Yarn Fiber

Crochet has taught me a lot about yarn fiber. I actually got into crochet because I wanted to use natural fibers to create household items. But, as I used them I learned that some fibers are also easier to work with when crocheting and knitting.

Cotton
Cotton is a 100% natural. Because it is a natural fiber, it does not create static like synthetic fiber. It also allows your skin to breath. Doctors and nurses are always telling people with yeast infections to wear cotton underwear. They also tell people with athlete's foot to wear shoes and socks that breath, or wear none at all. The reason for this is because natural fibers allow air flow. You can think of it like insulating your home. Blocking all the air flow around windows and doors insulates you home very well. It cuts down on wasted energy and keeps the house warm. It also prevents fresh air from coming in and causes indoor air pollution as outside air is much cleaner than indoor air.

So, natural fibers allow air to circulate in and out of your clothes, synthetic fiber, such as polyester, does not. Of all the natural fibers cotton is the least expensive. I buy huge cones of the Peaches n Creme brand for only a few dollars a cone. This brand of cotton yarn is available at most discount stores with a sewing department. Cotton comes in very handy for use in crocheting kitchen and bathroom items because of it's absorbency and low price. I make rugs, wash clothes, hand towels, and bathroom doilies from my cotton.

Polyester
Nope, I'm not a big fan of polyester (synthetic man made fiber). It causes a lot of static in my dryer and in my hair. Most of the time, I avoid synthetic fiber. But, my grandma recently passed on her yarn stash to me, as she is getting up in age and no longer wanted to knit or crochet. I accepted the large load of yarn graciously. It is mostly polyester. What to do? What to do? Well, I learned a few things about polyester in trying to use up the stash. It is amazingly easy to work with. No wonder my grandmother loved the stuff. It glides over my crochet hook without a lot of catching and hanging up. It also puffs up hiding flaws in my crochet stitches. If you have ever tried loom knitting, cotton doesn't work well for this, but polyester is magnificent! Last but not least, polyester is also inexpensive. I sometimes use it for blankets and afghans, not for anything I'm going to wear because of the static.


Wool
Merino wool is the most amazing fiber. I am in love with it. If only I could afford more of it.  It is incredibly warm, like polyester. Also like polyester, it is easy to work with, but it is an all natural fiber so it does not cause static! It is the perfect fiber for any crochet that is to keep you warm, blankets, afghans, scarfs, hats and booties. The only drawback I can see to WASHABLE merino wool, is the price. I recently made these granny squares in the photo above. $2.00 a granny square! Gulp. But they feel so soft and they are so warm. It will be my favorite and most expensive afghan ever when I am finished.

Oval Rug: Double Crocheted and Seamless

Last night, I finally finished the oval rug I've been working on. You might recognize the center oval in the photo from a previous post on "How to Crochet an Oval." The center oval is 100% cotton. The outer 2 rings are washable merino wool.

In retrospect, I wish I had used cotton for the entire project. The cotton is a heavier weight and it is inexpensive. I used the merino wool because I happened to have that yarn in the colors I wanted, but merino wool is expensive! It is also very soft, lighter weight than cotton and very warm. I would have preferred to use it to make something I could wear.

Regardless of whether I am wearing it, or making it for my home, I always use natural fibers. I dislike synthetic fibers which produce static. Natural fibers do not produce static and they allow your skin to breath. I always choose yarns made of cotton, wool, etc. I never use polyester.

The oval rug turned out a tad bit smaller than I wanted, but I ran out of blue merino wool yarn. I will probably add a few rows to the outer edge after I order more yarn from knit picks.

Here are the instructions for Making an Oval Rug Without a Seam.