To create yarn, both natural (silk, cotton, wool) and artificial (viscose, polyester) fibers are used. Hence the first classification of yarn – by composition.

The composition of the yarn is divided into:

natural
synthetic
mixed

Yarn is also divided by structure:

single
cane
twisted

Single yarn is yarn spun from fibers using spinning machines. The thread is uniform, dense.

Crocheted yarn consists of single threads folded but not twisted together, and twisted – when single threads are twisted together.

If the yarn is twisted from fibers of different colors, it is called melange.

Further, the yarn is divided into types based on the composition. Knowing the properties of a particular type of yarn, you can easily navigate in a huge assortment of stores, for example, we like the online yarn store.

natural yarn

Wool

This is one of the most popular types of yarn. Wool perfectly retains heat, has hygroscopicity and thermoregulating properties. To create yarn, wool of sheep, goats, rabbit down is used.

To create children’s things, merino yarn is often used ; it is made from the wool of fine-fleeced merino sheep, which is taken from the withers of animals.

Merino yarn is not only very soft, but also elastic. Things from that yarn will fit the figure well. The yarn does not lose its properties even after washing.

Cashmere is another type of wool yarn. It is made from the finest undercoat of cashmere goats. It is considered one of the most expensive woolen threads. Cashmere products are weightless, but at the same time perfectly retain heat and look very elegant. Cashmere is also called royal wool. Products from it perfectly retain their appearance, but washing is contraindicated for them, only dry cleaning.

Mohair is obtained from the interweaving of long fluffy wool fibers. The yarn is heterogeneous, it is good to use for knitting openwork things. Mohair is always a mixed yarn.

Alpaca wool has unique properties. The highest thermoregulatory properties, not subject to rolling, has a beautiful shine and uniformity. Hypoallergenic.

Angora is a yarn made from the down of angora rabbits. Pleasant to the touch, soft and warm. However, the angora is quite capricious in its care. It quickly wears out and loses its properties, especially with improper care. The main thing is to avoid getting wet and clean things from angora with chemical methods.

Of the minuses of natural wool – a tendency to roll. Natural sheep’s wool can be quite scratchy and irritating to the skin, but everything is solved by adding synthetic fibers to the yarn. So do not be afraid of the "unnatural" mixed yarn, products from it are obtained with higher elasticity, wrinkle less and last longer.

Silk

The silkworm thread reaches a length of 1000 meters, having a triangular cross section, it refracts light, which gives silk products a unique brilliance. Natural silk is a very expensive material, but even with the addition of a small amount of silk to the yarn, it transfers its unique properties, while the price becomes more affordable.

Cotton

Cotton yarn. Breathable, durable, hygroscopic and comfortable to wear. However, pure cotton has disadvantages such as high shrinkage, low elasticity, and dirt retention by the fibers. A small addition of synthetic fibers to the composition perfectly solves all these problems.

Linen

To create yarn, a special spinning flax is used. Linen has antiseptic properties, holds its shape well, and is moderately elastic. Linen is not cold in winter and not hot in summer.

Bamboo

Increasingly used in yarn, more often as an additive to cotton. It has softness, beautiful shine, long service life, hypoallergenicity, antimicrobial properties.

Synthetic yarn

Acrylic

Often used as a substitute for wool, as fluffy, voluminous threads are very similar to wool. Acrylic is soft, pleasant to the body, wear-resistant and elastic material, however, pure acrylic strongly accumulates static electricity and rolls up quickly. It is best used in mixed yarns, as an addition to wool or cotton. Acrylic is hypoallergenic, often used for children’s products.

Nylon

Elastic, lightweight and very durable. Pure nylon is used in the production of women’s tights, it is included in the composition of the yarn as an additive. Adding nylon to wool reduces abrasion and increases durability. Woolen socks with nylon thread will last much longer.

microfiber

Microfiber was invented in Japan. This is a super thin thread made of polyamide or polyester. Yarn is made from repeatedly connected fibers. Products made from it are hypoallergenic, have good breathability, durability and are very pleasant to the touch. Microfiber is not inferior to natural materials in popularity.

Lurex

This is a metal additive in the form of a thread. It is not a fiber and is used as a decorating additive in yarn. Gives extra strength.

Acetate

Acetate or rayon. Made from short fibers of cotton left over from the main production. Smooth, shiny, hypoallergenic.

Viscose

Viscose is made from the bark of coniferous trees by chemical treatment. The yarn is well-deservedly popular due to its luster, softness and hypoallergenic properties.

There are many more types of yarn, such as boucle, bulk yarn, pile. But in terms of composition, they most often use one of the materials listed above.

Knowing the composition of the yarn, you can choose what is suitable for your product.

Post source: www.9linesmag.com