Wonder What this Yarn-Thing Means & Where to Start

If you've been knitting or crocheting for years, this blog won't be for you, but you could forward it someone you are hoping will join you in your favorite pasttime.

If you're curious about this "yarn thing" but really don't know where to start, we've goat your back! It makes sense, there are a lot of gizmos and lingos flying around. Some terms are so arcane that even us shop owners can't really explain - but it really doesn't keep us from enjoying making things from yarn (like why there are no even number needle sizes after US 10?!).

The truth is, all you REALLY need is a needle or hook and yarn and a pattern - that's it! Of course, we love our bags and notions and other things that make it fun and easier but those three basics get you going!  

We collected the basics for you HERE, along with some good basic books. We highly recommend an animal fiber (wool) to start with as you will have some give to your yarn when making stitches. And yes, you do deserve nice yarn right from the start! We have an affordable option to make Tin Can Knit's Wheat Scarf in Alpakka Ull. But if you want to start with dishcloths, you'll want our cotton recommendation. Plus, we even have a crochet kit that has been started for you!

We've seen amazing growth in knitters that work their way through the Building Blocks book, they often learn techniques that decades-long knitters don't know! And there is great video support with the book too!

We have a handy chart here 👇 and also on our wall in the shop to show what yarn weights mean. 

Here are some commonly asked questions: 

• What should I make first? For most, we recommend a straight scarf with worsted weight yarn as a good place to start. You can reach out to us and we can direct you to a pattern to meet your needs. But we do meet people who are just on fire to knit their first socks, hat or even sweater. And we have seen them pull it off! From the beginning of our shop, one of the things we specialize in is finding the sweet spot of increasing motivation and lessening frustration. And do be nice to yourself! You are learning a new skill and not a lot of adults do that - it is so good for your brain and mental health!
• What's the difference between sock and fingering? There really isn't a difference, for socks, you will most likely want some nylon content or a really good twist, for strength.
• What does single ply mean? When you look at most yarns closely, you can see that there are several separate strands, or plies. A single ply is just one, thicker strand and can be in the thinnest to a bulky yarn.
• There's a lot of merino here, but where is the wool? Merino is a breed of sheep that makes super soft wool. Merino is moisture-wicking, insulating, temperature-regulating, odor-resistant, and breathable.
• Isn't all this wool too hot for the summer? Because merino has the qualities just mentioned, it actually is great for wicking. Cadence has been wearing Smartwool no-show socks for decades because they are cooler and more wicking than cotton socks. We also have a lot of blends that are great for warmer weather. 
• What does superwash mean? Superwash refers to a treatment applied to wool fibers that makes them resistant to felting and more amenable to machine washing (though it doesn't mean you can wash and dry it willy-nilly - you will still want to be careful). The treatment can also make the yarn a little softer as it smooths down the microscopic fibers that bond when felting. Those fibers also provide loft and warmth. When blocking a superwash item, it may also relax more than non-superwash items.
• Why is that yarn weight called DK? DK refers to a yarn that is thicker than Sport and thinner than worsted. DK can also refer to a knitting technique called double-knitting, confusing, we know! 

Contact us if you need any help on other project, yarn, tool recommendations! We love welcoming new goats to the herd!