I mean, I had fun and all, but nothing can top the weekend-before-last as far as Epic Fiber Events is concerned. Nevertheless I managed to get a little bit done. I finished the Honey Cowl made from one skein of Classic Shades by Universal Yarn.
I was surprised by how well this yarn blocked out. You don’t usually get much play from damp acrylic (it’s a 70/30 wool/acrylic blend). But this stuff handled nicely as I was patting it into shape, tugging it this way and that, and generally fussing over it.
This is definitely a yarn I would recommend to anyone looking for a Noro substitute. You don’t get a lot of options, if you’re in the market for a yarn with long color repeats. (There’s Mini Mochi, of course, but those are fingering weight and a little on the pricey side.)
Nice!
That does look cozy! I really like Lion Brand Amazing for its softness, spun-in long color runs, and not-too-spendy-with-a-coupon price. Where do you get your Universal Yarns?
Love it!
And thanks for the yarn review. Knitty had a sweater years ago that I wanted to knit, but the cost of Noro would have beggared me. (Took me a while to find it, since I couldn’t remember the name of the pattern – it’s Tilt http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall03/PATTtilt.html ) Maybe now I’ll reconsider the pattern. (Going to go look at auntiemichal’s Lion Brand Amazing, as well.)
Thanks to you both!
Knitpicks offers chroma, which is very similar to minimochi, but much cheaper, and it also comes in worsted weight. I haven’t used it, but it’s there. The expensive long repeat fingering is the Zauerball. I liked that, but can’t afford much.
I dislike Noro, except for the colors, which are vibrant and usually well mixed.
Isn’t that funny, I had completely forgotten about Chroma, even though I made a scarf with it just last year. Chroma and this Classic Shades are indeed very very similar.