Yarn substitution

[dunkle_materie]

I want to make Eunny Jang's Endpaper Mitts. Eunny originally used Louet Gems Pearl and Koigu Premium Merino. But I want to use cotton instead of wool, because the recipient has eczema. I'm thinking of using Rowan 4 Ply Cotton. Yea or nay?

Comments

[emmacrew]

It should sub fairly well, but I'll point out that doing Fair Isle in cotton makes me want to spork my eyes out. YMMV, though.

[pickleboot]

i am going to agree with emmacrew, fair isle in cotton does want to make me sporl my eyes out. it might also result in incredibly inelastic mittens. which might not be comfortable, especially for a person with eczema.

out of curiousity, would the soft merino aggrevate the eczema? is there something else you could use like a silk wool or silk cotton blend? of course, that might make it even more rigid- it hink part of the wool is that it doesallow for a fair amount of elasticity. maybe get in touch with eunny to see what her reccomendations would be.

[ak_neve]

I have eczema and I don't seem to have a problem with merino wools or alpaca. In fact, I've found my skin does better with the animal fibers than the plant fibers for the most part because of the wicking - I don't have wet on my skin for too long if it happens.

It depends if the recipient is allergic to wools or not. (Wools with a lot of lanolin still in it means I have to have something to wear between it and my skin.)

[ak_neve]

Just to add... I'd make sure that whatever you make it out of is not too tight or causes chafing on the skin, because that can trigger a flare on me quicker than anything.

And I should add that my eczema flares come from contact allergens (the majority of laundry and deodorant soaps), weather shifts, and food/inhalation allergens. I don't know how similar your friend would be to me, but I do okay with most fibers as long as they're not inherently itchy.

[theladywyvern]

I agree with everyone else, cotton and fair isle is icky.
Contact allergens are the worst.
Perhaps have the person hold the yarn you want to use for some time and see if it aggravates them
Id rather be asked if its going to bother me than have someone guess

[onewomanshow]

I would use the recommended yarn or a synthetic alternative. If you use the wool, you can always line them with a thin fabric on the inside. I prefer lined mittens anyway...