One can't go to center city Philadelphia, home of three fab yarn stores, without going to at least one of them! It's impossible. I told myself that I wouldn't have the time and wouldn't go. When I got out of my dentist's office early, my resolve grabbed a canoe and headed down river. Next thing I knew, I was walking to South Street.
Of course, I had to leave with something for my troubles.
It is organically grown cotton by Blue Sky Alpaca. After swearing off cotton for years, I thought I would give it a try again. Why do I hate cotton, you ask.
My reasons for hating cotton:
- If my hands get the least bit warm, it sticks to them like feather to tar.
- Cotton lacks the stickiness of wool. Wool wants to lay down with its fellow kind. Cotton has no such feelings. Thus, as the Yarn Harlot would say, "it's not as forgiving as lovely wool". It separates with the flick of a needle and is slippery to boot.
- It's not as warm. In Pennsylvania, the cold months outnumber the warm months. It's important to have something warm nearby at all times.
- It's not as easy, fun or enjoyable to knit as lovely wool. It takes a steadier hand and more patience.
Knowing how much I hate cotton, I was still wooed by Blue Sky Alpaca's cotton. First, it's organically grown. Second, it's amazingly soft. Third, it was dyed in a lovely brown and Loop only had one skein (I needed 2) of the dyed merino wool that I wanted.
My plan is to knit this cotton into a Chevron & Diamond scarf for myself. I'll be reporting back to you on what I think of the yarn.
6 comments:
I have a friend here in Barcelona who would kill to be able to go to those shops... I might even pick up knitting! That brown cotton looks gorgeous!
I actually love that yarn, and I HATE cotton... for my own reasons, though.
1. I have arthritis in my hands and it hurts to tension with cotton.
2. Stitch patterns that require a lot of stretch don't look very good in cotton (ie. cables).
3. It just doesn't feel as good to knit with as wool... too stiff or something.
All of that being said, I LOVE that yarn. The baby bolero out of OneSkein works perfectly with that yarn... just in case you decide you need to find another use for it. :-D
Dana
I'm pleased to hear that you love Blue Sky's cotton yarn, Dana! I must admit that when I got back home I was a bit miffed with myself for caving in the LYS for cotton of all things. My hopes have just improved with your comment. Thanks!
And Cristina, I do hope you take up knitting. I find it so enjoyable and relaxing.
"it's not as forgiving as lovely wool". It separates with the flick of a needle and is slippery to boot." I have to agree with you here....it's definitely that.The shade you bought is gorgeous, I cans ee why youn were tempted!
What a treat to visit a LYS! I think you will really like that yarn - it's very nice to knit with. Be sure to rest your hands, though, and not knit with the cotton too long at one sitting. Color is just lushious.
Ooooh...lovely yarn! Even the pic of the bag makes green with envy, wish I had a good LYS near me!
Great blog btw!
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