A very important question. If you were making this cardigan
with this yarn color
for Austin, TX, where 90F is pleasantly warm, which of these yarn bases would you go for?
I know they are calling is Sandbar, but this reads fall to me. Cinnamon coffee and pumpkin pie and warm on a chilly day. <– wishful thinking, there are very few chilly days in Austin during our very short fall.
This is my big reward to myself for finishing The Inheritance and the yarn is pricy, so I don’t want to stumble. The pattern calls for sport, but I’m thinking maybe DK weight.
What do you think?
I would use in DK weight carried double
This pattern looks beautiful! is it crochet or knitting?
For warm weather – go for cotton,as much cotton as possible. From someone who lives in Israel, where winter isn’t really a thing – cotton base is the best 😉😘
Monocacy- Boucle for the win for those cozy fall vibes. As a fanatical yarn collector ( not hoarder) I think you could get gauge with a boucle even though it is fingering weight. Or size down and use the worsted boucle. Anyway you go it will be lovely. Thanks for introducing me to a new yarn company and most of all for your stories!
I agree. Monocracy.
I’m seconding the monocracy. I think it will be beautiful.
Yes, Monocacy is beautiful and appears to have more white than the others, which would work well with your pattern. Also, the name is cool.
I don’t knit so am no help here, but all I read was “finished The Inheritance” 😀 Thank you!
Same. Pretty cardigan tho! Love the pattern. It reads fall to me too.
I’m a basic crochet-er, so not good enough to offer yarn opinions. One of my favorite yarns I bought was a silk blend, but I knew I wouldn’t do it justice so I gave it to a friend’s daughter (she’s a really good knitter and it was her favorite colors).
Congrats on finishing it and I’m sure the sweater will be beautiful!
I got a silk bend also for my daughter and it was lovely.
I think the lighter the base the less it reads fall.
you definitely deserve a reward for finishing Inheritance. I can’t wait to pre order.
That’s the key bit I caught too.
Severn or Chesapeake. No idea what DK means but a silk (or bamboo) base sounds nice.
DK = double knit. It’s a specific “weight” (thickness class) of yarn, just below worsted and above sport.
I’d choose the cotton-linen or a silk blend if they have one. The linen or silk will give you the beautiful drape you need in the pattern photo. Tencel drapes nicely too, but I’ve heard it grows a lot when blocked. It’s not a fiber I would choose without some small-item-testing or meticulous swatching before making a whole sweater. I wouldn’t pick 100% cotton for a DK because cotton gets heavy and is inelastic. In saying that, I realize cotton-linen is not particularly elastic either, but I still like the feel of knitting it and the feel of the finished fabric better.
Oh my, that Severn looks buttery and soft. I just want to squish it!
And for the pattern, yeah, DK might hold the shape a bit better.
Now pardon me, I need to go drool over yarn I absolutely positively will not be adding to my stash (until my birthday next month!).
+1 on Severn
👍
Severin. It will be very shiny and may be a little slippery to work with, so if you are not likely to be wanting to work with that, I’d suggest one of the cottons. By the same measure, the linen blend may be a little rough on your hands, but would wear beautifully.
also I think linen and cotten blend would do really well in the Austin heat
+1
I’m a crocheted gal so not a lot of help.
I grew up in the Southwest desert and would want a sport or lighter-weight of a cotton linen blend.
That way it’s soft and light and you can toss it in a tote or backpack without it taking up a lot of room.
It was always a shock to the system to go from 110 outside to 75 degrees of AC indoors and lightweight pullovers and sweaters are great for this. They are also good for evenings out after a hot day in the mountains or at sea level during early summer in the PNW.
That pattern is lovely.
Haha, just realized the pattern is crochet go with the lighter weight and a linen blend. I might have to get this pattern myself. Perfect for summer in the library. Definitely a blend or it will stretch. I have a tunic length sweater of a cotton-silk I made that stetched to almost dress length.
Agreed, even if it was knitted.
+1 on Severn.
+1 on Severn
I agree on severn – I think dk would be a bit too heavy in Austin. It would be beautiful if shiny!
Severn is my vote too. Beautiful pattern.
DK weighted all the wool looks lovely
I, too, am a basic crocheter, but do a bunch of cross stitch so am used to subtle color changes. (Think Theresa Wenzler.) I’d go for Sandy Point, as there’s enough color variation to show the color, but light enough base that the pattern won’t get lost. I like the feel of wool, but if I’m going to show off my skill, I want others to know about it from more than arm’s length. Seems like fall to me, too, and congrats on finishing.
+1 on Sandy Point sport, unless you want the DK for a chunkier look, then if Harbor is available, the linen in the blend would be really nice.
I love the TW patterns. I’ve managed to finish the Fruit Bellpull, the Castle (with the dragon in metallics), and am now working on the Unicorn (black 25 ct Lugana over 1–I never said I was sane.) 😉
Yay for rewarding your self for all the hard work!!
And yay that it’s finished, now we just have to all wait patiently for the snippets, thank you for giving us a reason to look forward to Mondays and the extra snippet
I immensely enjoy every single thing you write, your stories are a VR experience for my brain.
But sorry, i have no knitting advice all I know about it is, yarn is pretty and knitting is hard….
for that pattern, I’d go for the Monocasy or the Sand Point. And I’d keep it light.
I prefer the whiter bases over the tan, but that is just me.
Thank you for the serial, it is so fun and so hard to wait for the next installment! But I love it. thank you
+1
+1
+1
+1
+1
Wow, I must fall under the part of the population that is yarn color blind, they all look the same to me.
I thought it was just me!
Me too, it must be the feel of the yarn that differs.
Not a knitter here- I am still working on a scarf I started 8 years ago! So I also was looking at each thinking how are the colors different?!? Then I clicked on the link about yarn bases and realized it is different types of yarn. Looks like you can choose a type of yarn then then get it dyed. I will just continue to be amazed at HA’s creativity and wait fluffily for all the goodies to be released.
Aaaaaaaah, if you wait long enough someone in the horde will have the answer.
Lol, I agree with both of your comments 😂
Different kinds fibers take different dyes and absorb at different rates. Even with a skilled hand dyer, there is usually some color variation between the same colorway done on different base yarns. The various sheens and color of the base yarn also impacts the final outcome.
Most dyers buy their base yarns and don’t have it custom made or hand spun.
The color differences are usually more visible in person, especially if you are shopping at the dyer’s trade show booth with the same colorway and can compare them. It might look different in hanks vs skeins, too. Some dyers replicate the colorway look on various fibers with similar amounts (or little) bleed while others embrace the way each fiber tends to work with each dye. People who can look at that photo and visualize the end result probably have experience working with different colorways and fibers.
– Used to work in a yarn store & squished much yarn 😉
+1
I think you’re right about the DK weight. It would probably hold the shape better for that open pattern. The DK limits your base choices. I would go with Chesapeake, because who doesn’t love organic cotton? I find a cot-lin like the Harbor to be a little scratchy for my taste. And mercerized cotton, like Atlantic, feels like I’m crocheting or knitting with string.
+1 for all of this! I think the Chesapeake would have those lovely pops of vibrant falls colours against the creamy.
But I’m personally a sucker for all those colours, fall colours are year-round imo lol😁
I think Kent or Monocracy, seems to me that its the reddish browns that read Fall.
Monicacy – the heavier cream base would let the other colors look spread throughout instead of pooled, I think.
And congrats on finishing! BDH is excited!
I would go with Chesapeake. If going with variegated I prefer depth of color with richer tones for fall
I also like the lighter colors. I crochet a bit and quilt a lot so I can’t really help you. I just completed a Halloween lap quilt. The local quilt shop has the fall lines out and also a bit of Christmas! If you want something made for fall or winter then now is the time to get it started. I’m looking forward to The Inheritance! Please keep cool and safe in this hot weather.
but if its not about the color, but the yarn texture, I think Atlantic seems appropriate to the lacy pattern plus the weather there.
I was confused because when I clicked on the picture to take a closer look at the yarn, it took me to the website, where there are different yarn bases and none of them are called Sandbar.
I do crochet, but I don’t know all the words and names for stuff as I don’t use patterns. but now I have seen all the pretty yarns I would like to buy. unsee! unsee!
anacostia – pretty- congratulations
I’d go with Harbor since it’s a blend. I’m not a fan of 100% cotton in larger garments because of the weight. Sandbar is a gorgeous colorway choice!
I’d go for the Atlantic base, as it’s machine washable and unlikely to shrink. Second choice, Harbor as I like the linen element but it’s got less longevity and some risk of shrinkage which I don’t think would be ideal for that very pretty cardigan!
Harbor would be my choice, to get some extra drape and the linen cotton blend would be good for a hot climate.
GORGEOUS yarn brx
I would consider sport since you don’t get much cool weather. If you go with DK or something heavier, you might not be able to wear it often. Check the WPI or gauge on the Sport to see how it matches with the gauge on the pattern. Some DK is more light worsted and might be way too heavy. The other option is going with a cotton Dk to make it lighter for the cooler (but not cold) weather in Austin.
But I love the sweater and think it’s a great color for the fall! Congrats!
I would knit a test swatch of that pattern and see how it turns out.
Personally I would be concerned about the high color contrast in the yarn combined with the openwork in the pattern. But that’s me. I can 100%guarantee that if I tried it, it would look like I spilled coffee on my beautiful cream colored sweater.
