Red heart yarn

[knit-errant]

@Doublereeder2

I like their “Luster Sheen” for lacy scarves. It is acrylic, but smooth and a fine weight. Other than that, no I am not a fan. The heavier weights feel too scratchy for my taste.

I don’t know how I forgot about Lustersheen, especially when I’m making something with it currently! :doh:

[Calamintha]

Like many people I started out knitting with acrylic yarns. It didn’t bother me then but after I started using natural fibers I just couldn’t go back to the acrylic. There is just something unpleasant about the way it feels when I am knitting with it.

[Stiney]

I’ve never used Red Heart because when I touch most of it, it feels plastic-y and gross, but that is purely my opinion. Use what’s in your budget/reach. They’re your projects, don’t worry about anything except that knitting them makes you (and any recipients) happy.

[trollgirl]

I used Red Heart and other affordable yarns to try new things out. Red Heart does feel kind of rough, but it’s not that bad. I’m not that much of a yarn snob. And I’ve decided to not bother with nice expensive yarns for gifts, unless I know the person will appreciate it. I took my friend to one of the LYSs I frequent, so we could get her yarn for a hat, and she was unhappy that everything was expensive, handwash-only wool. Even though I made her pet some Mmmmalabrigo, she seems unable to get by the mental block that tells her that wool = scratchy. So if she ever gets gifts in future, it will be plastic yarn… like Softee Chunky or something.

Same goes for my other friends, including the DBF. Not because I don’t care, but because I know he’ll never remember that it’s handwash only. :teehee:

[Rorshach]

I’ll use Red heart yarn for afghans mostly. but for clothing? eh, I’d rather use superwash wool or other yarns.

[sfavereau]

I think a lot of the bargain acrylic yarns feel horrible to knit with and the finished fabric is nasty feeling too, but that’s just my opinion… :shrug:

There are some expensive natural fiber yarns that feel absolutely terrible too, so maybe it’s just me.

[jess_hawk]

I currently have two rolls of red heart ready to use for a hat for my brother… he and I don’t spend much money on each other so I wasn’t going to go out and buy any really nice yarn for him. I also learned to knit with it. On the other hand… the store where I work started carrying Paton’s merino wool and I pretty much stopped using acrylic unless its a novelty yarn. I guess I have some TLC that I like, and some Simply Soft. but I agree that mostly, Red Heart is just too rough compared to all of the other yarns you can find. besides, who wants to knit with Red Heart when there’s all kinds of fun wools to play with? hugs merino and alpaca yarns. Still, inexpensive yarn has its uses. Such as cheap hats for annoying little brothers. (by the way, I’m going to knit him one of those Pirates Fairisle hats… so the time I spend on it will make up for the cheap yarn.)

[miccisue]

@madametj

oh my, i’m embarassed :oops: now…i didnt know it was soooo unpopular! some ppl are saying its too scrath, which hasnt been a problem for me since its what i started out with. walmart is just aobut the only place i have to buy yarn, but i think even they have some other brands, though i wouldnt know which to buy. same goes for michaels, but they dont have that gr8 of a knitting supplies selection anyway. i used to have this wonderful stroe called A.C Moore, they had tons of brands there–but super saver was the cheapest so thats what i bought :teehee: . plus i didnt know which size needle to use with the others.

come to think :?? of it i do remember my mom saying my scarves were to itchy to wear…

hey, but if you guys have any red heart left, and u really hate it that much…u can always send it send it to :happydance: me!

There is absolutely no need to be embarrassed. I use Red Heart a lot, and have no problems with it at all. Personally, I can’t afford $7 and up for a 50 gram ball of yarn. If that makes me less of a knitter, so be it. I can’t wear wool, have never tried alpaca (again, the $$$ comes into play), and inexpensive acrylics are what my budget allows.

We all have to do what we have to do…I’d rather use “cheap” yarn and be able to knit than to not be able to knit at all. I will admit, I do get tired of the stigma that seems to follow people who use inexpensive acrylics…kinda like I should sit in the corner and yell “unclean, unclean”. But, I’m not doing this to impress anyone…I’m doing it because I enjoy it and can save some bucks by giving handknit gifts.

Someone mentioned the Red Heart being scratchy, and I agree that right out of the skein it is, but I think that is just stuff they put on it like they do yard goods. After a washing or two, I find the afghans nice and cuddly. But, that’s just me.

