Department 71 "Yarn"

#1

I recently ordered some of this “yarn” from Herrschner’s as it was on sale and I’m trying to build up a nice inventory of yarn so I’m not constantly running to the LYS or internet to order what I need for any given project.

The Naomi stuff is not yarn, but more of a loosely constructed fabric masquerading as a bulky yarn.

This is how it comes:

Dual colored, is fine with me, there are some quirky hats or scarves you can make with it.

This is a swatch:

It’s obviously not yarn and it feels a bit like knitting with a rope. I used a size 11 needle for that swatch and it’s 10X10, which, IMHO, gives the knitter a good feel for the yarn. It feels like polyester, yet the label says it’s 50% wool, 30% acrylic. Fantastic, I have tons of yarn just like it.

I have to post a picture of this, because the needle recommendation is utterly ridiculous:

This is the swatch I tried to knit on size 4 needles. I’ve fought less with my kids.

Whoever makes this, and it’s not clear who does, needs to seriously rethink this novelty yarn.

#2

Ah Herrschners yarns. They are not created equal! The ones that are made with “brands” are not too bad. Or maybe I mean the ones with some wool content. I think Nob Hill, Lighthouse, Department 71 etc are actually pretty good. Ones with Herrschners as the label though…tend to come with a lot of knots in the ball!

I think all of them are made in China too…so often times you will get errors on the ball…like I bought some Nob Hill Carrington in the colour Ginger…it was written Ginget on the ball.

The colour bled as well…but that is another kettle of fish…they discontinued the line either way

#3

I’ve seen this type of yarn in other brands, and yes it’s still considered ‘yarn’. I think it’s called tape or ‘cabled’ yarn, sometimes ribbon, because it’s not plied like most yarn, but sort of woven. This yarnis similar, as are this one, and this one. These are all by Tahki, which is a fairly high end brand.

#4

Here’s an even stranger ‘yarn’ than makes ruffles. You don’t wrap it around the needles, but weave the needle through the ladders to cast on, and snag the edge through the ‘box’ to knit it. Here’s a video that shows how it’s done.

#5

It’s very interesting yarn! A great find!!! Good for you!!!

#6

My husband just took me to the hobby shops to search for yarn and I made out like a bandit with so many colors and types of worsted. The Two-Fer at Michael’s was fantastic. :cheering:

I saw a cloche type hat that might work for the Naomi yarn. I’m going to try that after I’m done with these socks. I’m just going to keep in mind that snagging a fiber from another loop is not going to be as easily fixed with it. :slight_smile:

#7

If I bought yarn labeled 13st=4" on size #4. And got that instead, I’d be pretty angry. But it seems to work fine on the larger needles.

Funny story, I know someone who knit a hammock out of nylon rope that you buy at the hardware store. Not something I’d ever want to do because the nylon is so coarse.

#8

Here’s an even stranger ‘yarn’ than makes ruffles. You don’t wrap it around the needles, but weave the needle through the ladders to cast on, and snag the edge through the ‘box’ to knit it. Here’s a video that shows how it’s done.

that would be kinda cool to make something out of…but i wouldnt pay $25 for it. It would have to be on a serious sale…

#9

You’d use it as an accent, like at the ends of a scarf, not to knit a whole scarf with. Lion had one like it a few years ago.

#10

If I bought yarn labeled 13st=4" on size #4. And got that instead, I’d be pretty angry. But it seems to work fine on the larger needles.

It could be the old UK size 4, which is a 6mm/US 10 size.

#11

Good point Sue. I didn’t even think about european sizing.

#12

Nope, the needle sizing is correct-- US size 4. It’s was never intended to be knit whole. It’s like the Lionbrand Ruffles: www.lionbrand.com/yarns/ruffles.html. You just insert the needle through the edge along the tape and pick up a little bit and create ruffles. There was a pattern for it that came along with the Naomi yarn-- or at least it was supposed to. I guess yours wasn’t included with the shipment, or they ran out. But the page I’ve linked you to at Lion Brand will show you how.

#13

Thanks! I was scratching my head wondering what I could use it for and 10 small balls of yarn is still a lot. I’m going to see what I can do with it after I’ve done some more birthday socks. :slight_smile:

#14

No, I think Angela’s yarn is made differently than the Chacha yarn. It’s more like the Tahki yarns I linked to where you do knit with larger needles. Even the Lion Ruffles says to knit with size 7, nothing as small as a 4, and it flatens out.

Try it both ways Angela and see what you get.

#15

I love reading threads like this because I learn so much! Thanks for the information!

#16

I had some Naomi. It came with instructions to make a scarf like the Lionbrand Ruffles. It works. I don’t know what to tell you. . . And yes-- it’s very different from Chacha.

#17

Does it flatten out like the Ruffles yarn?

#18

Hey Suz, I like the looks of that Cha Cha yarn. I had been knitting miles of narrow band on the knitting machine and using that. Good to know it comes pre-made if you need some in a hurry.