| Author |
 Topic  |
|
kristajo
Gabber Extraordinaire
Canada
436 Posts |
 Posted - 03/13/2003 : 11:02:03 AM
|
I feel the urge to be a yarn snob, but I was thinking about my knitting in the shower today and realized the following:
This year, I've knit myself a gorgeous long sweater-coat in Rowan's Big Wool.
I've also knit myself a gorgeous Aran sweater in Red Heart Softee Chunky.
Sure, the acrylic sweater's getting kinda fuzzy. But no more so than my Rowan sweater. In fact, possibly less. I get zillions of compliments on it and I get to wear it more often because it goes in the washer.
Sure, wool feels nicer, and looks nicer if you're looking closely, but I spent about $25 on one sweater and about $150+ on the other, and I like them equally.
I will continue to use organic fibres and designer yarns when I can afford them, but when I can't - hey, what's the big deal?
Maybe everyone else has realized this already, but it made me feel pretty good.
Krista Jo
|
|
|
rita0373
Chatty Knitter
USA
114 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 1:05:54 PM
|
I am glad to see your post. I really want to try my hand at sweaters but sometimes the price of wool in my lys makes this prohibitive. I have been eyeballing some wool/acrylic blends but this one woman at my work keeps making comments about acrylic yarn so then I get all skitzy. (I know silly me.) In the back of my mind I think people will look at the sweater and say oh that is nice, it is a shame it is acrylic!! Thanks for your positive post. Actually my favorite sweater is an acrylic/cotton blend and I thought it was all cotton until the other day. Also, I like being able to throw the items in the washer...I am not much on handwashing.
|
 |
|
|
rita0373
Chatty Knitter
USA
114 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 1:05:54 PM
|
I am glad to see your post. I really want to try my hand at sweaters but sometimes the price of wool in my lys makes this prohibitive. I have been eyeballing some wool/acrylic blends but this one woman at my work keeps making comments about acrylic yarn so then I get all skitzy. (I know silly me.) In the back of my mind I think people will look at the sweater and say oh that is nice, it is a shame it is acrylic!! Thanks for your positive post. Actually my favorite sweater is an acrylic/cotton blend and I thought it was all cotton until the other day. Also, I like being able to throw the items in the washer...I am not much on handwashing.
|
|
|
|
rita0373
Chatty Knitter
USA
114 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 1:05:54 PM
|
I am glad to see your post. I really want to try my hand at sweaters but sometimes the price of wool in my lys makes this prohibitive. I have been eyeballing some wool/acrylic blends but this one woman at my work keeps making comments about acrylic yarn so then I get all skitzy. (I know silly me.) In the back of my mind I think people will look at the sweater and say oh that is nice, it is a shame it is acrylic!! Thanks for your positive post. Actually my favorite sweater is an acrylic/cotton blend and I thought it was all cotton until the other day. Also, I like being able to throw the items in the washer...I am not much on handwashing.
|
|
|
|
BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 2:09:00 PM
|
Let us hope we can all knit with what pleases us with no explanaitions.
And a nice hint - Michaels has a lovely store brand wool called London and it's 80% superwash wool and 20% acrylic. I reeeeealy like it and this time of year it is often discounted deeply. A friend got bags of it at the Michaels in Fredericksburg for $1.99 a skein.
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 2:09:00 PM
|
Let us hope we can all knit with what pleases us with no explanaitions.
And a nice hint - Michaels has a lovely store brand wool called London and it's 80% superwash wool and 20% acrylic. I reeeeealy like it and this time of year it is often discounted deeply. A friend got bags of it at the Michaels in Fredericksburg for $1.99 a skein.
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 2:09:00 PM
|
Let us hope we can all knit with what pleases us with no explanaitions.
And a nice hint - Michaels has a lovely store brand wool called London and it's 80% superwash wool and 20% acrylic. I reeeeealy like it and this time of year it is often discounted deeply. A friend got bags of it at the Michaels in Fredericksburg for $1.99 a skein.
