Yarn skeins
Yarn shopping is such a tactile and hands-on experience, it can feel strange to do from afar. Of course, when you’re buying yarn online, you won’t be able to give the yarn a good squeeze or compare it side-by-side with your pattern. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be discerning! It’s easy to fall in love with a skein of yarn from a photograph, but with a little homework you can ensure that you’re buying quality yarn that will meet your project’s needs.
Project Requirements
When selecting a yarn for your project, don’t let the pretty pictures sway you. First think about what you’re going to use the finished object for and what yarn weight your pattern calls for. Will you need a hardy, machine-washable yarn for a well-loved blanket or a sturdy tote bag? A super-soft yarn for a scarf?
Will you need stitch definition for an intricate lace shawl? Are you knitting or crocheting for a child or someone with a skin condition that could be aggravated by certain fibers, as discussed in Cleveland Clinic’s overview at www.my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6173-contact-dermatitis, and does that affect whether you buy yarn online?
Keep in mind the following when buying yarn online:
- What properties do you need in a yarn? Resilience? Stretch? Softness? Structure?
- What fiber will be best for your project? Wool has great elasticity and warmth; cotton is great for stitch definition but lacks elasticity; acrylic and other synthetics tend to be more wash-and-wear. Blends can be a good choice if you’re looking for a combination of properties (say, something soft and sturdy).
- What needle or hook size does the yarn label say you should use?
- How many skeins will you need to make sure you have enough yarn?
- What are the care instructions? Will the yarn need to be hand-washed and dried flat?
Quantity and Dye Lots
Unless you’re knitting something pretty basic, it’s best to buy an extra skein or two of yarn just in case. You never know when you’ll make a mistake, or decide you want to add an extra-long border, or need to make a swatch. If you’re smart, you’ll buy about 10% more yarn than you think you’ll need. (Just make sure it’s from the same dye lot!) If you end up not needing it, keep the yarn in its packaging and you should be able to return it for a refund.
Yarn skeins and labels
Have you ever ordered two skeins of the same color, only to discover that one’s a tad darker than the other? That’s due to differences in dye lots. All dyed yarn should be labeled with the dye lot number, so before you buy a ton of yarn online, check to make sure it’s all the same color and dye lot!
Pay attention to ply and twist. Tightly twisted yarns, or yarns with multiple plies, will give you more stitch definition and are generally durable. Single ply yarns make lofty and soft fabrics. Loosely twisted yarns might drape and bloom beautifully after washing. Neither type is better or worse, just different, and better suited to different projects.
Yardage
How much yarn is in a skein/ball/hank/etc.? Sometimes a seller will list the weight of a skein, but two yarns, each with 100g skeins, may give you vastly different amounts of yarn. This is helpful to know if you’re looking for a yarn to swatch and potentially substitute for another, so you don’t find yourself short of yarn at the top of your hat! Also helpful in this regard, if a seller gives a wraps per inch count, especially for yarns in the very broad “worsted” or “bulky” categories.
Swatch!
Make sure you knit or crochet enough to wash and dry (just as you’d plan on washing and drying the finished project), and block if necessary. Some yarns bloom, grow, relax, get tighter, softer, etc. after washing. Better to find that out with a swatch and change needles/crochet hook sizes than halfway through a project!
Reviews and Labels
Yarn reviews can be helpful to see if there’s any common complaints (i.e., if lots of people say the same color looks nothing like it does in the picture), but everyone uses yarn differently. One person might say they don’t like that a yarn pill, but for another that might not matter because she’s using it to knit a rustic sweater. If you’re buying a lot of yarn for a big project and are unsure, consider ordering a few extra skeins to see if it’s right for you.
It’s easy to do, especially if you’re buying tons of yarn online for a project and don’t want to clutter up your crafting space. But saving your yarn labels will allow you to order more of the same yarn down the road (if you run out!) and give you important information about the fiber content and how to properly clean your finished project.
