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Knitting from cones

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NICOLA COCKETT

Wednesday 21 November 2007 5:24:53 pm

I have just taken delivery of my first order, and I clean forgot to think about asking for the yarn to be wound into balls. I can of course wind some balls myself (or rather my partner has a wondeful skill in this very area!!), but do other people knit straight from the cone?

Thanks

Nicola

Elaine Evans

Knitting from cone

Thursday 24 December 2009 9:15:01 am

I too have just taken delivery of my first order and knitted 2 swatches, one straight from the cone, the other I made a small skein, pre-washed and then knitted, on the same size needles. The first 4 inch square shrank to 3inches in length after washing. O.K., we're supposed to wash the swatch before checking tension but this only works if the length of the garment is measured in rows, not in inches. The result of the first after shrinkage was like a machine knit, very fine, but still attractive, I would use this method for some projects but not for all. The second swatch turned out as one would expect from a balled yarn. (Sorry, i don't have a pic to upload) I suggest you experiment with a few swatches, using different needle sizes, and washing before and after knitting, and find what works best for you. Mine was 70% merino/30% cashmere so I expect the shrinkage was much greater than you would get with other yarns. Hope this helps.

Brigitte Picart

knitting from cones

Tuesday 22 December 2009 9:47:27 pm

Unwinding the yarn horizontally prevents any twist buildup . If you can find a horizontal bar that will fit the cone use that. I have a tablet weaving loom with dowels and am using it for one or 2 color knitting but a paper towel dispenser is good too, provided the cone fits in.

I had to undo a hat which I had washed after finishing it. I found the wool extremely pleasant to the touch (it's the 5/95 cash-merino), much more so than the yarn straight off the cone so in future I will wash the yarn BEFORE knitting. I think the yarn might bloom better if it's in skein than if it's already knit. Of course there is more handling involved this way.

The good thing about off-the-cone knitting is that there is never a join to make.

Susan Hart

Help with identifying yarn

Tuesday 21 October 2008 3:58:19 pm

I've inherited a lg cone of yarn that is only labeled 5/33/2 wool. I'm assuming the "2" refers to the ply but the other numbers are a mystery. I've never knitted with any yarn so fine but since I've got it I may as well jump in and give it a try. Any help will be very much appreciated. Thank you.

DANETTE TAYLOR

knitting from cones

Saturday 11 October 2008 9:10:49 pm

I just finished an outrageously beautiful sweater using a strand of the angora/lambswool and a strand of the DK merino held together. When I receive my yarn orders that are cones, I always wind them into skeins on my swift, tie them in several places and wash them. I use Dawn dish soap to wash (This is to ensure all oils are gone) and then my final rinse is with Snuggle fabric softener - not only makes the yarn even softer, it smells yummy. Then hang to dry in front of a fan. Then I have to wind them back into balls - but by then, my yarn is clean, super fluffy, pre-shrunk and smells great. I have found that without washing first, my gauge can be wrong, since the yarn blooms so nicely after it's washed. I enjoy reading all of your tips and seeing the beautiful pictures! Danette

Monique Boonstra

Knitting from the cone.

Friday 11 April 2008 8:55:32 am

Hi,

I've never knit from the cone before, but I saw on the blog by MissAliceFaye (Ravelry) that she uses a glass pot/bowl to keep the cone clean and stop it from tipping. I guess.

I've ordered mine last week, hope I don't have to wait to long, but i'll try it myself.

MoniqueB.


This post relates to the following product: cashmere /silk / merino yarns

Laura Donham

Knitting from Cones

Monday 31 March 2008 10:49:53 pm

Here are some suggestions on how to work with cones:

One person suggested making a cone holder - Can't remember the link, but you can look through blog.
The other option is to purchase a paper towel holder (measure to make sure cone will slide/fit onto it.

Marianne Archer

calls or cones

Thursday 06 December 2007 5:18:43 pm

I never even thought to wind the yarn into balls...knitting fromt he cone isn't aproblem for me :^) ~ Marianne


This post relates to the following product: 2/7NM dk weight