Yarn vs Wool
Humans have been using natural or synthetic fibers to create yarn for various purposes, including knitting, weaving, crocheting, and embroidering. Yarns can also be used to make ropes and nets. There is often confusion between yarn and wool, with some people believing they are different things. Wool is widely known as a natural fiber obtained from the hair of sheep or goats and is recognized for its warmth. This article aims to clarify some of the misconceptions surrounding yarn and wool.
Yarn
Yarn is a general term used for cords or filaments of fibers that are twisted together for strength and durability. Yarn can be spun, twisted, or filament fibers. In any case, yarn is a continuous strand of fibers connected together for use in weaving new fabrics, knitting sweaters or cardigans, or embroidering or crocheting. A yarn always has twists when staple fibers are used. However, when yarn is made from filament fibers, there may or may not be twists. Whether you use yarn for weaving or knitting, a new fabric is created. The twist of a yarn is expressed in turns per cm or turns/meter, and they indicate the strength or durability of the yarn. Twists also affect the appearance of the yarn.
Wool
Wool is a natural fiber obtained from the hair of sheep or goats and is known for its incredible warmth. This is why fibers are interlinked in a pattern to create wool, which is used to knit sweaters and other woolen garments. Different types of wool are named based on the animal used to obtain it. Examples include angora, mohair, cashmere, and several other types of wool used to make woolen apparel. Shearing hair from animals is the process by which wool is obtained, but it is further categorized based on whether it is in the shape of bellies, pieces, locks, or fleece. This is primarily done to ensure uniformity and grading. Washing and processing to make the fiber suitable for knitting are done before being finally used.
Key Takeaways
• Wool is a specific type of yarn, as it is natural and obtained from animal hair.
• Yarn is a continuous and long thread of various materials such as cotton, wool, nylon, etc.
• Wool is chosen to make garments that provide warmth in winter.
• Yarn can be used to create new fabric through weaving, knitting, crocheting, or embroidering.
