I've been knitting for over 30 years. My number one choice for everything I knit, is Briggs & Little. It's beautifully rustic, inexpensive, and spun from 100% Canadian wool at a small family owned mill in New Brunswick. A sweater quantity costs me an average of $60 CAD. I've splurged on expensive trendy wools and found Briggs & Little worked up as nice or nicer at a fraction of the cost. I rarely wash my hand knits and when I do it's always by hand. I don't know if that affects how the items age, but my old Briggs & Little sweaters still look like the day they were knit.
I tried B&L as I wanted to support Canadian biz, but to be honest, the finished product and the touch can't compare to Drops Karisma at the same price range or Paton's classic wools for example. I wouldn't say the quality is bad because many people told me B&L lasts forever, however, 2 sweaters I knitted with B&L are the least ones I wear.
I was just requested to make 5 men in my family sweaters bc the loved the one that I made for my husband. Although I didn’t use the priciest yarn that I could find for my husband’s sweater it was still $90 in yarn. All the men in the family are huge and I would need at least $130-40 in yarn per sweater if I keep with the same yarn. I am going to test one of the brands that you recommended. It sounds to consist of exactly the same ratio of materials that I just used. And at 1/3 of the cost. So thank you for this!!! I really appreciate it.
Thanks for addressing this! I’ve just started knitting sweaters after knitting hats/small things for years. I’m astounded at how some of the UA-cam knitters share the indy dyed yarn that they are using, only when I look it up, it would cost $400 to knit the sweater! I don’t have that kind of budget. I love the Cascade yarn that you mentioned-I’m using the Heritage Wave doubled with a strand of Heritage to knit a Ranunculus sweater right now. It will cost me less than $50, it will be soft and warm and I love it. ❤ Cheers from Washington!
it’s crazy isn’t it - i’m always wondering how people have indie yarn money 😂😂 ooo i’ve never tried that but just looked it up and it is STUNNING!! i have to try it!!!!
Been knitting for 50 yrs and am amazed at how little new knitters are taught when they learn. The newest scam are designer who seem yo only be able to make a basic raglan unless it invokves a strand of mohair with a strand of hand dyed. That is a 150-400 dollar sweater! How about the sweaters made with double and triple strands! New designers are not taught the importance of ggauge and think that the label is all that matters. You can make anything as long as you get gauge first. Ignore the recommended yarn and needles, get a $7.95 EZ book and read it. Knitting Almanac is the name. Watch videos from established knitters and designersamd read their.books. If they don't have literature but they are selling $15 per pattern basic cabled raglans in $35 per skein yarn then you might want to have a second look. Make gauge swatches, wash and block and keep a detailed journal for them.
definitley agree! i’m often surprised by the fast timeline of “i learned to knit!” and “hey guys buy my pattern” 😂 such good tips, and i hadn’t thought about keeping a journal of gauge swatches which i will endeavour to do!
I've been knitting for 36 years, crochet for 54 (started when I was in kindergarten!). I still have some of my Nana's yarn stash and she died in 1980, it's all acrylic. She made us many memorable pieces in acrylic yarns. While I like to use cotton as a personal preference (allergies to chemicals), there are also many affordable options with that. However, when I make sweaters, I usually reach for the acrylic. You can make a wonderful sweater with basic acrylic yarn, and most patterns are gauged to Worsted weight, which is what most acrylics are. For less than $20, I can make a wonderful turtleneck sweater that looks like it retails over $50. You are right that gauge is everything. The really good tutors on social media insist that people who follow their patterns make gauge swatches and use whatever tools will get them to gauge. One of the reasons I like to sew, crochet, knit, and embroider, is because the cost of materials is much less than to buy something retail, plus I can make exactly what I, my friends & family want. While I understand the ability to make a high dollar, high quality, handmade item also exists, just like buying something like that, it should be a splurge, not one's entire wardrobe.
Been knitting over 40 years and I agree!!! I can just imagine how they would scoff at our “simple” pattern books from the 1960s and prior (patterns I learned on) and all the “primitive” tools and yarns we used (acrylic?! Shock! Horror!)
When I first started knitting and watching UA-cam, I was shocked at the price of yarn. I’ve learned to find the high quality and affordable yarn. I will be using Drops Nepal yarn this year for my colorwork. I’ve purchased quite a bit of Drops Bell for two tops so I hope I’ll like that too. Thanks for the information.
I’m a Drops fan too there merino is non muesling safran is a great cotton Belle knits up the same sandes garn Lina, drop Nepals great most of the drops yarns are and the tweed yarn is great too. I do buy hand dyed occasionally and occasionally Rowan if I find a good deal on eBay but not a sweaters worth
I just finished a colourwork cardigan for my mum with Drops Nepal and it’s blocked out beautifully. So affordable and soft, I think Nepal overdelivers on quality 🙂
Thank you for talking about this. I think it’s fine for people to spend lots on yarn if they want to, but it’s also important for budgeting to be part of the online conversation so it feels normal not to be splashing out on your knits all the time!
definitely true! i agree, if people want to buy luxury yarn then they should do that (and some of it is so sooo gorgeous!!!) but it’s definitely not “the norm” and it can definitely make others feel a bit sheepish with their normal yarn when it’s pitched as such. definitely important to talk about it!
Oh my goodness thank you so much for this. I just decided to make my first adult sized sweater and went into a yarn shop for it. I thought I had prepared myself for the cost and planned to splurge but even picking the cheapest merino they had in the shop it cost so, so much. It really ruined the experience for me because I felt so guilty for spending so much. But I really had no idea what to do instead, and then your video popped up! Thank you!!
aw thank you so much, i’m glad it was helpful! oh i know that feeling, it can be really crazy 😅😭 which is just silliness because it doesn’t need to be that way at all!!
thank you so much for this video! i'm still fairly new to knitting, but seeing all these major content creators and designers pushing these super expensive yarns is really discouraging a lot of the time. i've been using a merino yarn for my first sweater from hobbii and it's been awesome. :)
Drops yarn is fantastic, I used it to knit sweaters for me and my mom and they are some of our most used sweaters. I also have a sweater my mom knitted 30 years ago out of 100% acrylic yarn - it's gorgeous, comfy, machine washable and looks great after literal decades of use. Yarn snoberry is so silly.
that’s fab, i love it too! i know i agree - i think a lot of people who say that actually don’t use synthetic or synthetic blends and are just basing their opinion on what they’ve heard 😅 it is silly!
@issyknits it's still not acting and behaving like wool. I sweat in it more also and it doesn't keep me as warm when I'm out for longer. I only use it for decorations or a bath rug, etc . High quality acrylic yarn can be ok to work with and feel but at the end of the day it's still acrylic .
@@j.3069yes that’s definitely true that it won’t behave like wool, just like knitting out of cotton or silk wouldn’t behave as wool. knit with whatever fibre you like, and let others do the same 💕
@j.3069 well...yes. no one is saying it isn't acrylic. Just that it being acrylic isn't inherently bad. The worth of a yarn isn't determined by it's proximity to wool or how much it behaves like wool lol. There are other yarn fibres! Yet people constantly believe that if something that isn't wool doesn't behave like wool then it's bad yarn and that's just so silly! People can have whatever personal preferences they like but so many people who don't even use acrylic yarn act like it is inherently bad yarn for everyone because it isn't an animal fibre. And that's what's silly.
@Lisa_Flowers people here use wool because it keeps warmer than fleece when outside for longer and so it absolutely defeats the purpose as we can buy acrylic garments everywhere but knit to keep us warm. That doesn't mean high quality acrylic is not useful especially in a mix when not more than 20% but pure acrylic?! What for? I don't knit to wear plastic but to be warm and be able to breathe. Show me fibres with that ability and I'll use them alongside wool.
Thank you for your info. Yarn snobs, I find are the majority on UA-cam and what really gets me is the first thing they tell you is to become a patreon, because this is the only way they earn money. They always use the yarn the designer suggests and then by the way are quickly going on a trip to work so hard for their podcasts. I'm a sock knitter and mainly use Regia. My daughter is still wearing socks 10 years down the line. All she does is put all her socks in a net washing bag and 30c in the wash. She dries them flat and don't know if that makes a difference. Thank you and keep up the good work I need it
definitely! i agree, im always blown away by the yarn choices too. i get it for a very special or rare colour but sometimes i just think it looks like any old yarn but cost a bomb! ooo ive never tried that one before, will put on my list to try next time!
@@issyknitsI recommend Regia for socks. It's not quite as soft as Cascade Heritage (which I adore), but it is harder wearing. Regia do loads of lovely self striping yarns, and they seem to change up the designs/colours all the time, so you can often get end of line sales. West Yorkshire Spinners do good sock yarn too, although it's less often on sale and I think a little bit more expensive.
@anitaswart. your daughter seems to also not walk barefoot a lot and seems to rub hard skin off her feet regularly plus creams it. I don't so they end up with holes at the end part (Ferse in German).
I have a yarn snob’s stash. They are pretty and lots of fun, but the yarns I really love to knit with most are good workhorse wools like Briggs and Little, Shetland Spindrift, and unspun Icelandic. The old standbys make the best sweaters & socks.
in terms of yarns i’ve loved working with that are less expensive: knit picks swish dk and berroco vintage (both the dk and worsted weights) are a couple of my favorites. great for gifting accessories, i want to make a whole sweater out of one of them soon.
I couldn’t afford to buy the lovely hand dyed or rustic yarns that I crave. So I learned how to dye bare yarn, and how to blend and spin fiber into those rustic yarns I love. Buying acid dyes and fine bare yarn is much less expensive. Spinning on an EEW electric spinner is a lower cost entry to spinning.
@@issyknits I learned to spin with combed top (beautifully processed) then I experimented with small quantities of raw fleece , and tomorrow I’m headed to a fiber show and may buy a whole fleece…
Really love that you made a video about this! I don't think the cost of yarn is talked about enough, not everyone can afford to keep buying sweater quantities of expensive yarns. I've used drops nepal before and would definitely second your reccomendation (with the caveat that it does pill quite a lot in my experience, but nothing that a de-piller cant fix!), and I'm currently making a wrap cardigan in cascade hertiage. It is SO soft, I'm looking forward to seeing how the fabric holds up. I'd also reccomend others from the drops line that I've tried (Lima, nord and flora have all been great in my experience, and their cottons are great for accessories and home decor items). I'd love to here your reccomendations for budget rustic/itchy yarns!
definitely agree! it can make people (me lol) feel a bit self conscious about it too, like will people look down on my projects if i’m not using £25 a skein indie dyed boutique 100% natural yarn?? oh that’s good to know about the other yarns, i’ve tried flora but not the others so will definitely keep in mind! ahh i definitely will! why is it that the scratchiest yarn is always the prettiest 😭😭😭
If you can get it, Jamieson and Smith's yarns are definitely rustic and very reasonably priced. Pure Shetland wool, beautiful course but handwash only.
i’ve used a bit of jamiesons and smith but currently using a jamiesons of shetland (i know they are different companies but comp and usage appears largely the same) and i LOVE it!! i would agree its reasonably priced for the quality, possibly leaning towards being a “treat” yarn for me as i reckon still best part of £100 for a sweater but it is so gorgeous that its worth it, and definitely not as pricy as others!
I so appreciate that you brought up this topic! It seems like the elephant in the room within the knitting community. Will give Drops Nepal a go. Am lucky that Cascade Heritage is stocked at my local craft store down the street. Amazing!
it definitely does doesn’t it! it’s crazy how pervasive the idea that it’s normal and expected to spend £200+ on yarn for one sweater 😂 ah yay, hope you like it!
