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Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on January 23, 2009 at 7:49am: Hi Phyllis! The yarns that come in hanks and should be wound into balls include all bulky yarns (Swish Bulky, WoTA Bulky, Cadena, etc.), all lace yarn (Shadow, Shimmer, etc.), and any Bare undyed yarn. Everything else comes in a center-pull skein. You can knit right from a center-pull skein in a pinch.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by vivfulgencio on January 24, 2009 at 6:03pm: Hi ladies. I recently purchased several ball sof Suri dream (I think the hand dyed) in sand dune. I love this yarn and would love to make something fabulous with it. It is so soft and yummy but doesn't have much body to it. For instance, if I make a scarf with it, it won't have enough structure for my taste. Can you please suggest another yarn (maybe in a soft cream or tan) to pair up with it so that my project will have a little more umph to it? I appreciate the help.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on January 24, 2009 at 6:30pm: I have used the Suri dream, and find that if you use smaller than called for needles, that the structure is a little better. You may also try holding two strands together, that might work.

I used it for Christmas to make two pair of mittens, using size 8 needles. Single stranded. It worked beautifully. Warm, soft, light.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elianastar on January 24, 2009 at 7:18pm: I would suggest that you try a few swatches with a needle size smaller than suggested on the yarn band... you may find a tighter knit will change your use options... you may decide it will make a nice scarf all by itself if you used a smaller needle size.

To add something to it, I'd probably try either Alpaca Cloud or Shimmer, if you can decide on a color that's available that you'd like to blend with it. That should be just enough "extra" if you aren't interested in really "bulking" up the overall texture. Elegance is just a bit heavier and comes in an Oatmeal color that is closer to what you may be looking for, color wise. I, personally, don't think I'd want to use anything heavier because I'd be afraid of losing too much of the wonderful texture of the Suri.

If you are a color freak, like I am, however, I say any of the KP Alpaca products would work well, in terms of care after the project is completed, so I might be more tempted to focus on the color blending aspect than the texture aspect.

Too often we are led to believe that the "right" size needles to use are those on the label, but in point of fact, the "right" size is whatever size creates the texture you want for your project and the label is simply a guide to begin with. Needle size matters if you are following a pattern, but only to the point of matching the gauge... unless you are confident playing with that. :-)

It seems like lots of people hate doing it, or simply don't bother, but swatching really is an incredibly useful tool for "playing" with a new yarn to decide what it will do and, therefore, what you want to do with it. :-)

Also, because Suri is alpaca, a more open texture will be surprisingly warm! I crocheted a scarf from an alpaca yarn that had at least as much "halo" as Suri, and used a very large hook size compared to what was on the label. It is incredibly soft and warm! It is my favorite scarf when it is really cool!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on January 24, 2009 at 7:35pm: I agree with Elianastar (in general at least--I haven't had the pleasure of working with Suri Dream yet). The needle size you use should be the on that gives you the result you want. I'm a firm believer in swatching, but if the scarf isn't extremely wide, a scarf would make a nice swatch. You can take it out if you don't like it, and no harm done, but if you like the result, you can just keep going, a la Yarn Harlot. You might want to make several different swatches, though, varying the size of needle and the combination of yarns. Then you can compare them (like a real designer) and see what you like best. I bought some lovely angora in New Zealand when we were there. We watched the rabbits being shorn and everything. They told me to use a larger needle than you would use for this size yarn. I think it's the same with Suri. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...just reach out with the shepherd's crook, ease around the neck, and yank!) Happy knitting. --Peggy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elianastar on January 24, 2009 at 10:47pm: The only possible issue with frogging Suri is that it will "fight back"... more like ripping back mohair than a smooth textured yarn. You can do it, but it will require more patience. :-)

Otherwise, agree completely. :-); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by vivfulgencio on January 26, 2009 at 3:53pm: Thanks so much Ladies. You've given me several options. I do swatch if I'm working on a fitted project but am generally lazy when it comes to a scarf as gauge isn't usually a big issue. And I did try frogging as much of the scarf as I had and it fought back with a vengeance. Luckily I bought extra of this yarn as I love it so much. I think a smaller needle may get me what I'm looking for but I am also going to buy a ball or two of your suggestions and play around with double stranding with other colors. This may end up being a great learning project for me as I am a fairly new knitter and haven't played around with alpaca or mohair but just love the halo and texture it has. Again, thanks and I'll get back once I figure out what I want to do.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elianastar on January 26, 2009 at 6:03pm: Please do update when you have worked it all out and decided what you want to do, as well as the end result! I'll be really interested to see the results if you decide to work Suri doubled with something else as much as if you just decide to work it alone with a smaller needle size. :-)

I swatch everything anymore and often will buy just one ball of something I find interesting but never used before... just to swatch and play with it. You can learn a LOT just playing with yarn that way! Swatching alone can get the creative juices flowing in unexpected ways!

If it is not a "furry" texture yarn like Suri, I will sometimes use these "play" yarns to play with a stitch pattern that looks interesting or practice a new technique... just to see how complicated it is and/or to challenge myself without the stress of a project. I keep a bin of just these yarns at hand when I see something interesting online or in a book or on a podcast. I'm thinking about starting a notebook/scrapbook with swatches, keeping all my notes about the fiber, source, label info, and swatch notes

I also got a cool download program from Knitting Software, from their webite, called "Swatch Wizard" that I've started to play with. You knit or crochet any size swatch and then enter in how wide and tall the total swatch is, plus how many total stitches and total rows you got, hit the calculate button and it calculates the gauge for you! Then you save it with the info about the name of the yarn and what size needle/hook you used and then you can search from past swatches based on the yarn, the size needle, the gauge... I'm excited to see how valuable it may be for future creations... all based on swatching!

Before you ask, if you're interested:
http://www.knittingsoftware.com/pswatchwizard/swatchwiz.htm; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on January 27, 2009 at 8:36am: I would love to see photos when you're done! --Peggy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jenny on January 27, 2009 at 2:28pm: I just got my hank of Shimmer Ivy in the mail. Now I wish I'd ordered more, because it's SO beautiful, and now I guess it's gone. It's even more beautiful than I expected: that rich, rich green and the shine of the silk make it look incredibly opulent, but at the same time subtle enough not to distract from a complex pattern. Do I even have a lace pattern that's worthy??; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Elianastar on January 27, 2009 at 3:37pm: OH GOODIE! I ordered some too and my order was shipped Monday! Glad I didn't wait to order it! I knew I'd love the basic color, but I don't have any Shimmer yarn yet, so I'm anxious to see the brilliance of it! I think I ordered four hanks, so have no idea what I'll make of it, but will have plenty to make a shawl or something.

If it is that gorgeous, perhaps KP will add it to the line, on purpose! LOL!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sunshine on January 28, 2009 at 1:22pm: Can someone please tell me which yarn is in the lower left of the basket on the "Knit Calm" wallpaper? It's absolutely beautiful, and I would love to turn it into gloves for my fiance. Thanks!; ▶ Reply to This