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com
|
|
|
|
platys
Seriously Hooked
USA
719 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 3:17:12 PM
|
I prefer to knit with natural fibers, mainly because acrylic seems to make me itch like crazy. And, it seems to tear up my hands much faster. I have a great afghan my great grandma knit when I was small, which is all acrylic. Unfortunately, I can't really snuggle up underneath it because it sets me to itching something awful, even after repeated washings. My mom sent me a sweater that is part acrylic, part wool, and it made my hands itch just to pick it up. I must be the weirdest person. :)
I just ordered the vegan fox kit from fuzzygalore.biz, and that's almost all man-made fibers. We'll see what happens, but it was so cute I couldn't resist. :)
|
|
|
|
platys
Seriously Hooked
USA
719 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 3:17:12 PM
|
I prefer to knit with natural fibers, mainly because acrylic seems to make me itch like crazy. And, it seems to tear up my hands much faster. I have a great afghan my great grandma knit when I was small, which is all acrylic. Unfortunately, I can't really snuggle up underneath it because it sets me to itching something awful, even after repeated washings. My mom sent me a sweater that is part acrylic, part wool, and it made my hands itch just to pick it up. I must be the weirdest person. :)
I just ordered the vegan fox kit from fuzzygalore.biz, and that's almost all man-made fibers. We'll see what happens, but it was so cute I couldn't resist. :)
|
|
|
|
platys
Seriously Hooked
USA
719 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 3:17:12 PM
|
I prefer to knit with natural fibers, mainly because acrylic seems to make me itch like crazy. And, it seems to tear up my hands much faster. I have a great afghan my great grandma knit when I was small, which is all acrylic. Unfortunately, I can't really snuggle up underneath it because it sets me to itching something awful, even after repeated washings. My mom sent me a sweater that is part acrylic, part wool, and it made my hands itch just to pick it up. I must be the weirdest person. :)
I just ordered the vegan fox kit from fuzzygalore.biz, and that's almost all man-made fibers. We'll see what happens, but it was so cute I couldn't resist. :)
|
|
|
|
Hello Knitty
Permanent Resident
1069 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 3:25:05 PM
|
Let's qualify "cheap". Cheap price is okay, cheap quality isn't.
Sure, I admit, I'm a yarn snob but since I can't wear wool, I'm an acrylic/synthetic snob! There's a big difference in durability, drape and feel between say Phildar's acrylic and some Michael's brand acrylic. That said, I happily use Patons Astra acrylic for kids hats and mitts even though I don't want to wear it. The colours are jolly, it withstands kid abuse, and it's cheap in price and when something gets lost, it's usually a less than $10 loss.
I also like silk, rayon, cotton and linen and those are usually more expensive but it's the look that matters, not the material or price tag. I just ignore snooty yarn snobs and anyone who would make such crass comments to someone for wearing "cheap acrylic" has no manners or class!
|
|
|
|
Hello Knitty
Permanent Resident
1069 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 3:25:05 PM
|
Let's qualify "cheap". Cheap price is okay, cheap quality isn't.
Sure, I admit, I'm a yarn snob but since I can't wear wool, I'm an acrylic/synthetic snob! There's a big difference in durability, drape and feel between say Phildar's acrylic and some Michael's brand acrylic. That said, I happily use Patons Astra acrylic for kids hats and mitts even though I don't want to wear it. The colours are jolly, it withstands kid abuse, and it's cheap in price and when something gets lost, it's usually a less than $10 loss.
I also like silk, rayon, cotton and linen and those are usually more expensive but it's the look that matters, not the material or price tag. I just ignore snooty yarn snobs and anyone who would make such crass comments to someone for wearing "cheap acrylic" has no manners or class!
|
|
|
|
Hello Knitty
Permanent Resident
1069 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 3:25:05 PM
|
Let's qualify "cheap". Cheap price is okay, cheap quality isn't.
Sure, I admit, I'm a yarn snob but since I can't wear wool, I'm an acrylic/synthetic snob! There's a big difference in durability, drape and feel between say Phildar's acrylic and some Michael's brand acrylic. That said, I happily use Patons Astra acrylic for kids hats and mitts even though I don't want to wear it. The colours are jolly, it withstands kid abuse, and it's cheap in price and when something gets lost, it's usually a less than $10 loss.