I hate the expensive yarn culture so much, too, I wish I could give this video 2 thumbs-ups! ;) I mean how can *anyone* afford to make anything (requiring several skeins) with yarns that cost over 10 Euros per 50 g skein/ ball?!? Even if one theoretically *could* afford it, it just seems such a waste of money! Why pay such outrageous sums when you can get as good quality yarns more affordably?! I love e.g. Drops yarns - e.g. their Baby Merino is just superb! (So soft, would def. recommend it for sensitive skins!) Though it's on the expensive end of their yarns, but still affordable. And often also buy yarns in second hand shops & online second hand marketplaces too. Btw, I hope you'd make a video of expensive pattern culture, too - I find it outrageous that one is expected to shell out something like 10 Euros for a single pattern!! No way.
Agreed on the pattern prices. Unless it is something genuinely unique and intricate it’s not worth €20,00 or more. I rarely, if ever, buy patterns, there are plenty lovely free patterns, but when I do I expect to get my money’s worth. I’d then rather buy a pattern book or magazine that has several patterns.
I’m 54 and I remember my beloved Grandmother taking me to jumble sales ( I loved them) and buying hand knitted sweaters and unpicking them for me to learn knitting. She taught me and was constantly making sweaters, waistcoats for the family and I cherish all those memories. I love crocheting but yarn here in Germany is very expensive as it’s seen as Artisan and you can only get yarn from specialty shops, people living in the States have much more variety I believe.
i love that - what a great idea! i bet you learned a lot from that. that’s really interesting about the choice of yarns, i agree it does seem like the US have a lot of choice of yarn and it sounds like there’s some amazing yarns out there i will sadly probably never get to try!
I have mostly got into the habit of buying the same yarns again and again over the years or finding almost identical options which I think has kept my expectations of price pretty in control. I also think that the in person accessibility to yarn can limit people getting familiar with brands that sit on that budget friendly nicer quality end. We used to have yarn shop had a really great range that included brands like cascade so to you could get a good feel for other non UK brands. They moved and the current yarn shop we have is part of a larger craft shop and they really only stock a tiny slice of the common UK brands so you can't really get familiar with anything else.
definitely that’s so true! i tend to buy online these days because of that, but that has its own issues as you can’t feel it. we have two LYS in my town and one sounds the same as yours, the other has slightly more variety but seems to go from the affordable well-known UK yarns, to suddenly prohibitively expensive boutique hanks, with little in the middle 😂 i dream of a huge yarn warehouse where i can feel all of the yarns and see the colours, but im not sure if such a thing exists!
Appreciated this video - thanks. I was dillying over drops Nepal so I'll give it a go. I like listening to knitting podcasts but so tired of the endless hand dyed expensive yarns that are almost always recommended.
Great video but not sure if I totally agree with you. The whole reason gauge is giving in a pattern is so you can, in my opinion, substitute the yarn the designer used (which is often donated by the dyer/brand) for a yarn that is in your price range. I rarely use the yarn a designer intends for a pattern, sometimes because it's too expensive, but more often because I like to search for, to me, affordable alternatives and thus make a project more me. Using more natural wools/yarn is definitely hot and is something I applaud, the whole superwash process is just not sustainable (it uses a lot of nasty chemicals and water) and the yarns shed microplastics (as do acrylic yarns), which each wash and I think we can all agree that that's a bad thing. Just for these two reasons it's good we use more natural options. And no those options don't have to cost you tons of money, I agree with you there. Luckily there are a lot of afforable natural wools out there that are a better choice than acrylics or superwash yarn. Also natural wool is way warmer which is a good thing too for most people plus you rarely have to wash real wool. The whole trend of using two strands together is just that, a trend, and nobody tells you to follow a trend. I personally like the mohair thing but know of somebody who just doesn't and she just substitutes a DK yarn instead of using a fingering and mohair. Also a lot of designers come up with affordable alternatives for the yarn they used, or at least I feel that they do that and you can always check ravelry for instance to see what other yarns people have used to knit a pattern you like. If you do want to use two strands you can always search for cheaper alternatives than an expensive silk mohair, drops kidsilk for instance is very affordable and comes in a whole lot of nice colours. I do agree with you that there should always be more focus on affordable yarns but, with your video and others out there, I feel that there definitely is these days.
thank you! i don’t disagree with you at all, but the “norm” i was referring to was other knitters, and expensive yarn being the “norm” that you see your peers knit with on social media. i’ve no issues with designers picking whatever yarn they want and to be honest, i can understand designers reaching for a more luxurious yarn for their prototype as it may look more appealing in photographs. additionally their choice may be guided by yarn company partnerships etc! 💕
Winter Glow and Winter Glow solids are amazing- light but super warm!!! And if you play Monday Bingo, you get an additional coupon for $ off for 48 hours, on top of any sale price or multiple skein purchases (an all time perk of Hobbii), you can save a bunch on these.
I’ve been using stylecraft organic cotton to do the Fridas flowers crochet blanket and it works up lovely and is very nice. I usually buy drops when going for cotton but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the stylecraft cotton. Also, West Yorkshire spinners do very nice British wool yarn, I love their sock yarns and they have a really good range and are beautiful quality. One day I’ll treat myself to the posh stuff for a special project.
ooo that’s good to know!! i have used a west yorkshire spinners signature 4ply for socks before and sooo agree it was gorgeous and the colours 🌟🌟🌟 love it! i actually forgot about that so thank you, great rec!!!
I think you are absolutely right - it is possible to find good quality knitting yarns that don't break the bank. I would like to put in a mention for Wooly Knits yarns , their sock yarn comes on 200g cones for £12 and I have found it to be hard wearing. My particular favourite is their British wool 4ply 500g cones which are £30 or £34 for merino. They also have regular sales across the range.
Hurrah for speaking the unspeakable..Cost ,comfort and caring for the product you knit .So many people feel a failure because they cant afford the ridiculas costs of some of the yarns..Vlogmas always feels like boastfest when Utubers show wall to wall expensive wool..❤❤More of this please.
Thank you for this useful information. I haven’t tried the Hayfield Bonus Aran but I’ll certainly try this for my next project. I’m a big fan of Hayfield Bonus DK which I use for toys. I much prefer it to Stylecraft Special DK which many people rave about. Drops Nepal is a lovely inexpensive yarn. In fact Drops yarns are all gorgeous and so inexpensive. It just shows you what a huge mark up some manufacturers put on their yarns. I’ve also heard good things about Cascade Heritage so all in all you’ve made me more confident on yarn choices which are soft as well as durable (a must when knitting for kids) and which don’t cost a fortune.
oh yay i’m so pleased it was helpful 💕 yes it’s fantastic! i’ve tried stylecraft special aran but not dk, it was ok but no match for hayfield! yes definitely i love drops, it puts it into perspective doesn’t it. such gorgeous colours!
This is an excellent review of affordable yarns, much needed and appreciated. It would be lovely, however, to have you share comments on the pilling factor of these yarns. So many of the "better" yarns pill so badly it makes you want to cry after spending so much for them. I realize some pilling is natural, but if the garment is going to turn into a fuzz ball, it's nice to be forewarned.
thank you, so glad it was helpful! my experience with these is that they all pill a little but not significantly. that said, some people have commented that they’ve found drops nepal pills quite a bit on their items!
Well as as a fifty year knitter, 10 yrs in a venerable Yarn store, I was all prepared to dis your choices. Bad me …. Your choices are great. Factory made sock yarns of all sorts are usually predominantly wool, washable and not too scratchy, Drops and Sirdar make some of the most affordable yarns out of lovely natural fibres. I live on the west coast of Canada and knit with Drops cotton (Aran weight) and baumulle Lin by drops as for my jumpers . Frequently layered both under and over other natural fibres. Washable, cozy and not itchy. I know all the reasons for using acrylic, but none of it warrants a couple of hundred years breaking down in the landfill until it becomes microfibre pollution.
ah amazing, i’m so glad you agree! i haven’t tried any drops cotton but will give it a try, currently knitting a dress in cotton and i love the feel against my skin!
If I'm in the UK visiting family I love West Yorkshire Spinner's, Paton's and Sirdar yarns, Mum made many of my sweaters when I was younger from either Paton's, or Sirdar. In the US Berrocco have some really good wool and wool blend yarns at reasonable prices and Webs have their own brand yarns too, I have a couple of 1200 yard cones of alpaca from webs that were about $25-30 each.
Absolute shout with the drops, I'm using the drops lima (dk version of drops nepal) right now for some headphone covers and I use it for absolutely everything. It is so soft and warm, works so nicely for colourwork, and it's so affordable, especially if you get it during a sale. It's my go to!!!
I use a lot of Colourmart yarns as they sell deadstock of Italian yarn and sometimes you can get a nice merino or cashmere on a sale or on discount. This is industrial yarn and you need to play a bit with it and use a few threads together and wash swatches as yarn blooms after the first wash in warm water ( to wash the industrial oils etc). The garments last longer and the yarn looks so much better than from a shop and it is cheaper too. I get still tempted to buy shop yarn from time to time to see how it compares. But I still don’t get hand dyed yarn, it might be nice for colourwork but I wouldn’t do a full sweater in it. I have been knitting over 30 years and was taught by my mum.
In the US, I highly recommend Beaverslide yarn. The merino is next to skin soft, but also hard wearing, non-pilling. Some of the blends are a bit scratchier, but equally beautiful and hard wearing. Absolutely gorgeous yarn, heirloom quality at a reasonable price. Peace fleece is also good, but a bit coarser and more expensive.
Thank you for the video! I always appreciate cost-effective high quality wools. Cascade brand overall is my favourite, I wish it will be more available in Spain. I would also mention Filcolana, BC garn and Mondial. Their quality is def cost-effective, as for me
I discovered Holst Garn out of Denmark last year, they have an amazing wool for color work, with a gigantic range. Plus a merino/cotton blend that is so, so soft when washed. They sell 500g cones for about $35, with reasonable shipping.
Thank you for this. Just at the right time. I’m looking for yarn for a baby project. I know my daughter in law won’t hand wash so your suggestions are perfect
I really like BC Garn yarns. A lot of options, many colors, and cost around 10euro for a 100 g. Another great option is Retrosaria Rosa Pomar. Their yarns start at about 5 euro, and their most popular one is 10.10 euro for a 100g of beautiful fingering weight. Doesn't pill, a huge color range, and very ecologically conscious
I agree, i have used both and have good results with both . Rosarios4 yarns, particularly their summer blends are also good and well priced. In London I know BC Garn are stocked at Loop and Retrosaria Rosa Pomar and Rosarios4 at Wild and Woolly who also have something called their Stash Depot where customers can buy and sell yarn for £2 per ball. Bargains can often be had!
I really like west yorkshire spinners sock yarn! I'm not huge on their other yarns but the sock yarn is 75% wool and 25% nylon and can go in the washing machine. All of my socks are knit in it and you get 3 socks per ball and its less than £10 per ball and they wear so so beautifully. none of them have worn through even after over a year.
I love Rowan yarns but I only use their yarn when knitting for myself. I don't use expensive yarns when knitting for others - grandchildren for example. Their mum's appreciate my hand knits but don't have time to handwash, towel dry and pay out an item. I totally agree with other comments that have been made about how designers push ridiculously expensive yarn.
that’s a great rule! i find it takes a specific type of person to really appreciate a great yarn, otherwise caring for it becomes a burden and inevitably the item will be ruined 😅
I'm so glad you put this video up and "broke the silence." 😂Thanks for these yarn recommendations. It also seems that certain designers get all the "attention" or are the standard for posh knitting. I would love to know if you have any designers that you would recommend.
Thanks for these recommendations (& those who have left comments with others). I really like Holst Garn supersoft. I'm in the UK too, but order direct from Denmark via their website. I think postage worked out between £8-12 but the yarn itself is such good value - lots of metreage for the price, it is lovely and soft when washed, and there is an amazing range of colours. It is on the light fingering side, but I tend to prefer sweaters knit at a fine guage. You can hold it double to get dk/worsted, which bumps up the price, but I think it still works out comparatively affordable.
i just had a look on their website and what fabulous colours!! and that you can bulk buy in 500g lots, i will definitely be queuing them up for a future project!
