What Are The Different Categories Of Yarn Available In The Market?

In the beginning, before moving any further, let us try to make an effort to understand what yarn is. The yarn is a lengthy interlocked fiber used in the production of textiles and primarily used while sewing, weaving, and for designs pertaining to embroidery. Likewise, a piece of thread is also a form of yarn that is capable of being used by hand or a sewing machine. Alternatively, a thread can also be manufactured after being waxed to be fit for use in sewing. Conversely, the yarn that is primarily used for embroidery purposes is designed to be used by hand or by a machine.

Let us now see how we can obtain yarn. One can create the yarn with both natural and artificial fibers. There are two distinct categories of yarn. One is called spun and the second filament. The amount of yarn that is used for the making of handicrafts is calculated in the grams. A lot of other companies measure yarn in ounces too. It is important to understand at this juncture that yarn is always measured at a certain temperature as the fibers have this tendency to catch moisture from the air. The length of the yarn varies from time to time because of its weight and also how thick each strand is.

The Craft Yarn Council of America today is trying its best to ensure that there is a standardised procedure for measuring yarns. They have numbered the yarns from 1 to 6, with 1 being of the best quality while 6 is the heaviest. These yarns based on the number also have been attributed special names that describe them more effectively. However, fiber artists are yet to agree on which end of the spectrum the numbers lie and the exact correlation amongst the sizes.

A piece of yarn that is used for the production of textiles is based on the features of it. These features include how warm it is, how light it is, its durability, and it’s softness. The yarn is made of fibers that are twisted, better known as piles when placed together. The fibers are then twisted in the opposite direction that gives the yarn either an s-twist, where the threads look like they have turned to the left or a Z-twist, where it appears as if they are aligned to the right. The yarn that we see today has evolved since time immemorial. A lot of texture and polish that we see in today’s yarn is because of modern day technology. Because of the textured nature of today’s yarn, it is much easier for us to sew, weave and go for beautiful embroidery on it. The yarn has definitely come of age and the way it is being used to make clothes and other forms of textiles has changed too by leaps and bounds and will in times to come. In the coming days, we will see different forms of yarn too. The more technology evolves, more the diversity in yarns we will come across!