Woolen Spun vs Worsted Spun Yarns // Technique Tuesday

[@bdarci]

As I watch I'm knitting with a three ply woolen spun yarn. Your explanations are always so clear. Thank you Roxanne.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Is it a milled yarn, or handspun? I've spun a 3-ply woolen yarn for myself, but I haven't seen one from a mill. I'd love to know what it is, if it's not handspun.

[@andreamiller6200]

This explanation of worsted spun vs woolen spun should be in the dictionary. I have never heard it put so clearly and so usefully. Thank you for putting me in the driver's seat!

[@kathrynrogers4079]

Such a well organized explanation. I have loved woolen spun yarn but never thought about why.

[@cathiapizetta4957]

Excellent! I finally understand the difference! Thank you so much Roxanne!❤

[@TheSuzberry]

Thank you so very much. I have never understood the difference between woolen spun and worsted until today. Thank you.

[@steverobb5360]

Thanks for another great video with a clear description of differences between yarns. Two thumbs up. 🙂

[@kathyr7490]

What a fantastic explanation of the difference between the two different styles of spun yarn! Thank you so much for such a wonderful and detailed explanation.

[@sonjanordahl3158]

Very good explanation of the different spins and possible uses.

[@valerieconrad1005]

Wonderfully informative video! I knew the basics of woolen spun vs worsted spun in the basic definition of the terms, but I didn't know how it would affect my knitting. This was great! Thank you so much!!

[@kittyweisman6655]

I have been knitting colorwork with Shetland woolen spun and just love it. You described the “painterly effect” really well.

[@kristalburns3490]

You really explored this. Thank you.

[@keturahspencer]

From my experience a 3 or ply woolen yarn will show cables better than a two ply woolen yarn, but I haven't directly compared that with a worsted 3 or 4 ply. Thanks for the video. The color work difference was especially striking.

[@batya7]

Very clear explanation. Thank you.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

More & more I've come to appreciate wollen spun yarns, for their warmth and also for their lightness. My favorite yarn is Fleece & Harmony, semi worsted, it has the qualities of both types of yarns. Do you know, Roxanne if wollen yarns have more of a tendency to pill than worsted yarns ? I know superwash often pills more than non superwash, but I wonder about wollen yarns.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Because woolen yarns can have fibers of different lengths, the shorter fibers that might be sticking out will want to pill. I think the superwash wools that pill are merino. I think it's the merino that's the problem, not so much the fact that it's superwash. I experience very few issues with non-merino superwash sock yarns, for example.

[@saulemaroussault6343]

I can find 3 and 4 ply woolen spun yarn in local/rustic wool brands here. 3 or 4-ply woolen spun is my favourite yarn type, perfect balance between durability and warmth, and reasonably good stitch definition.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Where are you located that you can get those yarns?

[@ruthyk7083]

Firstly, thank you so much this is amazing.❤ Second I'm curious if boucle yarns are predominantly made with what's Woolen spun and if any kind is more itchy. Anybody knows.

[@cwolfpack3]

Thank you for so clearly explaining these differences, Roxanne! I have a question related to the topic: is either one of these better for projects that will be steeked? Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Many stranded colorwork traditions use woolen spun yarns. Some don't even bother to secure the sts at the edges of the bridge sts with machine sewing or other methods, because the yarn is sticky enough that they don't worry about it raveling. If you are using a worsted spun yarn that is a challenge to felt, or using a yarn that doesn't felt at all, you would definitely want to secure the sts before making your cut. "Better" is subjective. It depends on what you want from stitch definition vs other aspects of the garment's construction.

[@cwolfpack3]

@@RoxanneRichardson thank you

[@karenmezzacapo8763]

😊

[@asemi4]

Do you find a difference in your yarn gauge proportions? I've knit with a yarn that i think is woolen spun and the stitches are wider and shorter than I'm used to, and get even wider and shorter after a wash

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Different yarn constructions can affect gauge in different ways. Chainette yarns often need to be knit with a larger needle to get the same gauge you'd get with a regular plied yarn on a smaller needle. Stranded colorwork often changes the stitch proportion to be more square rather than rectangular. Given the difference in woolen spun yarns vs worsted spun, it wouldn't surprise me that you might see differences (there can also be gauge differences with the same exact yarn, but two different knitters). Knowing that you experience that difference is useful for planning projects, so that you can get the outcome you want!