what kinds of yarn are there?
Animal fibers: • Wool as far as I’m concerned (and I’m the one writing this FAQ,) wool is fiber from a domesticated sheep. Wool accepts dye well, is flame-retardant by nature, remains warm even when wet, sheds water better than other yarns. Natural wool should be hand-washed. ‘Superwash’ wool has been treated to allow machine washing. Wool will usually resume its proper shape when washed correctly; if it is mistreated and washed in too-hot water, it will shrink or felt. • Mohair is fiber from an Angora goat. Mohair is durable, sheds dirt, dyes well and does not felt easily. Despite its hardiness, it is usually spun into yarn used for fluffy garments and scarves. This yarn is abraded, roughing its fibers to create that ‘fuzzy’ look. • Angorais fiber from rabbits. Fabric made from this yarn is inelastic (no stretch), very fluffy, soft and warm. Contrary to a belief popular in the 1950s, a Angora sweater does not increase the size of one’s bust.
