Which yarn and where from?

[Thistledew]

I am just getting into Tunisian crochet and want to make a sampler blanket, partly to learn some of the more interesting stitches, and partly to make something nice for my mum.

The pattern that I am going to (loosely) follow calls for a total of 32 balls and suggests a merino superfine yarn (50g and 125 yards)! As the recommended yarn comes in at £5 per ball I would quite like to find an alternative. I would need six colours and am looking for a range of blues, greens and browns.

I have seen a nice range of cottons, but they are described as Aran weight and I worry that would be too bulky?

Any suggestions? Is there a good place to buy yarn on line? My local haberdashers don't have a very great range and the other two closest shops require a special trip that I don't often have time for.

If you wants to go with merino, Drops yarn is about £3.10 per ball. Have a look at woolwarehouse.co.uk

I have used both woolwarehouse and deramores
Both have frequent offers and free delivery over 25

Come and join us on the Mumsnet yarnaholics group :) we will convince you to buy more yarn than you'll ever need help advise.

Ooh thanks! I will check out those links when I am not on my phone.

Am I right to think that the Aran weight would not be a suitable substitution?

Mumsnet yarnaholics group is on facebook... I may mot have made that clear.

Style craft special DK could be a good option - 55 colours to choose from.

Code SC14 gives 10% off at Woolwarehouse and there are usually a similar code for Deramores.

New colours for Stylecraft soon too!

Sconch textiles or Masons are worth checking out too for stylecraft.

I'd like to join the facebook group but can't seem to find it?

um, fb group has been secretified, so you'd need to befriend a member to be added - feel free to pm me and add me as a friend, then i can add you to the group and defriend immediately afterwards :o

had to be made secret as I was getting other mums at school asking to join it, so we twigged that it was giving away our membership of MN to OUTSIDERS!! :o

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have placed an order for the Stylecraft. I was tempted by the Cotton On, but the range of colours just isn't as good, and I was worried the blanket would end up looking a bit sludgy.

Does anyone else do Tunisian/Afghan crochet? I might start a new thread.