Yarn for a child's scarf [Archive]

Caryn

October 11th 04, 07:34 PM

>
>Plymouth makes a lovely black chenille that knits up like a dream and
>comes out of the washer better than it went in. It's called Sinsation.
>
>Elizabeth

I generally stay far away from chenille with kids garments.

You need to wash them constantly, and chenille doesn't hold up in the long run.
Unless you are willing to hand wash and lay flat to dry. And with kids,
patience waiting for the current favorite garment to dry is usually in short
supply. (I have had sweaters develop bald spots from the dryer, and had kids
bugging me every 10 mins asking "Is it dry yet?" when I air dried.)

There are some really nice, soft, acryllic yarns around. Yarns that wash
really well, and will hold up to the abuse a little boy (I am assuming based on
the Batman reference) will put it thru.

Caryn
Blue Wizard Designs
http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

Dr. Brat

October 11th 04, 08:11 PM

Caryn wrote:
>>Plymouth makes a lovely black chenille that knits up like a dream and
>>comes out of the washer better than it went in. It's called Sinsation.
>
> I generally stay far away from chenille with kids garments.
>
> You need to wash them constantly, and chenille doesn't hold up in the long run.

Even scarves? I could see a sweater or something like that, but why
would you have to wash a scarf constantly?

> Unless you are willing to hand wash and lay flat to dry. And with kids,
> patience waiting for the current favorite garment to dry is usually in short
> supply. (I have had sweaters develop bald spots from the dryer, and had kids
> bugging me every 10 mins asking "Is it dry yet?" when I air dried.)

Seems to me that it would be a good way for a child to begin to learn
patience. It's not like it takes that long to air dry.

> There are some really nice, soft, acryllic yarns around. Yarns that wash
> really well, and will hold up to the abuse a little boy (I am assuming based on
> the Batman reference) will put it thru.

See, I hate acrylic yarns. After two or three washings, they invariably
look like crap. More importantly, I don't like their hand, so I won't
knit with them. Perhaps a nice superwash wool would work, but if it
were me knitting for someone, I would knit with the material that I
preferred, understanding that it may not last for years and years. It's
for a costume, after all, and costumes are often ephemeral.

Elizabeth
--
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~living well is the best revenge~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate
and expand her sense of actual possibilities. --Adrienne Rich
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Olwynmary

October 11th 04, 10:25 PM

>See, I hate acrylic yarns. After two or three washings, they invariably
>look like crap. More importantly, I don't like their hand, so I won't
>knit with them.

Then you must have only used the horrible cheap ones!! My DD insists on
nothing but acrylics when I knit for the DGC, the oldest is now 10, and some
sweaters have gone through 3 kids and still look like new. The difference is,
I pay just a little bit more, and insist on good quality yarns as I refuse to
waste my time and skill on cheap, tacky stuff.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

escapee

October 11th 04, 10:33 PM

On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 12:22:24 -0400, "Irishwasherwoman" > opined:

>What would you recommend for yarn for a child's scarf? My little friend
>wants a black scarf to wear with his Batman outfits.
>

Oh there are a wonderful variety of yarns now. Many of the acrylics which were
awful are now fantastic and soft. I would say go up to the local yarn shop or
hobby shop and see what they have. It shouldn't be feminine for a boy, but
there are many soft fibers which aren't girlish.

Need a good, cheap, knowledge expanding present for yourself or a friend?
http://www.animaux.net/stern/present.html

Dr. Brat

October 11th 04, 11:38 PM

Olwynmary wrote:
>>See, I hate acrylic yarns. After two or three washings, they invariably
>>look like crap. More importantly, I don't like their hand, so I won't
>>knit with them.
>
> Then you must have only used the horrible cheap ones!! My DD insists on
> nothing but acrylics when I knit for the DGC, the oldest is now 10, and some
> sweaters have gone through 3 kids and still look like new. The difference is,
> I pay just a little bit more, and insist on good quality yarns as I refuse to
> waste my time and skill on cheap, tacky stuff.

I don't use much of anything that's cheap, but it's possible that
acrylics have improved greatly in the years since I last worked with
any. I knit quite a bit between 1984 and 1990, mostly with yarn I
purchased in Europe, since that's where I was living for much of my
knitting time. I then put things aside and didn't start again until a
year ago and have been working mostly with cotton, wool, and silk.

