The Long Hair Community

Grey_Lady · February 14th, 2005, 11:16 PM

This question is for both knitters and crocheters.
What kind of yarn do you use for most projects? Is cost the main factor, or the quality and feel of the yarn?

I just bought Stitch and Bitch (a knitting book), and am about halfway through it. The author really recommends using at least an acrylic/wool blend, if not pure wool, alpaca, etc. She kinda seems to have a hate on for cheapy Red Heart Super Saver type yarn.

I also go to the About.com crochet forums. Many people there see no reason to use anything other than the cheaper yarns, unless it's a really special project.
If I'm doing a gift for someone who's notorious for being allergic to things, I'll just use acrylic to be safe.

What are y'alls opinions on this?

LizzyBennet · February 15th, 2005, 03:34 AM

Hey Grey Lady!

Stitch n Bitch is a great book. I think it really depends on the project. If you are making something really special or a specific project that really needs it, I say go for high quality, but if you are making every day type things that you want to be able to machine wash, go for the cheap stuff! I just acquired a bunch of acrylic yarn which will be great for fun projects or gifts. If you knit/crochet gifts to be frugal, then high quality yarn will undermine your whole MO.

Have fun!
LB

Climber · February 15th, 2005, 03:47 AM

I prefer knitting with yarns that feel nice. There are some acrylics that are wonderfully soft, but of course those are the pricier ones.

I love wool, so I tend to use that more, either in a blend or by itself. Right now I'm trying to reduce the amount of my stash, so I'm making lots of little projects, like socks. Once I reduce the stockpile, then I can get more! So, I guess feel/quality is the deciding factor(s) for me.

bikerbraid · February 15th, 2005, 04:56 AM

The project dictates the type of yarn I use. For afghans I will use a soft acrylic. For socks I like to use a wool/poly blend for longer wearing, but some 100% wool calls my name and I have to have it for socks. For sweaters, I go by feel and pattern to determine if a synthetic or natural fiber is used. I've done sweaters in alpaca, acrylics, wools, cotton and blends. The season for the sweater and the type of sweater will be the determining factor. For mittens I prefer at least 70% wool for warmth, but if I'm just making cute mittens that are not intended for "real winter" wear, I will do synthetics.

Just be careful - knitting and crocheting is addictive. Yarn purchasing can take up your life. My hubby laughs and calls my yarn my pets. I like to have the yarn for my next project out for me to look at and touch so that I can decide on the best pattern for it. (I swear the yarn will tell me what it wants to be!).

Good luck!

**dancingbarefoot** · February 15th, 2005, 04:57 AM

I say use whatever you want!

I use acrylic for some projects and wool for others. I really, really like the feel of wool (especially some of the softer wool yarns available), but there are some great acrylics, too. As long as you like the yarn and the gauge is right, most yarns will fit the bill.

I avoid Red Heart because it's pretty scratchy, but I've made afghans out of it before. For clothing, I'd either use a wool (just because I love it!) or softer acrylic or a blend. One budget-friendly acrylic blend is Wool Ease from Lion Brand. It's mostly acrylic but has a little bit of wool in it. Very soft and it works up great.

(There are some cases where you wouldn't want acrylic - or any other synthetic, for that matter. For items like socks, you need a fiber that absorbs moisture, since your body sweats. Acrylic doesn't absorb moisture, so acrylic socks would get to feeling icky in no time!)

bookwyrm · February 15th, 2005, 05:07 AM

It depends on the project. If you are making a felted bag, for instance, you can ONLY use a natural fiber, like wool, or it will not felt properly. If you're making a scarf, you can use almost anything.

I prefer to use yarns that feel nice to me, especially if it's something that will be worn next to the body, like a sweater or mittens. When I knit gifts, I usually use a very nice, expensive yarn. I usually check first, though, to be sure it's going to be fairly easy for them to clean.

If I'm just trying something out, I might use cheaper yarns. Since you mentioned it, though, I don't think I've ever used the regular Red Heart yarns. I just don't like the feel or colors. My favorite cheapies are Lion Brand and Patons.

