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Renocat
Permanent Resident
1327 Posts |
 Posted - 12/27/2005 : 11:20:57 AM
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I just saw Lion Brand Wool Ease @ Joann Fabrics for $1.50 a skein (197) yards. I could make a sweater for around $12.
I have never used wool ease...my question(s) to all of you...do you love it or hate it? Would you make (and wear) a sweater with it? HOw does it hold up? Does it pill easily? Is it truly washable?
Thanks in advance
Kim
[img]http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/knit.gif[/img]
Kim
I have a blog! http://kimsknitpage.blogspot.com/
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Boogie
Permanent Resident
USA
3073 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 2:09:21 PM
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Yes, I would make a sweater. I have made sweaters and I will do it again. In fact the last time they had the sale running I got yarn for each member of my family to have a sweater.
It wears well. I use it for kids stuff and it's great. I have used it for socks and it doesn't fare well for those however. They don't pill much and they don't like hot water wash. I wash in cold and then lay flat to dry. Actually I do that with my woolies too.
The only real problem I have with this yarn is the same I have with Paton's shetland chunky. It's the necks. They stretch out depending on the style neck you use. If you knit a really tight fabric you probably won't have a problem. If it's a little r fabric, I would reduce your sitches at the neck to make it smaller to compensate for the stretch.
amy
http://theboogerblog.blogspot.com
http://www.spunkyhats.com |
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Renocat
Permanent Resident
1327 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 2:41:52 PM
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Thanks Amy!
I have two projects in mind...I want to make some sort of aran sweater and I want to make a red sweater (maybe bristow from Knittty) and they happened to have a bunch of red that I liked and a bunch of natural...
I see a trip back to Joann in my near future... 
[img]http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/knit.gif[/img]
Kim
I have a blog! http://kimsknitpage.blogspot.com/
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homebodyknits
Seriously Hooked
USA
713 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 3:24:06 PM
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I just finished a vest for my oldest (6'3") son with it. I couldn't afford other yarns. I've used it before and it was ok. I also bought more while it was on sale.
Homebody Knits
Visit my Site
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Milinda
Permanent Resident
USA
3816 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 5:37:48 PM
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I'm in the process of knitting Oat Couture's Autumn Coat out of Wool Ease and since it's washable, that influenced my decision to use it, that and the fact it was on sale. I like it so far, nice to work with, I'd do it again.
M L
Others may ask, "What's in your wallet?" But I ask, "What's on your needles?" |
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Karknit
Seriously Hooked
USA
711 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 6:33:35 PM
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I'm knitting Barbara Walker Learn To Knit Afghan with wool ease and I like it very much for that project.
I'm making my first top down sweater with Encore which I like better for sweaters, but every thing else I can see using wool ease.
I can't see spending alot of money for 100% wool and not be able to wash it or pray that it doesn't felt.
Karen
My diet incentive, to knit smaller sweaters. |
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carollovesyarn
Warming Up
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 01:46:17 AM
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I used wool ease to make myself slippersocks and that was last year - they've held up fine. I machine wash, dry on low heat for 5 minutes and then finish by airdrying. It's had a few pills, not bad.
Carol |
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englishtch
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
400 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 07:35:37 AM
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I have used WoolEase for several sweaters for my daughter - the last was a Harry Potter sweater. I have not had much trouble with pilling or stretching. I like the feel of 100% wool a whole lot better, but I also know that a college student is not going to hand wash a sweater, so WoolEase was the best choice for her.
My blog: www.soonerbeknitting.blogspot.com |
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NCmusiclady
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
541 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 08:58:08 AM
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After reading the threads here on KR - I have started making something very simple with a yarn I've not used before and then see how I like it.
I just finished a few scarves in the Wool-ease and I have to say that it was a pleasure to work with. And I did handwash each and laid flat to dry and they both looked great. I used the Rose Heather and I would seriously consider making a sweater out of it.
Let us know how your projects come out and please post photos! |
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LittleMousling
Permanent Resident
USA
1093 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 09:08:08 AM
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I made a sweater out of it at a fairly tight gauge that nonetheless pilled and stretched badly - and it just looked old after a few wearings. YMMV, but as Wool of the Andes and Elann's Highland wool are astonishingly cheap, that's where I'd spend my money.
-Molly, obsessive but not exclusive socknitter
Stash photos and some FOs |
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Bloberry
Chatty Knitter
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 09:25:59 AM
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The only thing I've made lately with Wool Ease is a pair of mittens. After several wearings, they do look old and used. I'm sure I could fix that with a sweater shaver. It's "OK", but not the most durable yarn available.
Jan
Come Visit My Blog! - http://bloberry.typepad.com |
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elizh
Permanent Resident
USA
1248 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 4:53:59 PM
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| I've discovered that the fiber content of wool-ease is not always the same. Different shades may have a different fiber mix. I bought a whole bunch of a white confetti from Smileys (cheap!) and the fiber content is different...less wool, some other fibers thrown in. As a result, it is scratchier and tends to stretch out more easily. |
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kimkrafty
Permanent Resident
USA
2145 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 5:01:41 PM
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I tried Wool-Ease very early in my knitting. I did not like it.
I'm not "anti-Lion Brand" but I'm not a fan at all of Wool-Ease.
You may try buying one skein and knitting something small with it just to get an idea of how you really feel about it.
Kimberly, knitting in VA
http://kimberlyskorner.blogspot.com |
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Diva Ree
Gabber Extraordinaire
537 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 5:10:38 PM
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| I like working with Woolease. I get good stitch definition, and it wears well. My SIL picked out Woolease for a sweater she wants me to make. It should turn out great. The sweater will cost $10.62 to make. LOL |
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cknits
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
464 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 5:32:16 PM
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| What is the fiber content of Wool-Ease? Does it have some acrylic in it? |
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bogiebogie
Permanent Resident
USA
1076 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2005 : 5:52:27 PM
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I've read that the fiber content varies. A skein of worsted weight Forest Green Heather is 80% acrylic, 20% wool.
--JK
http://knitflix.blogspot.com |
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Emelia Lesser
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 9:09:39 PM
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I knit most of a sweater out of wool ease (haven't gotten the sleeves done partly because I haven't calculated out those pesky sleeve caps). It was fine to work with but when I was wet blocking the sweater it got that very acrylic-y looking halo of fibers around it (I can't quite describe how this halo is different from a mohair of other animal fiber halo.... it just is). I found the acrylic-y halo to be a bit of a turn off but it looks fine when it's dry. I'd use it again if I was knitting just about anything aside from footwear (too sweaty for feet, I think) for my younger sisters. I probably wouldn't use it for an adult.
~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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Karknit
Seriously Hooked
USA
711 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2006 : 9:23:16 PM
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Thats why for sweaters for easy wash I like Encore by Plymouth, nice wool feel without worrying about felting.
Karen
My diet incentive, to knit smaller sweaters. |
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Aseneth
Chatty Knitter
157 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2006 : 08:34:21 AM
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I have a love-dislike relationship with this yarn (I don't really hate any yarn except for Snowflake!) I have used it and had wonderful results, and other times it pilled and got really stringy after only a few washings. Also, unless you get it on sale the price is no better than the decent quality wools from Knitpicks, or some of the great yarns you can get from Elann.com
So, I say give the Woolease a try, but try some of the others, too!
Has anyone tried the new Lion Cashmere blend yarn? It hasn't shown up in the stores around here yet.
[img]http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/knit.gif[/img] |
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