A Beginner’s Guide to Working with This Unique Crafting Material
As an avid crocheter and knitter, I’m always on the lookout for interesting new yarns to experiment with. On a recent trip to my local craft store, I came across a type I hadn’t worked with before – big twist tubular yarn. I was immediately captivated by its super bulky texture and squishy appearance. However, as a yarn novice, I had so many questions swirling through my head. What exactly makes tubular yarn unique? How does it differ from regular yarn? What kinds of projects is it best suited for? Will it be easy for a beginner like me to work with? I decided right then and there to make it my mission to uncover the mysteries of big twist tubular yarn.
After stocking up on a rainbow of differently colored skeins, I hunkered down to conduct some intensive research. Here’s what I learned during my tubular yarn odyssey!
Fiber Content – Acrylic and Polyester Pack a Plush Punch
The first thing I discovered is that most brands of big twist tubular yarn are made from a blend of acrylic and polyester. These synthetic fibers allow the yarn to have an appealing thickness and cushiony texture. Unlike wool, acrylic and polyester will retain their shape and not shrink when washed. The fiber combination creates that signature smoothly spiraled tubular shape that almost resembles a spring. However, the synthetic nature means tubular yarn lacks the soft, warm qualities of natural fibers like wool.
Weight Classification – Bulky Yarn Creates Plump Projects
In terms of weight, tubular yarn is classified as bulky or “roving” style. It requires large crochet hooks between size P to S or knitting needles from 17 up to 50 gauge. The hefty, chunky thickness means tubular yarn works up quickly compared to finer weights like worsted. Just a few stitches can create plump, cozy fabric. The dense bulk gives finished projects great durability and insulation. Tubular yarn is fantastic for creating cushy throws, rugs, slippers, tote bags or other home decor items. However, the large gauge likely wouldn’t suit delicate lace projects or fitted garments.
Price Point – Budget-Friendly Bulk
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that most standard big twist tubular yarns cost between $5 to $10 per 6 ounce skein. Especially given the generous 400-600 yard lengths, this offers great value for your money. I was able to stock up on a vibrant rainbow of colors without breaking the bank. Many manufacturers like Lion Brand also offer bulk discounts if you purchase tubes in multiples. compared to luxury natural fiber yarns, the affordability makes tubular yarn quite beginner friendly. It’s a great way to play around with bulky projects without a big investment.
Colorways – Vivid Variety
One of my favorite things about tubular yarn is the amazing range of colors available. There are pure spectral shades like cherry red, sunflower yellow and cobalt blue. For neutrals, options span from black and white to dove grey and taupe. You can choose subtler heathers, tweeds and variegations. There are even prints like tie-dye swirls and multi-colored hap hazard stripes. Lion Brand’s Tubular Tonal combines single color shades with speckles of black or white. The color diversity means you can match tubular yarn to any decor or mood you desire.
Care Instructions – Machine Wash and Dry
I discovered that acrylic/polyester big twist tubular yarn has easy, low maintenance care instructions. Most skeins recommend machine washing in cool water on a gentle cycle. Its best to place projects in a garment bag or pillowcase to minimize agitation. Never wring or twist tubular yarn to squeeze out excess moisture since this can deform the spring-like structure. Lay flat to dry or tumble dry on low heat. The yarn doesn’t require blocking or any special finishing. The ability to conveniently throw projects right in the wash makes tubular yarn perfect for kids items, high traffic blankets or outdoor decor.
Working Properties – Thick and Quick
I’ll admit that as a beginner, working with super bulky tubular yarn was an adjustment from the medium worsted weight I was used to. The P-S crochet hook sizes and 17+ knitting needle diameters are truly giant compared to normal hooks and needles. However, the chunky gauge means projects work up fast. One skein yielded a cozy chunky cowl in just 2 evenings! Compared to smooth plied yarns, the tubular structure has more texture and grip. This took a little getting used to in order to maintain even tension. I recommend working swatches with different hook/needle sizes to find what feels most natural. Once I got the motions down, tubular yarn flew into squishy, lofty stitches.
