Best mid price spoil yourself wool?

[Jimwenttothedarklands]

I'm knitting a wrap/shawl thing which is mainly garter but has cables and a little basic lace work. It's DK.

I want to spoil myself but it uses about 800m so I can't go too mad and probably can't go over about £50. My go to wools are coming in at £100+!

So what wool (yarn if you prefer!) would you recommend? It will be worn by the skin. I hate mohair and angora and want a muted solid colour.

I know Drops do a range but I use them a lot and wanted something different. I was looking at Rowan Baby Merino Silk or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino but I'd like some other ideas.

For DK I'd probably just stick with a superfine merino, I'm really not sure the tiny bit of added cashmere/silk in the cashmerino yarns gives any added benefit.

Doesn't pure merino bobble quite a bit?

I don't think it's any worse than the merino/silk/cashmere mixes (possibly better).

I tend to use 4 ply for shawls and often sock yarns as they wash well and don't bobble!

Are you a member of Ravelry? I'd so, you can look the pattern up and see what yarns others have used and how they look. If you deviate from the pattern recommended urn in terms of yarn content you may get a very different result. For instance, a merino pattern may not work well in alpaca as alpaca tends to stretch and not retain its shape well over time.

Drops Cotton Merino is lovely and on offer at the moment. It's soft and drapey so should be ok for a shawl/wrap. I've used it for baby blankets and it's holding up well nearly 2 yrs on. No bobbles.

Have you tried looking at Ice yarns website? They sell in bulk but have some seriously amazing prices on luxury yarns including alpaca and mohair etc. The shipping is pricey (it's shipped from Israel) but my god the savings!! I have book marked the page for next month as I've found alpaca mix for 22p a ball in their clearance sale! I want to order now but can't as already got my monthly wool haul. Check out youtube for some unpacking videos. No way could I ever thought I'd be able to buy lovely posh yarn as the prices in the UK make my eyes water and give me the fanny flaps.

www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/king-cole-merino-blend-dk-all-colours

I use this a lot, it washes well and the colours are lovely

I really like [[http://www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/sublime-baby-cashmere-merino-silk-dk-all-colours]] Cashmere Merino Silk. Or you could double-strand Drops Baby Alpaca Silk, which is my favourite yarn even though the colours are a bit limited.

I don't know what happened to that link, sorry. Sublime

I love Malabrigo yarns but they’re probably at the far end of your range.

I was going to suggest Malabrigo Rios as it's amaaaaaazing. So soft and wonderful to work with. Worth buying when LoveKnitting have a 25% off over £60 sale.

I've just seen this and I was going to suggest the Rios! Fabulous to knit with.

I love Malabrigo, but you do need to be aware that because it's hand-dyed each skein is different. I view it as part of the charm of it, but some people don't like it. Here is a jumper that I'm currently making in Silky Merino (which is gorgeous to the touch) and you can see each time I start a new ball very clearly. The change isn't quite as harsh to the naked eye as the camera has picked up, but it is completely noticeable.

Also, I'm not sure that cables would show up on variegated yarn like Malabrigo.

I'm making something from Malabrigo Rios at the moment and I'm alternating skeins using two at any one time so that the two blend together and don't pool etc. But they are are all pretty similar and just deep blue, it's not a colour changing colourway. I have some Rios in the Solis colourway to make a jumper with and that should be more lively

I probably should have alternated skeins, but I think it'll be pretty anyway.