Full disclosure: I totally am a yarn snob. I don't mind paying $28 for a skein of good sock yarn if I really love the yarn. I'm a bit wool-sensitive, so I'm a sucker for wool mixed with silk or cashmere.
But I do get seduced by less expensive yarns from time to time, and I have to admit that they can be nice to knit with and wear. This hat was a pleasure to make:
It's just a simple beanie with a bit of slouch that I made with Lion Brand Cupcake. I saw these sweet cakes at Joanne Fabrics, and I had to try one out. I like the hat, but I would have preferred more graduatl color changes.
And then there was another Lion Brand product that I saw at Joanne's. The spring colors captured my attention and I added a cake of Comfy Cotton Blend to my cart.
Cupcake is 100% acrylic, while Comfy Cotton is a blend of cotton and polyester. I don't think any fiber is more pleasant to knit with, more reliable, or more hard-wearing than wool. I love that you can play around with the blocking and that it has memory.
But I know I'm not the only wool-sensitive knitter out there. These two yards were pretty enough to grab my attention. I'd love to find a non-wool yarn that works for sweaters. I have high hopes for Comfy Cotton. In fact, I'm trying it out on Hitchhiker #3:
And I have to say that these Lion Brand non-wool yarns are very easy on the bank account.
I worry about cotton stretching out too much. If you've used a cotton or other non-wool yarn for a sweater and it worked out, let me know!
Now you are making me sorry that I stayed in the car today when The Mister went into Micheal's. I do have one of those pretty cakes in my stash that I just can't bring myself to use because I like looking at it. That's one good thing about non-wool yarn, you can leave it out for display and not worry about moths.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post, a sweet hat and I like the yarn cake. Like Araignee mentions, I've had woollen garments destroyed by moths. Cx
ReplyDeleteLovely hat and gorgeous cake! I agree, I am a yarn snob for me - I love working with wool and love the look of hand dyed yarn in the items I make for myself. But I have no problem using much more affordable yarn and, obviously, have no worries about others using it.
ReplyDeleteEager to hear about your thoughts on Comfy Cotton--I'm always looking for a nice cotton that doesn't stretch out too much!
ReplyDeleteI used the Comfy Cotton for my Spring cropped cardigan and it does NOT stretch! I was worried about that, too! It will block out nicely and keep its shape! Nice color choice for the HH. I love the hat-how pretty is that!
ReplyDeleteI haven't used and of the new "cake" yarn, but I love the look of the Comfy Cotton. It will make a nice Hitchhiker for summer wear.
ReplyDeleteI am your yarn snob twin my friend. I won't spend a lot on clothes or shoes but yarn, for sure I do. Yet I have made two sweaters last year with Lion Brand acrylics and I love them, not something I ever thought I'd say. Your new cotton blend is knitting up much nicer than I thought it would. I may have to try some it is really beautiful. And I love the stripes in the hat, perfect!
ReplyDeletebeautiful start to your hitchhiker! I will be jumping on the cotton blend bandwagon shortly - I will have some left over Coast yarn and my plan is to make myself a Screen Door!
ReplyDeleteI'm a yarn snob however, acrylic has a permanent place in my knitting when I give to those who will not abide hand washing instructions. And children. Love both of your knits and I was gifted that cotton blend and am thrilled to hear a good review.
ReplyDeleteTotal yarn snob here, too. I think the lower price point yarns have come a long way in recent years. There are some really lovely, inexpensive yarns out there -- and I think you've found a couple of them. (When I knit for little people, I usually look for durable, washable yarns.) I am somewhat sensitive to certain wools, too. (I can't wear Icelandic wool even with plenty of layers underneath, for example. No Lopi for me!) I like to knit with linen, I hate to knit with cotton. . .
ReplyDeleteThat will be a gorgeous summer Hitchhiker. Love all the colors in in.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about yarns, the soft wool for Winter is wonderful but I also buy very inexpensive yarns. Of course soft cottons are marvelous.
ReplyDeleteOh, I used a cotton yarn and the sweater weighed about a hundred pounds wet. I usually wear cotton every thing but I can use wool shawls as long as my skin doesnt touch it. (over a a turtleneck) I can do wool socks and mitts too. GOOD LUCK !
ReplyDeleteLooks like you found some interesting yarn to try. I do think the inexpensive yarns have a place. I notice that hand knits that can be machine washed get more wear and who can blame the busy young moms.
ReplyDeleteI'm a yarn snob too but I do enjoy a few big box craft store yarns. I love Patton's Kroy and several of Lion Brand's yarns. I can't stand knitting with cotton though. Unless it has a lot of silk in it, it kills my hands/wrists. It's very annoying because I'd love to knit all my own dish clothes but... silk or wool dish clothes probably wouldn't work well. :)
ReplyDeleteAnother yarn snob weighing in here who has recently tried and liked some less expensive yarns! I just made a shawl for a friend from Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball. It's a cotton/acrylic blend, and it blocked up really nicely. I think it will hold its shape well. Now I'm making a shawl with Berroco Remix Light, a recycled fiber yarn. It sheds a bit, but it's lovely and soft, with a nice drape.
ReplyDeleteThat Comfy Cotton is really pretty.
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