Yarn ·
Tweed: The yarn that got its name by mistake
Tweed yarn gets its flecks from neps spun into the wool, and this piece covers how the name began, the pros and cons, and five tweeds we like.
Yarn
Fibres, weights, and what they do on the needles.
October 2026
September 2026
Yarn ·
Why worsted weight is the Perfect work horse yarn
Worsted weight yarn is a CYC #4 at 4 to 5 stitches per inch, and I cover its origin, how it differs from Aran, and five worsted yarns we love.
June 2026
Yarn ·
The Clever Construction of Chainette Yarn
Chainette yarn is built like a tiny knitted cord with air inside, so it feels light and soft, and here is where it works and five to try.
May 2026
Yarn ·
5 of our FAVORITE Summertime Yarns from KnitPicks
Five summer yarns from KnitPicks, from cotton dishcloth yarn to a merino and pima blend, plus a bonus cotton and modal yarn for a lace tee.
April 2026
Yarn ·
Our Favorite Yarn for Knitting Sweaters
Why I think a wool and cotton blend is the best yarn for knitting sweaters, and five wool cotton yarns similar to our own Zephyr.
January 2026
Yarn ·
Cloud Dancer: Yarn Color of the Year
Cloud Dancer is Pantone's white color of the year for 2026, and here is how to use white yarn in your knitting, with three worsted yarns that come close.
February 2025
Yarn ·
Affordable Sweater Yarn Options
Affordable sweater yarn for budget knitters, with how to choose by weight and fiber, how much yarn a sweater takes and five picks with skein counts.
January 2025
Yarn ·
Mocha Mousse: Yarn Color of the Year
Pantone chose Mocha Mousse as its 2025 color of the year, and here is how to pair this warm brown with other yarn colors, plus three yarns to try.
August 2024
Yarn ·
How to get luxury yarn at thrift store prices
A video from Engineering Knits that tests how easy it really is to unravel a thrift store sweater and get luxury yarn from it.
June 2024
Yarn ·
The Raw Truth About Undyed Yarn
Undyed yarn shows the natural colors of wool, alpaca and cotton, and this piece weighs its pros and cons and shares five undyed yarns we love.
Yarn ·
The Simplicity of Self-Striping Yarn
Self-striping yarn makes stripes without changing colors, and this piece covers how to knit with it, what suits it, and five yarns we like.
March 2024
Yarn ·
What exactly is Lace weight yarn?
Lace weight yarn is the thinnest of the eight yarn weights, and this piece covers its gauge, needles, fibers, best uses and five yarns we like.
February 2024
Yarn ·
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPER Bulky yarn!
Super bulky yarn is a Craft Yarn Council #6 weight, and here is how it differs from jumbo, what it suits, and seven favorites for quick knits.
January 2024
Yarn ·
The fascinating facets of the diamond fiber: Mohair
Mohair yarn comes from the Angora goat and gives a high sheen and soft halo, and here are its history, pros and cons, and seven mohair yarns we like.
Yarn ·
What is Single Ply Yarn?
Single ply yarn is soft, warm and quick to knit, but it can pill and slant, so here is what to expect, plus five single ply yarns we like.
Yarn ·
Is BULKY yarn the best for beginner knitters?
Bulky yarn is a Craft Yarn Council #5 weight, and here are its pros and cons for beginners, plus five bulky yarns we like.
Yarn ·
The quiet luxury of cashmere yarn
Cashmere yarn is the obvious choice for quiet luxury knitting, with its history, pros and cons, and three blends with just a touch of cashmere.
Yarn ·
Peach Fuzz: Yarn Color of the Year
Pantone chose Peach Fuzz as its 2024 color of the year, and here is how to pair it with other colors, with three patterns and seven yarns to try.
December 2023
Yarn ·
The life changing magic of Merino wool
Merino wool is soft and warm for a reason, and this piece explains how its fine fibers keep you dry, plus five merino yarns we like.
August 2023
Yarn ·
What is sport weight yarn?
