Polling the Collective
Apparently the action shot didn’t quite cut it and folks want to see the top of The Boy’s hat too. I’m happy to oblige. One hat, all tidy and finished! I think the next hat will be for me (having gotten some of my mistakes out of the way on my early victims friends and family). I think it’s time to explore the realms of the slightly poufy hat. I’ve decided the watch cap style doesn’t suit my face and the poufy hat has the potential to look reasonably non-dorky on me.
Now this is actually where you guys come in. You are an awfully clever bunch, and I’m going to shamelessly take advantage of it. I have a pretty good grasp of sock yarns. I’ve made erm…dozens of pairs of socks. I have many more skeins of sock yarn frolicking in the depths of my stash. I’m fairly familiar with a good chunk of the currently available sock yarns. That knowledge took a while to accumulate, and getting it has been a huge part of making successful socks.
Now that I’m starting to do projects with thicker yarn, I realize I don’t know nearly as much about them as I do about sock yarns. I’m just not as familiar with what’s out there. So this is where you come in. If you have a favorite thicker yarn (or two, or three), could you leave me a comment with the name? Obviously a list isn’t a substitute for getting to know the various yarns, but it is a good place to start.
I’ve been really into Malabrigo Rios right now. It’s a superwash Merino and SO soft.
I’ve been making hats lately, too, and while Cascade 220 is a great workhorse yarn, I am in love with Manos del Uruguay. I’m not sure of the name for the particular one I’ve been using (travelling, so don’t have it with me), but it is the single ply worsted weight. It is lovely and soft, with thick and thin sections, but not glaringly obvious ones, and is terrific for hats! When I get home, I’ll upload some pics to Rav and PM you 🙂
Btw, do you have an exact date for the book release yet?
Sunshine Yarns Merino Worsted is just DELICIOUS! Dani dyes amazingly gorgeous colours for a starter, but the yarn itself absolutely embodies what I search for in wool that I want close to me: it’s fat, happy yarn! I don’t know if she has any left in the shop after this week’s update, but more is coming (including a special colourway I asked her to create for me and which will be available in the shop in a week or two!).
For drape, I really like Noro Kochoran. It was one of my first crack yarns and has continued to please me and I can see it being good for a slouchy head topper.
I just did those fingerless mitts of yours in Dream in Color Classy, and it was wonderful yarn to work with! I’ve also been happy with Cascade 220 (in solid & in paints, both regular & superwash) in various projects. There’s always a huge selection of colors with Cascade.
Lisa H. (MeanestMommy on Ravelry)
Shepherds Wools is one of my absolute favorites. Not only does it come in fingering, it comes in a sport and worsted weight. Its yummy soft.
http://www.stonehedgefibermill.com/yarn.html
I love working hats in the Malbrigo rios as well…super soft and smooshy…
Also, Manos del Uruguay Wool Clasica is nice…very warm and the thick/thin evens out after blocking
Malbrigo’s worsted weights in 100% merino can’t be beat for softness or colour
Zitron Opus or Nimbus are nice (when you can find them) for some great colour variations and again, a very soft hand
Tanis Fibre Arts in worsted weights colours are fab and super soft
Also, as great workhorse wools: Galway worsted and Brown Sheep Nature Spun
That is all…I apologize for the Magnum Opus…
Addendum: If you get to try out Sweet Georgia’s yarn or Three Irish Girls, please let me know what you think…I’ve been coveting these for like, EVER, but can’t justify the purchase yet…
Thanks for all the suggestions! And I’ve used both Sweet Georgia and 3 Irish Girls (they’re in the book) and I love them both. The hat’s up now if you’re still waiting for it!
PS (sorry) I LOVE your hats…am waiting patiently for pattern releases!
My new fav is Baby Alpaca Ampato by Plymouth Yarn…..its just yummy!
Noro Silk Garden
Trendsetters “Tonalita”
Crystal Palace Mochi Plus
Manos del Uruguay silk blend
Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk
Debbie Bliss Rialto
And a wonderful Alpaca I am currently knitting with – but I lost the ball band. I’ll get back to you on that one.
I quite like Karabella Aurora 8 for hats, Aurora 4 if I’m doing colorwork or something, Aurora Bulky if I want a bulky yarn. I make, umm. Ridiculous amounts of hats with it. Also, O-Wool (the Merino Worsted) is pretty awesome, and Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted.