If you’re new to the world of fibers, choosing the right yarn for your weaving project can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, with a little education on the most commonly available weaving fibers, you can go into any yarn shop and confidently pick out a skein or two (or three or four). No matter what kind of weaving you do—rigid-heddle, pin, inkle, tapestry, or tablet—understanding the differences between fibers will help you become a better weaver. Today’s skill guide will give you a solid foundation as we go over the basics of protein (animal), plant, and synthetic fibers. As you read, you’ll learn facts about these fibers, including:

• The origins of different fibers: plant, animal, and other.
• The different methods used to process fibers into yarns and what that means to you as a weaver.
  
• Unique characteristics of different fibers and yarns that can affect your weaving.

Every item we’ve selected for this guide is part of your All Access program and will help you get the most out of your subscription. Check out the Little Looms Library and our video course website for more learning opportunities.

Happy weaving,
Christina

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Protein (Animal) Fibers

Sheep

For this article, the term wool is used to mean the fiber from sheep, although many fiber folks use wool to mean fiber from any animal. Most sheep wools share some common characteristics: they are warm, elastic, and durable. Wools can absorb a significant amount of water and still be warm; they are strong when dry and much weaker when very wet. Wools usually require handwashing to prevent fulling, although the amount they shrink varies across breeds.

Characteristics

Other characteristics of wool also vary considerably across breeds. Some produce very soft fiber (Merino or Cormo), while others produce exceptionally strong and durable fiber (Suffolk or Montadale). Fabrics made from breeds such as Targhee are wrinkle-resistant, while those made from Merino are not.