Wool suggestions!

[fatoldladyinpjs]

As to converting measurements. I found a preemie hat pattern from Youtube. The lady doing the video is from Australia where they have metric. We use inches. She's giving me the measurements for this hat in centimeters. I'm scratching my head figuring I'll have to do some math or look it up on the internet. I have a tape measure with centimeters on one side and inches on the other. I placed my fingernail on the nine centimeter mark, turned it over, and Wellah! There's the closest mark in inches. My knitting gauge is also Imperial and metric. Turn the gauge around. Duh! It's such a simple thing but I felt like such an idiot when I finally figured it out.

[fatoldladyinpjs]

As to the yarn, I like wool but it really does need to be washable. You're not going to be able to handwash a blanket and you certainly can't afford to take it to a cleaner's. I like Lion brand Woolease. It's got the warmth of wool but the washability of an all acrylic. This is a wool acrylic blend. I'm reading that some knitters like to use this as a cheaper alternative to the superwash wools. And Joann's happens to have this on sale right now. You can buy this online. I'm not sure if they can mail it to you overseas.

Gauge is not all that critical with a blanket. No one is going to see your work. The only thing that matters is that you and your dog like it. Use what you want. The beauty of knitting is that you can change a pattern, tweak it to suit yourself, and change anything you don't like. Customize it. Put pockets on it. Use whatever yarn tickles your fancy. This is YOUR blanket, not the ladies' at the yarn shop.

http://www.joann.com/lion-brand-wool...yarn/prd23045/

http://www.joann.com/lion-brand-wool...yarn/prd12018/

[Jan in CA]

I use an online conversion site to figure out conversions or one of my apps.

Weekend is good, I'm making a sweater with it right now. A blanket or afghan is going to be pricey no matter what yarn you choose. Just make sure it's something you love. Personally I can't use even most wools or wool blends including Encore because my skin is too sensitive. If that is a concern at all you need to take that into consideration. Some acrylics are not soft either IMO.

[nanasaidso]

Lucy0723,

I'm thinking you're using 'wool' in the UK way, meaning any type of yarn? If so, that might be misleading people to think you are looking specifically for sheep wool, etc., when you're just looking for suggestions for any appropriate yarn similar to the one recommended but less costly.

[Lucy0723]

Hi again! I was meaning wool as in yarn - my mistake!! Am not fussed if what I make it from originates from our wooly friends, just something that knits up soft (I hate scratchy yarns) and can be machine washed! thanks for the last point, my mistake - not hard to spot I'm a novice - eh?!!

[nanasaidso]

Not at all! Having lived all over, I'm just used to establishing point of origin to keep me from confusing myself, lol.

[Antares]

So if you're open to any kind of yarn (including acrylic), check out Caron Simply Soft yarns. They are very soft and very washable and quite affordable. Also, do a search for other types of acrylic yarn and then check Ravelry to see if anyone has commented on the yarn's softness. Generally, though, yarns with the word "soft" in them are a good place to start.

Don't give up! You can find some yarn and get this blanket started--and finished, too!!