I’m a sucker for fancy and combo yarns, but 100% wool is just so cheap. And so itchy. Is there anything cool I could knit out of 100% wool? I still itch at the memory of this wool sweater my mother had knit me when I was like 10.
how about somehting you can felt and maybe line?like gloves or slippers? there is a cute clog pattern floating around here. also, how about some great bags? felted bags are fun and you can mix and match your yanrs and add extras like flowers.
I really don’t like felted stuff, sorry…
How about merino wool? It’s all wool and very soft so you could wear it over skin.
sue, who isn’t into felting things either
it was just a thought! 
You could still make a purse…just don’t felt it. Or bags…or a belt?
I know it’s probably a sin to say this here, but I don’t like knit bags either, felted or otherwise. (I do like felted slippers though)
Seems to me that leatherwork is far more appropriate for bags. Just like I feel weaving is more appropriate for scarves.
No offence to anyone, but it seems like some people would knit an entire house if they could. Not everything lends itself to knitting. My two cents.
What about knit toys, teddy bears and such. Or dog sweaters, do you have a dog? They have fur, so wool doesn’t really bother them.
How about merino wool? It’s all wool and very soft so you could wear it over skin.
Merino is great for all sorts of things that touch the skin, however it is generally very expensive. I think Momma_Jo’s point was that she is encouraged to do more work with 100% regular sheep’s wool because it is affordable, durable and high quality, but has trouble finding projects as most knit things are generally intended to touch the skin.
I know it’s probably a sin to say this here, but I don’t like knit bags either, felted or otherwise. (I do like felted slippers though)
It’s never a sin to voice ones opinion. It is, after all, only an opinion.
What a person knits, is that persons choice. If I didn’t like what I was knitting …well, I wouldn’t knit it ( unless someone begged me to do it…someone I love dearly at that). That is one of the joys of knitting. Artist creativity is boundless and what art is loved by everyone?
Ah but knitpick’s merino style is only $2.49 per skein. There’s about 120 yds per skein, so it would take about 8 or 10 for a sweater. That’s pretty affordable. The very cheapest way to get yarn is to check out thrifts stores and use the yarn from there though.
sue
Holy Crow! That’s a great price! What’s the catch? Seems like they have lots of colors to choose from too. The website even says it will felt, so it’s probably not too chemical soaked either.
Thanks for the tip suzeeq. I may have to try some myself.
MrTea, I think you should definitely try out merino style. One thing to keep in mind when buying it is that even though it’s listed as DK weight, it’s really closer to worsted (making it even more appealing, I think). A lot of their other yarns are good values too.
You probably already know this, but just in case… when you shop at KP, go through one of the banner ads here at KH – it helps support the site. (If there isn’t one there now, you can just refresh until one comes up.)
I did not know that, thanks Jane. And yes, that does make it even more appealing.
Merino style more of a light worsted, I guess; it looks the same thickness as a worsted yarn and knits up about the same too.
Their shipping is cheap and even free if you buy over $40… 
heeeheheheee
sue
The catch is that their merino is much rougher than higher priced merino. At least that was my experience with one of their other merino yarns, Shadow. I would recommend ordering a small amount to see whether you like it or not.
As far as what you can use rough wool for, I would recommend using it for outer clothes like a cardigan or shawl. Something like that where you will be wearing clothes underneath it that will protect your skin. Also, some people find that the skin on their hands and feet is not as sensitive as the rest of their body and can wear mittens and socks from regular wool.
I knew it. Still worth a try though. Generally the Merino yarns I see come from Italy and cost 3 to 5 times that price.
You know, I seem to remember someone commenting that KP’s lace weight yarns weren’t as nice as some of the others… don’t remember where I saw that… probably here. Merino style isn’t the nicest yarn in the universe, but it’s hard to beat the value. I’m very happy with the poncho I made with it. I also like andean treasure for budget baby alpaca.
you might want to start out ordering color cards of KP yarns.
I’m glad I did, as I found I like some yarns better in person than on the screen or in the catalog, and likewise, other yarns that I thought I’d like, I didn’t care for in person.
OH and Mommajo if you don’t like wool, why don’t you try some acrylics? Michaels has some good prices on their yarns and I’ve used some of the softer acrylics. I made my dd’s cardigan out of an acrylic yarn that was really nice to knit with. The plus is, of course, that I can wash her cardi without worrying too much about ruining the yarn.
Bernat satin is rather soft and it only cost $2.97 for a 152m (166yds) skein…I went when they had a sale and got them at $2.00 a skein.
There are just so many different yarn options out there that are actually reasonably priced …don’t think it has to be 100% wool.
If you do want to see some really nice yarn though check Make One Yarn store…its lurvely in there and the people are fantastic. (I’m pretty sure we are in the same city?
Dear god! the A word! :wall:
I can’t even begin to tell you about my disdain for plastic yarn.
Although, I do have some respect for nylon.
I’d much rather spend time with my kids then hand washing every bit of knitting I did for them.
To each their own.