What Motivates You When Selecting Yarn?

Lynnie

Non-artificalness, if that makes sense. That’s why I love Homespun. It looks so natural and real. Whereas some other brands look so plasticy and fake. I cab give my dad Homespun, it is so natural, and he is a forester.

Terry

I hate to say this, but since I’m self-employed and starting a new business, my first reason is cost, I’m having to stick to cheaper yarns currently. My second choice is usually texture unless it’s for a specific pattern. If the yarn doesn’t feel “good” to me, I’ll look for something that does.

Now this isn’t always true, I have some yarn that I saw the bright yellow color (my favorite color) and knew I had to have it, luckily I enjoy the texture as much as the color. Now I just have to find the perfect project for it…

Martha

Color definitely gets my attention first but for most projects I will pass up a color I love for a nicer texture.

Granny

natural fiber and feels yummy

jane george

I would have to say color first, then I would have to feel it.

Jen

Texture by far – I will look/feel first texture and THEN select color from what I prefer for a given project. I care much more how the yarn feels while working it as well as the resultant fabric. And I’ve been pretty lucky at finding nice eyecandy with great texture 😉

Lavon

I choose by color and then by the way it feels.

When I am choosing yarn for a particular project I know how I want it to feel and sometimes texture will make me change my mind about the color. For the most part I see the color I want and them I just need to touch it.

Michelle

When I pick out a yarn, I choose color first. I usually have a particular person or situation, like baby shower gifts, in mind and find a yarn to match. I am very particular about the texture and type of yarn. I prefer sports weight, baby and Homespun yarns. In the past, I’ve used eyelash and fuzzy type yarns (and those that are similar) and have had a horrible time with them. Right now, I am using a Lion Brand Chennille and don’t like it. It gets twisted up very easy and is very hard to unwind.

Cindy F.

I definitely choose my yarn through texture. I love yarn in general, the colors for sure, but how it feels is the most important to me.

Sue

I am all about the softness of the yarn.
I love colors too but it has got to be soft!!

Pauline

Well, of course, I take off to purchase my yarn with a specific color and brand in mind….. but I will change brands if I happen to find, not a better color but a softer or more appropriate texture. Especially, since I crochet, softness is really important to me because the stitch work seems alot heavier and/or stiffer than knitting.

Cindy

I’m attracted to both and it really depends on the situation. If I’m browsing, I’ll be touching the yarns and checking out texture first, and then I’ll see if there is a colour I like. But if I have a particular project in mind, then usually I also have a colour in mind and I’ll be attracted to all yarns in that colour family first and then I’ll find something in that colour that is the right weight and a texture I love. I can’t really separate the two because to me it is the combination that makes a yarn perfect.

Teresa

color gets me first, but if the yarn doesn’t feel good, then forget it….

Kathy

Color is what will draw me over to the yarn but then it has to feel right. I think I have become a “yarn snob” lately.

Shirley Dilts

texture first. then I hope I can find the color I need.

Josette

I think I agree with most of you. More often than not I am looking for a particular color I have in mind for a project, so that is top priority. Then I have to find it in a texture or material that I love or find acceptable. I may change my mind on the color if I see one I like as well in a better texture.

Susan L.

Texture, schmexture. I enjoy high quality yarns as much as the next person but color is what makes or breaks the purchase for me. Color is what initially draws me to a yarn and, regardless of how wonderful the texture is, what the fiber content is, etc, if the color isn’t something I like, I won’t buy it. I mean, if someone handed you a ball of silk, angora, or cashmere in the most horrendous mish mash of colors you could possibly ever imagine, would you really still buy it? Yeah, that’s what I thought.

carrie

I ahve to say texture – and it’s a major reason I have a very hard time shopping on-line for yarn – I am incredibly tactile!

Color definitely draws me in, but I am trying SO hard to be more of a project knitter (my stash could pass for a local yarn shop), as I need to make space, and I am without a job (hopefully not for long), so I have to be a bit more resourceful!

