Choosing the Best Yarn for Your Weaving Projects

Weaving is a craft where the materials you choose can significantly affect the outcome of your project. One of the most important decisions you'll make is selecting the right yarn. The fibre content, weight, texture, strength, and colour of your yarn all influence the quality, durability, and overall look of your woven piece. Understanding how to choose the right yarn for your project is key to achieving the results you envision.

In this informative guide, we will discuss the key factors to consider when choosing yarn for your next weaving project.t

Fibre Content

Choosing the right fibre is key to achieving the best results in your weaving projects. Natural fibres like cotton, wool, linen, and silk are well-loved for their quality and versatility. Each offers different benefits, so selecting the right one depends on your project's needs.

Cotton

Cotton is soft, absorbent, and versatile, making it a favourite for weaving projects like towels, dishcloths, and lightweight garments. It dyes easily, giving you bright, vibrant colours. Commonly used in yarn counts like 8/2 and 16/2, cotton is both strong and smooth, ideal for warp and weft.

• Best for: Towels, table runners, and scarves.
• Why we love it: It’s soft, smooth, and easy to work with, making it great for everyday items.

Cotton yarns we recommend:

• Maurice Brassard Cotton Weaving Yarn Ne 8/2
• Maurice Brassard Mercerised Cotton Yarn Ne 8/4
• Venne Organic Egyptian Cotton Yarn Ne 16/2
• Venne Eco Jeans Recycled Yarn Ne 7/2

Wool

Wool is warm and naturally elastic, making it perfect for projects that need insulation, such as blankets and winter scarves. Wool yarns create soft, textured fabrics with a cosy feel.

• Best for: Blankets, scarves, and wall hangings.
• Why we love it: It adds warmth and texture, and it is ideal for comfy, insulating pieces.

Wool yarns we recommend:

• Venne Organic Merino Yarn Nm 28/2
• Ashford Boulce Merino Yarn Ne 5/2
• Malabrigo Rios Superwash Merino Yarn

Linen

Linen is known for its strength and durability, which makes it ideal for projects that need to last, like table linens or rugs. Though it starts out crisp, linen softens with time and use.

• Best for: Tablecloths, placemats, and rugs.
• Why we love it: Strong and durable, perfect for items that get a lot of use.

Linen yarns we recommend:

• Venne Organic Linen Yarn Nel 16/2
• Maurice Brassard Belgium Linen Tapestry Yarn Nel 12/4
• Maurice Brassard Linen Yarn Nel 25/2

Silk

Silk is lightweight and luxurious, with a natural sheen that adds elegance to woven pieces. It's often used in finer projects like light scarves or shawls, as well as lightweight dresses.

• Best for: Scarves, shawls, and decorative pieces.
• Why we love it: Delicate yet strong, silk creates beautiful fabrics with a soft drape.

Silk yarns we recommend:

• ITO Kinu Silk Weaving & Knitting Yarn
• Venne Ultra Fine Silk Yarn Nm 60/2
• Swiss Mountain Silk Mulberry Spun Silk Yarn Nm 5/2

Natural fibres offer a range of benefits and can improve your weaving projects with their unique qualities. If you seek the absorbency of cotton, the warmth of wool, the strength of linen, or the elegance of silk, these fibres offer a strong basis for crafting exquisite, high-quality woven items.

Yarn Weight and Thickness

In weaving, yarn weight is often measured using systems like the number of plies (2-ply, 3-ply) or the count system (e.g., 8/2, 20/2). These numbers provide important information about the thickness of the yarn and its suitability for different types of weaving projects.

The first number in a count (e.g., 8/2) refers to the thickness or fineness of the yarn, while the second number represents the number of plies the yarn has. For example, 8/2 cotton is finer than 5/2 cotton, and 20/2 wool is finer than 10/2 wool. This count system is important because it helps weavers match their yarn choice to the needs of their project.

Here's how some of the most common yarn counts and thicknesses apply to weaving:

• 8/2 Cotton: A versatile yarn commonly used for dish towels, scarves, and other projects where you need both strength and a smooth texture. It works well for both warp and weft.
• 20/2 Silk: This is very fine yarn and perfect for projects that require a lightweight, delicate finish, such as scarves or decorative fabrics.
• 16/2 Linen: It’s great for projects where durability is essential, such as rugs or table linens. Linen's inherent strength makes it ideal for warp yarns.
• 5/2 Wool: Thicker than finer wools, this yarn is excellent for creating warm, textured items like blankets or winter scarves. Its loftiness helps create soft, insulating fabrics.