It shouldn't be refreshing to hear someone say knitting a sweater doesn't have to cost hundreds of dollars but it is. Thank you for making this video. The weird elitism that exists and is taken for granted in the online knitting world has always been baffling to me. From making dozens of sweaters out of hand dyed yarn held double and acting like it's something everyone can do, to recommending hundred dollar interchangeable knitting sets to complete beginners who haven't even made a single stitch. Its just...absolutely bonkers. And especially now, in an actual recession? Bonkers! I'm all for people chasing their passions, and making investments on things they care about, if and where they can. But it is WILDLY tone deaf for people to act like the average knitter can and should spend that much on their craft, or that that _should_ be the norm.
thank you, i so agree! i think there’s a huge disparity between knitfluencer knitting and everyday knitting, and it leads to a proliferation of brand new knitters spending £100s on their first projects when they really don’t need to (and probably will regret doing so!)
I have only just found you and I am in the UK too. I have been knitting for 17 years and totally agree with you..We share the exact same bargain favourites😂. Just completed a stunning cardigan in the Hayfield. I will upload it tomorrow ❤❤❤
Thank you so much! I love knitting but do not want to buy very expensive yarns all the time. Plus I'm very sensitive skinned and find most woollen yarns too itchy. Now I have just finished a sweater for my husband in Drops Nepal. Must try it on myself 😂.
In the UK I discovered Jarol Heritage DK 100g for approx. £5 on a market stall. You don't seem to find it in many shops but it is a wool/acrylic/nylon blend and is really hardwearing and nice colours.
I loved this video. I'm sensitive to the itch too. Great to get some suggestions of yarns to try. Especially from a UK based person. I've got my eyes on knitting a jumper with hayfield soft twist which feels very soft and not too squeaky
yay i’m pleased it was helpful! i agree often yarns people love online are really hard to get here 😅 sounds gorgeous, haven’t tried that one but i’ll look it up!
good video..yes I agree..I'm always knitting on a tight budget.ive made some rearly nice stuff just using yarn from places like charity shops..budget shops.market stalls.even unpicking old jumpers.ive even added balls of yarn together to create unique looks.worlds your oyster rearly.and I use up even small balls of yarn in fair isle stuff I make
If you think about the cost per hour the best method of knitting at a reasonable cost is using fine yarns and joining or forming free knitting group at a library or coffee shop. Also focusing on skill development in stitches, shaping and fit adds a level of achievement especially when using a finer yarn. Longer to knit a piece, more muscle memory and hopefully at the finish you have a garment you can wear indoors and under a jacket
definitely, finer yarn creates the most lovely and wearable jumpers and as you say often works out less expensive! that said, they take a lot longer 😭 worth it, but long! i like the focus on developing skills too, it’s much more fun to knit challenging things than to knit plain for sure!
@@issyknits currently I’m making the Jayne jumper, by Madeleine Weston. Not a difficult pattern, more a meditative one. The 15 cm of one by one rib using 2.75mm has been very character building. 😉
@@stephaniegrace8623 😂😂 we must be kindred spirits because i’m currently working on a similarly long rib section for a fairisle cardigan on 2.75 needles as well! i’ve actually starting debated how much i even like knitting after all 😂😂
This is such a great topic, as knitting with Jensen, or Isager, or whatever can cost 200€ or more to knit a winter pullover. The only thing is, I prefer 100% natural fibers. I will try the Drops Nepal, though. Thank you 😊 so much.
it’s hard isn’t it, the price feels like it’s only going up! definitely give it a try! i’m going to do a further video in the future on my favourite rustic wool yarns - probably a little pricier (but still reasonable) and less soft than featured in this video - but will be some nice natural fibre options in there!
Wow, thanks for this information and for addressing the cost of knitting! I was gobsmacked by the prices of some yarns as a new knitter. I started because I love the idea of making unique pieces for my family and because I just love the process. I've had to step back and assess the viability of some projects both in terms of the cost and time invested 😢. I will certainly be taking your suggestions! Could you please suggest some good patterns and designers whose patterns you actually learn from. Thanks Issy!
definitely relate to that - especially on time 😂😂 i want to do too much too soon! i think having good cost effective options is key as price should never be a barrier to doing what you want (easier said than done of course, but it should apply to crafting at the very least!!) i’ll definitely do a video on some in my favourite knit designers soon 🌟
Hello loveee this video, as a viewer I just wanted to add that links to the yarns in the description box would be very helpful. And please give us affiliate links. It’s so nice to be able to support the people who give you the insight! Ofc the names alone are still great❤
Same as crochet I so many patterns and books, the yarns used are mega money and would cost hundreds to make a project, try with cheaper alternatives sometimes works but in the end you have to work with what you can afford
THRIFTING YARN! Omg I started thrifting yarn & never looked back. Found an unused 24 dollar hank of some fancy stuff with like seaweed in it, extremely posh. In a bag with another yarn for 2.99 at a thrift shop. Also finding berocco & angel mohair in bags with multiples for cheaper than I can get red heart yarn from walmrt or joanns.
Right now I have a room full of yarn & the last time I paid full price or even retail prices was when I was first learning to crochet & knit, like 2 years ago
i love that!! do you have any tips for finding good second hand yarn? i’ve bought some from charity shops near me in the past (once scored a big bag of mohair which was a win) but usually at the stores near me it’s odds and ends of cheap novelty yarn 😅 i’ve tried looking on ebay but it seems like it’s almost full price a lot of the time, but i’m sure there’s an art to it that i’m missing!
I love anything by Cascade and Malabrigo. I’m not sure how widely available it is outside of North America, but Lions Brand Fishermen’s Wool is a phenomenal deal for 100% wool, only available in natural colors, but pretty identical to Cascade 220 for, probably, 1/4 of the cost.
oh lovely i’ll have a look into them! i’ve definitely seen lions brand in the UK but will look for that specifically. i’ve had a few malabrigo’s on my list for a while but never taken the plunge, will have to try it out as lots of people are saying it’s very soft (and obviously colours are unlike anything else!!)
How did your projects in drops Nepal do on pilling? The one sweater I made with it pills a lot, but I don’t know whether that is because of the looser gauge or the yarn inherently
i haven’t had that experience but i’ve heard others say the same! my items were colourwork sweaters (with different yarns mixed in) and scarves etc so a sweater solely made from nepal may behave differently. i will keep an eye out for it!
I knit a sweater in Drops Nepal with a tight gauge and it pills so much. I absolutely regret knitting a sweater with it and I would never recommend anyone to do so. I have never seen any wool behave so badly.
I used it for a cable jumper design course and spent months designing and knitting for my husband only for it to fluff and pill almost immediately. My husband sealed it’s fate when he shoved it in a 60 degree wash and it came out about 12 inches across. He said he would stretch it 😂
I've used a lot of Drops yarns and results vary. Even within one type, quality can vary quite a bit between different colourways. I only used Nepal for felting, and one colourway felted well, whereas the other didn't. So far, only Baby Merino (which is superwash) has been very consistent in quality, and I like it a lot for gift knitting. Puna has held up very well also, and Fabel is decent, too. Karisma was disappointing because of the pilling and Air was laughable after being washed. I do still like Drops though, I just make sure that I make a small project or swatch with a new yarn before I invest in a large project.
I literally raise sheep and angora rabbits and just learned to knit and crochet this year and I'm honestly maybe going to figure out how to make wool. I know it'll be a crazy amount of work but i dont have $500 to spend on wool
👏 “Knitting shows “ that are basically commercials for expensive yarn are nuts. They get that yarn for free and get $ to advertise. I lost my patience and stopped watching a very popular Canadian UA-cam “knitting show” when the two , wealthy sister hosts not only pushed expensive skeins but casually talked about how everyone who wants more knits than they can manage to complete themselves should, just like these ladies, simply hire someone else to knit for them. 😮. 🙄
I love Hobii yarns. Sadly since the covid pandemic their shipping prices have risen steeply. Now i believe its still manageable to the UK and the US and even Australia, but the STARTING shipping cost to NZ is $30.00!!!!. Thats just too much, im sorry. And i REALLY wish it wasnt the case because ive just started to get back into weaving. Now in weaving, natural fibres DO work best, because they "full" or knit together after finishing to make a cohesive fabric. Yes you can weave using acrylic yarns but they dont react like natural fibres(they can work well as a part of a piece tho). Hobii tho has some GREAT cottons at good prices and a great colour selection for weaving.......but not good enough prices to offset that shipping!!! Btw for knitting and crochet, i use acrylic and i agree with you, no one should be made to feel less because theyre not knitting using the undercoat of a rare camelid only found in deepest mongolia thats handspun by the descendants of Ghengiz Khan....or whatever 🙄😉.....i cant afford natural fibres.....so maybe we should be asking, why are natural fibres like cotton, flax, and wool that have been used for centuries, suddenly the elite, ne plus ultra choices with prices fit to make your eyes water?(Yes i get that there are mechanisation issues particularly with flax, but wool?)
oh no sorry to hear that, how frustrating! i’ve never tried weaving but i plan to at some point! agree about the ancient hand spun mongolian wool 😂😂 it’s so crazy!
My knitting taste of gone in the opposite direction. I did use some of these acrylic blend yarns in my earlier days before I knew better and when I had more time than money. Now that I have very little knitting time, I very much value getting the most out of the hours I spend knitting and I can’t do that with cheap, poor quality yarn. Although I suppose somebody who buys Briggs and Little which I would not touch as it is far too harsh and scratchy against my sensitive skin, would consider me a yarn snob, I try to get to the best quality Merino Yarn for the best price. In my early knitting days, I knit primarily with cotton as traditional yarns left me with a ugly red rash on my skin which also made wearing the items intolerable and uncomfortable. Once I discovered superwash Merino having first tried Zara, I realized that I wasn’t allergic to wool but just very sensitive to anything remotely scratchy. Therefore I do not spend top dollar on yarn , but definitely try to get the best quality Merino for the best price. Shelridge yarn which is a soft Firmly spun Merino, is a favourite.
I also find Nepal slightly itchy. I use cascade heritage all the time and it isn't itchy. I'd also recommend the drops merinos, although they do stretch like crazy when you wash them. Knit tight and stick to things that aren't going to need washed that often!
yes of course! it’s from a vintage sirdar pattern book called “simply aran”, and it’s sweater no 2. i’ve never been able to find a digital version unfortunately but i’ve seen the book itself being sold online 💕
Wow your hair 😍 it’s like caramel!! I love drops anything so good and I can get it very local to me. I have knitted using cascade heritage and I wasn’t too happy with it I found that it grew so much but looking back maybe it did because the project was garter stitch? Do find after washing knits with this yarn it grows? Great video Issy ❤
thank you so much!! i’m loving it from autumn 🍂🧡 that’s really interesting! i haven’t had that but i’ve heard that about a lot of other superwash yarns so it may be because of that element of it, i suspect the texture plays a role too as ive only knitted it in stockinette. i havent machine washed my top but it didn’t stretch out during blocking, and the socks are fine in the machine (albeit obviously they are only socks so don’t have a lot of weight to it). now i had a really weird experience with another yarn where i did a lace stitch pattern and it stretched it sooo much, so i wonder if maybe it was to do with that?
In my experience merino always stretches a bit when wet and you have to dry it flat (I don't normally bother after the first block). I'd say cascade heritage is better than most (because of the nylon presumably) but it is still stretchy when wet.
thank you so much!! 💕 it’s a cross stitch pattern called opening gambit by long dog samplers. i did a video on how i’m doing it a while back with the links etc - ua-cam.com/video/MsIpsDtoUqk/v-deo.htmlsi=ad6lYtDnz69MJ9oD hope that’s helpful!! it’s a real slog but also one of my favourite projects ever! 🥰
You're a bit limited if you can't have any animal fibre as the choice becomes either acrylic/acrylic mix or cotton/cotton mix. Paintbox, a range exclusive to LoveCrafts, do a great range of very good value acrylic yarns. The website also has an handy menu for selecting the fibre/s. It may be a case of trial and error, I'm afraid. Fortunately, they tend to be good value and LoveCrafts will refund you for any unused balls as long as the band is intact and you return it within 30 days.
