Conductive Yarn = Non-Consistent Sensing Mechanisms!

There is no disclaimer for this online so I would like to put this piece of information first (in case anyone is googling this like I was):

DO NOT USE CONDUCTIVE YARN BUNCHES IN DESIGNS THAT YOU WISH TO GET CONSISTENT VARIABLE RESISTANCE FROM.

It doesn't necessarily claim otherwise anywhere, but it seems like it's important to address explicitly. Generally, if using conductive or resistive yarn, you are going to have to calibrate the sensing mechanisms for each yarn sensor you make unless you make it with a certain kind of scientific precision that most home-based DIY-ers can't count on. There are many really excellent resources for building sensors at the How To Get What You Want database.  I tried to make this conductive pom-pom, which is indeed a variable resistor but not a very reliable one. Threads kept coming out and the range would keep on changing. I ended up changing my project to rely on a force sensitive resistor (FSR) instead.

Here's a video of how the pom pom was supposed to work:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/plusea/4953569835/

this blog post is meant to be utilized as a road sign at the fork between making yarn sensors or not.
It can be tricky

Isaac