PHONE: 1-208-452-4948 It makes yarn that is lofty and irregular. I knit swatches of all four yarns in stockinette, moss stitch, and a simple lace stitch, and took close-up comparison photos of the worsted and woolen yarns overlapping. Thanks. Worsted Yarn. lovely wool yarn selection from Jagger Spun. You can write a comment on the yarns Ravelry page suggesting that drafting info be added. Our most popular workhorse yarn is the Heritage two-ply, but if you want even more wear, the Tuffy is an 80/20 blend of wool and nylon. Heritage comes in forty-five colors of the rainbow, including plenty of neutrals and heathers. Woolen and Worsted yarns. Eg: tweed. - From the online magazine Knitter's Review, by Clara Parkes. Well it's all a matter of different fibre preparations, and different spinning techniques. The twisted singles are then plied together on the twisting frame Arbor is comprised of three plies, while Vale is comprised of two. eCommerce Website by Virtually Everything, Country / Region*Select a country / regionAfghanistanland IslandsAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelauBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Saint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongo (Brazzaville)Congo (Kinshasa)Cook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyIvory CoastJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalestinian TerritoryPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunionRomaniaRussiaRwandaSo Tom and PrncipeSaint BarthlemySaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (Dutch part)Saint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia/Sandwich IslandsSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited Kingdom (UK)United States (US)United States (US) Minor Outlying IslandsUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVaticanVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (US)Wallis and FutunaWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabweUpdate country / region, State* Thanks for clearing up my confusion over what I scored at the thrift shop today and helping provide some direction on what project might be right for it. August 2020 Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. When youre choosing a substitute yarn, try to get one with a similar fiber content so your end result has the same fabric characteristics. Fascinating! Updated July 1, 2020. Note: Notice how the individual plies of Loft, Quarry, and Shelter (shown above, top to bottom) appear wispy and how the fibers in each single are oriented in every direction and nestled together in a disorderly manner. Its a great way to see how things might turn out before you start working on your own projects. April 2018 April 2016 January 2021 Last fall when I traveled to the Taos Wool Festival, I discovered a remarkable cormo yarn from Elsa Wool Company. You've got the woolen spun vs worsted spun reversed. Now I also know the difference when spinning too. Lets use the Profiterole Hat for an example again. Between those extremes, you can make infinite yarn combining elements from along the woolen/worsted continuum. I am going to print this and use it, because this made me feel empowered by actual knowledge - my yarn purchases may take a bit longer as I review all of the yarns characteristics, but I have a much better sense of what I am doing! Worsted-spun yarns, on the other hand, are smoother and knit up into fabrics with greater drape and stitch definition. Sometimes, even after all that, you still might not be sure whether the yarn you want to substitute will work for your project, check out other peoples projects. Nature Spun Worsted. Try Ravelry and yarnsub.com, or phone the manufacturer (or ask your LYS owner to). Getting a yarn thats labeled with the same weight as the previous yarn is only part of the challenge, though. Thanks for sharing. Woolen yarns are the ones you might find bits of hay in. is traditionally spun from carded rolags (this was the job small children carried out). Worsted is smooth (using combed fibers), while woolen is more rustic. The simple, pure honesty of her yarns, paired with a buttery softness and delicate texture, enchanted me. November 2016 Its important to know WPI because there is room for variation within each of the yarn weight categories. They also tend to have better stitch definition than single-ply yarns do. If youre making socks or colorwork, though, or working on a project that requires clear stitch definition, you should pay extra attention to how your yarn is spun. Natural fibers will be easier to block than acrylics (which can be killed with steam, but otherwise just are what they are). Share. This was a great post. very smartly elaborated the article. The choice truly only depends on what you enjoy working with, what kind of fabric you want to achieve, how you plan on wearing the finished object, or all of the above. I choose to support local and indie yarners and dont mind spending big $$ on yarn if I understand it will fit the intended project. In my spinning past, I've spun from locks, from picked fiber 'clouds' , from bats, had also tried a badly produced rolag or two and gave up ~~ but mostly all the years I've spun its been from roving, sliver, and combed top. What a great article. A quick aside to address the words we use here. Beautiful fibre you'll love to work with. November 2013 Worsted-spun yarns are dense and strong. The semi-woolen swatch weighed 4.5 g versus 4.3 g for the woolen-spun - not a huge