Knit & Chat: What you should know about plant fibers

[@NerdyKnitting]

What's your favorite plant fiber for knitting?

[@anweave6027]

Thanks to you I always buy comfy cotton from knit picks. I don’t like bamboo very much as it tends to be too heavy (at least according to my 9 year old).

[@MICHELLE-gu2qc]

I love mohair to wear, knitting another story. I can't stand pure wool, it makes me itch and reacts to my fillings in my mouth. Hemp is nice and strong. Have you ever use glow in the dark yarn? I normally use acrylic as I'm more beginner. Could you please do a video on what patterns suit what yarn. I always buy the yarn because I love the colours, then sometimes I have trouble knowing what patterns would suit it. I'm crocheting a Mandala Duster with rainbow obre and I starting to think it may end up looking like a unicorn 🦄 has vomited on me.

[@yarra352]

For garments, linnen. Like great women, great wine and great cheese it doesn't age, it matures

[@baumwolke2078]

Hemp

[@logikgirl12]

I'm just now knitting with cotton+ rayon from bamboo for the first time and it's so different to anything I've ever knitted with! It's extremely floppy, very smooth and soft, very lightweight and very slippery (on metal needles) It would make a wonderful a baby knit yarn. Right now I'm making a strappy summer top and I don't know how it's going to wear since it's not stiff like the cotton I'm used to. Trying new yarns really is part of the joy of the craft. It's quite surprising how different they feel and knit up.

[@la1163]

My hubs gifted me 2 hanks of linen (I guess he pays attention). I had mentioned to someone I wanted to make Purl Soho Dumpling bag , he ask our daughter to order some for me for our 28th, lol it was our 38th anniversary. He said he was lucky already since the day we married. Sometimes I think what did I do to be so lucky. . This year we will celebrate our 39th .which is laughter theme. We have lots of those so looking forward to that. Happy knitting / crocheting friends.

[@venomwoolknits]

Linen processing is fascinating. Engineering Knits has a series of videos where she grew her own flax, processed it and spun it into yarn - she used it in weaving rather than knitting but it's well worth a watch for anyone interested!

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thanks for the recommendation - that sounds like an interesting series!

[@jcrunolfson1971]

I've used both bamboo and hemp for scarves and shawls with no issues. I haven't noticed that hemp (or linen) is any harder on my hands than any other fiber, but I'm allergic to every animal fiber I've ever touched, so I only knit with plant fibers. I'd love to see more yarn substitution guides that actually address the common necessity of substituting yarn due to allergies, and which plant fibers/blends could make the best substitutions for which animal fibers (and vice versa).

[@valeriebishop561]

I found a few skeins of Hempster and have made dishcloths. After washing it softens a ton. I did a quick SC and HDC in a crochet dishcloth. Chain 30 then work the SC stitch first. I usually finish with SC too. The HDC stitch really gives some spacing. It holds water well, but then rinses out easy in the sink! I got 2 and 1/2 a dishcloth from one skein.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Thank-you! I have some leftovers I think are destined to become dishcloths!

[@moonbasket]

Thanks for all the info! I'm knitting with linen right now. It definitely is rough, but it's a chainette yarn, so it's relatively smooth and isn't hurting my hands too much.

[@anweave6027]

I prefer knitting with wool. I’m currently knitting a dress with 💯 linen. The yarn is quite hard but it’s not too bad to knit with. I made a swatch and machine washed and dried. The before and after softness was like day and night. I can’t wait to see what my dress will look like once it’s done.

[@NerdyKnitting]

I bet it will be lovely when it's finished! 😍

[@yarra352]

Funny story. I was went clothes shopping with my husband, he likes quality so we were at a high end store. I spotted a sweater that look rather nice and I picked it up to inspect it closer to find it was 100% cotton. A shop assistant comes along asking if he can help, so I ask if this sweater will hold it shape when washed since it's cotton. And he sais "yes, as long as you don't hang it to dry it retains its shape" my instant response "Sir! Do I LOOK like a criminal?" He look very perplexed.

[@noreenlou]

I knit some Sophie scarves with a bamboo blend, it was a little hard to knit but feels lovely

[@valeriehowden471]

I have crocheted alot with cotton and bamboo with no real issues. My first knit garment was a linen cotton blend. It was a fingering weight and very wirey. I had to wind it into a ball because my cake winder couldn't handle it. I think I know why that line was discontinued. The summer vest looked great, but there was too much 'hate' leftover from the process. Contemplated selling it at a craft sale - lots of compliments but no takers. Since you mentioned washing will improve linen, I think i might just have to wash it up to see if my bad memories will fade. I don't mind knitting with cotton. I find i have to use alot of hand moisturizer - i wonder if it absorbed the moisture from my hands? I have a stash of pima cotton - 3 summer sweaters worth from my LYS's yarn sales!

[@lenorewetzel]

Thank you for getting into details with particular fibers. The deep dive on rayon was awesome! I feel much more informed about some of the unfamiliar things I have encountered in mixed fibers. 🙌🏻

[@NerdyKnitting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karenbochinski]

Favorite plant fiber is cotton. All wools even the finest of the fineist ich me. I have made 90% of my garments with cotton. I spin my own cotton and make garments out of it.

