Zimmermania

Friday, May 04, 2007

non-wool yarn?

I'm new to this site but am a long-time EZ fan. We first watched her on PBS in the 1960's on our b&w TV set. I've knitted for 60 years but am just getting back into it again and am thrilled to find this website.

My question is -- can anyone recommend good yarns that aren't wool? Our children and grandchildren are allergic to wool, alas. (My husband and I aren't.)

I've made a tomten sweater in pre-school size (using Caron Simply Soft worsted in Embroidery Print) and now am working on one in infant size (using Stork 100% cotton in sock weight, pink). I'd like to make socks and sweaters, mostly.

Thanks!

posted by ejmh at 1:07 PM

7 Comments:

  • Amy R. Singer has a new book out called 'No Sheep for You' which is about knitting with non-animal yarns. I haven't actually seen it but apparently it covers 'plant fibers including cotton, linen, hemp, soy, bamboo, Tencel, rayon, the new synthetics and more, plus the most delicious non-wool of all: silk'. It's published by Interweave Press.

    By Blogger Helen, at 2:31 PM  

  • Sorry for the duplicate postings! It didn't show either time that it had gone through, and since I just had signed up I thought something was wrong.

    Thanks, Helen, for telling me about the Amy R. Singer book. I'll try to get it.

    Other ideas still welcome, too!

    By Blogger ejmh, at 7:31 PM  

  • For my kids, I like cotton blends like Rowan All Seasons Cotton and Cascade Cotton Rich. Good luck to you.

    By Blogger JenniferB, at 7:48 PM  

  • there is also a blog concerning this matter. non wool knitting. it is certainly too bad to have an allergy.

    By Blogger knititch, at 2:47 AM  

  • I just discovered there's a knitalong for the Amy Singer book http://www.nosheepkal.blogspot.com/ It looks as if it has some good patterns in it. Actually, I think I might have to buy it :)

    By Blogger Helen, at 3:51 AM  

  • Are you sure it's an allergy?

    Many people are irritated by scratchy wools; they should not be worn touching the skin.

    But there are soft wools, and blends with soft wools (cotton/wool, alpaca/wool, silk/wool, and cashmere/wool) that my family members who say they're allergic to wool wear. First, look for a soft merino sock yarn, try pair of socks or mittens, and see how that goes. Make something small and beautiful, and ever-so-soft, and if your grandkids don't like it, someone else will.

    Wool allergies are vey real. I have a friend with a wool allergy. It's not nice. She get's big red hives, first where the wool touches her, then al over, then it spreads into a full-blown alergic attack.
    this is very rare. Irritations from sc ratchy wool, however, are very common.

    By Blogger Rebecca Z., at 6:11 AM  

  • Knitpicks Shine Sport and Knitpicks Shine Worsted. I really love these yarns and they are machine washable and extremely soft. Good price too!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:21 AM  

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