Apparently, this Outlast fiber in my skein of Lorna’s Laces Solemate is some kind of miracle fiber. According to this press release about it, it can help control body temperatures, has high wind resistance, resists wrinkles and fading, is very durable, and can do your taxes for you.
Um, just kidding about that last one.
The yarn is not Malabrigo Sock soft by any means, and it could be a wee bit springier for my taste, but it is lovely, nonetheless. The thing is…I’m not really sure I like this amount of variegation in the color as I’m doing the lace. I know I was all cocky about the subtlety of the contrast, etc. a few days ago, but now I’m having doubts. I’m not afraid to rip this, but I can’t decide if I like it or hate it right now. I’m not getting a good gut reaction. There is a bit more splotchiness in the color than I would like.
In desperation, I pulled out that old Ishbel I was making out of the Araucania Ranco sock yarn from years ago. Now that I seem to have no troubles with the pattern at all, I thought about ripping back to the stockinette portion (not much at this point) and starting that one over. Everything was on gauge, and though not my favorite yarn in terms of softness, the color is a magnificent red-orange (colorway 105–good approximation here) and I could still get this thing done fairly soon so maybe it won’t occupy my brain at 5 am and make me get out of bed to look at yarn in my stash. Hmph. Basically, I’m eating all of my words from earlier this week.
Opinions are most welcome. Rip? No? I’m going to switch to the Araucania version for right now, but I’ll wait to decide on this Solemate version for a few days so it can simmer.
Cassy, can you overdye the yarn? An overdye project could save all your hard work and you would still have a beautiful, functional project…Just don’t use RIT. If you have any questions, contact me. OK?
Janet
Well I love the color of this yarn, so I don’t want to change it, but that’s a good suggestion. This yarn just might be better off as socks, and that’s ok with me, because I was charmed by the color more than anything else when I saw it.
I think it looks fine, although I’ll admit I’m not a huge fan of variegation in lace projects. I think since you’re on a roll, I’d stick with the Araucania one and finish that and use this for something else.
Finish it and then sell it and buy new yarn with what you made! That’s what I do!
I wonder if the variegation would stand out a little less after the piece is blocked? Maybe toning down the texture by blocking would make the color less overbearing?
I say trust your gut instinct, if you’re not in love with it now, you may not get a lot of wear out of it later. Life is too short to knit items you aren’t completely in love with. Just my two cents. 🙂
I, personally, think it’s lovely. But it’s not mine and I won’t be living with it, so if it’s going to bug you forever, then it should probably be frogged.
I personally love it, but if you’re questioning it, better to frog now than to truck on and realize you have something you hate. I knit a Photosynthesis Shawl out of Araucania Ranco and it softened up nicely after its bath.
I agree with both Leigh and Bethany, if that makes sense. I do wonder if you could do a light block on it thus far, just to get an idea of how it might look once blocked, like Leigh said. On the other hand Bethany has an excellent point, if you think they would be better as socks, that might be a sign? Either way love the colorway.
I’m with Bethany. Go with your gut. I love the way this yarn looks in the ball, but knitted up, it does have a “mustard stain” quality to it. Of course, I’m not a big fan of yellows…that might be swaying my view.
I like it, but this is YOUR knitting. If it’s still keeping you up at night after a couple of days, go ahead and rip 🙂
Cassy, I think it is beautiful!
I have been going through your posts and I must say, I really love your creations. I wish I was as good at knitting as you are, there are a lot of things that I really would like to learn.
I am following you now. And I am going to check out some of the patterns you used.
😀
I’m not a fan of high variegation, either, but I think it’s quite cute. The decision is ultimately yours! Would you like to wear it?
I really like the way the yarn looks like lichen on a silvered old tree, but I agree that it’s tricky to have that much variation with lace. I think it might come out okay once it’s blocked, but if you don’t love it love it, maybe rip it back and make something else with it. I think it would still make for a gorgeous shawl, but maybe one that’s more textured than lacy?
i vote for overdye-ing as well! get the nice acid dyes though. they work so nicely!