Popular Fibres Used In Hand Knitting

Animal Fibres

Alpaca -  Alpaca yarns are spun from the fleece of the alpaca. It is a strong, soft and warm. Alpaca comes in natural colors.

Angora - Angora is combed from the fur of the angora rabbit. It is extremely fluffy, soft and makes very warm items. It is also quite expensive since each rabbit can only provide a small amount of angora and is therefore aften mixed with other fibres.  Angora has a tendency to shed.

Camel - Camel yarn is spun from the two humped camel. It is fragile and does not accept dyes well, and is available in camel color only. It is very warm and fragile.

Cashmere - Cashmere comes from the bellies of the cashmere goat. It is an expensive, luxury wool that is fine and soft.  It it knit into quality, long lasting knitwear.

Merino - Merino fleece comes from pure bred merino sheep and is considered to be the finest of all sheep's wool.  It is very soft, strong and resilient and takes dye well. Merino is suitable for a wide range of knitwear.

Mohair - Mohair is spun from the fleece of the angora goat. It is warm and extremely lightweight. Mohair is durable, soft and has a lustrous, fluffy appearance. It is usually blended with wool or cotton. This yarn is not suitable for babies.

Silk - Silk is not an animal hair, but is the unreeled filament from the cocoon of the silkwork. It is a smooth, shiny strong fiber, and is the thinnest of the natural fibers.

Wool - Wool is spun from the fleece of sheep. Wool is a good insulator and provides lots of warmth for its weight. Wool comes in natural colors and dyes well. It requires proper care or it will felt.  There is a new wool, known as superwash wool, which can be washed in a washing machine and tumble dried with no ill effects.

Wool, Superwash Wool - These special wools can be washing in the washing machine on the wool cycle.  Some can even be tumble dried.  This is not the wool that can be felted.

Plant Fibers

Cotton - Cotton comes from seed pods of the cotton plant. It is light and absorbent.  Cotton yarn is a work horse and is machine washable.  Great for baby items and summer wear.

Linen - Linen fibre comes from the stem of the flax plant and is spun into a lustrous, strong yarn.  It is washable and comfortable to wear in hot weather.  It shares that property with cotton.  Linen does wrinkle very easily.

Modal - Modal is a generic name for man made cellulose fibers, manufactured using high quality wooden pulps. It is strong and stable as well as soft.  This fiber retains its softness and brilliance even after repeated washings.  Modal is ideal for clothing, and absorbs up to 50% more humidity than cotton and does it much faster.

Ramie - Ramie is similar to linen and is often used as a substitute for linen.  It is a little stiff and not particularly resilient, therefore is often used with other fibres.  It dyes well.

Rayon - Although rayon is a man made, it is not a synthetic fibre. It is spun from cellulose obtained from cotton lint and wood chips.  Rayon is commonly called viscose. It has a higher luster and is softer than cotton.  It dyes beautifully. 

Tencel - Tencel is made from wood pulp. It combines the breathability and absorbency of a natural fibre with the durability and easy-care properties of a man-made fibre, and a smoothness, resilience and drape that is unique. Its structure produces a sensual, suede-like touch. It can be machine washed and dried, and retains its shape, color and appearance after washing, with little shrinking.

Synthetics

Acrylic - Acrylic is the general name for man-made synthetic fibers. It is frequently found in combination with natural fibres. Acrylics are synthetics that mimic wool, but without wool's insulating properties.  Some brands have been compared to cashmere for softness.

Nylon - Nylon, also known as polyamide, is a strong, light fibre with a shiny appearance that makes it look like new even after many years. It can be dyed to brilliant white and fluorescent shades. It is non-absorbent, mothproof and resistent to mildew and bacteria.

Polyester - Polyester is a type of acrylic fibre. It is very easy to care for.  It is estraordinarliy wrinkle resistant, and holds its shape well.  Polyester is useful when combined with other fibres to add strength and stability to the end result.

Triacetate - Triacetate is the general name for the group of manmade fibres manufactured from cellulose.  Although it is a natural source, a chemical process is used to create the finished fibre. These fibres are shrink and wrinkle resistent and easy to wash even at high temperatures.