difference in a swatch of this size. You can also go to the (Ravelry link) yarn ideas tab to see what yarns other people have substituted. It isn't just a question of being one or the other though, there is a continuum of spinning structures with true worsted on one end, true woolen on the far opposite and lots of semi-worsted and semi-woolen yarns in between. Ill never look at yarn the same way again! You can see the difference when its wound into a ball, and in the strand. WPI stands for wraps per inch. Usually with terms like You can see her producing rolags, and then using a navajo spindle to do a form of long draw. Taking the spinning seminar from Cecilia Quinn I learned the difference between worsted and woolen is in the way the fibers were treated and spun. Cheers and Thanks. Great visuals and explanations. The result of this woolen-style preparation and spinning is a yarn that retains the lofty, air-trapping qualities it had before spinning. If you end up having to make a major substitution, remember that plant fibers tend to be heavier than animal fibers. 2.83 yds Holland Sherry WOOL Fabric Luxury worsted Suiting 10 oz Plaid 102" BTP. For many projects, it wont make much of a difference if youre switching yarn construction. I think Ill need to read it over a few times to really get it, because there is so much information. Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin. Youll also want to identify whether the suggested yarn in the pattern is woolen spun or worsted spun. But if the pattern calls for yarn from an indie dyer or one of the smaller manufacturers, it can be pretty hit or miss (I just checked for several of my favorites that I've used in designs this year, and nothing). We consider it one of the finest worsted weight yarns out there. August 2022 Worsted wool fabric is typically used in the making of tailored garments such as suits, as opposed to woollen wool, which is used for knitted items such as sweaters. Todays topic is woolen and worsted drafted yarns. Non Wool Club I have just started spinning using a Navajo type spindle and I was unsure that I was l on the right lines. The difference between these two is not as clear at first glance. Another very important factor is the ply. So, and this is without seeing your yarn, your drafting, or the fibre, it's probably a lofty semi-worsted yarn. Now I can make better informed decisions when selecting yarns for a project, and now that next trip to my LYS will really become an adventure! Everyone already said what I wanted to, so Ill just add that Tom Hardy is my Happy Place, no matter how hes spun. On the other hand, the woolen fabrics hold creases and shape well and are more durable. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Developed and spun in Springvale Maine, we are proud to present the Jagger Spun Collection. This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. January 2017 Worsted is used to describe the thickness of a yarn (worsted weight), one way fibers are aligned before becoming yarn (worsted preparation), and how twist enters fiber to become yarn (worsted drafting). Ill explain what these things are, first, and then talk about why theyre so important. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. October 2013 Worsted yarn is a smooth and compact yarn that is spun from long staple fibers. You absolutely do not have to use the same yarn recommended by the designer for a pattern. Youve just figured out your yarns WPI. Yeah, were talking that level of soft. I once had it explained very simply: Woolen spun yarns are like bedhair in the morning - going every which way, and worsted spun are like hair after it's been combed. July 2020 All Rights Reserved. Also receive daily new post notifications, Superfun Giveaway: Celebrate BIPOC Designers, https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/techniques/3930171/1-25, https://garmentmerchendising.com/category/fiber/, https://www.thenaturalfibre.co.uk/blog/woollen-and-worsted-spun-yarns-thoughts-wovember#:~:text=A%20woollen%20spun%20yarn%20will,high%20proportion%20of%20short%20fibre. October 2017 Finally I understand I sorta knew but didnt quite fit it into certain yarns I was knitting on, I always wondered . The primary reason for this is that the wool yarn normally used for these fabrics was produced using a special "worsted" spinning technique that better aligns the fibers. The Classic British Wool yarn line is available in four thicknesses and fifteen heathered colorways. Worsted-style spinning, unlike woolen-style, does not allow twist to enter the fiber during drafting. Classically speaking there are 2 types of yarn. Thank you so very much for the enlightening article and all the examples. May 2015 July 2016 Woollen yarns are used for flannel, tweed, melton, knitwear and felt. If you ever created your own cord or unwound a hank of yarn, then that's the exact same process. I needed to understand these concepts and to have them revealed in just this way. One way is controlled; twist is brought to the fiber like a gift. Flywheel is light and airy and lends itself well to both lace projects and warm, cozy sweaters. Ill be referring back to it next time Im looking for yarn for a specific project. She wrote the book Yarnitecture: A Knitters Guide to Spinning: Building Exactly the Yarn You Want so she could use all of the fiber words. Check out our worsted spun wool selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. The Empire is more uneven looking, a little airier as well as fuzzy. September 2019 Snippets is the Saturday newsletter full of MDK news, specials, and first look at new offerings. Now I can shop for yarn with a little more knowledge. January 2015 January 2018 The two main types of yarns are spun yarn and filament yarn. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. They are also warmer because of the airiness. The bloom also means that woolen-spun yarns can be generously forgiving and able to balance out tension or stitch irregularity in knitting. My question is how does one know whether a Yarn is worsted or woolen spun if one is not sophisticated enough to know just by looking? Combed worsted yarn is superior to carded woolen yarn in strength. July 2014 A lot. There is a lot of technical information about the differences between woolen spun and worsted spun yarn, which you can read about here on the MDK blog. Even taking in account the difference of color and fiber blend, they are two different yarns. Im usually a picker, and I never pull from the center of a ball. Worsted yarns are smooth and dense, they tend to drape well and be much more lustrous. Thank you so much for sharing. Since it doesn't have air, it does not tend to be "fuzzy". To help you do that, Ive written out this guide to things you should consider before choosing a new yarn for your project. One method is not better or worse than the other just different. This is what is meant by the gorgeous phenomenon of blooming. In most cases, semi-worsted and semi-woolen yarns could often be confused for the same thing. That wasnt the silhouette I was aiming for. If Im knitting a gansey to last more than a few years, and want fantastic, crisp stitch definition, Ill choose a worsted spun yarn. Worsted wool is smoother than woolen, takes shine more easily, does not sag, holds a crease well, is lighter and less bulky, and wears longer than woolen. February 2015 May 2022 Spun worsted style, 2 ply, ~12 wpi, 183 yds/4 oz. Theres also Wuthering Heights Tom Hardy, just saying. This wool should be spun using the long draft. The fibers of a worsted-spun yarn are first straightened and then oriented in the same direction, making the yarn smooth and shiny, which gives your knitted fabric lots of stitch definition. It also means woolen-spun yarns are warmer than their worsted counterparts as these air pockets help hold body heat. Worsted style spinning got me 183 yds from 4 oz. (See my Jamieson & Smith Jumper Weight vs a worsted crepe swatch.) Worsted Spun vs. Woolen Spun. You cracked the egg for me.I want to read more of your writing. Maurice Brassard Cotton Computer Color Numbers. A lot of totally digestable information, that was logically arranged and illustrated and you even sprinkled it with touches of humor. As an example, aran weight worsted spun wool is going to be heavier than aran weight woolen spun wool, so there will be fewer yards per 100 grams of the worsted spun wool . Drop me a line any time. Instead of carding the fibres they're combed. That means theyre good for colorwork and lace projects where you really want your stitches to pop. Woolen spun yarns will bloom more after washing and are lighter and airier. In this blog, we will take a closer look at worsted and woolen yarns and what sets them apart. Thank you. Looking at a strand, I can start seeing variation. Because the fibers are parallel, worsted spun yarns are denser and less airy than woolen spun. I'm glad it was helpful to you! December 2022 Woolen yarns feel lighter, can feel textured and have a halo, and if the fibers like to be hairy or fuzzy, they will be flying their fuzzy freak flag. Worsted spun yarns are smoother and have better stitch definition to make your cables and textured stitches pop. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. These two spinning techniques are also the basic, standardized methods employed in commercial yarn production though, as noted in Knitting in the Old Way by Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts and Deborah Robson, more and more spinning mills today follow a hand spinning approach to commercial spinning, adapting processing and spinning techniques to enhance the natural characteristics of a particular fiber or to achieve a yarn well-suited for specific kinds of knitted fabric. Jo, You have a real gift. Copyright 2023 A Bee In The Bonnet | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, This site uses cookies to improve its performance and to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Safe home and already knitting a scarf . September 2020 However, because commercial spinning techniques necessarily developed out of hand spinning techniques, the terms described here may also be familiar to our hand spinning friends or applicable to those interested in handspinning. That's how I learned to do yarn substitutions, too, and it was a hard and frustrating process. The problem is that theyre not as durable as multi-ply yarn. March 2015 Native Twist is available in twenty-nine bold, earthy, and jewel-toned solid colorways. Woolen yarns are generally the least expensive industrial yarns to make. November 2020 The compression of a worsted draft puts more individual fibers into a length of yarn, making it heavier. February 2017 Worsted yarns are spun with all the fibers aligned, making a smooth and dense yarn with more sheen and drape. The amount of twist added when making individual plies of yarn is very important and can take the hand and behavior of the yarn in different directions.