OTOH my all time favorite sweater (that I still have) was knit with black sport weight, and navy, grey and brown lace weight all combined as one yarn without a pattern or a test swatch, so if you feel it, then go for it.
something about Severn calls out to me. I have a hard time picking yarn unless I physically see it.
I’m sure you’ll make the perfect choice for you!
I think DK would be fine. Don’t worry about the fall-ish color. It will be great all the same. And DK is lighter anyway, so you’re good. Also, remember that sweaters and shawls are very useful in air-conditioned spaces, even when it’s like a furnace outside.
I would probably use Anacostia. The pattern is a lacy loose knit and if you use a 100% cotton yarn without anything to stabilize it, it will grow. It would be lovely, but 100% cotton probably wouldn’t be a good idea.
You could always order a skein of a couple of the different bases, knit a swatch and then hang it with a little bit of weight to see how much it grows.
So one of those is the name of the town where I live and a nearby river. The rest seem to pertain to other waterways, parks and islands in MD/DC/VA
Sandy Point State Park is on the Chesapeake Bay near the Bay bridge which goes from Annapolis to Kent Island.
An expansion to the collection could include Magothy, Patapsco, Patuxent and St. Michaels.
Well, given your temperatures, I would go with the cotton linen or the cotton linen stencil, if you want more drape. However, none of these fibers has elasticity so they are harder on your hands, so the vegan sock in heavy fingering might be the best option if you can get the gauge.
I would do Chesapeake in DK. I kind of always swap in DK for sport and Chesapeake looks somehow cleaner and more balanced.
Sorry, I just saw that the pattern is crochet, so it would be a little more stable. I’d still lean towards a blended yarn. If I knit with 100% cotton, my hands hurt. I don’t know if that’s a problem for you or not.
100% cotton yarns usually also hurt the tiny muscles in my hands and arms to knit. A highly variegated color will make that lace pattern more difficult to see, so you might want a yarn with less/no halo. Love the idea of a book finishing yarn self present!
I was like lalala lovely yarn, don’t really know anything about yarn….
Wait what??? you finished inheritance!!! Sqeeeeeeee!!! take my money 💰 🤑
Chesapeake or the Severn. I would go with a DK as well.
Sandy point, Kent, or monocacy
Definitely the Monocacy- lightly colored enough for warm days, with surprising shimmers of color to echo shifting autumn colors.
The Severn looks super soft. Or the Atlantic looks super smooth.
I know little about yarn but the Sandy Point looks to have a lot more of the cream with some warmer colors, but if you want more color then Severn reminds me of all the colors of a calico cat and would be my pick.
I would go for the Harbor Cotton/Linen DK. it would drape beautifully but hold it’s shape a bit better than straight cotton.
Are they really different colors? They all look pretty! (I don’t know how to really answer but glad you are getting a reward in!!!)
Monocacy is my choice
Congratulations on finishing the Inheritance. I am so enjoying every installment and will pre-order as soon as it’s available.
DK in the Kent, cotton and lycel blend tobkeep it’s shape but still be drapey.
also, congratulations on finishing Inheritance!! can’t wait to read it. The updates are a current highlight of my weeks ❤️
Gorgeous yarn and pattern! However, do you think the pretty pattern will get lost in the multi-color yarn?
My knitting skills are very modest so my opinion carries little weight but I’d go for Wicomico because is such a wonderful name. Whatever you choose please show us the finished sweater, the colors are very enticing. As is The Inheritance!
I think that would be a gorgeous cardigan! Just turn the ac really far down 😂😂
Were it my choices, ‘Chesapeake’, intrigues me most, with ‘Severn’ the 2nd. These 2 hint closest to the spices & tones you sought, in my mind.
I would go with Monocacy. Love the organic cotton. But the Severn would be very nice as well.
Love the patten! Thanks for sharing However, no, no, no! Don’t need more yarn.
Congratulations! And stay cool!
I would go for the Harbor organic cotton-linen blend in DK weight I think. Mainly because I like cotton-linen better than cotton
Since the names are different type of yarn fiber, I would go with Chesapeake or Atlantic to stay in cotton land.
But if you like tencel I would go with Severn.
Severn dk
Anacostia, it a more subtle blend.
I made this cardigan and LOVE it!! No opinion on yarn choice but to share ..I used sport weight cotton and love it over anything in summer. My one opinion to share is…antique buttons!! I found some amazing Czechloslavakian glass buttons and they really stand out and elevate the sweater:)
Good luck!
It it’s ok with the Powers That Be would you post a picture?
blog comments no longer support picture attachments 🙂
Atlantic, chesapeake, harbor, sandy point, and wicomico stood out to me based on the descriptions of care and characteristics. Severn (shrinkage), monocacy (bumpiness), and anacostia seemed like definite noes to me.
I did not base my choices on color since there would probably be more variation between the hanks of a single yarn type anyway. I did not factor in price either.
Oops I meant *stretchiness as the reason against Severn
This is a trick question. They are all the same to me
Sandy point or Kent.
How soon can we get the rest of The Inheritance? Ts finished, so tomorrow right?? 🤣
😝 Horde planning at its best
Lol !!!
I would take the Harbor. The color patterns look so close on my phone it falls to texture for me. Harbor looks like a nice compromise between soft and easy to work with.
Thank you for the book.
Kent reminds me of caramel and praline ice cream, one of my favorites, so it gets my vote. I would go with the sock weight because I adore a lightweight summer sweater.
Sport and DK weights are so similar, I don’t think it would matter too much. Best thing is to swatch when you do get the yarn to see if you need to change hook sizes. (I crochet on the tighter side so I always have to change sizes from what a pattern calls for, especially with garments).
**going by pictures and descriptions only as I haven’t used this brand of yarn**
The Sandy Point is very nice (I like the twist it has) and seems like it would look great with this pattern. Also the Atlantic if you would like a little sheen to the cardigan.
I agree. But I haven’t crocheted in over 40 years. My opinion should have no value.
I know nothing about wool etc but I can’t wait to see the finished product!
First, Congratulations on finishing The inheritance.
Second, well, I like all of the yarn colors shown.
Since all of the yarn is beautiful this might be a case of you printing a picture, closing your eyes and letting your fingers choose blindly.
since tomorrow is my birthday my opinion should count double Severn is my choice
It’s beautiful! I know that here in central Tx, we don’t cool off until about mid-December so it’s perfect!
I like Sandy point, neutral with a touch of the fall in it
Love that color! I vote for DK. I have three projects going, none are DK and everyday I bemoan that fact. I keep gazing longingly at the skeins of DK I have set aside for another project after these. (I’ve been forcing myself to branch out and trying to achieve that “flow state” with weights other than DK on my needles. It may be a lost cause as I’m barely making progress on these other projects utilizing skeins of fingering, sport and extra bulky.) Gah! I know DK leads me to peace and contentment! Yet, I think I will torture myself for a few more weeks of poor, unsatisfying, and awkward progress as penance for the wishful-thinking-expenditures on expensive yarn that does not bring me joy when worked and then pack all evidence into my yarn oubliette (aka giant bin on the top shelf of my superfluous back closet). Then, I will go back to DK. I am never breaking up with you again, DK.
I think you’re right about the DK. That being said, only Altantic, Chesapeake, and Harbor are available in DK weight. The notice says they are out of Chesapeake DK for dyed to order until July.
Considering where you live I would pick the Harbor DK because of the linen in the blend.
I agree. The Harbor DK will be comfy in the heat and should work up nicely for that pattern.
Chesapeake.
I totally get a DK weight. I’m old enuf to know that tiny needle tips make for eye and hand strain LOL
I know nothing about knitting but that sweater is SO CUTE! The colors read Fall to me as well but I defer to the experts here. Enjoy every minute of the project, you deserve all the beautiful yarns❤️
Go with what draws you — no matter the season. Happy to hear that the issue with the hands has resolved enough for you to resume knitting/crochet projects. Am looking forward to purchasing Inheritance. Happy Tuesday!
I would go with as thin a yarn as you can get. Yes it will take you longer but the drape should be lovely and when I see a thin yarn garmet it seems to be worn more lightly.
I would go with the Harbor, a cotton/linen blend would have a lovely drape without stretching out of shape. It would also allow you to wear it more often in the warmer weather (mid autumn to mid spring) without wilting from the heat.
Now that I have moved from Minnesota to North Carolina I’m using more lighter weight yarn and knitting my heavier yarns for relatives who live in Colorado and other places that have snow.
So I would stick to sport weight yarn and I would choose cooler tones like blues, light grays, maybe sagey greens?
Just my 2 cents. Browns (oranges, golds) are fall to me too.
It would be Kent for me. The cooler and slightly finer and glossy looking garn would go best for hot weather in my honest opinion.
I’d use the Wicomico. I think it’ll drape better and give a nice subtle shine while not adding a lot of weight. also thanks for this site.
Not wanting to be negative, but a variegated yarn like that isn’t the best choice for a lace pattern. The varying colours will detract from / obscure all the hard work you are putting in on the lace pattern. A relatively solid colour without such strong contrast would show off your lace texture much better.
Wicomico, Sandy Point or Harbor. personally I love the idea of linen or linen blend for a change of pace 🤔
They’re very pretty though!
