Best yarn for a sweater- yarn and cost comparison
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 มิ.ย. 2024
- Today I'm comparing popular yarns that would be great choices as you knit your first sweater. This is geared at beginner sweater knitters but also includes a budget breakdown of the cost of each yarn option. I am including a range of options from very inexpensive to very expensive so I hope that this overview helps you to understand some of the options out there! As always, I love it when you share your experiences in the comments as it is super helpful for others who come across this video!
The yarns discussed in the video are:
Red Heart Super Saver (briefly)
Malabrigo Rios
Cascade 220
Berroco Vintage
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes
Madelinetosh Vintage
Caron Simply Soft
Lion Brand Heartland
Caron Cakes
The sweater pattern I talked about is Flax by Tin Can Knits.
Thank you for watching!
Kendra If you like my content and would like to support it monetarily: www.buymeacoffee.com/Kendramakes - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
![Yarn Snob Reviews Crappy Yarns from JOANN [COULD THESE BE THE WORST YARNS YET??!!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/lBXBmOOZN64/mqdefault.jpg)
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 68 | คู่เอก "พระจันทร์ฉาย vs โจนาธาน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/F3IM3w-XchI/mqdefault.jpg)
I get all my yarn at estate sales and eBay! My last deal was over 5000 yards of alpaca, baby alpaca, alpaca angora and wool for 75 bucks!
This is such a good resource, thanks!! I’ll never be in the $200+ sweater world, so this is very helpful. Just finished a sweater in KnitPicks Galileo, on sale, and it’s beautiful. Merino/bamboo blend.
Ooh I have yet to try that one!
I am a crocheter....I can't knit....but this information is great even for those of us who just can't get the hang of the two needle thing. Thanks for sharing.
You’re right, I should definitely say it is for the crocheters too!
Another option for people could be to recycle an existing sweater or even a thrifted one. Or Plymouth Yarns have good options.
On a side note, your hair looks amazing. I didn't recognize you at first.
Thank you so much! And so true, unravelling is a good option too.
I came here to mention this too! @kendramakes, I so appreciate how you encourage budget-consciousness along with knitting awesome pieces. Wonder if you'd make a video on recycling/re-knitting a thrift store sweater. I'm in the process of doing that now and there aren't many good videos out there that document the process from selecting the starting piece through to making the new one from the yarn!
@@jenniferh7129 that would be fun, I’ll have to see what I can do!
Thanks for the information. Selecting the right yarn is harder than knitting the item. Loved your video.
Great video. I am currently knitting a sweater (literally as I watched this) for my 4 year old son out of Red Heart comfort. With how fast kids grow and his desire to jump in muddy puddles, super durable acrylics that are very budget friendly and totally what I reach for.
I appreciate that you didn’t shame cheap yarns.
I splurge on sock yarn, but not sweaters for kiddos. Haha
For sure, definitely a place for everything! I usually go acrylic for my kids too.
I love this so much!! I personally won’t use synthetic yarn any longer, because of the huge environmental impact: micro plastics in the water (see the wool authority I think), they fact they don’t break down like natural fibers, and all the chemical used to make. Also my fingers tend to crack when I use synthetics. That being said, I’m not against using RECYCLED synthetics, as long as they’re combined with natural fibers too. What really impresses me is that you’ve made a point to be inclusive, which has been a big point that the fiber community has seemed to ignore. It’s always been a white wealthy woman that knits. ALL PEOPLE of ALL INCOMES should knit!! Thank you for making a point to include a range, with prices! I hope this helps a lot of potential knitters!
Natural fibers are better for the environment, but animal fibers aren’t without their issues either due to animal cruelty. Cotton production is very water intensive. No matter the fiber, nowadays there will be some negative impact on the environment or animals.
@@daCubanaqt There are going to be problems with just about everything that humanity produces, due to unethical human beings. There are legitimate environmental and cruel animal practices that should absolutely never happen, but there is also a lot of propaganda which greatly exaggerates these problems, going so far as to posit false issues, which are predicated upon personal feelings, as opposed to objective reality. Crafters should make these decisions according to their requirements for each individual project, and ignore the nonsense.
When it comes to sweaters I find that you really need some amount of wool if you can just so that it will hold its shape. My favorite is Estelle Worsted.
Thank you for the price breakdowns and doing all the math!! I want to make my first knit garment soon so this is more than helpful!
That was the best yarn comparison I’ve watched! Great job!!!
Great video. Thank you Kendra for making helpful content especially with kids in the mix! I have two littles and know how hard it can be to even carry on a conversation when they're awake! 😂
So true!!
Great analysis! Thanks for this.
Lovely! I love this! Please keep posting! Im tryin to get my own handmade sweater! 😆
I have struggled with wool sensitivity so when I knit my first sweater I chose Lion Brand Heartland. It has held up fantastically over the last 5 years. I have found that the more I work with wool the less it bothers me, so I've tried other yarns, but I keep going back to Heartland because it is so affordable and durable and I don't have to worry about it getting thrown in the wash when people are being "helpful". 😂
Ooh sounds like it has held up really well, thanks for sharing! And nice that you’re having less sensitivity, that would be especially hard as a knitter!
@@KendraMakes yes! It's nice not having to worry about wool content anymore. I really enjoy trying the big box brands (especially on patterns that are trending) so people on strict budgets can see inexpensive options.
@@alisoncarlisle807 Love that!
