[01txaggie]

Ok here is a question that shows how little I know about crocheting and such.

I have heard (ok so I read that is the same thing right) so much about these two diffrent types of yarn, but I don't know anything about them. I like to see things before I buy them, but can't find a place that carrys these here (Austin, TX) I know that merino is a breed of sheep, but other then that i don't know anything.

I have been using the fishermans (lion brand) that I made another thread about it being itchy, and another person posted a similar question about fishermans.

Another question would be where to get it, and what do I look for to make sure I get good quality.

thanks.
--Aggie

 

[yllek]

Cascade is a brand of yarn, and Cascade 220 is probably their most well-known. It's 220 yards of worsted-weight, pure wool, and it comes in a zillion colors. It has a really nice hand, nice loft, good stitch definition. Most of its colors felt really well (can be a good or bad thing). And most importantly, for the yardage and quality of wool, it's pretty darn cheap. I like to get it at Threadbears Fiber Arts. Really great couple of guys. They sell their skeins at $5.94. I don't know of a better retail price for this stuff.

Merino is a type of sheep whose wool fibers have a very long staple. The longer the staple, the silkier or softer the finished yarn is going to feel. Merino also has a very nice crimp to it, so most merino yarns are nice and lofty. This is luscious, lustrous stuff to knit with. (I am currently knitting a baby cardigan with a merino/silk blend. The sheen on this yarn is amazing.)

Tons of companies make a merino yarn. Every knitter I know seems to have her own favorites.

Fisherman's is a really respectable wool, but if you can get your hands on yarns of better quality, it's hard to go back.

Kelly

 

[Knittin' in the Shade]

I believe Cascade 220 is merino wool, as well

 

[yllek]

Knittin', I wish it were merino at those prices!! *sigh*

 

[pamelamama]

I sent them an email .... we'll see what they say.

:

 

[lifetapestry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knittin' in the Shade I believe Cascade 220 is merino wool, as well

The label doesn't acknowledge it, if it is (says "pure new wool"). I don't think it pills enough to be merino or substantially merino. I personally am not crazy about the performance of the 220, although I like the way it knits up in ribbing-- looks really sharp. For soakers, I don't think it's the best choice. In terms of working with it, I prefer many other yarns over it, including Cascade ecological (about $15 for 8 oz, 400+ yd skein), Kid-n-ewe (50% kid mohair, 50% wool, 120 yds and 50 grams (a bit less than 2 oz), Cascade palaza (sp?, 50% wool, 50% llama), and Lamb's pride worsted weight (85% wool, 15% mohair). And for soakers, you can't beat the durability of LTK wool-- I have a soaker knit by Theresa that is 2 years old and still looks brand new.

Karla

 

[yllek]

I don't really know how it might work for soakers, never having made them myself. There are many other yarns I prefer over C220 too (too many, too pricey

), still it's a good basic for the stash.

I'm not familiar with Cascade Ecological, and I thought I knew their line well. Did it come out fairly recently? And where do you get LTK wool?

Always lookin' for more yarn (but really shouldn't...)

 

[01txaggie]

What is LTK that I keep reading about?

Thanks to all who have replyed I will have to read through them when little one is not helping me.

 

[mamaMAMAma]

LTK - Little Turtle Knits. Thats where a lot of us get our soaker and longies pattern.

 

[Knittin' in the Shade]

I'm wrong, must have been thinking of something else, LOL! Cascade 220 is 100% "peruvian wool" which doesn't mean anything really, peruvian isn't a breed, LOL!

 

[amyrobynne]

I found some Cascade Ecological at my LYS this morning and guessed on what size needles I'll need. It claims 10's, but most yarns that say to use 7's I seem to use 5's to get correct gauge. Lifetapestry, what sz needles do you use with C.Ecol, and how many soakers can you make with the skein (compare to C220 if necessary)?

 

[pamelamama]

Got a reply. They said they have a merino superwash, but the 220 is not Merino.

 

[oshunmama]

I just bought some millend worsted 80% merino 20% cashmere....I can't wait to get it!! It should be quite the soft bum sweater!

 

[lifetapestry]

Quote:

Originally Posted by amyrobynne Lifetapestry, what sz needles do you use with C.Ecol, and how many soakers can you make with the skein (compare to C220 if necessary)?

I used size 8 needles-- I can't seem to find the tag, but I thought it said size 8-10. It knits up snugly but with a lovely drape with size 8's. Of course, everyone knits differently. I made one large soaker and one large pair of shorts (see gallery in my sig), and there was probably enough to make another small soaker leftover. I've made a newborn hat and am working on a matching pair of mittens.

Karla

 

[amyrobynne]

Thanks Karla. My gauge was pretty close (15 st/4" instead of 14) to the listed gauge on 9's, so I think I'll stick with those for now and see how it turns out. I'm excited to see how fast this knits up since it's so thick! The big trick will be finding a way to dye all that yarn without making a mess.

 

[mamaMAMAma]

I'm ready to order some ecological yarn but a little confused about the gauge. I'll be using the LTK's longies pattern (shorts). I've been using joann's fisherman yarn and 7 needles. When I use the ecological yarn, what size needles should I try? (I would have to purchase the needles so I'd rather get the right ones then try and exchange it later).

 

[pageta]

You just have to guess at the size needles you will need. If you can use what the yarn recommends on other yarns, then you can kind of use that as a rule of thumb. I usually have to go up one size, so that's the size needles I get when I'm starting a project in a different gauge than I've used before. Every person is different, so no one can really say what size needles you will need.