Howdy!

I'm an intermediate knitter and the thing that totally overwhelmes me is yarn selection. I completely go on overload with all the choices and choosing colors and I usually walk out in a panic without buying anything!

I'd like to make a cute tank top for my best friend's birthday. In the magazine, it was knitted in a worsted weight cotton. I decide to head to my local yarn shop and since they have not yet gotten in their summer yarn orders, they showed me some alternatives: a soft merino and a DK weight organic cotton that I would have to double. Both options would have cost over $60!!!! For 450 yards to make a tank top!!! I nearly fainted!

Then, I ventured to AC Moore (like Michaels) and looked at Sugar and Cream. The price was right, but I've read reviews that say it's really only good for dishcloths; that after washing, it stretches out of shape and pills badly.

So, to all you yarn afficinados out there, can you recommend a worsted weight yarn that won't break the bank (and the best place to buy it)? The only must-haves are the yarn must be machine washable (and preferrably dryable - my friend doesn't do special care garments!) and it must be soft enough to wear next to the skin.

I will really appreciate all your help!

Try this link:

http://www.elann.com/YarnSearchOnlyYarn.asp

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Stacey

“The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man." ~ Euripides

I don't knit or crochet (unless just a chain counts?), but try Supercrafty, she has a craft shop on ebay, and I am sure she would be helpful to contact. I found this link thru Kemtee's post to Crazy Aunt Pearl a long time ago...both fun blogs to read whether you knit or not!

I hear you on the getting overwhelmed! I like Elann, and Knitpicks. They both have some inexpensive cotton blends, which would help avoid the stretch and pill problem. You can go to Wise Needle and read reviews of yarns, though I will warn you there are a lot of yarns that are not reviewed. Smiley's also has some inexpensive cottons right now, but you have to have a minimum order and shipping is a bit spendy.

Knitpicks might be the best, inexpensive and reasonable shipping. Let me know what you find!

I've used Sugar and Cream brand for an throw. It's been washed a couple times and it didn't get out of shape. It probably depends on how tight your stitch is too, or if there are a lot of holes in your pattern. I could see it stretching too much then...

Try www.knitpicks.com. They really nice yarn at great prices. I love their yarn!

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I’ve been SWAK’d!

If the yarn is going to be all the same color, try Discount Yarn Sale - their prices are good, but they only sell yarn by the bag (usually 10 skeins, all same color). I've never ordered from them, but I've heard more than one person recommend them. There's also Joann.com, which does a 5% discount if you buy more than 8 skeins, and they also have an additional discount if you go through Ebates.

As far as what yarn to get, does it have to be cotton, or would acrylic work? I've only made scarves with this one, so I don't know how it holds up regarding pilling and such, but Lion's Microspun yarn feels lovely. It doesn't have a really wide range of colors, though, and it's called a "light worsted weight" on Lion's product page. I also like Paton's Canadiana acrylic yarn, but it might be a bit heavy for a tank top.

I'm just seeing this, so if I'm too late I apologize.

I just used KnitPicks Shine to make a pair of shorts. I'm not generally a cotton type, but after knitting with this I'd recommend it to anyone. It's a cotton/modal blend, so it's easier on your hands than a straight 100% cotton. It's soft, it has a nice sheen, and I can testify to its easy-care properties. I machine washed and dried the finished garment and it's fine.

I got 5sts/inch on US5 needles using the sport weight. YMMV. It comes in both a sport and a worsted weight, in nice colors, at a fair price, with decent put-up. (75yds worsted, 110 sport) Click for details.

Another good, fairly inexpensive option is Cascade Pima Tencel. A 50/50 blend, it has a good hand and a nice drape. It may not make your gauge, though. This vendor has a great selection and she's very nice to deal with.

If you're doing a tank top, you don't really want a straight merino -- too warm. However, there are other blends that work well. I made a summer top last year using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (215yds/skein), and it's lovely. Again, light weight, nice sheen, just enough elasticity to keep it easy to work with, and unlimited color choices. I averaged between 5-6sts/inch on size 8s. I recommend these folks for Brown Sheep; his prices are in line, he ships fast, has good communication and sometimes gets odd/discontinued lots of colors that are marked WAY down.

I'm all for using the LYS whenever possible, but sometimes it ain't. Check Yarndex and Wiseneedle for possible subs, or Knitters Review or the Knittyboard for more advice. A lighter weight (sport or DK vs. worsted) MAY work for you, with the caveat being gauge. If you knit up a swatch, wash it, and like the way the fabric feels, AND can get the measurements you need, then go with it.

HTH.

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The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.
-- H. L. Mencken