yarn for soakers

[smocklets]

What is your favorite yarn for making wool soakers? I have a few friends that I want to make soakers for, but want to find a soft(and, preferably, not too expensive) yarn that will work.

so, give me some ideas, and links to buy it online would be even better!

[lyttlewon]

www.handpaintedyarn.com merino bulky. So soft and scrumptious.

[rosie29]

Great question...along the same lines, can anyone tell me if Paton's Merino makes a good soaker? Thanks!

[jerri]

I've used Paton's. It is ok when you are starting out and learning. As you try better yarns you will get spoiled and feel the difference. Paton's is also fine for felting.

[mehndi mama]

Cascade 220 worsted is my inexpensive pick. I do a lot with Patons Merino, too, just because it's soft and relatively available locally.

[channelofpeace]

Blackberry Ridge. If you google, they have a website, and a lot of WAHM dye bbr. It is soft and sturdy with little pilling.

[rootzdawta]

I've used KnitPick's Wool of the Andes, Paton's Merino. LionBrand Fisherman's Wool, Cascade220 all with excellent results.

[jerri]

I love knitpicks wool of the andes! Great color selection, and you don't end up with a lot leftover. Very reasonably priced.

[mhaddon]

I have a ton of expensive handpainted HC yarns that I love, but most of all I love Cascade 220. I love how I can buy a lot of it and I can do different things with it.
I have done contrasting colors w/ the body different than the waist and cuffs. You can do stripes and you can do duplicate stitching on the bum as well. SO much fun!

[Marlet]

I love Cascade 220 and use it often. I have also used a good amount of Manos ( but felts easily). I have used Wool of the Andes, Paton's Merino, LTK Farm Yarn, and Classic Elite.

[SevenVeils]

If you buy through an online coop, Peace Fleece, handpaintedyarn, and 100purewool are all the same price, or less than, Cascade 220

I like Cascade 220, but nowhere close to how much I love the other three.

[rosie29]

And how about Paton's SWS - does that work well? The punk knitters pattern recommends 75%+ wool, but SWS only has 70%...has anyone tried it for a soaker?

[mehndi mama]

Eh. Just get the classic merino, and then you'll be sure

[Knittin' in the Shade]

The Patons SWS felts way too much to be functional for long in a soaker - it gets icky looking after a very short time.

[love2bmom]

I like Cascade 220 a lot too. I also like Gallway (sp?) and Nature Spun.