Single Ply Hemp Yarn Insights

Written by Kate Curry

Single Ply Hemp Yarn is a funky type of yarn that you won’t find at your average craft store. You may find hemp-acrylic blend yarns, but not organic, 100% natural hemp. Sure, we may seem a little hippie-dippy about this yarn, but this coarse and textured yarn is perfect for a plethora of projects!

What Is Hemp Yarn?

A dried soft pink rose sits to the right of a pile of light tan hemp yarn balls.

Made from cannabis plants, hemp yarn and fiber is taken from the plant’s outer layer to create rough, rope-like fibers. These layers are processed, just like linen yarn, by being soaked and crushed so that the fibers can be extracted from the laters. These harvested fibers are then spun into yarn or blended with other textiles to add durability.

These fibers have been farmed and harvested for thousands of years by our ancestors. They made fishing nets, ropes, and baskets out of the ultra-durable and mildew resistant fibers. Hemp is also a wonderful eco-friendly fiber, as it does not take much water to grow and very rarely needs any type of pesticides. It also helps save land! 1 acre of usable hemp fiber is equal to the usable fiber of 4 acres of trees or 2 acres of cotton. Using hemp could save land cleared for agriculture; hemp production could reduce deforestation.

Tips & Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you when you're working with our single ply hemp!

A knitted piece of hemp fabric is folded in two on a white wooden table. To the right of the table is a dried piece of flower.

Yarn Weight: 2 - Sport

Yarn Material: 100% Hemp

Needle Size: US 4-5

Hook Size: US C

Gauge: 10 sts per inch

Physical Quality / Texture : Width and color variation. No elasticity. 100% Organic, rougher texture. Great for outdoor use, and a natural moth repellent. It feels almost like a canvas.

How to clean: Safe for machine wash and dry (Hemp will get softer with each wash)

How To Soften

To soften your hemp yarn prior to working with it, wind the yarn into a hank or a very loose cake. Fill a bucket or your sink with warm water and let the hank/loose cake soak for thirty minutes. Let it dry before using. I would suggest winding the yarn into a hank, as it dries faster than the loose cake.

Pros

Ultra durable and strong!
Absorbent and mildew resistant
Resists fading
Repels moths
Non-pilling
Eco-friendly and sustainable
Organic (no toxic chemicals!)

Cons

Coarse on your hands (it can be softened!)
No stretch and stiff to work with
Can twist and split while you work with it
Not great for garments

What Can I Make With This Yarn?

Doilies
Scarves
Home decor
Scrubbies

Three hemp scrubbies are laid out on a white background.

Mats
Rugs

A navy, light blue, teal, and tan woven rug is laying on the wooden floor. A pair of tan converse are resting on the woven rug.

Belts
Jewelry
Accessories
Shower puffs

A hemp scrubby loofa poof is resting on a wooden table.

Dish towels

Two dish scrubbies made of hemp yarn are laid on a tan surface, along with a bar of soap and a bottle of dish soap.

Market bags

On the sand an orange circle bag made out of hemp is resting amongst a waterbottles, some shells, and a pair of feet.

Coasters

A pair of hands is gluing a strand of hemp yarn to a circular coaster on a white table.

Placemats

Hemp can also be combined with other fibers to create some stunning color and texture!

Looking down at a succulent. The succulent is in a small crochet basket that is made of hemp and blue silk yarn. The basket is resting on a soft wooden table.

Inspiration

DIY: How To Make A Simple Dreamcatcher

DIY Coasters + DRINK PAIRINGS

CROCHET: Free Scrubby Pattern

Meet the Author

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.

Everything You Need To Know: Single Ply Hemp Yarn