I spent a small fortune on a Madelinetosh sweater. Yes, the color is stunning but ask me if I regret my choice. A thousand times yes! The first time I wore it (at Rhinebeck) it sagged out of recognition by the end of the day and any little snag showed the white fibers at the center of the yarn. 😢The time and the money invested in this sweater was wasted. I won’t use that brand again. Wish I’d known.
Thanks so much! This is a really valuable video!
Great info. Thanks for sharing!
Very informative and you are right. I don’t knit but crochet. Also wool products are great for amigurumi creations. Partial wool and acrylics. Thanks.
Thank you for the fab info 🥰
Great info. Thank you
I love goodwill sweaters for yarn! I picked up a worsted weight cashmere sweater for 7.50!
lovely n informative, 🌷
Thank you!
If you consider the time it takes to knit a sweater AND you want it to be a lasting piece of clothing, then it's down to how many sweaters over the years vs one sweater that lasts for years. Fashion aside and love of knitting aside and leaving the throwaway consumerism behind then we want one lasting piece of clothing. Love of knitting becomes opportunities for many gifts.
Having said that, money is ever a consideration. It takes more time to gather but the long term bears results.
Helpful
I got my Rio at Kitty City for $16.50 in Manhattan. I will never work with acrylic. I only knit with wool, silk wool or alpaca. I made the simple pleasures hat with cashmere and silk mohair.
Here's a question that is probably hard to answer. As far as scratchiness...which is easier to wear...merino/nylon blend OR Peruvian woolier wool? (I've only ever used acrylic/wool blend for a sweater). Also could you share your bust measurement? I'm about 40ish so I usually go L or XL since I like a loose fit. This was a GREAT show, Kendra.💕
Hi Debbie! Peruvian Highland wool is more scratchy than merino nylon BUT I have found the peruvian wool to hold it's shape much better than the merino nylon (especially superwash merino/nylon). My bust measurement is around 41" at the moment but honestly that has fluctuated a lot over the past few years while having kids.
@@KendraMakes thanks!
I have a question please. You mentioned that for your size, you would normally get yarns that are at least 1,200 yards. Is this for a #4 medium-weight yarn? I watched your video on Holst Garn yarns. How many yards would you need if you were making a simple knitted pullover? I would like to buy some of the Holst Garn yarns and I don't really have a particular pattern that I want to use (yet)... but I wanted to know how many yards to buy. Thank you.
For a standard sweater I would need that amount for any thickness of yarn. Yarn is usually sold by weight and thicker yarns are heavier than thinner yarns but the length of yarn is typically the same. So for a holst garn sweater I would need fewer grams than a worsted weight sweater but the same yardage. It’s always good to check a pattern with your measurements for the amount you need. Even look at a free pullover pattern like the Flax Light with your measurements to see. With Holst, I can just make a sweater with 4 50g balls. When I plan to hold it double I get the 500 g cone which gives me more than enough. Same yardage for both. Hope that makes sense!
@@KendraMakes - I learned something new today. Thank you for responding. I'm new to knitting. I've only done hats and maybe a scarf that's done in garter stitch. Not to mention that I'm a visual learner also. For the past year, I've searched on TH-cam to find someone who was willing to take their time to really teach someone how to knit a sweater. I recently found one and I am currently knitting a top-down raglan sweater. The yarn I'm using to practice is Caron's Simply Soft. For some reason, I thought that depending on the type of yarn you are using (thickness and all)... would vary the amount of yardage it would take. This is very interesting and I am so glad you explained it to me. Again, thank you for taking the time to explain. I really appreciate it.
I crocheted a sweater using a 4 acrylic yarn....red heart....omg....thick, heavy....that's what we have here in Bahamas, limited yarn variety
Same where I live. My island has a lot, but not in yarn. I don't have all the craft stores with the coupons and the specialty yarn stores are very expensive. I knit with red heart and when I visit the mainland and can touch and compare the yarn, then I buy something nicer.
I’m knitting a sweater out of patons classic worsted. The patons I think is a discontinued colour and I picked it up at dollarama or all places but normally I’d be at Michaels. I’m surprised you didn’t mention it in your big box list.
You’re right, that would have been a great addition. I did consider it but didn’t end up including it. Maybe a part 2 should be in the furure to include more options 😅. I would not have expected it to be at Dollarama! Great find!
@@KendraMakes it was! I was surprised to find it there so bought it up. Maybe second part could be affordable and easy to find wool and wool blend options if you haven't done it yet. Also, you're in the Canadian prairies too right? Have you tried knitting a sweater with lettlopi? Yarn canada sells it if your LYS doesn't and it's going to be your warmest one. Definitely needs to be layered though. It's not soft. Also love briggs and little (that's going to be rustic and sheepy) knit my flax (first sweater) in heritage.
@@kathrynb130 yes I am on the prairies but haven’t tried either of those. So many to check out!
Lionbrand Heartland is Soft as shit! Loves it!
Squirrel!
Thanks for your recommendations but I sure wish you could slow down a little bit. You speak very fast.
Please keep in mind how much time you believe people will devote to your videos waiting to get to the actual information if they hope to. A lot of talking is not really necessary to those of us who are looking for information. Maybe less talking and more data?
@Cyv953 The reason I clicked on Kendra's video was BECAUSE it was less than 15 minutes long AND she has time stamps so you can go to the section that interests you. I agree with you on chatty vids that take an hour (or more) to get to the point.
I think Kendra did you a good job being concise in covering multiple types of yarn, their fiber content and price points.😊
You clicked on a video.... If you wanted less talking, try a blog post next time.
Thank you!