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tsarina
Chatty Knitter
USA
123 Posts |
 Posted - 12/16/2005 : 07:29:29 AM
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Mornin', everyone!
There's an aran pattern knitalong that I want to do in 2006- the stitch gauge they recommend is 4.5/inch and the demonstrated sweater used Highland wool...but, in Georgia, I'd rarely get to wear it...
I wanted to use a silk/cotton or something like that but it's SOOOOOOO expensive.....
I shutter at the thought of man-made fiber, but then again, there are some yummy things that are made now-a-says...
I wanted something plain- so the cables and moss stitch could be seen...and something in a very light pastel- maybe aqua?
If anyone has any advice/ideas------PLEASE help!!
Have a FABULOUS weekend!
Elizabeth |
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LilyBeth
Gabber Extraordinaire
378 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2005 : 08:43:09 AM
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| What about KnitPicks Shine? It's got great stitch definition, the sheen is lovely and the price is great. (I'm not sure about the gauge, though.) |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
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knitties
New Pal
Malaysia
9 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2005 : 10:36:29 PM
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How about Rowan All Seasons Cotton? It has wonderful stitch definition and seems to fit the gauge. Comes in many plain, natural-looking colours too. It's a cotton/acrylic blend which should be ok for Georgian weather.
A cheaper alternative would be Lionbrand's Cotton-Ease but it's discontinued [:((]
~lyn~
my blog ~ knitties
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The Irish Ewe
Permanent Resident
USA
1052 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2005 : 04:53:59 AM
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Just a note here - if a pattern was written for wool, making it in cotton or acrylic may be an issue, as the designer has taken gravity, springy-ness, and other issues into account. You best bet? Swatch a few yarns, and see if 1) the pattern shows as it would in wool and 2) if you can get gauge and finally 3) how it drapes. Good luck!
The Irish Ewe
Norway, Maine
http://www.TheIrishEwe.com |
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tsarina
Chatty Knitter
USA
123 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2005 : 07:16:16 AM
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Thanks- great ideas and points!!
Cheers- Elizabeth |
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Valk_scot
Permanent Resident
United Kingdom
1281 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2005 : 07:54:39 AM
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Living as I do in the contry where Aran knitting was born, and our shops are full of Aran sweaters, I can assure you that it`s common to see them in all fibres from dirt cheap acrylic to cashmere. Just be careful with the weight. These things are thick, thick, thick. I think cotton would stretch too much. But you do need something with good stitch definition. Perhaps it would be worth saving for the silk? Or put an aran panel into a finer weight sweater? Aran patterns don`t have to be knitted at 4.5 stitches to the inch, you know!
Val.
[img]http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/26/26_9_21.gif[/img] |
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jebrem
Warming Up
60 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2005 : 08:07:41 AM
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I've started an aran pattern using Rowan Calmer. It's the Hush pattern. I have no idea how it'll turn out, but the cables have good definition as I knit it. It's 75% cotton and 25% microfiber. That could be an option too.
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2005 : 2:48:25 PM
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The yarn Fran has recommended has a gauge of 5 sts to the inch - close to what you are wanting. There is a lovely mint shade there and it is only $2.97 a ball!!
KathyR
Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. |
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Lanea
Permanent Resident
USA
5158 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 06:19:04 AM
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I'm guessing that Rowan Calmer would be a better option than Shine because of the texture, and I think Fran has a great option from Herschner's. There is some swatching in your future. As Val said, Arans end up being quite thick, and you want sort of a spongy, springy yarn to make them feel right. A lot of cottons are too heavy and lack enough loft to work. Calmer is the only primarily cotton yarn I've seen that seems appropriate, but it is pricey.
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http://crazylanea.typepad.com/
http://www.crazylanea.typepad.com/eating_poetry/ |
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marjotse
Permanent Resident
Sweden
1018 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 02:29:41 AM
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Another possibility is Rowan Denim the lightest colour. In the first denim book there are actually quite a number of Aran like sweaters and garnseys. Denim becuase it shrinks has a real good stitch definition and cables, knots and everything else shows really beautiful. Disadvantage is that you have to knit more because the shrinkage but it is worth it!
best regards
Marjolein |
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