knitting yarn?

[waterflow]

I started knitting a sweater and decided for once to buy some of the more exspensive yarn. I always buy teh cheap stuff and then the sweater is stiff. I only went up one notch in price but what a difference. Can't think of the yarn name but this sweater will be so much softer and look like store bought. Wish I had done it long ago. Just wondering what kind of yarn you use?

[Rosalie]

Hi Waterflow, when knitting something to wear such as a jumper, I always use pure natural yarns such as wool or mohair. It is pretty expensive but well worth the extra cost. Having said that, there are some amazing new synthetic/textured yarns around these days, I may have to change my old ways! Hahahahah
When I knit toys etc I use a synthetic yarn, as it is much easier to care for. Knitted dolls and animals etc get very grubby being dragged around the back yard !:lmao: And who wants to be hand washing those!

[ICNDonna]

Husband Terry and I are both spinners so when I knit something it's from home spun. I've dyed some, but I think I prefer the natural colors.

Donna

[meme]

Just trying to figure out my computer, so please ignore this!

[meme]

Okay, NOW it works! Sorry

[waterflow]

Isn't mohair and wool scratchy? Plus where do you find them?

Donna, a stupid question here but where do you find the yarn to spin into yarn? I have never seen any unspun yarn in the stores. Does it take long to get enough to knit a sweater?

[ICNDonna]

The way we get most of our yarn is from shearing our sheep. The wool that is shorn from the sheep is washed and washed and washed, then we run it through what we call a "carder" which combs the wool and makes it very soft and easy to separate. We then pull strands of it and using our spinning wheels, twist it into yarn. We also sometimes spin llama "fur" or alpaca.

My husband builds spinning wheels so I have my choice. It's fun. I'm learning to spin baby alpaca right now and it's very, very soft.

Donna

[waterflow]

Donna, that is so cool. How many 3 oz skeins of yarn do you get from one sheep? Do you sell your yarn? That would be so neat to say you want to knit a sweater, go out cut some of the sheep hair off and start making your own yarn. Do the sheep mind having all their hair cut off? Soemtimes when I watch it on tv the people do it so fast it looks painful for the poor sheep.

[ICNDonna]

The sheep don't mind at all. In fact, they seem to get a burst of energy after being shorn. I have absolutely no idea how much yarn we get from one sheep. It can vary so much, depending on what kind of sheep, size, etc.

Donna

[Rosalie]

Mary, I suppose its a personal thing about wearing wool or mohair. I don't find it scratchy at all. As for where to buy yarn, well, it may be abit too far for you to come to try out the shops I use :lmao:
However, you should be able to get it at craft shops or department stores. Just have a look in your yellow pages telephone book.