Tart Hat: What Yarn Are You Using?

[pageta]

I've heard bits and pieces here and there, but I thought one thread where we all say what we're using and where we found it might be handy.

I was making one with superwash wool just because I already had the yarn. I was thinking of trying the King Tut yarn since it matches the gauge approx. and is 100% cotton (http://www.halcyonyarn.com/Yarn_pages/yarn108.html).

However, at the moment I am hating knitting with cotton yarn. I bought some to make a shirt for Ben for his birthday ten days from now, but I hate working with it. It doesn't stretch so I'm struggling to get the best tension. This yarn says 26 sts/36 rows on size 2 to 4 needles, and I have to work really hard to get 24 sts and I'm using size 2 needles.

So I'm thinking I'll go ahead and finish the tart hat using the superwash wool even though it isn't very similar to the yarn called for in the pattern. The gauge is similar, but the texture will be different. I'm just hating this cotton yarn so much I don't know if it's worth it to me to get the same look that you get with cotton (vs. wool).

What kind of yarn is everyone else using, and where did you find it?

[ravingcutie]

I am using Endless Summer Collection Lara (cotton) from www.elann.com. It's similiar to the Tahki that was recommended, not perfect but close. I came close to buying merino, so the hat would be warm, but ended up cotton. I have 2 @ home, somaybe the next one will be soft wool.

[amyrobynne]

I bought my yarn yesterday--it's Plymouth Yarn Fantasy Naturale. I got it at my LYS for $4.75 for 100g/140yds. It's 4.5 st/in and mercerized cotton, so it's got to be close to the given yarn. I went with a raspberry-esque filling color. If knitting one doesn't cause too many headaches, I've got enough yarn to make two--one for each of my friends having babies in November. At least one's having a girl, so the purply-red won't cause any complaints.

[mamapez]

I bought Patton Grace in natural and cardinal (they didn't have a wine color) at my local Michaels. It seemed to be pretty close to what's called for in the pattern. And I agree that it is a pain to work with...

[Arwyn]

I went down to hobby lobby and picked up some Omega Sinfonia (mercerized sportweight cotton). 100g/200m for 3.99. They didn't have a great crust color, so I got a reddish brown, and a nice wine red for the filling. They had a couple good filling selections, and I contemplated making a blueberry tart, but I liked the red and the red-brown together.

The label says to "Rinse with water and salt in case you combine colors." Huh? Rinse with salt water? Sprinkle salt on my cherry tart?? (Uck!) Can someone please explain this for me?

[ravingcutie]

Salt can be used to set dye. I hope it doesn't run too much! Yikes. I'd almost be tempted to treat it beforehand - but then again, you never know what it's going to do to the yarn in terms of shrinkage.

[ravingcutie]

I got my yarn in the mail yesterday - it's beautiful. Nice sheen and great colors. I'm making a cherry tart. Can't wait to start!