From Sheep to Stitch: How Yarn is Made and its Journey from Fiber to Hook
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Time to read 4 min
Diverse Origins: Yarn begins as either natural fibers (animal hair like wool and alpaca, or plant parts like cotton and flax) or synthetic fibers (man-made, petroleum-based materials like acrylic and nylon).
The "Glow-Up" Process: Raw natural fibers undergo a transformation involving scouring (cleaning), carding (aligning fibers), and spinning (twisting) to create a cohesive, strong strand.
The Strength in the Twist: The durability and appearance of yarn depend on plying (twisting multiple strands together) and dyeing techniques, which vary based on how the specific fiber absorbs color.
Table of contents
Where Does Yarn Come From?
Have you ever looked at a soft ball of yarn in your stash and wondered how it actually came to be? It seems like such a simple staple of our craft, but the journey from a sheep’s back (or a scientist’s lab!) to your crochet hook is a fascinating process of transformation.
In the world of crochet, every stitch we make is the final chapter of a story that started long before the yarn hit our shelves. Today, we’re going behind the scenes of the fiber world to explore the "glow-up" of natural fibers and the science behind the synthetics we love.
Natural Animal Fibers: From the Farm to the Fleece
When we talk about animal fibers, we’re essentially talking about hair. While sheep’s wool is the most common, the world of natural yarn includes alpaca, cashmere (goats), mohair, and even angora from rabbits.
The process starts on the farm. Sheep grow thick fleeces that, unlike human hair, don’t stop growing. Annual shearing is a vital part of animal health—it keeps the sheep comfortable and cool. Once the fleece is removed, it’s a far cry from the soft "Simply Hooked" yarn you're used to. It’s full of dirt, hay, and a natural, waxy oil called lanolin.
Scouring and Cleaning
Before it can be used, the wool must undergo scouring. This isn't just a quick rinse! It involves a series of hot, soapy baths with specialized degreasers to break down the lanolin. The trick? You can’t agitate the wool, or you’ll end up with a giant clump of felt instead of fluffy fiber.
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The Magic of Carding and Spinning
Once the wool is clean and dry, it’s time for a "glow-up" called carding. This process brushes the fibers so they all face the same direction, removing any leftover bits of grass.
By Hand: Using hand cards (which look like wire-toothed hairbrushes).
By Machine: Using a drum carder to process large amounts of fiber quickly.
After carding, we have "fiber"—airy, organized, and ready for the spinning wheel. Spinning is the process of pulling the fiber into a thin strand and adding a twist. That twist is the secret ingredient; it’s what gives the yarn its strength and prevents it from falling apart.
Plant-Based Fibers: Breathable and Sustainable
Not all natural yarn comes from animals. Plant fibers like cotton, linen, and bamboo come from stems, leaves, or seeds.
Cotton comes from the fluffy fibers around the seeds.
Linen is derived from the flax plant.
These fibers are generally less stretchy and more breathable than wool, making them the perfect choice for summer garments, dishcloths, and lightweight baby items.
Synthetic Fibers: The Science of Your Favorite Amigurumi
If you love making amigurumi, you likely use a lot of acrylic, nylon, or polyester. These are synthetic fibers, meaning they are human-made, usually from petroleum-based materials. Through a chemical process, these materials are extruded into long strands that behave like natural fiber. Why do we love them?
Affordability: Great for large projects.
Durability: They hold up well to wear and tear.
Consistency: The colors are vibrant and "colorfast," meaning they won't bleed in the wash.
Finishing Touches: Plying, Dyeing, and Winding
Whether the fiber came from a sheep or a lab, the final steps are similar.
Plying: Most yarns are made by twisting multiple strands together (2-ply, 4-ply, etc.) to add strength and structure.
Dyeing: Yarn can be dyed as raw fiber or after it’s been spun. This is why the same color can look so different on wool versus cotton—the fibers absorb the pigment differently!
Winding: Finally, the yarn is wound into the forms we recognize: skeins, balls, cakes, or hanks.
Start Your Next Chapter
Next time you pick up your hook, remember that you’re part of a long tradition of makers. If you’re ready to put some of that beautiful yarn to work, I have two exciting ways to help you get started:
The Lifetime All-Access Pattern Vault: My one-stop shop with over 100 patterns (plus every future release!).
Hank the Hippo Signature Crochet Kit: Preorder the kit and get a physical copy of the "Do You Know Hank the Hippo?" children’s book to go with your project!
Marcy Gardner
Hi! I'm Marcy, a crochet designer in North Carolina. I help crafters turn yarn into adorable keepsakes through beginner-friendly crochet patterns and plushie kits. I’ve been crocheting since 2012 and fell in love instantly! My work has been featured in Simply Crochet and Crochet World Magazines. I am the author of Crochet Snuggle Buddies, Hooked on Growth, and Do You Know Hank the Hippo? I also enjoying hosting Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast.
