Post by Angelika on Jan 5, 2013 6:29:34 GMT -8
Daily I have customers coming in looking for a yarn that is no longer available. When we look for a substitution, gauge isn't the only thing to try to match.
Drape vs. Body
Some patterns were designed with a lot of drape. A good example is Lorna's Laces Easy Pie Shawl.
This soft 50/50 wool silk blend is very drapey, soft and some might say lifeless. Which in the case of shawls is exactly what we need.
While this is a lace weight yarn, it is knit on a US#8 needle. Which is normally a worsted weight needle. This produces that drapey fabric.
If we substitute a worsted weight yarn, even if it was knit to the same gauge, rather than something that can be pulled through a wedding ring, we will end up with something more like a blanket. The thick fabric would not drape and hang as delicately as the lace weight fabric.
More on this topic....but tell us your experiences!