Learn to Crochet: Before You Get Started Richmond KY

YARN

You’ll be like a kid in a candy store when you step into a yarn shop. Never before has there been such a vast variety of gorgeous yarns to choose from for every taste and budget. See all the wonderful natural fibers to explore like wool, mohair, alpaca, angora, cashmere, cotton, linen and silk. Today’s latest high-tech synthetics include the most affordable acrylics and the more pricey novelties like metallics, furs and even yarn that looks and feels like suede.

Adding to the variety are the textures that abound, from smooth classic plied yarns to loopy bouclés. Now multiply them all by the colors. Just about every solid color imaginable can be found—from clear brights to dusty pastels to rich earth tones—plus amazing multicolor yarns like tweed, variegateds (lengths of different colors alternated within the same ball), stripes and more.

YARN WEIGHTS

All yarns are classified by their weight (thickness of the yarn), no matter what fibers the yarns are made from. They range from superfine (the thinnest) to superbulky (the thickest). Each weight yarn has a recommended crochet hook size and a range of how many single crochet stitches you will get to the inch when you crochet using that size hook. This is called the gauge and it will be discussed in detail starting on page 40. The basic rule of thumb is that the finer the yarn, the smaller the hook size, and the bulkier the yarn, the larger the hook size. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. There are lace patterns that call for a fine yarn and large hook to achieve a light and airy fabric. The chart below will help you familiarize yourself with what size hook to use with what weight yarn. This chart will always come in handy when choosing the right yarns and hooks for your projects.

standard yarn weight system

Categories of yarn, gauge ranges, recommended crochet hook sizes Yarn Weight Symbol & Category Names Type of Yarns in Category Sock, Fingering, Baby Sport, Baby DK, Light Worsted Worsted, Afghan, Aran Chunky, Craft, Rug Bulky, Roving Crochet Gauges in Single Crochet to 4 inches 21-32 sts 16-20 sts 12-17 sts 11-14 sts 8-11 sts 5-9 sts Recommended Hook in U.S. Size Range B-1 to E-4 E-4 to 7 7 to I-9 I-9 to K-10½ K-10½ to M-13 M-13 and larger Recommended Hook in Metric Size Range 2.25-3.5 mm 3.5-4.5 mm 4.5-5.5 mm 5.5-6.5 mm 6.5-9 mm 9-12 mm and larger

YARN PACKAGING

Yarn is available in three forms: pull-skein, pre-wound ball and hank. To use a pull-skein, simply poke your fingers inside the center of the skein to find the end, then carefully pull it out. At first you might have to tug a bit to get the yarn to come out, but after a few yards have been used, the yarn should flow freely.

For a pre-wound ball, remove the paper label. To prevent the ball from rolling away while you work, you can contain it in two ways. First, you can place the ball in a plastic bag and either tape the bag to your worktable,or pin it to the arm of your chair. Second, place the ball inside a plastic bag (to keep it clean) and place it in a work bag or basket that sits on the floor.

A hank must first be wound into a ball before you can use it. The easiest way is to have a helper. Remove the paper label and have the helper hold the hank fairly tautly over outstretched hands. As you wind the yarn, the helper should move his or her hands back and forth, allowing the yarn to come off his or her hands one wrap at a time. Make sure to wind the ball loosely. Winding it too tight might cause the yarn to lose its elasticity. If you need to go it alone, you can place the hank around the back of one or two chairs (depending on the circumference of the hank) and wind it from there. Place the ball inside a plastic bag same as for a pre-wound ball.