introduction/ yarn substitution suggestion

[Destiny]

Hey all, my name is Destiny and I am brand new to crochet. My grandmother recently taught me some crochet and knit basics, but for some reason the crocheting seems to come much easier to me. I bought the Happy Hooker book and have successfully taught myself quite a few stitches. I was lucky enough to have my grandmother give me a very large portion of her yarn stash (two giant bins) but they are all pretty expensive and difficult to work with, so I've picked up some sugar & cream to learn with, which has worked out well.

 

Okay - so here's the question part: I picked up the new copy of Interweave Crochet Magazine because I absolutely fell in love with the Babette blanket.

http://www.interweavecrochet.com/2006/materials.asp#babette

I think I am getting a bit ahead of myself, but it's so pretty I can't help wanting to try. The thing is that there is no way I'm going to spend the amount of money necessary for the suggested yarn as a beginner. I frequently have to frog my work and have already seen the damage it does to most yarn. Could someone please suggest a bargain yarn that would get a similar proportion and color palette without breaking the bank???

 

Thanks (and sorry so long)!

-Destiny

[nightowl]

Hi Destiny, to the 'Ville!

 

According to Koigu's website, the KPM comes in 50g skeins of 170 yards each, and knits to a gauge of 28sts/36rows=4in on 3mm needles, which makes it fingering weight. You'd need to find a budget yarn that works to the same gauge.

 

I can't advise too much as I'm in the UK and don't really know what you have available in the way of yarn You can go to a database such as Yarndex and search by gauge (hover your mouse over the tab at the page top called "more. . ." to see the option) -- the only drawback is the yarns on Yarndex are also, in the main, the pricier ones that are sold in specialist yarn stores.

 

Among the cheaper yarns, Coats & Clark Lustersheen would work, with a bit of experimenting to find the right size hook (C&C website says it knits at 26.5sts/33rows=4in on 3.75mm needles).

 

Sorry I can't help more, but perhaps you or others will know of more possible substitutes. Good luck!

[laura]

Sorry I can't help you because I'm a newbie too, but I just wanted to say I saw that blanket and fell in love with it too! Personally I wouldn't skimp too much on the quality of the yarn because if it feels cheap you won't love it. It's going to take a lot of yarn and a chunk of change no matter what you do.

[Roli]

Welcome! You might try what someone else here on Crochetville is doing with a special throw project. Put off your dream for a while and begin gradually collecting various yummy yarns over the course of time. This will enable you to practice your stitching before you attempt to make the blanket.

 

Also, you might try sock yarn from Knit-Picks. I'm not sure if the gauge will be correct but this yarn is very reasonably priced and comes in many colors. If you use the same gauge yarn throughout, then it might not matter so much if the stitch count is a little off from the pattern instructions since it is a blanket and doesn't have to fit like a sweater!

[moonspinners]

Hello and !

[Destiny]

Thanks for all your suggestions and help, I really appreciate it.