Yarn Wool Merino

Tips on how to substitute yarn? I'm a knitter that's allergic to wool and merino. This is, of course, a problem, but I've mostly fudged patterns and made up my own in the past. However, I've fell in love with this sweater: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/PATTbanff.html It's knit with 100% wool yarn. I would really like to give it a try, but am having trouble finding the right kind of yarn. In general, what should I look for while shopping for alternative yarns beyond the gauge? If you want a bulky non-wool yarn, check out I Am Allergic To Wool by Farmhouse Yarns http://www.farmhouseyarns.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=7&Itemid=1 It's mostly cotton with a little rayon. Nice and soft. Hand-dyed, too.

5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedGreen311 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedDark Purple2241 10x50g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Sock YarnDKColor Mix9815 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedDark Grey310 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedBlue Grey Mix6822 10x50g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Sock YarnDKBlue White Mix 49816 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedCoffee316 10x50g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Sock YarnDKBlue White Grey9814 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedDark Green317 10x50g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Sock YarnDKBlue Green Mix9819 Handspun Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Hand Spun Superwash Merino Wool 540gr 189oz Handspun Hand Dyed Knitting Yarn Hand Spun Superwash Merino Wool 420gr 147oz 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedRed313 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedPurplish Pink2919 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedDark Blue318 10x50g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Sock YarnDKGrey White Mix9811 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedPurple Mix312 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedPurple Mix2939 10x50g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Sock YarnDKBrown White Mix9809 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedYellow2104 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedLight Grey309 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedViolet314 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedViolet2219 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedPink302 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedRed2221 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedKhaki306 2 skeins Three Irish Girls Lindon Merino Wool Eire Worsted TIG Yarn Knitting The Knit Kit Tadpole Knitting Board Complete Scarf Kit DVD 100 Wool Merino Yarn 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedBlack2622 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedRose305 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedSmoky Grey29602 10 balls BLUE Debbie Bliss MERINO CHUNKY wool knitting yarn color 140205 10 balls OLIVE Debbie Bliss MERINO CHUNKY wool knitting yarn color 140503 10 balls GOLD Debbie Bliss MERINO CHUNKY wool knitting yarn color 140507 10 balls MAGENTA Debbie Bliss MERINO CHUNKY wool knitting yarn color 140614 5x100g Merino Wool Angora Mohair Silk Sweater Scarf YarnWorstedOrange307 10x50g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Sock YarnDKBlue White Mix 29808 10 balls LILAC Laines Du Nord GIUNCO dk merino wool knitting yarn 34 10 balls NAVY Laines Du Nord GIUNCO dk merino wool knitting yarn 112 10 balls BROWN Laines Du Nord GIUNCO dk merino wool knitting yarn 333 10 balls BLUE Laines Du Nord GIUNCO dk merino wool knitting yarn 405 10x100g Merino Wool Cashmere Sweater Scarf Shawl YarnWorstedWhite2001 10 balls WHITE KATIA COLORADO chunky merino wool yarn color 3 10 balls OLIVE KATIA COLORADO chunky merino wool knitting yarn 2 lbs color 9 10 balls PURPLE KATIA COLORADO chunky merino wool knitting yarn 2 lbs color 24 10 balls BLUE KATIA COLORADO chunky merino wool knitting yarn 2 lbs color 26 10 balls SAGE GREEN NASHUA IVY merino wool alpaca knitting yarn color 1255

Fashion World Loves Jagger Spun Superfine Merino Wool

It seems the fashion world and celebrities alike are agog about this superfine wool. It has even been seen on catwalks this year in Paris. Jagger Spun superfine Merino wool is the top of the line wool yarn used for fine, top grade projects. Jagger Spun is unsurpassed in textural and color consistencies. It is 100% Australian Merino wool in a 2/18 lace weight. Spun says that it is spun from Merino that has a Bradford count in the sixties and is graded at 19.5 microns this is why is a superfine grade of wool. The Merino sheep is specially bred and raised in a sheltered habitat to protect its fiber from the elements. This results in fiber which is softer, yet stronger than cashmere. It is extremely rare. For example, every year enough fleece is shorn for only a few thousand shawls. This may seem like a lot, but with the world population as it is, it is a very small drop in the bucket.

It is a very soft wool, traditionally used in high quality garments, and is preferable with people with sensitive skin. For knitters, it is suggested to multistrand the yarn for larger gauges. Preferably, knitters use three strands for sport weight and five strands for worsted weight. Weavers love this yarn for making tartans, because it never itches. It can be mixed with Zephyr wool/silk brands and Genstone silk to add glisten to any project. It is dyed with the finest dyes in the world. Some excess dyes may be present in the yarn so it is best to skein it and rinse under cold water until the water is clear. Dark purples especially have colorfast problems when exposed to sun. It is best to avoid bright sunlight in this color. For washing it is best to hand wash in lukewarm water, no bleach. Once washed the loft of the yarn expands, creating a fuller, feel and look to any project. It can be dry cleaned, and a cool iron can be used under a pressing cloth, but never ironed wet. Lay flat to dry, never tumble dry. For storage, even thought this yarn is moth-proof, it is best to store in a clear, clean plastic container for long term storage.

The yarn is so soft and delicate, it feels like cashmere. It is a luxury yarn with excellent drape and luster. The yarn has a very low occurrence of knotting, offering knitters a great amount of versatility in adding more piles. The creative opportunities with this yarn are unsurpassed. It can be used for knitting, machine knitting, tambour embroidery, beaded knits, weaving, crocheting, lace work and natural dying. Due to its light and soft attributes, it adds warmth without the bulk. It is also a very clean wool, without chaff. It is sold and supplied in 1 pound cones which have approximately 5,040 yards per pound for a 2/18 count. For the yarn count, the first number is the ply or number of strands, and the second number is the fraction of the yarn thickness. The higher the second number, the thinner the strand.
Merino wool can be used for thermal underwear, wool suits, socks, blankets, quilts, and footwear. Because Jagger Spun Merino wool is recognized as the worlds leading natural fibers, it has been showing up on catwalks and A-list celebrities around the world.

About the Author

The author writes for
Jane Stafford Textiles Weaving Studio
selling
Yarn, Fiber and Weaving supplies
. A renowned weaving instructor and textile artist Jane contributed in the development of the
Jane Loom, by Louet Looms