Again, don’t apologize and don’t be embarrassed. Just enjoy the craft of knitting. :cheering:

[madametj]

woo-hoo! i’m not alone! :woot: at least 12 ppl use red heart and my little poll shows that most ppl use red heart at least sometimes

[jdee]

I’ve used Red Heart a lot. It’s not my favorite, but I don’t especially hate it either.

[brendajos]

@sfavereau

There are some expensive natural fiber yarns that feel absolutely terrible too, so maybe it’s just me.

nods

[suzeeq]

@knit-errant

[quote=Doublereeder2]I like their “Luster Sheen” for lacy scarves. It is acrylic, but smooth and a fine weight. Other than that, no I am not a fan. The heavier weights feel too scratchy for my taste.

I don’t know how I forgot about Lustersheen, especially when I’m making something with it currently! :doh:[/quote]

I haven’t seen Lustersheen in the stores for quite a while. I wonder if they’ve discontinued it, or if it’s only available on line? That was nice too.

And I agree about the expensive natural yarns. I find most wools to be too scratchy and people rave over Silk Garden but I thought it was as rough as the old RH acrylic I have in my stash that I’m working on a making a cardi from because I have it and like the color. Anyway, some good' yarns aren't always better’. It depends on what’s available to you, and what you like the feel of.

Oh, and I like washability too.

sue

[Yarnlady]

@miccisue

I’d rather use “cheap” yarn and be able to knit than to not be able to knit at all. I will admit, I do get tired of the stigma that seems to follow people who use inexpensive acrylics…kinda like I should sit in the corner and yell “unclean, unclean”.

[color=indigo]Amen![/color]

[knit-errant]

@suzeeq

I haven’t seen Lustersheen in the stores for quite a while. I wonder if they’ve discontinued it, or if it’s only available on line? That was nice too.
sue

I’ve found it at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn’s. Neither has a particularly good selection of colors in my area, though.

[horve1]

I’ve used RH in the past, don’t use it much anymore, but I think (hope!) that’s more because of my desire to keep trying new things with knitting. That includes everything: making different items, learning new stitches, trying different kinds of needles, and YARNS! (bamboo, corn, silk, musk ox…).

But - and here I’d like to insert a trumpet call of triumph! - my son began knitting last night :woohoo: I brought home several skeins for him to choose from (different textures, different fibers, different textures…) - and he picked the RH!

[suzeeq]

@knit-errant

[quote=suzeeq] I haven’t seen Lustersheen in the stores for quite a while. I wonder if they’ve discontinued it, or if it’s only available on line? That was nice too.
sue

I’ve found it at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn’s. Neither has a particularly good selection of colors in my area, though.[/quote]

Oh whoops. I’m always confusing Lustersheen with TLC Lustre. It’s the Lustre I haven’t seen in a while. Very soft, like Caron SS and a worsted weight. The LS is very thin; I don’t use needles that small.

sue

[madametj]

so if red heart is so icky, wuts the best type of yarn or fiber or whatever u call it–i think wool itches even more than red heart

[Jan_in_CA]

@madametj

so if red heart is so icky, wuts the best type of yarn or fiber or whatever u call it–i think wool itches even more than red heart

Well, it depends on what you are making of course, but take a look at Bernat and Patons yarns when you are at Michaels, Joanns or wherever next time. They are usually pretty good prices and are softer.

[brendajos]

well, I haven’t read this whole thread, but there are lots of choices at places like Hobby Lobby and Michaels (well my michaels doesn’t have a LOT beyond novelty yarns but you know…) that are softer than red heart. Lion has some stuff that is pretty decent…i think it was TLC who had stuff that I used for a baby blanket that was really soft and drapey. (I think it was essentials) Go around and feel the stuff up and see what else you like.

In the end we all like what we like. There are a lot of people here who like Plymouth Encore yarns…I hate them…i don’t think they are soft at all and i don’t like how they come out of the skein for me. It is all about preference and personal tastes. :shrug:

[suzeeq]

Hobby Lobby’s baby yarn, Sweet Delight, is nice and soft. It mostly only comes in lighter shades, though there’s a nice turquoise and darker blue, and a yellow and peach that I like.

Paton’s Classic Merino is supposed to very nice to the touch, but yeah, wool yarns are just as scratchy as the cheaper acrylics.

sue