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mo
New Pal
6 Posts |
 Posted - 05/14/2006 : 1:32:59 PM
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I made a blanket with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chumky and it is pilling already after only 4 months use as a lap blanket. Want to make one for a college student but need a durable, machine washable yarn that comes in solids. Hope to use the college colors for ALL of my 15 nieces and nephews. Any ideas??
thanks from this novice fourum user. |
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maribelaprn
Permanent Resident
USA
2033 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 2:05:20 PM
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You can't beat Plymouth Encore for durability and easy care. It comes in a wide range of colours and weights (from DK to chunky). Great yarn...
2006 shawls/throws completed: 11
2006 socks completed: 4
WIP: Baltic Sea shawl (Fiber Trends) in Rowanspun 4 ply
My blog: http://maribelaprn.blogspot.com/
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mtnknitter
Chatty Knitter
USA
148 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 2:23:28 PM
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| I've used Encore several times too - GREAT! I prefer it to WoolEase -holds up better. |
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mo
New Pal
6 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 3:00:58 PM
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thanks for the advice--this forum thing could become as addictive as knitting |
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 3:23:55 PM
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I want to make a dorm blanket for a going-to-college gift so I have the same question about yarn that mo asked. I was at a huge GOB sale the other day and there was a lot of Encore. I went over to it with this project in mind but it just didn't appeal to me because I didn't like the hand. Is there another yarn that all of you like for this purpose but has more wool and less acrylic or is superwash wool? What about Cascade 220 in the superwash version?
GFTC of NYC
pictures of FO socks:
www.flickr.com/photos/gftc_knits/ |
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pieheart
Permanent Resident
1872 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 4:12:31 PM
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GFTC, what is a GOB sale? I'm sure it's something obvious, but I can't guess what.
Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday----Dale Carnegie
blog: http://museknits.blogspot.com/ |
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pieheart
Permanent Resident
1872 Posts |
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NuttyKnitter101
Chatty Knitter
338 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 4:27:25 PM
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For dorm blankets I figured that they would get no end of abuse, and so I went with the easy care, light on the wallet yarn: Red Heart :P
This way if it gets ruined it wouldn't sting that badly
If I am me,
and you are you,
then who is he? |
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Laura Ver
Seriously Hooked
656 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 5:28:34 PM
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I wouldn't use Cascade for a dorm blanket because it couldn't be thrown in the dryer, and I can't imagine a college student finding the space to let a woolen item dry flat in a tiny dorm room. You could try something like Brown Sheep's Cotton Fleece (80% cotton, 20% wool). It can tolerate the dryer but a large blanket would be pretty heavy, compared to wool or acrylic.
Some shades of Woolease pill more than others: the heathered shades. I now prefer Encore. It feels more wooly to me and pills less than Woolease.
Laura |
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Calamintha
Permanent Resident
USA
2886 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 6:13:23 PM
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I've had better luck with superwash wool yarns holding up in the washer/dryer than acrylic/wool blends like Encore. I have made a few things with Encore, mainly scarves and hats because I am sensitive to wool in the area of the neck and face. After the first washing, the wool content gets fuzzy or felted and the acrylic content pills. I don't care for the feel of it either although certainly it feels better than a 100% acrylic yarn.
The first time I machine washed/dried something I made from superwash wool I was pleasantly surprised at how good it looked--no fading, no fuzzing and no pilling. The problem is finding superwash yarns. In the past I have ordered them from Elann but they don't have much right now. Both Cascade and Brown Sheep make a superwash but it can be hard to find them, online at least. |
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mtnknitter
Chatty Knitter
USA
148 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 9:25:31 PM
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Hi! I washed and dried an afghan from Encore three times, no pilling or fading. The colors stayed bright. (it was a bright pink/purple/blue)
Actually, I have noticed substantially more pilling from Lorna's Laces Superwash wools, though the "hand" is better.
It could be a larger afghan is tumbled less than a hat, and worn less.
Mainly, though, I'd think of the cost as a factor for me. College dorm rooms are warm, and 100% wool is likely too hot, plus an expensive investment. Red heart is an option, bit I do prefer a bit of warmth in the Encore. I'd recommend swatching both and see what you prefer!! |
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VickiKK
Seriously Hooked
934 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2006 : 11:16:29 PM
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I was happy with the Canadiana that I used for an afghan.
Vicki near Seattle |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
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JeanneL
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
394 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 01:47:51 AM
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I made my son an afghan with Encore, but the next one (for me!) I'm going to use Kraemer's Summit Hill. Its machine washable, but so soft. I like Encore, but Summit Hill is just really so much softer.
Jeanne
http://jeanneknits.blogspot.com/ |
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 06:16:28 AM
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Pieheart, GOB means going out of business. Also, if you want to shorten your wide link try this: [url="paste your link here"]name your link[/url] If you do that your link could appear as: Yarnware Naturally you would not put the brackets in red. I just did that to call attention to them. Make sure to include the quotation marks around the link.
Laura, the superwash Cascade should be able to go in the dryer unless I'm mistaken. Your idea of Cotton Fleece is a good one. I made a blanket for a toddler out of it and it goes through the washer and dryer beautifully. I used the tilting blocks lace pattern so there was some openwork and it wasn't too heavy at all. Thanks for the reminder of that yarn.
GFTC of NYC
pictures of FO socks:
www.flickr.com/photos/gftc_knits/ |
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lsm
Chatty Knitter
245 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 12:19:44 PM
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Bendigo Woollen Mills in Australia has a full line of superwash wool in two dozen colors, similar to Cleckheaton colors, and several weights. I bought several balls for baby items and have been pleased with the results. It's not merino soft but it's not scratchy either.
The prices are very reasonable ($9.50USD for 400 yds which is about half the price of Cascade 220 superwash). They also offer quantity discounts. Shipping is $4.00USD for orders under $40 and free for orders over $40. Shipping time is very good considering that it's international. My order arrived in a week.
They don't have a website, but they'll send you a color card and price list if you write to them: order@bendigowoollenmills.com.au
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mo
New Pal
6 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 9:24:41 PM
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| Oh my--this forum is awesome. Thank you all for your ideas!! i can't wait to go to the yarn store--like I need an excuse. |
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Greyling
Gabber Extraordinaire
576 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 02:30:46 AM
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I don't want to get thrown out of the forum, but have you tried Bernat Berella 4 ? I worked at the only LYS in my area about 8 years ago (she carried the better yarns), and the afghan yarn she recommended and carried was the Bernat Berella 4.
I just finished 2 afghans for my MIL, one fancy for her guest room, and one plain for everyday, and I really liked working with it.
www.bernat.com Yarn info and pattern info. Fun to browse.
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virtualpurl
Gabber Extraordinaire
409 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 11:42:25 AM
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| GFTC, I am making an afghan now with Cascade 220 Superwash, and I love the way it feels and the clarity of the colors. Haven't washed it yet. I needed 11 colors, and Matt at Threadbear Fiber Arts was extremely helpful in helping me choose. He emailed me photos and even a photoshop partial schematic of how my choice would look. |
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
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KL
Permanent Resident
6041 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2006 : 4:17:10 PM
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| Cascade also has SUPERWASH. a great fiber with goo yardage and current desirable colors. KL |
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machine washable yarn for a dorm blanket
