Word To The Wise When Knitting With Cotton Yarn
by Mercedes Aspland
There are many benefits of knitting with cotton yarn that begin with knowing a little about it's background. It has been in use for 7000 years and still going strong. A vegetable fiber, it is the oldest fiber known to man. The two main forms it comes in are ELS better known as Extra Lean Staple and Egyptian or Fine material. They both are beautiful and come in natural colors or can be dyed to any hue of your liking. Mercerizing is a treatment that is commonly used through a caustic soda and stretching process that brings out a shiny appearance and also helps make the fiber less prone to shrinking.
Cotton is a staple in everyone's closet, when it is hot that is what we reach for. It breathes and keeps us cool and comfortable. Able to stand up to daily washing and wearing, it is a durable fiber for our lives. Stitching shows up superbly and well defined enabling wonderful design possibilities. There are no known allergies and it is affordable for everyday use.
Start by using wooden needles and a firm gauge when knitting with this type of yarn. It is known to be slippery and can sag or stretch while working on it. It is helpful to use a smaller needle to create a solid and firm knitted pattern garment. Washing your garment in a solution with vinegar can help to keep dyes from bleeding and running into one another.
Testing out your ideas using a small swatch enables you to see what your results will be before taking on the big project. In this test process, you will be able to understand how your patterns and colors will react to one another. You will also be able to monitor how much stretching and sagging you will likely have to deal with. By washing your swatch you will be able to see which colors if any bleed or how your pattern is effected. Darker hues of red, blue, and black tend to bleed more often.
Bamboo needles are popular among cotton knitters and are said to help control the slippery texture of the fiber. Hand strain and carpal tunnel injuries are common from this hobby. It is important to your health to take many breaks, stretch out your hands properly before, during, and after knitting.
Concentrate on the look you will be creating when picking which type of cotton to use. Mercerized cotton will give you a shinier look and less shrinkage. Organic fiber will give you all the natural goodness without the pesticides.
When starting a new ball of yarn, it is best to work it in at the edge of the garment instead of in the middle because of its bulky nature. When planning a knitting project, one must take into account room for stretching and shrinkage due to the nature of the fiber. Keeping an even tension can be tricky at first and takes some practice. Keep trying and you will get used to the feel of it.
These easy tips for knitting with cotton yarn should help you get started on your next creative project. There are so many options and patterns out there that you will never get bored of creating new things. Keep practicing and test swatch ahead of time for best results. By exercising a little patience and diligence you can create beautiful designs with cotton, the comfortable fiber of choice.
For specific types of knitting projects the top quality option is <a href="http://www.knittingwoolandyarnshop.co.uk/shop/products/wools_yarns/the_knitting_shop/ramie">value cotton yarn</a>. Plan your pending beautiful handicraft creation by choosing <a href="http://www.knittingwoolandyarnshop.co.uk">knitting yarn</a> from our website now.
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New Unique Article!
Title: Word To The Wise When Knitting With Cotton Yarn
Author: Mercedes Aspland
Email: seo@theknittingshop.co.uk
Keywords: knitting,crafts,hobbies,hobby,sewing,arts,family,recreation
Word Count: 571
Category: Hobbies
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