Monday, October 8, 2007

Tip: Yarn Substitutions

I received an email from Laura, who stumbled across or KAL and offered this advice on yarn substitutions, since the specified yarn isn't widely available:

I think a lot of knitters are thrown off by "chunky" in the yarn's name, but if you check out the specs, it's actually a worsted weight (4.5 sts/inch) that is knit on large needles for the lacy effect. The waist section could be unflatteringly thick in a chunky weight yarn. I am substituting Malabrigo worsted which seems to be very similar to the original yarn but is far more available and comes in a wide range of colors (and is relatively affordable).

I haven't tried this, so I can't vouch for accuracy, but I thought I'd pass the tip along.

1 comments:

Anne said...

I don't think what is said here is at all accurate.

Merino Bulky (the yarn called for in the pattern) has a gauge of 3 sts to the inch, defintely NOT a worsted weight yarn!!!

I think Laura is getting the yarn specified in the pattern confused with handpaintedyarn.com's regular merino or with Malabrigo which are worsted weight yarns.