I just can’t get used to how Lion brand Homespun feels in my hands when I knit. The yarn is so nubby and knotty that it’s hard to make the stitches. Am I the only one having trouble? I even switched to crochet but I’m still having trouble. Have to make a bunch of squares with this yarn for a charity baby blanket. Yikes, it’s driving me nuts!
Thanks for your advice/help,
Jan
ummm, NO! you are not the only person who has problems with Lion Brand Homespun:ick:
If you have the time and energy…do a search…
personally, I find it a lot easier to crochet with, if I had to use if for something…
I hear home spun sucks.I have some but I haven’t actually done anything with it. However I believe that homespun is made for bigger needles because it acts stupid on smaller ones. Try size 11 or so and up might help
yeah, bigger needles, at least a size 10 should work ok. it does take some getting used to as it is so loosely spun and that little thread around it can be troublesome. but i love the way finished objects are so cushy–have made 3 afghans from it for daughter and grandkids and they snuggle under them quite happily. linknit41
I hate the stuff, and would never buy it again at any price.
It’s awful to work with. People always fall for the colors but doesn’t show stitches well, it splits, it’s difficult to use.
Such pretty colors.
Such nasty yarn.
Such a pity.
I think linknit41 and I are in the minority. I also love the end product and don’t have any real trouble knitting with it. I made two small baby blankets with it and it washed up nice, too.
:knitting:
It does tend to split and I had a harder time with it when I was using fairly “dull” needles. I just got my options and that made a world of difference. I pretty much have only done garter stitch with it.
I just made 3 little purses with it and they’re adorable; 2 with size 8 or 9 and one with size 4 needles. I think that the sharper, pointier needle made a big difference and is much better with this yarn. :think:
It has beautiful colors and is nice and soft, but it’s a pain to knit with. I tried it once and would never use it again. Besides being a pain to knit with I’m not a huge fan of any yarn that hides my stitches. Knit stitches are pretty small and it takes a long time so I want my beautiful stitches to show so I stick to smoother yarn!
I find it knits better if you use size 11s and keep a loose tension in your hands.
I call it Homeshun. :teehee:
I’ve even stopped people in Michael’s who were trying to buy it. One did and said that she loved it, one didn’t buy it–at least while I was lurking.
There are so many, many better yarns out there. . .
It isn’t all[I] that[/I] bad; you just have to know how to handle it. Loosely…
I use it for Prayer Shawls on #13 bamboo needles with loose tension. It does knit up soft and fluffy and since the prayer shawl pattern is knit 3 purl 3 I don’t worry about the stitches showing. Everyone that has recieved one of the shawls has loved the soft warm hug.
I always use Lion Brand Homespun yarn when making prayer shawls for our church knitting group – all the knitters in the group do. The feel of it did take a little getting used to – the lumps and bumps - but it makes a very soft, light weight, warm shawl and the selection of colors is wonderful. We use size 13 needle and that seems to work well. However, on more than one occasion we have come across areas of the yarn where the little string has broken and the yarn just splays apart – have to cut that area of yarn out and retie on the skein – a Lion Brand quality control problem! The folks who crochet in our group can’t stand the yarn and won’t use it. So - pros and cons for homespun.
I think it only works for people with a loose tension-- of which I am one. But my complaint about it is that the finished product tends to stretch a great deal, vertically. But I do like the softness and the colors and the way it knits up.
Wow you guys, thanks for all the responses! Ingrid~~ “homeshun” is hilarious. I’ll try bigger needles and will loosen up the tension, but I know in my heart of hearts that I’m going to be struggling. We were all so impressed when one of the gals in my knitting group purchased 7 skeins for .99 cents apiece at Michael’s. We each got a skein so we coud begin baby blanket squares. She said that we were going to LOVE the yarn (she’s used it before.) My only hope is that the other ladies are strugging with it too. Actually, I’m PRAYING that they’re struggling. I’m envisioning a huge bonfire with each of us tossing in a skein, then laughing wildly and, what the heck, howling and dancing too. Would roast marshmallows, but, darn those plasticky fumes.
Anyways, it’s great that some have had success with it, but it is also good to know that I wasn’t the only one having difficulty. I honestly will try with those suggestions.
Thanks again everyone! 
Jan
This is the yarn that I tried to learn how to knit on. No wonder I gave up my first project!
I’ll agree that it is a pain to knit with, but I made the Six Hour Throw with it (I think it used 4 strands together) on size 50 needles and gave it to my friend. Her whole family now fights over who gets to cuddle up with it. That’s praise enough for me to make another. But, I will invest in size 50 circulars before I do.
I’ve made the 6 Hour Throw, too. In fact, when I 1st started knitting, I bought a ton of Homespun. I was duped by the colors and softness. Hate is such a strong word, but I hated it until I found the 6 hour trow pattern. I made 1 for my daughter and we all fight over it while watching TV. I actually have enough of this stuff to make 3 more throws (remember that’s 4 stands held together and each throw uses 8 skeins = 24 skeins, that I kept). I even gave away at least 8 skeins of it. I’m in the middle of my 2nd throw. The crazy thing is, that know I think about other colors I can use to make more throws (that is after I use up all that I have.)
They will make great gifts and they really are pretty quick to knit up.
BTW, I highly recommend the Lion brand size 50 needles. I tried Boye and don’t like them as much.
I’ve never used Size 50 knitting needles. But, YIKES they look big!!
Also googled the 6-hour throw pattern:
I don’t know if I’ll get brave enough to try it with “Homeshun”. ~Maybe with different yarn. Ha
Jan