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Permalink Reply by circe on July 1, 2008 at 1:27pm: I would like to see swatches knitted from the various multicolor yarns, just to get an idea how the colors are distributed in an appropriate gauge for the yarn. At the moment, I'd love to see the Essential Sock multis, knitted on #1 needles; is that available somewhere on the Knitpicks website? (I loved seeing the new Imagination in the sock leg on Melissa's blog!); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on July 7, 2008 at 8:14am: It's not available now, but I've passed your suggestion along to the marketing department!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MostlySox...Mostly on July 5, 2008 at 2:43pm: I have a pattern for Felted Slipper Socks from KnitPicks--I'm pretty sure it was a free download. At the time the suggested yarn was doublestranded Palette on size 9 needles. I've only felted one thing and it was this pair of slippers so I'm not sure how to substitute yarn and have it felt properly. Can I use a heavier weight yarn and just knit it single stranded instead? I'd like to really use Wool of the Andes or Shamrock. I'll probably just knit the cuffs in a matching Essential.

Thanks,
Marian; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kerin on July 7, 2008 at 9:10am: Hi Marian,

Palette doubled is roughly a sport weight - so if you're looking to substitute, a sport weight yarn would be your best bet.

Felting isn't an exact science, but what causes the wool to felt is a combination of heat, agitation and space. The wool fibers need a lot of room to move around in order to 'puff up' and then felt; that's why things that are intended to felt are knit at such a huge gauge. Yarns that have a little less twist or are more puffy are likely to felt better, or at least at a different rate, than yarns that are more tightly spun or have more plies. Therefore, when you're looking to substitute a yarn for felting, it's important to look at the plies, the twist, and the weight, and not just fiber content.

Palette is a fairly loosely plied, fingering weight, two-ply wool. It felts very well; so do Wool of the Andes and Shamrock. But, since those are both four ply, tightly spun worsted weight yarns, you'll have a significantly different felted fabric than what you'd get with Palette.

Patterns for felting are usually intended only for the weight and fiber content specified. But feel free to experiment - what you'll need to do is knit swatches with the intended yarn and the substituted yarn and measure them before and after felting. If you can alter the pattern to fit the difference in shrinkage, you should be fine. Otherwise, it would be best to substitute the pattern!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PJ on July 10, 2008 at 1:23pm: Shadow lace yarns in Midnight and Snorkel Heathers are beautiful. Midnight is especially striking in low light and at night. Lost Lake is aptly named. It's pond scum-green with a nondescript, brownish heathering. Good for a "mood" piece. Even though I'm not crazy about the color, I won't return it because Shadow is an excellent yarn. Doesn't look or feel like a bargain yarn and it's very pleasant to knit. Many more colors are needed because tangly lace weight yarns and stretchy, easily felted Merino require a lot of patience if dyed at home.

The new Imagination sock yarns in Frog Prince and Wicked Witch also arrived. Very pretty. They'll make somewhat heavy, but soft, socks. Also got some kettle-dyed Essential in Soot. Great, soft stuff I'll buy more of.

I also received Palette fingering in the new Celadon Heather yesterday. Major disappointment. It's a drab, greyish, pale pea green. Nowhere near true celadon, and there's no visible heathering. Other than the awful dye job and slightly scratchy hand, it knits like a dream on KP's nickel-plated, fixed circulars in sizes 2 and 3. The stitches are so even they look machine-knit. Reportedly, the Highland Wool is a Corriedale/Merino blend. As a spinner, I'd have to say that better grades of both fibers are needed.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Janknitz on July 14, 2008 at 10:54am: Forgive me if this has already been asked. I hope this is the right place to post this question.

I love the idea of the sock blanks and would love to try knitting socks from them, but I have NO interest in dyeing. I don't have tolerance for the time and processes involved. I just want to KNIT.

So my question is whether or not you will also be offering already-dyed blanks for sale?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diedre on July 17, 2008 at 7:32am: Dyeing can be alot of fun, but can take a bit of time to accomplish. Currently, we are not planning to offer predyed sock blanks.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ctawq on July 16, 2008 at 7:40pm: I am not sure if this is the correct place for this question but what does "DK " mean. Is it only a wool yarn term, or am I being really blond and have never noticed this on yarn that I have bought before.

Carrie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diedre on July 17, 2008 at 5:40am: DK refers to Double Knit. It is a light weight yarn, when knitted up is about 5.25 to 6 Inches per inch. The tutorial for Yarn weights on the Knit Picks site is a great introduction to the yarn weight system.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ctawq on July 17, 2008 at 5:49am: thanks Diedre. I did listen to the tutorial for Yarn weights but didn't pick up the conection. I will listen again.; ▶ Reply to This