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Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
 Posted - 07/08/2009 : 7:05:17 PM
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It's neither vintage, nor is it pure wool. But it is a pretty convincing new synthetic/wool blend substitute that I review this week. To whet the ole appetite...
A great and often heated debate exists between those knitters who like acrylic blends and those who don't. Much of that debate has actually been fueled by blends that simply don't live up to their potential.
I personally have a strong preference for natural fibers. When knitting for myself, that's all I'll use. But I also have great respect for the power of the blend. Sometimes—whether for durability or economy or practicality—it just makes sense to use a less expensive, easy-care yarn. Not everybody can afford to spend large sums of money on yarn for every project; and not every project should be knit in yarns that require careful feeding.
........ full review
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2009 : 8:34:07 PM
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I'd like to try this yarn. It appears to be a marriage of Encore worsted and Cascade 220 Superwash which I find appealing for certain items that need to be indestructibly machine wash/machine dry. Other than sock yarn I normally avoid any yarn that has nylon content but I would give this new yarn a shot.
GFTC of NYCmy knitting photos on Flickr or Ravelry
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kniterarian
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 01:45:07 AM
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Thanks, Clara, for reviewing an affordable workhorse yarn! The look of this yarn reminded me of Berroco's Ultra Alpaca. The heather shades look really similar to each other. The feel isn't the same, but Vintage Wool is pretty soft.
xo, Annie
http://kniterarian.blogspot.com/ |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 05:59:04 AM
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It has been a long time since I sent my first email to Clara pointing out that acrylics exist. (she had a poll on favorite yarn fibers and did not even include synthetics of any kind) Even longer before she reviewed a yarn containing it.
Using the word acrylic to replace naughty words in the forums was a low blow but I swallowed my pride and remained faithful to KR.
All I want is a review of an acrylic yarn. That would say that people who are allergic to wool do exist and deserve nice yarns too. In the meantime, I prefer acrylic, cotton blends and alpaca but everything deserves at least one champion.
C'mon, Clara, I saw God this January and I may not have much time left.
fran
http://martianmischief.blogspot.com/ |
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CrazyforEwe
Chatty Knitter
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 06:15:45 AM
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Perhaps a review of Berroco Comfort Worsted would be nice. I own a yarn shop, and tend to prefer merino, but for the reasons you mention, Fran, it's nice to have a synthetic. I've been extremely impressed with Comfort - it makes no attempt to look like wool, rather it has a very smooth, bouncy hand and knits up easily. So far the swatch we've had around the shop has been washed (and not gently) dried (in the machine) and petted by all, and has shown very little wear - that's the chunky version, so I suspect the worsted weight would wear even better.
Ellen
www.ellensprojects.blogspot.com
www.crazyforewe.com
www.crazyforewe.blogspot.com |
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LHontz
New Pal
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 06:23:15 AM
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Thanks so much for the review. I love the language of yarn talk!!!
I will be looking for this fiber at my LYS.
Thanks
Icrochet2 |
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jmberube
New Pal
3 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 07:41:55 AM
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I would be interested in knowing how many knots you ran across. Any insight you can provide would be appreciated. I recently used Berrocco Comfort to knit three prayer shawls and was very frustrated by the number of knots. One skein had 4 knots!. I also bought their pima cotton for a project and ran into the same issue. I decided to scrap the project and will return the yarn.
Jean |
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peggity
Chatty Knitter
USA
116 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 08:59:05 AM
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Thanks, Clara for the review of Berroco Vintage Wool. I'm always on the lookout for yarns that are soft for baby and easy-care for the mommy. I've not been surprised to find that I can't depend on a harried mommy to follow any kind of delicate care recommendation. Therefore, softness for the baby is number one on my list, machine wash and potential ability to survive a tumble in the dryer is number two. Number three, however, is a difficult quest - finding a blend that doesn't pill. The Berroco Vintage Wool sounds like it has this problem. You reviewed an Australian yarn, Heirloom Easy Care 8-ply, on 5/24/2001. Although you didn't like the easy-to-snag cable construction, you reported that it survived several rigorous wash cycles without degrading or pilling. I'm awaiting an order of the Heirloom for knitting a romper for our new grandson due in October. Thanks for your detailed reports - you are such a great resource for me -- and keep checking out the mommy and baby-friendly blends!
