Cables and Twists and Turns, Oh My!
I was over reading Katy's blog yesterday when I saw she is co-hosting a St. Brigid along. I really shouldn't be starting another project -- especially another big cabley one. But as luck has it I finally have my hands on the pattern. I've loved this one for a long long time. I don't think I can bear to watch the St. Brigids unfolding before my eyes.
Last night I found myself here perusing yarn colors. Can you believe it though, VY doesn't seem to have a good heathery grey! I've been considering grey or a navy. I know you're thinking the navy would be too dark. Be in person I've seen some gorgeous dark cabled sweaters and they look really nice. Plus, if I'm going to be putting in all that effort it might as well be in a color I love.
So, I'm considering a few other yarn choices:
- Rowan Felted Tweed - I've always loved this yarn and its light weight is a definite plus for such a big sweater.
- Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK - Nice color choices as well, but with a heavier hand.
- Jaegar Matchmaker Merino - Large color palette and machine washable
I've also been considering Araucania Nature Wool. I'm making one sweater from a drabby green right now and it does show up cables nicely. It would certainly be an economical choice.
So dear readers, please weigh in with your opinions. Do you like one of the ones I listed? Any bad experiences? Or, have a better yarn in mind?
I'm not concerned as much with price on this one as I am with a yarn that will be a good long-term choice. This will undoubtedly be my biggest project I've ever undertaken and I want to make sure I pick the right yarn to go with it.
i love the Araucania nature wool. i've been using it to make the Age of Aquarius in Interweave Knits and Knitter's Stash, another cabled design. only one caution that you're probably already aware of. i started with a sleeve to learn the pattern and didn't realize how uneven the dying is between skeins, so at the top third there's about a three inch swath of khaki that's noticeably darker than the rest, until i started alternating between skeins every other row. haven't decided whether to frog it and fix it or leave it as a badge of distinction.
I like the Araucania also. I have been using it in yellow for a cabled cardigan from one of Phildar winter magazines (Irlandais) and in red for knitted mittens and I just love the results. Colour variation adds interest and depth to the cable design and as I can tell from my mitts, it ges well (not much pilling), yet it is lightweight. I think it is more than excellent value for the price. And I guess you are also aware of the gauge thing (this yarn definitely is not a aran weight as stated on the label)
So that is it for my two cents of advice!
The Rowan Yorkie Tweed DK is lovely. I knit up a felted bag with it last spring. T'would be a fantastic for St. Brigid.
I'm not sure what weight of wool you are looking for but Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool is fantastic and shows cables well. There are more colors this year. http://carodanfarm.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/product512.html
I love the Rowan Yorkshire Tweed. I used the chunky weight for my fuzzyfeet but haven't been able to justify the expense for anything larger. If my order from Webs actually shows up sometime, though, I may join you in the St. Brigid knitalong with the donegal tweed I ordered. (Can you tell I like tweeds? And it's *not* just because some spellcheckers suggest tweed as an alternative for my last name!)
I already have the Jamieson Shetland stashed away for St. Brigid but if I didn't I'd go with the Starmore yarn. It's wonderful! The colors are so rich and interesting. I have the kit from VY for Donegal packed away but I remember thinking that one in particular "Dulse", would make a beautiful aran sweater.
I am doing St Brigid in a deep heather plum colour by Briggs and Little. The wool is a joy to work with. At this point i am 1/2 way up the back.
Now then if you cable knitting folks have ever done kilt knee high sock in cables for someone with wide calf 16 inches. Please let me know..I am trying to modify a regular pattern to fit that size calf and so far i am not having much luck. Thanks Katherine