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Bess
Warming Up
78 Posts |
 Posted - 07/18/2005 : 10:08:11 AM
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To date I've been disciplined enough to only buy yarn for the project I'm working on (can you tell I'm new to knitting by that statement?). But the other day I was in my LYS and saw some Artyarns that just screamed "BUY ME"! I have no idea what I would have done with this yarn, and there were several skeins available. I must have gone back & picked up that yarn 10 times (OCYF - obsessive compulsive yarn fondler). My brain went into hyperdrive - should I buy 1, 2, or go all out & buy all of the skeins? I couldn't decide & I went out of the store without buying any!
So here's my question - if you see a yarn you can't live without, and don't have a pattern in mind for it, how many skeins do you buy & why? |
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KellyKnits
Permanent Resident
USA
1608 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2005 : 10:13:38 AM
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There's a booklet called yarn requirements that you may want to check out. It give differnt sizes of items sweaters, hats, ect. and tells you how many yards. That was you can think of what you would like to make and buy the appropriate number of skeins.
Kelly |
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RoseByAny
Permanent Resident
USA
12598 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2005 : 10:14:12 AM
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It depends on the yarn entirely. Even if you don't have a pattern in mind, do you have an item in mind? That is, would you like to eventually have a sweater out of it? A hat or scarf? I buy based on that most often - I may not know WHAT sweater I'll make with it, but I get enough for any sweater (cables and stitch patterns often take more yarn, so I allow for that) or if it's really expensive and more than I can handle, enough for a hat or scarf, or even just enough to add in with other yarns I have to make a more complex finished item...
"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable."
http://RoseByAny.BlogSpot.Com |
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pjkite
Permanent Resident
1198 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2005 : 10:23:45 AM
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Depends on what I think the yarn wants to become. If I look at it and can only think "What an absolutely wonderful sweater this would make for me" I get at least 20 oz, preferably 24. On the other hand, if all I can see when I look at it is socks, I stop with 4-6 ounces. Some of the lovely handpainted yarns beg to become scarves or stoles, and I know that I can get a scarf from 100 grams, or a stole from 250. Unless it wants to be a shawl - then I'll get around 16 - 24 ounces!
I suppose what I'm saying is to get the maximum you think you will need, as long as you can afford it. For me, the maximum is usually a sweater for myself or a square shawl. But there are times (and yarns) that the budget won't allow to that extent. So I either reluctantly walk away, or 'settle' for a lesser amount that I can combine with something else.
In looking over the above, I realize that it isn't a lot of help. Yarn purchases are so individual, though, and depend on so many variables, that what works for one person is impossible for another. Generally speaking, if it calls out to me sweetly, I try to buy as much of it as I will need for a large project. That's one way you build a stash!
Pamela Kite
East Tennessee
http://fiberlife.blogspot.com/
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styledbykristin
Gabber Extraordinaire
391 Posts |
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luv2knitgrl
Warming Up
USA
58 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2005 : 1:03:12 PM
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I buy the bag as well and usually buy an extra - if I really love a yarn I buy enough to make a shirt or sweater and can always use the extra in other projects. It depends on what I want to do with it most of the time.
Knit On... Luv2 Knit |
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achrisvet
Permanent Resident
USA
5986 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2005 : 1:06:22 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by styledbykristin
As a general rule of thumb, I buy by the bag (10 balls). Its a nice even number, comes in a tidy bag... but as a reference, I memorized this link:
http://secure.elann.com/faq.asp#estimates
You could even print it out and take it with you to the LYS. Hope this may help...
Best regards,
Kristin
www.styledbykristin.com
kristin@styledbykristin.com
Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have.
But is one bag enough for a sweater? If they are 50 gram balls, probalby not. If 100 g, probably more than enough.
Anita
My completed projects |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2005 : 5:51:30 PM
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I'm a chunky chick and have never had problems with running out of most yarns(8 ply or worsted) when I buy a bag of ten for a sweater. If it is going to have cables or textured patterning then I ight need more, but for a fairly plain sweater 10 balls is more than enough for me.
If I see a yarn that I have not knit with then I buy one ball/skein to knit a sample. If I like it I can order more and if I don't I've entertained myself for less than the cost of a movie.
"An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King Jr.
www.femiknits.blog-city.com |
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blazfglori
Permanent Resident
USA
1333 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2005 : 7:19:26 PM
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I guess I'm the odd one out here...
I only buy one or two skeins of a new yarn 'til I see how it knits up and how it is to work with.
You can always buy more later if you like it. :)
~Lori
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proverb31
New Pal
25 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2005 : 2:32:11 PM
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OK, I must be the old time knitter (since I was 4yo and that was sometime in the early 60s) here because I buy as much as I can afford (and store) and keep a large stash. But, I ask myself the same question every time I buy fibre since I'm not as experienced yet with spinning.
There are some good reasons behind stashing:
-Reason #1 you want it to be the same dye-lot if you plan to make one large item (a sweater or afghan for example)
-Reason #2 if you have some left over you can always use it in combination with some other great left overs for a second (or more) projects
-Reason #3 I rarely follow patterns but rather prefer to use patterns for ideas & then make my own pattern up that suits my style. This allows me the flexibility to mix & match yarns.