@@jayeclements6452 Ty!! I’ve used love crafts acrylic and think it’s quite stiff :( I usually go with stylecraft instead but looking to up my game haha
I agree that there is a lot of yarn snobbery out there and that itchiness is an issue for some natural fibres, but acrylic and all the polys are made from oil. Dyes are made from coal tar. Does the climate impact come into your yarn cost equation?
i mean in this video i’m referred to financial cost, not environmental impact. i knit with a variety of fibres but i don’t pat myself on the back when i knit with natural fibres because ultimately buying and using any type of yarn impacts the climate. i’m interested in doing a whole video on the greenwashing of natural fibre yarns because while there are obvious issues with synthetic, it’s not as if the alternative is carbon neutral. in any event, it would be hypocritical of me (as indeed i think it is for most people) to judge anyone for choosing synthetic yarns when i wear other synthetic fabrics, eat meat, drive a car, travel abroad, etc. knitted items are generally slow made and treasured, and can be repurposed through frogging, so i still think it’s a more environmentally conscious choice than buying clothes/blankets from a shop, which is the realistic alternative.
@@issyknits Indeed. I was just interested to see what you thought and obviously you have thought about it a lot and I genuinely appreciate that. Until sheep don't produce methane and we all own and process our own fleeces using carbon neutral energy and plant dyes that are free from synthetic mordants and then wash minimally and compost our knitting when no longer wearable then it's all a compromise. I agree there is a load of greenwashing out there and look forward to watching your video.
Thanks so much for this video. It's very helpful. I am wondering what pilling is like for these yarns in your experience? I've heard softer yarns tend to pill more, how did you find the pilling in your projects after some wear/use?
i would say minor for them all in my experience. someone commented that they found drops nepal to pill quite a bit but i haven’t found that personally!
I can't stand acrylic or synthetic personally. I have a genetic condition that affects my skin (and everything else) and acrylic makes me sweat without actually warming me, which makes me miserable. So I decided to stop paying top dollar for wool yarn and started spinning my own. Great stuff. Merino yarn at a fraction of the cost. And I disagree that blocking doesn't do a lot for acrylic yarns. It does actually, evening out the stitches, keeps things from rolling, et ctr.
that’s fair, people react different to different textures. exciting that you’ve learned to spin your own! i did say a couple of times that it evens out your stitches 😂 i meant it (often) doesn’t dramatically change the size, but obviously there is still benefit to doing it which is why i always block and would suggest others do the same!
@@aly5321 I buy local fleeces for about 16 gbp per fleece. Specialty breeds can cost a bit more, like Jacobs and Merino but it's still more affordable than getting 100g balls of yarn that's 100% wool for between 10-30 gbp. You get a lot more than 100g, and you can have different wpi of yarn in the same colors for projects that need different weight.
I'm definitely a yarn snob, but because I love the *colours* of hand dyed yarn, not the name brand. I will never understand people who spend an arm and a leg for some very basic neutrals, not even actual colours. Like b!tch, I am not dishing out $40 CAD a skein for grey, brown or beige yarn! If I'm going to drop some coin it better be hand dyed and multi-coloured!
that’s so true, i recently saw a girl knit up a sweater in the most astoundingly beautiful bright blue/purple colour. truly stunning! she said it was like $200-300 i’m sure but i thought THAT is worth it! so agree it’s not worth it for plain colours!!
Sorry if this is the second time I’ve posted this: great topic and interesting to read others refs. Does anyone have any for mohair for sensitive skin?
unfortunately i’ve no suggestions as mohair is always soo itchy for me! still doesn’t stop me from using it (probably unwisely!) but i feel like the way the fibres are it’s always bound to irritate. i’ve worked with rowan kidsilk haze, drops kidsilk and valley yarns southampton and sadly all have been itchy! if you hear of any that are good, let me know!!
@@issyknits thank you, least I can count them out. I will defo let you know if I do manage to find one (that again hopefully doesn’t cost a fortune). Thank you ✨🕊️
What does everyone think of Sytlecraft? I have used their arcylic DK for blanekts and it's actually great. I have not tried their natural fiber offerings so curious if anyone has any recs. I do often knit with the high end yarns and they are good but yah, budget can't always support that. I used to only knit with Lion Brand (I'm in the USA) and I actually really like Lion Brand.
@@ASA-bl3hw I do feel a bit bad having it shipped over the USA but even doing that it's still economical. I'll have to see if I can source hadfield. Looks like Hoppi ships easily to the US. Thanks!
@@issyknits cool! I got turned onto Stylecrafk by Attic24 who does Stylecraft kits for crochet blankets that are so great to crochet when I am not in the mood to knit!! I do appreciate that you posted this video. I don't know how it is in other countries but here in the USA there is a lot of snobbery around indie yarns. I have literally had other knitters turn their back on me at knitting groups if I am using a "budget conscious" yarn. It's like vilified in the community here. I think there is a time and place for just about all yarns and I'd rather someone be able to knit and enjoy the craft than be priced out of it. Glad this video popped up in my feed!
@@handmakingapril thats so disappointing to hear, sorry you’ve had that experience! i see it mostly online but thats probably because i just knit alone in my house so i never meet the yarn snobs 😂😂 but it is rampant online isnt it, its so lame!!
Sometimes I can be so surprised by what can be a problem. I chose the yarn I preferred at that moment, some expensive sometimes cheap yarn, because most people cannot see the difference anyway and since it is my work I am the boss. But I am a big wool lover and if that makes me a snob that is totally okay. I wear wool almost every day, especially during hikes and garden work so synthetic yarn is not for me…
Drops are always phenomenal value. Andes and Snow are a good chunky weight. Andes is about £5 for 50grams and is perfect for cable work. Snow is a softer yarn with an open twist. It's about £2.50 for 50 grams and works well for softer colourwork designs. They're both 100% wool of various types. For acrylic/wool mix, Stylecraft Softie Chunky is excellent value at around £4 for 100 grams. Limited colour range but very soft and washes well. A little more expensive is Valley Yarns Haydenville bulky/chunky. I LOVE this yarn and Valley Yarns as a range. I stock up when it's on offer but it's generally £7 for 100 grams. There's about 20 colours and it knits up like a dream.
i used debbie bliss merion on perhaps my favourite jumper ever and that’s the one i get most compliments on!! it’s usually on sale for about £6/7per 100g (but RRP is more), super soft but it can still “bite” a little if you have sensitive skin like me even though it’s 50/50 wool and acrylic. limited range of colours tbh but the colours they do have are gorgeous. definitely worth a look!
oh no sorry to hear that! what was it about it that hurt your hands? the tweed is a slightly different comp than the “aran with wool” as it had viscose in it, so possibly feels a bit different, i’ve never used it so not sure!
Any chance anyone could compare any of the yarns mentioned to lana grossa merino / malabrigo in terms of prickleness? I've been on the hunt for a yarn that doesn't make me itch and honestly it's been such a bummer.. now that I think of it, I have wool/acryl mixes in store-bought items that are completely fine. Thanks for this!
Drops Nepal is itchier. Cascade Heritage is comparable to malabrigo I'd say for smoothness. It's a little less squishy I think, but that may be because I've only knitted chunky and DK malabrigo and Cascade is 4ply. I haven't knitted with any of the others to compare.
i would say so - it depends on the blend of course. i would say hobbii winter glow is probably a bit warmer in itself than hayfield bonus aran with wool, however the hayfield is an aran whereas hobbii is a dk so the former is a thicker piece and therefore probably warmer even if the hobbii is more insulating itself. so it depends! of course 100% wool will be warmer, and blends with a higher percentage of wool will be warmer, but that said, all of them are more than sufficient for a jumper and still much warmer than my store bought jumpers for sure! 💕
I've been knitting for over 30 years. My number one choice for everything I knit, is Briggs & Little. It's beautifully rustic, inexpensive, and spun from 100% Canadian wool at a small family owned mill in New Brunswick. A sweater quantity costs me an average of $60 CAD. I've splurged on expensive trendy wools and found Briggs & Little worked up as nice or nicer at a fraction of the cost. I rarely wash my hand knits and when I do it's always by hand. I don't know if that affects how the items age, but my old Briggs & Little sweaters still look like the day they were knit.
that sounds gorgeous, i’m so intrigued to try it out! thank you for this rec, i will look it up!
I tried B&L as I wanted to support Canadian biz, but to be honest, the finished product and the touch can't compare to Drops Karisma at the same price range or Paton's classic wools for example. I wouldn't say the quality is bad because many people told me B&L lasts forever, however, 2 sweaters I knitted with B&L are the least ones I wear.
@@vutram88I like Patons also! 👍
great podcast. Yarn Snobbery is SO Annoying !! I love frugal/good quality choices. Thank you for sharing this.
i agree! thank you for watching 💕💕
I was just requested to make 5 men in my family sweaters bc the loved the one that I made for my husband. Although I didn’t use the priciest yarn that I could find for my husband’s sweater it was still $90 in yarn. All the men in the family are huge and I would need at least $130-40 in yarn per sweater if I keep with the same yarn. I am going to test one of the brands that you recommended. It sounds to consist of exactly the same ratio of materials that I just used. And at 1/3 of the cost. So thank you for this!!! I really appreciate it.
@@susanspencer3848 oh wow that sounds like a huge undertaking - best of luck!!! that will keep you busy for a while! 😅 hope you enjoy them!
Thanks for addressing this! I’ve just started knitting sweaters after knitting hats/small things for years. I’m astounded at how some of the UA-cam knitters share the indy dyed yarn that they are using, only when I look it up, it would cost $400 to knit the sweater! I don’t have that kind of budget. I love the Cascade yarn that you mentioned-I’m using the Heritage Wave doubled with a strand of Heritage to knit a Ranunculus sweater right now. It will cost me less than $50, it will be soft and warm and I love it. ❤ Cheers from Washington!
it’s crazy isn’t it - i’m always wondering how people have indie yarn money 😂😂 ooo i’ve never tried that but just looked it up and it is STUNNING!! i have to try it!!!!
Been knitting for 50 yrs and am amazed at how little new knitters are taught when they learn. The newest scam are designer who seem yo only be able to make a basic raglan unless it invokves a strand of mohair with a strand of hand dyed. That is a 150-400 dollar sweater! How about the sweaters made with double and triple strands! New designers are not taught the importance of ggauge and think that the label is all that matters. You can make anything as long as you get gauge first. Ignore the recommended yarn and needles, get a $7.95 EZ book and read it. Knitting Almanac is the name. Watch videos from established knitters and designersamd read their.books. If they don't have literature but they are selling $15 per pattern basic cabled raglans in $35 per skein yarn then you might want to have a second look. Make gauge swatches, wash and block and keep a detailed journal for them.
definitley agree! i’m often surprised by the fast timeline of “i learned to knit!” and “hey guys buy my pattern” 😂 such good tips, and i hadn’t thought about keeping a journal of gauge swatches which i will endeavour to do!
just ordered the knitting almanac! you are so right:)
I've been knitting for 36 years, crochet for 54 (started when I was in kindergarten!). I still have some of my Nana's yarn stash and she died in 1980, it's all acrylic. She made us many memorable pieces in acrylic yarns. While I like to use cotton as a personal preference (allergies to chemicals), there are also many affordable options with that.
However, when I make sweaters, I usually reach for the acrylic. You can make a wonderful sweater with basic acrylic yarn, and most patterns are gauged to Worsted weight, which is what most acrylics are. For less than $20, I can make a wonderful turtleneck sweater that looks like it retails over $50.
You are right that gauge is everything. The really good tutors on social media insist that people who follow their patterns make gauge swatches and use whatever tools will get them to gauge.
One of the reasons I like to sew, crochet, knit, and embroider, is because the cost of materials is much less than to buy something retail, plus I can make exactly what I, my friends & family want. While I understand the ability to make a high dollar, high quality, handmade item also exists, just like buying something like that, it should be a splurge, not one's entire wardrobe.
Been knitting over 40 years and I agree!!! I can just imagine how they would scoff at our “simple” pattern books from the 1960s and prior (patterns I learned on) and all the “primitive” tools and yarns we used (acrylic?! Shock! Horror!)
@@issyknitsi’m a crocheter but was JUST talking abt this .. people are so quick to want to make a buck when they don’t even know that much yet 😭
When I first started knitting and watching UA-cam, I was shocked at the price of yarn. I’ve learned to find the high quality and affordable yarn. I will be using Drops Nepal yarn this year for my colorwork. I’ve purchased quite a bit of Drops Bell for two tops so I hope I’ll like that too. Thanks for the information.
I’m a Drops fan too there merino is non muesling safran is a great cotton Belle knits up the same sandes garn Lina, drop Nepals great most of the drops yarns are and the tweed yarn is great too. I do buy hand dyed occasionally and occasionally Rowan if I find a good deal on eBay but not a sweaters worth
I just finished a colourwork cardigan for my mum with Drops Nepal and it’s blocked out beautifully. So affordable and soft, I think Nepal overdelivers on quality 🙂
agree, it’s gorgeous isn’t it!
Big fan of Drops....quality and great prices. Sad they don't do a lace weight atm.
Drops Belle literally equals Sandnes Line (same composition, maybe a few meters difference in length)
This kind of content is so important thank you!! Normalize normal people budget yarn🎉
thank you, i so agree!! ❤️❤️
Thank you for talking about this. I think it’s fine for people to spend lots on yarn if they want to, but it’s also important for budgeting to be part of the online conversation so it feels normal not to be splashing out on your knits all the time!
definitely true! i agree, if people want to buy luxury yarn then they should do that (and some of it is so sooo gorgeous!!!) but it’s definitely not “the norm” and it can definitely make others feel a bit sheepish with their normal yarn when it’s pitched as such. definitely important to talk about it!
Thank you so muh or this - not all of can afford expensive yarns. It is also so good to have yarns that are machine washable for everyday knitwear.
definitely! makes such a difference doesn’t it!
Oh my goodness thank you so much for this. I just decided to make my first adult sized sweater and went into a yarn shop for it. I thought I had prepared myself for the cost and planned to splurge but even picking the cheapest merino they had in the shop it cost so, so much. It really ruined the experience for me because I felt so guilty for spending so much. But I really had no idea what to do instead, and then your video popped up! Thank you!!
aw thank you so much, i’m glad it was helpful! oh i know that feeling, it can be really crazy 😅😭 which is just silliness because it doesn’t need to be that way at all!!
Please DO do a session on your fave itchy yarn. I ❤Lopi too. Your podcast was good to watch, am going to try some of those yarn.
aw yay i’m pleased to hear that 💕 i definitely will!
thank you so much for this video! i'm still fairly new to knitting, but seeing all these major content creators and designers pushing these super expensive yarns is really discouraging a lot of the time. i've been using a merino yarn for my first sweater from hobbii and it's been awesome. :)
sounds like a lovely choice, i’ve never tried that one! it definitely can be discouraging!
Drops yarn is fantastic, I used it to knit sweaters for me and my mom and they are some of our most used sweaters. I also have a sweater my mom knitted 30 years ago out of 100% acrylic yarn - it's gorgeous, comfy, machine washable and looks great after literal decades of use. Yarn snoberry is so silly.
that’s fab, i love it too! i know i agree - i think a lot of people who say that actually don’t use synthetic or synthetic blends and are just basing their opinion on what they’ve heard 😅 it is silly!
@issyknits it's still not acting and behaving like wool. I sweat in it more also and it doesn't keep me as warm when I'm out for longer. I only use it for decorations or a bath rug, etc . High quality acrylic yarn can be ok to work with and feel but at the end of the day it's still acrylic .
@@j.3069yes that’s definitely true that it won’t behave like wool, just like knitting out of cotton or silk wouldn’t behave as wool. knit with whatever fibre you like, and let others do the same 💕
@j.3069 well...yes. no one is saying it isn't acrylic. Just that it being acrylic isn't inherently bad. The worth of a yarn isn't determined by it's proximity to wool or how much it behaves like wool lol. There are other yarn fibres! Yet people constantly believe that if something that isn't wool doesn't behave like wool then it's bad yarn and that's just so silly! People can have whatever personal preferences they like but so many people who don't even use acrylic yarn act like it is inherently bad yarn for everyone because it isn't an animal fibre. And that's what's silly.
@Lisa_Flowers people here use wool because it keeps warmer than fleece when outside for longer and so it absolutely defeats the purpose as we can buy acrylic garments everywhere but knit to keep us warm. That doesn't mean high quality acrylic is not useful especially in a mix when not more than 20% but pure acrylic?! What for? I don't knit to wear plastic but to be warm and be able to breathe. Show me fibres with that ability and I'll use them alongside wool.
Thank you for your info.
Yarn snobs, I find are the majority on UA-cam and what really gets me is the first thing they tell you is to become a patreon, because this is the only way they earn money.
They always use the yarn the designer suggests and then by the way are quickly going on a trip to work so hard for their podcasts.
I'm a sock knitter and mainly use Regia.
My daughter is still wearing socks 10 years down the line.
All she does is put all her socks in a net washing bag and 30c in the wash.
She dries them flat and don't know if that makes a difference.
Thank you and keep up the good work I need it
definitely! i agree, im always blown away by the yarn choices too. i get it for a very special or rare colour but sometimes i just think it looks like any old yarn but cost a bomb! ooo ive never tried that one before, will put on my list to try next time!
@@issyknitsI recommend Regia for socks. It's not quite as soft as Cascade Heritage (which I adore), but it is harder wearing. Regia do loads of lovely self striping yarns, and they seem to change up the designs/colours all the time, so you can often get end of line sales. West Yorkshire Spinners do good sock yarn too, although it's less often on sale and I think a little bit more expensive.
@anitaswart. your daughter seems to also not walk barefoot a lot and seems to rub hard skin off her feet regularly plus creams it. I don't so they end up with holes at the end part (Ferse in German).
@@j.3069 Ferse = heel in English :)
@@sarahwilliams6488 gosh, thanks. Of course. Haha.
I have a yarn snob’s stash. They are pretty and lots of fun, but the yarns I really love to knit with most are good workhorse wools like Briggs and Little, Shetland Spindrift, and unspun Icelandic. The old standbys make the best sweaters & socks.
love that!! 💕💕
in terms of yarns i’ve loved working with that are less expensive: knit picks swish dk and berroco vintage (both the dk and worsted weights) are a couple of my favorites. great for gifting accessories, i want to make a whole sweater out of one of them soon.
oh lovely, i’ve never tried either so will add to my list 💕
I couldn’t afford to buy the lovely hand dyed or rustic yarns that I crave. So I learned how to dye bare yarn, and how to blend and spin fiber into those rustic yarns I love. Buying acid dyes and fine bare yarn is much less expensive. Spinning on an EEW electric spinner is a lower cost entry to spinning.
oh this sounds very intriguing! i definitely want to learn to spin one day, so will look into this. do you start with raw sheep wool?
@@issyknits I learned to spin with combed top (beautifully processed) then I experimented with small quantities of raw fleece , and tomorrow I’m headed to a fiber show and may buy a whole fleece…
Really love that you made a video about this! I don't think the cost of yarn is talked about enough, not everyone can afford to keep buying sweater quantities of expensive yarns.
I've used drops nepal before and would definitely second your reccomendation (with the caveat that it does pill quite a lot in my experience, but nothing that a de-piller cant fix!), and I'm currently making a wrap cardigan in cascade hertiage. It is SO soft, I'm looking forward to seeing how the fabric holds up. I'd also reccomend others from the drops line that I've tried (Lima, nord and flora have all been great in my experience, and their cottons are great for accessories and home decor items).
I'd love to here your reccomendations for budget rustic/itchy yarns!
definitely agree! it can make people (me lol) feel a bit self conscious about it too, like will people look down on my projects if i’m not using £25 a skein indie dyed boutique 100% natural yarn??
oh that’s good to know about the other yarns, i’ve tried flora but not the others so will definitely keep in mind!
ahh i definitely will! why is it that the scratchiest yarn is always the prettiest 😭😭😭
If you can get it, Jamieson and Smith's yarns are definitely rustic and very reasonably priced. Pure Shetland wool, beautiful course but handwash only.
i’ve used a bit of jamiesons and smith but currently using a jamiesons of shetland (i know they are different companies but comp and usage appears largely the same) and i LOVE it!! i would agree its reasonably priced for the quality, possibly leaning towards being a “treat” yarn for me as i reckon still best part of £100 for a sweater but it is so gorgeous that its worth it, and definitely not as pricy as others!
This is such a wonderful helpful video! I especially appreciate the focus on soft yarns since I am super sensitive to that
yay thank you, glad it was helpful! 💕
I so appreciate that you brought up this topic! It seems like the elephant in the room within the knitting community. Will give Drops Nepal a go. Am lucky that Cascade Heritage is stocked at my local craft store down the street. Amazing!
it definitely does doesn’t it! it’s crazy how pervasive the idea that it’s normal and expected to spend £200+ on yarn for one sweater 😂 ah yay, hope you like it!
I hate the expensive yarn culture so much, too, I wish I could give this video 2 thumbs-ups! ;) I mean how can *anyone* afford to make anything (requiring several skeins) with yarns that cost over 10 Euros per 50 g skein/ ball?!? Even if one theoretically *could* afford it, it just seems such a waste of money! Why pay such outrageous sums when you can get as good quality yarns more affordably?! I love e.g. Drops yarns - e.g. their Baby Merino is just superb! (So soft, would def. recommend it for sensitive skins!) Though it's on the expensive end of their yarns, but still affordable. And often also buy yarns in second hand shops & online second hand marketplaces too. Btw, I hope you'd make a video of expensive pattern culture, too - I find it outrageous that one is expected to shell out something like 10 Euros for a single pattern!! No way.
yes yes yes!!!! so agree! i’ve never tried baby merino but will put it on my list, sounds perfect for me 💕 oh that’s a good one too!
Agreed on the pattern prices. Unless it is something genuinely unique and intricate it’s not worth €20,00 or more.
I rarely, if ever, buy patterns, there are plenty lovely free patterns, but when I do I expect to get my money’s worth. I’d then rather buy a pattern book or magazine that has several patterns.
I’m 54 and I remember my beloved Grandmother taking me to jumble sales ( I loved them) and buying hand knitted sweaters and unpicking them for me to learn knitting. She taught me and was constantly making sweaters, waistcoats for the family and I cherish all those memories. I love crocheting but yarn here in Germany is very expensive as it’s seen as Artisan and you can only get yarn from specialty shops, people living in the States have much more variety I believe.
i love that - what a great idea! i bet you learned a lot from that. that’s really interesting about the choice of yarns, i agree it does seem like the US have a lot of choice of yarn and it sounds like there’s some amazing yarns out there i will sadly probably never get to try!
I have mostly got into the habit of buying the same yarns again and again over the years or finding almost identical options which I think has kept my expectations of price pretty in control. I also think that the in person accessibility to yarn can limit people getting familiar with brands that sit on that budget friendly nicer quality end. We used to have yarn shop had a really great range that included brands like cascade so to you could get a good feel for other non UK brands. They moved and the current yarn shop we have is part of a larger craft shop and they really only stock a tiny slice of the common UK brands so you can't really get familiar with anything else.
definitely that’s so true! i tend to buy online these days because of that, but that has its own issues as you can’t feel it. we have two LYS in my town and one sounds the same as yours, the other has slightly more variety but seems to go from the affordable well-known UK yarns, to suddenly prohibitively expensive boutique hanks, with little in the middle 😂 i dream of a huge yarn warehouse where i can feel all of the yarns and see the colours, but im not sure if such a thing exists!
Appreciated this video - thanks. I was dillying over drops Nepal so I'll give it a go. I like listening to knitting podcasts but so tired of the endless hand dyed expensive yarns that are almost always recommended.
i hope you enjoy it! yes me too, it’s weird how normalised it is!
Great video but not sure if I totally agree with you. The whole reason gauge is giving in a pattern is so you can, in my opinion, substitute the yarn the designer used (which is often donated by the dyer/brand) for a yarn that is in your price range. I rarely use the yarn a designer intends for a pattern, sometimes because it's too expensive, but more often because I like to search for, to me, affordable alternatives and thus make a project more me.
Using more natural wools/yarn is definitely hot and is something I applaud, the whole superwash process is just not sustainable (it uses a lot of nasty chemicals and water) and the yarns shed microplastics (as do acrylic yarns), which each wash and I think we can all agree that that's a bad thing. Just for these two reasons it's good we use more natural options. And no those options don't have to cost you tons of money, I agree with you there. Luckily there are a lot of afforable natural wools out there that are a better choice than acrylics or superwash yarn. Also natural wool is way warmer which is a good thing too for most people plus you rarely have to wash real wool.
The whole trend of using two strands together is just that, a trend, and nobody tells you to follow a trend. I personally like the mohair thing but know of somebody who just doesn't and she just substitutes a DK yarn instead of using a fingering and mohair. Also a lot of designers come up with affordable alternatives for the yarn they used, or at least I feel that they do that and you can always check ravelry for instance to see what other yarns people have used to knit a pattern you like. If you do want to use two strands you can always search for cheaper alternatives than an expensive silk mohair, drops kidsilk for instance is very affordable and comes in a whole lot of nice colours.
I do agree with you that there should always be more focus on affordable yarns but, with your video and others out there, I feel that there definitely is these days.
thank you! i don’t disagree with you at all, but the “norm” i was referring to was other knitters, and expensive yarn being the “norm” that you see your peers knit with on social media. i’ve no issues with designers picking whatever yarn they want and to be honest, i can understand designers reaching for a more luxurious yarn for their prototype as it may look more appealing in photographs. additionally their choice may be guided by yarn company partnerships etc! 💕
Winter Glow and Winter Glow solids are amazing- light but super warm!!! And if you play Monday Bingo, you get an additional coupon for $ off for 48 hours, on top of any sale price or multiple skein purchases (an all time perk of Hobbii), you can save a bunch on these.
definitely, i love them! yes there’s always a sale or other, rarely see them full price 🙌
I’ve been using stylecraft organic cotton to do the Fridas flowers crochet blanket and it works up lovely and is very nice. I usually buy drops when going for cotton but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the stylecraft cotton. Also, West Yorkshire spinners do very nice British wool yarn, I love their sock yarns and they have a really good range and are beautiful quality. One day I’ll treat myself to the posh stuff for a special project.
ooo that’s good to know!! i have used a west yorkshire spinners signature 4ply for socks before and sooo agree it was gorgeous and the colours 🌟🌟🌟 love it! i actually forgot about that so thank you, great rec!!!
I think you are absolutely right - it is possible to find good quality knitting yarns that don't break the bank. I would like to put in a mention for Wooly Knits yarns , their sock yarn comes on 200g cones for £12 and I have found it to be hard wearing. My particular favourite is their British wool 4ply 500g cones which are £30 or £34 for merino. They also have regular sales across the range.
ah amazing i’ve never tried them before, i’ll add to the list!
Hurrah for speaking the unspeakable..Cost ,comfort and caring for the product you knit .So many people feel a failure because they cant afford the ridiculas costs of some of the yarns..Vlogmas always feels like boastfest when Utubers show wall to wall expensive wool..❤❤More of this please.
yes definitely agree, can feel a bit sheepish when you see the expensive yarn everyone else seems to be knitting with 😂😂 thank you 💕💕
Thank you for this useful information. I haven’t tried the Hayfield Bonus Aran but I’ll certainly try this for my next project. I’m a big fan of Hayfield Bonus DK which I use for toys. I much prefer it to Stylecraft Special DK which many people rave about. Drops Nepal is a lovely inexpensive yarn. In fact Drops yarns are all gorgeous and so inexpensive. It just shows you what a huge mark up some manufacturers put on their yarns. I’ve also heard good things about Cascade Heritage so all in all you’ve made me more confident on yarn choices which are soft as well as durable (a must when knitting for kids) and which don’t cost a fortune.
oh yay i’m so pleased it was helpful 💕 yes it’s fantastic! i’ve tried stylecraft special aran but not dk, it was ok but no match for hayfield! yes definitely i love drops, it puts it into perspective doesn’t it. such gorgeous colours!
This is an excellent review of affordable yarns, much needed and appreciated. It would be lovely, however, to have you share comments on the pilling factor of these yarns. So many of the "better" yarns pill so badly it makes you want to cry after spending so much for them. I realize some pilling is natural, but if the garment is going to turn into a fuzz ball, it's nice to be forewarned.
thank you, so glad it was helpful! my experience with these is that they all pill a little but not significantly. that said, some people have commented that they’ve found drops nepal pills quite a bit on their items!
Well as as a fifty year knitter, 10 yrs in a venerable Yarn store, I was all prepared to dis your choices. Bad me …. Your choices are great. Factory made sock yarns of all sorts are usually predominantly wool, washable and not too scratchy, Drops and Sirdar make some of the most affordable yarns out of lovely natural fibres. I live on the west coast of Canada and knit with Drops cotton (Aran weight) and baumulle Lin by drops as for my jumpers . Frequently layered both under and over other natural fibres. Washable, cozy and not itchy. I know all the reasons for using acrylic, but none of it warrants a couple of hundred years breaking down in the landfill until it becomes microfibre pollution.
That's a nice way to start out... "Prepared to dis your choices." Pretty arrogant.
ah amazing, i’m so glad you agree! i haven’t tried any drops cotton but will give it a try, currently knitting a dress in cotton and i love the feel against my skin!
If I'm in the UK visiting family I love West Yorkshire Spinner's, Paton's and Sirdar yarns, Mum made many of my sweaters when I was younger from either Paton's, or Sirdar. In the US Berrocco have some really good wool and wool blend yarns at reasonable prices and Webs have their own brand yarns too, I have a couple of 1200 yard cones of alpaca from webs that were about $25-30 each.
i love those 💕💕 they’re also all yorkshire based which is where i live! i’ll have a look for berrocco!
Absolute shout with the drops, I'm using the drops lima (dk version of drops nepal) right now for some headphone covers and I use it for absolutely everything. It is so soft and warm, works so nicely for colourwork, and it's so affordable, especially if you get it during a sale. It's my go to!!!
it’s great isn’t it, so beautiful and soft! i’ve actually never tried lima but definitely will!
I use a lot of Colourmart yarns as they sell deadstock of Italian yarn and sometimes you can get a nice merino or cashmere on a sale or on discount. This is industrial yarn and you need to play a bit with it and use a few threads together and wash swatches as yarn blooms after the first wash in warm water ( to wash the industrial oils etc). The garments last longer and the yarn looks so much better than from a shop and it is cheaper too. I get still tempted to buy shop yarn from time to time to see how it compares. But I still don’t get hand dyed yarn, it might be nice for colourwork but I wouldn’t do a full sweater in it. I have been knitting over 30 years and was taught by my mum.
oh that sounds really interesting and clever! i will have a look into it!! 💕💕
In the US, I highly recommend Beaverslide yarn. The merino is next to skin soft, but also hard wearing, non-pilling. Some of the blends are a bit scratchier, but equally beautiful and hard wearing. Absolutely gorgeous yarn, heirloom quality at a reasonable price.
Peace fleece is also good, but a bit coarser and more expensive.
sounds gorgeous, will definitely have to grab some when i am next in the US! love finds like that 💕
Thank you for the video! I always appreciate cost-effective high quality wools. Cascade brand overall is my favourite, I wish it will be more available in Spain. I would also mention Filcolana, BC garn and Mondial. Their quality is def cost-effective, as for me
it’s a great one! i haven’t tried those yet but will add to my list 💕
I discovered Holst Garn out of Denmark last year, they have an amazing wool for color work, with a gigantic range. Plus a merino/cotton blend that is so, so soft when washed. They sell 500g cones for about $35, with reasonable shipping.
definitely keen to try this!! someone else recommended it too, the colours look so gorgeous!! 💕💕
Custom Woolen Mills mule spinner. Barely pills, cheap as chips. Briggs and Little yarns are also wonderful, less expensive, consistent.
i’ve never tried that, i will definitely look it up as sounds great!
Thank you for this. Just at the right time. I’m looking for yarn for a baby project. I know my daughter in law won’t hand wash so your suggestions are perfect
ah yay i’m so pleased it was helpful 💕 definitely machine washable knits are great for gifts!
I really like BC Garn yarns. A lot of options, many colors, and cost around 10euro for a 100 g. Another great option is Retrosaria Rosa Pomar. Their yarns start at about 5 euro, and their most popular one is 10.10 euro for a 100g of beautiful fingering weight. Doesn't pill, a huge color range, and very ecologically conscious
I agree, i have used both and have good results with both . Rosarios4 yarns, particularly their summer blends are also good and well priced. In London I know BC Garn are stocked at Loop and Retrosaria Rosa Pomar and Rosarios4 at Wild and Woolly who also have something called their Stash Depot where customers can buy and sell yarn for £2 per ball. Bargains can often be had!
oh gorgeous, i’ve seen them online but never tried their yarns. it’s on my list!
amazing this is great to know! i will definitely need to make a trip there when i’m next in london!! 💕
And in Wild and Woolly in Clapton and tangled yarn online
I really like west yorkshire spinners sock yarn! I'm not huge on their other yarns but the sock yarn is 75% wool and 25% nylon and can go in the washing machine. All of my socks are knit in it and you get 3 socks per ball and its less than £10 per ball and they wear so so beautifully. none of them have worn through even after over a year.
love that! i’ve used that one once and agree it’s fab and lovely colours too 💕💕
@@issyknits the colors are so nice !! and it’s available at the abakhan craft shop in my city so it’s really easy to find
I love Rowan yarns but I only use their yarn when knitting for myself. I don't use expensive yarns when knitting for others - grandchildren for example. Their mum's appreciate my hand knits but don't have time to handwash, towel dry and pay out an item. I totally agree with other comments that have been made about how designers push ridiculously expensive yarn.
that’s a great rule! i find it takes a specific type of person to really appreciate a great yarn, otherwise caring for it becomes a burden and inevitably the item will be ruined 😅
I'm so glad you put this video up and "broke the silence." 😂Thanks for these yarn recommendations. It also seems that certain designers get all the "attention" or are the standard for posh knitting. I would love to know if you have any designers that you would recommend.
i’m sure i know some of the people you mean 😂😭 there are a few designers i really like, i’ll do a video on it for sure!!
Thanks for these recommendations (& those who have left comments with others). I really like Holst Garn supersoft. I'm in the UK too, but order direct from Denmark via their website. I think postage worked out between £8-12 but the yarn itself is such good value - lots of metreage for the price, it is lovely and soft when washed, and there is an amazing range of colours. It is on the light fingering side, but I tend to prefer sweaters knit at a fine guage. You can hold it double to get dk/worsted, which bumps up the price, but I think it still works out comparatively affordable.
i just had a look on their website and what fabulous colours!! and that you can bulk buy in 500g lots, i will definitely be queuing them up for a future project!
Thank you for the recommendations as well as showing a few pieces in the yarn
of course, thanks for watching 💕💕
It shouldn't be refreshing to hear someone say knitting a sweater doesn't have to cost hundreds of dollars but it is. Thank you for making this video. The weird elitism that exists and is taken for granted in the online knitting world has always been baffling to me. From making dozens of sweaters out of hand dyed yarn held double and acting like it's something everyone can do, to recommending hundred dollar interchangeable knitting sets to complete beginners who haven't even made a single stitch. Its just...absolutely bonkers. And especially now, in an actual recession? Bonkers! I'm all for people chasing their passions, and making investments on things they care about, if and where they can. But it is WILDLY tone deaf for people to act like the average knitter can and should spend that much on their craft, or that that _should_ be the norm.
thank you, i so agree! i think there’s a huge disparity between knitfluencer knitting and everyday knitting, and it leads to a proliferation of brand new knitters spending £100s on their first projects when they really don’t need to (and probably will regret doing so!)
I have only just found you and I am in the UK too. I have been knitting for 17 years and totally agree with you..We share the exact same bargain favourites😂. Just completed a stunning cardigan in the Hayfield. I will upload it tomorrow ❤❤❤
aww yay i’m so pleased ❤️❤️ great minds think alike!! oh fab would love to see it!
I’m on my third Oslo hat with the Cascades Hertiage yarn. I love it!
yay i’m pleased to hear, gorgeous isn’t it!
Cascade heritage is my favorite. They’ve come out with heritage 6 with is sport weight and is amazing.
oh amazing, i’ve never tried that but will defo add to the list!
Thank you so much! I love knitting but do not want to buy very expensive yarns all the time. Plus I'm very sensitive skinned and find most woollen yarns too itchy. Now I have just finished a sweater for my husband in Drops Nepal. Must try it on myself 😂.
definitely, we sound very similar 💕
In the UK I discovered Jarol Heritage DK 100g for approx. £5 on a market stall. You don't seem to find it in many shops but it is a wool/acrylic/nylon blend and is really hardwearing and nice colours.
ooo great tip! i’ve never tried that one, will add to my list!! 💕
I loved this video. I'm sensitive to the itch too. Great to get some suggestions of yarns to try. Especially from a UK based person. I've got my eyes on knitting a jumper with hayfield soft twist which feels very soft and not too squeaky
yay i’m pleased it was helpful! i agree often yarns people love online are really hard to get here 😅 sounds gorgeous, haven’t tried that one but i’ll look it up!
I did a natty Fair Isle sweater with Hayfield Soft Twist and it was very pleasing to work with. Definitely a good budget choice.
good video..yes I agree..I'm always knitting on a tight budget.ive made some rearly nice stuff just using yarn from places like charity shops..budget shops.market stalls.even unpicking old jumpers.ive even added balls of yarn together to create unique looks.worlds your oyster rearly.and I use up even small balls of yarn in fair isle stuff I make
definitely lots of options! 💕 especially if you like colourful knits (i do!), lots of options
If you think about the cost per hour the best method of knitting at a reasonable cost is using fine yarns and joining or forming free knitting group at a library or coffee shop. Also focusing on skill development in stitches, shaping and fit adds a level of achievement especially when using a finer yarn. Longer to knit a piece, more muscle memory and hopefully at the finish you have a garment you can wear indoors and under a jacket
definitely, finer yarn creates the most lovely and wearable jumpers and as you say often works out less expensive! that said, they take a lot longer 😭 worth it, but long! i like the focus on developing skills too, it’s much more fun to knit challenging things than to knit plain for sure!
@@issyknits currently I’m making the Jayne jumper, by Madeleine Weston. Not a difficult pattern, more a meditative one. The 15 cm of one by one rib using 2.75mm has been very character building. 😉
@@stephaniegrace8623 😂😂 we must be kindred spirits because i’m currently working on a similarly long rib section for a fairisle cardigan on 2.75 needles as well! i’ve actually starting debated how much i even like knitting after all 😂😂
This is such a great topic, as knitting with Jensen, or Isager, or whatever can cost 200€ or more to knit a winter pullover. The only thing is, I prefer 100% natural fibers. I will try the Drops Nepal, though. Thank you 😊 so much.
it’s hard isn’t it, the price feels like it’s only going up! definitely give it a try! i’m going to do a further video in the future on my favourite rustic wool yarns - probably a little pricier (but still reasonable) and less soft than featured in this video - but will be some nice natural fibre options in there!
Wow, thanks for this information and for addressing the cost of knitting! I was gobsmacked by the prices of some yarns as a new knitter. I started because I love the idea of making unique pieces for my family and because I just love the process. I've had to step back and assess the viability of some projects both in terms of the cost and time invested 😢. I will certainly be taking your suggestions! Could you please suggest some good patterns and designers whose patterns you actually learn from. Thanks Issy!
definitely relate to that - especially on time 😂😂 i want to do too much too soon! i think having good cost effective options is key as price should never be a barrier to doing what you want (easier said than done of course, but it should apply to crafting at the very least!!) i’ll definitely do a video on some in my favourite knit designers soon 🌟
Just found your channel and loving this content - I’m all for value and machine washable yarn 🙌
yay thank you so much 💕
Hello loveee this video, as a viewer I just wanted to add that links to the yarns in the description box would be very helpful. And please give us affiliate links. It’s so nice to be able to support the people who give you the insight! Ofc the names alone are still great❤
oh that’s good to hear, i wasn’t sure if it looked disingenuous if i did that 😂 ill edit to put the links in, thank you!
Same as crochet I so many patterns and books, the yarns used are mega money and would cost hundreds to make a project, try with cheaper alternatives sometimes works but in the end you have to work with what you can afford
thats true, the pieces are still just as beautiful 💕
THRIFTING YARN! Omg I started thrifting yarn & never looked back. Found an unused 24 dollar hank of some fancy stuff with like seaweed in it, extremely posh. In a bag with another yarn for 2.99 at a thrift shop. Also finding berocco & angel mohair in bags with multiples for cheaper than I can get red heart yarn from walmrt or joanns.
Right now I have a room full of yarn & the last time I paid full price or even retail prices was when I was first learning to crochet & knit, like 2 years ago
i love that!! do you have any tips for finding good second hand yarn? i’ve bought some from charity shops near me in the past (once scored a big bag of mohair which was a win) but usually at the stores near me it’s odds and ends of cheap novelty yarn 😅 i’ve tried looking on ebay but it seems like it’s almost full price a lot of the time, but i’m sure there’s an art to it that i’m missing!
I love anything by Cascade and Malabrigo. I’m not sure how widely available it is outside of North America, but Lions Brand Fishermen’s Wool is a phenomenal deal for 100% wool, only available in natural colors, but pretty identical to Cascade 220 for, probably, 1/4 of the cost.
oh lovely i’ll have a look into them! i’ve definitely seen lions brand in the UK but will look for that specifically. i’ve had a few malabrigo’s on my list for a while but never taken the plunge, will have to try it out as lots of people are saying it’s very soft (and obviously colours are unlike anything else!!)
thank you for your down to earth recommendations
thank you!! 💕💕
DROPS every time for me. Amazing value and all yarns are natural fibres.
agree love drops 💕💕💕
Thanks for this, I love to knit but have to be careful of the prickle factor, here are 4 more gentle yarns to add to my list x.
definitely! the prickle factor is an excellent way to put it 😂
Thank you for this video❤️
thank you for watching!! 💕💕
How did your projects in drops Nepal do on pilling? The one sweater I made with it pills a lot, but I don’t know whether that is because of the looser gauge or the yarn inherently
i haven’t had that experience but i’ve heard others say the same! my items were colourwork sweaters (with different yarns mixed in) and scarves etc so a sweater solely made from nepal may behave differently. i will keep an eye out for it!
I knit a sweater in Drops Nepal with a tight gauge and it pills so much. I absolutely regret knitting a sweater with it and I would never recommend anyone to do so. I have never seen any wool behave so badly.
I used it for a cable jumper design course and spent months designing and knitting for my husband only for it to fluff and pill almost immediately. My husband sealed it’s fate when he shoved it in a 60 degree wash and it came out about 12 inches across. He said he would stretch it 😂
I've used a lot of Drops yarns and results vary. Even within one type, quality can vary quite a bit between different colourways. I only used Nepal for felting, and one colourway felted well, whereas the other didn't. So far, only Baby Merino (which is superwash) has been very consistent in quality, and I like it a lot for gift knitting. Puna has held up very well also, and Fabel is decent, too. Karisma was disappointing because of the pilling and Air was laughable after being washed. I do still like Drops though, I just make sure that I make a small project or swatch with a new yarn before I invest in a large project.
I literally raise sheep and angora rabbits and just learned to knit and crochet this year and I'm honestly maybe going to figure out how to make wool. I know it'll be a crazy amount of work but i dont have $500 to spend on wool
i love that idea!! let me know how it goes!! 💕
Brilliant video. Can I ask what the pattern for the lace socks is?
thank you!! 💕 yes of course they are the spring gentleness socks by d19 eco friendly life
👏 “Knitting shows “ that are basically commercials for expensive yarn are nuts. They get that yarn for free and get $ to advertise. I lost my patience and stopped watching a very popular Canadian UA-cam “knitting show” when the two , wealthy sister hosts not only pushed expensive skeins but casually talked about how everyone who wants more knits than they can manage to complete themselves should, just like these ladies, simply hire someone else to knit for them. 😮. 🙄
😂😂 wouldn’t that be nice! it’s hard to find any pods that don’t showcase exclusively expensive yarn isn’t it, certainly doesn’t reflect real life!
I love Hobii yarns. Sadly since the covid pandemic their shipping prices have risen steeply. Now i believe its still manageable to the UK and the US and even Australia, but the STARTING shipping cost to NZ is $30.00!!!!. Thats just too much, im sorry. And i REALLY wish it wasnt the case because ive just started to get back into weaving. Now in weaving, natural fibres DO work best, because they "full" or knit together after finishing to make a cohesive fabric. Yes you can weave using acrylic yarns but they dont react like natural fibres(they can work well as a part of a piece tho). Hobii tho has some GREAT cottons at good prices and a great colour selection for weaving.......but not good enough prices to offset that shipping!!!
Btw for knitting and crochet, i use acrylic and i agree with you, no one should be made to feel less because theyre not knitting using the undercoat of a rare camelid only found in deepest mongolia thats handspun by the descendants of Ghengiz Khan....or whatever 🙄😉.....i cant afford natural fibres.....so maybe we should be asking, why are natural fibres like cotton, flax, and wool that have been used for centuries, suddenly the elite, ne plus ultra choices with prices fit to make your eyes water?(Yes i get that there are mechanisation issues particularly with flax, but wool?)
oh no sorry to hear that, how frustrating! i’ve never tried weaving but i plan to at some point! agree about the ancient hand spun mongolian wool 😂😂 it’s so crazy!
Kelbourne Woolens has moderate priced yarns that are good quality as well. A good company started by 2 women.
oh sounds lovely, i’ll look them up! thank you!
My knitting taste of gone in the opposite direction. I did use some of these acrylic blend yarns in my earlier days before I knew better and when I had more time than money. Now that I have very little knitting time, I very much value getting the most out of the hours I spend knitting and I can’t do that with cheap, poor quality yarn. Although I suppose somebody who buys Briggs and Little which I would not touch as it is far too harsh and scratchy against my sensitive skin, would consider me a yarn snob, I try to get to the best quality Merino Yarn for the best price. In my early knitting days, I knit primarily with cotton as traditional yarns left me with a ugly red rash on my skin which also made wearing the items intolerable and uncomfortable. Once I discovered superwash Merino having first tried Zara, I realized that I wasn’t allergic to wool but just very sensitive to anything remotely scratchy. Therefore I do not spend top dollar on yarn , but definitely try to get the best quality Merino for the best price. Shelridge yarn which is a soft Firmly spun Merino, is a favourite.
I like Drops. Also, in the U. S., Little Knits offers excellent yarns at reduced prices.
ooo i’ve never heard of them, will look them up!
Drops Nepal was still itchy for me 😢 but im excited to try the other recommendations!
oh no i’m sorry to hear that! definitely see how you get on with the others, nothing worse than a yarn rash 😭
I also find Nepal slightly itchy. I use cascade heritage all the time and it isn't itchy. I'd also recommend the drops merinos, although they do stretch like crazy when you wash them. Knit tight and stick to things that aren't going to need washed that often!
@@rosaidhphillips7677 great advice! Thank you for these tips.
Hayfield is the "value" brand of Sirdar. I have tons of it.
yes it’s really great isn’t it! i came across it super early in my knitting days but haven’t looked back - if it’s not broken, don’t fix it!
Brilliant pod cast. Can I please ask which pattern did you use for the Aran jumper at the beginning of this podcast.
yes of course! it’s from a vintage sirdar pattern book called “simply aran”, and it’s sweater no 2. i’ve never been able to find a digital version unfortunately but i’ve seen the book itself being sold online 💕
You can frog old machine knit sweater and scale patterns for gauge
really interesting thought, love it!
30 seconds in and I’m subscribing!
yay thank you!! 🌟🌟
Wow your hair 😍 it’s like caramel!! I love drops anything so good and I can get it very local to me. I have knitted using cascade heritage and I wasn’t too happy with it I found that it grew so much but looking back maybe it did because the project was garter stitch? Do find after washing knits with this yarn it grows? Great video Issy ❤
thank you so much!! i’m loving it from autumn 🍂🧡 that’s really interesting! i haven’t had that but i’ve heard that about a lot of other superwash yarns so it may be because of that element of it, i suspect the texture plays a role too as ive only knitted it in stockinette. i havent machine washed my top but it didn’t stretch out during blocking, and the socks are fine in the machine (albeit obviously they are only socks so don’t have a lot of weight to it). now i had a really weird experience with another yarn where i did a lace stitch pattern and it stretched it sooo much, so i wonder if maybe it was to do with that?
In my experience merino always stretches a bit when wet and you have to dry it flat (I don't normally bother after the first block). I'd say cascade heritage is better than most (because of the nylon presumably) but it is still stretchy when wet.
Do you have links to that tapestry you showed at around 1:18? It's awesome, and I'd love to make one!
thank you so much!! 💕 it’s a cross stitch pattern called opening gambit by long dog samplers. i did a video on how i’m doing it a while back with the links etc - ua-cam.com/video/MsIpsDtoUqk/v-deo.htmlsi=ad6lYtDnz69MJ9oD hope that’s helpful!! it’s a real slog but also one of my favourite projects ever! 🥰
@@issyknits Thank you so much for sharing :)
I'd love a video with similar yarns but for us girlies who are allergic to animal fibres :)
You're a bit limited if you can't have any animal fibre as the choice becomes either acrylic/acrylic mix or cotton/cotton mix. Paintbox, a range exclusive to LoveCrafts, do a great range of very good value acrylic yarns. The website also has an handy menu for selecting the fibre/s. It may be a case of trial and error, I'm afraid. Fortunately, they tend to be good value and LoveCrafts will refund you for any unused balls as long as the band is intact and you return it within 30 days.
@@jayeclements6452 Ty!! I’ve used love crafts acrylic and think it’s quite stiff :( I usually go with stylecraft instead but looking to up my game haha
that’s a great idea! i will definitely do one of those!
I love Drops merino, Nepal is a bit too scratchy for me :(
i haven’t tried drops merino but definitely will at some point! someone else said it stretched out quite a bit with blocking, have you found that?
I agree that there is a lot of yarn snobbery out there and that itchiness is an issue for some natural fibres, but acrylic and all the polys are made from oil. Dyes are made from coal tar. Does the climate impact come into your yarn cost equation?
i mean in this video i’m referred to financial cost, not environmental impact. i knit with a variety of fibres but i don’t pat myself on the back when i knit with natural fibres because ultimately buying and using any type of yarn impacts the climate. i’m interested in doing a whole video on the greenwashing of natural fibre yarns because while there are obvious issues with synthetic, it’s not as if the alternative is carbon neutral. in any event, it would be hypocritical of me (as indeed i think it is for most people) to judge anyone for choosing synthetic yarns when i wear other synthetic fabrics, eat meat, drive a car, travel abroad, etc. knitted items are generally slow made and treasured, and can be repurposed through frogging, so i still think it’s a more environmentally conscious choice than buying clothes/blankets from a shop, which is the realistic alternative.
@@issyknits Indeed. I was just interested to see what you thought and obviously you have thought about it a lot and I genuinely appreciate that. Until sheep don't produce methane and we all own and process our own fleeces using carbon neutral energy and plant dyes that are free from synthetic mordants and then wash minimally and compost our knitting when no longer wearable then it's all a compromise. I agree there is a load of greenwashing out there and look forward to watching your video.
@@AbigailCollins-uo4wt i agree, no perfect solution unfortunately! thank you i appreciate that 💕
Thanks Issy, very interesting.
thanks for watching 💕
Thanks so much for this video. It's very helpful. I am wondering what pilling is like for these yarns in your experience? I've heard softer yarns tend to pill more, how did you find the pilling in your projects after some wear/use?
i would say minor for them all in my experience. someone commented that they found drops nepal to pill quite a bit but i haven’t found that personally!
@@issyknits So good to know. Thank you!
Love this!
thank you!! 💕💕
I can't stand acrylic or synthetic personally. I have a genetic condition that affects my skin (and everything else) and acrylic makes me sweat without actually warming me, which makes me miserable. So I decided to stop paying top dollar for wool yarn and started spinning my own. Great stuff. Merino yarn at a fraction of the cost.
And I disagree that blocking doesn't do a lot for acrylic yarns. It does actually, evening out the stitches, keeps things from rolling, et ctr.
that’s fair, people react different to different textures. exciting that you’ve learned to spin your own!
i did say a couple of times that it evens out your stitches 😂 i meant it (often) doesn’t dramatically change the size, but obviously there is still benefit to doing it which is why i always block and would suggest others do the same!
How much does wool yarn come out to when you spin it yourself?
@@aly5321 I buy local fleeces for about 16 gbp per fleece. Specialty breeds can cost a bit more, like Jacobs and Merino but it's still more affordable than getting 100g balls of yarn that's 100% wool for between 10-30 gbp. You get a lot more than 100g, and you can have different wpi of yarn in the same colors for projects that need different weight.
What is the pattern for that sweater at 6:20 ?!?! That is so cool.
thank you so much!! it’s the takotna sweater by linka neumann 💕💕
I'm definitely a yarn snob, but because I love the *colours* of hand dyed yarn, not the name brand. I will never understand people who spend an arm and a leg for some very basic neutrals, not even actual colours. Like b!tch, I am not dishing out $40 CAD a skein for grey, brown or beige yarn! If I'm going to drop some coin it better be hand dyed and multi-coloured!
that’s so true, i recently saw a girl knit up a sweater in the most astoundingly beautiful bright blue/purple colour. truly stunning! she said it was like $200-300 i’m sure but i thought THAT is worth it! so agree it’s not worth it for plain colours!!
Sorry if this is the second time I’ve posted this: great topic and interesting to read others refs. Does anyone have any for mohair for sensitive skin?
unfortunately i’ve no suggestions as mohair is always soo itchy for me! still doesn’t stop me from using it (probably unwisely!) but i feel like the way the fibres are it’s always bound to irritate. i’ve worked with rowan kidsilk haze, drops kidsilk and valley yarns southampton and sadly all have been itchy! if you hear of any that are good, let me know!!
@@issyknits thank you, least I can count them out. I will defo let you know if I do manage to find one (that again hopefully doesn’t cost a fortune). Thank you ✨🕊️
What does everyone think of Sytlecraft? I have used their arcylic DK for blanekts and it's actually great. I have not tried their natural fiber offerings so curious if anyone has any recs. I do often knit with the high end yarns and they are good but yah, budget can't always support that. I used to only knit with Lion Brand (I'm in the USA) and I actually really like Lion Brand.
i’ve used their special aran for homewares but not their natural fibres, would also be intrigued to know!
I love stylecraft i have loads of it. I do use hadfield bonus too
@@ASA-bl3hw I do feel a bit bad having it shipped over the USA but even doing that it's still economical. I'll have to see if I can source hadfield. Looks like Hoppi ships easily to the US. Thanks!
@@issyknits cool! I got turned onto Stylecrafk by Attic24 who does Stylecraft kits for crochet blankets that are so great to crochet when I am not in the mood to knit!! I do appreciate that you posted this video. I don't know how it is in other countries but here in the USA there is a lot of snobbery around indie yarns. I have literally had other knitters turn their back on me at knitting groups if I am using a "budget conscious" yarn. It's like vilified in the community here. I think there is a time and place for just about all yarns and I'd rather someone be able to knit and enjoy the craft than be priced out of it. Glad this video popped up in my feed!
@@handmakingapril thats so disappointing to hear, sorry you’ve had that experience! i see it mostly online but thats probably because i just knit alone in my house so i never meet the yarn snobs 😂😂 but it is rampant online isnt it, its so lame!!
Sometimes I can be so surprised by what can be a problem. I chose the yarn I preferred at that moment, some expensive sometimes cheap yarn, because most people cannot see the difference anyway and since it is my work I am the boss.
But I am a big wool lover and if that makes me a snob that is totally okay. I wear wool almost every day, especially during hikes and garden work so synthetic yarn is not for me…
that’s great, its nice to go with whatever you feel like 💕 absolutely your prerogative to knit with whatever you like, wool is great!
Do you have any suggestions for a chunky weight yarn?
Drops are always phenomenal value. Andes and Snow are a good chunky weight. Andes is about £5 for 50grams and is perfect for cable work. Snow is a softer yarn with an open twist. It's about £2.50 for 50 grams and works well for softer colourwork designs. They're both 100% wool of various types. For acrylic/wool mix, Stylecraft Softie Chunky is excellent value at around £4 for 100 grams. Limited colour range but very soft and washes well. A little more expensive is Valley Yarns Haydenville bulky/chunky. I LOVE this yarn and Valley Yarns as a range. I stock up when it's on offer but it's generally £7 for 100 grams. There's about 20 colours and it knits up like a dream.
Thank you very much for this advice.
i used debbie bliss merion on perhaps my favourite jumper ever and that’s the one i get most compliments on!! it’s usually on sale for about £6/7per 100g (but RRP is more), super soft but it can still “bite” a little if you have sensitive skin like me even though it’s 50/50 wool and acrylic. limited range of colours tbh but the colours they do have are gorgeous. definitely worth a look!
Hayfield Aran Tweed killed my hands when using it recently. Hated it unfortunately.
oh no sorry to hear that! what was it about it that hurt your hands? the tweed is a slightly different comp than the “aran with wool” as it had viscose in it, so possibly feels a bit different, i’ve never used it so not sure!
Any chance anyone could compare any of the yarns mentioned to lana grossa merino / malabrigo in terms of prickleness? I've been on the hunt for a yarn that doesn't make me itch and honestly it's been such a bummer.. now that I think of it, I have wool/acryl mixes in store-bought items that are completely fine. Thanks for this!
i feel your pain! unfortunately i’ve never tried either of those but will be keen to hear if anyone can comment about that!
Drops Nepal is itchier. Cascade Heritage is comparable to malabrigo I'd say for smoothness. It's a little less squishy I think, but that may be because I've only knitted chunky and DK malabrigo and Cascade is 4ply. I haven't knitted with any of the others to compare.
Good quality acrylic yarn - women's institute at hobbycraft every time
a classic! great colours too!
Uuum thank you i am poor but I want to knit yes
this 1000%!!!!
Knitted socks all should have some nylon If you want them to last
definitely helpful for durability!
🥰
Would you consider the wool and acrylic blends to be particularly warm?
i would say so - it depends on the blend of course. i would say hobbii winter glow is probably a bit warmer in itself than hayfield bonus aran with wool, however the hayfield is an aran whereas hobbii is a dk so the former is a thicker piece and therefore probably warmer even if the hobbii is more insulating itself. so it depends! of course 100% wool will be warmer, and blends with a higher percentage of wool will be warmer, but that said, all of them are more than sufficient for a jumper and still much warmer than my store bought jumpers for sure! 💕