Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) Yarn

 

 

 

I recently finished my first pair of knit handwarmers. I wrote a post about this project at my cooking and craft blog: Veggies, Yarns & Tails that you can read here, which includes the link to the easy pattern.

 

I love the pattern and how toasty these handwarmers keep my hands and wrists on cold days, when I'm typing a lot.

 

But the yarn I used:

 

 

 

 

Caron Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) Yarn left a lot to be desired.

 

 

This is a 70% acrylic, 30 % wool blend yarn in a worsted weight, 3 oz. skeins.

 It was (very) annoying to work with as the yarn kept splitting and flattening out on the needles. But I persevered and completed the handwarmers, as I had already wound the skein into a ball and it would have been a hassle to return.;<)

 

I was reading more about this yarn today online and it's described at some sites as a roving type yarn, which is usually a much heavier, coarser type of yarn. That is not mentioned on the ball band on this yarn and the 5 MM needle size recommended is in keeping with an average worsted weight yarn NOT a bulky weight yarn. Again, it wasn't what I wanted or was expecting when I ordered this yarn online (sight unseen!)

 

 

As you can see in the handwarmer photo above, the finished results had a fuzzy appearance. Again, not what I wanted or expected. If you don't mind working with yarn that splits and flattens on the needle, this one might be OK but there are much better choices for worsted weight yarns available, lots of them actually.

 

I'm making another pair of these handwarmers right now in a nice bright gold yarn to wear over thin black gloves for outdoor wear and I'm already much happier with the results, after knitting just one cuff so far.

 

If you're looking for a smooth, easy to work with worsted weight yarn, keep looking!  Caron Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) Yarn is not one I'd recommend.

 

 

Overall rating for this product: Unsatisfactory. 1 out of 5.