The dynamic duo

I'm talking about procrastination & rationalization.  Procrastination actually comes in several different versions:  completely useless (watching Family Ties reruns, for instance), abusing otherwise worthwhile activities (brushing your teeth or showering for the fourth time in as many hours), arguably useful (color coding all of your files) and useful but low priority--which is what I did on Friday.  I should have been working on pattern submissions, but instead I typed up a list of yarn substitutions.  Why?  Well, the CYC's yarn weight categories are broad enough that you can't just pick another yarn from within one category.  For example, DK or light worsted weight ranges from 21-24 sts per 4 inches/10 cm.  Also, here are a few examples of the lovely discontinued or close-out or hard-to-find or expensive yarns in my stash (can you say, "WEBS sale?"), and while they're fine for personal use, I figure I'd better have substitutions available when writing patterns.

That last sentence demonstrates that rationalization and procrastination can be a powerful combination!  In fact, today it was bothering me that I have not personally worked with a number of the yarns on my substitution list.  So, in spite of my recent yarn diet, I purchased some  Cascade Pima Silk (cotton/silk, labeled at 18 sts/4 in), Classic Elite Classic Silk (cotton/silk/nylon, 20 sts/4 in), and Classic Elite Premiere (cotton/Tencel, 21 sts/4 in).  Rationalization 1, yarn diet 0.

Here is my list:  highly personal and heavy on nonscratchy fibers (I don't do angora, mohair, eyelashes, or chains, and I like my wool merino and blended).  Use at your own risk! 

YARN SUBSTITUTIONS

DK (5.25-6 sts per inch)

DiVe Cotone Egitto (cotton)
Dale of Norway Svale (cotton/viscose/silk)
Classic Elite Premiere (cotton/Tencel)
Classic Elite Patina (cotton/silk)
Frog Tree Pima Silk (cotton/silk)
Debbie Bliss Cathay (cotton/viscose/silk)
Debbie Bliss Pure Silk DK
Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere (cotton/cashmere)
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK (merino/microfiber/cashmere)
Elsbeth Lavold Silky Tweed (silk/cotton/merino/viscose)
Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool (wool/silk)
Colorado Yarns Vail (superwash wool)
Jaeger Extra Fine Merino DK (merino)
Jo Sharp DK Wool (wool)

Light Worsted-Worsted (4.75-5.25 sts per inch)

            Classic Elite Provence (cotton)
            Classic Elite Classic Silk (cotton/silk/nylon)
            Cascade Pima Silk (cotton/silk)
            Tahki Cotton Classic (cotton)
            Cascade Fixation (cotton/lycra)
            Plymouth Royal Bamboo (bamboo)
            Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece (cotton/wool)
            Alchemy Yarns Synchronicity (wool/silk)
            Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Superwash (merino)
            Karabella Aurora 8 (merino)

Heavy Worsted-Aran (4-4.75 sts per inch)

Jo Sharp Desert Garden Aran Cotton (cotton/microfiber)
Blue Sky Cotton (cotton)
Mission Falls 1824 Cotton (cotton)
Tahki Willow (linen/cotton)
Misti Alpaca Pima Cotton Silk (cotton/silk)
Classic Elite Four Seasons Cotton (cotton/wool)
Classic Elite Posh (cashmere/silk)
Debbie Bliss Cashmerino (merino/microfiber/cashmere)
Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran (wool/silk/cashmere)
Jaeger Extrafine Merino Aran (merino)
Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted (merino)

 

Comments

[Persnickety Knitter]

Personally, I tend to spend a lot of time on the "arguably useful" or "useful but low priority" items. ;)

Interesting list. Is this your personal gauge you got while swatching these yarns, or is it the gauge from the ball band?

[Angela]

Actually, both; if I've used it, I took my own gauge into consideration, and if not, the ball band--and I also figured that by going up or down in needle size, the ball band gauge could be varied slightly.

[Carol]

Nice list. How would you classify sitting in front of the computer - I'm thinking arguably useful/completely useless depending on what I'm looking at. Then again watching reruns is arguably useful if you knit while doing so. :) At least that's how I rationalize it.

[Angela]

So true: you can be watching bad TV, or waiting in the airport, or in the doctor's office, and not feel you're totally wasting your time, if you're knitting.

[Heather]

Hey thanks for the substitution list! I used it to get yarn for the new Knit and Tonic pattern "Sizzle". The yarn she suggested was too expensive and so I'm doing it in Cascade Pima Silk--thanks again!

[Cathi]

So have you used the Patina? It seems like it would be comprable to DB Cathay, but I have yet to feel it in person...