I would like to knit myself a jumper but I find wool itchy next to bare skin. As I live in a rural location I would need to buy it online. Can anyone recommend a really soft wool suitable for adults - not baby pink!! Can you also recommend a good website.
2007-08-04 03:16:47 · 9 answers · asked by mo 2 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
For sensitive skin, and people with wool allergies, the best natural fibers are alpaca, llama and cashmere. People who are allergic to wool generally are reacting to the lanolin in the wool. Alpaca does not contain lanolin and is generally hypoallergenic, and it's cheaper than cashmere. Baby alpaca is even softer. My favorite alpaca is a label called Prime Alpaca (naturally colored, undyed) and Peruvian Tweed (2 color twisted yarn from undyed, naturally colored alpaca). Alpaca is revered in the high Andes. (Previously in Peru, alpaca fibers were only worn by royalty.) Llama is similar to alpaca, but it's not as widely available. Cashmere comes from the cashmere goat. The cheapest cashmere yarns are imported and produced in China and inner Mongolia. One of the leading market producers of cashmere is Italy, which has quality cashmere yarns, but the prices are a little higher.
Other great alternatives, if you're not allergic to wool, are merino wool and merino wool blends. One of my favorite yarns that I get from a supplier is a 60%cashmere and 40% merino wool blend. Other great soft blended yarns that I like are merino/silk, merino/silk/mercized or pima cotton, and pima cotton/silk. Pima and mercized cottons are very soft and a nice alternative for people who have sensitivities to wool and mohair. Silk is awesome, but it can get pricey, so the cheaper and more common option is to find a silk blend yarn.
I don't recommend mohair for sensitive skin. Even though both cashmere and mohair come from goats, it seems that more people are sensitive and allergic to mohair. If you do like mohair and are not allergic to it, then make sure the you get kid mohair, which is much much softer. Regular mohair can be coarse, itchy and scratchy.
I don't know where you are, but these US-based sites are great because the prices are low, and/or they're for people who want to buy in bulk, like for a sweater project:
http://www.discountyarnsale.com (great bulk prices)
http://www.knitpicks.com (they have their own line of yarns)
http://www.elann.com
http://www.smileysyarns.com (outlet of yarns basically)
2007-08-04 14:43:42 · answer #1 · answered by Crafty Diversions 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are some very silky synthetics which are not itchy. I haven't used any for years so can't give you a specific brand.
Iam rather a loose knitter and found I needed a size smaller needle with this type of yarn to get the right tension. Also I find bamboo needles better.
Wool and wool mixes are better worn on top of a blouse or top.
2007-08-04 03:26:11 · answer #2 · answered by felineroche 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd go with merino, or a merino blend. www.elann.com and www.knitpicks.com both offer very inexpensive yarn. www.yarn.com sells yarn full price but they have a great sale section. They all have merino, and blends with various other fibers like alpaca, silk, and cashmere. Stay away from any wool called "Peruvian" or "Highland." Those are the lower grades of wool.
2007-08-04 06:16:10 · answer #3 · answered by Robin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say avoid anything that contains real wool. Unfortunately you will need to purchase a good quality acrylic yarn or alternatively cotton although this is more difficult to work with (my friend told me this, I am not a knitter) Good luck!!
2007-08-04 03:24:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try www.marymaxim.ca. they are a mail order co. that specializes in wool and wool blends and other types of yarn. sorry I don't know how to put up a direct link. I new to this computer stuff.
2007-08-04 08:52:38 · answer #5 · answered by Donna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm no "wool-expert"... but search for Alpaca, Cashmere or Mohair.
I've always worn cotton or silk UNDER my wool garments
2007-08-04 05:11:21 · answer #6 · answered by mariner31 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try a merino or cashmere blend. They are really soft! Unfortunately, they are also rather expensive. Otherwise, both Bernat and Red Heart have super soft acrylics that are affordable and feel great!
2007-08-04 04:03:05 · answer #7 · answered by knitknack83 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mo, hair from your very own soft, silky head would be good. And it wouldn't cost a penny.
2007-08-04 03:22:17 · answer #8 · answered by Stella S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
lionbrand yarn sells woolease yarn. it is soft and sells on line.
2007-08-06 05:14:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
alpaca....
2007-08-07 21:24:11 · answer #10 · answered by lincsprincess36 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