yarn substitution question

[blessedtosew]

I am wanting to make St. James as my first sweater. The pattern says that a good summer weight yarn would be Rowan Summer Tweed. I really don't want to use this because I have heard it is not soft and that it stretches since it has a high silk content. Also, the other suggestion is a Bamboo and doesn't it stretch alot, too? I don't really understand how to substitute yarn very well. Do you think Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece would be a good substitution? If not, can someone suggest something? Thanks.

[Jan in CA]

At 18 st over 4 inches the gauge is generally a worsted weight yarn. When substituting yarns you want to look for a yarn that is appx the same gauge. Then you can swatch and see with different needle sizes if you can get the same gauge.
http://www.yarnstandards.com/weight.html

As for yarn characteristics.. bamboo is usually drapey from what I've read. Knitting at a tighter gauge can sometimes help this. Maybe not the time to test the theory with your first sweater though. The BS cotton fleece looks like it could work, but you'd need to swatch.

Don't forget to check the comments for any yarn you are considering, too. They can tell a lot.

[suzeeq]

I think the cotton fleece may work, or another cotton blend such as Cottonease.

[Chrysee]

That is a gorgeous pattern. Good luck with it!

[blessedtosew]

Thanks everyone.