Fiber Tales Podcast Special | Episode 34 | My thoughts on yarn choice

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Fiber Tales Podcast Special | Episode 34 | My thoughts on yarn choice

Рет қаралды 21,865

Күн бұрын

This is a special episode all about yarn choice. I’ve tried to take you through all the different things you have to keep in mind when picking yarn for a project.
These are my experiences and opinions about yarn. It is totally fine to disagree ;)
Disclaimer: some of the yarns were given to me for collaborations. I will write it in the notes everytime that is the case :) But all yarns were chosen by me and this video is not sponsored.
I did forget to talk about durability. That is a topic i will look at another time :)
If you want to support me (even more needed during these times) you can buy my patterns on Ravelry or support me on ko-fi (see link belows). It really means a lot to me!
Find me on:
Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/fibe...
Instagram: / fibertales
Ravelry: www.ravelry.co...
Ravelry group: www.ravelry.co...
Etsy: www.etsy.com/d...
Email: fibertales @ gmail.com
What i’m wearing:
Bellis Tee www.ravelry.co...
04:30
1) Typers of yarn
Yarn weight
Gauge & Needle size
Spinning method
Treatment
29:45
2) Fiber content
Wool
Other animal fibers
Plant fibers
Acrylic
49:16
3) Things to consider
Picking the right yarn for the project
Picking an alternative yarn
My advice
56:42
4) Ethical choices
Superwash yarn process
Learn more here:
superwash
www.making-sto...
• Episode 16: Non-Superw...
Mulesing www.making-sto...
Yarns mentioned:
G-uld: Mohair silk, No 4, New Zealand Lambswool and Alpaka (COLLAB)
Baa Ram Ewe: Dovestone (discontinued)
Snældan 3-ply
Garnudsalg: Organic Merino single ply and blackhill èlevé
O’Maille: Donegal Heather
Istex: Plötulopi and Lettlopi
Knitting for Olive: Double merino, cotton merino and soft silk mohair
John Arbon: knitting by numbers
Yama fibre arts: Merino linen worsted (COLLAB)
Raincloud & Sage: Homestead (COLLAB)
Phildar: Phil Randonnées
A knitters world: Merino, silk, yak (COLLAB)
Tencel yarn
Blacker Yarns: Samite (discontinued)
Retrosaria apresenta soft donegal
Uist wool: Canach
Lino Muka
Sandnes: Sunday
Garthenor
Fiber tales: Gotland 2-ply (MY YARN)
Patterns shown:
Jagoda Shawl by Fiber Tales
Fir Shawl by Melody Hoffmann
Skovmærker sweater by Fiber Tales
Fjer Cardigan by Fiber Tales
Birkin sweater by Caitlin Hunter
Must Have Cardigan (cables)

Пікірлер: 102

@joycecaines8271 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for defining the difference between wool and super wash yarn: the process and the difference in the fabric. Your perspective on sustainability as a principle in everything you present: sustainability as a consideration in all aspects of working with fibre is valuable to me. Thank you.

@keikoparker4532 3 жыл бұрын

Great information and episode. Thank you and I admire your ethics in yarn choice and your explanation on choosing sustainable and environmentally friendly yarn.

@jackieholifield4239 3 жыл бұрын

This was a fantastic episode. I am a very experienced knitter and I was interested through out the whole episode. I agree with not using the superwash yarns. I used to buy them until I found out what the process is to get them. I much prefer the non-superwash/rustic yarns. Thank you for doing this.

@cherie2606 4 жыл бұрын

This was very helpful in understanding the various yarn thickness types and blends. Thank you so much. I really enjoyed it.

@lindaayala6541 4 жыл бұрын

I was so enjoying your video that when you said, “i hope you’re still here,” I responded by shaking my head up and down...that’s how engrossed I was. I learned so much about yarn tonight. Thank you so much! ❤️🙏🏼❤️

@Enig_Mata 2 жыл бұрын

I wonder if you ever got a chance to remake your grandpa cardigan in acrylic - it's lovely. This was a very good episode and very helpful for knitters of all skill levels. I started knitting a couple years ago and have tried different types of yarn. So far, I think my favorite are the more rustic/wooly yarns. I had a bad experience with superwash highland and would probably use all I have left to knit a blanket. The resulting garment was so heavy. I love lopi yarn - lett lopi and plotulopi are so beautiful. I knitted a pullover with plotulopi held single and love how warm and lightweight it is. It is itchy at the start, but I get used to it and love the feel. I learned so much from this video.

