Know Your Fibers

Gift giving occasions are approaching!  ...and the most appreciated gift is on that was handmade.  Knowing what your one of a kind gift item is made of lets you pass on important care information and gives you confidence in your presentation.  Be informed when you shop online.  Get the quality you're looking for in a knit or crochet item by knowing a few things about fibers.

Cotton Varieties

Cotton is sturdy, natural, eco-friendly, soft, and versatile.  The most common is kitchen cotton.  It is a standard 4-ply cotton that most people use to make their washcloths, puffs and scrubbies.  It is the most absorbent, which is most likely why it is called kitchen cotton.  Recycled cotton is made (although this may vary by manufacturer) from the scraps of cotton that are left over in a factory from, say, t-shirt production.  The texture of the recycled cotton I used to make lunch totes is more coarse than standard cotton.  It is great for dishcloths and tote bags.  Organic cotton is smooth and thick.  To simulate its texture, pull a cotton ball apart a bit and pat it down.  Feel the thick and thin variations and the silkiness of the fibers.  I tested organic cotton in a scarf and some body cloth sets.  This is the softest and thickest cotton yarn I have felt so far.  It is truly luxurious!  The drawback is the limited color selection and the cost of materials (very little cotton for a high price).  I like to keep my prices down for my customers.  If you would like something made of organic cotton I will be happy to work on a special order for you.

Most recently I received a shipment of a great corn and cotton blend yarn.  This is really thinking outside the box and combining some unconventional products to make something wonderful.  This particular brand is 67% cotton and 33% corn.  I made a regular dishcloth the same way I make all the others, but this one finished up with a delicate look. It's the kind of cloth you display in the powder room to add rich texture and character.  The corn-cotton blend is wound thinner than the others, but it is just as sturdy, soft, neat and smooth as the other varieties.  Because it is thin, it does take a lot more material to make a small product, but it is worth it.  You will love the weight and texture.

Plant and Animal Fibers

There are many other natural fibers to choose when you shop around.   Look for wool, alpaca, silk, bamboo and hemp to name a few.  You will also come across blends.  Some people are sensitive to pure wool and may find it itchy.  If you buy a 100% wool scarf, just layer it over your jacket or sweater, or wrap it loosely around your neck if you're sensitive.  Bamboo is usually mixed with cotton for a light and soft wearable blend. The one I like is 52% Cotton, 48% Rayon from Bamboo.  Alpaca comes from the coat of an adorable llama-type animal. Angora is the fur of the Angora rabbit and Mohair comes from the Angora Goat. Cashmere is also from a goat.  Cashmere is expensive because of the process of collecting the hairs. 

Silk is gathered from the silkworm cocoon and then processed into various grades of silk.  If you are concerned about the treatment of living creatures, you may want to reconsider silk.  According to a Wikipedia article,  "Commercially reared silkworm pupae are killed by dipping them in boiling water before the adult moths emerge, or by piercing them with a needle..."

The Details

All of these fibers, and more, can come pure or blended, woven thick or thin, hand dyed or commercially dyed.   I happen to be allergic to all of the animal fibers and I sneeze and my eyes water through the whole project, but I know someone out there will want a length of elegant mohair in their scarf.   Avoid animal hairs if you are buying a gift for someone you don't know very well.  Many fiber artists mix materials so check the product description for what they used.  You can also search in the crochet or knit category of a shop by fiber in the search field. The process of crocheting or knitting is sometimes reduced to making loops out of yarn or thread.  The artistry is in the use of colors and textures to make something beautiful and useful that I think you will like, and also some universal items for gift giving.  As a buyer, look carefully at the photos.  Click on them and zoom in to see the stitching quality.  Ask questions about an item if the texture or weight isn't obvious.  Ask questions. 

Buy Handmade

Handmade items are great to buy for yourself or as gifts.  When you wear a handmade scarf, cowl or shawl, people notice.  The craft[wo]manship, the texture and the one of a kind color and pattern combination sets you apart from everyone else.  You exude style, creativity and a confident personality with one of a kind pieces.  Most Etsy stores like to feature collections by color, material, style or season.  Find something to satisfy your shopping-lust by searching keywords and bookmarking your favorite stores.  You can search by color, technique, material or theme.  Don't be afraid to ask for something custom made.  If we can get our crafty little hands on the materials, most of us will put all other projects aside to make a custom product anyday!