First thing this morning the parcel of yarn which I ordered with my Black Sheep Wools Blogger of the Month gift card arrived. This is, as I’m sure you know, one of the best kinds of parcels.
You start to imagine all the things you’re going to make…
You’re so impatient to dive in hands first and have a good rummage in the bags, but if you’re a blogging monkey you’re on go-slow while you grab your camera…
Ordering new brands of yarn online is rather a gamble as you just don’t know whether you’ll like the feel, or if the shade will be as quite represented on the website. I’m really happy with all my choices.
I try to be canny shopper and so chose yarns that were all on sale to get as many as I could for the value of my gift card. I did very well. Thank you Black Sheep Wools! I’m still really pleased about the award and the generosity of the gift card.
They are all wool blends and various weights: 4 ply, dk and chunky. I chose two patterns first and bought specific yarns for the items. The colour mix of the Trentino drew me, I’m not sure what I’ll make with this yet.
The pinky yarn above will be the first time I’ve crocheted with 4 ply. I’ve only ever used baby cashmerino thickness, dk, chunky and aran only once – as you’ll know from my recent washcloth post.
All three thankfully feel nice and soft. It’s always a gamble with wool, though less so with blends. I know it’s probably not cool to say this, but I really don’t like the feel of Noro. Granted it comes in spectacular colours but the crocheted and knitted garments I’ve felt are way too scratchy to consider wearing next to my skin. Natasha in Fibreworks, Oxford said it does become softer with washing, but I’m still not convinced enough to spend time crocheting or knitting with it and then not wanting to wear the item. Have you used Noro? What do you reckon?
It kind of surprises me that there are so many self confessed ‘wool snobs’ around. Surely it depends what you’re making? There are different horses for different courses aren’t there? A beautiful baby cashmerino baby jumper might be a very lovely present, but if it’s to be only washed by hand with a special wool wash and dried flat, then one in Stylecraft might be more appreciated for its throw it-in-the-washing-machine-peg-on-the-line qualities.
I have a post in the pipeline showing what I’ve been making recently, but the exciting delivery eclipsed that so I’ll show you another day, soon. It’s cool this afternoon, we’ve done a very swift 3 mile walk, had a substantial lunch and now the sofa, chunky yarn and 6mm needles are calling. Loudly!
What are you making at the mo? Have you bought anything exciting yarnwise?
The Little Room of Rachell 
That is exciting Rachel – what can be better than a new yarn delivery! Your choices look really nice and I’ll be looking forward to seeing them all worked up!
Joy x
Thanks Joy. X
I’ve also wondered about Noro, because as you said the colors are gorgeous. I don’t think I’d buy it without feeling it first.
Let me know what you think if you find some.
I used to think Noro looked wonderful to knit with – until I felt some. It felt really scratchy to me and nope! Don’t think I could use it without hating it. I’m not a wool snob in the slightest either, I’ll use most types, e.g.. cashmere, acrylic, mixes, love them all! (Except Noro!).
Thank you for your comment. Always good to have people see where you’re coming from….and agreeing :-)
Lovely selection of wool. I agree re yarn types- all the garments I make for my grand children are machine washable and tumble dry-able – that way they get worn and appreciated!
Have started to edge the CAL squares!
And I bet they are really appreciated.
Oooh mine are in hibernation until nearer the end of the month.
I think you made excellent choices there. Just the thought of something scratchy-ish on my skin makes me feel like, well, like scratching. I prefer acrylic!!!
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I’m with you on the Noro! It looks pretty, but I don’t like the feel of it. I also wouldn’t want to risk spending that much on yarn and then not loving the finished article (for reasons other than my occasionally dodgy knitting!).