@spikeandsally Жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much for this video. I am self-taught, and recently returning to knitting after a long hiatus. You have given me a lot of information that is very helpful and useful. :-)

@susanmaguire3792 4 жыл бұрын

I found this episode very interesting and meaningful. I've recently started to be more particular in the yarn I choose. I listened intently for the whole hour. Thank you

@minipoppinz8991 Жыл бұрын

That was so helpful for me as a fairly new knitter who had only ever known DK and Aran! So much helpful information, thank you 😊

@thenorwenglishknitter898 4 жыл бұрын

Beautifully presented video :D This is such a big topic so I don't know how you managed to get all that information in! The best advice I can give to other knitters is to try out as many different yarn fibers/blends/weights as possible. Although you can get great information from others (and online), there is nothing better than having the yarn in your hands and knitting with it in order to fully understand it's properties and whether or not you like how it works up/wears. I am planning on knitting with more "rustic" non superwash wool yarns very soon, and i'm very excited about it!

@bethjones3412 4 жыл бұрын

This podcast belongs to a library. Thank you and keep it coming.

@beverleyshaver864 4 жыл бұрын

Such good information. It has helped me so much and I am sure I will watch it many times more. Thank you so much

@tricothon 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the podcast. I have to say, I used to find Lett Lopi yarn itchy but I discovered it is much softer if you don't knit it super tightly, if the sweater has a loose fit and if you whash it in the machine (cold) gently before wearing it. I can wear it now with short sleeves underneath and enjoy it so much, I feel like I am in a cocoon. I spent my whole winter in it. One other tip is too moisturize your skin (arms) in the winter, because dry skin is really easy to get irritated.

@sarafuchs4443 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for such a thoughtful and inspiring episode. Our yarn choices are truly significant with respect to the animals, the environment, and all the people involved in the process of bringing the yarn to fruition. Mindful decisions before we cast on. I admire your gentle honesty and your esthetic. Thank you.

@juliecote291 4 жыл бұрын

Super interesting! Thank you for this special episode! I try to change my way to buy yarn. Actually, I try to knit what I have and for my next buyings, I will try to take more information about the yarn. I bought the "Fiber source book" to learn more about the yarn properties and to find local yarn as much as possible. In Quebec, we don't have a long story with sheep. I think they mainly came from England, Scotland and all around after the Conquest, at the end of the 18th century. So most of the breeds are from these areas and were first use both for meat and for wool, so the quality of the wool was not the best but was ok for our needs. In the last century, specifically in the second part of the 20th century, we kept the breeds for meat and we just start again to renew the interest for the wool, but there are not a lot of possibilities for transformation: not a lot of mills (there are some in New Brunswick and in the north of US) to transform the yarn. In the area where I live, named Charlevoix, a company was created a few years ago (lest than 10 years) and the main goal was to use the wool that was becoming trash! When the sheep breeders were sheared their sheep, the yarn was sent to the dump! So the company named Charlevoix pure laine (which means pure wool, so the yarn comes mainly from Charlevoix) collect the wool from the breeds that have the longest fiber, they send it to a mill in New Brunswick and for some products, they add nylon, the yarn is spun, felted, knitted and the company sells socks, soles for boots, scarves, hats, mittens, even blankets and skeins of yarn. I love that project and I just wish they would have more yarn, not just for socks!

@marylclayton92 3 жыл бұрын

This is a fantastic resource, thank you for sharing ☺💛

@jojorichmond8005 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this podcast... as a new knitter I found the information will be so helpful when deciding on projects....

@polarnattStrikker Жыл бұрын

Kjære Lærke, tusen takk for denne videoen! Det var veldig interessant å høre dine tanker om garn og det er virkelig flott hvor mange forskjelle sider av dette emnet du snakker om. Jeg begynte å se på podkasten din for noen uker siden og nå bingewatcher jeg den! Den er altså så fin! Tusen hjertelig takk, jeg gleder meg å se mer av deg 😊

@jenniferrich5292 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for giving us all your knowledge and experience. I’ve only been buying non-acrylic yarn for about a year, so I have a lot to learn. It’s a good thing yarn and knitting and spinning are so much fun to learn about!🥰

@pennybowman7734 4 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed your podcast & learned some things even though I’ve been knitting for a long time. Thank you!