And Stitch 'N Bitch and SNB Nation are great, with some really cute patterns. LOVE 'EM.

Chameleon · February 15th, 2005, 06:21 AM

I knit a lot of norwegian sweaters and like to use Dale. If I'm knitting something that intricate I want a yarn that is going to last and not pill up.

If it's a quick afghan or throw I might use an acrylic yarn. I rarely knit with acrylic, it's just a personnel preference.

I use Lopi for the Icelandic sweaters that I knit.

Ursula · February 15th, 2005, 07:43 AM

I use better quality acrylics, cottons, and other synthetics. I'm quite allergic to wool (or any type of animal fuzz) and it takes all the fun out of knitting and crocheting to have itchy hands.

I'd agree with the book that the Red Heart yarns are nasty. To me, they feel very plasticy, and "hard." There are lots of nicer inexpensive synthetics available, such as Carron so-soft, so I wouldn't feel pressured that you have to use wool. More expensive than the cheapest Red Heart, but not overwhelmingly more expensive. I don't find it fun to make something, only to have it feel stiff and plasticy from a cheap yarn.

Butters · February 15th, 2005, 03:06 PM

I usually choose by colors.

Not the best way but I cant help it.

I would reccomend staying away from "Chunky" yarn. I can not remember the brand name but this was the particular lines name, and there were many many flaws in the yarn.

memphisluvr · February 15th, 2005, 04:57 PM

Any links on where to find these better yarns? The selection is pretty limited in my area and I'd like to know what else is out there.

ACrow · February 15th, 2005, 05:14 PM

I admit to being a yarn snob and I knit (at least in part) because I LOVE wool. I love the way it smells, feels, I love how insulating it is, how it stays warm even when wet. I just LOVE it. Like, I love wool yarn to an *irrational* degree.

I also love angora, mohair, alpaca, silk and cashmere, but honestly, I love wool most of all. Wool yarn just makes me happy. The "sheep-ier" the better. If it smells really wooly and has little bits of hay in it, I am thrilled. I love to buy handspun, handdyed wool yarn from a local farm or from a wool festival. I have an irrational love for sheep, shearling and lamb (meat) as well. Someday, I will have a little sheep farm.

I really dislike acrylic yarn and even yarn with some acrylic in it. It feels "slimy" to me. I won't even use most sock yarns b/c they usually have a bit of nylon, which I know, logically, is a good thing! But I have learned from experience, I won't enjoy knitting with that kind of yarn. So I just use wool and run some sewing thread along with it when I do the heels and toes.

I guess it's silly, but my little snobishness in this area harms no one, and may help some small farmers/spinners, so what the heck! I knit for my own enjoyment, and so wool it is! :-)

Chameleon · February 15th, 2005, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by memphisluvr

Any links on where to find these better yarns? The selection is pretty limited in my area and I'd like to know what else is out there.

Here are a few of my favorite online dealers
Patternworks

Nordic Fiber Arts

School House Press

Green Mountain Spinnery

Grey_Lady · February 15th, 2005, 06:32 PM

This place will only ship in the continental U.S.

but they have really good prices.
http://www.smileysyarns.com/

Lots of people from Craftster say they've had good yarn and service there.

**dancingbarefoot** · February 15th, 2005, 06:41 PM

There are LOTS of good online yarn shops.

These have free shipping:
TheKnitter

Yarn Lady

These have very affordable prices (at least for US customers):
Elann

Knit Picks

Ram Wools

WEBS

There are a lot more, of course, but those are ones that I've found particularly good.

one more steph · February 16th, 2005, 01:24 PM

I used to use acrylic all the time, but switched to wool for two reasons. First, it's very cold here, and wool keeps me warmer. Second, as I gained skill as a knitter it seemed worthwhile to invest in better yarn-- if I'm going to take the time to put in complex cables, I intend to end up with a very high-quality sweater. ^__^

When I started sewing, my grandmother used to tell me to never skimp on materials if I intend to put my own work into it, and maybe she was onto something,haha.