yarn substitution

[alcestis]

I think I want to try my first apparel item... Since it's summer and I'm impatient, I want to make something to wear now so I've decided on Knitty's "Askew". (Also, it's "mellow" so it shouldn't be too hard for a new knitter such as myself.)

My question is, however, is that if I can't find the Noro Silk Garden (45% silk, 45% kid mohair, 10% lambs

Comments

[carinbrat]

Yeah, at 10 bucks a skein, that project is going to be WAAAAAAY pricy (and probably itchy against your... delicates).

I'll bet you could sub in any old worsted weight, or maybe a cotton and it would still look smashing. Ooo, a cotton might end up with a really nice drape down the front! Just make sure you swatch carefully, since you'll be changing out the yarn and all.

thanks

[alcestis]

I was thinking a cotton or silk yarn... and yeah, it would be waaaaaaay too expensive for my blood.

[bopeepsheep]

I'm making one in Rowan Tapestry - this may not be much cheaper for you, depending on where you are, but it is for me. :) The adjustment to gauge isn't too difficult and it is knitting up beautifully, the stripes work very nicely.

[alcestis]

Unfortunately, everything is going to be more expensive here (I live in NYC) but online stores could work out well. I'll check out Rowan Tapestry and see if it's around town. :D

[clonetwin]

I don't have a specific substitution, but I would not use the Silk Garden. It's a lovely yarn, but it's *warm*. Not a good choice for a summer top.

[mwknitter]

I thought about that too. I suppose that's why they show it as a vest also but I'm not crazy about the look as a vest. I have some cotton Kureyon in my stash that might work nicely.

[alcestis]

The vest style looks a little too late 80s for me... ;)

[jylcat]

Agreed. It's also a bit itchy.

[entheos]

If it weren't a wool blend, Patons SWS is a really beautiful yarn - but too hot and itchy to wear closely, I bet. I'm not really familiar with choosing yarn based on the drape of the end fabric, but for summer, perhaps cotton, linen, or silk would work? Even a solid-coloured yarn might accent the shaping of the piece.

http://www.knitpicks.com/CotLin_YD5420162.html
http://www.knitpicks.com/Shine+Worsted_YD5420140.html

?

And now I want to knit it too, in hot pink yarn. :D

[alcestis]

I'm thinking cotton or a silk-blend, too. I think those will both work really well -- thank you!

[katinka31]

I've heard people rave about Plymouth Boku as an alternative for Silk Garden. It's less expensive, and doesn't have the twigs and stuff that you often find in Silk Garden.

[alcestis]

Wait... there are twigs in Silk Garden? That's, well..., that's kinda of screwed up.

[katinka31]

I guess the fibers aren't overly processed, because yeah, it's pretty common to find little bits of plant material in Silk Garden.

[alcestis]

I had this vision of Ent like twigs hanging out of the skeins... I think I need a nap.