For the purists, wool is the only thing to knit with. Others like to try yarns from other animals, such as alpaca and for some, plant based yarns such as cotton or bamboo are favourites.
But for those who like to try something really different, there is vinyl yarn, produced in the USA.
Vinyl Yarn Range
The yarn is available in three weights – superfine, fine (equivalent to a sport weight), or bulky (a worsted weight yarn). The colour range includes metallics, opaques and glow in the dark yarns which can be used for a variety of crafts.
Working With Vinyl Yarn
The yarn is surprisingly pliable, as it needs to be for knitting and crochet. It has a certain amount of stretch, making it usable, but is, naturally, much more rigid than conventional yarns.
The manufacturer recommends metal needles or hooks, and suggests that the yarn and needles are kept lubricated, offering a lotion for this purpose. Perhaps, however, this makes the yarn perfect for summer knitting, as it won’t matter if the crafter has some sun lotion on her hands when working the yarn.
This is not a quick yarn to work with and care must be taken as dropped stitches will become unravelled very easily. It also twists, while being knitted, but this can be quickly rectified by pushing the work down the needles, in order that they do not fall off. Then simply hold the ball high, and let the knitting fall, untwisting as it hangs.
Uses for Vinyl Yarn
Obviously, this will not be a yarn for clothing, but it can have many practical and decorative uses. A quick search on Ravelry shows that a number of models of under-water forms, such as coral and anemones, have been made. The yarn lends itself to bags and jewellery, due to its sturdy structure, and could also be used for flip-flop shoes, guitar straps and belts, or even dog leads. If there is anything that you’ve wanted to knit or crochet, but haven’t because regular yarn wouldn’t be strong enough, then this might be the yarn to try.
This is not a yarn to suit all crafters’ tastes. It is heavy and trickier to work with than conventional yarn, has a feel that some may not like and needs closer attention as mistakes show very clearly.
For those who want to try something a little different, however, this is an interesting product, which can fire the imagination of the knitter and crocheter.
Lesley Arnold-Hopkins - Lesley Arnold-Hopkins is a freelance writer whose work and hobbies have given her areas of expertise in a number of fields. She has an ...
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