Worsted yarn - Sport edition

blueygh2 · 04-12-2008, 10:21 PM

Hello.

I recently bought some worsted wool, and it says "sport" on it. So I guess it's thought to be knit into socks or something similar. I bought it to knit some mitten(s?).

But I found it to be less stretchy than the yarn I used to knit with (very unstretchy, to not stretchy at all). Is this normal? (for this kind of yarn)?

newamy · 04-13-2008, 05:47 AM

What is the brand? Do you have a picture of the skein? "Worsted" usually refers to the weight or thickness of the yarn but can sometimes also refer to how it is made, I think.

blueygh2 · 04-13-2008, 05:53 AM

Sorry, I don't have pictures....

It seems like normal yarn,... but when you try to knit with it, it's very rigid. Doesn't expand very much... not very flexible...

I just wonder if this is normal for "sport" yarn...

(If it is, what are the "real" uses for that yarn??)

Mirl56 · 04-13-2008, 01:55 PM

Does the yarn have a lable? Does it say what it is made of? What's the name of the yarn?

Plantgoddess+ · 04-13-2008, 02:15 PM

"Sport" yarn is generally a weight of yarn, similar to DK weight. Without knowing more about the labeling it would be hard to tell why it's so stiff. Different breeds of sheep produce varying softness of yarn. Merino is supposed to be the softest. I've knit with Columbian and it is definitely more scratchy.

blueygh2 · 04-14-2008, 04:45 PM

http://www.cucumberpatch.co.uk/sport.htm

It's this yarn. Bergere de France Sport.
It's worsted yarn.

suzeeq · 04-14-2008, 04:48 PM

It may be made in a worsted way, but the gauge is for sport weight or DK yarn, not worsted weight.

blueygh2 · 04-14-2008, 08:08 PM

Well , that's what it says on the label.

But what consequences does that have on the knitting level?

Ellieblue · 04-14-2008, 08:33 PM

Since your yarn is a wool blend, it will not have the stretch or springeness of 100% wool.

iza · 04-14-2008, 08:42 PM

I think in your case it refers to the weight. In general you will knit this a sport weight yarn with needles of sizes 3.5mm-4mm, and the gauge is generally around 25 stitches for 10cm.

If you find the yarn unstretchy compared to what you're used to, it probably has more to do with the fact that it's not the same composition. If you use 100% wool, for instance, the feeling will be different.