Sport weight yarn knits at about six stitches per inch, and this covers its needle sizes, fibers and best projects, plus seven yarns we love.
Yarn ·
Acrylic: Not Your Grandma's Yarn Anymore
Acrylic yarn has improved a lot, and this covers how it is made, its pros and cons, what to knit with it and five favorites from budget to luxurious.
July 2023
Yarn ·
3 Tips for choosing the PERFECT yarn color
Three tips for choosing yarn color that suits you, from seasonal color analysis to your personality and style, including texture and luster.
Yarn ·
Which yarn is better? Gradient or Variegated
Gradient yarn has slow color changes that suit most projects, while variegated yarn can pool, so this compares them and shares five gradient yarns we love.
June 2023
Yarn ·
A luxury yarn made by worms?
Silk yarn from its history and how it is made to its strengths, drawbacks and the debate over killing silkworms, plus five silk yarns we like.
Yarn ·
Can you knit with Wool in summer?
Knitting with wool in summer works if you choose merino, which wicks moisture and spins fine, plus five lightweight merino yarns we like.
May 2023
Yarn ·
Hemp Yarn: The *Other* Plant Fiber
Hemp yarn is strong, absorbent and resistant to mildew but rough and inelastic, and this covers what to knit with it and four hemp blends we like.
Yarn ·
What is Lace yarn?
Lace yarn is the thinnest category, CYC #0, and this short guide covers its gauge, needle sizes, common fibers, best projects and four yarns we like.
Yarn ·
5 Clever Yarn Storage Ideas
Five clever yarn storage ideas, one for each kind of stash from project yarn and single skeins to scraps, plus a tip for protecting wool.
Yarn ·
The life changing magic of organizing yarn
Three lessons from Marie Kondo's tidying book for sorting your yarn stash, plus where to send the skeins you decide to let go.
Yarn ·
Pima Cotton: Longer, Better, Softer, Stronger
Pima cotton has long fibers that make yarn softer and stronger than regular cotton, and here is where it comes from, with five pima yarns we love.
April 2023
Yarn ·
7 More Delicious Sock Yarns
Seven more sock yarns for hand knitters, from a matched gradient set to a wool-free bamboo blend, a silk blend and a worsted-weight stripe.
Yarn ·
What makes Sock Yarn so special?
Sock yarn is fingering weight wool and nylon with plenty of twist and plies, and this explains why it wears and washes well, with five to try.
Yarn ·
The Benefits of Bamboo Yarn
Bamboo yarn is soft, breathable and good for warm weather, but it is processed, stretches and costs more, with five bamboo yarns we like.
March 2023
Yarn ·
Alpaca: The best wool alternative?
Alpaca yarn as an alternative to itchy wool, covering where it comes from, how it compares with merino, its drawbacks and six alpaca yarns to try.
January 2023
Yarn ·
Our favorite yarn for sweater knitting [5 of 5]
There is no perfect yarn for sweater knitting, but wool and cotton blends come close, and here are three we like to end the series.
Yarn ·
Our Favorite Acrylic Yarns
Modern acrylic yarn is cheap, light and durable but can pill and hold moisture, and here are five acrylic yarns we like for sweaters.
Yarn ·
What is Cotton?
Cotton yarn is cool, strong and affordable but does not stretch or hold its shape, and this piece covers types, uses and five cotton yarns we like.
Yarn ·
Is wool the PERFECT sweater yarn? [2 of 5]
Wool yarn for sweaters regulates temperature and springs back into shape, but it costs more and can felt, with three wool yarns I like.
Yarn ·
Searching for the PERFECT sweater yarn [1 of 5]
Yarn weight decides how warm, drapey and fast a sweater will be, so this first of five parts helps you pick a weight for sweater yarn.
Yarn ·
Jumbo Yarn: What exactly is it?
Jumbo yarn is the Craft Yarn Council size for six stitches or fewer per 4 inches, and I explain how arm knitting led to it and what it's good for.