Stories of Substituting Yarn

I had a dilemma this past week. Do I or don’t I get a yarn and will it actually work for what I want. In our online world it is so hard to touch and feel before you buy. Spotlight despite what looks like an enormous range really sucks in choice. They have a lot of fancy yarns and lots of lighter weight acrylics but nothing very heavy. Which is fair particularly considering I live in Brisbane and it’s hot for most of the year. Even when it’s cold it’s not THAT cold for very long. I don’t use wool very much because I can’t see a large need for it here and I find it scratchy.

I wanted to make my cousin a present for Christmas…. actually more than just my cousin. I make presents each year though I’m looking forward to when we finally get the rest of the family to agree to a secret santa. There are too many people and not enough time. After a joke I decided to make him a raccoon hat from repeatcrafterme but then I ran into a problem. She uses Vanna’s choice worsted weight yarns and do you think it’s easy to find anything like that here? The other common one for patterns in the red heart yarns. Neither of which can be found in Australia. I love the patterns out there on the web at the moment but I’m noticing a definite trend towards worsted/aran weight yarns. They are much easier and quicker to stitch.

It is really hard to know when you want to knit/crochet a project but you can’t/don’t want to get your hands on the yarn that is required. Quite often, particularly when looking at american patterns it’s hard to find the exact yarns. Now I have found somewhere in Australia that is pretty good for choices of yarns. I like the Bendigo Woollen Mills for choices that can be thicker or thinner. You won’t find acrylics there you still have to order them elsewhere but you can very easily find a choice of wools and cottons. They are sold in 200gm balls and they are very quick with their service. Don’t they look soooo pretty 😀 I’m in heaven… pretty yarn to sit and stroke!

I took the plunge and bought the yarn.

It’s Stellar by Bendigo Woollen Mills in 12ply a wool/bamboo blend and this time around I am very happy with my substitution and I love the way it is crocheting up. I have a beautiful beanie already finished though I have to add the extras on properly.

Isn’t it so cute? I’m going to attempt the fox as well.

What adventures have you had into yarn substituting? Where do you buy your yarns? Are you a wool/acrylic person? Tell me about your yarn adventures I’d love to hear what you have tried.

Happy Stitching,

Caitlin

Caitlin (57 Posts)

My mother taught me to crochet when I was 9 and I was hooked. Since then I do any craft that tickles my fancy which at the moment includes cross stitch, knitting, crochet, quilting and sewing toys and clothes. I like to always have something to do.