I’m new to knitting (this is my first project) and I need some help with the yarn I purchased.
I was wanting to do some arm knitting for my first attempt and make a throw blanket. I purchased some roving yarn, which is made from acrylic, not having any idea what it was, I just thought it looked nice, I liked the colour and it was yarn so didn’t think anything further of it. I am now struggling to figure out how to use it as it just keeps coming apart.
I have read that roving yarn needs a light felting prior to using it, however the techniques I have found only apply to Merino wool. I did try one technique but it didn’t seem to make any difference to the structure of the yarn.
Can anyone tell me if it’s possible to create a throw with this yarn that’s not going to just fall apart?
Welcome to KH. What yarn do you have? I expect it’s possible to make it into a throw. I’m not sure you’ll like the results and it will be a lot of work if you do it. Even though this video addresses merino roving used for a blanket the results with acrylic when exposed to real life would be comparable. You might consider finding out if you can return the unused yarn for a refund and using the money for yarn that you can use to make something you’ll be able to enjoy. If you want to do arm knitting you could use multiple strands of yarn that have some twist held together to make it thicker. My suggestions might seem harsh but the thought of tears over a blanket that just didn’t work, especially as a first project, make me want to cry. There’s lots of help to be had here and probably others have done arm knitting.
Thank you for the video, it was exactly what I was expecting would happen, which is why I was trying to find out if there was something that needed doing to the yarn first. Is roving yarn then used for spinning? What else would it’s use be? I bought mine from Temu, however it is Walmart labelled.
I have already received a refund, but got to keep the yarn, which is why I was still hoping to use it, however it looks like I have a few unusable balls.
I do love the look of the arm/finger knitting blankets, and it would be an easy project to start (I have already attempted crocheting and got frustrated and put it aside for another time) so what would be the best type of yarn to achieve a similar look to this? https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/498985615/chunky-knit-blanket-100-merino-wool Is using multiple strands together hard to achieve?
Hello
What a shame to have all this roving and not have a project!
I think the only way to get use from this is to pass it on to someone who spins.
Do you have knitting needles? If you do, you could try a sample swatch knitting it up on the smallest needle you can manage to work it on (smaller stitches would give it more integrity/strength) and then perhaps “kill” the acrylic. “Killing” acrylic is a process where you basically melt the plastic fibres. You place a thin fabric between your acrylic knitting and your iron so that you don’t destroy your iron by getting plastic on it, and iron the knit fabric (usually the warning is to never iron acrylic and never let the iron touch it but this process of killing touches on purpose for a different result). There are videos on this but they are intended for regular acrylic yarn, not roving, you will be able to see how it works though and could try it as a test on your knit fabric.
The blanket example you linked, although these are very popular in photo shoots, they are not usable. You aren’t going to get that same look with any yarn that is usable. You can get bulky yarn and even use multiple strands but the look and texture will not be the same. Sorry to say this but if you want an item that is anything more than a photoshoot prop I would suggest putting this style out of your mind and looking instead at some realistic and usable throws and blanket patterns that are available.
If you are totally new to knitting I would suggest following a tried and tested throw pattern from a known designer using a regular spun yarn. There are heaps of patterns, both to buy and free, to choose from, and whatever yarn you use check the washing instructions before buying the yarn. If it’s hand-wash only and can’t be rolled, squeezed, or spun in a machine, are you prepared for the ordeal of caring for a large item that has to be so delicately cared for, hand washed and dried flat? (I’m not which is why I switch yarns to machine washable).
There’s lots of help and support here which ever pattern you decide to use.
Welcome to KnittingHelp!
That first experience with yarn is indeed disappointing but there are many lovely super bulky yarns out there and lots of throw patterns for them.
I like Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick for super bulky. You can even use multiple strands without any problem. Don’t wind the multiple strands into a single ball however, just pull from the separate balls. Works just fine and not as problematic as the single large ball.
Here are a few patterns with enough stitch pattern structure to hold up over time.
Thank you. I might try the killing technique and see how I go. Failing that I will look into some other basic beginner patterns with different yarn and see if there is anything I like.
It is really disappointing as I had been looking at these blankets for quite awhile and admiring them, before finally deciding to give it a go.
