Ribbon Yarn, also known as Tape yarn is the star of today’s article and the number 2 entry in my list that attempts to answer the ultimate question:
What type of yarn is best for bags?
For those of you who don’t’ have a clue, what I am talking about, here is the link to my previous article that was dedicated to Tshirt yarn.
To the surprise of many, Ribbon yarn is not the same as T shirt yarn. According to Wikipedia “.. ribbon yarn is a kind of novelty yarn. It is made of ribbon, but generally not the kind of ribbon used in sewing and millinery. Rather, they are ribbons made especially for knitting or crocheting, with some in a tubular form, some woven flat, and some similar in appearance to Bias tape..
Though there are some mainly visual similarities between these two types of yarn, there is a distinctive feature that makes them different. The main disparity between T-shirt yarn and Ribbon yarn is that Ribbon Yarn is usually fabricated in a shape that resembles ribbon rather, than cut into a strand as T-shirt yarn is.
As an exception to the above rule, I feel obliged to mention that in the market lately appeared some types of recycled ribbon yarn that are manufactured in methods similar to those of recycled Tshirt yarn.
Another distinction is that Ribbon yarn is much lighter than t-shirt yarn. A big skein of Ribbon yarn usually weighs 250g (8.82oz) per 120m (131yds) when a big skein of T-shirt yarn usually weighs 700-800gr per 100-120m.
Ribbon yarn is produced out of a great variety of materials. From Silk and Chiffon to rayon, nylon, and lurex to viscose, cotton, paper, and several other plant fibers such as rafia.
Pros
- Light: While sharing many of the advantages of T-shirt yarn, ribbon is a relatively lighter type of yarn even in its most dense versions. As a result, the end products of these yarns are much more user friendly when it comes to weight.
- Easy: Its lightweight combined with its soft composition, makes this kind of yarn quite pleasant to work with and very gentle for your hands and body than T-shirt yarn.
- Fast: Similarly to T-shirt yarn the voluminous structure of this yarn requires fewer stitches, rows, and rounds and consequently less time to finish a project.
- Flawless: Unlike T-shirt yarn, ribbon yarn is a defect-free, continuous yarn that if worked properly can produce a very uniform outcome.
- Berlini Glitter Ribbon Yarn 50 Gram, 88 Yards, Price: $12.99
Fancy: There is an amazing variety of textures and colors and lavishing designs of ribbon yarns available in the market able to satisfy even the most imaginative crocheters and knitters.
Cons
- Τwisty: Crocheting with ribbon yarn can be challenging especially if you haven’t mastered a good way to place it in your hand to avoid spinning. As for knitting, it can be an absolute nightmare.
- Yielding: Though the softness of this yarn can be heaven for your hands and body, it is not the best choice for projects that demand a rigid tight fabric that will keep its form such as a macaroon bag.
- Expensive: Quality comes with a price and as much as the flawlessness of this yarn is tempting Its price is often quite the opposite, especially when compared to T-shirt yarn.
- Tacky: Fancy can be quite close to flashy and I don’t mean it in a good way. if you catch my point. So even if experimenting with the different materials can be mesmerizing for the creator, the creation might end up far from complying with this description.
Tips:
- The best way to avoid twisting is by rotating the skein as you use it. To achieve that you can buy a tool that’s available in the market that’s called a yarn holder or you can always improvise and DIY something to meet the same purpose.
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- Another way to prevent your ribbon yarn from twisting is to place it neatly to your left hand (right if you’re left handed) and squeeze your fingers to join to keep it in place while working your project (careful with the amount of pressure or you might strain your hand).
Do’s
- Absolutely must try to use it (preferable a plain flat and narrow version of the ribbon yarn) with Long loop stitches such as the zig-zag puff stitch, herringbone stitch, and the jasmine stitch (ladder yarns are not recommended).
- As with T-shirt yarn definitely use ribbon yarn with vertical loop stitches such as the rattan stitch, the frontal double crochet, and the Canestro stitch.
Dont’s
- Don’t use this yarn for projects that are worked with small stitches such as the lemon peel stitch, the grit stitch, or the Suzette stitch. It’s a total waste of good material and it will even look weird if you ask me. Those type of stitches look much better with thinner tubular yarns
- Similar to T-shirt yarn do not, I say do not use this yarn with extremely rich voluminous stitches such as the balloon stitch, the bobble, the popcorn stitch, the shell stitch, etc. Ribbon yarn might be lighter than T-shirt but you still might end up with a hefty and extremely bulky item.
An with that said and o complete this short but I hope comprehensive Guide to Ribbon Yarn I will try to answer some Frequently Asked Questions about it:
What is ribbon yarn used for?
Ribbon yarn is an optimal choice for crochet bags, scarves, and headbands but also for crochet home décor items such as baskets, cushions, rugs, ottomans, wall art, and Christmas tree ornaments.
What weight is ribbon yarn?
The weight of ribbon yarn is subject to the content of fiber. For example, a tulle Ribbon yarn can be found in Skeins weighing from 40gr (1.4oz) per 50m. (54 Yards), when a skein of 100% cotton ribbon yarn can weigh up to 250g (8.82oz) per 120m (131yds).
What does ribbon yarn look like?
Simply put ribbon yarn looks like ribbon hence the name. Depending on the material it is composed it can have an absolutely natural, organic semblance, or on the other end of the spectra, it can have a very flashy look like ladder and ruffle yarn.
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How do you keep ribbon from twisting in yarn?
An easy way to keep ribbon yarn from twisting is to use a Yarn Holder. Yarn holders are usually wooden, Yarn Dispensers can help prevent your yarn from twisting and tangling, as they make your bobbin/skein rotate vertically while you work.
