Ok, so it was a week ago… but I’ve been busy!  My second year of blogging has passed, and I love it as much as ever!  I thought I would try to turn last year’s feature into a tradition… one where I talk about how various yarns have held up in the sweaters I’ve made this year.

1.  Printed Silk Cardigan in Frog Tree Pima Silk – I get a lot of nice compliments on this sweater.  The yarn has stretched a bit, but nothing you wouldn’t expect for a cotton/silk blend.  It’s nice and cool and light.  I might not use this yarn again because of the splittiness (the memory has not yet faded) but so far it is holding up well!

2. Juliet in Cotton Fleece: One of my most favorite sweaters.  I love the swingy shape that’s so popular right now.  This color of cotton fleece has faded a bit – it’s more peach than terra cotta, but I still love it!

3.Green Gable in Knitpicks Comfy –  I don’t wear this so often, because even though I added 2.5 inches to the body it’s still way short.  The yarn itself is holding up ok – a little fuzzy maybe – but the real problem is that it catches every piece of lint in a room.  It was lovely to work with, but I have concerns about it long term, so I wouldn’t use it again.

4. Thermal in Knitpicks Gloss – Everything they say about Gloss is true – it stretches insanely upon washing.  I made my sweater too small, and now it’s a bit big, but it is lovely and warm, and I like to wear it on cold days.  The yarn otherwise is holding up great – no pilling, and the color has stayed true through washing.

5. Tree Jacket in Valley Yarns Colrain –  I love this sweater – it’s unusual but not crazy looking.  Colrain is one of my true yarn loves – soft and shiny, and it holds up great!  My sweater has no pilling, and I wore this all the time last winter.  It does attract lint thought, but not too bad.

6. Tuxedo top in Berroco Naturlin – Like knitting with twine, but the results are so worth it.  I don’t wear this much because I’m always cold, but whenever I do it makes me so happy!  The yarn gets softer with every wear, just like they say with linen.

7. Briar Rose in Moda Dea Fashionista – The only sweater here that I do not wear.  I cannot seem to figure out what to wear it with, and the yarn  is pilling badly after only a few outings.  It was strange to knit with, and I cannot recommend it for garments (but I bet it would make a lovely soft blanket!)

 

1. Something Red in Blue Sky cotton – Sometimes you have to learn for yourself – for instance, I had to learn that this yarn really does wear as badly as they say.  I have worn this a lot (I always get tons of compliments on it) and it’s stretched out and really worn looking.  I could live with the wear if only it would stop stretching – at this point it is far wider in the shoulders than I am.

2. Flutter Sleeve Cardigan in O Wool Balance –  I wanted to try this yarn forever.  It was a bit rustic to knit with – papery and full of twigs.  But the sweater is great – lightweight and soft, and it holds its shape well.  I find short sleeved cardigans hard to wear (as I said, I am a cold person!) but this is my favorite!

3.  Vest Evereste in Cascade 220 heather – I love vests, why don’t I knit more?  I will have to make one this winter (Victoria from the new Kim Hargreaves is first.)  This vest has held up wonderfully – it has not stretched, and the yarn looks like new.  I’m planning to knit Forecast with Cascade 220 this year, since this was such a success.

4.  Comfy Cardi in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino –  I didn’t love this when it was done, but to my surprise it is one of my favorite sweaters now.  I love Baby Cashmerino.  It’s more tightly twisted than the other cashmerinos, and it does not pill a bit.  I’m planning to knit Ripple, from Kim Hargreaves Nectar, from this yarn.

5. Gathered Pullover in Naturespun Sport –  I love the color and the sleeves fit me perfectly, but I do wish I had made the body with a normal hem – I am always pulling at the rolled bottom.  Ah well – I wear it all the time.  It has not stretched or pilled, surprising for a cheap yarn knit at a loose gauge.

6. Emily in Venezia Worsted – This sweater is so luxurious – the silk yarn has a nice weight and drape and the color is beautiful!  It has not pilled, although I am careful with it because of the silk content.  It stretches a bit, to be expected with wool/silk blends, but it’s still one of my favorites.  I do love this yarn, and I thought the price was very good

7. Central ParkHoodie in Kathmandu Aran – My favorite sweater, hands down.  I must have worn this three times a week last winter.  I know some people think the yarn is too rustic, but I didn’t find it to be too bad – I thought it was quite soft, if not a smooth knitting experience.  It has not pilled, and it has not stretched.  I am planning two knits this winter out of this, one of my favorite yarns (28 Thirty and Bianca’s Jacket.)  I am all about a soft tweed!

 

This year I have tried more complicated techniques – twisted stitches, cables, and lace. I have two sweaters nearly finished now, to make up for my slowness during the move.  I hope the information on the yarn is useful to you all, I know I often wish I could know how a yarn does over time!

If you’ve read this far, here is a preview of the new color of our guest room (previously painted ceiling white everywhere with a hideous built in shelf.)

It’s a tad brighter in real life, a true french blue that I chose because it matches the french blue in my babette blanket (which will live in here as soon as I finish it!)