We live in a golden age of fibers with a sometimes overwhelming number of yarns to choose from. In this class we’ll take a closer look at fibers and yarn with the ultimate goal of deeper understanding and making better, more informed choices for our knitting projects. We will discuss the properties and sources of both animal and plant fibers, then talk about the processing that goes into making these fibers into specific types of yarns. We will discuss the differences between worsted and woolen yarns and how plying affects yarn behavior. We will learn about how different fibers wash and wear and discuss what fiber blends achieve what results, all with the goal of choosing a yarn for a specific purpose. Once we have a foundation for how yarns work as a function of their fiber content and structure, we will look at how to match a yarn with a project to achieve the best results and discuss how using alternative yarns may change those results. If you’ve ever wondered about why a yarn pills, why it grows when you wear it, why it feels light or heavy, or wondered what yarn would be best for a cable pattern, a lace pattern, a heavenly cowl or a heard-wearing sweater, this is the class for you. This class is lecture/discussion-based; we will not be knitting in class. Technique Requirements: knit/purl, cast on/bind off, increase/decrease, have knit a few accessories

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