[@NerdyKnitting]

I bet they are lovely garments! Cotton is so soft and nice - someday I'd like to try spinning it!

[@barbaramcewen]

I am newer to knitting but I have used the Hempster to crochet a lot of bags and they are the best! So sturdy, they don't stretch, and they have softened a lot with washing. I am pretty glad I grabbed some before it was discontinued. I think the feel of it put people off. It reminds me of linen that way. So far my knitting has mostly been wool and the odd synthetic but I'm sure I will do some kitchen items with cotton at some point.

[@neelieknits382]

Thank you, very enlightening. Question: are all Master Hand Knitters required or have a website or podcast? I have been noticing a number of podcasters which indicate they are Master Hand Knitters.

[@NerdyKnitting]

No, it's not necessary at all. I think that a number of them go on to teach or do other things in the knitting industry so a website is a must.

[@christinatrotter8526]

I have used a gorgeous light yarn which has wool and nettle - the nettle fibre replaces the nylon content. The brand is Onion.

[@ginnyc]

Great video. I just cast on a yoke sweater with a cotton/ acrylic blend yarn called heatherly. ( knit picks) I'm trying a colorwork sweater. We'll see how it works up! Premier yarns has an Egyption mercerized cotton yarn called "afternoon cotton" & drops yarn has one called "safran". Just an fyi. 💜

[@NerdyKnitting]

I totally forgot about mercerized cotton!

[@helenjowett7879]

Cotton doesn't dry quickly but it does absorb water to dry things with like dishes and ourselves.

[@jilliankonig2759]

Hi - Just wondering if superwash wool and non-superwash can be knitted together in a colorwork sweater? Would blocking be difficult?

[@NerdyKnitting]

I would swatch and test!

[@laurahorgan7657]

Thank you! Great video!

[@NerdyKnitting]

Glad you liked it!

[@colorjunkie]

I hear that cotton sags in larger sizes, but can someone do a video with examples? I always hear it, but never see it, and at this point- it's starting to sound like an urban myth.

[@KnittingAlongTheRockies]

So far I’ve only knit with cotton and cotton blends. I really want to try linen, but want to make sure I have a good pattern for it. So here is a question that I think I know the answer too 😄 how do you think 100% bamboo would do for fingerless mitts? 😳 I have a friend who is allergic to animal fibers. She saw a skein of linen and loved it. I went back and bought and now it’s been over a year because I’m afraid my end product with just be unstructured and unwearable 😔 However, I am determined to make them this year! Do you think ribbing or a denser fabric might help?

[@NerdyKnitting]

Bamboo has the same issues as other plant fibers - can be inelastic. So it might not be great for fingerless mitts because you want those to hold their shape. But you might try knitting at a slightly tighter gauge.

[@leetrayer8639]

What could mercerized cotton be used for?

[@NerdyKnitting]

I completely forgot about mercerized cotton! I've never personally used it but I remember my mom using it to make doilies. I think the kind made today is slightly different and could be used for clothing as well but I think it might depend on the particular brand - they can all be different.

[@jonnaborosky8836]

Soy yarn. Do you have a tutorial video on knitting socks? I used to knit a lot, but not so much now. I just never found a way to learn to knit socks. I couldn't figure out how to turn heels. Can you please point me in the right direction? Thank you.😊

[@NerdyKnitting]

I have lots! Just do a search and you'll find them!

[@daisyfox2452]

While many biosynthetic fibers are hypoallergenic, not all are. Modal is one of the most common fabric allergies. It can cause extreme itching and rash.

[@NerdyKnitting]

That makes sense - I would guess that the whole 'rayon' category could cause allergy issues for people (depending on the wood used).

[@amymurdock5905]

Tonya, would it be advantageous to pre- wash a linen, or hemp yarn in the skein ( a twisted skein, likenwool often comes) with many cross ties added to prevent ravelling? Would this soften it some to helpnthe hands when knitting??

[@NerdyKnitting]

It might soften it but it isn't going to make it any more elastic - which is what makes wool and acrylic easier to knit with. So it will feel soft while knitting but can still be difficult to knit with because it's not elastic.

[@Yarn3ater]

Bamboo is pretty but it’s a NIGHTMARE to work with for me at least. Doesn’t matter if the needles are wooden or not and I hate it. I don’t consider myself a tight knitter but I am not as loose a knitter as bamboo makes me seem lol. If you use bamboo, go down 2 needle sizes and pray. If you are going to block it it looks fuzzy. Anything more than a garter stitch blanket or headband and I’d pull my hair out. I prefer to use a bamboo cotton mix. Tincel is nice. None of these are good for cabled baby items because they don’t stretch or pull in a way to make the cables pop. The holes that the cables leave in the work looks crazy to me.

[@NerdyKnitting]

Agree! I wouldn't use plant fiber yarns for cables either.