I also like silk, rayon, cotton and linen and those are usually more expensive but it's the look that matters, not the material or price tag. I just ignore snooty yarn snobs and anyone who would make such crass comments to someone for wearing "cheap acrylic" has no manners or class!
|
|
|
|
nparkhurst
Warming Up
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 4:07:28 PM
|
quote:
I prefer to knit with natural fibers, mainly because acrylic seems to make me itch like crazy.
I know some people are allergic to acrylic--maybe that's what's going on for you. Personally I don't usually like the way synthetics feel, though they don't make me itch. But it's all a personal preference. I find the differences between people really interesting--part of what makes life so much fun!
:)
Naomi
|
|
|
|
nparkhurst
Warming Up
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 4:07:28 PM
|
quote:
I prefer to knit with natural fibers, mainly because acrylic seems to make me itch like crazy.
I know some people are allergic to acrylic--maybe that's what's going on for you. Personally I don't usually like the way synthetics feel, though they don't make me itch. But it's all a personal preference. I find the differences between people really interesting--part of what makes life so much fun!
:)
Naomi
|
|
|
|
nparkhurst
Warming Up
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 4:07:28 PM
|
quote:
I prefer to knit with natural fibers, mainly because acrylic seems to make me itch like crazy.
I know some people are allergic to acrylic--maybe that's what's going on for you. Personally I don't usually like the way synthetics feel, though they don't make me itch. But it's all a personal preference. I find the differences between people really interesting--part of what makes life so much fun!
:)
Naomi
|
|
|
|
kdcrowley
Permanent Resident
USA
4773 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 4:07:44 PM
|
quote:
Let's qualify "cheap". Cheap price is okay, cheap quality isn't.
Hear! Hear! I also that the purpose of the garment matters. Obviously I don't want to spend a lot on garments for DS who will outgrow them if he does not destroy them first....and with DH doing laundry and a kitty with a sock fetish, price matters.
Before swaering off yarn for Lent I had been thinking about getting some yarn for a sweatshirt for DS-Lion Brand or such....I guess it will wait till after Lent, although I could get something at WalMart on Sunday. But I want to finish my sock first, I am decreasing for the toe now.
Kelley
Everywhere you go, there you are! Imagine that.... |
|
|
|
kdcrowley
Permanent Resident
USA
4773 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 4:07:44 PM
|
quote:
Let's qualify "cheap". Cheap price is okay, cheap quality isn't.
Hear! Hear! I also that the purpose of the garment matters. Obviously I don't want to spend a lot on garments for DS who will outgrow them if he does not destroy them first....and with DH doing laundry and a kitty with a sock fetish, price matters.
Before swaering off yarn for Lent I had been thinking about getting some yarn for a sweatshirt for DS-Lion Brand or such....I guess it will wait till after Lent, although I could get something at WalMart on Sunday. But I want to finish my sock first, I am decreasing for the toe now.
Kelley
Everywhere you go, there you are! Imagine that.... |
|
|
|
kdcrowley
Permanent Resident
USA
4773 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 4:07:44 PM
|
quote:
Let's qualify "cheap". Cheap price is okay, cheap quality isn't.
Hear! Hear! I also that the purpose of the garment matters. Obviously I don't want to spend a lot on garments for DS who will outgrow them if he does not destroy them first....and with DH doing laundry and a kitty with a sock fetish, price matters.
Before swaering off yarn for Lent I had been thinking about getting some yarn for a sweatshirt for DS-Lion Brand or such....I guess it will wait till after Lent, although I could get something at WalMart on Sunday. But I want to finish my sock first, I am decreasing for the toe now.
Kelley
Everywhere you go, there you are! Imagine that.... |
|
|
|
mtchen
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
564 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 4:46:47 PM
|
I personally prefer natural fibers like merino wool and alpaca, although they are usually a lot more expensive than synthetic yarns. I do like using acrylic yarns for practice, and also knitting baby items since babies can be allergic to wool. I definitely believe in trying a variety of fiber materials.
|
|
|
|
mtchen
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
564 Posts |
Posted - 03/13/2003 : 4:46:47 PM
|
I personally prefer natural fibers like merino wool and alpaca, although they are usually a lot more expensive than synthetic yarns. I do like using acrylic yarns for practice, and also knitting baby items since babies can be allergic to wool. I definitely believe in trying a variety of fiber materials.
|
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
