My sister has a closet full of good quality yarns, she has offered to me for weaving. I am a new weaver. How do I know what yarns will work for weaving? I see what Jane offers/uses. What do I need to watch out for, that would not work?
Is there a resource out there that could help ? Are there big differences in different brands of good quality yarns?
Thank you.

Are they knitting yarns? Are they all natural yarns? The big thing I would suggest is to watch out for mixed wool and synthetic yarns. One of the things that is really important as a weaver is to know the yarn you are working with and to be able to figure out what sett to use. Sometimes knitting yarn has a softer twist in it than weaving yarn does. Have you watched Season 1 Episode 7 - All About Yarn? Oh, and another thing you can do is a burn test for wool - you can Google it and there are YouTube videos that show you how. Keep us posted.

Thank you so much, Sandra. Your answer was very helpful. My guess is they are mostly high end knitting yarns, with a bit of sock yarn. I will re-watch Jane's video on yarns again. If I get this right, most all wool or natural yarns, I could at least play with to see how they would weave up.
Regarding the sett, I thought it was about the dimension of a strand of yarn that we looked at. Does the softer twist in yarns mean it takes up a different amount of space when fulled?
Thanks again! Maggie

As long as you do your ruler wrapping to get the sett of your warp and weft together, you should be fine - I’ve never woven with knitting yarn, and at my place they live in different rooms 😏

However, it would be useful to add a bit extra to your warp that will allow you to weave a sample and finish it, before you take the plunge and weave your whole project. Keep a sample of each yarn and make notes. Personally, I do that with any yarn that is new to me.

Thank you Sandra. Appreciate your thoughts on this!
Maggie

I'd like to add that with much knitting yarns that are wool, they are often "super wash" types. These super washed yarns don't full, which is really a critical feature to me as I make blankets with wool, and full it. The structure stabilizes through the fulling process. I've not used super washed in weaving and maybe it's ok for projects. I just take extra caution to not buy it. With super wash the fiber's scales have been removed, either chemically or mechanically if I understand the process correctly. This removal of the scales, prevents fulling. That is why knitters like it because it is easier to care for in washing, as it doesn't shrink up.

Barbara, I appreciate your thoughts very much. What you say makes good sense. I am learning so much on this site! I know more of what to look for when I visit her stash. Thank you!
Maggie

Making something like a scarf might work in super wash though because it’s so gently used. With regular wool and the finishing/fulling process, the weave structure locks, so you can’t push the weave apart with your fingers or toes.

Ok. Maybe I could try a scarf, if she has some of the super wash wool. She might, because they would have been purchased for knitting hats and scarves.
Thanks again, Barbara!
Maggie