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r/knitting•
insertamusingmoniker

Need a yarn suggestion

Planning a blanket for my mother-in-law and looking for a yarn that fits some rather specific criteria, so I come to the ladies and gents of r/knitting for suggestions and recommendations. Help please!

  • Yarn must be non-animal based (she's allergic to nearly every wooly thing out there). So that limits it to cotton, bamboo, acrylic, rayon, and blends thereof. No blends involving any sort of animal hair.
  • Despite that, yarn must be pleasant to knit with. A lot of acrylics itch my fingers when I'm knitting and I'm going to be working this for a looong time.
  • Aaand despite that, yarn must be relatively inexpensive, and ideally available for purchase in larger skeins. It's going to take a lot of yarn.
  • Bulky or super bulky weight (planning to be held double)
  • Smooth finish -- nothing that's going to turn out too fuzzy.
  • Available in solid colors. This is a cable pattern, and I'm not a fan of heathers or multicolors for cabling. Just a personal preference kind of thing :)

I know I'm being picky. Can anyone help me find this holy grail yarn?

Posted Aug 2, 2014, 12:40 AM UTC

86
septicidal•

I had really good experience knitting an afghan with KnitPicks Brava Bulky weight - it is 100% acrylic but has a nice, plush feel to it. It also comes in plenty of solid colors.

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insertamusingmonikerOPlacey!•

Ooh... I had forgotten about Brava! And it's on sale right now too!

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KylanieI'm learning to knit for me!•

Not bulky but what about the Pound of Love yarn?

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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SandD0llar•

Keep an eye on Littleknits - they have a few non-animal yarns, and the sale prices can be good. I don't see anything in bulky weight right now, but something may come in. Berocco Comfort in 50% Nylon and 50% "super fine" acrylic. I have no idea how it feels, but might be worth a shot. Here's one in blue - they've several other colors.

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GarchompgirlI've decided every month is Socktober.•

I think cotton would make a good blanket. It it very smooth and nice on sensitive skin. It might make your hands feel dry when knitting with it, but some lotion before would make that managable :) It's very easy to wash and take care of as well. There are a lot of worsted weight cottons out there you can hold double, but [Billow] (http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Billow__D5420244.html) from Knit Picks is about $5/100g hank, which isn't too bad for a bulky weight. Not to mention the pretty solid colors :)

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seravina•

Even though your MIL is allergic she is probably fine with alpaca. It has almost zero lanolin, is super fluffy but sadly often blended with sheep or terribly overpriced.

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