Replies

1. 
   rodezzy | Oct 17, 2007 10:40pm | #1

   Don't start with a sweater.  Start with a poncho or something that doesn't need much shaping but gives you the idea of how long it will take.  Then make a small project that needs shaping.  Then do a sweater.  Any babies in the family.  They are perfect starter sweaters.  They can include lots of techniques and stitch patterns to try out.

1. 
   fabricholic | Oct 17, 2007 10:49pm | #2

   Baby sweaters. Actually, I was trying to felt this eyeglass case that someone gave me the pattern for and it wouldn't felt. Duh, I just thought I had wool yarn. It's still pretty, though.

1. 
   rodezzy | Oct 17, 2007 10:59pm | #3

   Ha!  That's funny, I tried the same thing with what I thought was wool too, last winter, an eye glass case.  I had the same results - Great minds think alike (giggle)!

   No babies, then a purse made like a sweater - great novelty project - huh?  The opening at the neck The sleeve ends sewn to the bottom band as if the hands were on the hips.  The handle on the shoulders.  Gag Christmas gift????????

1. 
   katina | Oct 17, 2007 11:20pm | #4

   Hi Rodezzy and other knitters/crocheters

   Here's a website you may find useful

   http://www.knitpicks.com

   Katina

1. 
   Josefly | Oct 18, 2007 03:10am | #6

   Oh, this is another great site. Thank you. What gorgeous patterns - and I just looked at the free ones - for hats, scarves, shawls, socks. I saw one yarn that was a cotton-modal blend, but saw no tencel yarns. A friend of mine knitted the most wonderful baby blanket for her grandchild using tencel, and it was incredibly soft.

2. 
   rodezzy | Oct 18, 2007 07:49pm | #7

   Hi Josefly, what is tencel?

3. 
   Josefly | Oct 20, 2007 03:59am | #8

   Hi, Rodezzy. Tencel is a type of rayon (natural but man-made) fiber that drapes beautifully and has a wonderful feel, which doesn't get lost in laundering. It's a trademarked name for lyocell. I've forgotten the type of wood or cellulose fiber that is used to make it, but if you google it you can find out a lot. It's strong but luxurious feeling, and not hot like synthetics typically are. Tencel fabrics are offered in different weaves and weights for dresses, blouses, pants, etc. I love to wear it. It's a little like the recent bamboo "rayon", which also feels wonderful. I had never seen the Tencel yarn until my friend made that great baby blanket.

   Edited 10/19/2007 9:00 pm ET by Josefly

4. 
   rodezzy | Oct 22, 2007 07:38pm | #9

   Sounds like my kind of fiber.  I'll look it up, thanks for the info.

5. 
   Josefly | Oct 23, 2007 04:28am | #10

   I just did a brief google search for Tencel yarns, and found some mention of it blended with other yarns like wool and mohair, at a place called yarntree.com. Apparently they have kits which can be purchased with separate skeins of wool or mohair and skeins of tencel, which the knitter uses together.Also at this site:http://www.yarndex.com/yarn.cfm?yarn_id=57there's a Pima (cotton) and Tencel blend yarn, and at the bottom of the page are some comments from people who've used the yarn, some pros and cons. One poster mentioned that the work "grows" a lot while being blocked, but is that the cotton, or the tencel that behaves like that? The fabrics I've worn are woven, and there's been no problem with the fabric losing shape.I didn't take the time to look for prices. I wonder how it compares to other nice yarns.

   Edited 10/22/2007 9:32 pm ET by Josefly

6. 
   rodezzy | Oct 23, 2007 10:57pm | #11

   Hi and thanks for the info.  I took a quick look, I'm really busy today, but I am keeping your site and info to look at latter when I have more time.  The day was good because it was busy, I miss talking to you guys much today.  But now things are slowed down.  I have some schedules to create from data I generated today, but that is going to be a cut and paste, and I don't have to do it now. 

    

2. 
   fabricholic | Oct 18, 2007 12:14am | #5

   Oh yes, I have babies in the family.