At my LYS last weekend, I happened to mention to the owner that I was seeking Filtes King Van Dyck for the Lace Leaf Pullover. She used to carry it and got out a sample she'd knit from it, warning me first that she didn't think I'd like it. Well, in my opinion it was mighty rough, and she was probably right.
I should add for balance that Teva really likes Van Dyck, as she said in her comment to this site (Teva Durham read Fig and Plum!):
"Van Dyck is an absolutely lush and not too expensive yarn and worth seeking out. It is light and airy not heavy or stifling hot because has several small loosely spun plies and not itchy even though the alpaca gives it texture. I wore the sample sweater to the Knit.1 launch party and another event and people couldn't take their hands off it."
I agree - Van Dyck is light for such a bulky yarn. But I still think after seeing it that it might still be rough for me. So I'm now considering, as a substitute, doubling one of two Knitpicks yarns. Either...
... Andean Treasure (Lagoon, 100% Baby Alpaca)
or
... Elegance (Grass, 70% Baby Alpaca, 30% Silk)
I think I prefer the color of the Elegance, but I worry that it may be *too* drape-y for a sweater with lacework. Anyhoo, that's the status of this whole Lace Leaf Pullover question, for those who may be interested.
Oh, if you're still looking to split a bag of Van Dyck with someone, there were several volunteers on the comments of this post.
Posted by jess at May 17, 2005 8:36 PMi like those choices. i was also thinking about knitting this in few months for a nice roomy sweater. i love the color but am likewise scared of scratchy or rough yarns- are the knitpicks yarns much softer?? i like the lagoon color myself.
Posted by: Yifaa at May 18, 2005 3:07 AMi like those choices. i was also thinking about knitting this in few months for a nice roomy sweater. i love the color but am likewise scared of scratchy or rough yarns- are the knitpicks yarns much softer?? i like the lagoon color myself.
Posted by: Yifaa at May 18, 2005 3:10 AMI am using the Elegance right now for a bolero. I really love the feel of this yarn. I'm not sure how it what would be the outcome of doubled. I'm almost done with a couple of balls extra. Maybe I'll give it a try, because I've been looking for a substitute for Simply Marilyn...
I can't say enough good things about Elegance. It's a steal.
Posted by: Libby at May 18, 2005 7:42 AMElegance is a great choice, very soft. But I will warn you, I ordered the color grass a couple of months ago, and it was not that color of green that you have on your page. It was more of a bright green, instead of the dull green. I just wanted to give you a heads up before you ordered and was disappointed. :)
Posted by: stefanie at May 18, 2005 9:45 AMI've been thinking about knitting the Lace Leaf Pullover in Rowan Cork, myself. There's a significant gauge difference, but I did the math and I think if I were to follow the directions for the largest size (46 bust) in that yarn it would fit me (38 bust).
Posted by: susan at May 18, 2005 9:47 AMI've considered making it in Rowan polar, but I'm uncertain about the shade. The shade card on Rowan's webpage has a lovely green called zucchini, but the same colour on their retailers webpages show a much darker green. And mine just has to be the right green! I was considering some other colour first, but realized I want it the way it looks in the photo!
Posted by: Katarina at May 20, 2005 9:50 AMI am knitting Teva's leaf sweater in the van dyck, and I agree, it is not very soft. I still like it, but if I had seen it in person before I ordered it, I probably wouldn't have picked it. I would have probably gone with blue skies alpaca or something of that nature...But anyhow, I like the sweater so far, and am almost done with the body, the yarn is just very different than I expected (both color and texture) and different than it looks in the pictures - and note it is closer to the olive color than the lime color...it looks different in the 3 pix in the book.
Also, note to person who was thinking about using Rowan Cork...I have another sweater I made in rowan cork, and although it may call for the same needle size as the leaf sweater(??), the van dyck yarn is much "thicker" whereas the cork is more "springy" and less fuzzy. Does that make sense? Cork is like a spongy DK or worsted weight in my opinion. I think you would be better off using a bulkier yarn unless you were up to refiguring out the gauge for the leaves...which maybe you are! :)
Posted by: jodi at May 21, 2005 5:15 PMI just used the Van Dyck for the Yoke Vest, and love the yarn. It is springy and soft - both in a ball, and knit up. I was worried after reading your concerns (especially because the yoke vest is so fitted / close to the skin), but decided to go with it anyway. I am really happy that I did. It has been a real pleasure to work with. And I, too, am pretty averse to rough or scratchy yarns - I always like to use merino :), but I wouldn't describe this as rough or scratchy at all.
Posted by: Kate at January 9, 2006 12:08 AM