Kate G.

Both. I love color, but stitch definition can make or break a project for me, so texture is important, too.

Christie

Mostly texture – i love yarns that feel good in my fingers. BUT i can easily be side tracked by unique or rich color. Color and texture combined is simply irresistable – like lion organic cotton – delicious!

Dawn

Color first, but it has to be a good texture also- I do favor baby yarn and cotton- because all I love to make are baby blankets

Rhiannon Strickler

It depends upon the project. Quality is highly important, texture has to be right for the project at hand (no fuzzy yarns for placemats!!). Then I choose the best color amongst the ones that have my ok for quality and texture.

PegKnitz

For good project results; texture, color, quality and fiber content all have equal importance.

BUT, texture is the first thing that drives me. If I don’t like the texture of the yarn the project won’t ever reach completion.

MissK68

For me, first it’s texture then color. Dyes affect the yarns differently and the texture of the exact same yarn can vary between colors. I want something that won’t pill or fuzz too much as I am knitting it. If it fuzzes or pills on the needle, it won’t wear well. All that being said, having a broad pallet selection in a yarn texture I LOVE is very important! I will return to this type of yarn again and again because it will produce great results for a huge variety of projects!

Mardi

Color first. Then The feel I may love the color but if it doesn’t feel good I won’t buy

Deborah Jennings

I would have to say both, but first color and then texture. Also cost plays a part in this also. Since hubby and I are both retired and on a fixed income, cost is a factor. Luckily I did buy up some before he retired, but am getting low on some. Waiting for a really good sale to stock up.

Granny8

I really love both. It really depends on what I’m making. The problem I have is when I want a nice yarn that will hang flowy (only word I can think of) it seems like you have to buy the expensive yarn. Oh well, I guess you have to give and take when it comes to knitting.
Granny8

valerie andrews

I think it is a combination. I love when LB comes out with new colors and textures. Then I have to decide what is suitable for the project at hand, or should I start something new, altogether, because of a particular texture or color? I love the soft fine textures for the chemo caps, and little preemie caps I make, and the Wool-ease and thick and quick yarns for prayer shawls and hats for the homeless. New colors just make it more fun! Thanks Lion Brand. You can see some of my projects at http://www.crochet4charity.ning.com

rebecca

teture & fiber first… then i hope for a color that inspires. i am a bit of a ‘yarn snob’, but the natural/artificial blends that have been accomplished lately, along with the price… very nice.

Sally Allan

Texture, color and price. I must admit that I stay away from local yarn shops due to the prices. I love the yarns, but to spend 0ver $50 on a project is insane. I do not buy clothing over that price range unless faced with no alternative. Also my husband is in the textile business and I know how much the yarns actually cost to make so I am often appalled at the mark-ups on them.

Bella

Definately color. For example, right now I am in love with the colors aubergine and celery. When placed next to each other in a piece, they look just like my coleuses.

Jillian

Color first and foremost. When I have a pattern, whether it’s my own or one from a book I usually have a color in my mind. And I love colors; just looking at all the different colors in LYSs are pleasing to me. Second texture. I like the way Homespun feels, for example, and Microspun. I like their softness. Some acrylics are really rough on the hands, and it’s horrible, especially when crocheting.

Thymdremr

I choose the texture or the feel of the yarn first and then looke to see if they have a color I like. I won’t knit or wear a yarn that does not feel pleasing to the touch.