Substituting Tubular Yarn in Patterns
Many free crochet and knit patterns on websites like Ravelry and Craftsy don’t specifically use tubular yarn. However, I learned you can easily substitute tubular in place of any bulky weight yarn in patterns. The key is to match the gauge listed in the pattern notes to what you achieve with tubular yarn and your chosen hook or needle size. You may need to adjust hook or needle size to obtain the correct gauge. Always swatch before starting a project. With a little tweaking, tubular yarn can add fun texture and flair to all kinds of accessories, home decor or clothing patterns calling for bulky yarn. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Ideal Beginner Projects
As a total newbie to tubular yarn, I wanted to start with some easy, beginner-friendly patterns to build my confidence. Here are some of the ideal starter projects I would recommend:
Chunky cowls or infinity scarves – these are easy to whip up in just an evening and don’t require any shaping or tricky construction.
Rugs – tubular yarn’s durability makes it perfect for floor coverings that need to withstand plenty of foot traffic. Rugs work up quickly in simple stitches like single crochet or garter stitch.
Baskets – the stiff structure of tubular yarn makes it great for containers that will hold their shape. Round baskets work up fast and don’t require any shaping.
Pillows – big, plump pillows are the perfect way to show off tubular yarns lofty texture and colors. Chunky pillows take no time at all compared to finer yarns.
Slippers – the thick cushioning of tubular yarn helps slippers mold to your feet comfortably. Simple stitches like single crochet or knit rectangles yield quick, cozy results.
Advanced Patterns to Graduate To
Once I honed my tubular yarn skills on easier projects, I felt ready to move on to more complex patterns:
Cabled blankets – tubular yarns bold texture shows off intricate cable designs beautifully. Try an aran afghan pattern for your first cabled blanket.
Hooded cowls – use stitches like honeycomb or moss to add shaping and detail to a hooded cowl. Tubular yarns density helps the cowl hold its structure.
Hats – the thick fabric of tubular yarn makes it perfect for warm winter hats. Try patterns with fun pompoms, bobbles or colorwork for added interest.
Oversized sweaters – don’t be afraid to attempt a chunky sweater in tubular yarn! The large gauge works up quickly. Opt for simple constructions without much shaping.
Ruffled skirts – tubular yarns loft creates fabulous volume and flare for a ruffled skirt. Use a tufted or blossom stitch pattern.
Amigurumi – tubular yarns plushness lends itself perfectly to adorable stuffed animals and toys. Follow amigurumi patterns meant for bulky yarn.
Comparison to Other Brands
Big Twist tubular remains my number one choice, but I also experimented with loops and threads Impeccable and Red Heart Boutique Midi tubular yarns. These all have a similar feel, fiber content and bulkiness. However, I found Big Twist Yarn had the most vibrant, rich color selection and softest hand. Red Heart seemed a bit thinner and scragglier while Loops and Threads had more issues with shedding and pilling during use. Big Twist was also more budget friendly. Based on my trials, it clearly stands out as the highest quality tubular for both softness and resilience.
Where To Purchase for Best Value
While most craft stores carry some basic tubular yarn options, I found the biggest color selection and best prices at Michaels. They regularly run sales like “buy one get one free” or 40% off all yarn brands so you can stock up on Big Twist without breaking your craft budget. Michaels also allows you to order tubular yarn online and ship directly to your home, or choose in-store pick up. This is super convenient compared to lugging huge bags of bulky yarn home from the store.
Joann’s has a decent array of tubular yarns but slightly higher prices than Michaels for Big Twist. Hobby Lobby has fewer color choices and primarily carries their house brand Loops and Threads. Check the clearance bins as these stores as well – I often find discontinued or overstock colors of tubular yarn at steep discounts. Big box stores like Walmart and Target have limited tubular yarn selection with mostly basic colors. For the widest variety, Michaels can’t be beat.