-Reason #4 I almost exclusively buy when it's on sale or closeout (50% or greater discount)
-Reason #5 Knitting is not a trend for me, it's a lifelong hobby so I know I'll eventually use the stash
All that said, I'll admit that I have some yarns that hang around for many years before I figure out what they need to become. I also go through periodic "Not buying another oz until I work through the stash" times.
Debra
"She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." Proverbs 31:13-15 |
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styledbykristin
Gabber Extraordinaire
391 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2005 : 5:28:47 PM
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While 10 balls isn't enough for a cabled sweater, that's true. However, unless I am specifically buying for an unusually large project, 1 bag is sufficient. If it is not, I will buy 2 bags. I like buying in full bags, or cones if available. It looks so much neater/organized to me.
I also like to wind the hanks (or even balls) as soon as I open the package. Cones I leave alone. So, on the storage shelf I find that yarn that has been wound on my ball winder stack easier.
Thats just me...:-)
Kristin
www.styledbykristin.com
kristin@styledbykristin.com
Happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have. |
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styledbykristin
Gabber Extraordinaire
391 Posts |
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Momma78239
Permanent Resident
USA
4859 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2005 : 11:55:37 AM
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Usually, I buy yarn with a project already in mind, so how much to buy isn't an issue. However, on those times that I fall in love with one, I buy either as much as I can afford, or as much as the LYS has, and then live with it for a while. Eventually, I'll be inspired with a project that will suit however much I have.
-Wendy
Did you know God was a knitter?
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Momma78239/StripyFixationribbedsocks.jpg[/IMG]
Oh, no, I'm blogging now! Click to see it! |
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Marg in Mirror
Permanent Resident
Canada
3204 Posts |
Posted - 07/21/2005 : 2:22:11 PM
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I never go anywhere w/o my "Yarn Requirements" booklet in my knitting tote! I have 2 -- 1 in my knitting basket and one in my tote-du-jour, just in case! ;-) I got it at my LYS, but you can also buy it online at Interweave Press. It gives you yardage to buy, based on the item you think you might want to make (hat, scarf, gloves, sox, sweaters, vest) and the gauge. Very handy! (Though I warn you, if you use it, it could get expensive! LOL!)
-- Marg in Calgary
TLWKOTB
http://knitsonthebus.blogspot.com |
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elspethm
Chatty Knitter
USA
323 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2005 : 7:31:17 PM
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I really need to get one of those yarn requirements pamphlets. I've seen them but never picked it up.
I love to go to my LYS and look in their "odd ball basket", I've discovered some great yarns that way. I don't really know what I'll end up doing with all those one skeins (and the "One Skein Wonder" pattern doesn't always take just one skein [**] ) but I do like to try them out.
I also usually only buy either black or red yarn, so potentially I can mix and match somewhat.
Elspeth
Silicon Valley, CA
http://ladybug326.blogspot.com
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
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calicokitty6
Seriously Hooked
USA
864 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2005 : 9:10:23 PM
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I usually follow the idea of 10 balls. Although, if I know how many balls are needed, I always buy one extra.
I also check out some patterns, usually sweaters, for similar weight yarn and see how many ounces/grams/yards are required for the size I plan to make.
If I end up with extra balls and it is not the store's policy to allow credit/returns, then I will put it aside until something small can be made with it.
=^..^= Debbie http://calicokitty6.blogspot.com |
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kidknits
Chatty Knitter
USA
295 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2005 : 3:06:19 PM
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I have a "Pocket Yarn Yardage Guide" that I got from patternworks www.patternworks.com It lives in my purse, just in case I'm in a yarn store and need to refer to it! It gives yardage for bulky, worsted and sport weight yarns; chest sizes 24" to 48"; and for sleeveless, short-sleeved and long-sleeved sweaters. If the yarn tells me I should be making cables, I just add an extra ball/skein (or two). But as helpful as it is to have this card with me, it is also dangerous: I never have an excuse not to know how much yarn to buy!
http://www.kidknits.biz |
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lgrabbit@yahoo.com
Chatty Knitter
170 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2005 : 05:29:21 AM
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| Figure out what you would like to have made of that yarn. Try to picture it as a shawl, sweater, scarf, afghan... Check out similar patterns and determine yardage based on the yarn used in those. Ann Budd's book, The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns, lists yardages for the patterns, as do many knitting/crochet books. You might even want to record some approximate yardages for different projects in a little book for your purse. We all run into irresistable skeins! |
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sydo
Chatty Knitter
USA
225 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2005 : 05:40:36 AM
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Interesting how many of you buy by the bag. I do not live near a LYS and do not often get to see and feel yarn but must often buy it online. Therefore, I tend to order one, two or three skeins at most, planning on hats or scarves---I have a lot of both as you can imagine--in order to see if I really like working with the yarn. Color is also a big problem for me; internet photographs are not often reliable or complete enough to count on.
Once I am familiar with a yarn, I can order in depth, but it is still a turkey shoot as far as colorways go. Even color cards are of little help with variegated yarns, although I collect them.
Sydo
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bunkenbeans@comcast.net
Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2005 : 08:27:18 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by styledbykristin
... as a reference, I memorized this link:
http://secure.elann.com/faq.asp#estimates
You could even print it out and take it with you to the LYS. Hope this may help...
It helps tremendously, Kristin! Thank you. Note to self: set aside more stash money...
Susan |
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