Thick and Thin handspun yarn knitting tips
As someone who is in the handspun yarn business I'm always sad when I'm checking out google and see blog post from people who claim to be having trouble knitting with handspun yarn. This is what promoted me to write my earlier blog post on knitting with hand spun. Now if you haven't been living under a rock you've probably noticed that the "thick and thin " or big chunky single ply yarn has been " in vogue " here lately. My first pet peeve is that giant balls of roving wool keep being listed for sale on Etsy as "chunky yarn". I Think this is a shame because a novice knitter could buy this and try to knit one of those giant yarn blankets out of it and then be out a lot of money and very sad when it starts pulling part due to the fact that it has no twist and is not actually yarn. Secondly this really muddies the water for those of us actually in the yarn selling business if that's what people now think chunky or bulky yarn is.
I had just finished making a really lovely infinity cowl made from my merino thick and thin yarn for a customer and friend and after working with the yarn I figured it wouldn't hurt to put out a short ( hopefully somewhat funny and informative video).
I know I use you tube all the time for everything from drum carder techniques to why is my garage door not working right? So when I try to find the answer to a particular question and I can't find exactly what I'm looking for I figure I can't be the only one. So for as much as I'm not looking to become the next star you tuber. I'll leave that to my two girls who love to make videos for the grandparents. I figured this might help someone. Below are some really pretty projects I found on pinterest for knitting with bulky thick and thin yarn. They are saved to my "handspun yarn dream projects board" and conveniently linked below for your viewing pleasure.
Click on the images below for links to the pins with more info on the thick and thin handspun yarn projects
Expanded Tips for working with Thick and Thin Chunky Yarn
In the realm of knitting, working with chunky thick and thin yarn is akin to embracing the unpredictable rhythms of life itself. Its popularity is undeniable, with more and more crafters falling in love with the unique, tactile experience it offers and the stunning visual textures it creates. However, just like life it presents its unique challenges—variations in thickness that require a gentle finesse and an openness to flexibility. Yet, within these challenges lies the profound beauty of creating something truly one-of-a-kind.
I. Choosing the Right Yarn and Needles:
When venturing into the world of chunky thick and thin yarn, consider it as carefully as you'd choose a path for you or your child—seek out the ideal yarn weight and fiber content that promises warmth, comfort, and durability. Wool, with its forgiving and cozy nature, is a perfect companion. Selecting the appropriate needle size, then, becomes not just about technicality but about achieving the desired tension and drape that caress your skin or that of a loved one, much like the embrace of an old friend.
II. Preparing for Your Project:
Imagine the act of swatching and measuring gauge as sketching the outlines of a dream, ensuring it fits perfectly into the fabric of reality. This step, often overlooked in eagerness, is foundational in knitting as it is in life—preparation paves the way for dreams to unfold seamlessly. Calculating the required yardage is akin to ensuring you have enough resources to support your journey, preventing the heartache of a dream cut short by scarcity.
III. Techniques for Working with Chunky Thick and Thin Yarn:
Embrace the irregular thickness of chunky yarn as you would the ebbs and flows of life, with patience and grace. Techniques such as the long-tail or cable cast-on not only secure your foundation but remind us that beginnings, though varied, mark the start of something beautiful. Learning to maintain an even tension despite the yarn’s unpredictability speaks to the resilience and adaptability within us all.
IV. Stitch Selection and Patterns:
Let the natural beauty of the yarn guide your stitch pattern choices. Seed stitch or garter stitch not only complement the texture but celebrate it, much like recognizing and valuing the unique qualities in ourselves and others. Seeking patterns designed for chunky thick and thin yarn is a journey of discovery, an invitation to explore and embrace designs that resonate with our essence.
V. Troubleshooting:
Encounter splitting yarn or uneven stitches? Here lies an opportunity for growth, a reminder that perfection is a myth and that beauty often lies in imperfection. Fixing mistakes without unraveling your entire project is a testament to our ability to correct course in life, learning from our missteps without losing all progress.
VI. Finishing and Care:
Blocking techniques that enhance the shape and drape of your project serve as a lesson in patience and the transformative power of gentle care. Washing and caring for your creations properly ensure they stand the test of time.
As our journey with chunky thick and thin yarn unfolds, let it be a mirror to the journey of growth, resilience, and beauty in our lives. May the key tips and techniques shared guide you not just to success in your knitting endeavors but also in the rich tapestry of your life. Embrace the uniqueness, the challenges, and the infinite possibilities chunky yarn represents.
Click on the images below to see examples of thick and thin yarn in my shop. Some are more sublte in thick and thin nature than others.
Welcome to The Hand Spun Yarn Club!
We’ve got some exciting news! Our Yarn Club has expanded, and it’s better than ever. It’s become a favorite for gifting – whether to a loved one or yourself – and we’ve taken your feedback to heart. You asked for a wider variety of colors and textures, and we’ve delivered!
Here’s the scoop:
Monthly Mystery Box: Sign up for our subscription and receive a delightful surprise in your mailbox every month. Each box includes 3-4oz of hand spun yarn, with yardage and gauge varying to highlight the unique qualities of each fiber. Perfect for knitters, crocheters, and weavers!
Simple Subscription: You’ll be billed once a month and receive your box shortly after. Enjoy total flexibility – you can cancel anytime without hassle. If you need to skip a month, just let us know within three days of the charge, and we’ll happily issue a refund.