Customer Reviews – Squishy Soft Success
Perusing customer reviews is one of my go-to research tactics before trying any new yarn. Overall, Big Twist tubular earns consistently glowing feedback, especially for its cloud-like softness and ease of use. Many reviewers rave about how quickly bulky projects work up compared to regular worsted weight yarns. Most describe the tubular texture as adding appealing visual interest and definition to finished pieces.
There are some complaints about shedding and pilling if not worked carefully. A few people report wishing it was available in natural fibers. But for the vast majority, the vibrant colors, cushy feel and affordability of Big Twist make it a five star winner! Reading the rave reviews gave me confidence I had picked a quality tubular yarn for my first ventures.
Yardage – Get More for Your Money
One of the biggest advantages I discovered about tubular yarn is the exceptional yardage you get per skein. While standard worsted weight yarns offer about 200 yards, big twist tubular boasts a whopping 400-600 yards in single balls. For crafters like me who hate running out of yarn mid-project, this is amazing! The generous yardage means I can usually finish a whole project with just 1-2 skeins, even for larger items like throw blankets. More yards per ball means more bang for your buck.
Finishing Recommendations
To get a professional polished finish on tubular yarn projects, I picked up some great tips:
- Weave in ends neatly and generously since the bulky yarn can unravel easily. Consider knotting ends for added security.
- Add a border using a smaller hook/needle for stability and to mitigate curling edges.
- Block your finished piece according to fiber care recommendations to even out stitches and gently relax the fabric.
- Use a lint roller or fabric shaver to remove any excess pilling, especially with acrylic blends.
- Steam blocking and aggressive brushing is not recommended for tubular yarn, as it can permanently damage or flatten the lofty tubes.
- Add backing with adhesive fabric sheets to rugs and baskets to help hold shapes and prevent stretching out of form.
With some simple finishing, you can take tubular yarn projects from handmade hobby to boutique quality.
Free Patterns Abound!
Looking for design inspiration for my new yarn? I was thrilled to find an endless array of free patterns for tubular yarn on sites like Ravelry, LoveCrafts and Yarnspirations. Every category was covered – clothing, accessories, home decor, toys and more. I saved patterns for chunky sweaters, ruffled skirts, braided headbands, floor poufs, pet beds and so much more. Having so many options ensures I’ll never run out of ideas for future tubular yarn projects. Best of all, most patterns were labeled clearly with required hook/needle sizes and yardage estimates. This makes it easy to substitute any colors of tubular yarn I have on hand.
Limited Edition Hues
My final fascinating discovery was that some brands periodically release special limited edition tubular yarn lines. These are produced only for a short time and once they sell out, the unique colors are gone. For example, Lion Brand’s limited edition Homespun Frenzy collection featured neon hues like Shocking Pink and Electric Blue in a fun confetti print. Their Twisted Sisters line has duo-tone color combos.
While stocks last, these exclusive tubular yarns are fantastic for making one-of-a-kind projects. The novelty hues and prints add an extra pop of pizzazz you won’t find anywhere else. Be sure to grab them fast once they hit the shelves – when they’re gone, they’re gone for good! Limited editions are so exciting to collect as a crochet/knit fanatic.
Final Takeaways
Well, I certainly uncovered tubular yarn’s full potential during my exhaustive research expedition! Here are my key conclusions:
- The squishy, lofty texture adds fabulous visual flair to finished pieces.
- Super bulky gauge works up lightning fast compared to regular yarns.
- Vibrant colors options available at affordable prices.
- Easy care machine wash and dry.
- Substitutes easily into almost any bulky yarn pattern.
- Generous 400+ yard skeins offer exceptional value.
- Beginner friendly and foolproof for first-timers.
- Be on the lookout for limited edition colorways.
I can’t wait to start stitching up a storm with my huge new tubular yarn haul! Now that I’ve unraveled all its mysteries, I know this unique textured yarn and I are going to be the perfect crafty match. Tubular, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship!