Sometime back in late January or early February I was commissioned by a friend to make a pair of socks. Not just any socks, these socks, but more on those later...when they're done (thankfully, there is no time rush on this project- I do plan on completing it soon though and there will be pictures of my completed work then, I promise).
The yarn I ordered for this project is actually what I wanted to showcase today. This is the first time I have ordered anything from KnitPicks so I wasn't sure what to expect but when the yarn arrived (in a very timely fashion) I was pleasantly surprised at the "yumminess" of this 75% Superwash Merino Wool/25% Nylon sock yarn.
I've always been leery of ordering yarn online because I like to be able to hold it in my hands before I commit to buying it. I will admit that my willingness to try online yarn ordering this time around was driven mostly by the amazing prices I found at KnitPicks. The yarn pictured above was $3.69/ball- that's cheaper than JoAnn's with a coupon! I was also lured in by their amazing selection of colors. They had the specific color combo I was trying to find for this project that I wouldn't have been able to find at my usual yarn haunts. I will admit that the colors of the actual yarn are a bit different than the pictures on the website but not shockingly so. Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase and plan on becoming a repeat KnitPicks customer.
I realize "cheaper" is not always better so I am curious if anyone out there has any experience with KnitPicks (or similar) yarn vs. expensive hand-spun/dyed yarn. Is there a difference in the way it holds up? Does it wear differently? I would love to hear what anyone thinks about this.
5 comments:
ack! you're making Beowulf socks! How cool!
As to KnitPicks, I've become a fan too. I've only made one order so far though; I'll make another when I run out of yarn (ha). But, the colors . . . after I finish the Easter gifts, I get to start the Mother's Day gifts, and one of them is going to be made out of KnitPicks Shadow lace yarn . . . it's so pretty; I can't wait to play with it.
But the one object I've completed so far with their yarn has worn really well so far.
There. Enjoy the benefit of my limited experience. :) I can't even compare it to handspun, because I haven't had the pleasure of working with handspun.
Though . . . you could go on Ravelry and look up the yarn you're interested in and read experienced people's comments on it.
I'd italicize "experienced" except that I'm rubbish at html. So I'm back to, "Beowulf! cool!"
I've liked what I've ordered from there before to. As far as wear goes, Amy Curtis made a little machine washable and dryer safe vest for Violet when she was a baby. That thing has been through the wringer and washed dozens of time and it still has the same color and shape! Pretty amazing in my book. It is a little softer and you can tell its worn by the texture but still in good condition and in storage in case we have another little one.
Jessica: Yeah, Beowulf socks- who woulda thunk it? Joi W. actually found the pattern and put out a Facebook call for knitters. I thought it would be a fun challenge. Thanks for your input on the yarn and thanks for reminding me about Ravelry (again). I've got to get my act together and start using that awesome resource.
Andrea: Thanks, that's helpful information! It's good to know this yarn is pretty durable- even when you make baby clothes out of it. =)
I think even if I could afford to be a "yarn snob" I would feel silly not taking advantage of KnitPicks yarn.
i have used knitpicks for pretty much everything for a while now. i'm a big fan. are we friends on ravelry? if not, why the heck not?!
Marni: Even though I joined Ravelry forever ago I'm still pretty much a noob. I went and found you and added you as a "friend" (now I have 5 whole yarn buddies). Doing more on Ravelry has been on my infamous list of things to do for a while now, so yeah, I'll get to it...eventually.
Glad to hear you are enjoying KnitPicks yarn. =)
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