I was going to continue working on the Christmas stocking that I started last year but got side tracked by this cute Shining Star hat pattern by Kate Gilbert.
My small yarn stash didn't have any soft worsted weight yarn so this weekend I made a trip to the yarn store and came back with a couple of skeins of dark blue Classic Elite Inca Alpaca. It seemed like the softest worsted weight yarn in the store but now that the swatch is finished it doesn't seem soft enough for a tight fitting child's hat.
Yesterday I looked through my stash again and found a lone ball of Classic Elite Lush that was originally auditioned for the Tea Tree sweater. This green three-ply yarn, made of 50% angora and 50% wool, is definitely soft enough but I'm disappointed with the quality. I keep finding spots where one out of the three strands is frayed. Gosh, this reinforces the fact that swatching is a good thing. I'm so glad that I decided against using this yarn for a sweater.
I was hoping to join a local knitting group this evening but I've been sniffling the past few days and don't want to pass around my germs.
If you want a REALLY soft wool, try morehouse merino. http://www.morehousefarm.com/ That's what I use and I really like it. It's lofty and has the occasional bit of grass stuck in it, but the softness makes up for picking out the grass.
Thanks for showing everyone the pattern!
Posted by: Kate | April 15, 2004 at 05:00 AM
That hat pattern is great! Thanks for sharing the link. Her other designs are adorable also.
Posted by: Brooks | April 15, 2004 at 07:24 AM
Oh, I love this pattern. It will come in handy when I need to whip up a quick gift.
Thanks for the wool source info. I'll give it a try.
Posted by: Melinda | April 15, 2004 at 09:08 PM