Monday, March 28, 2011

#57 - 2KCBWDAY1: DON'T MAKE ME CHOOSE.



My knitting (and blogging) mojo has been missing for a majority of the season, but I'm making the effort to get back in action with the second annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week. However, in typical fashion, I have the feeling I might cause a bit of a ruckus amongst my knitterly compatriots with my response to today's prompt, which is all about yarn:

Part of any fibre enthusiast’s hobby is an appreciation of yarn. Choose two yarns that you have either used, are in your stash or which you yearn after and capture what it is you love or loathe about them.

So, I'm already having trouble. I will not bash yarn here. Even when I don't particularly enjoy using a certain yarn, I generally assume that I am the root of the problem for one reason or another - I chose the wrong yarn for the project, I'm knitting too tightly / too loosely / etc, I didn't take x-factor into consideration... Whatever it is, I don't like to go postal about a yarn unless something completely unacceptable happens - for example, a skein with multiple knots in it. But still, rather than write a ranting post here or an angry tweet, I like to contact the manufacturer and see what can be done. Of course I might complain with my knitting group, but I'm not going to publish a diatribe against a yarn company.


A mix of high-end and less expensive yarns in my handknits, all with lovely results

But the major disconnect I'm experiencing is that I don't really have a favorite yarn. I truly enjoy every thing I work with, and I always look for the good qualities in fibre. I have a serious distaste for the yarn snobbery that I see in yarn shops and on the interweb. I believe in the notion that 'it might not be your taste, but that doesn't make it bad.'

In actuality,
I am an Equal Opportunity Yarnie, as coined by Maria of the Subway Knits podcast. I love the colors of MadelineTosh as much as I enjoy the springy bounce of Paton's 100% Wool. Rowan Felted Tweed has those amazing little flecks of gorgeousness, but so does KnitPicks City Tweed. I nearly die over Lion Brand Nature's Choice Organic Cotton, especially when I can buy it with a coupon. But the same thing happens to my brain with a lovely locally sourced yarn, Angel's Kiss Alpaca-Merino Worsted.

I like to think that I don't discriminate too much, but I typically prefer natural fibres over synthetics. My favorite yarns are usually straight-up undyed wool, but if you're telling me you don't use superwash or wool blends for socks, I personally think you're out of your mind. At the end of the day, I think it's all about making knitting accessible to everyone - so use your alpaca or your acrylic with pride. And don't be surprised to see me knitting with anything that strikes my fancy and fits my budget.

19 comments:

Knit Purl Gurl said...

It would be hard to chose a FAVORITE yarn, since I love different yarns for different applications. I also love to knit more than one type of project, not to mention I'm always trying a new yarn. To choose would be impossible IMHO! :)

Anonymous said...

YEAH! I'm writing my post now. It's epically long. I just want to get it all out there, you know? And I am recording it for the show too. Overkill? Hope not.

The Sweatshop of Love said...

Right? It's important to keep the door open to anything, especially for beginners. It kills me every time I get a student who brings in their $20 skein of organic cotton to practice on, and they were told it is what they were SUPPOSED to get. Sigh. This fight is an uphill climb!

Alexandra said...

I agree with you! I love many different kinds of yarn and I try to choose the best one for every project.

Leah said...

Well said. I too tend to prefer natural fibres, but that might be because there are no babies around and I live in a cold place where 100% wool works pretty well.

Knit n Sew Studio by Debbie said...

Terrific post. I knit many different projects and some work better in an acrylic blend than in a natural fiber. Off to write my post now.

Anonymous said...

Well said! I, too, hate yarn snobs, and am very much an EOY :)

P.S. your photos are beautiful!

iknit2purl2 said...

I agree! Hard to choose favorites when there are so many pretty yarns! And you always turn your pretty yarn into something more gorgeous! Beautiful photos of your projects!

Anonymous said...

I can't tolerate wool, so I have no problems with acrylic! (At least my hands can take wool though, so I can be equal-opportunity too!)
I love the colour choices on your Turn A Square that you featured!

AC said...

I don't think that's too controversial a stance. I would say the yarns I use tend to be 'mid-range' price--the super expensive ones are bound to disappoint I think. And I always love me some Cascade 220.

CrochetBlogger said...

Love your post for Knit and Crochet Blog Week (which I'm also participating in this year!) I especially like your point about not bashing yarn because there are so many better alternatives when you are working with a yarn you don't like!

autumngeisha said...

I very much love and agree with this post! I am also an equal opportunity yarn user. That's why my yarn stash is so enormous. It's always fun to experiment with different yarns, regardless of their price tags. What a wonderful photo montage to illustrate your point, too.

Moonie said...

Hear, hear! Each yarn exists to find it's perfect match, I say. I do tend toward the snobby side, but then again, I love my Knit Picks Stroll...

Jaimie said...

You have some very valid points - I like your response to Day 1's topic. And your FO pics - I honestly can't tell what is the cheapo stuff and what is the more spendy yarn. Bottom line is you really are limiting yourself if you stick to one type of yarn, or not giving the inexpensive but sometimes better (ie. less knots, slubs) yarn a chance. (And thank you for posting to my blog!)

Misty said...

A very well-considered post. I also have a hard time choosing a favorite yarn. I like to try new yarns and usually love most of the yarns I try. It is difficult to choose. :)

Misty, www.crochetyourway.com

Maiden Jane said...

Great post. I'm with you all the way. I do prefer natural fibers, also. And I won't knit socks again unless it has nylon in it - after blowing through a pair in two months!

Kitty said...

I love this! Sometimes I feel myself being a total yarn snob, and this reminds me that there is a use for everything. Thank you!

lauren said...

Yes!! I love your egalitarian approach to yarns, and I couldn't possibly agree more. Yarns for all!

g-girl said...

i love that you haven't become a yarn snob. :) though you are more aware of which yarns you prefer to work with and which ones you just don't mi well with and that's okay