Lion Brand Homespun - a question

[GrumpyGramma]

Once upon a time, long, long ago I crocheted with LB Homespun yarn and said never again! It was horrible to work with. It snagged on the hook, I couldn't undo stitches, it was a mess. I finally said, it'll do and managed to finish the scarf I'd started. This story did not have a happy ending. Is it less horrible for knitting? I think it looks cool but if it knits like it crochets, I think nothing looks cool enough for that.

[suzeeq]

A lot of knitters find it's too awful to knit with, but can crochet with it fine. The trick is to use a larger needle or hook and hold it loosely so it doesn't bunch up. A size 11 needle or an L or M hook should work fine.

[GrumpyGramma]

Maybe I'll give it a try. I have some large needles I could use. Thanks for the info.

[Ingrid]

I HATE it. If it was the only yarn left in the world, I'd have to stop knitting. Hmph!

[DogCatMom]

I HATE it. If it was the only yarn left in the world, I'd have to stop knitting. Hmph!

What she said. For both knitting and crochet. Horrible stuff.

DCM

[WolfWalker]

I've used it once to knit a glove for my dog's retractable leash. We love it, it keeps our hands warm in the winter while out walking the dog. Truthfully, I didn't have any difficulties with knitting it. You just have to keep a loose tension with it, and make sure you're knitting through the entire stitch and not splitting the yarn.

[GrumpyGramma]

If it was the only yarn left in the world, I'd have to stop knitting. Hmph!

That's how I felt about it for crochet. I've noticed some yarns that are nasty for crochet seem to knit more easily so I was hoping someone might think it was easier for knitting. Somebody must be using it, if nobody bought it they'd stop putting it in the stores, wouldn't they? Maybe there are giant sized stashes of LB Homespun out there?

Does anyone here use it?

[GrumpyGramma]

You just have to keep a loose tension with it, and make sure you're knitting through the entire stitch and not splitting the yarn.

Hmmmm.....That, I think, was the problem I had with crocheting with the stuff. What size needles would you suggest, WolfWalker?

[lgoddard]

I have used it for prayer shawls using either a size 10 or 11. I didn't have a problem with it.

[Antares]

I've made miles and miles of scarves out of Homespun using size N and P crochet hooks, and once even a size Q. I had very few problems with snagging for those size hooks, and the scarves came out gorgeous (and were quick to make, too)!! Also, the very first big knitting project I did was using Homespun (another scarf--imagine that!), and I used size 13 needles with no problems.

Big needles and loose tension are the key, and, yes, it works up beautifully!!

I know everyone has a preference based on experience, and you're certainly welcome to despise the stuff if you want to, but I've never had a bad experience with it--probably because I used such large hooks and needles.