Elizabeth
--
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~living well is the best revenge~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate
and expand her sense of actual possibilities. --Adrienne Rich
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Caryn

October 12th 04, 12:05 AM

>From: "Dr. Brat"

>Caryn wrote:
>>>Plymouth makes a lovely black chenille that knits up like a dream and
>>>comes out of the washer better than it went in. It's called Sinsation.
>>
>> I generally stay far away from chenille with kids garments.
>>
>> You need to wash them constantly, and chenille doesn't hold up in the long
>run.
>
>Even scarves? I could see a sweater or something like that, but why
>would you have to wash a scarf constantly?

Speaking as a mom of three....scarves get dragged on the ground, they get
"accidently" run thru food, they get stepped on, closed in car doors, closed in
school bus doors, used to wipe running noses, used as a sling to throw
snowballs.....it goes on and on the ways kids can get these things dirty.

>
>> Unless you are willing to hand wash and lay flat to dry. And with kids,
>> patience waiting for the current favorite garment to dry is usually in
>short
>> supply. (I have had sweaters develop bald spots from the dryer, and had
>kids
>> bugging me every 10 mins asking "Is it dry yet?" when I air dried.)
>
>Seems to me that it would be a good way for a child to begin to learn
>patience. It's not like it takes that long to air dry.

One of my daughter's chenille sweaters takes overnight to airdry. Patience to
a 4 yr old (for example, not sure of the age of the Batman Fan here) is about a
half hour tops. They don't understand the concept of time all that well, just
that they want their scarf, or sweater, or favorite stuffed animal back from
drying NOW!

I don't really expect anybody who doesn't have kids to understand this, tho,
it's something most moms have learned the hard way.

>
>> There are some really nice, soft, acryllic yarns around. Yarns that wash
>> really well, and will hold up to the abuse a little boy (I am assuming
>based on
>> the Batman reference) will put it thru.
>
>See, I hate acrylic yarns. After two or three washings, they invariably
>look like crap. More importantly, I don't like their hand, so I won't
>knit with them. Perhaps a nice superwash wool would work, but if it
>were me knitting for someone, I would knit with the material that I
>preferred, understanding that it may not last for years and years. It's
>for a costume, after all, and costumes are often ephemeral.
>
>Elizabeth

If I received something as a gift for my child that my child couldn't use
because washing it was too ornerous, I wouldn't be real thrilled.

Take the day my MIL bought my then 4 yr old dd a silk shirt that was dry clean
only. She got to wear it 4x I think, just because we didn't live near a
drycleaner at the time, and when I handwashed it it got weak in the seams. I
appreciated the thoughtfulness of her giving my dd something nice, but not the
actual gift which was something very impractical.

Caryn
Blue Wizard Designs
http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

Caryn

October 12th 04, 12:13 AM

>From: "Dr. Brat"

>Olwynmary wrote:
>>>See, I hate acrylic yarns. After two or three washings, they invariably
>>>look like crap. More importantly, I don't like their hand, so I won't
>>>knit with them.
>>
>> Then you must have only used the horrible cheap ones!! My DD insists on
>> nothing but acrylics when I knit for the DGC, the oldest is now 10, and
>some
>> sweaters have gone through 3 kids and still look like new. The difference
>is,
>> I pay just a little bit more, and insist on good quality yarns as I refuse
>to
>> waste my time and skill on cheap, tacky stuff.
>
>I don't use much of anything that's cheap, but it's possible that
>acrylics have improved greatly in the years since I last worked with
>any. I knit quite a bit between 1984 and 1990, mostly with yarn I
>purchased in Europe, since that's where I was living for much of my
>knitting time. I then put things aside and didn't start again until a
>year ago and have been working mostly with cotton, wool, and silk.
>
>Elizabeth
>--

It amazes me that you find it so difficult to believe that the quality of
acrylic fibers has improved since the late 1980's.

They have gotten softer, they pill less, and they wash beautifully. When
knitting for kids they also make a lot of economic sense, because you aren't
blowing $100 on fancy fibers to make a sweater the child will outgrow in a
matter of months?

Even for the scarf in question, which as you said is "just part of a costume"
why spend Chenille money when Red Heart knitting worsted will do?

Caryn
Blue Wizard Designs
http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

Gillian Murray

October 12th 04, 12:23 AM

I have knittted the GDs scarfs and hats with Lyon Brand Homespun. My
daughter reported it washes well, especially after snowball fights!!

