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SnowPurls
New Pal
USA
36 Posts |
 Posted - 12/12/2005 : 2:42:18 PM
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| I read the reviews about these two yarn lines, but still don't know which one is better for worsted weight 100% wool. My skin seems very sensitive lately, I want something not itchy, any idea? |
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blwinteler
Permanent Resident
USA
3145 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2005 : 3:12:52 PM
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I do like both yarn lines. As for less itchy, I just checked one ball of each and I think the Elann is just slightly less itchy. Perhaps you could get a color card from each. Then you can see and feel the yarns before you buy them. Good luck finding what is right for you, and let us know what you decide. I'm sure it will help others to know.
Take care!
Brandy
My finished projects
We are but 8 score young blondes and brunettes... all between 16 and 19-and-a-half... cut off in this castle with no one to protect us! Oh... it is a lonely life. Bathing... dressing... undressing... knitting exciting underwear ....(Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Tale of Sir Galahad)
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platys
Seriously Hooked
USA
719 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2005 : 4:16:04 PM
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I personally like Elann much better - the colors are better, for one, and I think the yarn is softer than Wool of the Andes. The only downside is that it isn't always available.
Gail
http://www.knittergail.com |
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Calamintha
Permanent Resident
USA
2886 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2005 : 4:56:20 PM
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| I'd have to give the nod to Elann also but I haven't tried all of the Knitpicks yarns. Generally I think the quality is so-so. I haven't been wildly impressed with the Knitpicks yarns that I have tried although they are a good bargain if you are on a budget. I agree with Gail that Elann's colors are generally better. If your skin is sensitive though you might be better off with a merino yarn. |
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LittleMousling
Permanent Resident
USA
1093 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2005 : 6:35:07 PM
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On the two wool lines, Elann's got the upper hand generally.
On everything else, it varies by yarn and project - Knitpicks has plenty of yarns Elann doesn't (a wide selection of quite lovely 100% alpaca, for instance) and vice versa (other brands, many more blends, and so on).
-Molly, obsessive but not exclusive socknitter
Stash photos and some FOs |
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PamS
Seriously Hooked
USA
943 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2005 : 07:17:17 AM
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There's another company offering their own line of modestly priced yarns and that's WEBS. Have any of you tried their Sugarloaf (very soft) and Berkshire (in 30 vibrant colors) merino? I've seen their entire line at Stitches East and I think that their colors and quality is far superior to Knit Picks.
--PamS
Women don't have hot flashes, they have power surges. |
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knittin away
Seriously Hooked
880 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2005 : 07:30:58 AM
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| I can only add that Elann has great shipping... |
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Trina
Permanent Resident
USA
1871 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2005 : 07:43:10 AM
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I think Elann has got Knit Picks beat, although I like both. Elann has way better shipping though. My biggest complaint with KP's is how slow they are.
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.
-Langston Hughes |
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metromaples
Seriously Hooked
USA
873 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2005 : 08:31:47 AM
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I'm not sure when you last ordered from Knitpicks but their slow shipping from my first order last summer to more recent orders has vastly improved. I can pretty much count on receiving my package from knitpicks within a week of placing my order.
I've tried some Elann but even with a largish order that a friend and I shared, the shipping seemed high. I sure do like Knitpicks free shipping.
Jeri |
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~rosie~
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2005 : 1:07:09 PM
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Elann. Hands down.
I'm hopelessly addicted. I'm strung out on yarn. |
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blwinteler
Permanent Resident
USA
3145 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2005 : 1:48:29 PM
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My knitpicks order got here quite fast, despite my mail being awful and nothing ever getting here when it should. I was quite surprised to get my order as quick as I did. I am very happy with the shipping.
Take care!
Brandy
My finished projects
We are but 8 score young blondes and brunettes... all between 16 and 19-and-a-half... cut off in this castle with no one to protect us! Oh... it is a lonely life. Bathing... dressing... undressing... knitting exciting underwear ....(Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Tale of Sir Galahad)
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2005 : 1:52:02 PM
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Elann - they ship overseas, even if it is expensive.
KathyR
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. |
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Parrot Girl
Permanent Resident
2129 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2005 : 2:11:18 PM
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I've had really good luck with both, and am generally happy with the yarn and the prices.
"The past does not equal the future"
The other Fran in Kansas City |
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Lobolita
Chatty Knitter
126 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2005 : 10:45:40 AM
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The yarns are good for different things. For felting, I'd go with KnitPicks. The alpaca silk is also wonderful. I haven't had a chance to try out the cashmere blends yet, but all of their upper-range yarns (if $6.99 can be called upper-range) have been pretty nice. Elann is good for sheer variety, and yes, the shipping is better.
http://twowaters.etsy.com |
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LittleMousling
Permanent Resident
USA
1093 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2005 : 12:41:27 PM
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I don't know what I'd do if either company shut down; they both provide quite different lines with some (useful) overlap.
-Molly, obsessive but not exclusive socknitter
Stash photos and some FOs |
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MeezerMom
Warming Up
USA
83 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2005 : 2:21:41 PM
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I've been really allergic all my life to wool (I thought) - so when I took the plunge and tried the Knitpicks Merino Style, I was ecstatic that I didn't itch. I have not ordered their WOA nor the Elann wool tho' I've sat with it in my hands at my knitting group and didn't itch! So I will be trying both...I love the other Elann products I've bought. Have not had a problem with shipping from either source.
Sal
http://www.knitnana.blogspot.com
http://nanasadierose.com/WordPress/
http://www.nanasadierose.com
>^..^<
You can't have too many cats, yarn, fabric, or sewing machines! |
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HellaHelen
Chatty Knitter
USA
344 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2005 : 4:02:16 PM
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I think there was an earlier incarnation of WOTA (Knitpicks) that had an odd waxy finish (in the older packaging); the latest WOTA I've received is quite pleasing. I've used Elann's Highland Wool in the past as well, and I was happy with that as well. I would say that they are roughly equivalent, though Elann has a much wider range of colors. I'm making DH a holiday sweater with WOTA right now.
What I don't like about Elann has already been mentioned here: their wool isn't always available. I don't like having to impulse buy when it does show up, nor do I like having to plan out my purchases from Elann for "someday."
Knitpicks shipping is slower than Elann's, but then again, it's free. If you want to pay for shipping from Knitpicks, I'm sure your order will arrive sooner.
Cheers,
Helen |
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SnowPurls
New Pal
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2005 : 7:10:28 PM
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Thank you for all your help!
I think I'm going to order from kintpicks. Elan's shipping is too expensive for me, it would cosst me over $10. Kintpicks is free, so.
Snow |
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Inkmama
Seriously Hooked
891 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2005 : 7:23:21 PM
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I just received a knitpicks order--10 skeins of the Andean Silk, and I do wish it were the color of the picture. I thought it would be whiter (it's cream) and it's just a little too creamy. The yarn feels soft, thought after knitting a sweater with the Noro Cash Iroha, it doesn't seem substantial for a sweater. Time to return it--boohoo. If it were just brighter white.... (it shipped quickly, by the way).
Barbara
Writing blog: http://penonfire.blogspot.com
Knitting blog: http://knittingonfire.blogspot.com |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
Posted - 12/14/2005 : 10:53:59 PM
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It really depends on the project. If you need a steady source of one particular yarn, then the nod goes to Knitpicks, because all they carry is what they contract for production. If you just want enough wool for a one off project, with no care or concern for whether it's around in a week from now, Elann wins.
"An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr.
www.femiknits.blog-city.com |
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