Novelty Yarn Charity Projects to Try

WHAT EXACTLY IS A NOVELTY YARN?

Novelty yarn actually usually contains multiple yarns. They may be a 'blend' of a man-made fiber (acrylic) and cotton or a virgin wool, for example. Novelty yarn is always, by definition, very 'textured,' which makes it very unique and different from traditional wools and yarns, and from other kinds of novelty yarn. That means that novelty yarn is usually quite interesting - whether from a color or texture point of view. It is also usually very lightweight, and 'breathable' or 'airy.'

Novelty yarn is ideal for use with big needles, an idea that is also very popular right now - it's especially appealing for knitters who don't have a lot of patience with big projects, because big-needle knitting with novelty yarn goes REALLY fast.

The only downside to novelty yarn is that there's no point in trying to knit an intricate or fancy pattern with it - the stitch pattern would get 'lost' in the novelty! The good side to that is that it can easily be used by beginners, who will then end up looking like experts with whatever they create .

Novelty yarn is certainly trendy right now, and it is highly versatile for charity knitting projects. Here are some that you can try:

1. The most popular novelty yarn project is a scarf. Thousands of knitters across North America have helped revive the knitting hobby by knitting scarves of every imaginable color, texture and pattern, using novelty yarn. When you're done experimenting with novelty yarn patterns for yourself, knit a few extra for a local charity, would you?

2. You can use novelty yarn to easily and inexpensively 'dress up' other charity knitting projects -- put cuffs on mittens or gloves, and brims on hats or 'wrist-warmers,' for example.

3. Add 'stripes of novelty yarns to 'jazz up' acrylic blanket squares or lap blankets.

4. Finger puppets, small stuffed animals and dolls and other 'toys' can be made from novelty yarn.

Have fun working with novelty yarn!