Diane Wiman

How the yarn feels while I’m working with it is most important, followed by how nice the item goes through the laundry.
Since most of my crochet is for charity, I don’t worry too much about colors, other than trying to work a nice pattern.
I often go through a Clearance bin to find a name brand skein or two of something with a nice texture to build up the supply box, then later I’m able make some lovely granny square lap robes or a striped hat.

elizaduckie

Between the two choices, and in a shop, I walk over because a color or texture has caught my eye (assuming I’m not shopping for a specific type and color per a project) I touch the yarn as I scan the available colors…if it feels good but there isn’t a suitable color then I walk away. However cost is an overriding factor. I will not pay more than the project warrants. If necessary I look for a less or more expensive possibility depending on the project. If I’m impulse shopping, with no specific project in mind, then I usually buy a suitable amount of yarn for a general idea of a project say a baby blanket or a sweater, but cost is always the final decider.

Patricia Becker

I go for both. I usually go for wools, cottons and blends over acrylic yarn, but the beautiful colors of Homespun yarn won me over to that brand! I prefer yarns with more body.

Gail

I am motivated by the looks, obviously but the yarn I’m happiest with feel delicious!

OPKnitter

Color is paramount – no matter how nice it feels, if the color’s not right it will either never be knit or if it is knit, never be used. That said, if the texture isn’t right even the yummiest color isn’t going in my shopping basket. Value, not raw cost, is the 3rd leg of this tripod, & that’s the relationship of the yarn price to the project it inspires. No cashmere for a child’s casual top, but certainly for an adult’s cowl.

Vicky Rex

Texture is the most important, if it is not soft, cuddly, easily handled it is not for me. I am allergic to wool and some other animal fibers. I need all of my yarns to pass the touch test. If my fingers and wrist cannot stand the sensation, I won’t buy it.

mare

Color first…But if the texture is not good, it goes back on the shelf…

Anne

First it must NOT be made in China and then preferably made in a country that pays good wages to the yarn workers. Natural fibers and colors are my favorite yarns so I buy fiber from local farms and do my own cleaning, carding, and spinning.

Helen

Depending what I a, making, the fist thing I look for, naturally, is the correct gauge yarn for my project.

I prefer natural fibers – wool (preferably alpaca or merico) or a wool mix, as lomng as most of the yarn contains fool. I also prefer that the yarn is sift, not rough and scratchy.

Cotton, bamboo, sugar cane, and the other “new” plant fibers are also exciting.

Novelty yarn can also be a lot of fun, as are beads and other interesting trims.

Color is also important and I like to use constrasting colors that blend together well sinc eit makes knitting fun and less boring. Statch patterns are also important – I still hve an unfiniished sweater I started about 15 years ago. It was one color and all stockinet stitch, which was so boring.

Regina

Color, because I’m sort of a visual person. I’m using cheaper yarns, I just got used to it after a while texture doesn’t bother me too much. Although if it feel nice it is a plus. I go for nice texture if I’m making something for someone else, I always want them to feel comfortable in whatever it is.

Mary Walker

My first consideration is the purpose of the project: who it is for and what it will be used for. I have done several baby blankets and crib afghans. For that I want something that is easily cared for and washable. I used some eyelash and fun fur types of yarn for embellishment on a quilt but generally I don’t like to crochet with them. After that I think about color texture, color and price.

Nicole

I choose yarn based on 1)color, 2)texture/the way the swatch feels & 3)the weight–worsted is the thickest I will go and even that is a stretch sometimes, although I really love Vanna’s Choice for an on the go project. 🙂

Dianne

My main concern is how the knitted item will wear; anti-pilling is at the top of the list; second is how it will wash and dry.

Marion

After living in Chile, S.A. for almost 4 years I developed a different attitude to choosing yarn. I used to look for colour first and then texturea and many times the colour would win out. But after living in such a tactile culture I learned that texture is foremostly important and that depending on the stitch you are using you can make even the most non appealing colour come to life. I saw stitches and patterns that are so old country (by that I mean Spanish European)that I have not been able to find in any books or English translation. Now I take into context the texture and how it will feel and function for the person whom I am making an item for.

Kristin

It Depends on the project I’m doing. But I mainly look at color first, then find the texture that fits.

