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 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?