I would not go DK if they’re calling for Sport on a lacy pattern if you want the pattern to still stay visible and delicate. If anything I might go lighter, especially in Austin. I was fond of using bamboo and cotton when I was down there so I could wear anything I made more than once a year.
Severn has the more shiniest colors.
definitely fall vibes as a skein. I wonder if the colors blend and mute a bit when used giving a sandbar look. the sweater looks heavy enough for a fall cardigan versus a light cardigan too. idk anything about yarn weight though so a light oneight help. but HOPRAY for inheritance being done I can’t wait to finish it!
Sport and DK are very similar weight wise. I use them interchangeably. I agree with you on the sandbar colors. It is very pretty though and would make the sweater very feminine. I would love to see a picture of it when it is finished!
I have no experience with yarns or knitting/crochet work, so I am of no help. I Just wanted to comment that I knew the company was in Maryland just from the yarn names. I hope whatever you pick makes you very happy (and that you post a photo of the completed project).
I like Severn. It’s a little brighter, which imo makes it a bit more wearable for any time of year. If, for example, you travel to Washington State, where it’s 50s at night and 70 during the day if it’s sunny. Perfect cardigan weather.
Ooo, the sweater is so pretty!
I’m not a knitter, but that Severn has the cinnamon/fall colors if you want to play that up.
Definitely NOT Anacosta; the colors look muddled to me
If I had to choose, Severn strikes me as the most vivid and silky looking… but honestly they all gorgeous!
I think it depends on what you are going for as a base. I would go for more muted and pale, like the Anacosta. But if you want darker, the Severn is a standout dark, and the Harbor is a muted dark. I think Severn might possibly clash with your body thread, that they are too similar. But I am only one opinion.
Nothing heavier than dk. Most of the posted projects on Ravelry used baby yarn.
Most hand dyed yarn is fingering wt, too thin.
I would pick either a cotton/wool or cotton viscose blend in a dk weight.
If you do choose a hand dyed yarn you need to ALTERNATE skeins ea row to avoid weird color pooling.
Have fun!
Anacostia. So the inheritance is done … ( sharpens cutlery in anticipation of devouring)
Have you considered a 2 ply lace weight. In the uk you can get it from the shetland islands. Some fabulous colours. Pretty sure they supply the us. The very finest (cobweb) traditionally will create a shawl you can pass through a wedding ring.
I don’t know anything about yarn bases but I like Chesapeake – it looks like driftwood.
It’s hot now so I’d go for fingering or DK. I love the pattern! Currently working on a cotton star top for my neice.
Monocacy or Kent
Lovely pattern and yarn combination! I wouldn’t go for a straight cotton or tencel, because it sounds like either of those would grow (in size) after you finished it. The linen blend sounds very intriguing, it might be harder to work with, but the linen would soften up beautifully when you block and wear it. The color contrast would be a little less because of the linen as well, which would make me go for it a little more. So that would be the harbor.
please let us know what you pick.
Colorwise I would go for a more monochromatic color like Anacostia or Monocacy and then let the Sandbar provide all the pops of wonderful color.
I know very little about yarn, but the Monocacy is superb for overnight paddling trips. Seeing that name brought back some absolutely wonderful summertime memories. My kids loved going to the annual jousting festivals at Lily Pons.
The Anacostia has come back from some pretty bad pollution problems over the past few decades. During my decade at UMCP (70s-80s) I once saw an eel swimming upstream in it, over a shallow gravel bed. After leaving College Park, it flows through the National Arboretum, and those water gardens are very worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.
Some days I really miss Maryland.
p.s. Note that it’s Terrapin Fiberworks, for the state reptile and UMCP mascot.
The pattern calls for sport weight yarn. DK and sport weight are pretty close, so you should be able to substitute. Just check your gauge carefully. I would not do any of the 100% cotton bases, as they will be quite heavy. I personally like the Severn base or the Wicomico base. They will both drape beautifully and be nice and light.
I’m a weaver so I can’t comment much. I love all of the colors.
One question to consider is whether you want any blue. Several varieties seem to have a small amount, though I struggled on getting more information.
Enjoy the project and thank you both for Inheritance!
Atlantic mercerized – it’s recommended on their site for projects with silky drape. Regardless, it’s going to be lovely!
from my point of view this cardigan needs a yarn with balanced colours, not big colour changes, otherwise the pattern will not be seen. Just my thoughts. Both are beautiful, pattern abd yarn. But if they mix well I honestly can’t say
I live in Dallas, so I am familiar with long summers and short falls. I am not familiar with this yarn but I would go with the lightest yarn. Is one of them silk? Perhaps that.
I would choose something that you can wear during a slighly chilly fall or spring evening over a thin shirt that was warm enough during the day, but *just* short of warm enough during evening or very early morning. Or when sitting in a room where the Aircon is set too low.
Not sure what that translates to in yarn bases, as I’m utterly unfamiliar with the english/american terms. Something with linen and or cotton in terms of fiber would probably be a good shout.
For warm weather, I’d personally go with the cotton/linen blend. It’s usually the coolest. Since they offer it in different weights, go with the lightest that will let you meet gauge.
inheritance is finished😲
I would pick the Atlantic Pima cotton. The longer fiber makes it easy to work with but breathable.
Cotton can get very heavy when made into a large garment. From what I remember, the Hill Country isn’t as humid as other parts of Texas, but it can still feel really muggy. My recommendation would be the DK Harbor, since the cotton is blended with linen. If you go with a full cotton, I would move down to the pattern’s recommended sport weight and choose Sandy Point. I look forward to seeing the finished product!
Love the colors but the pattern will be lost with too much variance.
Going with a heavier weight will make the pattern more bulky losing the flowy feel that the sweater has.
Want to see the finished product!
Don’t know a thing about yarn, but I love the color and the pattern and I’d go for whatever would be lightest but still hold the shape.
PS. Love the new artwork for Inheritance! And congrats on finishing!
Congratulations, you’ve definitely earned all the rewards! If this is for Summer, try the Anacostia colorway since it is lighter and less distracting from the stitch pattern. Have fun!
DK yarn would be great for your area. I love the pattern but I would have to fine a little less expensive yarn. Be sure to post pictures when you’re finished
I have a sweater made from a yarn base similar to the harbor. It’s lovely sweater even in humidity. The cotton-linen is very comfortable. It’s very drapey and has great stitch definition. It has some vertical stretch but does shrink a bit. I did knit extra repeats of the length.
One of the cotton linen blends. Cotton on its own gets really heavy and stretches. I love wearing linen.
Atlantic! I have cotton cardigan that I knitted in Alabama, knowing we were then moving to Austin, Tx. I still love it 5 years later.
Kent is my choice esp in a dk weight
Wicomico….
I think it’s funny that the names of the yarn are all places in and around Maryland. That said. I like the Monocacy
Monocacy looks really lovely
All beautiful, but for summer I’d go with the lighter colors- the Monocacy or the Sandy Point, however the Severn looks like it has a touch of shiny to it, which would enable it to be summer night out wear, too. Hope this helped!
I would go for the Wicomico linen blend, if you can make the available weights work. The linen blend should be wearable for more of the year and would just get softer and more lovely to wear with use. Otherwise the Chesapeake cotton in DK.
Either the Chesapeake or the Sandy Point. I would steer clear of the Severn since it specifically says it’s not great for heavy items, and that is going to be a fairly heavy cardigan.
Determining which one would be 100% based on feel and dye quality from there.
Great cardi – have fun! 🙂
Guess what??? I come home today from work and the hand dyed yarn I ordered from Terrapin came in today. Then I check your blog and I see that it’s about Terrapin yarn! Crazy coincidence! I got Chesapeake in Aran weight which is just their 100% organic cotton. I got the garlic and lavender colors and they are beautiful. I want to make an oversized granny square cardigan so we will see how it turns out. It’s the first time I shopped with them. The yarn is very soft and the color is perfect. I would like to try other bases too for sure so please update us on what you decide and if you like it. It’s so hard to find plant based hand dyed yarn.
I vote for Monocacy. The cream with a few dashes of color look less fall-ish to me. Anacostia and Sand Point run as a close second and third. I like the richer colors in Severn but it reads early fall rather than the mid-to-late fall I get from Sandbar. Any of them would be gorgeous and now Harbor is growing on me, too – a more earthy look. Monocacy is my final vote, though, lol.
Kent
Monocacy or Kent. Can’t decide between those two.
Maybe that cotton linen? Harbor I think it is. The linen would start crunchy but soften with use. But I don’t think it would be as drapey, at least in the beginning. But for a really good reward maybe the silk blend. Have you looked to see if there are any yarn reviews on Ravelry for them?
Cinnamon, Pumpkin, coffee; all warm deep colors, very vibrant. I’d go with Severn.
For a softer barely there wispy theme, I’d use the fainter skein; Kent or Monocacy.
I love the sweater, I can see it being used in cooler temps by a fire drinking tea, roasting marshmallows or an evening on the beach, watching the waves.
I like Kent or Anacostia!
Depends on who it’s for, and what colors they gravitate to.
That design, to me, could be lovely in clear (ie, not greyed) shades of deep red, blue, or green.
However, of the ones shown, I would pick Severn, Chesapeake, or Sandbar.
Not much help, I think.
Bottom line, I think it will be lovely!
hmmm. the pattern is calling for sport and I’m not seeing a ton of options. that first one with the pencil and elastic (anacostia) might be your best bet. I’d be hoping the elastic content would give it a bit of slurp back intoto shape. cotton tends to sag a bit during wear from the weight and it doesn’t have the memory of wool to bring it back. if you’re open to other suppliers, Tess yarns does an amazing 100% silk that’s positively lucious…
Hey! I am from Maryland and I LOVE Terrapin Fiberworks. I just finished a lace shawl — the Wild Swan by Anne-Lise Maigaard & Nim Teasdale in their tencel base – Severn.
For something like this, I think you should probably avoid holding anything double. Crochet eats up more yarn and tends to be a little stiffer/thicker for garments. Even in terms of lace.
I might actually lean toward the Harbor Organic Cotton- Linen. It’s DK. The linen will add some structure while also contributing to a nice drape, which I think would be good for a crochet garment for a hotter climate.
I’ve also used the Chesapeake DK base and love it. It’s soft and doesn’t split a tone. Granted, I was knitting with it, but it would also be a good choice.
ohhhh finished the inheritance, wonderful! have fun.
Which ever colors work best with your skin tone.
Any natural fiber that’s not too heavy to crochet.
Congratulations on getting the Inheritance done! 🥳👏👏👏
The Atlantic, Harbor, and Sandy Point look like they would handle the open work of the pattern without sagging. It’s a lovely colorway. Happy shopping.
I would go for the Harbor cotton/linen blend myself.
If you like it more creamy then the Monocacy, but if you want it more coffee, then the Harbor. I like the creamy a little better with that pattern.
I’m sure whichever you choose will be beautiful.
I can’t wait for the [preorder or next chapter.
That would be lovely in dk weight , I’d use the lightest colour as a base the Anacostia looks the lightest in shade ( of cause it could be my tablet showing the colours different. ) love to see it when you’ve finished.
I’d use the wicomico.
Severn or Chesapeake. They appear to have more color so a greater depth to the final cardigan.
Pattern calls for sport weight – so given that, I would absolutely stick with sport weight so that the drape is good with that same airy look. Sandy Point Organic Pima or Severn Tencel sport weight look like amazing choices [and really pricey – but wow is that yarn pretty]. I’m in FL so I would probably go with the pima cotton to get the most use [which, considering the price, is something to think about], but the tencel will really show off the mesh work.
I’m not going to be much help, I’ve never ventured beyond acrylic, so I’m interested to see what you decide and how you like it. the color is beautiful and so is the pattern. im currently working on a colorwork sweater for fall.i thought I was an intermediate knitter, but ivebeen learning a lot from this pattern
Oh, I know all those places — I actually used to live in Severn! I kinda like the muted vibe of Anacostia (which is in no way or shape muted in IRL).
I think I would try a silk lace weight hld with the dk weight if you wanted to go with a little more structure and still maintain the light weight. Or even a sport weight cotton/silk (if available) hld with a lace silk.
Like the pattern a lot. I follow Therapin on IG. I would love to hear what you think about their yarn.
Happy Knitting!
Anacostia, Monocacy, and Sandy Point appear to be the lightest, more neutral colors. Lighter colors reflect heat and combined with the cardigan pattern pictured should produce a light airy top.
*Sorry not yarn related.
I read the title of this post and got excited because for some reason I was like oooh yay they are going to tell us which base Ada and Elias get to in Inheritance!!
Haha
In saying that I enjoy reading your yarn posts. Makes me wish I knew how to crochet and knit. 😊
That’s beautiful yarn! I’m afraid I get mine from goodwill, garage sales and Walmart, and I only crochet very simple hats. They have to be warm up here, so I’ll double the yarn with a basic fat one and a skinny pretty one to drop a little color in. Ha – guess my tech speak is pretty simple too. Crochet makes a great fidget though, and I give the hats to a church donation box.
Hey, don’t know if you’ll see this buried under all the comments, but thank you both for putting the strategy and game playing in your novels. It’s something that bites me too often irl, and your stories have helped me learn to see it coming more often. Not always in time to dodge, but more than before. So thank you so much for your hard work and sparkly fun novels!
Monocacy. It’s tan, but still reflects the suns rays well
As a fellow knitter and crocheter, it’s fall/winter since you’re in Texas.
Severn or Chesapeake
Sport will make it more slouchy and lighter for the warmer weather.
DK will make it thicker and cozier.
What feel do you want more?
To keep the stitch pattern visible/more defined, but still be comfy I would probably use the Atlantic DK (midweight). If you aren’t worried about it blending a bit, Worsted (bulkier).
There doesn’t seem to be any odd pooling, which will makes it work for a lot of different crochet cardigan patterns (if you change your mind).
It looks more like Smooshed Toasted Marshmallows vs a Sandbar!
I would probably go with Chesapeake or Harbor. But I have sensory issues when it comes to softer/silkier fabrics/fibers.
As a knitter I would choose a mercerized cotton or a cotton linen blend for a summer garment.
Mercerized cotton looks longer nice after wearing and washing than unmercerized cotton. Linen also wears well and feels cool in weather- it becomes softer with washing.
I am not sure about Tencel- it Looks silky and holds up well ( I have got a shawl in this material ) but personally I dont like the way it feels after washing. If you like a silky shine it might be a good choice.
All fibers in this bases drape and are hard on the wrist while knitting, but the result is usually worthwile.
They all look the same
I’d go for the Harbour base – I note also it describes a “heavy fingering weight’ which might be close enough to sport? That said, I’ve had tragedy every time I try a cotton blend, but the fact that is crochet might help with sagging.
So nice to start a new project, have fun.
I would definitely go for a cotton blend. 100% cotton might be too heavy, and blending it with something gives a nicer drape for garments, especially when it is crocheted. I would go with either a linen or tencel blend, depending on how shiny you want the yarn.
Hello. Very pretty yarn. Monogamy had blue specks..your new picture is blue. Think the vote of most is cotton or linen. That seems ok,but it’s a sweater. Take it off when u want. A lady said to me “your the boss of your yarn. It’s just 2 sticks and string”.Make yourself happy. DK all day.You both looked nice in the new picture. I’m patiently waiting for 2026, so it’s “Fated Blade ” for me at the moment. Congrats on the free book. If you make it to purchase. Of course I’ll throw lettuce your way.
Panacea for all = you writing whatever you want. GB.
Personally prefer Chesapeake as it has a bit more of the autumnal colour and a nice contrast with the darker brown. The lighter Monocacy perhaps for the sport yarn but for autumn I think dk would be great. Thicker and slightly heavier look to the finished garment. Cosier! I also prefer a machine washable finish but that’s because I’m a tad lazy and don’t have space to dry flat in winter. Lovely pattern choice.
My two cents are for Harbour with the linen blend to add the lightweight. I’d be concerned with the Severin and the weight dragging (and personally I hate mulberry bc it squeaks when I work with it)
Not an easy question to answer, sorry, as your yarn choice entirely depends on what results you want. Crochet tends to hold its shape better than knitting when it comes to plant-based fibers, but using a yarn with a bit of hold/memory/stretch will help your garment remain in good shape over time. Ideally, you should test swatch your pattern with both sport and dk yarns before choosing which weight to go with. Despite what some people have said, there actually is enough difference in the yarn weights that you could end up disappointed with how your garment looks and fits if you sub in a weight other than what the pattern recommends.
I know nothing about crochet but I hope you show the finished product.
Also, CONGRATS on finishing the inheritance! It has gotten me through some struggles recently and I so so look forward to getting it in its entirety when it’s available.
You guys rock!
The variegated yarn will hide some of the lace pattern, but it should be a beautiful cardigan
Very pretty! I’d go for a cotton or cotton-linen blend base (tencel would give more drape which is not my favourite for a pattern like this). I’m knitting a sweater with cotton boucle and it’s super fun, so that would be my favourite. 🙂 With crochet it might end up being too bulky and heavy though.
I like the Severn or Atlantic colours & I like knitting with 8ply as I am in Australia.
If you need a little extra warmth then 8 ply is it. If you don’t feel the cold then the sport or 5 ply is what you want. Enjoy the project & the yarn you deserve it with the stressful year so far.
Don’t know what sport weight is?
looking at the pattern, I would go with DK in a cotton/bamboo blend so it keeps its shape.
well done on finishing the book x
I am not a knitter but crochet and always like the softer yarn for sweaters or clothing
Ps… did you say The Inheritance is finished…squeeeeeee
Gorgeous yarn and I love the pattern. Haven’t tried knitting clothes yet. lol I’m up by Dallas and I’ve found DK works great for around here. I certainly wouldn’t go heavier than that.
My go to yarn weight for most things is DK because it’s just large enough not to take forever to make but not so thick it becomes heavy to wear. Holts garn coast yarn held double is perfection, incredibly light weight, relatively inexpensive by the cone and is half wool/half cotton.
What a great pattern! I knit more than I crochet. For your warmer weather I would go for the DK weight Chesapeake skeins. Just my 2 cents.
(Up north in Canada, I would be using a wool blend ~_^)
Go for something witsomeh lyocell and/or tencell it
100% cotton is useless when it’s warm and you start to sweat.
When cotton is wet,it stays wet
Lyocell and tencell prevent you from sweating, but even if you do they stay dry.
I don’t have clothes with those fibers, but I will never sleep under anything else.
*doing happy dance because The Inheritance is finished *
Chesapeake!!!! 1++++++
I really like Atlantic DK. I think a bit of shine is so pretty on a finished product. I love your color choice, I am from Michigan, and it definitely looks like fall. I would enjoy seeing the finished product. Also, Inheritance is awesome.
After reading the descriptions I’d use the Atlantic Mercerized Pima Cotton. It says it’s good for hot weather wear.
They’re all beautiful.
soooooo….I like you see this yarn as Fall colors. I think sport weight is good for summer and love the lighter weight. I think this color would look good with your dark hair.
https://www.expressionfiberarts.com/products/glasswing-butterfly-wishglow-sport.html
I haven’t used her yarn, but I have a friend that has and says it is wonderful. There again pricey but you are worth it!
Would recommend Severn. I think Tencel will be light and will feel nice knitting. I personally dislike knitting most cotton and linen. I would also say that the color you picked might distract from the pattern and a more solid color might get you the look of the original pattern.
The Chesapeake looks smooth and comes in dk weight. But the most knitting I’ve done is scarves and hats, and I prefer thick curly wool yarn for those (it gets cold in Michigan!), so take my rec with a grain of salt.
I would go with Chesapeake, which is backordered until July (but almost here), or Atlantic. They seem like clear and bright bases and won’t muddy the colors. You also want to be careful because the different bases each come in just a few weights.
I had to go to the website to understand what you meant by yarn bases. I haven’t gotten into custom dyed yarn that much.
Please post pictures once it’s done!
I would choose between Atlantic, Cheasapeake or Severn for the color.
Severn looks a lovely mix with the coppery colour
I always go with a lighter weight yarn. I think the stitch pattern shows more. Also, since I live in south Texas, it makes the sweater a little cooler.
As to colors, I can only narrow it down to cheasapeake, Harbor or Severn.
good luck. can’t wait to see the finished product
The Severn Tencel has got a beautiful shine and the fibers will give it great drape. It’s also in sport weight which is what your pattern calls for. The other weight I’d suggest is the Harbor Organic Cotton-Linen in the DK. This yarn would feel wonderful on, BUT,,,make sure you swatch, then block and let dry. Make sure the swatch is HUNG up so you can measure how likely it will stretch. For both weights, check your row gauges, too not just your stitch gauge. This sweater is oversized so allow for that in your decision about which size to crochet.
I don’t know enough about knitting to answer, but I do agree they have a fall pallet. at first I thought I was looking at some sort of cinnamon pastry.
The DK weight Harbor looks very interesting. I live in your area and share your frustration at our short sweater season. All-cotton knitted or crocheted garments can be so heavy, but the linen content in harbor should make it lighter, cooler, more breathable, and give it better drape than cotton sometimes has. And the warmth/intensity it lends to dyes should play well with this colorway.
Chesapeake or Harbor are darker, warmer colors to me.
I really like the hint of gold in Severn.I cannot really tell the weight of the yarn but maybe something liggtweight would be good for Austin. I am in Oklahoma so I feel your pain from the heat.
Sport sport sport sport sport or knit a swatch in dk, and dk, just to check the bulkiness and density.
*any dk
And Harbor cotton/linen blend
in TX, no DK unless you’re trying for a “winter” sweater. I’m in OK & you guys are basically us without our winter. I’d go for the lighter weight yarn in a natural blend for breathability, maybe cotton or silk with the wool base depending on the person (cotton feels stiffer & is more durable than the silk which is soooo nice).
Given the characteristics mentioned of the yarn bases, I’d say Kent or Atlantic.
Congratulations on the completion!🎊🎉🎊
The Harbour Cotton-Linen…makes for such a crunchy and strong sweater (I’m clumsy!)…but it’s so hard on the hands.
I love the coffee cream colour!!
Congratulations! I’m glad you’re rewarding yourself with a lovely project.
I live on the Gulf coast Florida where we are rarely actually cold. I have lots of sweaters and hoodies in the car because the AC in most places is freezing!
These are some lovely options for this sweater. I wish I could feel them! I shop with my hands, and the yarn needs to be comfortable on the needles and when wearing. I’m leaning toward Chesapeake or Harbor. The color is lovely and says having some coffee with your cream. Fun choices!
Happy knitting! Well deserved!
What does Gordon get?
Kent or Sandy Point as I’d like the pattern to be the star of the show!
Oooh. Either of the cotton/linen blends would be nice. Especially the one with the tencel (Wicomico?). The linen would make it a little stiffer at first, but it drapes so NICE after it’s been beaten a bit.
The Severn jumps out to me among all the samples. If it is in cotton or a nice cotton blend, that would make a beautiful and comfortable cardigan, (in my opinion). However, after seeing your creations through the many years, I humbly bow to your creativity and expertise. Looking forward to seeing the final product of your efforts ;)!!
It’s just so hot!! I would go sport weight a knit it with larger needles to make it more open (more air flow=cooler?). I like anacostia and monocacy.
Also, I will not start another project until one of the five I have going is finished!!! Not today, Satan, NOT TODAY!
Wow, gorgeous pattern!
I’m in Houston, so … just add humidity.
I love crochet, but can’t wear anything heavier than fingering weight yarns in a crochet garment. I found DK weight ridiculously thick. Sport weight was still a bit uncomfortable for me.
This cardigan, with the mix of chains and thicker stitch patterns presents an interesting conundrum.
You want something light enough to keep the diamond patterns from being too heavy for the chains. But you want the chains to have definition. And yet, you want something soft and squeezable.
I’d probably order a skein of Wicomico, and play with it to see if it would produce the feel I prefer.
I tend to love blends, and its 50% bleached linen, 30% cotton, 20% lyocell/tencel makes me happy.
Solid tencels tend to be SHINY! 100% Linen is irritating before it settles after washing. 100% Cotton can be heavy, but feels amazing. The mix of those is giving me the itchy fingers need a hook sensation. But, I cannot start another project until I finish two WIPs. (Sigh)
All the luck for your search!
Crochet ends up a bit heavier in substance, so I’d go for sport (although I personally use them almost interchangeably) given your climate. A cotton/linen blend might be good in higher humidity areas, as linen is stronger when wet.
Harbor. DK or even fingering.
I am currently sweltering in Atlanta and so many patterns I love are written for worsted. I can only wear them for a couple of months. DK silk/wool blends or Holst Garn Coast, a cotton/wool fingering held double as my jam.
What changed my knitting life was the Magic Math formula that allows you to figure out how to adapt any pattern to the gauge of your swatch.
Magic Math: choosing a size when your gauge is off (sweaters)
My stitches per inch – X
Mid-sweater number of stitches (after sleeve separation) – Y
Y divided by X =
Here’s an example:
Pattern: STAFFIN
Muy stitches per inch – X (Needle 6 – 18 st. per 4”) 18 divided by 4 =4.5
Mid-sweater number of stitches (after sleeve separation) – Y
Y divided by X =
(from the pattern “You now have 140 (152, 164, 176, 188, 200, 212) (224, 236, 248, 260, 272, 284) stitches on your needles”)
188 (size 5) divided by 4.5 = 41.7 inches
Knit size 5, or size 6 (44.4 inches) if I want 4 inches of positive ease
Being able to use fingering or DK weight in a pattern that called for worsted was like getting chains struck off.
What are you matching it with? I mean brown boots/white hat ect. Any would go well depending upon what is accented. If a normal outfit then lighter is better I guess. But dark jeans instead of light blue and suddenly the darker threads look good again.
Yikes. All that and I realize it’s a crochet pattern. Never mind.
Really like monocacy, it feels lite!
If you want sport weight, I’d go with Severn. Tencel is a nice fiber. Pure cotton is not that fun to knit with and it stretches out as you wear it.
Chesapeake
Not gonna lie…they all look like a cinnamon roll with a nice cappuccino on a fallish day to me. Love the names. These are all beautiful areas in MD and DC.
I vote for Anacostia or Monocacy.They both sound like they have the bounce and definition for plump stitches. Tencel can be so slippery and temperamental if your tension is not consistent. Linen can sometimes be a little harsh on the hands until washed and blocked.
The pattern calls for a sport weight, so I’d go with Sandy Point. Its cotton so should hold shape fairly well. I looked at the pattern and didn’t see a yarn recommendation, so hard to tell what fiber with which it was designed in mind.
That is a gorgeous cardigan and any color would be lovely. I think you should pick the one that gives you the most joy while knitting. For me, Sandy Point or Chesapeake! But any of them will be absolutely gorgeous. May I ask–what fiber is the yarn?
Oh, I see some people have mentioned the fiber content. The only fiber I totally loved in Austin when I lived there was linen. You can wear it even when it’s on the warm side. It’s warm enough to keep the chill off your arms, but breathes well and I felt it softened with use. Cotton is pretty good too or maybe a blend. Have fun and knit peace.
I like Kent, but I evaluate these choices based on what I might spill on it when distracted. This looks like a “wear this while drinking morning coffee” yarn.
I don’t knit and can hardly bring my self to even LOOK at a sweater, cardigan, or anything long sleeved during SE Louisiana’s summers (hello heat wave), but I agree, the Sandbar color scheme is more fall than summer.
Did you look at the gauge that the pattern calls for? The DK weight yarn will make it heavier and more drapey than a sport weight. Shine is also a factor. I would probably use Sandy Point.
Terrapin is lovely stuff! Enjoy your reward for your hard work
Pattern calls for sportweight, so I’d go with the Anacostia Vegan Sock in heavy fingering. Trust me, for a crochet cardigan, your hands will thank you for using something with elastic in it rather than 100% cotton or cotton/linen blends…
I am not a knitter, however, I read the types of yarn and the harbour sounds like it might work for you. You are right, it is pricey, but its your thing so go for what you like. Gordon will approve. I always like the pictures of what you post. Who is the lucky person you are making it for?
I’d have to vote for the Harbor as I love organic, and the cotton/linen blend would look great with this pattern! And congratulations and yay for finishing The Inheritance!
Just do it in DK. I knit a lot of tops in sport/DK and it works as long as you swatch wearables. Though with crochet it’s easier to make it work.
This might be weird depending on how it pools. Have you looked at how the cardigan looks with variegated yarn? I think you should go for it personally. If you hate how the yarn looks it will be awesome for the Gemini top from knitty (made 3x use super stretchy bind off and it’s lovely). Knitty has all free patterns and they’re sorted by difficulty
https://knitty.com/ISSUEss12/PATTgemini.php
If you are still trying to do socks search knitty for their two at a time. They have a formula and it works for any yarn type. I use german short rows because I can’t wrap and turn.
Those yarns look like all the same color to me. My answer would be none of those. Anything other than a solid color would obscure the original diamond pattern (which is exquisite) or even possibly make the gaps seem uneven. I would go with a solid cream or another solid color.
DK for me. This is an open work pattern, so DK. I love working with silk. Finished a shawl last fall in silk and feels wonderful and was a dream to knit. I like Chesapeake because it has more depth (I think), but unless I have the yarn in my hand to examine it – cannot be sure.
Monocacy would be my choice
I liked Monocacy looks like a beautiful sweater.
Do you want an all cotton sweater? If you do, I think the Sandy Point sport would be nice. Personally, with your weather in mind, I think the Harbor cotton-linen might be more wearable.
Also, how much do you want the pattern to pop? I was thinking the less textured yarn was my favorite, but then I saw the green (muted neon green? Lizard green?) between what I think are your color and the moss green version and I liked the way the texture worked out, so maybe a boucle?
Whatever you pick, I’m sure it will come out lovely.
I wouldn’t suggest doing DK unless you’re going to make any mods to the pattern simply because it
will mess up your stitch count. If you don’t want do their sport weight, then I would do their heavy fingering and go up a hook size. The heavy fingering would be the closest to the sport weight plus it’ll still give you some gorgeous drape.
You can use whatever gauge yarn you want with that pattern, and I think DK is great for a temperate weather sweater. Do a gauge swatch, and then do a little math to convert. https://www.ashleylillis.com/blog/2021/4/14/how-to-change-knitting-gauge-in-a-pattern
As for fiber content, here are my thoughts:
Bamboo/tencel is super soft and shiny. Yay! It also doesn’t last nearly as long.
Cotton is cool and absorbent and I love that mercerized look. It’s also prickly and not stretchy enough to knit easily, but a lot of people love to knit with it.
Silk is soft and shiny and looks stretched out and limp after a season or two.
Linen is cool and absorbent and has a lovely drape. It can be prickly, but that depends on the manufacture.
Wool is warm, but it allows me to be comfortable in a much larger range of temperatures than any other fiber.
Personally I’d go for the cotton/linen mix.
I love variegated yarn I would go for Chesapeake.
Love all your books
Whatever is the lightest in weight. As you know, Austin (as in San Antonio where I live) is ungodly hot almost year-round so as light-weight as you can get is key (if it’s for you or your fam in Texas. I like the Monocacy or the Anacostia.
Severn, will go well with fall and lightweight sweater
Love the pattern! You should always treat yourself when completing a very good thing.
I agree with the suggestions for DK weight and the Severn color. It reads less fall and more classy but warm tone to me.
It will be beautiful. Glad you are taking a breath.
I think you are right in the “fall” call. I’m in Denton County and while North of you, we may get 5 more days of Fall to wear that sweater. The pattern is really lovely. Does this yarn brand have other gradient color yarns? I might go with a more cool tone; but that’s my color preference. You may be more of an Autumn, so you would lean warm colors. The Ivory shown in the pattern is always a good choice. I wanted to THANK YOU for the INHERITANCE, I had back surgery and was on a 6 week house arrest sentence. Getting the installments of this book kept my spirits up!
It’s a beautiful pattern and I love your color choice!
I haven’t knit or crocheted much in yarns like these, but based on my limited experience, I would start with the yarn that has the elastic (Anacosta) or maybe linen (Harbor). Both cotton and Tencel, in my experience, are heavier than acrylic and have a tendency to relax and stretch out under their own weight, so the sweater would lose its shape over time. The elastic would help counter the stretch and I think linen doesn’t have the same tendency to grow. If you want to try a pure cotton or tencel, you might be able to counter the growth a bit by going with a fingering, so there isn’t as much weight, or a really tight gauge on your stitches.
Whoa…is it just me? All those yarns look alike to me!
The colour way is all the same in that image, but the differences are going to be in the fibre content of the yarn, how thick it is, and a bit in how it’s spun. Something like a 100% cotton is going to knit up more stiffly, and the stitches will hold their shape pretty rigidly. But if you blend it with other fibres like tencel or linen, it’ll be more flexible, giving you a drapey-er garment. If Ilona goes with the recommended size of yarn, it’ll knit up faster because it’s a bit thicker, but the end sweater is going to hold heat better. If she sizes down to a DK, she’ll have to adjust some pattern math a bit, but the end garment will be more breathable.
I have a 100% tencel skirt that has been great for hot weather. I would get the tencel blend or tencel yarn.
Do you have a preference in knitting the different yarn thicknesses? I prefer to knit with DK yarn over sport yarn. However Austin is hot, so I would go with the lighter yarn.
Severn is beautiful
I love the pattern- and I live in Austin! You may have just put another project on my waiting list. I can definitely see this for my daughter for Christmas. Personally, I would do in the DK weight, and I am drawn to Monocacy. I would prefer a cotton blend for layering in winter and cool air conditioned spaces the other seasons. I am definitely not clicking on the yarn site. Don’t need the temptation!
Love the pattern. I live in the Pineywoods area of southeast Texas and I’m a crocheter. Definitely the DK yarn and I agree, they read fall to me, beautiful yarn!
As someone who can’t wear any animal fibers because they itch so much I’ve got a lot of experience working with cotton and cotton blends, both in knitting and crochet. Using 100% cotton is going to make a very heavy cardigan especially at dk weight. Cotton has no stretch and gets heavy quickly when you crochet with it. I would go with the cotton tencel or linen blend to help it drape and keep its structure. I would also buy the pattern first and make a few gauge swatches at both sport and dk weight with scrap yarn you already have…that yarn is beautiful but also expensive to realize it won’t work for your project. The pattern is fairly inexpensive so you can experiment before deciding on which yarn to order. Thanks for bringing a new company to my attention! It’s really hard to find hand dyed yarn that isn’t wool.
sandy point
Atlantic
I would do Harbor with linen and cotton. In my experience tencel can be hot. Cotton alone can be hard on the hands, especially if knitting. Tencel can be so splitty, but brand could make a difference.
Disclaimer:
I am not a knitter (last project probably around 14 years ago) and I do not crochet.
At first glance the bases all look pretty much the same to me. At fifth glance Severn *might* have more color than the others.
They have a mercerized pima cotton there. That will give you softness, sheen and durability. I think you can machine wash it, in case of dog accidents. I’ve been spinning some tencel blends lately. Tencel is a greener constructed cellulose fiber. it looks and feels a lot like silk, and it breathes well for comfort in hot weather.
I like the DK idea. That’s a very loose knit structure and Dk will make it more durable. You might want to go down a size for the trim, It looks a little loose in the picture. Good prices too.
Wow! Whichever you choose, this will be a beautiful sweater!
I try to picture you with the yarn colour and I see Chesapeake or Anacostia.
Congrats on finishing The Inheritance! Yayyyy!
Love the pattern. I haven’t been crocheting long, but I feel you will lose the delicacy of the pattern if you go to a heavier weight. Just a thought. 🙂
I vote Sandy Point because the colors are well balanced
Hey Ilona, I would go with Anacostia because it is the softest, most blended , least harsh of all the colors. The least stripy. You already have a lot of pattern going on in the sweater and you want to complement the pattern, rather than fighting with it. I have a rule with everything whether it is decorating, fiber arts, or just getting dressed. Think of it as you would think of a play, or TV show. There are one or two stars and then there is the supporting cast. Imagine what it would be like if everybody decided they were the stars and they all decided to talk at once. We’ve all seen that happen on talk shows, from time to time, and it is jarring!
Think about all the other things that will be in the supporting cast with your sweater – shoes, bag, pants, dress, or skirt, jewelry( and , of course, what Gordon will be wearing standing next to you 🤭).
I’m sure you have some variegated yarn that you could use for a swatch of the pattern to see if you want it subtle and how the color will “wave”with the pattern. Decide which will be the star, the yarn or the stitch pattern. I hope this helps.
I have enjoyed knitting with mercerized cotton before, so I would suggest the Atlantic base. If you have time before the preorder closes, order the sampler mini pack so you can actually touch the different bases before you make a final decision.
That’s a really good point, Stella. I thought it was all the same yarn.
I personally don’t use ungulate yarn(allergies) and live in Florida where it is hot all year. Though I wear my hand knitted sweaters every day, even around the house, I almost always use cotton and cotton blends. I don’t even knit with acrylic unless it is a minor player in a blend, because it is like being wrapped in plastic ( which it is).
just be aware of the gage. You may have to use the instructions for a smaller size. I would be checking the actual dimensions of pieces I knit compulsively.
For Texas, I’d definitely go down to a DK. From that spinner, the Harbour or Chesapeake look like they’ve got an appropriate texture, but the linen blend is probably going to let that open work pattern fall in a nice, soft drape.
Yes, definitely DK and linen is great!
I neither knit nor crotchet, so i was drawn in by the pretty colours.
I did a double take at how casually you mentioned’ inheritance is finished ‘ because i didn’t understand a word after that.
Congrats, i can’t wait.
I like the tiny hints of blue in monocacy
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your yarn reward! What does Gordon usually choose as his book reward?
Thank you Mod R for your typo aid!
I’d go with the Monocacy for the boucle. But I’d also consider the Wicomico for the linen even though it has to be dried flat. Remember, linen can help you feel cooler than cotton.
I will try to be patient about waiting for the pre-order link for The Inheritance.
As for the yarns, I like the one labeled Severn. I don’t know that the finished piece would look all that different from one using any of the others, but that’s the one that caught my eye.
The first one on the bottom far left that Angosta(sp)
harbor in DK. I like the blend for out Texas heat, and it will be good in the indoor AC temps. The blend sounds good for drape and shape.
Thanks for turning me on to Graphic Audio. I loved the Sweep series with the Texas accents!
The lightest possible that will still make gauge.
Cotton is hell on the hands and wrists to knit with, so I’d go for a different yarn altogether to be honest, or pick one of their Tencels but the growth post blocking is likely to be an issue. Knitting for Olive has 10% off in their summer silks right now (FB has coupon code), which would also work great for this pattern. Their silk is much easier on your hands to knit with and the resulting fabric is delish!
I love the Severn. But, is that a color or a type? It is the color I love.
This is gorgeous! You are so talented. I also knit and crochet. For a cardigan in Texas I would lean toward a linen blend, so wicomico base. But whichever you decide will be beautiful. Can’t wait to see the wip and FO pics!!
They are all so similar but the one I would choose is Monocacy. It appears to have more white than the other skeins. Although when you get it you might find that it is just the way the skein was created that it showed more white.
Good luck
Mary
I would go for Harbor DK because I am intrigued by cotton-linen blends at the moment. (No personal experience using any yet, but I bought some linen tops the summer before last and fell in love with the wearing experience. So I have some cotton-linen in stash, waiting for that magical “someday” when I cast on…)
I like Anacostia, the touch of pink making it wearable in more seasons…
I also liked the Monocacy
Oops … now have read the fabric content info … I would suggest one of the linen cotton blends … I like my linen blend light-weight cardigans for summer
I have a cardigan similar to that one. It is great for those places where the air conditioning is set to frigid, so mine is worn year round. I recommend getting a yarn that washes well, so you can wear it often.
Are you going to have it dyed to your favorite – like Wicomico in the picture? I’m all for anything washable. A couple of them say they might shrink! Deer Creek Fingering appears to be on sale @ $21.60 And you might just order a couple of the Sample minis.. make up a few rows and then wash and dry to see how they do..
Monocacy
Monocacy. Looks like there’s a hint of blue in it. Good luck! Thanks for your hard work; it is much enjoyed.
Because arthritis killed me celebrating ANYTHING I celebrate by buying Earrings. Usually Connemara Marble ones from a great Irish jeweller in Co. Galway.
That pattern though looks lovely, I have a friend who knits I wonder if I could persuade her ……..but I digress.
I love the yarns. The colours are sumptuous . Wouldn’t DK be a bit heavy for your heat? I quite like Anacosta/Atlantic.
Heaps of congratulations on finishing Inheritance. I don’t think I’m go8ng to read any more snippets now. I’ll wait with anticipation.
If you are crocheting this, I think you should go with the lighter weight, sport rather than DK. I would not choose the boucle or the tencel. Maybe Sandy Point organic pima in sport. Looking at those yarn bases, I am asking, shiny? slippery? how much drape? What’s your preference?
I like the Serevn DK. I think it might be the right ‘weight’, and I like how it had more of the deeper rust color than some of the other options. I, too, love fall and all that comes with it. So, thank you for this lovely recommendation. I ordered three skeins myself to see how it turns out. I am excited to make something fun!
The general rule for yarn selection is busy pattern, single colour, Simple pattern, multi colours. With this pattern I would go for a single colour, so that the pattern shines.
You do you, as I would do me.
As for weight, as long as it meets gauge, go for DK.
I like the Severn because it looks so coppery. I think those glitz would look very handsome.
I’d go with the Chesapeake DK, personally. I think it has a nice soft and clean base look without too much shine, smooth finish that doesn’t look bulky, and being Cotton will be nice and breathable.
Atlantic has a bit more gloss to it, so if you like that more then that might be the pick.
Severn is very bright as a base and extra shiny, which I feel doesn’t suit the pattern. And some of the others seem overly textured for a pattern that is going to build texture through the stitches.
These are just my opinions of course though. It’s a really cute pattern I’m inclined to add to my own library.
Well it reads ‘ walk along the beach , drift wood and blue sky, in long flowy linen skirt and care free days’ to me. But I am in the middle of winter here, the August winds have arrived early – sucking the warmth out of everything.
Take the reward!
Thank you both for brightening the world.
I’d go with Harbor DK for the cotton/ linen blend. Great for TX weather and drape, will hold the lace pattern. Plus I’ve been knitting a cotton/linen summer cardigan lately and really like how it feels in my hands while working it. Happy knitting!
It depends on how cold you get. I like working with light fingering for these types of projects. I would also add a strand of mohair just because. 🙂
Chesapeake probably DK for fall
I can’t decide between Severn or Chesapeake, but my eyes were immediately drawn to those. I’m also a fan of DK size yarn because it offers nice detail without needing the stitch count or time of what I refer to as the arthritis inducing skinny floss sizes. I’m mainly an amigurumi crochet gal, though, so not sure what works best for knit projects. I never got beyond knitting basic stitch squares/rectangles and took an eternity just to make a poor attempt at a scarf. 😅
Atlantic DK. Per their site, recommended for hot weather, good for drapey and lacey stuff.
Severn would be my personal choice (Tencel is fun), but I think that might be a little bulkier than you are looking for.
I would go for a sport weight yarn that way you could wear it even on the warmer days in winter or even strand it together with mohair for some more thickness
Severn for the fall vibe and monogamy for a subdued vibe.
I live in Florida so I tend toward cotton or cotton blend yarn. There are cotton/wool blends as well. DK is fine if you can meet gauge. If it calls for sport you may get a stiff fabric. DK held double would be more like bulky.
severn. lots of fall colors mixed in there.
Yay! You’ve finished Inheritance!
They all look wonderful. I do like Severn. I love the cardigan pattern!
I would elect for the lighter weight. The garment is better for layering and more weather choices. Granted, I crochet which is always heavier than knit, so I usually opt for lighter weight yarns
I love that the company used those names – they’re either IN Maryland or have a heck of connection to it, because those are all Chesapeake Bay/Maryland names.
And no, I didn’t go look because if I did, I might buy yarn for which I have no time to use and looking and my will power are not compatible. Grins.
Excited that Inheritance is done! Had to LOL that you had to reassure us that you didn’t write horrible ending books and that Bear would make it. Thanks.
Enjoy your reward!!
I like all of them, but if I had to pick I’d go for severn first and Chesapeake second. I like sport / fine in solid colors for fancy patterns and stitches so that the handiwork can really shine without getting lost in the bulk of the yarn and color changes. For basic stitches and simple patterns I like variegated and bulkier yarns.
For this pattern I would go with sport, but you do you and it’ll be lovely. Enjoy 😊
Also, thank you for sharing sources for yarns and patterns.
I’m in the Rockies so an open, lacey pattern like this would be a lighter summer piece, hence I would pick a cotton bamboo or cotton linen blend. Fall and winter pieces need to be tightly stitched or they’re kinda pointless (like open-toed snow boots), unless you’re only wearing them indoors.
I would also go with Harbor DK. I think the darker shades speak to the cinnamon/spice fall feel and the straps will be better than straight cotton. and yay for a new yarn source! My husband may not thank you though, lol! what a great way to celebrate finishing Inheritance!
Severn or Chesapeake jump out for me.
Severn is the one I like–has more gold tones. Of course, I don’t know what a base is in knitting. So I just picked what would blend and I liked!
It is definitely fall and not sandbar, coming from someone who lives near the beach in Florida… and I agree with DK weight. But you gotta stop bringing up yarn! I keep getting inspired and buying more and have too much already! 😉
Something about Severn calls to me. I just like the hues the best on that one.
I’d go sport, I live in a sub tropical area. For autumn, sport is your best bet, dk would be to heavy & you wouldnt get much use.
