Single Yarns - Unravelling the threads of your creativity
In the vast and colourful world of textile art, the humble yarn plays a pivotal role, serving as the building block for countless creations. While many are familiar with plied yarns, composed of multiple strands twisted together, single yarns deserve their own spotlight. Single yarns, spun from a single strand of fibre, bring a unique set of characteristics and possibilities to the crafting table. In this exploration, we'll unravel the various types of single yarns and delve into their diverse applications.
Single yarns are spun from a single strand of fibre, be it natural or synthetic; a single fibre type or a blend of fibres. This simplicity in composition gives them distinct qualities that set them apart from their plied counterparts. The texture of a single yarn can range from smooth to slubby, depending on the fibre used and the spinning technique applied. Common natural fibres for single yarns include cotton, linen, and silk and wool, providing the crafting community with a wide range of options from 2 ply through to 10 ply.
1.Ujicha - 2 ply
I've had this base for quite a while now and it never fails to please. I found this absolutely stunning base after a very long search for a plied Tussah silk somewhere between fingering weight and cobweb. One of my more expensive yarns it's worth every penny and everything made with it turns out just beautifully. Close to white, crisp and with a distinctive halo. Just gorgeous and runs at a very useful 750 metres to 100 grams so 100 grams goes a long way.
This gorgeous Spellbound shawl knitted by Daisy (pattern by Booknits) really shows the Seashells colourway on Ujicha to great advantage. And a beautiful choice of beads for it too.
3. Sulkazura 4 ply - How can I forget this recent gorgeous single yarn in my line up? A gutsy tough somewhat rustic beautiful Tussah silk single ... a fingering weight option but in a wild silk. It runs a little heavier to the touch than many other 4 ply yarns. Dyes beautifully and intensely but since it arrives a classic light tan from the mill it's not for pastels or colours that are affected by a coloured base so some of my more vibrant colours really sing on it. A contender for a beautiful summer top or a striking bold shawl at any time of the year. It has the expected wild silk halo so bear that in mind when selecting.
4. Cassis 2 ply and 4 ply - I've carried this as a laceweight for some time and have recently introduced the fingering weight to my line. It's gorgeous and soft! Not one for pastel colours due to the yak but certainly a lovely base for the stronger colours.
Cassis is a close cousin of the gorgeous Masala (to give you a clue as to it's fibre make up) with Merino, Silk and Yak, all bundled into a beautiful singles yarn.
5.Peppermint - think this name calls for it being dyed in Water's Edge (a beautiful soft peppermint green) but I'll resist for now! It's BRAND NEW! A 4 ply mix of merino and mohair! It's an awesome single and I can't wait to use it along with another yarn - perhaps a fluffy?