Gillian
"Olwynmary" > wrote in message
...
> >See, I hate acrylic yarns. After two or three washings, they invariably
>>look like crap. More importantly, I don't like their hand, so I won't
>>knit with them.
>
> Then you must have only used the horrible cheap ones!! My DD insists on
> nothing but acrylics when I knit for the DGC, the oldest is now 10, and
> some
> sweaters have gone through 3 kids and still look like new. The difference
> is,
> I pay just a little bit more, and insist on good quality yarns as I refuse
> to
> waste my time and skill on cheap, tacky stuff.
>
> Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

Dr. Brat

October 12th 04, 02:29 AM

Caryn wrote:
>>From: "Dr. Brat"

>>I don't use much of anything that's cheap, but it's possible that
>>acrylics have improved greatly in the years since I last worked with
>>any. I knit quite a bit between 1984 and 1990, mostly with yarn I
>>purchased in Europe, since that's where I was living for much of my
>>knitting time. I then put things aside and didn't start again until a
>>year ago and have been working mostly with cotton, wool, and silk.
>
> It amazes me that you find it so difficult to believe that the quality of
> acrylic fibers has improved since the late 1980's.

I don't find it difficult at all. In fact, that is why I forwarded that
explanation for my possibly unreasonable dislike of acrylic. I was
admitting that I hadn't handled any recently. No difficulty believing
improvement was expressed at all.

> They have gotten softer, they pill less, and they wash beautifully. When
> knitting for kids they also make a lot of economic sense, because you aren't
> blowing $100 on fancy fibers to make a sweater the child will outgrow in a
> matter of months?

Last money I spent on a child's sweater (still in progress) was $28 for
Mission Falls cottons.

> Even for the scarf in question, which as you said is "just part of a costume"
> why spend Chenille money when Red Heart knitting worsted will do?

Because I don't like the hand of Red Heart and if I'm going to knit
something for someone, then my pleasure in the process is as important
to me as the receiver's pleasure in the product. In fact it's more
important, since I often can't guarantee that the person I'm knitting
for will appreciate the gift. So I do my best to make sure that at
least I enjoy the process. If I'm concerned about what the gift costs,
then knitting isn't my first choice, anyhow.

Elizabeth
--
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~living well is the best revenge~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate
and expand her sense of actual possibilities. --Adrienne Rich
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lucille

October 12th 04, 02:49 AM

"Dr. Brat" > wrote in message
...
> Caryn wrote:
> >>From: "Dr. Brat"
>
> >>I don't use much of anything that's cheap, but it's possible that
> >>acrylics have improved greatly in the years since I last worked with
> >>any. I knit quite a bit between 1984 and 1990, mostly with yarn I
> >>purchased in Europe, since that's where I was living for much of my
> >>knitting time. I then put things aside and didn't start again until a
> >>year ago and have been working mostly with cotton, wool, and silk.
> >
> > It amazes me that you find it so difficult to believe that the quality
of
> > acrylic fibers has improved since the late 1980's.
>
> I don't find it difficult at all. In fact, that is why I forwarded that
> explanation for my possibly unreasonable dislike of acrylic. I was
> admitting that I hadn't handled any recently. No difficulty believing
> improvement was expressed at all.
>
> > They have gotten softer, they pill less, and they wash beautifully.
When
> > knitting for kids they also make a lot of economic sense, because you
aren't
> > blowing $100 on fancy fibers to make a sweater the child will outgrow in
a
> > matter of months?
>
> Last money I spent on a child's sweater (still in progress) was $28 for
> Mission Falls cottons.
>
> > Even for the scarf in question, which as you said is "just part of a
costume"
> > why spend Chenille money when Red Heart knitting worsted will do?
>
> Because I don't like the hand of Red Heart and if I'm going to knit
> something for someone, then my pleasure in the process is as important
> to me as the receiver's pleasure in the product. In fact it's more
> important, since I often can't guarantee that the person I'm knitting
> for will appreciate the gift. So I do my best to make sure that at
> least I enjoy the process. If I'm concerned about what the gift costs,
> then knitting isn't my first choice, anyhow.
>
> Elizabeth
> --
>
Have you found a cotton that can be can be scrubbed to remove the kind of
difficult stains that kids seem to most always make in a sweater,
especially a hand knit one? And to my mind equally as important, can it be
machine washed. It's been many years, but If I remember correctly I often
didn't have enough time to wash my face properly, no less hand wash a
sweater that my kid might have worn once and messed up?

If you know of such an item I would love to know what it is because here in
hot, sunny Florida cotton is the only way to go, but I'm lazy nowadays and
don't want to do any hand washing even for me.

Lucille.

Dr. Brat

October 12th 04, 02:53 AM

Lucille wrote:

> Have you found a cotton that can be can be scrubbed to remove the kind of
> difficult stains that kids seem to most always make in a sweater,
> especially a hand knit one? And to my mind equally as important, can it be
> machine washed. It's been many years, but If I remember correctly I often
> didn't have enough time to wash my face properly, no less hand wash a
> sweater that my kid might have worn once and messed up?

