Knitting Needles etc.

What yarns (weight & fiber) are the best type of yarn to use for clothing for children (5-10), toddlers, newborns and babies in the winter? I’m trying to figure this out, I don’t want my children to be cold for the Winter. Also, what type of yarns should be used for seasons like fall and spring and/or summer? Thanks so much, I appreciate it!

The answer to that question depends entirely on where you live.

If you live in North Dakota or similar climate, use 100% wool or a blend such as wool and alpaca, wool and silk, or other animal fibers blended together. You’d want the warmest outdoor garments you can get. Bulky yarns, Lopi (which is my favorite yarn for outdoor jackets and sweaters), and yarns that are designed to hold in warmth are preferred.

If you live where I live, you’d use cotton, linen, lightweight wool, or synthetic fibers all year–because it’s too warm most of the time for heavy woolens. If it gets cool, we just switch to long sleeves and add a layer. Tightly spun yarn that "breathes" is preferred.

Basically, if you’re comfortable in garments made from the yarn, your kids are going to be comfortable as well.

Im going to buy yarn soon to make a harry potter scarf, but I dont know what kind to get. Its gonna be a tube scarf, so the yarn cant be that thick, and I dont want it super itchy either. Also, any recomendations on knitting needle size for the yarn?

what i did with my harry potter scarf is that i used Red Heart super saver yarn, its a worsted weight and in one skein you get 364 yards for about $2.17. I would recommend size 8 needles with this yarn.

here is the pattern that i used in case you dont have one. you can choose which style you want.

http://knit.atypically.net/scarves/azkaban/pattern.shtml
http://knit.atypically.net/scarves/hogwarts/pattern.shtml

I’d love something thick and stretchy that will resist getting wet easily when it gets snowed on.

The pattern I have doesn’t specify what to use, so I think anything goes. I tried it with some yarn that I already have, but when I finished the hat there was absolutely no give, and the whole thing was so thin. Also, I’d prefer some thicker yarn that stretched a little. Any suggestions of brands and/or where I can buy them?

Take the needle size called for in the pattern and use that as a basis when you go and look for yarns. Fingering (sock or baby) yarns generally use size 0 to 3 (US) needles, sport yarns use 3 - 5, DK yarns use 4 - 6, worsted use 7 -9, and bulky use 9 - 15, super bulky use 17’s and up. Wool yarns will resist water and even when wet remain warm. Superwash wools will not shrink or felt and can be machine washed (I love these for kids things). Cascade 220 has a superwash worsted version with lots of colors at a reasonable price, as does Nashua Yarn. Cascade is found in some department stores, but either may be found in a yarn shop and on-line.

Someone gave me a bunch of leftover skeins of yarn, some of which have no labels. I’m not very experienced with knitting or crocheting, so I’d like to know how to tell the difference between worsted weight and sport weight yarn.

FINE: SPORT WEIGHT, BABY YARN is listed as CATEGORY 2
A light weight yarn used for babywear, sweaters, and lighter throws. UK/Australia approximate equivalent: 8 ply

Sport weight yarn and DK (double knitting) weight yarn are often viewed as interchangeable, but they do have a slight difference. As you will see on the criteria listed with the icons to the right, sport weight yarn is a teeny bit lighter or finer than DK weight. Note: the word ’sport’ is not meant in the athletic sense, but rather in the women’s sportswear sense. Use these weights for socks, accessories, shawls, wraps, and heirloom sweaters like those inspired by Norwegian ski clothing.

MEDIUM: WORSTED-WEIGHT, AFGHAN, ARAN YARN is listed as CATEGORY 4
The most popular weight for knitting and crocheting. An ideal weight for throws and many adult garments. UK/Australia approximate equivalent: 10 ply, Aran weight

Worsted weight yarn is the most widely available weight of yarn and the most frequently used. You may think it would be more aptly named ‘bested’ yarn, but the moniker was actually derived from an old town in England. At double the weight of fingering yarn, worsted weight yarn is great for knitters of all skill levels and can be worked into nearly anything. Heavy worsted weight, as you may have guessed, is just a hair heavier than plain old worsted weight. Good for the same range of projects as worsted weight.

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/how-to-knit-6.jpg
In the pic on link above :From top to bottom: fingering, or baby, weight yarn; sport weight yarn;
DK weight yarn; worsted weight yarn; bulky, or chunky, weight yarn.

hope this helps.
p.s you can find these explanations and categories on any yarn websites.

I’m using a knifty knitter to make leg warmers and the yarn is getting way too tight. How do i make it looser so it’s easier?

There are several ways to keep the yarn loose. Always pull the yarn free from the ball so there is no tension on it when you wrap the loom. Hold the loop on the peg you just wrapped so you don’t pull yarn from that peg when you wrap the current peg. Another option is to wrap a peg, then knit it off, then wrap the next peg and knit it off. You can also use a yarn guide, like a short piece of a plastic straw, to wrap the pegs, so you don’t pull the yarn too tight.

Can you tell what kind of carpet is the kind that has about and inch and a half of little yarn strands hanging out? Please?

Shag or some other form called a frieze , which has a bit shorter yarn system . Friezes sometimes are a combo of loops and longer yarns or thick and thin yarns.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar. GL

Someone gave me a bunch of leftover skeins of yarn, some of which have no labels. I’m not very experienced with knitting or crocheting, so I’d like to know how to tell the difference between worsted weight and sport weight yarn.

A very quick, very old standby to size any yarn is to wrap it around a knitting needle and then count the wraps per inch. Wrap a yarn that you know the size of as well so that you have a comparison. I have some very old European patterns that call for yarn by the wraps per inch instead of the weight.

I am making a set of dishcloths and towels for family this holiday season, and I was wondering, when crocheting, how many average sized dishrags will I get from one ball of Sugar n Cream yarn? Thanks in advance.

It really depends on how big you think average size is. =) When I knit dishcloths for my family, I can get three dishcloths from two balls of yarn, generally. A lot is going to depend on the size and pattern you use, though. If you’re using a pattern, look to see if it includes yardage needed. A ball of Sugar N Cream has 120 yards.

My grandma has cancer and shes in a nursing home right know and i wanted to crochet her a blanket. I wanna use a yarn that isn’t scratchy, soft and will last a long time. Also comes in a lot of different colors. Is lion brand any good?

I would suggest Caron Simply Soft. It’s soft and cuddly, and lightweight. Some worsted weight yarns would end up to heavy for someone in a nursing home. It’s machine wash & dry and will last for years.

I discovered the wonderful craft of crocheting and I’m trying to create an amigurumi doll. I’m finally catching on, but I’m getting caught up on the fact that I can’t see the blasted stitches. I can’t discern one from the other. I’m using a basic acrylic yarn. It doesn’t seem to be too fuzzy, but when I’m looking at the dolls other people have made online the yarn they seem to be using seems a lot sturdier, less likely to get seperated. Thanks!

If you can’t see your stitches, that means your yarn is too fuzzy. A lot fuzzier than you think it is. Find a smooth yarn to work with. Softer yarns can obscure the stitch pattern easily. Acrylic can be difficult, depending on the kind it is. Find a blend with wool — it has a more pleasant feel to it. Be sure your yarn has a good firm twist to it.

Some crochet looks good with cotton. It does not have the stretch of wool but for these projects you may not want any stretch. Cotton can be quite firm and smooth so that stitch definition is very clear.

Remember that you need to use a smaller hook than you would normally use with this yarn. You need to make your stitches quite firm and close together to give it a solid shape. Try different yarns, and hooks, until you find the right combination.