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Post by crochetnut on Mar 13, 2009 3:20:03 GMT
Hi there from Michigan in the USA. When I use 4 ply sport weight wool the squares seem very thin to keep a child warm. What ply are other people using? Thanks so much!!
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Post by Caroline on Mar 13, 2009 14:40:10 GMT
Hi Crochetnut
I'm in the Mitten state too! For the square I've been working on I've been using a worsted weight which is a 4 ply but a thicker than the sport. If you think it's too thin you might want to try knitting with two strands and double up the thickness!
I have a few random skeins of yarn that I will probably use, they are all worsted weight with a few bulky ones that I need to find again.
Hope this helps!
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Post by dochas22 on Mar 13, 2009 15:21:11 GMT
I've been using a number 4 worsted weight wool, with size US 7 knitting needles. The sport weight or British DK weight is a bit too thin but you can switch to crocheting a thick stitch like a half-double crochet, which bulks it up. Garter stitch knitting isn't thick enough in sport weight, unless you double the strands.
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Post by rachel on Mar 14, 2009 0:23:15 GMT
I've been using either 2 strands of sport weight, one strand of worsted weight, or one strand of sport weight with one strand of a thinner worsted weight. I have some Caron Simply Soft (I've been using up my odds and ends of acrylic), and, even though it's worsted weight, it seems a little thinner to me so I'm going to use 2 strands of that together too. I think, as long as it is 8" square, it really can't be too bulky or thick.
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Post by rziffer on Mar 14, 2009 15:38:16 GMT
Hi. I'm a new member too. I'm very excited about all this. I have a skein of DK weight cotton yarn that I would like to use up. Do you think it's o.k. to use cotton? I only see information on wool and acrylic. I would use two strands to thicken it up. What do you think?
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Post by Kerry on Mar 14, 2009 15:52:54 GMT
As far as I know its fine to use whatever you have! I always make sure I put a note with my squares to let our lovely ladies on the other end know what the square is made of (Acrylic, wool, cotton etc) so that they can use it for the most appropriate things. Also if you feel its too thin do add in another yarn. I use a lot of Double Knit in the UK that I have been donated and I feel its a little too thin to crochet with so I always mix two together. Makes for nice warm squares and funky colour combinations!
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Post by frances on Mar 14, 2009 16:20:41 GMT
Hi, I'm from the UK and I've knitted several squares using DK acrylic. Is this thick enough?
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Post by Kerry on Mar 14, 2009 22:42:17 GMT
Frances,
Yes I'm sure its perfectly fine. I've been collecting squares from my friends and they have been knitting with single DK. Their squares are certainly warm enough! I think its just with crochet because it comes out a bit 'holey' for lack of a better word, I prefer to add at little more.
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kyla
Junior Member
Posts: 54
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Post by kyla on Mar 23, 2009 16:23:39 GMT
I just got a huge grab-bag of yarn that I bought off craigslist.com, (check it out - there are lots of people trying to make a good deal on getting rid of their scrap yarn for cheap) and I really had no idea what I was getting myself into, but there's some really nice and completely workable yarns in there. Then there's also the thin, hairy stuff that I will need to double up with something else, then these two neon rainbow self-striping skeins, they are pretty ugly, and just the right size to be too thick to double because they end up too thick and they aren't flexible or the least bit comfy, but too thin to use on their own. I still want to use every inch of yarn I can get, so I need to figure out what to do with these skeins.
In the meantime - here's a tip - some yarns are just going to be warmer than others - take a finished square, put it on your leg or something, and see how long it takes to warm up and how warm it gets. I have sat in class with a square on each thigh, (with one still on the needles - yes, my professors are starting to wonder what I'm up to) each of a different yarn, trying to figure out which one needs to wait until I can find it a doubling partner and which one is warm enough on its own. Some yarns are warm enough even if they are thin, some of them wont be.
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kyla
Junior Member
Posts: 54
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Post by kyla on Mar 23, 2009 17:50:30 GMT
Here's a thought - if you do end up with squares that you think will be too thin to be very warm, back then with something. some felt, fleece, piece of felted blanket - something to thicken then up and add warmth. I've got a few that are probably headed this way already.
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jeanne
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jeanne on Mar 24, 2009 13:06:42 GMT
I generally use Red Heart Acrylic Worsted Weight yarn, as that is what Walmart carries and it's what I can afford but I find it works up thicker than everyone else's seem to. I perpetually have to use smaller hooks and less stitches than specified to get an 8 inch square. It isn't just my tension. At LionBrand.com there is a heavy crochet stitch pattern which would be too heavy in the yarn I use but for a thinner or sport weight yarn it might give the thickness/warmth needed. This is the link to the picture, it's worth taking a look at I think, for thinner yarns....just type in Crochet Block: Scales at the lionbrand.com website and it will take you to the page explaining the stitch. Here's the picture of it, enlarged to show detail. cache.lionbrand.com/graphics/stitchFinder/scalesLg.jpg
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jeanne
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jeanne on Apr 16, 2009 11:48:38 GMT
I thought I should add that the 100% wool I just bought from the local sheep farm's wool shop is only a 2 ply yarn but it's going to be plenty thick enough to use in a single strand. Trust your instincts on whether to double up or not. Some nubbly/slubbed yarn I used was naturally thick.
I too was wondering about cotton yarn as I have a cotton top that is warmer for me to wear than many acrylics. Should we consider sending cottons or are they too flammable?
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Post by Sandy on Apr 18, 2009 8:26:11 GMT
I am just compiling all these words of wisdom into the FAQ's on yarn weights. Thank you all for this. The message is that yarn weights vary far too widely to get a standard and that as long as the squares are 8 x 8" and warm, that is really the only criteria. Sandy
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jeanne
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by jeanne on Apr 18, 2009 22:36:03 GMT
With my brain I am all for simplicity!!! I agree, the bottom line is 8 inches and warm.
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