@kayleepollander7755 4 жыл бұрын

This is an excellent overview! Thank you! Would also love to see more of your spinning in future episodes

@lauranicolewoodward 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this episode! It was long, but I enjoyed listening and watching with my knitting project in hand. :) I appreciate that you went into the woolen and worsted spun differences a bit, as well as the superwash pros and cons. I've heard mention of both here and there over the years and had a vague idea that many people prefer one over the other, but didn't have a clear idea of some of the reasons that you mentioned, so that was helpful to hear your view and explanation. I'm looking at my stash with new eyes and looking forward to researching wool in a new way going forward! Thanks Laerke :)

@marions9759 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you it's very helpfull. For me too the ethical is very important - I recently learn that oeko tex is just looking at post production traitments so it's just tell you that textil dyes and traitments are not toxic for health. For example a viscose or polyester fabric can be oeko tex. GOTS is looking further on the production side so in general it's organic and have to be environmental friendly (without pesticides use, cruelty free). Take care, I am looking forward the swatch special episode.

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for adding that! I always mix them up so i didnt go too much into it but it is a very important and interesting topic! 🤗

@lynnk3321 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Laerke for this wonderfully informative video❣️ So many interesting points on yarn properties...one I found particularly interesting was how different types of yarn regulate the wearers temperature..I have not explored this but in thinking about the sweaters I have knit in the past and how I feel when wearing them it is a real eye opener👍 I truly get so much enjoyment, inspiration and information from your videos...thank you for taking the time to connect with us😍

@LCamp-cr7fs 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice episode! I do want to make two comments. 1. Yarn thickness categories are much too imprecise, don’t you think? It just gives you a general idea, but that’s it. Swatching of course, always, even for shawls, to see what kind of fabric you end up with. 2. I am so glad to hear you say that you are not always a purist. I also go for ethically produced, natural, organic materials/food. But that all or nothing principle doesn’t always work out.

@julieknitsandspins 2 жыл бұрын

I am so glad you’ve taught about this! You make it very clear. This episode is a saver for sure! Thank you Laerke

@catkellycrafts5403 3 жыл бұрын

So helpful - as a beginner I was finding the different yarns overwhelming, so this clarifies a lot. Also loved the ethical section which gives me much food for thought. Thank you!

@ReadingThing 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic tutorial! I have learned so much. I am a complete beginner and this has been extremely helpful to me.

@TheSpinningCat 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for this comprehensive video. I really enjoy watching your videos, so I'm more like: the longer the better :) Thank you also for not leaving out the ethical and environmental part. I think this is important. I am looking very much forward to further videos about fit and colours. I really love alpaca, but for me it is itchy, too :)

@anngreen9918 3 жыл бұрын

A fabulous video! Has definitely helped explain why a few of me knitting projects have been less successful.

@madebyyogi9953 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you ! I really enjoyed this episode (while knitting the Hyldebaer shawl;) ). I share your ecological point of vue, I try to be conscious about the yarn choise. THank you for your tips and precisions !

@catherinehastings2309 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for all the work you put into making this episode. Not only was it educational, it was very interesting and easy to watch.

@barklandcroft3416 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this episode, Lærke, it was so informative and I’m so grateful to you for sharing your knowledge with us all! The fact that you had examples of everything made it so easy to understand and you explained it all so well. Thank you! 😀🧶💐

@HermioneGranger-eh3sk 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This was really interesting, useful and thought provoking.

@lotte89green 4 жыл бұрын

Loved this video!!! And I’m looking forward to the style and wardrobe video. I really like capsule wardrobes and as I am more confident to knit garments now I really look for ways that my knits fit into my existing smaller wardrobe 🧶💕 woolly hugs on a warm summer nicht from Germany

@returanamagar7563 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for such a informative episode.. appreciate it. I was looking forward to understand difference between super wash and non super wash yarns. I only knew wool for yarn until 2 years ago I started knitting. It was very interesting and full of lots of informations.

@nystrompalannetmaria594 4 жыл бұрын

Good episode, as always :-) and thanks for speaking your mind and being honest to your conviction - we share the same view on ethics. That´s actually a good thing being such a slow knitter as I am - a rarely buy yarn, so I can always choose the good/pricey ones ;-) Take care.

@ellenhenrie4826 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this informative episode. Like you, my yarn preference has evolved over the years, from hand-dyed superwash to natural "wooly" wools, especially after learning how SW is made. And those SW sweaters from my past are so heavy and slippery to wear. I'm gradually exploring different wool breeds and styles of yarn - a long and slow adventure!

@amethystskeels3788 Жыл бұрын

just got my first wool yarns

@ajanetreiber5773 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Laerke, that was an interesting and useful summary.

@nancymcguire7183 4 жыл бұрын

Perfectly perfect information! Thank you!

@martyjangles Жыл бұрын

This is so incredibly helpful! Thank you!