Joann

BOTH! I mostly work in acrylic yarn for its ease of washing — but there is so many textures and colors — I have to stop myself sometimes.

Rosemary

I used to use the less expensive yarns but now I would rather make fewer things and use wonderful fibers, textures and colors. However, when I am knitting for the babies in our family–I only use acrylic. I wouldn’t want the moms to have to hand wash.

TRACIE

TEXTURE IS THE MAIN CHOICE. I HAVE TO LIKE THE FEEL. I LOVE ANYTHING SOFT AND FLOWING. I USED VANNA’S CHOICE FOR THE KAL PROJECT THIS WINTER; AND EVEN THOUGH IT TURNED OUT BEAUTIFUL AND WAS A JOY TO MAKE, IT IS FAR TO HEAVY AND ITCHY. I KNOW I WILL HARDLY WEAR IT. I MADE ANOTHER SWEATER FOR EASTER IN A MORE TEXTURED AND SOFTER YARN AND LOVE IT AND HAVE WORN IT OFTEN. I AGREE WITH ROSEMARY ABOVE, I WOULD RATHER MAKE FEWER PROJECTS BUT WITH WONDERFUL TEXTURE AND FEEL. I ALSO MAKE ALL BABY ITEMS IN ACRYLIC OR WASHABLE COTTON.

Karen

Texture, color and price are all factors in my choice of what yarn I’ll work in. My daughter in law insists only natural fibers for my grandchildren….and since I am allergic to wool (at least I can handle the super wash kind now) most of the stuff I make for her children is in cotton.

My daughter doesn’t worry so much about natural fibers, so her son gets washable and soft stuff.

I didn’t do the knit along for the shrug because it would have looked horrible on my body type. I wish there were a knit along that would work better for us fuller figure gals. Shrugs that open up right at the belly area aren’t going to work for me.

I find knitting very relaxing and enjoyable. I also crochet, make jewelry and paint. Knitting is by far, the easiest on my wrists.

I also want to learn how to design my own patterns but I have had significant trouble getting the guage right on anything I try. I may get the stitch count down but then the vertical guage is off.

Any tips, anyone?

BJ Strickland

Like most of the posters above, color is what grabs me (or turns me off) first, then the feel of the yarn and whether it “calls” to me and says it has to go home with me.

Irene

Color so sure since that will catch my eye from afar before I even get close to touch it!!!

Tori

Texture! It doesn’t matter how much I love a color, if it doesn’t feel good I won’t buy it!

judy tooley

What motivates me when I buy yarn? I will say
the color and the feel as well as what I see.
I will check out the yarn. If it bunches up
when I knit it I will rip it out and crochet
like I do Homespun a lot. To me Homespun is
not meant to be knitted. I will take it and
make granny squares. I fell in love with jiffy
as soon as I picked up a skein as well as
Moonlight mohair.
judy tooley

Shelley Prior

Color, color, color! I’m a slave to color – I’ll buy every color of anything if I like the hue and saturation selections. But even the most superlicious color won’t get me to buy after I’ve felt the fiber if the hand isn’t soft and supple.

Cindy T.

As I become more experienced at knitting and wanting to knit more “designer” items, I am attracted to texture before color. I usually have a color in mind before I shop and if I can’t find it in the yarn I like, I’ll either select a second choice color or I’ll move on to another project. Right now I’m loving the Thick n Quick in Fig and Lemongrass. Every time someone sees me knitting with them, they either want me to knit something for them or they’re inspired to learn to knit themselves!

pat

Color will attract my eye first, then texture. Durability and washability are next. Price does come in. I love Homespun and I love Wool Ease. I also did something in Vanna’s choice and it was still a little scratcy after washing and using fabric softener, but I can wear it because it is a shawl.

Jennifer S

Color definitely attracts me first. But if I then touch the yarn and it feels itchy, I will try to find a great color in a softer yarn. I find almost all wool/wool blends to be itchy and therefore avoid most of them.

