Lys experience...

[TEMA]

The other day I went to my lys to look for a couple of things.
The first thing I wanted was some yarn to make a toddler sweater I had bot online. It needed to be super bulky and I also needed a size 13 (9mm) 16" circular to knit it with.
After that, I was hoping to buy some sock yarn... the first time I've ever bot it to make socks with and I also wanted to have a look at any circular sets she might have on hand.
The first thing that happened is she wanted to see my pattern so I showed it to her... and she shook her head and said I didn't really want to make this sweater, did I? (well, yes, as a matter of fact, I did) Well, she said... this is going to be very expensive!
The yarn she took me to was very expensive and she said I would need two skeins. Then I would have to buy the circular... no, no, that just wouldn't do.
So instead I ended up buying two balls of sock yarn.. the kind that is self-patterning but I was dismayed at how thin the yarn was and said so. She said I'd need smaller needles that what I'd been used to and I ended up buying 2 sets of dpns... 3.5mm and 2.75mm.
It seemed to all cost quite a bit... but then I've been knitting with very cheap yarn... so what do I know?..
After leaving her store, I decided I would go to Michael's and see what was there that I could buy for the sweater I still very much wanted to knit.
At Michael's, I found Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick. It's lovely and thick and would wonderful in the little sweater I would make with it. I bot two balls of 114 Denim.
I also found a circular needle size 13 by 16" long (trouble was - when I got it home and measured it against a ruler... it turned out to be about 15" only... is that okay?)
All told, I spent $36 at Michaels... and about $33 at the lys.
What do you think?
TEMA

[Jan in CA]

The cost of yarns suggested in patterns is often expensive, but you can also choose anything you want that will get you gauge. It usually is more expensive to buy there, but I find that the yarns are usually a little nicer. I've been buying yarn there even for kids sweaters, but I don't buy the most expensive even for gifts. My favorite lately has been Plymouth Jeannee. At something like $3.50 (US) a skein and I only need a couple skeins that's an inexpensive sweater and I love the way it knits up. If you're happy with your purchase from Michaels that's all that really matters.

I'm not sure about the needles...what are they for? A circular needle of 16" or so is usually only used for a hat or knitting about that size. It would be too large for socks and not big enough for a sweater unless it's a very small sweater..

[KatzKnitter]

Michael's has been giving me coupon after coupon, 40-50% off, for weeks, as I buy other craft items there too. Some of the coupons come by email newsletter, other are printed on my receipt. Look into that. But when I need help, Michael's is not the place. There are 5 or 6 yarn shops near me, but their yarns are pricey. One place has few yarns under $18/skein.

That's why I joined here.

I love Wool-Ease. I have several skeins of their worsted and it's wonderfully soft and non-itchy. My ears are very sensitive to itchy hats.

[cacunn]

In general it is better to have a shorter circular needle, than a longer one. A longer circular may stretch the stitches as you knit. On the other hand if the number of stitches fit on the shorter needle it will normally work.

[suzeeq]

On the other hand, you can use a longer needle to knit smaller items by using the magic or single loop technique.

TEMA, I'd look at the sock yarn at Michaels and their dpns to see if they have something similar. If so, take them back to the LYS and return them if they'll let you, then get them at Michaels if you'd like. Sock yarn doesn't have to be expensive, enough for a pair of socks can run you from $10-18. WE T&Q is fine for a a child's sweater, you want it to be washable. The 16" may be a bit too small for it though, a 24" is probably okay.

[ArtLady1981]

Sounds like the LYS shopgirl didn't bring her "A Game" to work that day! She failed to recognize your needs, and to establish a good rapport with you. Seems like there was a lot of her telling you what you think...and not enough time spent in discerning what you want and need.

I've never read a bad thing about Lion Brand Wool-ease. It's a fine yarn, and like mentioned by someone else, it's warm and washable.

As for sock yarn...why spend a boatload of cash for socks at the beginning? Jan is right, LYS yarns are usually of superior quality, but you have to measure the cost against what you really need. That's what I think.

For instance, I guess it could be said that I use expensive yarns for my own sweaters...but recently I bought some Lion Brand Super Thick (acrylic!) yarn at the grocery store for a log cabin blanket (for the floor) for my great-grandson due in June! It cost me under $50. And it's washable, soft and cushy. If I'd used Rowan BIG WOOL, the blanket would have cost $250. Now who needs a $250 baby blanket for the floor?

And BIG WOOL is not washable whereas the Lion Brand yarn is totally washable!
So my less expensive choice of yarn is much better suited to this project!

[Jan in CA]

Okay Dollyce...you bought yarn at the grocery store??

[ArtLady1981]

Okay Dollyce...you bought yarn at the grocery store??

Yes!

Out here in Washington State, we have a FRED MEYER grocer! In addition to the food aisles, there are CRAFTING aisles, HOUSEWARES, FURNITURE, OFFICE SUPPLIES, CAMPING, GARDENING, CLOTHING, SHOES, FINE JEWELRY, AUTOMOTIVE! It's really the ultimate in one-stop shopping!

I really REALLY save money when I do my grocery shopping at www.safeway.com!

[Jan in CA]

Is Fred Meyer a division of Safeway?

[ArtLady1981]

Is Fred Meyer a division of Safeway?

Oh no! Fierce competitors in our area!