Tufting is a fascinating craft that offers you endless creative possibilities. But before you get started, there is an important question to ask: which tufting yarn should you buy? The choice of the right yarn depends on various factors, including the thickness of the yarn, the material and the intended use of your project. This article will tell you everything you need to know about tufting yarn so that you can make the best decision.

Important properties for tufting yarns

Yarn thickness

The right yarn thickness is essential for a smooth tufting experience. Your tufting machine has a fixed needle size, so the yarn must not be too thick or irregular. The needle hole should be well filled without the yarn getting stuck or moving with difficulty. If your yarn is too thin, you can thread several threads at the same time.

For the yarns that we currently sell at Tuftinglove, there are always 2 threads.

Basic rules:

• Yarn that is too thick gets stuck or comes undone.
• Yarn that is too thin does not hold well in the tufting fabric.
• Multiple thinner threads can be combined.
• The needle hole should always be optimally filled.

At Tuftinglove, we have a huge selection of yarns for tufting.

Tufting yarn stress: Which yarn for which project?

Not every yarn is suitable for every type of tufting project. The stress on your tufted piece plays an important role in choosing the right yarn. I'll give you a brief overview of what to look for when choosing yarn for your projects:

Wall hangings

• There is hardly any wear and tear here.
• You can use almost any yarn, even gift ribbons or unusual materials.

Pot coasters

• Heat resistance is crucial.
• Wool is particularly suitable because it is naturally heat-resistant.
• Acrylic yarn is unsuitable because it is made of plastic and can melt.

Couch cushions

• Soft and fluffy yarns are ideal.
  
• Acrylic yarn is a good choice here.

Rugs

• Heavy use by foot traffic.
• Carpet wool or specially manufactured tufting yarns are required.
• Regular wool from knitting supplies is often too soft and not robust enough.

Conclusion: Different yarn materials are required depending on the project. You should rely on special tufting yarns, especially for pieces that are subject to heavy use.

Depending on the application, you should use different tufting yarn.

Yarn windings: Which form is best suited?

Yarns are available in different winding forms. Cones are best suited for tufting because the yarn can unwind without resistance.

What yarn windings are there?

• Cones (best option): The yarn unwinds easily.
  
• Skeins: Rather unsuitable, as they often get tangled and have to be pulled through manually.
• Strands: These have to be wrapped first to be used without problems.

Tip: If you only have skeins, you can use a yarn winder to give them a better shape.

Cones are best for winding yarn.

materials: what yarns are available for tufting?

There are various yarn materials that differ depending on the project and the wear and tear. This table shows you a nice overview of which yarns are best for which projects. This way you know which tufting yarn to buy:

Wool

Wool is particularly durable and heat-resistant, making it suitable for projects that are subject to heavy use. The colours are usually more muted and less vibrant than with acrylic.

Acrylic

Acrylic yarn impresses with its intense colours and soft feel. It is ideal for cushions or bathroom mats, but is not heat-resistant.

Cotton

Cotton yarns have an interesting structure and are well suited for loop pile tufting. They are also versatile for other crafts such as macramé or punch needle.

The influence of yarns on the tufting machine

Different yarns affect the cutting performance of your tufting machine. Particularly hard or rough yarns such as wool can dull the blades more quickly.

Important:

• Use different scissor blades for wool and acrylic.
• Change the blades regularly to ensure clean cuts.

Conclusion: Which tufting yarn should you buy?

Choosing the right yarn depends heavily on your project. For frequently used rugs, robust carpet wool is ideal, while you are better off using acrylic yarn for soft cushions. Experiment with different yarns to find out which one best suits your style and requirements! When in doubt, refer to the table from this blog ;)

Do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

Have a fluffy day!
Jenni