Need help with pattern and type of yarn

[pixiewytch]

Hey, I am still fairly new to knitting and would love to try this pattern...

http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/me...pes-throw.html

I'm a bit confused because it calls for circular needles. I thought circular needles were only for projects that are made in circles, not flat items like blankets....just want to clarify that.

Secondly, the yarn they are suggesting is really expensive. I don't mind splurging a bit but since I need 8 balls of yarn I'm wondering if anyone can suggest something else comparable. Thanks!

[Marlet]

They likely do it on circs. because of the size. The cable can help support the weight of the blanket as you go and make it easier to work with since it can sit in your lap (as opposed to say using 14 inch needles that go to your armpits).

As long as you meet gauge you can sub any yarn you want. It's been awhile since I've looked at that pattern (my computer isn't behaving so I'm not opening links right now) but if I remember right it suggests that yarn because it self stripes. You could easily sub. with another striping yarn.

[WNB]

Originally Posted by OtherMother'n'Madre

...As long as you meet gauge you can sub any yarn you want. It's been awhile since I've looked at that pattern (my computer isn't behaving so I'm not opening links right now) but if I remember right it suggests that yarn because it self stripes. You could easily sub. with another striping yarn.

It's a blanket, so gauge doesn't really matter either, other than for predicting yarn consumption and the yardage needed to get a blanket of size X.

[Marlet]

: That's true. I hadn't thought of that.

[3boobykins]

An inexpensive, but soft 100% wool yarn that might be nice is Patons Classic Wool, which is merino. I think it comes in 100g balls, so would only need 4, and it's between $4-$6/ball, depending on whether or not it's on sale. You can get it at Joann's or Michael's if you have one near you. It isn't self-striping, but you could alternate colors or use a variegated.

[Marlet]

Ahh but they do have multicolored ones that might just stripe if there's enough stitches.

[kdabbler]

I'm looking at a blanket on my couch in the feather and fan stitch right now. It's in striped blocks: purple, variegated and blue.

Like the pps have said, it's a blanket so gauge doesn't really matter. You can use the cheapest yarn you can find. If you use something like Red Heart or Pound of Love, you could still replicate the bulkiness of the original yarn by using two strands at once.

But that Merino does look yummy.

[lyttlewon]

Originally Posted by OtherMother'n'Madre

They likely do it on circs. because of the size. The cable can help support the weight of the blanket as you go and make it easier to work with since it can sit in your lap (as opposed to say using 14 inch needles that go to your armpits).

As long as you meet gauge you can sub any yarn you want. It's been awhile since I've looked at that pattern (my computer isn't behaving so I'm not opening links right now) but if I remember right it suggests that yarn because it self stripes. You could easily sub. with another striping yarn.

I knit everything flat on circs. So much easier.

[pixiewytch]

Thank you, thank you for all the helpful responses. Now the circs make more sense.

I would still like to use merino and not go with a super cheapie yarn. Does the paton's choice have a lovely rainbow or striped yarn at all? I know I've seen them at Joann's but can only remember solid colors.

[alaska]

Patons does make a self-striping merino yarn http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.j...RODID=prd24730
scroll down to the bottom to see the colors; and added bonus, it's on sale right now.

[Sillygoose]

Try Knitpicks. The gauge of the pattern is 4 sts per inch, or 16 sts per 4 inches -- a worsted or Aran weight should do it. Here are some options:
http://www.knitpicks.com/Shamrock_YD5420154.html
http://www.knitpicks.com/Wool+of+the...YD5420167.html
http://www.knitpicks.com/Shine+Worsted_YD5420140.html
http://www.knitpicks.com/Swish+Worsted_YD5420153.html

That last one is "superwash" which means you can machine wash the blanket and it won't felt -- an important consideration when making stuff for kids.

Good luck! Looks like a pretty blanket.