I really Like Mixed fibres. My new love is a mix of cotton and tencel. It feels Like cotton, but you don’t sweat as much in it. And it falls very good. You don‘t have to damp it. It holds its shape .
When I See it right, that would be the Kent Cotton-Tencel Light Fingering.
But the colors you choose, also would look very beautiful, if the Yarn would be shiny.
So the Atlantic Mercerized Pima Cotton could also be good.
Look how shiny it is.
Monocacy looks wonderful. Go with that.
Forgot to say boucle
Definitely Dk or even lace!
Dk
Harbor.
A cotton/linen blend is great for warmer temps.
It will get softer with every wash and wearing.
It may grow a bit with wearing, but washing will bring it back into shape (like denim jeans).
It will produce a fairly sturdy fabric – less prone to snags and easier to fix.
If you find it stiff after drying flat, put the dry sweater in the dryer with a damp kitchen towel and it will soften right up.
I think 100% cotton is too heavy for a sweater, and while the tencel in Severin looks gorgeous & probably feels lovely, it has a real tendancy to stretch. Once that happens I don’t know how to bring it back to the original size.
If the Harbor stretches, you can play around with short runs thru the dryer (10 min) on low until you like the result.
It looks like a great pattern! Good luck, and thank you for all your writing and taking such good care of the BDH!
Severn – like the tint of gold in it.
Severn and DK weight
I know you’ve been inundated with suggestions, but if you’re comfortable adjusting the pattern to use DK instead of sport weight yarn, I’d go with Sandbar in the Harbor cotton-linen base. Harbor comes in DK so that should work out well. It’s a lovely pattern and the Sandbar yarn looks like it will be gorgeous! If you decide to stay with the equivalent of sport weight, you could still use the Harbor base with two strands of the fingering weight. Happy crocheting!
I’d do the Harbor DK. All cotton would be heavy and absorbs 2 times it weight in moisture and slow drying. Linen blended with it will be lighter and add drape for an oversized cardigan. I’ve not worked with Terrapin yarn, but other yarns with that much linen to me could easily sub a yarn weight down.
I’m sticking with Anacistia, Because it is similar to my all time favorite yarn from Hikoo CoBaSi, Almost the same blend. It is cool and very light weight. holds its shape after many trips to the washer/drier. and still gorgeous! The elastic in the yarn is the key to keeping its shape and very easy to work with, Plus you can probably go bigger with the hook or needles than you might think. Plus the color blend is so subtle!
Sorry – Anacostia (hate Spell check sometimes). You might also want to try dubbling the sock yarn for the right gauge.
I like monocacy
Ok, having now clicked through to look at the yarn on my laptop vs my phone. I’m double voting for the severn. I have chronic pain and sensory issues, and the severn looks buttery soft and so smooth that it would not irritate my skin. I’ve really gotten into wearing knitwear these past few months because they feel so nice against the skin when you get the right yarn.
Not being able to touch the yarn to verify texture… I vote for the Severn.
Thank you for finishing Inherticance and congratulations. It has been a rough time and books (including this series) are taking a heavier load off my stress than normal. I am just so appreciative you guys are so responsive and wonderful.
I like the Monocracy’s whiter base and I prefer how the colors are more distinctive not as blended. That’s the only one that doesn’t really remind me of a Starbucks drink.
Sandy point. Less brown and more sandy colored
Severn
I would go with the harbor, organic cotton linen blend. Cotton and linen work really well together, and should feel nice in the warmer climate you are in. Gorgeous yarn.
I asked my daughter the knitter / crocheter and she had no advice on yarn weight… I live in Texas but my motto is the thicker the better
Is it Friday yet?
i’d go with harbor (cotton/ linen blend) or severn (tencel)
because cotton is heavier than linen or tencel, and that extra weight means it grows over time. the linen blend is my first choice, but the tencel would be lovely too.
Severn is calling my name. It definitely says Autumn though. If you’re going for Summer vibes, maybe Kent?
I think I would have to make the cardigan 3 or 4 inches longer. I am short waisted with too much tummy. I look horrible in tops that stop just below where my middle should be. When did they start making tops so much shorter. I understand manufacturers skimping on material but charging the same or more (PROFIT!). But you’d think yarn manufacturers would want to sell you more!
cotton linen blend (from this list)!
pure cotton will stretch out and be so heavy. ideally you would go something like a merino cotton blend as the merino (in a woolen spin) would provide the “memory” or bounce back (comes from the crimp in the merino fibre) and lightness while the cotton would provide that texture and add to the drape factor. other blends that would work beautifully would be: merino and silk, or merino and linen. all three of those I’d be looking for a ~70% wool 30% other.
Realistically you can make this cardigan and it will be beautiful no matter which yarn you choose. but best long term wearability would be the blends I suggested.
The pattern and yarn are both lovely!
The only bases I would personally use for lace would be harbor or anacostia. The other bases are lovely but are not designed for a project that will need to hold its shape and not be all stretched out the third time you wash it.
Severn or Chesapeake
Kent, probably. Pretty cardigan!
It’s a beautiful pattern with lovely stitches, so I would go with the Atlantic Mercerized Pima Cotton, or one of the linen blends.
The mercerized cotton will probably hold shape and definition the best, but linen will probably add some structure to the other blends.
I would not recommend any of the other cottons or rayon blends because those drape/stretch and will not hold the shape very well.
Definitely the Seven.
I’m an lace knitter for the Deep South and would choose the Atlantic base for several reasons. First, prima cotton will be incredible soft and still show the lace pattern beautifully, which, if you’re going to knit lace, let the pattern shine. The Montgomery, because it has texture, won’t. it will do what I call argue with the lace pattern, making it la k definition. The pattern choice is lovely and I often wear cotton sweaters during warm weather if I’m going to be in air conditioning because kit seems most kept it on polar ice cap cold. The pina cotton will be a more versatile sweater you can wear all year round. Please show us what you but and what the sweater loks.like when it’s done. It will be lovely no matter which yarn base you choose.
Copy that on air-conditioned buildings! I almost froze to death in a training- in Austin, as a matter of fact. Sweaters for the win, especially this one.
I am run bot always(think shorts in late fall and late winter/early spring i add sandals to the mix(and only then due to sensitive knees now being able to handle the “bounce” in too cold)) so im going to go with the monocacy, personally. Given the information given thiugh maybe atlantic for this project? something that holds up in hot weather, keeps color and shap with minimal shrinking.
Sometimes varigated (sp.) yarns lose the stitch pattern. Beware. For fiber in Texas, linen, but in combination? Cotton gets heavy. Linen has drape that can lose shape. What does the pattern use? I love wool, cashmere, and alpaca – but I live in Indiana not Texas . Happy knitting
I love the warm highlight in Severn, but it’s quite similar to your Sandbar. It sounds like Monocacy is probably closer to what you might want.
You could get gauge in the fingering weight by sizing up needles or double stranding the yarn. This is one case where I would highly recommend knitting the dreaded swatch. Cute project!
Lovely 😍
Love the pattern. And I like the Anacostia that is pictured. It looks like it’s sliding into fall rather than slamming into it.
That is the most beautiful cardigan pattern ever! Those blended variations will look fantastic especially with well-loved denim. Classic!
I like touching yarn to get an idea of what I’m doing, but from the picture I like Chesapeake or Severn best
DK would work because of the lace pattern, but (I live in Houston) I would go with sport or fingering.
I crochet (because I can’t purl worth a damn) In Scotland we get very long, very chilly dark winters and Aran weight yarn is perfect weight for all things cardigan and sweater.
We have a slightly different metrics for yarn weights, lace, dk, Aran to name the most popular UK weights, I love vintage patterns but found the weights listed like sport and baby weight confusing so I did extensive research and after much trial and error (mostly error) and many, many tension swatches later I found the solution to my dilemma. So if I was recreating a vintage pattern that listed sport weight yarn, I could use a dk weight yarn and add a single strand of lace weight yarn like Rowan kid silk haze in a neutral colour so it blends seamlessly together which will bring up the yarn weight up to sport.
If in doubt play around with several yarn blends, cotton is smoother light weight, whereas mohair blends are fluffier so adds bulk but not necessarily weight to the fabric. Best bet is to do tension swatches in pattern with many different yarns from your yarn stash and see which one is closest to pattern tension gauge as nothing is as soul destroying than spending weeks on a project only to find the tension is a mile off and the garment won’t fit, (yes I am the wise voice of experience on that goof up) and needed to rip out an entire bodice worth of yarn and restart my project. It’s a good idea when using two strands to glance over your stitches at the end of a row/round to make sure both strands were knitted/hooked together…Yup, made that mistake too and had to rip out five inches worth of solid fabric to correct that blunder but experience made me a better hooker. Looking forward to seeing the finished masterpiece. Happy Stitching!
I would go with whichever cotton/linen blend you can get a good gauge with, and that you like the drape of. Very pretty pattern, and I love the colorway.
I think I would go for Harbor in DK maybe a size smaller than you think you need since it calls for sport? Hopefully won’t matter too much since it’s a cardigan. It’s lovely! I would pick the linen cotton blend to hopefully mitigate the fact of how much cotton can stretch and lose shape.
I would get one of the bases that have linen and rayon in it. Linen because it is hygroscopic is cooler than cotton. Knitting an all linen yarn is like knitting string but if you added in the rayon it’s much more pleasant to use.