How to Choose Yarn for Your Knitting Project

When knitting a project, choosing yarn can be a tough decision. When you find a pattern either online or in a store, make sure you look at the example shown first. You might want to try to match the materials they used there.

1. Gauge. First, make sure you have needles that are close to, or even better, that match the gauge. You would not want to knit with thready like yarn if you were using size fifty needles, would you? You should also refer back to the pattern when looking at the gauge.

2. Color. Make sure the color of your yarn matches or is good for what you are knitting your project for. For instance, you would not want to knit a dishcloth with a flower design with white yarn because it would be impossible to see! Or, if you are knitting a scarf to go with the colors of a sweater you have, match the colors accordingly.

3. Bulk. How think should the yarn for your project be? It depends on the project. Don't use super bulky yarn for a little baby's hat, for instance. This also depends on hat needles you have. Check the gauge.

4. Touch. How soft is the yarn? Does your project call for soft yarn? Use your judgment. For instance, you might not want to use scratchy yarn on clothes like sweaters and shirts.

5. Price. How much is it? If it's about twenty dollars for a small ball of yarn meaning you might have to get four or five, depending on what you are knitting, it might not be worth it.

6. Care. On the package, it tells you how to care for the product you make with the yarn. It tells you if you can wash it, if you can dry it, or if it needs to be dry cleaned. Decide what you are willing to do if the project you are working on is for you. Or, think. Would you give a baby who is likely to drool constantly a sweater that needs to be dry cleaned when it gets dirty?

Many yarn companies such as Lion Brand and Bernat's have patterns that you might want to look through. These patterns have suggested yarn, suggested needles, and all the other information you need. On the pattern pages, they have it so you are able to buy the yarn right there, and print out the pattern. Good luck knitting!