. This yarn is light in weight.

Soysilk Yarn: Soysilk yarn is made from the soy bean plant and is another renewable resource. It has a silk like texture and it is soft and it keeps you warm.

Synthetic: Including nylon, acrylic, and polyester. Straddling the border between natural and synthetic are soy, bamboo, corn, and other unusual yarns made by using plant-based materials.

Wool:

Lamb's wool: Comes from a young lamb's first shearing.

Merino wool: Considered the finest of the fine breeds.

Pure new wool/virgin wool: Wool that's made directly from animal fleece and not recycled from existing wool garments.

Shetland wool: Made from the small and hardy native sheep of Scotland's Shetland Islands.

Icelandic wool: A rustic, soft yarn.

Washable wool: Treated chemically or electronically to destroy the outer fuzzy layer of fibers.