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judith27
Warming Up
Canada
85 Posts |
 Posted - 03/09/2006 : 11:16:44 AM
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I purchased some of this yarn in a colour called "Painted Desert", to make cat blankets.
When I had worked several inches, I realized that it is the perfect colour combination for a jacket, to wear with my pullover and pants set.
What can you tell me about the durability of this yarn? Will it wash and wear well?
The reason I ask is that the yarn was really inexpensive. I guess I am thinking of the idea that "you get what you pay for."
I have found however, that some of the less expensive yarns can pleasantly surprise you!!
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Tabby2002
Warming Up
Canada
87 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 11:24:24 AM
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I made an Irish Hiking Scarf out of Red Heart Super Saver yarn for the knitting olympics (there is a pic on my blog) and someone had told me that this type of yarn would work well on a scarf (it's for a child) because it will wash and wear well.
http://kittenyarnsandcrafts.blogspot.com
Come visit my blog sometime! |
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KellyKnits
Permanent Resident
USA
1608 Posts |
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Tabby2002
Warming Up
Canada
87 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 11:39:04 AM
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It is an acrylic yarn, so I would assume that if it was made into a sweater and the person wearing it was sweating, the yarn might retain some of the moisture. However, I don't think I've made any sweaters out of it so I can't be sure. I have made mittens with it and they felt warm (they were for kids) but at the time I didn't know about the retaining moisture factor (I only found this out when I was inquiring about using acrylic yarns for socks), so it might not be the best choice for mittens...
http://kittenyarnsandcrafts.blogspot.com
Come visit my blog sometime! |
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adalton124
Seriously Hooked
659 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 12:05:42 PM
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I have an afghan my mom made me out of Red Heart yarn and it washes very well. I run it through the dryer too. I don't think that I would make a garment out of it for myself b/c of it being 100% acrylic and less breathable that wool or cotton, but that's just my preference.
Angela |
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jaw
Seriously Hooked
USA
669 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 4:10:21 PM
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| It will wash and wear very well. I make baby afghans out of it all the time - also scarves and watch caps. When I put it in the dryer I put a fabric softener sheet with it and it comes out nice and soft. |
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Emelia Lesser
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 4:29:55 PM
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My grandmother knitted an afgan for my parents out of what I believe was Red Heart Supersaver or something very similar. That was 25 years ago and it's still holding up ok. It has a few holes, and it's pretty scratchy, and some stitch definition has been lost, but it still exists so that is a testament to it's strength and durability.
~Em
"Art is the reason I get up in the morning but my definition ends there and it just doesn't seem fair that I'm living for something I can't even define...but there he is in the mean time," ~Ani DiFranco |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 4:38:24 PM
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It will wash and wear well. Sweaters I made 30 years ago are still floating around and being worn. I am not sure what others mean when they say it absorbs sweat because the only problem with this yarn is that it does not absorb moisture. That can give you a clammy feeling if you are perspiring inside of the sweater. I have never really considered this a real problem because if you are that hot, why don't you take the sweater off?
fran
http://martianmischief.blogspot.com/ |
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Tabby2002
Warming Up
Canada
87 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 6:25:47 PM
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Maybe that's what they meant Fran, that it doesn't absorb it...and I agree, if you get too hot with any sweater on, take it off...providing that is a possibility LOL.
http://kittenyarnsandcrafts.blogspot.com
Come visit my blog sometime! |
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blwinteler
Permanent Resident
USA
3145 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 6:44:14 PM
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I used it on a sweater for my son and he loves it. Unfortunately, it was only cool enough for him to wear it for about a week. Next time it is cold out, he will have grown out of it. And I put his name on it.
Anyone know a 5-6 year old named Adam who wants a sweater with a dolphin on it?
Actually, I will probably tuck in the sleeves, sew it into a square, and stuff it to make a pillow. Adam does love having a lot of pillows.
Take care!
Brandy
My finished projects
[img]http://members.cox.net/blwinteler/th_TeamVegas2.jpg[/img] |
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judith27
Warming Up
Canada
85 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 07:35:25 AM
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I appreciate the responses to my question. I am not concerned with the acrylic content. I wear Misook and Eileen Fisher jackets, the fabric of which are sometimes acrylic. It is the washability that worried me.
Yesterday, I made a 10" x 10" swatch, and threw it in with three loads of laundry/dryer. It behaved beautifully.
