yarn recommendations

[ClairesTravellingCircus]

Hello all

dd2 would like a knitted minion hat, found some patterns on revelry, but all the yarn suggested are from the US.

I am finding it difficult to choose on line as the real life colours do not always match the pictures well.
Has anyone got any recommendations? Bearing in mind it will prob need to be washd often!

Also I'd like to make some cushion covers, and I'm wondering what yarn would be best, again needs to be easily washable, and not piling, some cotton mix (sow e can use them in the summer too?) any ideas?

Many thanks in advance!

Assuming you are after DK for your minion I would try Stylecraft Special DK. There are loads of colours. One of them must be Minion-ish. I get mine from here but loads of places do it. It is acrylic, soft, hard wearing and cheap. I would suggest either saffron or sunshine. I have them both and as far as I can tell from my screen (your screen may look different), how they are in the pics is very similar to how they are in the flesh.

As for the cushion, I would go for an aran cotton I think. That would be less likely to suffer piling imo. Stylecraft do one of those too or Rico. I have some Rico which is very soft. Not sure how it stands up to wear and tear as I haven't used it yet but I can't imagine it would be very delicate.

Thanks Bertha

I know stylecraft but I think I'd prefer something less acrylyc iyswim. For a hat especially I find it a bit itchy.

Will look at the other recommendations.

OK, if you are on Rav, this is easy.

Go into the tab named 'Yarns', and search for the US yarn you would like to find a substitute for.

Check out its spec - eg: needle size, and wpi ("wraps per inch" - ie: how many times you could wrap it round a ruler or pencil, for an inch). Check out weight and yardage.

Then go back to 'Yarns' tab. Use 'advanced search' link. Tick the relevant filters on the left hand side of page, to find equivalent yarns - clicking the relevant ones on yarn 'Weight' and 'Needles' size. Then scroll down the options.

Another way to do it in 'Yarns' is feed in the yarn you are meant to be using - and then click on 'Projects'. Go and look at the projects of the UK based folk only.

Forgot to say but re your cushions - do an advanced search on Rav on the 'Patterns' tab. Find cushions you like then see which yarns the knitter used.