I'm knitting a cardigan! What yarn would you use?

[ErinBird]

http://www.chicknits.com/catalog/ribbycardi.html

I finally selected a pattern for my mother's cardigan. She is turning 50 this summer and this will be her gift. My intent is to add an inch or two to the length of the cardigan.

My requirements and my mom's guidelines:
not required to be handwashed- mom will do a gentle laundry cycle, but she'll never wear the sweater if she needs to handwash it
a decent percentage of natural fibers- I don't like to knit with other things
not shiny (it seems like many cotton yarns have a shine to them?)
worsted weight
not variegated
not too expensive- I love my mom, but I'm not making her a silk/cashmere sweater

I would choose Cascade 220 if not for the fact that it felts.
I use a lot of peace fleece, but I worry that it will be too warm.


I need 1700+ yards.

Any suggestions?

[NullSet]

Is Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece machine washable? I don't remember it being shiny. It's 80/20 I think (cotton/wool) That's what popped into my head first but that's only because I have a whole bunch of the stuff. Is your mom anti-itchy stuff? Wool-ease is pretty inexpensive. Enough wool to be warm but washable with the acrylic.

[EvansMa]

Cotton ease is another nice yarn. And it is easy to care for. i have used Knit Pick superwash wool and that is nice too.

I knit this sweater and had to add 3 inches to the length, and i still could have added another inch. So make sure you measure your moms length so she won't have a tummy baring sweater!

It is a great sweater. She will get a lot of wear from it.

[MomInFlux]

Knit Picks Swish Worsted? It's the right weight, machine washable, and reasonably priced. Great pattern, BTW - I just bought it!

[ErinBird]

Thanks for the ideas mamas! I jotted down my yardage and went to the craft store tonight. I had a 20% off my entire order coupon and they were clearing out the Lion's Brand Wool Ease. I bought 2400yds/12 balls of it for a little under $20!