Quick question. I’m curious about the size 50’s. Would you need a circular needle (if they even make them in that size!) to make a throw or afghan? I found this link for the straights:
http://www.lionbrand.com/6030/PictPage/1922238557.html
Thanks for your help,
Jan
It would be much easier on a circ, and I think they are made that size.
IDon’t know if they are made in circs. But you CO 35 and they fit exactly on the needles. That’s 1 reason I prefer Lion brand 50s, the are just a bit longer that Boye, they feel better in my hands, too.
I am with the minority. I hate to knit with Homespun but it does turn out some nice finished projects. My first FO was a poncho in it and my dad wanted a chullo. I had the pattern in Homespun and couldn’t figure out an adequate sub so I just bit the bullet and did FAIR ISLE with it! Whew! Was that ever tough but my dad loves his chullo!
I actually don’t like knitting with that boucle kind of yarn that is wrapped with the tiny string in the middle like Homespun or Bernat Bamboo.
I hate to admit it but I just bought two more skeins for a shawl that I am going to make as a prayer shawl for my neighbor who just lost her husband last week.
Bambi
I used it a lot in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. I crocheted mine on bigger needles and it turned out nice–also washed up nice. I haven’t ever tried it for anything else, but can imagine it would be difficult.
What a cool thing… prayer shawls. I googled it b/c I wasn’t sure what they were all about.
Such a thoughtful gift!
Jan
For me, it’s terrible! :ick: I totally agree with you, rosefields! However, crocheting was no easier.
Big needles/hooks, loose tension.
Big needles/hooks, loose tension.
I finally got around to trying it with the bigger needles/loose tension and was so surprised to discover that it did make a difference. I’m thinking though, two or more strands held together would be better with the bigger needles b/c the work looked a little, well, holey. Maybe we should upgrade it to “Homestunned”! … Nah.
Jan
After looking at the 6-hour afghan pattern, I had to see if I liked the look with the speed stix…but, the largest I have is 35s. So, I took 2 strands (different colors) of my Homespun, cast on a dozen stitches and made a little swatch. Wow…really soft…it’ll make a great cuddle. 
It’s pretty “holey” with the 35s, I think the size 50s would be bigger than I’d like. But, I may just make it on the 35s; maybe with 3 or 4 strands, though. That should make them less “holey”…right?:??
I think with the 50s, you are supposed to use 3 or 4 strands. But you can try 3 with the 35s; I don’t mind a looser tension, so I’d probably just do 2.
Something I ran into with this yarn: because it is curly when it comes out of the skein, and you are kinda ‘knitting in’ the curls, when a person wears a sweater made withit, the curls fall out (due to body heat and moisture), and the sweater stretches southward. Waaaay south. Like a size 10 becomes a size 24.
And, with time and use, it pills a lot.
But, it is a beautiful yarn, and wonderful to feel!
I have made a (crocheted) hat and a (knitted) scarf with the Homespun yarn. For the hat, I used a size N (9mm) hook and size 17 knitting needles for the scarf. I used 2 strands for the scarf. They both turned out beautiful!
Every one has said it…but I thought I would say it too…it does suck…and I agree…the colours are really pretty…but I hated knitting with it…
Loose tension is a must…cause you just get little bunches along the whole project as you knit…and sewing things up…gah…what a pain the butt…
Yeah…who ever it was that said “I would never buy this, even on sale…” I concurr completely!
I knit a hat in Homespun on 10.5 circs, and I do like the look in plain stockinette. What bothered me was all the bunching around the center string! I still have three skeins of the stuff, and I’m going to try a simple shawl pattern I found on the LB website…with much bigger needles!
the items (afghans) I’ve made with Homespun yarn are mostly garter stitch, tho one was stockinette. It makes for kinda slow progress, but i’m a slow knitter anyway, i love the process of making stitch after stitch etc, so don’t mind having to slow down – plus the colors are reallly pretty! right now, it is so warm here in south Texas, i am making small projects,-- on needles now, a water bottle carrier. i made one before, but my dear granddaughter decided it should hold HER water bottle, not mine. then made another for her mom, and now am trying another for myself, just from acrylic leftovers.they are fun to make and useful also.linknit41
some knitting friends of mine collaborated on a prayer shawl for me (of white Homespun) when my husband was having surgery. it’s like a warm hug from them.linknit41
Does take a little getting used to. I’m using it for the 3rd time and my biggest problem was not getting the right needle cleanly through the loop, so I find that a looser tension helps with that.
It’s a very warm and snuggly yarn though. Hope you stick with it.
After my first project I would have agreed. I definitely don’t love it and am only using it because DH got it for me, he likes to bring me home yarn but hasn’t quite gotten the hang of what I like ;)…but when I made my mom’s Comfort Vest (in Rav projects page) and saw how warm and snuggly it was and how much she loved it, I changed my mind about it. Now am making a warm and snuggly garter stitch shawl.