Anyone Knit With Wool?

funinthesun · ‎03-09-2010

I am starting a new blanket and knitpicks.com is having a sale on wool. My image of wool has always been scratchy. Is that still the case? And there are many different types of wool, which is best to use? I've always just bought I Love This Yarn from hobby lobby.

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

My dearly departed sissy used to knit up a storm!

I remember her always saying,

'If someone handed me some steel wool, I would knit them a car!'

I'm sorry I can't answer your question, but you

definitely put a smile on my face today...thanks!

Happy knitting!

ALRATIBA · ‎07-15-2016

@funinthesun

There are SO MANY different types, blends, weights of wool yarns!

A book you should consider gettting ... The Knitter's Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes. You can read about it at Amazon. I have the Kindle version. Very handy book.

One thing to consider when knitting a blanket ... but sure that the yarn you use is machine wash and dry.

Are you a member Ravelry dot com? If so - that's a great resource for info on patterns, fibers, techniques, etc.

software · ‎06-08-2016

Make sure it's machine washable and dryable.

Washable wool is sometimes labeled as "superwash"

I don't care for knitpicks personally, but I think I am in the minority!

"Swish" is a brand name of a knitpicks wool yarn

IMO wool is not "scratchy" but people can be allergic.

"Comfy" and "Brava" are non-wool choices in knit picks.

@funinthesun

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

Merino wool is not itchy or scratchy. It's the only kind I can have on my skin.

KingstonsMom · ‎03-09-2010

My MIL is a member of our local fibre guild and we have an animal education center which has a couple of sheep.

In the fall, when the sheep are shorn, she and other members of the fibre guild do demonstrations for the public and school kids, showing how the wool is cleaned and prepared for knitting, as well as the knitting process itself.

They use the wooden looms and spinning wheels, used back in the day.

The scarfs, etc. that they weave are soooo soft!

I can't wear any fashions containing wool, due to the itch factor, but I sure use the pure wool scarfs she makes!

Maybe the 'itch factor' comes in with the commercial processing of the wool, I don't know.

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

KaySD · ‎08-16-2016

I love wool. It's beautiful and natural. I never found it scratchy, and have no reaction to knitting with it or wearing it. But some people do--it's like an allergic reaction--so you just have to find out for yourself.

As the price of wool has gone up, many new blends have been introduced. Some are washable, which is an advantage. Go to a real yarn shop, not a big craft store, and talk to the folks there to find out everything you need to know.