Nice review Sandi! I don't do much knitting with heavy weight yarns now, but they were a big part of my early knitting years. I probably should come up with a project to use Till for as I know knitting with heavy weight yarns and big knitting needles is good exercise for my hands. Looking forward to seeing your hat pattern! I think your stitch pattern could be pretty on a throw pillow, too! :-)
On your elegiac reading, I am reminded of the current love affair I am watching between my 18 month old young stud of a tuxedo kitty - (too cool for his own good!) and a wonderful spay long haired calico female of many years that comes by to sit on the outside window sill. These two love each other through the window pane and sing love messages when absent.
I think we all start out with thicker yarns, since quick results are important to motivate beginners to keep going! I still like a worsted or aran weight yarn for instant gratification.
Beautiful stitch pattern and a great review as always. Thank you Sandi. I have used some highland wool and have read the label but never knew the sheep were a merino+corriedale hybrid! I am able to wear sweaters knit from Knit Picks wool of the Andes and Palette over one layer of clothing, not right next to skin. Knit Picks palette remarkably softens in washing and wearing.
Speaking of yarn weights, fingering is my favorite weight for sweaters.
For what it's worth, I find that Till is softer than Wool of the Andes or Palette, especially after washing. Palette is one of my favorite yarns for stranded color work.
I'm an outlier; I prefer to knit fingering yarn on size 9 needles! But I knit really tightly on anything smaller, so this is my compromise since I want drape rather than a stiff fabric.
Opinion please? I am severely allergic to most wools, both the scales and lanolin. My throat closes up if I hold it close to my face. I can tolerate fine merino and camelid yarns, and wonder about Till? I don't know what Corriedale is like.
Corriedale is classified as a "medium wool" breed, with fiber diameter ranging from 25–31 microns (compared to Merino's 12–25 microns). It's a sturdier fiber than Merino, but not course. But, of course, there is no way to know if Till (or other yarns made with highland wool) will trigger your allergies without testing it in person. Given that you like fine yarn on largish needles, you might want to sample a skein of Purl Soho's Good Wool instead of Till. It's the same fiber, just spun into a sport weight yarn at 383 yds per 100g, vs Till's heavy worsted weight at 136 yds per 100g. And Good Wool happens to be on sale today, for $11.25 per skein!
Thanks, Sandi! I realize I need to try it personally but some wools are an immediate and fervent No Way! Thanks also for the Good Wool tip; I'll check it out!
I have always wished there with new yarns there would be a starter set that you could knit from to see if the yarn works for you.
It is funny, I am a very long time knitter. What sometimes works up as a worsted, heavy worsted yarn can easily jump into an aran weight yarn depending on the knitter. The way you knit, strand, cable all make the yarn work differently in different peoples hand. Years ago Berroco had a yarn called Folio. They used the term light worsted, dk. Many actual knitters commented that it worked better for them at a fingering or maybe a sport weight. it really just depends on the knitter and that why I find ball bands almost useless. it does give me some info, but knitting a swatch always wins out.
I love these yarn reviews. I think my happy place is #5-#7 needles. Right now I’m knitting a cardigan with #7 needles, and I’m pleased with the comfort (my hands don’t hurt as much as when I use smaller needles) and the speed with which the cardigan is growing. Several years ago I knitted a shawl for one of my sisters in either #10 or #11 needles. I couldn’t wait to finish it! Large needles might be fine for small, quick projects, but the shawl was a bear. I couldn’t believe how hard it was on my hands to work those needles.
Nice review Sandi! I don't do much knitting with heavy weight yarns now, but they were a big part of my early knitting years. I probably should come up with a project to use Till for as I know knitting with heavy weight yarns and big knitting needles is good exercise for my hands. Looking forward to seeing your hat pattern! I think your stitch pattern could be pretty on a throw pillow, too! :-)
On your elegiac reading, I am reminded of the current love affair I am watching between my 18 month old young stud of a tuxedo kitty - (too cool for his own good!) and a wonderful spay long haired calico female of many years that comes by to sit on the outside window sill. These two love each other through the window pane and sing love messages when absent.
I think we all start out with thicker yarns, since quick results are important to motivate beginners to keep going! I still like a worsted or aran weight yarn for instant gratification.
Beautiful stitch pattern and a great review as always. Thank you Sandi. I have used some highland wool and have read the label but never knew the sheep were a merino+corriedale hybrid! I am able to wear sweaters knit from Knit Picks wool of the Andes and Palette over one layer of clothing, not right next to skin. Knit Picks palette remarkably softens in washing and wearing.
Speaking of yarn weights, fingering is my favorite weight for sweaters.
For what it's worth, I find that Till is softer than Wool of the Andes or Palette, especially after washing. Palette is one of my favorite yarns for stranded color work.
Good to know! Thank you. I’ll add Till to my “to be tried” list.
I'm an outlier; I prefer to knit fingering yarn on size 9 needles! But I knit really tightly on anything smaller, so this is my compromise since I want drape rather than a stiff fabric.
Opinion please? I am severely allergic to most wools, both the scales and lanolin. My throat closes up if I hold it close to my face. I can tolerate fine merino and camelid yarns, and wonder about Till? I don't know what Corriedale is like.
Corriedale is classified as a "medium wool" breed, with fiber diameter ranging from 25–31 microns (compared to Merino's 12–25 microns). It's a sturdier fiber than Merino, but not course. But, of course, there is no way to know if Till (or other yarns made with highland wool) will trigger your allergies without testing it in person. Given that you like fine yarn on largish needles, you might want to sample a skein of Purl Soho's Good Wool instead of Till. It's the same fiber, just spun into a sport weight yarn at 383 yds per 100g, vs Till's heavy worsted weight at 136 yds per 100g. And Good Wool happens to be on sale today, for $11.25 per skein!
Thanks, Sandi! I realize I need to try it personally but some wools are an immediate and fervent No Way! Thanks also for the Good Wool tip; I'll check it out!
I have always wished there with new yarns there would be a starter set that you could knit from to see if the yarn works for you.
It is funny, I am a very long time knitter. What sometimes works up as a worsted, heavy worsted yarn can easily jump into an aran weight yarn depending on the knitter. The way you knit, strand, cable all make the yarn work differently in different peoples hand. Years ago Berroco had a yarn called Folio. They used the term light worsted, dk. Many actual knitters commented that it worked better for them at a fingering or maybe a sport weight. it really just depends on the knitter and that why I find ball bands almost useless. it does give me some info, but knitting a swatch always wins out.
I'm also team swatch.
I love these yarn reviews. I think my happy place is #5-#7 needles. Right now I’m knitting a cardigan with #7 needles, and I’m pleased with the comfort (my hands don’t hurt as much as when I use smaller needles) and the speed with which the cardigan is growing. Several years ago I knitted a shawl for one of my sisters in either #10 or #11 needles. I couldn’t wait to finish it! Large needles might be fine for small, quick projects, but the shawl was a bear. I couldn’t believe how hard it was on my hands to work those needles.
I'm right there with you. Size 10 and 11 needles feel like broomsticks in my hands.