What is a good brand and kind of yarn that does not split or fray while crocheting with it.?

Question

I'm making shawls for a holiday bazaar next November that will be sold for the church. I'd like something that does not split and fray and looks nice and will still look nice after it is washed. Thank you.

Answer 1

Can you provide more information on what you're looking for? What fiber (synthetic, wool, something else)? What weight (laceweight, sportweight, DK weight, worsted weight, bulky)? What price range? What sources do you have access to (Michael's, Hobby Lobby, local yarn shops, and so on)?



It would help me to help you if I knew what image of "yarn" you have in your head.



Edited to add:

Okay, you want an inexpensive acrylic yarn, either sportweight or light worsted.



My first recommendation is I Love This Yarn - sport weight (category 3) or worsted weight (category 4). I Love This Yarn is the house brand for Hobby Lobby. I've used it for years for scarves, baby blankets, baby clothes, and so on, and I find that it works up nicely and washes well. It stays soft for years. It's certainly affordable. It comes in a variety of colors, both solids and multis.

I Love This Yarn - Sport: http://shop.hobbylobby.com/needlework/yarn-baby-and-sock-yarns/tlc-amore/default.aspx?F_All=Y

I Love This Yarn - Worsted: http://shop.hobbylobby.com/needlework/yarn-worsted/i-love-this-yarn/default.aspx?F_All=Y



My second recommendation is Premier Yarns' Serenity, either sport weight (category 2) or worsted weight (category 4). The Serenity line is super soft, thanks to being 45% acrylic and 55% nylon. It feels good while working it and wears well. It comes in a variety of colors, although a given store (Michael's, A.C. Moore, etc.) may not carry all the colors. It's available via mail order.

Serenity Sport - http://www.premieryarns.com/yarn.php?id=122

Serenity Worsted - http://www.premieryarns.com/yarn.php?id=123



My third recommendation would be Caron Simply Soft, since you mention that you like it. I find it thin--it's sort of between category 3 and category 4 in weight, which might be an advantage if you prefer the lighter weight. It has washed well for me in the past, although the highest dryer heat it can take is "Low," and I prefer to hang it to dry. I have a baby blanket going right this minute in rainbow colors, so it's definitely available in a wide variety of colors. Other options include the lighter weight Simply Soft Light (category 3) and sparkly Simply Soft Party.

Simply Soft - http://www.caron.com/color_cards/cc_simplysoft.html

Simply Soft Light - http://www.caron.com/color_cards/cc_sslight.html

Simply Soft Party - http://www.caron.com/color_cards/cc_ssparty.html



As far as the yarn untwisting itself while you work with it: I prefer using the center pull option for working with the skein of yarn. If that doesn't solve your problem, you might want to rewind the yarn (using a mechanical ball winder) so that you can center-pull the yarn. That way, it moves around less in the working process and is less likely to untwist itself.

Answer 2

NOT RED HEART!!! Oh my gosh, avoid Red Heart at all costs. Trust me, honey; it's terrible. Especially Super Saver! It frays, it splits, it's "mushy", it's uneven, it's scratchy, it's unpleasant to work with, and I even have skeins that have different colors mixed in with it! I bought a skein of black RHSS yarn, to make a few hats out of, and at some places, there were red and blue strands of yarn mixed in with the yarn, and I couldn't get it separated! The hats made out of that yarn looked terrible. And I had a skein of purple RHSS yarn that had the same problem, and it was so mushy, it literally fell apart in my hands. Neither skein of yarn was usable for my hats. Avoid Red Heart like the plague.



Better brands: I've had good experiences with Caron and Bernat yarn. Lion Brand might work well for you, too. It depends on the kind of yarn you would like to use, What weight of yarn? What color? What type of yarn? Depending on what your preferences are, and what you think would look best for the shawls, your yarn choices will vary. I'd be inclined to use either Bernat or Caron yarn for a shawl, depending on the type.

Answer 3

Caron Simply Soft. It is so soft to work with. I use it all the time to make baby items.