When selecting a yarn, it's important to consider how the yarn's count impacts the density, texture, and structure of the weave. For more detailed projects, like fine scarves or lace-like fabrics, a finer yarn like 20/2 silk will create the delicate detail you're aiming for. For heavier projects, like rugs or upholstery, you'll want to select a thicker yarn, like 5/2 cotton or 10/2 wool, to provide the needed strength and bulk.

Additionally, weaving with finer yarns requires more time and precision, as they tend to be more delicate and can create denser fabrics. Thicker yarns, on the other hand, weave up faster and result in chunkier, more substantial textiles.

Texture and Drape

The texture of your yarn significantly influences both the appearance and the feel of your finished fabric. Yarn texture can range from smooth and uniform to highly textured or even fuzzy.

How does the yarn texture actually affect weaving projects?

• Smooth yarns, such as silk or cotton, result in clean, crisp weaves that highlight pattern details. These are ideal for projects where you want a more formal or polished look, like table linens or wall hangings.
• Textured yarns, like boucle or slubby yarns, introduce visual interest and dimension to your work. These yarns are often used for adding texture to home décor items or garments where you want a more playful or artistic finish.

Drape is another consideration closely related to texture. Soft, pliable yarns like wool or silk tend to produce fabrics that flow beautifully, while stiffer yarns like linen or certain synthetics will create a more structured fabric. Consider the end use of your project—if you want a scarf that drapes luxuriously, a smooth, soft yarn is best. For a sturdy rug or table runner, choose a more rigid yarn to ensure it holds its shape.

Strength and Durability

Weaving projects, especially those requiring warp yarns, demand strength. The warp threads experience a lot of tension during the weaving process, so choosing a yarn that can withstand that pressure is vital.

Let’s look at the strength and durability of natural yarns:

• Linen and wool are among the strongest fibres and are often recommended for warp yarns. Linen, in particular, offers incredible strength and is perfect for weaving projects that will be subjected to wear and tear, like upholstery or bags.
• Cotton, while not as strong as linen, is still durable and easy to work with for warp threads, particularly in lighter projects.
• Wool is highly elastic, making it an excellent choice for weft threads in projects like blankets, where flexibility and warmth are key.

For weft yarns, which don't undergo as much tension, you can focus more on texture and colour. However, if your project will experience heavy use, such as rugs or upholstery, ensure that both your warp and weft yarns are strong enough to withstand daily wear.

Colour and Dyeing

The colour of the yarn you choose can transform your weaving project from ordinary to extraordinary. The choice of colour, along with the fibre's ability to take dye, can significantly affect the aesthetic outcome of your work.

Find out if your favourite yarn is ideal:

• Wool is a fantastic fibre for dyeing, as it absorbs colour beautifully and results in rich, vibrant hues. It's perfect for projects where colour plays a central role.
• Cotton, while versatile, often produces more muted colours when dyed compared to wool, giving it a softer, more natural look.
• Linen generally takes dye less readily, resulting in more subtle, earthy tones, which can be perfect for home décor items where a neutral palette is desired.

When selecting colours, also consider colourfastness—how well the yarn holds onto its dye. To maintain the long-term quality of your weaving, it's important to test your yarns for colourfastness, especially when they are exposed to sunlight or frequent washing.

Project Suitability

Choosing the right yarn also depends on the specific project you're working on, as different projects require different yarn qualities. The texture, weight, and strength of the yarn should complement the overall design and function of the piece.

Here are some recommendations for common weaving projects:

• Wool is ideal for blankets, scarves, and other items where warmth and softness are a priority.
• Cotton is a go-to for towels, dishcloths, and other absorbent items that benefit from being easy to wash.
• Linen is perfect for projects that need strength and structure, such as rugs, table runners, and upholstery.
• Silk adds luxury to decorative pieces or clothing where you want an elegant drape and sheen.

Matching the fibre, weight, texture, and strength of your yarn to your project will ensure you achieve the desired balance of function and beauty.

Explore the Best Yarns for Your Next Weaving Project

Remember to choose the right yarn carefully. Consider factors such as fibre content, weight, texture, strength, and colour to create high-quality woven pieces that reflect your style and vision.

As you get ready for your next project, Thread Collective is here to help! We offer a wide range of premium-quality yarns for every weaving need. Whether you're after strong warp yarns, vibrant colours, or soft fibres for that perfect scarf, we've got you covered. Explore our collection today, and be sure to sign up for our mailing list for expert tips and exclusive offers—let’s make your next project a success!