Peggy
~Peggy~
Colorado-USA
My Photos: http://www.Ravelry.com/people/peggity/
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Schaeferyarnlover
Gabber Extraordinaire
479 Posts |
Posted - 07/09/2009 : 09:51:00 AM
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| I'd like to know how an actual garment made from Vintage wool holds up to washing-machine knitting. I made a summer sweater with acrylic (not a blend) and once I washed it, the sweater lost all form and is now unwearable. It became very limp. |
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BeckiB
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2009 : 12:30:51 PM
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| The issue pertinent to me regarding working with blends is that I live in the southeastern U.S. This means only two months (Jan., Feb.) out of 12 when wearing my beloved Malabrigo or any other Merino is possible and that's only outside! May through October is short sleeve or sleeveless cotton/linen fabric weather. Blends, including those with acrylic, supply a bit of elasticity to cotton/linen/bamboo and provide more opportunity to keep my needles busy. |
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Panhandle Jane
Seriously Hooked
USA
607 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2009 : 07:18:11 AM
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I also prefer natural fibers, but I do like blends for certain things. I knitted Wallabies for the 4 grandchildren last year from Plymouth Encore, and they have washed, dried, and worn beautifully. Toddler moms with full-time jobs don't have time to spend special-laundering a hoodie that has to be laundered often.
I am another who would like to see some reviews of acrylics as well. I have some charity knitting that must be done in that fiber for laundering/sanitation reasons--they specify--and I'm always looking for a better product.
Blog--http:\\www.panhandleknitandsew.blogspot.com
Ravelry--panhandlejane
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Katheroni
Permanent Resident
USA
1407 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 12:21:37 PM
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| Thank you for reviewing a less expensive yarn, Clara! |
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knits_for_preemies
Permanent Resident
USA
1957 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 2:37:02 PM
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Amen, Panhandle Jane. I do lots of charity knitting (and my knitting group as well)... we are always on the look out for good, soft acrylic or acrylic blend of some type...for reasons you mentioned as well as economy...we supply much of the yarn ourselves.
Right now we are working on Christmas hats for our local hospital nursery (we have time now to knit them and will save them until December when we will give them to the hospital). Fall of the year is so busy for us that it is hard to get enough little hats knit up at that time. I found I Love This Yarn Sport (Hobby Lobby) in lovely Christmas colors. It is very soft and so far is knitting up great.
 Barbara
Ravelry Name: KnitsForPreemies
www.southernfriedknittin.blogspot.com |
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knittingbox@yahoo.com
New Pal
2 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2009 : 7:21:35 PM
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| Based on Clara's review, it seems like buying Cascade 220 superwash on sale is a much better solution. |
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mcmircle
New Pal
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2009 : 7:54:03 PM
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Clara, I think perhaps you were too kind. This yarn splits like crazy. Bamboo needles help a tad. A friend helped me wind the hanks using her swift and winder, and the yarn stuck to itself (not the swift). There were knots in several hanks, sometimes more than one.
When I tried larger needles,my swatch unraveled seconds after binding off.
I'm really disappointed.
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GFTC
Permanent Resident
USA
6331 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2009 : 06:21:18 AM
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I bought the Vintage Wool in navy blue to make a hat for my son. When I took it out of the bag in my living room the sun hit it and the yarn actually sparkled. I suppose it was the nylon content or whatever acrylic they used. Needless to say I didn't wind it and returned it to the store in exchange for Cascade 220 Superwash which I love.
GFTC of NYCmy knitting photos on Flickr or Ravelry
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msgb
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
531 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2010 : 12:39:18 PM
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| I am using this right now instead of Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky . I am using it doubled. I love the feel of it as it glides through my hands as I knit. |
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RipKo
Chatty Knitter
USA
144 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2010 : 8:08:52 PM
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I just made a hat for my 10-year old son with this yarn. He picked out the first skein at the LYS and loved the color and feel of it. I received a second skein in my KR retreat bag that coordinated with the first skein. I made a two-color hat and didn't have a chance to bath it before my son's Cascade 220 Superwash hat could be found. He said the hat from Vintage Wool was itchy and refuses to wear it. What? I couldn't believe it. The yarn felt soft in the skein and when I was knitting with it. I didn't run across any tangles or knots, and enjoyed the process. I have enough yarn left over to make another hat for the next "tester" before I decide if I'll buy the yarn for another item.
-Dawn
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Berroco Vintage Wool
