JOURNEY knit along / Yarn Substitutions
It's not always easy to find the yarn recommended in a pattern and choosing a substitute can be difficult if you don't know where to begin. A few things to keep in mind when choosing an alternate -- consider the characteristics of the original yarn : gauge, fiber content, and how the yarn is spun can greatly effect the knitted fabric, choosing a yarn that closely resembles the original ensures predictable results.
Yesterday Shannon posted some great suggestions for her patterns from JOURNEY, today I've put together a short list of yarns that I think could make great substitutes for my patterns in the book.
SPATE / worsted
Original Yarn: Sincere Sheep Bannock
Substitutes
Spud & Chloe Sweater
One of my all time favorite yarns! It's the perfect blend of wool and cotton and is a so lovely to knit with. It also produces perfect stitch definition — ideal for a pattern such as this — just check out Alisa's mitts and you'll see what I mean.
Quince & Co Lark
Another of my favorite yarns to knit with. For me Lark is everything a wool should be -- it's smooth without loosing it's woolly quality, it's soft and buttery but wears really well, it has lovely stitch definition and the colours are subtle and perfect. Check out Sushipie's mitts in egret, the neutral colour really shows off the stitch pattern.
Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label Aran Weight
For multifaceted colour and stitches that pop I recommend TFA Green Label -- the tonal quality that makes this hand died yarn so special also makes the stitch pattern luminescent. Just check out Misocraftyknits mitts and you'll see what I mean!
I've seen these mitts knit up in both TFA's Orange Label (worsted) and Green Label (aran) and although both yarns produce stunning mitts the original yarn is a heavy worsted which makes the aran a better match.
CLIMB / fingering
Original Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll
Substitutes
SweetGeorgia Yarns
Everyone knows I'm in love with SGY sock yarns! All four sock yarns would be excellent substitutes for this pattern: the BFL Sock is soft and woolly, the Superwash is durable, the Tough Love has the best of both worlds — slightly woolly and certainly sturdy, or use the Cashluxe Fine for the softest most luxurious socks ever. A perfect example are Jeni's awesome Climb socks in Tough Love!
Cascade Yarns Heritage
Cascade makes some of my favorite yarn, the 220 is a staple in my stash because it's soft yet hard wearing and best of all it's affordable. I chose the Heritage as a substitute because it's a good sturdy yarn with the right blend of fiber — 75% Merino / 25% Nylon — and comes in classic colours perfect for a pair of Climb socks.
Patons Kroy Socks 4 Ply
I've chosen Kroy Socks for the same reasons as the Heritage, it's a workhorse yarn available in classic colours and has the same sturdy blend of merino and nylon.
INLAND / chunky
Original Yarn: Quince & Co Puffin
Substitutes
Patons Classic Wool Roving
It's no secret I love working with this yarn, I've designed many patterns with it and knit my very own Inland cardigan using this yarn. It's not as hard wearing as the Puffin (as the name would suggest - it is roving) but what it lacks in sturdiness it makes up for in softness!
Bernat Roving
Although I've never used Bernat Roving before it's very similar to Patons Classic Wool Roving. I am a big fan of 100% wool which is why the Patons would be my first choice but the acrylic content in this yarn would make for a more durable garment.
Knit Picks
Knit Picks has a few bulky yarns I would recommend for this project: Biggo is soft and bouncy with lots of twist, Wool of the Andes is a more traditional wool and would make a nice warm tunic to ward off the cold, and Swish Bulky would also work well, it's soft and perfectly squishy with great stitch definition -- it's also one of my personal favorites but sadly has been discontinued.
Of course these are only a few of the endless possibilities! Want more? I highly recommend using Ravelry's advanced search — don't forget to input your gauge for better accuracy!
Don't forget to tag your projects #journeykal on FB, Instagram, and Twitter and for all things JOURNEY KAL visit our new homepage!!!
Yesterday Shannon posted some great suggestions for her patterns from JOURNEY, today I've put together a short list of yarns that I think could make great substitutes for my patterns in the book.
SPATE / worsted
Substitutes
Spud & Chloe Sweater
One of my all time favorite yarns! It's the perfect blend of wool and cotton and is a so lovely to knit with. It also produces perfect stitch definition — ideal for a pattern such as this — just check out Alisa's mitts and you'll see what I mean.
Quince & Co Lark
Another of my favorite yarns to knit with. For me Lark is everything a wool should be -- it's smooth without loosing it's woolly quality, it's soft and buttery but wears really well, it has lovely stitch definition and the colours are subtle and perfect. Check out Sushipie's mitts in egret, the neutral colour really shows off the stitch pattern.
Tanis Fiber Arts Green Label Aran Weight
For multifaceted colour and stitches that pop I recommend TFA Green Label -- the tonal quality that makes this hand died yarn so special also makes the stitch pattern luminescent. Just check out Misocraftyknits mitts and you'll see what I mean!
I've seen these mitts knit up in both TFA's Orange Label (worsted) and Green Label (aran) and although both yarns produce stunning mitts the original yarn is a heavy worsted which makes the aran a better match.
CLIMB / fingering
Original Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll
Substitutes
SweetGeorgia Yarns
Everyone knows I'm in love with SGY sock yarns! All four sock yarns would be excellent substitutes for this pattern: the BFL Sock is soft and woolly, the Superwash is durable, the Tough Love has the best of both worlds — slightly woolly and certainly sturdy, or use the Cashluxe Fine for the softest most luxurious socks ever. A perfect example are Jeni's awesome Climb socks in Tough Love!
Cascade Yarns Heritage
Cascade makes some of my favorite yarn, the 220 is a staple in my stash because it's soft yet hard wearing and best of all it's affordable. I chose the Heritage as a substitute because it's a good sturdy yarn with the right blend of fiber — 75% Merino / 25% Nylon — and comes in classic colours perfect for a pair of Climb socks.
Patons Kroy Socks 4 Ply
I've chosen Kroy Socks for the same reasons as the Heritage, it's a workhorse yarn available in classic colours and has the same sturdy blend of merino and nylon.
INLAND / chunky
Original Yarn: Quince & Co Puffin
Substitutes
Patons Classic Wool Roving
It's no secret I love working with this yarn, I've designed many patterns with it and knit my very own Inland cardigan using this yarn. It's not as hard wearing as the Puffin (as the name would suggest - it is roving) but what it lacks in sturdiness it makes up for in softness!
Bernat Roving
Although I've never used Bernat Roving before it's very similar to Patons Classic Wool Roving. I am a big fan of 100% wool which is why the Patons would be my first choice but the acrylic content in this yarn would make for a more durable garment.
Knit Picks
Knit Picks has a few bulky yarns I would recommend for this project: Biggo is soft and bouncy with lots of twist, Wool of the Andes is a more traditional wool and would make a nice warm tunic to ward off the cold, and Swish Bulky would also work well, it's soft and perfectly squishy with great stitch definition -- it's also one of my personal favorites but sadly has been discontinued.
Of course these are only a few of the endless possibilities! Want more? I highly recommend using Ravelry's advanced search — don't forget to input your gauge for better accuracy!
Don't forget to tag your projects #journeykal on FB, Instagram, and Twitter and for all things JOURNEY KAL visit our new homepage!!!
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Please can you advise me if Bernat Roving would be considered a chunky or super chunky yarn. I’ve found conflicting advice on line. Many thanks