@MYCUPOFYARN 3 жыл бұрын

Such a great video! Thank you for this very enriching summary :)

@fontaineloise9 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for this video ! Very helpful and instructive especially for a beginner like I am. It answers a lot of my questions I'm sometimes having while watching your podcast :)

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

I’m happy it was helpful! Thank you for the comment ♥️🤗

@Kawlah_ 4 жыл бұрын

You are so sweet and your voice is calm, this video is very much helping, thank you

@TheLastGoldenUnicorn 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this episode! I just started knitting last August and slowly I start to understand yarn weights, yarn substitution, fibre characteristics etc. And this video was a massive help!

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

Ohh i’m so happy to hear that! I wish i had a video like this when i started out ♥️

@aeastman59 4 жыл бұрын

thank you for such a thorough talk about yarn choices, great job! looking forward to your needle size talk! I am so agreeing about superwash yarns - the socks I have knit out of superwash yarns look nice but I hate wearing them because the superwash treatment plastic coating makes my feet sweat, its awful! non superwash wool is best for everything!😃

@Alithia87 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Yarn choice is something I really struggle with. I have made a couple of poor choices, which now makes me a bit indecisive when planning projects. I also never really knew about the plastic coating on superwash yarns, that is clearly something I need to consider more as breathable fabric is important to me. I have only ever knit two projects out of superwash (both gifted) but I have a couple more skeins so when I knit them up I will have to see how they go for me. I have actually really struggled to find non-superwash yarns in Australia for specific purposes, for example rainbow minis. They all tend to be done on superwash for the more vibrant result. I should add there is a beautiful range of non-superwash products, as Australia produces fine Merino wool, just not specifically what I am looking for!

@donnafink6262 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking time to lay out all these properties of various yarns. It was very interesting.

@Ballontur 4 жыл бұрын

En laaang og meget informativ video. Jeg hang på hele vejen og slugte alle dine guldkorn. Ser frem til at høre om stil og farver. Du sætter så mange tanker i gang og det er fedt.

@Wildevis 4 жыл бұрын

That was super interesting thanks. In my country, South Africa, we have a huge wool industry but sadly most are exported as somehow we do not really have much of a handknit culture, so I battle finding reasonably prices good wool and even harder to find natural wool to dye, as I am a natural dyer. There are a couple small independant wool suppliers one can get beautiful wool from and I may at a tsage try to arrange that I get some of their natural wool for my own dyeing. Also we have a different classification of wool thicknesses so I had to learn and adjust to more international patterns. I also had to learn to look at yardage, asmost of our patterns are given only in grammes, not yardage, but I prefer the yardage as I find it much more accurate. Did not mind the long video as I learned a lot :-D

@fiberandfox 4 жыл бұрын

Such a good episode with such good information. I am trying to learn more about all the processes and implement that knowledge in my yarn decisions. Also want to mention that when buying plant fibers it's a good idea to consider whether or not that are fair trade. I've had a really hard time hunting down fair trade cottons but I'm curious to learn more about ALL of this! All other aspects of my life are very organic/close to natural/"crunchy" so it's about time I apply that to yarn!

@crochetqueen6440 4 жыл бұрын

Bella, just to say in terms of organic cotton, I have just started using this yarn - www.scheepjes.com/en/yarn/organicon-3487/ - I will say, if you have used the scheepjes Catona, it's not as shiny and silky, it's more raw, which means you don't get quite as beautiful stitch definition with it, but it's lovely and soft and working well for the amigurumi I love to make. It's (at least where I purchased it) at least 50% more expensive but if that gives you peace of mind about your yarn choices then it may be worth it to you.

@knit_by_greve6951 4 жыл бұрын

Intet mindre end fantastisk episode 👏🏼. Tak Lærke

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

Tusind tak 🤍🤍🤍

@pauladylan5388 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this helpfull episode!! Take care, XX

@sofiakarlsson963 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, what a helpful video! Such great information!

