Wool is hygroscopic; it can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture while still feeling warm and dry to the skin. It is used for firemen's blankets and industrial fabrics because it is naturally flame-retardant. A constant level of moisture keeps wool from conducting static electricity and reduces static cling. Wool can stretch for 1/3 of its length, or 2/3 when wet, and will return to original shape. No man-made fiber has been able to capture all of these properties.

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Cotton yarns are WIDELY varied! One yarn labeled as 100% cotton feels and looks completely different than another. The staple length, fiber preparation, and tightness of spin all affect the feel of the yarn. Here are some of the types we have on our shelves.
Egyptian Cotton or Sea Island Cotton: This cotton has very fine and long staple fibers, so it is soft and luxurious.
Pima Cotton: This super soft cotton is named for the Pima American Indians of Arizona.
Organic Cotton: This cotton is hand-picked and uses natural dies for coloration.
Mercerized Cotton: Mercerization involves submerging cotton in a caustic soda solution. This causes the fibers to permanently swell and straighten, creating a very strong, dense, reflective, and silk-like surface. The yarn is very shiny and generally has a wonderful stitch definition.

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Alpacas have been in South America since 4000 B.C., and are terribly cute, come in 22 basic colors, but just like llamas, they do spit! Their fleece was labeled “unworkable” from 1808-1830, alpaca is now one of the most luxurious yarns to work with! Alpaca has long, fine fibers which are several times warmer than sheep wool, but not as warm as cashmere. Like wool, it absorbs moisture, but feels dry to skin. Alpacas do not produce lanolin, so the fiber is cleaner and more hypoallergenic than sheep wool, even being used for baby articles. Yarn colors are true and brilliant, and garments are durable and long lasting.

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Linen may be the oldest textile in the world, dating back to 8000 B.C. Linen is spun from flax fibers, and high quality linen does not have small knots or “slubs” along the yarn length. The yarn is strong and lustrous, and many believe Belgium grows the highest quality. Linen has the ability to absorb and evaporate water rapidly. It also has no elasticity, therefore it wrinkles easily. Linen is VERY durable: 2 to 3 times stronger than cotton and is stronger when wet than when dry. It does not stretch or pill, is lint free, resists dirt, stains, and even moths; plus it gets softer the more it is washed and garments endure up to 20 years of use. Never clean with vinegar!

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Yes, silk is from a silkworm, and each little one produces about 800 yards of silk in a single cocoon. Silk production is called sericulture and began in China 2600 B.C. and kept secret until AD 300 when silk worm eggs were smuggled into other countries. Silk absorbs and releases moisture and feels warm to skin, even when wet, and is extremely strong. It has slow elasticity, so it stretches out – never wet block silk. Use 100% silk for dreamy lacey shawls and slinky tops. Use silk blends when working ribbed patterns, or more fitted garments.

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Mohair is the fleece from the angora goat, and is one of most versatile fibers in the world. It is flame-retardant, soil-resistant, warmer than wool, absorbs moisture without feeling damp or cold. The fibers’ softness depends on the age of the animal: the younger the goat, the softer the fiber.

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Bamboo is a renewable source that is harvested without killing the plant, which can be harvested every couple months. It is biodegradable with not mixed with unnatural fibers, hence is environmentally friendly. The fiber is naturally antibacterial which makes it a great choice for hospital attire. Bamboo breathes and has a beautiful drape and luster. It is strong, flexible, and can be extremely soft.

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Corn yarn is from a renewable resource (corn) and is biodegradable. It has a fluid feel and a beautiful drape, and has the soft and comfortable feel of cotton. It is light-weight and very absorbent and great for warm weather garments

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Synthetic fibers are great for machine washable and dryable garments, which is great for children. Good quality synthetics are very soft to the touch. This yarn is very durable and affordable.

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We have several varieties of novelty yarns: lashes, ladders, ribbons, boucles, and more fun things! Novelties should be hand washed. Most are made of synthetic fibers, but the wrapping and spin of the yarn does not do well under the agitation of a washing machine.

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