I wish I could say the same of my Mission Falls wool jacket, which I made this winter. The surface is covered with pills!! |
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msgb
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
531 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 07:52:39 AM
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I have made mostly scarves out of this and a few baby blankets because in my opinion they wear like iron. My sisters and my father love the scarves. I even made two sweaters for two relatives that requested this yarn. It might not be the most expensive but for what they wanted to use the items for it is ok.
I am a yarn snob myself but if this is what others want then so be it. |
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NCmusiclady
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
541 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 10:12:07 AM
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Yes, the yarn snobs hate it when there's a really well-priced yarn that appeals to those of us without large bank accounts!
I use this yarn exclusively for anyone under 21 years of age!!! It washes and wears well. It's indestructable! It gets softer with each washing and if anyone has felt it lately, I think they actually made it softer than it used to be.
When the world as we know it ends...there will be two things left...tupperware and Red Heart yarn. |
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4ply
New Pal
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 11:09:48 AM
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NCmusiclady:
"When the world as we know it ends...there will be two things left...tupperware and Red Heart yarn."
HaHaHaHa!!!! Don't forget Cher! |
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Boston Terrier Knitter
Chatty Knitter
315 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 12:20:15 PM
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I like reasonably priced yarn, but I don't like Red Heart. I have found it difficult to work with. To me, it seems to split easy. I'm glad to hear someone has had good luck with it. It was a hard yarn to try and work with when I first started knitting last year.
"Nothing in America is more American or more expressive of the American spirit than that of the little American dog, the Boston terrier."
http://bostonterrierknitter.blogspot.com/ |
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samsgrams
Chatty Knitter
USA
184 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 1:45:53 PM
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My mother made an afghan out of red heart wool in 1939 (no acrylic then)- I have it now and treasure it. It is still inperfect condition and I will pass it onto my daughters. It may have been cheap, dime store yarn - but it is still loved and used.
samsgrams |
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Knit kitty
Permanent Resident
USA
1383 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 2:15:00 PM
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I have made scads of baby afghans out of Red Heart. It machine washes and dries extremely well. I do find, though, that I prefer to crochet rather than knit with it. For some reason it doesn't squeak as much on a crochet hook. DH has an afghan his grandmother made him out of Red Heart that looks like it was made yesterday.
That reminds me, I have to get some acrylic for a baby afghan for one of DH's coworkers. 
~Rebecca
"Nothing, why?" |
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~rosie~
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 5:19:29 PM
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I have a 35 year old afghan of it myself. Since you know already you don't mind working with it and like the color, make that jacket!!
And show us the pics! =)
I'm hopelessly addicted. I'm strung out on yarn. |
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knittingbaglady
Permanent Resident
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 5:57:12 PM
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I crocheted afghans for my kids (when they were little) out of Red Heart, they wash beautifully.
Red Heart Soft is nice as well, not as stiff.
And on another Red Heart note:
They make short (8", I think) pretty colored knitting needles that are smooth and nice and perfect for smaller projects...or scarves.
Martha.
http://www.greenmountainknittingbags.com/
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NCmusiclady
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
541 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2006 : 07:47:34 AM
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4 ply - ahhhhh...yes! Cher....God Bless her!
So when the world as we know it ends...there will be only a few things left...tupperware...Cher...and Red Heart Yarn! |
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BLN3320
Permanent Resident
USA
3808 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2006 : 10:54:42 AM
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Hi, Judith: I knit lots of baby afghans out of Red Heart as it is machine wash and dryable. A mother with a new baby doesn't need extra work. I make these afghans about 48 inches long so if you can toss it in the dryer it is easier to deal with. Also it snaps back to shape. I don't find it scratchy at all. I make lots of hats and scarves out of it too. The hats are great in the rain because the water runs off and your hair stays dry. I know painted desert and I like it. They have a camouflage print out of which I knitted a London beanie for a young lady I know in the military and stationed in Iraq. She wears it all the time so I sent her a second one. Fits well under her helmet. Also it works up into an interesting pattern. I think you will do well with Red Heart and as Fran and another lady said if its too warm for the sweater just take it off. Good luck. If you like that yarn go ahead and use it. Personally I am not a yarn snob and use what I like. Take care. Beverley 
PS: Forgot to add that the 8 inch needles mentioned above come three pairs to a set--US 7, 8 and 9. I ordered mine from Frugal Knitting Haus. They are great for narrow scarves and as they are short wonderful to use when travelling.
Bev |
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