Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Substitute Yarn Advice

I've been thinking about knitting Tomato for a while, and I have finally decided to bite the bullet and buy yarn. BUT, I can't afford Blue Sky cotton. I have seen a few folks working with Mission Falls 1824 cotton, and a few with Cotton Ease. Cotton Ease is more in my price range, but the color choices don't make me swoon.

I spent some time on Yarn Market tonight and was wondering if anyone had used Needful's Kim or Knit One, Crochet Two's 2nd Time Cotton. Would either be a good substitute? Are they hard to work with? Would Knitpick's Crayon be too fuzzy? Or does it split like their Shine Worsted?

Thanks!
Erin

10 comments:

Amethyst said...

Well, the gauge for Tomato for me was 19 stitches to 4 inches (supposed to be 18). The Knit One, Crochet Too yarn is 17 to 4 inches on size 8s, the Kim one is 19st to 4 inches, and the crayon yarn just looks wrong for the project. I mean you could try it, but I don't think there's stitch definition with it.

I think the 2nd time cotton is the best of the ones you posted.

nutttshell said...

I'm open to other suggestions too. I need to make the Medium, so I need about 750 yds of the MC, and I'd like to try and make the sweater for under $50.

Kristina B said...

How much does the Mission Falls cost where you are at? For my Tomato (small) I only used about 6 skeins total... here in Toronto the cost is $5.50 approx - sounds like you could go under $50 with the Mission Falls unless it's more expensive for you as an import.

Also - if you could find any Super 3 (discontinued by Kerzner, and on sale in a number of places) that would be a good aran weight cotton IMO (I would have used that for my Tomato but after making the Samus from Knitty I ran out).

Lindsey said...

I wouldn't use the KnitPicks Crayon. You aren't going to have good stitch definition with it, and it tends to pull apart when tugged upon. I just finished knitting the Norberta Dragon from Knitty.com in it and did not like working with the yarn.

Holly Bee said...

Oooooh! Mission Falls 1824 cotton a bag of 10 for $30 at www.threadbearfiberarts.com

Give them a call and see what colors they have. They are super nice guys and really quick with shipping! It's such a good deal. I just got some in Fennel (thanks Carina!)

Kristina B said...

Yes, sorry, Amethyst: I forgot about this (I think Carina mentioned it to me as well as I had done my Tomato with the Mission Falls, or was it Hollybee?)

I would encourage you to go for that deal if possible. That is a great price and it is really good cotton. I have used it before - it wears and washes well and (in my experience) does not lose shape. Only you should know that it knits into a bit of a nubby texture... which I like but which may not be your thing. I can't describe it better than that.. but if you check out their website you'll see what I mean.

http://www.missionfalls.com/1824cotton.php

Despite how it looks, it is quite soft to work with.

And, hollybee - enjoy!

nutttshell said...

Thanks Holly B and Carina! The Mission Falls is on its way and I should be able to start swatching on Monday!

Holly Bee said...

Oooooh yippeee Nutttshell! What color did you get? I can hardly wait to hear how like!

Carina said...

Yeah, what colors did you get? It's such a lovely yarn, and I really like the colorways. Yay for Threadbear!

Stitch-ay Woman said...

I would say Cascade Pima Silk because it is super-soft, good quality and affordable, but I think it is the wrong gauge.
That is an awesome deal on the 1824-- Cascade Luna is similar to the 1824 but depending on the yardage you need the 1824 might be very difficult to beat!
Hmmm. *resists a horrible urge to purchase, given that she recently photographed her stash.*