Is it the yarn, or me?

AnnaT · 10-15-2007, 12:00 AM

For my father's Christmas present, I bought some very soft, acrylic chunky yarn for a scarf. I know he can't wear wool so I was pleased with this soft yarn for him. The ball band recommended 6.5 mm (US size 10.5) and I planned to use my 7mms. It's a light gray and very nice. Even my husband noticed it and said he liked it, and he's usually oblivious to my knitting!

Well...I've tried out at least 10 different patterns/stitch patterns this week and they ALL look awful. I've tried two different diagonal rib patterns, Knitpick's Seaman's Scarf pattern, a windowpane pattern, Silver's Palindrome pattern (which we all know is great), the Good Ol' Cabled Scarf pattern, a farrow rib pattern, a mistake rib pattern, a seeded rib pattern, Martha Stewart's Basic Scarf pattern, and a couple of others I can't even think of right now.

I was happiest with the Seaman's Scarf at first, but as it went on, I felt my heart sinking and frogged it after five pattern repeats. Thank you to those of you who helped me with the cabling, but it just didn't work out.

I was thinking to give it one more chance, with the "A Scarf Askew" pattern. But it might be too bulky for that.

So, is it the yarn or me? I am so frustrated with it I just put it aside and started my grandmother's present. I'm actually starting to hate this pretty yarn. I'm thinking about getting a completely different yarn for my dad's present.

sugarfunpouch · 10-15-2007, 05:02 AM

Maybe you got so frustrated, you looked down on the other patterns???

suzeeq · 10-15-2007, 05:40 AM

Have you tried My So Called Scarf? That might be better with 8 or 9 mm needles though.

Jan in CA · 10-15-2007, 06:13 AM

I find I get frustrated with the look of my knitting in chunky yarn. It won't look as refined as worsted so maybe we need to get used to that.

cranberry · 10-15-2007, 04:14 PM

Did you try something really simple?
I like K1P1 ribbing for a bulky yarn scarf.

HollyP · 10-15-2007, 04:22 PM

I think with chunky yarn a simple pattern is better like Cranberry said. I bookmarked a diagonal garter stitch scarf pattern that would work, but for some reason the site is temporarily down.

What ever you choose good luck!

rissa · 10-15-2007, 04:35 PM

I totally understand and have been there myself. Chunky doesn't lend well to much of a patterned stitch. One thing that might help is to go up a needle size. It'll give you a looser fabric which can be better all around. I think I remember seeing someone here say that they use the largest needle size they can get away with. It lets the fabric drape better.

knitknitknit · 10-15-2007, 04:52 PM

I am making a throw with a really chunky yarn that I love. The pattern I am using is simple it's the twin rib http://www.knittingonthenet.com/stitches/twinrib.htm
and it looks great. I was in a knitting cafe yesterday afternoon and got so many compliments! The other thing I love about that pattern is that it's reversible.

suzeeq · 10-15-2007, 04:57 PM

I think a chunky yarn needs larger than size 10 needles. I saw a sample swatch of Softee Chunky at the store knit at gauge on size 10s and it was awful! So stiff and not soft at all. I've used this yarn with 11s and 13s and it's much nicer knit on that size.

HollyP · 10-15-2007, 11:21 PM

Here is a similar pattern to what I mention earlier. Good idea Sue! Going up a needle size or 2 like Suzeeq really could make all the difference.