Yarn & Fabric

Yarn and Fabric Choices You Will Not Regret

Walk into a craft store and the choices are overwhelming: fiber types, yarn weights, fabric widths, thread counts and care labels that all affect how a project turns out. A wrong choice can mean a sweater that pills, a quilt that shrinks unevenly or a dress that will not drape. Knowing how fibers behave, how to read labels and how to substitute materials saves money and avoids disappointment.

The guides in this section explain natural and synthetic fibers, yarn weights and substitutions, woven versus knit fabrics, pre-washing, storage and how to care for finished items. You will learn to match materials to a pattern and to judge quality before you buy. For antique or delicate textiles, or items with stubborn stains, a specialist textile cleaner is a safer choice than guessing at home.