When looking for affordable yarn, price shouldn’t be the only factor. You still have to consider a few things before you finally settle on the right yarn for your needs.
- What type of yarn fits your preference? There are several types to choose from:
- Animal fibers. These are the “nicest” and most luxurious, and they can be made from sheep wool along with mohair, alpaca, cashmere, angora, or silk. They’re very elastic and absorbent, and they’re breathable and warm. They can be a bit more expensive, though, and they may require more delicate handling.
- Plant-derived fibers. These are also natural fibers that include cotton, bamboo, and linen. They’re not quite as warm and elastic as animal hair, but they’re often strong enough to machine-wash.
- These are fibers based on polyester or acrylic. Since they use long strands, there’s no pilling like in natural fibers. They’re very durable and machine-washable, lightweight, stain-resistant, and have interesting visual effects. They’re not just as “nice” and luxurious as the natural fibers.
- Natural and synthetic fibers are used for the yarn, so that you have cotton-polyester or wool-acrylic. The properties of the yarn depend on the specific fibers used and the amount of each fiber used. Basically, though, this type of yarn is affordable, durable and yet warm as well.
- What are the color choices? In most cases you just have a single color for your yarn. However, you may find some other options. You may have light and dark shades of the same color or have 2 or more distinct colors. You may have flecks of different colors or even stripes. Marled yarns are made from yarns of different colors that are twisted together.
- Recommended needles. Most of the time, yarn labels will indicate the specific knitting needles you need to use. So if you don’t want to bother buying the needle required, you’re limited to the yarns for which you have the right knitting needles.
- Yarn weight. Some yarns are obviously heavier than others, and you’ll know this through the weight number ranging from 0-6 (0 stands for the finest and the lightest while the 6 describes the thickest and the heaviest).
- Smooth ply or soft single ply. If you want a sharp and sophisticated look for your garment, you may want to use a smooth plied yarn with a solid color. For a more relaxed look, you can use a soft single ply.
- Care instructions. Some yarns are extremely durable, and they’re very appealing to those who prefer machine drying without too much fuss when it comes to storage. On the other hand, some yarns (especially the natural fibers) can shed or fade over time. You may have to guard against moths and the possibility of shrinkage.
If you’re looking to buy affordable yarn online, you need an online shop that offers a wide variety of yarns at reasonable prices. Try shops like Fabricville that offer basic and novel yarns for all specs and budgets.