19 Comments

I love the way your mat is turning out; you found the perfect project for that yarn.

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It's now washed and drying which I think will take some time. The fabric is quite heavy and now even heavier being wet!! :)

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That alpaca yarn looks amazing. I love that you are calling it yarn tasting rather than testing. 😃

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It was a term that a reader shared with me and it gives an element of fun that I really liked. :)

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I like to work with yarn that feels good in my hands. I don’t care for yarns with no give and I really don’t care for acrylics. Rambouillet is a new favorite because it’s so bouncy.

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Here here to yarns that feel good in your hands! I've heard of Rambouillet. What do you notice the bouncy characteristic gives to your knits? I'd love to learn more :)

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Rambouillet seems to have a springy sort of backbone to it and it has terrific stitch definition. I love merino but it’s sometimes a little saggy. Rambouillet is related to merino, which originated in Spain. Some merino sheep were gifted to France, and these are the Rambouillet. I think the fiber is a bit more coarse than fine merino but it’s still delightfully soft, but with a backbone.

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It sounds delightful to knit with Eliza. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge about Rambouillet and how you've found working with this type of yarn. :)

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I like wool yarns that stick together. Woolen spun, and/or wools with longer fibers.

And I particularly love undyed yarns.

I own a TON of alpaca and alpaca blend yarns

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Thanks so much for sharing your loves in yarn choices. Why do you like wools with longer fibers? I'd love to know more about that.

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That baby alpaca sounds yummy! Are you finding the hairs are itchy? Also how is the memory of it? I tend to stay away from alpaca due to the fact it stretches.

My favorite wool? Well, Merino!!!

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It is lovely and the hairs are noticeable but not annoyingly so, I've put the fabric up to my neck and also on the inside of my wrist and it feels good! I've seen baby alpaca hanks hanging up in a yarn shop and the drape was so noticeable. After washing and blocking my swatch, the baby alpaca yarn bloomed. There is definetly drape and I imagine it would be prone to stretching a little. Ah yes Merino of course! :)

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Yarn tastings are such a great idea and I love them. Thank you also for the mention Jodie, very much appreciated.

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In your experience, have any yarns suprised you? And a pleasure :)

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I never thought I would like Lettlopi yarn as I thought it would be scratchy. When I tried it and washed the sample it turned out to be do soft and I also liked the way it knitted up.

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It never ceases to amaze me how the unwashed and unblocked fabric changes into what you describe!

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I love the idea of a yarn tasting. My local yarn shop (now sadly no more) did this once in the pre-Covid days and it was so much fun.

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Oh you must miss having a LYS! They are such special places. As a designer do you think of the yarn first and the possibilities or the design first and then find a suitable yarn?

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Oh, I really miss it. We have a few reasonably local ones but this one was special

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