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As you probably know by now, we have a big Sweater Knitting Weekend event happening in a few days.
One question I often get about sweater is what is an affordable yarn for a sweater.
A sweater is not only a big investment in time, it can be a big investment of money.
But it doesn't have to.
There are plenty of yarn options that will give you a nice sweater without taking out a second mortgage to do it.
What is the best yarn for sweaters?
The truth is there no ONE best yarn for a sweater.
Choosing a sweater yarn will depend on a few factors:
How fast do you want to knit the sweater?
How warm do you want the sweater to be?
What kind of drape do you want the sweater to have?
Do you have any fiber sensitivities?
What is your budget?
If you want a fast sweater, then knit with a thicker yarn. The thicker the yarn, the fewer stitches you need to knit.
If you want a sweater that's not so warm, a lighter weight yarn is the way to go. But you'll also want to use a yarn with good temperature regulation like cotton or merino wool.
If you want nice drape, thinner weight yarns are your go to.
If you are allergic to animal fibers then stick to man made or plant fiber yarns.
And if you have a tight budget checkout the yarns below...
How much yarn do you need for a sweater?
This is another question I get A LOT.
The chart above gives a decent estimate, but ultimately you're going to have to do some math to figure this out.
Many patterns will give you the specific number of skeins you need in a particular yarn.
But if you're using something like the percentage sweater systems I'll be teaching during the Sweater Knitting Weekend, then estimates are the way to go.
The amount is going to depend on your sweater size, what yarn weight you're knitting with, and how much yardage is in each skein you plan to use.
I've included skein amounts in the yarn selections below.
We're not the biggest fans of knitting sweaters with 100% acrylic. However, synthetic yarns are often the most affordable. So if you're going to use acrylic it should be nice. And Soft by Red Heart is a really nice yarn to knit with. Plus it's generous 5 oz skein makes it an even better deal!
Wool Ease has been a staple work horse yarn for decades. Recently Lion Brand introduced a DK weight version of this classic yarn. The result is an affordable yarn that has great drape and versatility for those lighter weight sweaters.
If you want a faster sweater than a thicker yarn the way to go. And this collab between Lion Brand and Two of Wands is a perfect options. The yarn is pleasant to knit with and comes in a gorgeous array of colors that all work well together!
We strongly believe that wool is the best fiber for...well...most knits. Provided you aren't allergic mind you. And this classic yarn by Knit Picks is one of the best affordable 100% wool options out there. In fact you can get 10 skeins for less than $50! Is it the softest wool? No, but it will do the job well enough!
Ok we have one more Wool Ease yarn but it's so unique we had to include it. This yarn uses a special blown fiber to create a super soft, fluffy yarn that feels like heaven. Plus each skein has quite a bit of yardage for a Super Bulky yarn. That means you get a quick sweater that isn't so heavy or hot.
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Conclusion
So what do you think?
What is your favorite affordable yarn?
Do you have a favorite we didn't mention?
Hit reply and let us know your thoughts!
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Daily Stitch
This pattern is featured in our stitchionary, Knits & Purls Vol. 1 (Get it Here)
Whelk Stitch
Simple grid patterns are a great way to let your yarn shine.
With symmetry and bold lines, it's easy to get lost in the meditative repetition of knitting nirvana.
Perhaps you won't end up communing with the Buddha but you will end up with a gorgeous knitted fabric.
The Knitter's Handy Book of Top-Down Sweaters by Ann Budd (22% Off)
Following the basics for each of the four sweater types are three diverse patterns from top designers that illustrate some of the many ways that instructions can be used as springboards for creative expression, including color, texture, and shaping variations.
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