Perfect chunky yarn: A guide by Knit Design Studio
The main achievement of Knit Design Studio is the formula of excellent quality chunky yarn. The trend of extreme knitting using unspun roving wool was very popular for the last years. Unusual giant arm knitting blankets with huge stitches are excellent for nice photos and home decoration but not for every day practical usage. Our purpose was to combine the softness and extra-ordinary look of the unspun merino wool roving with a practicality. So lets explore the characteristics of the perfect chunky yarn.
Fiber
When it comes to creating chunky yarn, the choice of fiber can make all the difference in the final product. One fiber that has gained popularity among knitters and crocheters for its excellent qualities is 100% extra fine merino wool. We use only 18,5 microns 100% extra fine merino wool from Italian factory that specializes in producing high-quality, certified organic wool for handcrafts. It is the best and premium merino quality in a market. Let's take a closer look at the advantages of this particular fiber for making chunky yarn.
Softness: One of the key advantages of using 18.5 microns 100% extra fine merino wool for making chunky yarn is its softness. Merino wool is known for its softness and fine texture, and 18.5 microns wool is considered to be extra fine. This makes it an excellent choice for creating chunky yarn that is both soft and comfortable to wear against the skin. The wool is not itchy at all.
Warmth: Merino wool is also known for its excellent insulating properties, which make it an ideal choice for creating chunky yarn that can provide warmth and comfort. Chunky yarn made from 18.5 microns 100% extra fine merino wool can be used to make cozy hats, scarves, and blankets that will keep you warm and comfortable during the colder months.
Durability: Despite its fine texture, merino wool is also strong and durable, which means that chunky yarn made from this fiber is likely to hold up well over time, even with regular use. This can be especially important for projects like blankets or sweaters, which may get a lot of wear and tear.
Sustainability: Merino wool is a sustainable fiber, as it comes from a renewable resource and can be biodegraded naturally. This means that using merino wool for making chunky yarn can be an environmentally-friendly choice.
Certification: The wool is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This certification ensures that the wool is produced using environmentally and socially responsible methods, including sustainable farming practices, safe and fair working conditions, and the absence of harmful chemicals in the dyeing and finishing process. All lots are MULESING FREE. GOTS certification also requires the wool to meet strict quality standards, ensuring that it is of the highest quality for handcrafts.
The wool is also Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. This certification ensures that the wool is free from harmful substances that could be harmful to human health.
In conclusion, 18.5 microns 100% extra fine merino wool from Italy is an excellent choice for the producing chunky yarn that is soft, warm, durable, and environmentally-friendly. Its fine texture and excellent properties make it a popular choice among knitters and crocheters who want to create beautiful and unique pieces that are both comfortable and long-lasting.
Hand spun yarn
The chunky yarn created by Knit Design Studio is made by hand using a spinning wheel. Unlike unspun roving wool, our yarn is hand spun and goes through all necessary stages of processing: from fiber preparation to spinning on a spinning wheel. It is thinner than unspun wool roving that is used for arm knitting but also looks very chunky. Note: We do not sell unspun wool roving (tops) presenting it as a yarn as it is misleading and incorrect.
While some knitters may enjoy the challenge of working with unspun roving and the unique texture it creates, spun yarn is generally considered easier to work with and more practical for a wider variety of knitting projects. It is generally easier to knit with spun wool than with unspun wool roving for a few reasons:
Structure: Spun yarn has structure, while roving does not. This spinning process involves twisting fibers together to create a cohesive yarn that is easier to work with. The stitches will be more consistent and easier to control, resulting in a more polished finished product. In contrast, unspun wool roving is simply a rope of fibers that has not been twisted into yarn. While roving has a beautiful, fluffy texture that many knitters find appealing, it can be more difficult to work with than spun yarn. Without the structure created by the spinning process, roving can be more delicate and prone to breaking. This can make it difficult to maintain consistent tension and create even stitches, especially for less experienced knitters.
Tension: Additionally, the tension of the roving can vary throughout the length of the rope, making it even more challenging to work with. This can result in uneven stitches and difficulty controlling the gauge. In some cases, the roving may even come apart while knitting, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Strength: Spun yarn is generally stronger than unspun roving, which means that it is less likely to break or pull apart while knitting. Roving is delicate and can break easily, which can be frustrating for the knitter.
That is why hand spinning of the yarn was our choice in creating the perfect chunky yarn.
Yarn Type: Single ply yarn / Roving type yarn / Pencil roving yarn
Our handspun chunky yarn is a smart combination of a single ply yarn, roving type yarn and pencil roving yarn which results in a smooth loosely spun texture which will impact the final look and feel of your project. The yarn is made up of a single strand of fiber (as single ply yarn) but slightly twisted to give it some structure without fully twisting it into a traditional stable yarn.
So-called low twist yarn (as roving yarn or pencil roving yarn) has a lower degree of twist than ordinary yarn. It has bulkiness and a soft feel. It has a lower tensile strength and appears to be coarser than regular single ply yarn. A fashionable loose twist construction gives unique smooth texture, loftiness, and visual interest to the knitted items. Because the fibers are not tightly bound together like in traditional spun yarn, roving yarn is often fluffier and more lightweight, making it ideal for creating warm, cozy items like hats, scarves, and blankets.
Lightly felted yarn
Single ply yarn, such as roving or pencil roving yarn, can be beautiful and rustic, but they may also be more prone to pilling and may not hold up as well over time.
That is why our roving yarn is lightly felted to fix its form that means that it has been partially felted or fulled. This is a process that involves gentle washing the yarn in a water, slight agitating and compressing the fibers of the yarn to create a little denser, more stable yarn. The resulting yarn has a really soft and smooth texture that is very appealing.
The felting process also makes the yarn more durable and less prone to shedding, pilling or coming apart during knitting or wearing. This makes lightly felted roving yarn a great choice for projects that will get a lot of use, such as sweaters, scarves, and hats.
Overall, lightly felted roving yarn can be a great choice for knitters who want a durable, smooth textured yarn with a unique look and soft feel.
It is also easier to knit with felted yarn.
Color
Today handspun chunky yarn Knit Design Studio is available in 70 natural and dyed colors, allowing knitters to choose the perfect yarn for their project. Whether it's a bold and bright color for a statement piece, or a soft and subtle neutral tone for a classic design, there is a color to suit every taste and style. This can be especially important for those who want to create unique and colorful projects that reflect their personal style.
Yarn Weight
Chunky yarns Knit Design Studio vary in weight from super bulky (#6) to jumbo (#7). The different thickness may be used to make different knitting projects. For advanced crafters it is possible to combine the yarn of different thicknesses in one item. For example, you can choose the different thicknesses of the yarn but the same color or different weight and colors for one item. This allows you to create a truly unique and one-of-a-kind project that reflects your own personal style and taste.
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