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Craft club topic of the month - knitting!

moose said:
So what's anyone's favourite Superwash DK yarn, then? :hmm:
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Aaaah, my specialist subject! <cracks knuckles>

I would rank them as follows (starting with the worst):
  • Emu Superwash: a bit scratchy and grim. Do not buy.
  • Debbie Bliss Rialto DK: ok but a bit over-processed for me (tho some may find it softer). Also expensive.
  • Rico Essentials Merino DK: ditto but cheaper (probably same manufacturer)
  • King Cole Merino DK: good colour range, nice wool
  • Wendy Merino DK: ditto
  • Rowan Pure Wool DK: very good colour range, nice wool, fractionally softer
  • Cygnet Superwash: my favourite mainly because I like the colours and it's nice wool and cheap. They have a red, a light blue and a sea green that I use over and over.
TBH I think the top 4 are much of a muchness, and it's down to what colour you want and how rich you are. I have most of these here if you want me to squish them and rate the softness.

Have I missed any?
 
I like king cole merino, it doesn't make me itch :)

I'm now a massive fan of knitpicks shine, but because it's American you get sport and worsted.
 
I'm a bit stuck, the recommended cast on for this jumper is tubular, which is a right fucking pain in the round. I've tried once and twisted it and buggered it up. Is there another equally stretchy cast on?

Completely unrelated, I've got 8 copies of Designer Knitting (2009-2010) does anyone want them?
 
Biddlybee said:
I'm a bit stuck, the recommended cast on for this jumper is tubular, which is a right fucking pain in the round. I've tried once and twisted it and buggered it up. Is there another equally stretchy cast on?

Completely unrelated, I've got 8 copies of Designer Knitting (2009-2010) does anyone want them?
Click to expand...
I've actually never done tubular. A couple of times now I've come across it and thought "bugger this, I'm not learning a new cast on technique when I know several perfectly good ones already". Would a sock cast on do? You know, the one where you do a cat's cradle round your fingers and create stitches with one needle? That's very stretchy.

Also, is it bottom up or top down, this jumper? If it's top down you don't necessarily want it to be that stretchy or the weight of the jumper will end up pulling it down.
 
Top down, but it's for squidge, and kids have big heads :D

I've never made socks, do you mean the way @ zora casts on? Long tail?
 
Cool, once this welt has healed I'll use that :)

I'll put it aside for you :)

I'll post the others in recycle forum if no other interest here.
 
Biddlybee said:
I'm a bit stuck, the recommended cast on for this jumper is tubular, which is a right fucking pain in the round. I've tried once and twisted it and buggered it up. Is there another equally stretchy cast on?
Click to expand...
I always use either a knit cast on or a cable cast on, and if it needs to be stretch, I use bigger needles. Works for me :D Never been able to get my head round the thumb and 1 needle types cos I'm left handed.
 
RubyToogood said:
  • Emu Superwash: a bit scratchy and grim. Do not buy.
  • Debbie Bliss Rialto DK: ok but a bit over-processed for me (tho some may find it softer). Also expensive.
  • Rico Essentials Merino DK: ditto but cheaper (probably same manufacturer)
  • King Cole Merino DK: good colour range, nice wool
  • Wendy Merino DK: ditto
  • Rowan Pure Wool DK: very good colour range, nice wool, fractionally softer
  • Cygnet Superwash: my favourite mainly because I like the colours and it's nice wool and cheap. They have a red, a light blue and a sea green that I use over and over.
Click to expand...
I have been having a love thing with Drops yarns - good prices, nice colours, cheap ....but yep, King Cole is a default option.

Feeling congratulatory having just learned how to crochet granny squares and embarked on a stash-busting seat-cover...which required 89 of the buggers (naturally, on a titchy tiny little hook) - finished today - never crocheting again.
 
RubyToogood said:
Aaaah, my specialist subject! <cracks knuckles>

I would rank them as follows (starting with the worst):
  • Emu Superwash: a bit scratchy and grim. Do not buy.
  • Debbie Bliss Rialto DK: ok but a bit over-processed for me (tho some may find it softer). Also expensive.
  • Rico Essentials Merino DK: ditto but cheaper (probably same manufacturer)
  • King Cole Merino DK: good colour range, nice wool
  • Wendy Merino DK: ditto
  • Rowan Pure Wool DK: very good colour range, nice wool, fractionally softer
  • Cygnet Superwash: my favourite mainly because I like the colours and it's nice wool and cheap. They have a red, a light blue and a sea green that I use over and over.
TBH I think the top 4 are much of a muchness, and it's down to what colour you want and how rich you are. I have most of these here if you want me to squish them and rate the softness.

Have I missed any?
Click to expand...
Is there anywhere local that stocks King Cole/Wendy/Cygnet?
 
I have (stupidly)promised 2 jumpers for Xmas....so at least one of them has got to be in a thick yarn - preferably no more than 15st:10cms or 6mm needles....without going fuzzy and bobbly (like the bloody Debbie Bliss stuff I used for the only thing I had knitted for myself for at least 10 years....very cross at being a cheapskate). Keep looking at Rowan Big Wool (and wincing at cost). Suggestions? Needs to be plain colours (I am so over colourblends).
 
campanula said:
I have (stupidly)promised 2 jumpers for Xmas....so at least one of them has got to be in a thick yarn - preferably no more than 15st:10cms or 6mm needles....without going fuzzy and bobbly (like the bloody Debbie Bliss stuff I used for the only thing I had knitted for myself for at least 10 years....very cross at being a cheapskate). Keep looking at Rowan Big Wool (and wincing at cost). Suggestions? Needs to be plain colours (I am so over colourblends).
Click to expand...
You could just use two strands of dk, I think this works out fairly cheap and is about a chunky (according to a knitting friend).

Or look for a bargain: http://www.hejhog-uk.com/king-cole-merino-blend-chunky
http://www.hejhog-uk.com/king-cole-merino-blend-chunky
 
Yes, I am there - followed your earlier linkie to hejhog...cheers, feel quite optimistic (I once took 11 years to finish a child's jumper)
 
Merino blend chunky is lovely to knit with... I made this with it last year, no the year before, I can't remember :oops: but it's nice to knit with :)

8708099364_fca65e595c.jpg
 
Storming! Wool on the way, pattern picked (78 st across back - yay), black and red stripes, miles of mindless st.st. brilliant.

I became a nana 3 years ago and the needles have been in a blur of tiny garments ever since....but, being such tiny amounts, I pushed the boat out with silks and baby cashmere.....so (tricky) daughter will be expecting summat similar (and not the plain old merino I was planning)
 
wool arrived and immediately got madly ambitious, embarking on Norwegian twined knitting rib.....to avoid that rolled up edge but without an actual rib, going for a simple red and black 3 yarn cast on then twining the wool - looks like st.st but stays flat.

We shall see - have been arsing about all morning and have done bugger all so far......
 
I've finally cast on the jumper \o/

Am a bit worried it'll be shite, and whether I'd be better off buying one from Sainsburys :D

126889061_Cream_01_620x390.jpg


Think I'll put a lifeline in before I do the snowflakes, then if they're crap, I'll think of something else :hmm:
 
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