Rewards
Written by Kate Curry
What Is Lace Weight Silk Yarn
Lace Weight Silk Yarn is a yarn that has a thickness that achieves around 8 stitches per inch when knit or crocheted. Many people think that the ‘lace’ in the name comes from this type of yarn being used to make gorgeous lacy pieces, but it actually refers to the thin, lace-like thickness.
Also known as fingering weight and cobweb, lace weight yarn is versatile and can be used for a variety of fiber art practices. Lace weight creates a thin and soft fabric that has been historically used for detailing and small, intricate works instead of large pieces that would take ages due to the thinness of the yarn.
How Is It Made?
Our Lace Weight Silk Yarn is made from reclaimed and recycled silk, which means that this yarn is great for keeping you warm in the winter and breathable and comfortable in the summer. This makes silk lace weight pieces perfect for layering!
Our artisans hand make lace weight silk yarn first by reclaiming fabric that is made from silk. These fabrics are made using silk from silkworms, which are harvested. In India, the majority of silk making is done using the ahimsa method. This is also known as peace silk, since this cruelty-free method is done without harming the silk worms. With these silk fibers, sometimes combined with other textiles like chiffon or cotton, saris are woven using looms.
When silk clothing items are donated, reclaimed, or recycled, our artisans tear, spin, dye, and skein up all of our gorgeous colorways of lace weight silk yarn. If you’re a member of our Yarn of the Month® Club, you have for sure seen a lovely skein or two of unique lace weight silk yarn!
Tips & Tricks
Ball it! In my experience, to work with this yarn, you will need to ball or cake the yarn using a swift and baller. Due to the yarn’s thickness, it can easily tangle and it can become very frustrating very quickly. Put the work in winding so you don’t get mad later! It’s 1000% worth it.
If you love a lace weight colorway, but you find yourself struggling with the thinness, you can always combine a few different lace weight skeins together, combine it with a worsted weight yarn, or even use our ‘chonking’ method to make the yarn a little thicker if you need that extra weight.
Yarn Specs
- Length: 300 yards
- Yarn Weight: 0 - Lace/Fingering, 50g
- Yarn Material: Recycled Silk
- Needle Size: 000-1 (1.5 - 2.25mm)
- Hook Size: B - 1 (2.25mm)
- Gauge: K 33-40 sts/4", Double C 28-32 sts/4"
- Physical Quality: Soft and Silky!
- How to clean: Dry Clean
- Best for: Knitting, Crocheting, Needlepoint, Embroidery, Tatting, Weaving - Check out our Lace Weight Silk Shawl Kit and Silk Waves Crochet Shawl Kit
Pros
- Delicate
- A ton of yardage
- Light and airy
- Perfect for detailing
- Great for all temperatures
- Silk is ultra strong and durable - so it’s very rare to break
Cons
- Tangles easily
- Larger projects take a long time to work up
- Most patterns are very complex
- Not the best for beginners
What Can I Make With Lace Weight Silk Yarn?
- Shawls
Star Stitch Lace Weight Crochet Shawl Kit - Doilies
- Wall hangings
- Amigurumis
- Market bags
- Dusters & outerwear
- Scarves
- Hats
- Applique
- Earrings
Inspiration
Kate has been on the Darn Good Yarn team since 2018.
They have their degree in Creative Art Therapy & Psychology - and like crafting and animals a little too much.