In Praise of Good Yarn

[akirlu]

The knitting progresses apace. Since last we saw our humble correspondent, she has finished two scarves, and two pair of ribbed fingerless mitts, the second pair of which she knitted in the round on double-pointed needles, thank you very much. Now on to a hat in the round, whereon I may try to teach myself cabling. Or perhaps color work. I haven't picked up anything new since I started knitting in the round, so it's clearly time for new Mad Skillz.

When I was starting my first project, my cow-orker Susanna kindly gave me a ball of yarn to practice on as I struggled with the somewhat rough and difficult tweed yarn I had picked out for myself (inevitably when I'm picking up a new skill, I find ways to make more work than necessary). Especially in comparison to the bouclé yarn I used for the scarves, the little blue ball of yarn from Susanna was a dream to work with. It's twisted closely so it's harder to accidentally split, it's smooth and soft to the touch so that it's pleasant to work with for longer periods, and it has just the right amount of elasticity so that it knits up easily and pleasantly with less effort. The longer I worked with it, the more I adored it and I finally had to go back and ask what it was.

It's Cascade 220 worsted wool, and if you knit, and you haven't had the pleasure, by all means check it out. It isn't rock star sexy on the skein, but my word it's a dream to knit with. Especially on these new English-made double-pointed needles -- it's like butter. Nom nom nom that's a tasty feel. And now, on to the purple knitted cap.

Comments

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

In a way, I'm glad I used something more difficult for my first couple of projects, because it lets me appreciate the Cascade 220 that much more -- especially the feel of it. It's nice to know it's a local product, too, although I may break down and buy larger quantities on the web. It's like $13 a skein at the local yarn store, versus $7 online and when I'm ready to make a sweater, that's kind of a big difference.

[carbonel]

Cascade 220 is one of the staples (or eternal verities) of the knitting world. I haven't used it recently, but it's likely the next sweater I make will be in it.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Yes, I can see it would be a staple. Everything else I've tried pales in comparison, at least in terms of 'knittability'.

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

I LOVE the Cascade 220, that's what I made my stained glass afghan with. Beautiful colours and control.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Yeah, 'control' that's the word. It doesn't perpetually feel like it's getting away from me. At least not as much. Ahem.

[off_coloratura]

Cascade 220 is not only an awesome yarn, but it comes in every color in the world.

You want serious mad skillz, do your cables without a cable needle. I heartily recommend it, it goes so much faster.

[tysolna]

Oh that's neat! I'll try that, I love doing cables but my cable needles always go walkabout.

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

Very cool tip, thank you! And yes, I love the amazing variety of colors the 220 comes in.

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

Seconded. The only I used a cable needle (okay, a spare dpn) was when I was knitting a very fuzzy alpaca.

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

I knit two sweaters out of Cascade 220, and I loved using it both times. It's the go-to yarn for a lot of people - a good price, and it knits well. The superwash can be machine laundered,and the regular felts like a dream (or so I'm told.) And it has so many lovely colors.

I currently have Cascade 220 sock yarn waiting to be a pair of socks, and it's beautiful stuff.