Stash’s Out: Let’s Talk Wool

The first time I decided to knit something, it was totally on impulse! 

I was on a family road trip near Seville, Spain, with my Dad and siblings, when out of nowhere, I got this wild idea to knit socks. Yep, socks. I had knitted a scarf before, I had seen my grandma knit way more complicated things without even looking, and socks were just two tubes with a little curve, right? Oh, if only I knew...

I'm in this tiny craft store in a small Spanish town, and I spot some lime green acrylic yarn. "Perfect!" I thought. "Cheap and cheerful." Oh, how naive I was! Trying to knit socks with that stuff was like trying to paint a watercolor with oils – it just wasn't going to work.

You see, I learned the hard way that buying yarn is a lot like buying art supplies. Just as you wouldn't use finger paints for a fine art portrait, you can't use just any old yarn for every project. There's a whole world of fibers out there, each with its own personality and purpose.

Think about it: watercolors give you those dreamy, translucent washes, while oils offer rich, textured strokes. In the yarn world, fluffy mohair creates ethereal, cloud-like fabrics, while sturdy wool makes warm, durable sweaters. It's all about matching your material to your vision.

So there I was, on a yarn odyssey through three different stores. I encountered a single-ply yarn that unraveled faster than my patience, and let me tell you, that stuff wouldn't hold a stitch to save its life! But finally, eureka! I found my perfect match – a rustic sock yarn, 75% wool for warmth and 25% nylon for strength.

And you know what? That whole adventure taught me a crucial first lesson: knowing your yarn is as essential to knitting as knowing your paints is to painting. It's not just about color (though that lime green was pretty snazzy) – it's about texture, durability, stretch, and so much more.

So, fellow knitters, next time you're starting a new project, remember: choosing the right yarn isn't just about picking a pretty color. It's about finding the perfect fiber to bring your woolly vision to life!

Now, about that first sock... Let's just say it was a bit... special. I got the technique right, sure, but the proportions? Let's call them 'artistic'. It was tiny, completely out of whack, but you know what? It was mine. Just like that first love, you'll always have a memory of it, even if it didn't end well. Of that sock I only have a picture, and a cherished memory of where it all began. 

Did you know humans have been cozying up to wool since 10,000 BCE? That's right, we've been wool fans longer than we've been writing or doing math. Talk about standing the test of time!

And get this - wool doesn't give bacteria a chance to party. It's like having a bouncer for your sweater, keeping it naturally fresh. No wonder our ancestors were so into it!

In addition:

- It's warm (obvious, but worth mentioning)

- It breathes (unlike that sweaty acrylic stuff)

- It doesn't get smelly (always a plus)

- It's self-cleaning (Thanks to its natural oils, it repels dirt and moisture, so just airing it out helps it shake off odors and stains with ease.)

- It's fire-resistant (for those of us who like to live dangerously close to candles)

- It's elastic (very forgiving for the little knitting mistakes!)

Now, I'm not dismissing other fibers. Silk, linen, cotton, viscose – they're all lovely. Especially for those summer knits or when blended with wool. But wool? Wool's like wine, it gets better and better with time. 

If you're lucky enough to have good yarn stores nearby or reliable mail (bless those delivery folks), you've got options, my friend. We're talking:

- Shetland wool (for when you want to feel like a Scottish highlands sheep)

- Cashmere (when you're feeling fancy)

- Mohair (for that "I'm wearing a cloud" look)

- Angora (bunny softness, anyone?)

- Alpaca (because who doesn't want to wear a hug from an alpaca?)

- Qiviut (from the undercoat of the muskox - yeah, it's a thing)

- Yak (the Tibetan cashmere)  

- Vicuña (the finest and most expensive of them all)

Each one's got its own superpower, perfect for different projects. If you're new to this woolly wonderland and need advice, or if you just want to geek out about your favorite fiber, drop me a line!

I'll let you in on a secret: I've got a bit of a yarn problem. Working in fashion hasn't helped – I'm always bringing home "samples" (aka, leftover yarn cones that are passed onto me). My partner jokes that if we got locked in our apartment, we'd emerge three years later buried in knitwear.

Every time I travel, I make it my mission to visit local yarn stores. It's like a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, I'm after skeins of woolly goodness. (Note to self: Write a post about the best yarn stores around the world. Coming soon, I promise!)

Now, let's talk about stash size for a moment. You know how they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Well, stash size is in the eye of the knitter! What seems like a mountain of yarn to one person might be a molehill to another. For me, a closet full of yarn feels like a lot, but hey, you do you! There's no right or wrong here – your perfect stash size is whatever makes you happy.

In terms of yarn, I will knit with anything as long as they are natural fibers. I have some favorites though:

1. Parade by Amirisu: It's this fancy mix of 60% wool, 20% cotton, 10% silk, and 10% linen. Sounds like a salad, knits like a dream.

Absolutely perfect to wear next to skin, I made a long-sleeve version of the Collett Tee and have worn it non stop.

2. Mondim by Rosa Pomar: 100% fine Portuguese wool. It's like Portugal sent us a warm, wooly hug.

Talking about aging well, this is probably my #1 yarn for aging. Do not be fooled by the rustic feel when you purchase the yarn, it really only gets better with time.

3. Baby Alpaca Chunky by Cascade Yarns: Wearing this is the closest you can ever be to living in a cloud.

Although it sheds quite a lot at the beginning, it ages as well as a rustic wool and never loses its softness. I made the Clubhouse Ranglan Hoodie and it is without a doubt my most worn knit of all times!

Look, at the end of the day, knitting's supposed to be fun. So pick a yarn that makes you happy. Life's too short for splitty acrylic (unless that's your jam, then you do you).

And remember, every tangled yarn ball and dropped stitch is just part of the adventure. We're all just figuring it out as we go along.

Here's my two cents: If you're gonna spend 60+ hours knitting something, why not make it last a lifetime? Natural fibers might cost a bit more, but they're like fine wine - they only get better with age. 

Yarn regards, Your yarn-obsessed friend,

Irene

P.S. Got any yarn disasters or triumphs to share? I'm all ears! Drop me a line – us knitters gotta stick together, right?

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