@FiberTales 3 жыл бұрын

Oh i’m so happy it was helpful 🤗🤍

@markdewolf2681 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much,this was very informative and will definitely come in handy when I choose wool for my next project,,,your knitting friend Nancy

@knottypinepodcast2562 4 жыл бұрын

Wonderful episode! As a knitter I've always loved knitting with and have always been drawn to non superwash woolen spun yarns. I'm excited about dyeing and carrying them in my shop! As a new dyer I thought it would be a good idea to learn the process of dyeing, techniques and what can be achieved on superwash yarns before dyeing the precious non superwash fibers. Except now I'm finding myself knitting with a lot of superwash yarns because I want to show how the colors knit up and have samples as well as see how well different bases wear over time. I know that in the end I will predominantly carry non superwash yarns, however I would love to find a source of GOTS certified undyed superwash wool to offer in my shop. I don't want to contribute to the environmental issues by selling an unethical product, nor do I want to knit with plastic coated yarn that has had all of it's natural, important and unique properties stripped from it. I really enjoy the artistic process of dyeing wild speckled, colorful yarn but I don't want to put synthetic, unethical products into people's hands. So I'm a little at war with myself right now 😅 But I hope to find a solution. Thank you for producing this wonderful, meaningful content for us all! ❤

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

I understand you war! I often fall inlove with handdyed sw yarns on instagram! I feel like dying can be an artform! But at the same time i dont really enjoy working with it. I can’t wait to see what you find 🤗 your yarns are stunning 🤍🤍

@Mi-ml2jv 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this very informative podcast! I will keep it as a reference for future choices of wool!

@xusblasco5563 4 жыл бұрын

Thoroughly enjoyed!!! Thanks so much 🧶🧡💛✨

@thedreamknitter 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Lærke, Nice of you to share your knowlegde🥰

@kathynadeau1170 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, for sharing, loved this topic. You covered so much, very informative.

@katana164 4 жыл бұрын

Terrific podcast, thank. you so much for all the information.

@uldvedalenoutdoorknitwear5217 4 жыл бұрын

Super fin gennemgang - og materialelæreren er både interessant og spændende! Tak for et fint oplæg!

@sewilhite1938 4 жыл бұрын

Great information!

@demainestunautrejour3058 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Laerke Many thanks for sharing ! Take care 🍀

@puntoycoma50 4 жыл бұрын

Hola Lærke! I have loved this episode so much, thanks for sharing all that knowledge

@AcoralineA 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant and very helpful 🧶♥️ thank you 🌸

@jb10428 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, so much food for thought 😊

@nancygiroux270 4 жыл бұрын

Very nice épisode,😍

@lindareid4546 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much❤

@mettekjersgaardandersen4787 4 жыл бұрын

Fantastisk afsnit ❤️

@superioradvantage 2 жыл бұрын

Great video

@evacsipes3531 4 жыл бұрын

👌

@adamlambertize 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting, absolutely love all the information. When i purchase yarn how do i know if its superwash or not? Thank you.

@zpskk 3 жыл бұрын

It should say on the label - check the fiber content. If it says wool, it's not superwash. If it says superwash wool, it's superwash.

@adamlambertize 3 жыл бұрын

@@zpskk Thank you so much for this information, really want to stay away from superwash.

@jeannievega1639 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you very informative.

@bonniewright1137 4 жыл бұрын

Great information

@sunnyw4148 4 жыл бұрын

interesting show. I am surprised you mentioned tencel without noting how heavy processed it is.

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

I actually havent done much research on tencel 🙈 it is not something i enjoyed working with so i dont think i will ever get more 🤷‍♀️

@carolferguson5467 4 жыл бұрын

So may I ask is the Sirri Snarldan woolen spun or is all of their yarns woolen spun?

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

I dont know? I only know their snældan 3 ply and 2 ply

@carolferguson5467 4 жыл бұрын

Fiber Tales Thank you 😊

@sonjazattlander7977 4 жыл бұрын

skøn gennemgang af forskellige garner, men forstod ikke det halve af det, øv ,for jeg tror det virkeligt var godt, kender du en der taler på dansk om det samme emne:)

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

Hmm ikke rigtigt men jeg kunne godt lokkes til at snakke om det i dk. Nok mere live end på video 🤗

@ninamuresanu6192 3 жыл бұрын

Смотрю с большим удовольствием. Жаль что не на русском.

@latitude1904 4 жыл бұрын

Good video, but error at 8:38. DK is same as 2 strands of Lace weight (not 2 fingering weight)

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

Strange i’ve always seen it discribed differently 🤷‍♀️ but the most exact would probably be a lace + fingering = dk.

@FiberTales 4 жыл бұрын

www.google.dk/amp/s/orcasislandknitting.me/2017/10/21/key-for-two-yarns-together/amp/

@latitude1904 4 жыл бұрын

@@FiberTales Seems the range within each yarn weight accounts for the difference of opinions between the experts. For clarification, I found this from Webs: "2 strands of lace weight together equal a sport / DK weight, 2 strands of fingering equal a DK / worsted weight, 2 strands of DK equal a heavy worsted / bulky weight and 2 strands of worsted equal a bulky / superbulky weight."