Sunday, December 10, 2006

How's the texture?

I'm trying to decide on what yarn to go with for this sweater. I know the Reynolds has lovely colors and good yardage for the price, but I'm wondering if there's any itch factor involved. I don't mind investing in the yarn (gulp) if it feels and looks great, but I'd hate to shell out the dough and not be able to stand it against my skin. I've thought about a sportweight pure alpaca, but I'm not sure how that would translate into this pattern. Has anyone felt this stuff against their skin, and if so, what's the verdict?

Thanks

6 comments:

hesira said...

By this stuff, I'm referring to the Reynolds, not the alpaca. I know it feels great! :)

Cirilia said...

To be honest, I'd say it's a bit itchy. And I'm very wool tolerant. I can wear Noro Kureyon against bare skin, same goes for Lamb's Pride, Cascade 220 and the like. I think if you could probably get gauge with Blue Sky sport weight alpaca or Frog Tree...the twist is similar on both yarns and I think they have the same number of plies...

Susan said...

Interesting. I'm not good with the itchy. Maybe I'll go with something else for the main body but stick with the Whiskey for the color work. My other problem is that I'm always hot, so wearing a long sleeved shirt under the sweater is not an option.

Lizz said...

It's itchy as you work with it, but it softens up after a wash.

FairyGodKnitter said...

I wouldn't change the yarn because when you get to the steeking, the wool needs to grab itself in order to felt together a bit. The shetland type Whiskey yarn will do this well and although alpaca felts beautifully(I can show you socks that were machine washed by accident), it might be too slippery for a first time steeker. And, as Lizz said, the Whiskey does soften nicely when blocked.

Lizz said...

I agree with fairygodknitter, but only if you decide to change the type of steek. The sewn steek that Veronik calls for in the pattern will work just fine with the alpaca.