Wool question... Hjertegarn wool?

[OneWaySystemBlues]

Just that really. Sad that I am, there is a pattern for the new Sarah Lund red sweater (The Killing, new series) in this week's Radio Times and I want to try and knit it, because it looks like it might be manageable). It calls for Hjertegarn wool 100% wool in "Lima" shade. I'm not too bothered about getting the colour right, but I would like to either find that brand of 100% wool or find an equivalent that would work. Thanks!

drops design are Norweigan and have stockists in this country, very reasonable pricwes for pure wool , prices even. Or try looking up the yarn on ravelry

According to Ravelry, this is a worsted wool that apparently knits up at 20st per 10cm. This isn't a common weight for UK yarn though. Aran is slightly heavy, DK is too light. Does the pattern have a tension gauge which you can share?

The wool is "Lima" from Hjertegarn (100% wool, 50 grams = 100 metres). The tension is 18 sts and 24 rows measure 10 x 10 cm in stocking stitch knitted on 4.5mm needles. Is that the right answer?

I haven't found anywhere that has it in the UK. As I said, I'm not bothered about getting the colour the same, but if I can't find this wool, something that I could use instead would be good. Thanks for the input so far!

You can use the tension guage figures to work out stitch and row count for a different wool. Have only done this with childrens knits which are not shaped, so if a lot of your pattern is knit until 19cm long should be easy to change. ( going to look in radio times today, already sadly check womans weekly for cheap patterns) ie in dk on 4mm needles tensiln guage is 28sts by 34 rows ( am guessing) therefore number of stitches is 28/18 times the stitch count in the pattern. Shaped arms are trickier and the is a calculation in second stitch n bitch book, but I would just aim to evenly space the increases.

Would have thought an all wool yarn would be needed to get same stitch definition and drape of garment

If you're sad, then so am I. I thought this would be something to do during the dark evenings, but no, or not yet at least. Has anybody actually read the instructions? I've got years of knitting experience and I can't understand them. What does the section within Sleeve - increasing which starts ''increase this often for the four different sizes'' mean?
And has any one cracked the code for the pattern on the yoke when there is no key or explicit instruction? I've emailed Radio Times so maybe they'll re-translate and re-print at a later date.

I've just wasted about 1 hour trying to find an answer, it is only available in Denmark, Lima is 100% wool made by Hjertegarn (Heartyarn). This is a link to the pattern hjertegarn.com/default.asp?ID=274

Has RT has shot itself in the foot, why on earth publish a knitting pattern if the wool is unobtainable in UK?

I've just wasted about 1 hour trying to find an answer, it is only available in Denmark, Lima is 100% wool made by Hjertegarn (Heartyarn). Increase this often could mean 'How to increase'.

A link to the pattern hjertegarn.com/default.asp?ID=274

Has RT has shot itself in the foot, why on earth publish a knitting pattern if the wool is unobtainable in UK?

I've just wasted about 1 hour trying to find an answer, it is only available in Denmark, Lima is 100% wool made by Hjertegarn (Heartyarn). Increase this often could mean 'How to increase'.

A link to the pattern hjertegarn.com/default.asp?ID=274

The pattern was translated by Vibeke Warthoe a Danish freelance knitter.

Has RT has shot itself in the foot, why on earth publish a knitting pattern if the wool is unobtainable in UK?

Sorry about the repeat posts can't see how to delete the others

Thanks for looking - I spent ages looking last night and could only find a website in Danish. You're right. They have shot themselves in the foot - shame that the instructions are not good either. I only really looked at the beginning and thought I could manage that (I'm not a great knitter, but have managed socks with the help of the internet and sheer bloody-mindedness!). I sort of looked at the pattern bit and hoped I'd work it out when I got there. I think I'll email them too.

Meant to say, I found the wool on a Danish website, but not that pattern. Thanks again for spending so much time looking!

18st per 4in/10cm is a standard aran gauge. You can choose any wool that knits up at this tension, for example: debbie bliss or this one sublime or this one kid classic. pure wool. The site has cheaper ones as well. This would be lovely: fez

There is a thread on Ravelry on this: here. Consensus is that it is knitted loosely. The kid classic would be a good substitute, nice and rustic.

Ah - I've just abandoned learning to crochet as a no hoper and gone back to knitting, which I used to be quite good at, but haven't done in abuot 15 years. Got The Killing pattern but thought I was being a bit dim about the actual lack of pattern instructions. Was going to take it to the local wool shop today and see if the lady there can work it out.

Wow! What service! Have already had a reply from RT. They are going to ask their knitting adviser on a sister publication You Knit to have a look at this. I haven't mentioned the yarn problem to them will do so now.

If you don't know how to knit or crochet take heart, I taught myself from old books I found on Ebay. There are lots of people out there who would love to get together and learn. Why not get together with friends and start your own Knit & Natter group?

I have found this website which has lots of information www.ukhandknitting.com/index.shtml

Radio Times replied very quickly to my email. Patons Wool Blend Aran would be a good alternative for this yarn and it's widely available.

I had a rather snotty reply from the Radio Times! But they did mention the Paton's Wool Blend Aran. Seems like they didn't like me saying the pattern was not very easy to follow.

Does anyone know if this would suit? It seems to match the yarn weight, tension etc though on 5mm needles rather than 4/4.5. It's not a pure sheep wool - would that make a difference?

Or this one?

I don't know, but these are some others that the Radio Times suggested - from their expert apparently:

1. Sirdar Supersoft Yarn (Acrylic) 5 - 5 - 6 - 7 balls (higher

metreage).

1. King Cole Fashion Aran (70% Acrylic, 30% Wool) 6 - 6 -6 - 7 balls.

1. King Cole Merino Blend (100% wool) 13 - 13 - 15 - 18 balls.

*most expensive.

1. Stylecraft Special Aran (Acrylic) 6 - 6 - 6 - 7 balls

If anyone still has the will to live, then the genuine article can be purchased here and seems to cheaper than UK wool - wool from denmark

This is the latest reply I got from the RT:

"Hello as promised further to my email,

We have heard from the Danish wool suppliers. They tell us that this
company stock the wool.

Lima wool red col. 2060 Sarah Lund

www.artyarn.co.uk
Katy Sparrow
10 High Street
Pointon
Sleaford Lincolnshire, NG34 0LX

Telephone +44 (0) 1529 240510

I have spoken to our knitting expert too and she says that it's knitted
in the round and although that's the norm in Scandinavian countries it's
not here so that might be why there is some confusion with the pattern.

Hope that helps."

online now here you are.

Definitely have a look at the ravelry site as lots of people to help - Ellijay was that you I saw there?