Since Thursday is National Singles Awareness Day, we thought it was high time for a blog post about knitting, and working with, single-ply yarns.
You may have seen these on shop shelves all over: skeins of yarn that don't look like most others - they don't feature multiple strands twisted together, and they look closer to the fleece you find on a sheep, or what is called "roving". Typically exceptionally soft, lofty and with a fuzzy appearance, these are just some of the characteristics you'll find with single-ply yarns.
Due to the above, you may find working with single-ply yarns to be more challenging than the usual plied yarns you find. Here are some tips for working with them:
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Be gentle when winding: When winding your yarn into a ball, be gentle to avoid stretching or distorting the fibers.
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Choose the right needle tip: single-ply yarns tend to be lightweight and delicate, so it's important to choose the right needle tip to avoid splitting the yarn. Opt for a lace tip, such as what you'll find in ChiaoGoo's Red Lace line of knitting needles, which will help you pick up finer single-ply yarns without splitting the loops.
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Use stitch markers: stitch markers can be a lifesaver when working with single-ply yarns, especially when working with complex patterns or keeping track of decreases.
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Choose the right project: Some projects are more prone to flyaways than others. For example, cabled or textured patterns may cause more flyaways than a simple stockinette stitch.
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Avoid excessive frogging: Frog (rip it, rip it) cautiously, as single-ply yarns are more prone to breaking, pilling, developing fuzz, or tangling, when frogged too often.
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Avoid friction: flyaways can be caused by friction between the yarn and other objects, so try to keep your work away from rough surfaces, pets, and other potential sources of friction.
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If your hands are dry and cracked due to dry winter indoor air, make sure they are well-hydrated using a moisturizing balm, or another oil-based alternative like coconut oil, or grapeseed oil. This will reduce friction from dry skin and even help tame flyaways somewhat as you work the yarn.
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Block your finished project: Blocking helps even out the fabric and gives it a more polished look. For single-ply yarns, use a light blocking to maintain the delicate texture.
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Store carefully: When not in use, store your single-ply yarn in a safe and dry place. Roll the yarn into a ball or cake before storing to avoid tangles.
- Know your yarn: Familiarize yourself with the care instructions for your single-ply yarn. Most will likely require hand-washing and air-drying, while others may be machine-washable and -dryable.
We hope this post has helped you decide to give single-ply yarns a chance, and that the tips here help you work with it to get the best results possible.
Happy Crafting!