The right yarn
Picking the right yarn for a project is often the most challenging part of knitting one.
I say this because I think that knitting is a lot more pleasant than difficult, and as for picking a pattern, Ravelry has made it really easy. There are so many beautiful patterns available for any type of project to choose from, that, even if you don't get the perfect pattern, you're sure to get something you'll love to wear with only a bit of effort and time. Sure some patterns are badly written or too difficult for your skill level, that is where again Ravelry comes to the rescue. I highly recommend checking the comments, the ratings, and even read through some of the project notes other ravelers have written on any pattern before you cast-on.
Now you've picked your project, what yarn to use? That lovely yarn you've just added to your stash? The one recommended by the designer? The many substitution recommendations, based on what other people have used for this pattern, you'll find on Ravelry? I wish it was that simple. Unfortunately, you can't always trust designers and much less other knitters to pick yarn for you. Designers are often paid by yarn brands to design using specific yarns and you may not always be pleased with their choice, or even have access to the exact same yarn. Other people's choices? I'm afraid we humble knitters are not always wise in our own yarn choices.
I'll give you two examples of what not to do that may be very obvious when you think about it, but that didn't prevent me of doing these mistakes on my own:
And I haven't started with sweaters, they make yarn choices the hardest. Sweaters are tricky mainly because you spend so much time and yarn on them, that you really don't want to make any mistake. Say, for example, the socks I've knitted with fragile yarn, I've only spent some hours knitting them, I don't care so much if I don't get to use them for a long time. I also don't care about the yarn I've used, it was only a single skein, not very expensive. Sweaters however are a completely different story. They take so much of your time, they've got the be worth it. They also use so much yarn, a hand-knitted sweater is always an expensive item, even if you've used relatively cheap yarn (which I really don't recommend). To cut an already-too-long post short, here are some points to take into account when choosing yarn for a sweater:
I say this because I think that knitting is a lot more pleasant than difficult, and as for picking a pattern, Ravelry has made it really easy. There are so many beautiful patterns available for any type of project to choose from, that, even if you don't get the perfect pattern, you're sure to get something you'll love to wear with only a bit of effort and time. Sure some patterns are badly written or too difficult for your skill level, that is where again Ravelry comes to the rescue. I highly recommend checking the comments, the ratings, and even read through some of the project notes other ravelers have written on any pattern before you cast-on.
Now you've picked your project, what yarn to use? That lovely yarn you've just added to your stash? The one recommended by the designer? The many substitution recommendations, based on what other people have used for this pattern, you'll find on Ravelry? I wish it was that simple. Unfortunately, you can't always trust designers and much less other knitters to pick yarn for you. Designers are often paid by yarn brands to design using specific yarns and you may not always be pleased with their choice, or even have access to the exact same yarn. Other people's choices? I'm afraid we humble knitters are not always wise in our own yarn choices.
I'll give you two examples of what not to do that may be very obvious when you think about it, but that didn't prevent me of doing these mistakes on my own:
- Knitting a hat with scratchy wool. This was the case of the first hat I did (it was actually crocheted not knitted). I love it, but I almost never wear it. It irritates my forehead and it drives me crazy after about 1 hour of use. Never again.
- Knitting socks with normal yarn. Again I love them, but I can't wear them much, after only a few days of use they've started to grow thin in the soles.
- Knitting sweaters with yarn that pills. After some experience knitting, I thought I had it figured out. I love luxuriously soft wool and that is the yarn I'm using for all my projects. Then I knitted a nice cardigan with one of my favourite yarns, one I'd used a few times before and knew well... It turns out this yarn is perfect for hats and shawls, lovely next to my skin, but it pills a lot under friction. The cardigan started pilling under the arms, on the side where I carry my bag, in the back when I sit against a chair. I can still wear it, but I wish I'd used a different yarn.
And I haven't started with sweaters, they make yarn choices the hardest. Sweaters are tricky mainly because you spend so much time and yarn on them, that you really don't want to make any mistake. Say, for example, the socks I've knitted with fragile yarn, I've only spent some hours knitting them, I don't care so much if I don't get to use them for a long time. I also don't care about the yarn I've used, it was only a single skein, not very expensive. Sweaters however are a completely different story. They take so much of your time, they've got the be worth it. They also use so much yarn, a hand-knitted sweater is always an expensive item, even if you've used relatively cheap yarn (which I really don't recommend). To cut an already-too-long post short, here are some points to take into account when choosing yarn for a sweater:
- Don't worry too much about softness, unless you plan on using it next to your skin. Sturdy yarns may be a bit scratchy, but will make your sweater last for many years to come. On the other hand, don't give up on softness either, there are no absolute rules here.
- Luxury fibres tend to pill more. Don't judge a yarn by price or you'll be sourly disappointed.
- Choose yarns that are plied. The tighter a yarn is plied the most sturdy it is against pilling.
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