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Arts & crafts

Knitting.

(15 Posts)
beautybumble Wed 29-Sep-21 20:26:08

Hi. I want to knit myself a nice jumper. I haven't done a lot of knitting so need your advice please. Has anyone used Patons Fab double knit yarn? Is it ok? It's just that I did knit a lovely cardigan once, it took me ages, but in no time at all, it stretched to nearly twice its original size and got bobbles all over it . Don't want to chance that again.
Thank you. Its nice to have someone to ask. Take care.

Callistemon Wed 29-Sep-21 20:32:40

I don't know (not much help, sorry).

I've just bought some to crochet a blanket which probably won't be washed as often. It's good to work with, I think.
If I was knitting a garment for me I'd probably choose a wool blend, but choose one which is quite soft.

De-bobblers are good, I find lots of bought garments bobble a lot, even all wool ones.

Perhaps someone will be along in a minute who knows more.

Ravelry is good for questions about yarn.

Namsnanny Wed 29-Sep-21 20:36:24

Hobbycraft W.I yarn is very good. The soft and silky range is lovely to knit with and on 3 for 2 offer.

It knits to 4 ply though which I actually prefer as it looks neater.
I'm not sure but I thought I read it doesnt bobble. Dont take my word for it check before you buy.

Callistemon Wed 29-Sep-21 20:40:01

I like Hobbycraft WI yarn too.

It is quite heavy - a blanket made in that was much heavier than one the same size made in Sirdar Colourwheel acrylic/wool mix.

Look for 'non-pilling yarn'

Doodledog Wed 29-Sep-21 21:36:50

Have you chosen your pattern yet?

If you join Ravelry (it's free), you can look at the patterns on there (literally thousands of them) and see which yarns people have used to knit them, and what they look like knitted up (and on people of different ages, shapes and sizes, which I find really useful). They have a lot of free patterns, and even more paid-for ones that you can download.

You can pick a yarn you like when you've seen what it looks like on the pattern you've chosen (and many have links to shops or sites where you can buy it) and then check out the comments from people who have used it.

You can also join one (or more) of the hundreds of forums on there, and ask questions about the yarn. Ravellers come from all over the world, and there is almost definitely going to be someone who will have used it.

Early Wed 29-Sep-21 21:59:44

Patons Fab is a standard DK acrylic. Acrylic yarns have short fibres which come detached and that's what causes bobbling. Same with machine knit acrylics. The best thing is always to knit a swatch. Give it a good wash in with other clothes that it can rub up against to see how it reacts in terms of wear and stretch. Test for colour fastness first though.

Do you know about Yarn Sub? Here's a list of similar yarns. Stylecraft Special DK is my go to inexpensive acrylic.

yarnsub.com/yarns/patons_uk/fab_dk

Namsnanny Thu 30-Sep-21 12:26:36

I hadn't noticed the WI yarn being heavy callistemon. Although there are other ply thicknesses.
I've only made children's jumpers with it, and it doesnt stretch when being sewn up, which I like.
I sould think its nice to wear too.

Let us know how you get on Beautybumblesmile

25Avalon Thu 30-Sep-21 12:29:04

Early has it right but all too often we can’t be faffed.

Callistemon Thu 30-Sep-21 14:24:46

Namsnanny

I hadn't noticed the WI yarn being heavy callistemon. Although there are other ply thicknesses.
I've only made children's jumpers with it, and it doesnt stretch when being sewn up, which I like.
I sould think its nice to wear too.

Let us know how you get on Beautybumblesmile

I didn't notice until I was crocheting large blankets with it, Namsnanny.
The Sirdar Colourwheel was particularly light in comparison.

Sophiadavid Thu 21-Oct-21 08:20:33

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

PinkCosmos Thu 21-Oct-21 09:15:06

I have used Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter to knit a few jumpers for my grandson. His mum says they was really well and stay in shape.

The yarn is dyed so that it knits up like fair isle. It is DK yarn so doesn't have to be specifically for babies! They may have an adult version though!

sirdar.com/en/products/sirdar-snuggly-baby-crofter-dk-50g

PinkCosmos Thu 21-Oct-21 09:15:19

*wash

PinkCosmos Thu 21-Oct-21 09:19:40

Just checked the Sirdar website and they do an aran yarn called Jewelspun which knits up like fair isle.

I have never used it so can't recommend. It looks very effective when it is knitted up.

sirdar.com/en/products/sirdar-jewelspun-aran-200g

Callistemon Thu 21-Oct-21 11:28:53

That looks lovely, Pinkcakes

Note to self: I must not buy more yarn .....

Callistemon Thu 21-Oct-21 11:29:50

Sorry PinkCosmos

Senior moment.