BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Knitting What's your favorite fiber to work with?

Greetings all,

I've added an article about working with Cotton, and it got me wondering what yarns other crafters favored.

Myself, I've always been fond of wool, but lately I've been enjoying alpaca as well. Cotton is a favorite too. I guess for me it all comes down to a decision based on the person I'm knitting for.

So I pose the question, "What's your favorite, and why?"

I like chenille but I did finally get my hands on some regia sock yarn and uh oh we do have a problem because I REALLY LIKE IT!!!!

Hi Eva,

No problem there, because it's always wonderful to find a yarn you really connect with. Let's hope they keep manufacturing it for a long time to come.

That brings up another question-what's your favorite yarn, or a yarn that's an old favorite?

One of mine is Paton's Shetland Chunky (identical to Red Hearts Shetland Chunky). It's a 75% acrylic/25%wool blend been around for decades. I've got some in my stash with the "Beehive" label that Patons hasn't used in probably 25 years.

I like it because it wears and washes well, and it's relatively inexpensive. I use it mainly for kids' outdoors sweaters and such. I don't use it as often as I used to, but it's one of those "tried and true" yarns that seem to stand the test of time well.

Any one got a similar yarn?

Hi. Im new to this forum. I would have to say cotton would be my choice. I am currently involved in a couple of lace groups.Has anyone used sea island cotton? Would love to hear from other lace people.I am just starting out.Would love to share the journey with others.

My favorite has to be mohair. The thicker, the hairier, the better. I like the feel. Must be the "kid" in me. Tee hee hee. I love the feel of a good wool. I've not much experience with silk or linen. I absolutely hate the cheap acrylics. The "Eyelash" stuff was fun, but I'd not want to do a big garment with it.

Hi all,

Raisin, I've never heard of Sea Island cotton, but you've got me wondering about it now. Do you have website for it (maybe the retailer does?), as I'd interested in reading more.

Judyth, mohair is gorgeous, isn't it? I don't use it much as it makes me sneeze, but anytime I have knit with it, the results have been great. I recently saw a scarf made with one strand of mohair and one of chenille (rayon chenille I think). Absolutely gorgeous and incredibly soft. I think a hat and mittens out the of same blend would be wonderful as well.

I'm relatively new to knitting (started learning just last year) and the first time I tried working with chenille I finally tossed it in disgust! (well, only as far as my daughters little lap loom LOL I didn't throw it in the trash) It was soooo difficult to work with! But now months and months later I got some fabulous chenille on sale at Walmart and tried it again with bigger needles and it knitted up beautifully! So I like it again. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I also just started using cotton for dishcloths for the first time and I absolutely love it. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It says 'Peaches & Cream 4-ply worsted weight 100% cotton' on the front. Now, I have no clue what worsted weight means lol but whatever it is it makes beautiful dishcloths-especially with this bright rainbow variegated type!

And aside from all that I love knitting with the regular old Red Heart yarn. It's simple and slides off easily. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I haven't used much wool so I'm not sure about that yet. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hello all,

I'm a bit late into this discussion, but I can give you a link to more information about the Sea Island cotton. It is an exclusive from Patternworks. I haven't used this yarn, but the sample shawl in the picture is gorgeous. Maybe someday <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hello,

I have been using an eyelash yarn and a tape yarn from Italy that I just love. It makes the most adorable scarves. It has color and texture and is easy to knit together. One of the eyelash yarns I love is named Flash, but I can't remember the tape yarns name.

My favorite fiber has to be a merino wool, i love the softness of it and it knits up really well.