The other really important item is ease of care. If I find a beautiful yarn but it is hand wash only, dry flat, I will only use it for a scarf or a *small* shawl. Those are items that I feel don’t need washing too often and I am willing to hand wash them. However, I will not make anything larger or anything requiring frequent washing, like a sweater, larger shawl, socks, or afghan, out of anything that’s not easy care because I know I won’t use it. I just don’t have time, space, or patience for hand wash, dry flat when it comes to larger or more frequently laundered items. Even if the color is beautiful and the texture great, if I avoid using a finished item because its care is a hassle for me, there’s no point making it.

cynthia martin

most important is COLOR. i have to love how it looks. second is TEXTURE. i have to also love how it feels. third is cost. can i afford this yarn? or must i walk away and cry!

Caryn Seaton

The yarn I use must work for newborn babies. I knit baby blankets for what I call “premature mothers”…the mothers who become mothers a little early. So often I see the blankets I give the Mums on the babies and its a thrill. So softness and neat colours is a consideration. I knit a blanket every four days so of course cost is another consideration since I give them away. Who has that much time to knit..I have serious medical stuff that allows me to knit and enjoy it.
Peace be with you, Caryn

Sandra

definately texture first then color. Color catches my eye, but if it doesn’t feel good I won’t buy it.

Carol

Texture is my first choice, I am a very tactile person and the feel of the yarn is what grabs my attention. Colour is my second choice. I have my favourite colours, but if I am making a gift for someone, then I go with their favs. I am a compulsive yarnaholic; often buying yarns “just in case.” I have a stash large enough to start my own yarn shop, but when the mood strikes me for a new project, I can just shop at my own LYS.

DeAnne

When I’m shopping for yarn, color will catch my eye, but the texture is the deciding factor. It has to be soft.

Jessica

First, color. Second, texture. If I don’t like the feel for the particular project in mind, then I try to find the right texture in the same or similar color. Third, price. If 1 & 2 don’t really matter, I’ll go for the clearance yarn every time.

MARY ANN HUSLIG

There are 2 ways of selecting yarn. By project or destashing. When doing a project, the 1st step for selecting yarn is selecting the project/pattern. I get bored easily so I prefer small projects which fits right into my passion for designing children’s clothing. You see this granny firmly believes a child should be dressed appropriatly for the occasion, 10% of the time jeans, cutoffs, T-shirts… are not appropriate. Along with the “boredom” if the last project was done in Pink Lemonade Babysoft yarn for Alexis’s sunday toddler sweater, it’s time for a Cherry Red Cotton-Ease back to school sweater vest for Johnnie.

With a hugh stash! I just run my hands though the choices I have & ooooooooooo that feels so nice what animal can I make out of this…

Jennifer A

I definitely go for color first and then choose the texture. I have to consider price also since I’m disabled and on a fixed income. But color is the one thing that always draws me to a delicious yarn. Then if the color is right for the project and the texture happens to be in my price range too then I’m ready to let the hooks fly!!!

Angelica Bays

1.Color
2.Texture
3.Durability
4.Ease of use

I do amigurumi so I need a good tensile strength because I like to make my stitches tight. I also don’t like the yarn to split or pill.

Vicki B

I have some old yarn that was my grandmother’s. There are quite a few projects that she started and I’d now like to finish. One consists of various colors of knitted squares. I thought I’d crochet with one color around each of them and then assemble them into an afghan. There are no labels for the yarn, however, and I don’t know whether it is wool (which most of her yarn is) or acrylic.

Is there a way to tell what type of yarn it is? What is my safest choice for the yarn that will tie the squares together?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Zontee says: Hi Vicki, the best way to test yarn is a burn test — you will find instructions if you do a quick web search. Secondly, when joining the squares, simply use the same type of yarn. You can check out our latest crochet-along with Edie Eckman for a couple of suggestions on different ways to join squares.

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