Cheapskate in need of persuasion...

kayeknit · 02-10-2006, 03:58 PM

Well, I FINALLY found the yarn I need to make my summer sweater. It was discontinued last year, so there's very little of it left. It originally cost $5.75/ball, now it is $3.00/ball. Seemed cheap, until I realized I needed 13 balls, which will come to about $50.00 (with shipping).

Now I'm not so sure I want to knit that lovely, beautiful sweater. Also, I read about the yarn on Knitters' Review, and some people complain that it pills after just a few washes. (Would handwashing help with that??) To sum up, I need some persuasion.

I'm sooo frugal with everything, and I've never spent $50.00 on any item of clothing in my life! But I really do love this pattern. HELP!!!!

Ingrid · 02-10-2006, 09:08 PM

I used to cringe at the cost of some of the yarns needed to make nice sweaters. Then I made a sweater. The amount of time involved just isn't worth using cheap-o yarn for it. If I'm going to make something that I can't resist making, I want it to last through washing and wearing. I want to love the feel of the yarn in my hands and love the look of the colors and be proud of the finished product.

Look at what happened to Amy's WOTA sweater.

Jan in CA · 02-10-2006, 09:14 PM

I've not finished my sweater yet, but I agree with Ingrid. There is just way to much time and effort involved to end up having it pill, fall apart or just plain hate it when you are done.

KellyK · 02-10-2006, 09:22 PM

$3 is not alot for a ball of yarn, but I think you did the right thing in reading the reviews....if it pills, then its not worth it. I would want to assume that the reviewers have been washing according to the instructions on the label...it shouldnt pill as long as they are. What yarn is it, by the way?

punkhippiemom · 02-10-2006, 09:44 PM

Being rather *ahem* frugal myself, I too would be hesitant. Well, hesitant might be an understatement

But you have options...
- Find a cheaper, but still pretty (and quality!!) substitute yarn...
- Try to salvage substitute yarn from a thrift-store sweater (I am still boggled over the fact that I got a cashmere sweater for $1... which equals over 200 yds of yarn for a buck!!

)
- Suck it up and decide that you will love this sweater enough to spend the $50 for the yarn. Hand wash and invest in a sweater shaver.

I absolutely hate when I see that ball of yarn is three dollars and think "Wow, what a deal!" only to find out that it's only a 50gm ball with *maybe* 85 yards per ball or so...

but like Ingrid said, if you're going to spend that much time making something special, make sure it will last and be something you're proud to wear.
Good luck!!

kayeknit · 02-11-2006, 01:52 PM

Thanks for all the input, guys. The yarn is Classic Elite Newport merc. cotton...70 yards/ball. (Click here: http://www.handworksgallery.com/newporty.htm )
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's expensive. (I thought everyone would think I was a super "cheapo"!

)
The only problem is, I can't seem to find an inexpensive alternative. It calls for a bulky cotton yarn as a substitute. Anyone have any ideas?

Ingrid · 02-11-2006, 02:20 PM

What about good old Sugar & Cream cotton?

kayeknit · 02-11-2006, 02:26 PM

Excuse my ignorance, but who makes "Sugar & Cream"?

countingsheep · 02-11-2006, 02:30 PM

I have no idea what the pattern looks like or if this would even work but... I used Lion Brand kitchen cotton for a throw - I used 2 strands to bulk it up. It has lasted beautifully and you can get the big spools for $10.00 - I used 4 of these for the entire throw which is really big!

Don't feel bad about the "cheapo" thing - I am constantly trying to find alternative yarns that fit my budget. I can blow the whole thing on one project or shop around and do lots of projects. :rofling: Well, that's how it's supposed to work but I sometimes slip.

Good luck, Angela

Ingrid · 02-11-2006, 02:39 PM

It's Lily Sugar & Cream. It doesn't have the same finish as the one you posted, but it's mighy inexpensive, and really does knit up nicely. I've made washclothes out of it, but I also did a little dress as a pattern test and it was remarkably nice to handle and the finished stitches looked very smooth and even.

Like the yarn Angela pointed out, I guess it would be considered a kitchen cotton, but there's certainly not a law. I think Silver posted a picture of a sweatshirt she made with it and it looked wonderful.

I have a bunch of it and will probably make a sweater out of it one day, well, because I have a bunch of it.