Share Your Creations: We love seeing what you make with our yarn! Share your projects on Instagram or in our Facebook group, and connect with a community of fellow fiber arts enthusiasts.
All wool sourced from USA farms and mills, hand-spun by local artists, embodies the essence of American craftsmanship and sustainability.
Our curated selection celebrates the vibrant tapestry of regional differences, showcasing not just the rich texture of the wool but also the unique character and creativity of each artisan. When you choose our hand-spun wool, you're supporting small businesses and artists who pour their passion and skill into every strand. Experience the warmth and authenticity that comes from fibers crafted with love and care, and revel in the knowledge that your yarn choices are as local as they are luxurious.
Join the fun and add a touch of mystery to your crafting. Our Yarn Club is designed to inspire and excite – every single month.
Subscribe now and start your yarn adventure today!
We can’t wait to see what you create!
This yarn is far superior to other similar yarns on the market not just because of it’s beautul subtle color options but also because it’s made form 100% Super fine Merino Wool vs wool of the Andes or other wool blends. Ya’ll know I love some wool blends and I’m always trying to get people to move past thinking everything has to be merino wool but for projects with this type or yarn I think super softness and a thicker yarn makes for much nicer longer lasting projects. From personal knitting expiernace I have found that these yarns do not shed and come apart like some of the other popular options out there. If you look over in the picture above you can see what I’m talking about.. The deep green knit cowl is an “ un named popular competitor “ and you can see how after wearing it’s starting to shed and loose stitch definition and integrity. It is also a much thinner yarn and can be squished flat unlike the Galler Super B as seen in the grey project. So all of that plus superior softness defiantly makes this yarn the top of the list if you’re looking for a super bulky/ chunky option. Galler Yarns is one of my absolute favorite small family run yarn lines from New York since the 1950’s. They are a true boutique for fine yarns and the whole CHY Staff is borderline obsessed.
100% Super Fine Merino Wool
USA 11-19 needles
1-2 sts and Inch
107 yards
8.8 oz skeins
Handwash in cool water lay flat to dry. do not bleach
Exciting News!! We’re the first place to stock the brand new “brights” collection of this yarn just in time for cool chunky knit season!
Knit Kit: Conquer Cable Knitting
Do you dream of knitting your own stunning cable knit hats, cowls, and sweaters? Now you can turn those dreams into reality with confidence!
What's Included:
1 skein of Galler W.O.W: One of our signature yarns, perfect for creating your own Reversibility Cowl. ($43 value)
Shortie Bamboo Cable Needles (set of 3): From Twice Sheared Sheep, ideal for cable knitting. ($8 value)
Handmade row counter : From Twice Sheared Sheep to help you keep track of your progress. ($25 value)
Pattern Suggestion: Reversibility Cowl by Jessica Ays (Pattern must be purchased separately from Jessica)
Galler Yarns W.O.W. Merino Yarn Details:
Material: 100% Superfine Merino Wool
Gauge: 4.5-5 stitches per inch
Length: 475 yards / 434 meters
Weight: Approx. 8 oz / 227 grams
This worsted weight, single-ply yarn is incredibly plush, pillowy, and durable. It invites you to cuddle it often, and with its Oeko-Tex 100 certification, rest assured it's organic and safe to keep close!
Galler Yarns is one of my all time favorite suppliers to work with they are a women owned USA business and they make the most luxe yarns in high end colors you can’t find anywhere else
Our Luxurious 'White Gold':
Our wool comes from the breathtaking Patagonian grasslands of Argentina, where sheep graze freely across vast steppes. This environment ensures the highest standards of animal welfare and ethical practices.
Galler Yarns W.O.W. Merino Yarn is perfect for all your cozy projects—whether it's sweaters, hats, scarves, or blankets. Like its chunkier sister, Super-B™ Merino Yarn, it doesn't shed and is wonderfully soft against the skin.
Start your cable knitting journey today and enjoy the luxurious feel of Galler Yarns W.O.W. Merino!
Asana Bulky is a plush and huggable combination of Superfine Alpaca and premium Peruvian Highland Wool, designed to be as beautiful to the eye as to the hand. Each of the three strands are dyed individually before being plied together, giving Asana depth and richness in color as well as its unique texture. This bulky weight yarn is easy to knit, light in weight, and delivers superior insulation. Unlike harsh wools, Asana Bulky provides incredible warmth with a delicious softness against the skin.
Galler Yarn is spun from alpacas who are lovingly raised and tended 10,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountains of Peru. Living at high altitudes in freezing cold, these animals have softer hair with more thermal capacity than their lowland cousins.
Highland Sheep are unique to Peru and combine the Merino’s softness with the durability of Corriedale. The resulting fiber is lofty, voluminous and wonderfully toasty.
Content: 50% Superfine Alpaca, 50% Peruvian Highland Wool
Put Up: Skeins
Yardage: 140 yd / 128 m ( approx 3.5 oz / 100 g )
Knitting Weight / Gauge: Bulky (#5) - 14 st / 20 rows per 10 cm / 4 in; 7-9 wpi
Needle Size: 7 - 8 mm / US #10 1/2 -12
Country of Origin: Peru
Care: Hand wash gently in cool water. Lay flat to dry.
