Hello, I’m still fairly new to knitting and would really appreciate some assistance. I’m wanting to make a childs sweater from “Animal Knits” by Zoe Mellor. It’s telling me to use Rowan Handknit DK Cotton 50gm balls. I’d like to consider using a different yarn. If I use the same gauge but with a wool yarn can you think of any reason (other than needing to be handwashed) that would interfere with this? I’d like to buy “Knit Picks Merino Style DK yarn” as a substitute. I really would like some help before I purchase it from someone who’s experienced with knitting and changing yarns. Thank you…first post by the way! Looks like a fun forum…Lisa123
Help with a yarn substitution please
Welcome!! You can start with any dk weight yarn, and then do a swatch to get your gauge just so.
I’ve done many children’s sweaters with Plymouth Encore, worsted and dk, and it washes and dries beautifully. In fact I made the sweater from that book with the farm animals on it. It’s a blend.
If you want wool, there are superwash wools out there, too, that come in dk weight and don’t have to be handwashed. Dale of Norway Falk is one, off the top of my head. But if you want the Merino Style, that should work find, but again, just do a swatch.
Ingrid…thank you so much. I’ll look online for the plymouth encore you suggested. I’m sorta hoping for a different yarn too for the cost of it as well. I’ll need several colors for this one sweater and I’d like to keep the cost down as much as I can while I’m still new at it. The suggested yarn (which is very nice) runs over $5.00 a ball. Thanks Ingrid…I really appreciate your reply 
http://yarnware.com/ has the encore dk for $3.19 a ball. It has 150 yards per ball for comparison’s sake.
Terrific! thanks…I’m gonna go order some right now! Glad I found this site. You helped put my mind at ease…happy knitting! Lisa