So really what you're telling me is that I should just go back to
knitting for myself exclusively, since I certainly don't know enough
about anybody else's needs to knit for them and especially not for their
kids...

And here I thought I was doing a nice thing. *sigh*

Elizabeth (thought that oxyclean would handle anything)
--
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~living well is the best revenge~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate
and expand her sense of actual possibilities. --Adrienne Rich
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lucille

October 12th 04, 03:12 AM

"Dr. Brat" > wrote in message
...
> Lucille wrote:
>
> > Have you found a cotton that can be can be scrubbed to remove the kind
of
> > difficult stains that kids seem to most always make in a sweater,
> > especially a hand knit one? And to my mind equally as important, can it
be
> > machine washed. It's been many years, but If I remember correctly I
often
> > didn't have enough time to wash my face properly, no less hand wash a
> > sweater that my kid might have worn once and messed up?
>
> So really what you're telling me is that I should just go back to
> knitting for myself exclusively, since I certainly don't know enough
> about anybody else's needs to knit for them and especially not for their
> kids...
>
> And here I thought I was doing a nice thing. *sigh*
>
> Elizabeth (thought that oxyclean would handle anything)

You are dong a very wonderfully nice thing, but I'm being my usual practical
self. I'm quite sure the kids look marvelous and everyone, even little
kids, need dress up clothes. I'm just remarking that for me personally I
would have adored and appreciated the effort taken to create a hand knit,
but I happened to have a very sick child and probably would have saved said
sweater for special occasions.

And please understand, I really do know how much effort and skill it takes
to knit complicated little sweaters, especially with cotton which is most
often much harder to work with than wool or acrylic. After all, I've been
knitting since I was 8 years old, nearly 60 years ago.

Please don't be offended. I was just being old fashioned and showing how
lazy I can be.

Lucille
> --
> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~living well is the best revenge~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
> The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate
> and expand her sense of actual possibilities. --Adrienne Rich
> *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
>

Lucille

October 12th 04, 03:13 AM

Dr. Brat

October 12th 04, 03:39 AM

Lucille wrote:
> "Dr. Brat" > wrote in message
> ...

>>So really what you're telling me is that I should just go back to
>>knitting for myself exclusively, since I certainly don't know enough
>>about anybody else's needs to knit for them and especially not for their
>>kids...
>>
>>And here I thought I was doing a nice thing. *sigh*
>
> You are dong a very wonderfully nice thing, but I'm being my usual practical
> self. I'm quite sure the kids look marvelous and everyone, even little
> kids, need dress up clothes. I'm just remarking that for me personally I
> would have adored and appreciated the effort taken to create a hand knit,
> but I happened to have a very sick child and probably would have saved said
> sweater for special occasions.
>
> And please understand, I really do know how much effort and skill it takes
> to knit complicated little sweaters, especially with cotton which is most
> often much harder to work with than wool or acrylic. After all, I've been
> knitting since I was 8 years old, nearly 60 years ago.
>
> Please don't be offended. I was just being old fashioned and showing how
> lazy I can be.

Oh, I'm not offended. I'm just disappointed because I'm almost done
with one sweater and have the materials for another for two of my
friends' toddlers. And I'm realizing that I really have no idea what is
good for kids because I don't have any. It's disappointing to think
that I'm putting this work into something that may end up not being useful.

On the other hand, the one I'm working on now has given me great
pleasure and I'm sure my friend will like it, even if it ends up being
impractical. I just would prefer that it not be impractical, is all. I
actually got the idea at another friend's baby's christening, where she
put a handmade sweater on him. It didn't occur to me that such a thing
might just be for dress-up. I did make sure that the cotton was machine
washable before I bought it!

Elizabeth
--
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~living well is the best revenge~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate
and expand her sense of actual possibilities. --Adrienne Rich
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Brenda

October 12th 04, 05:24 AM

I think you are doing a wonderful thing. As long as you are having fun
you should go for it. My only complaint about toddler tops is the necks
are often too tight for little ones who are just learning to dress
themselves. They get frustrated easily if the top gets stuck. A single
button keyhole in the back makes a huge difference. I say in the back
because while it prevents them from completely dressing themselves it
also means they can't gnaw or twiddle the button loose when they are
bored (long rides in the car, church, etc.).

Dr. Brat wrote:
> Oh, I'm not offended. I'm just disappointed because I'm almost done
> with one sweater and have the materials for another for two of my
> friends' toddlers. And I'm realizing that I really have no idea what is
> good for kids because I don't have any. It's disappointing to think
> that I'm putting this work into something that may end up not being useful.
>
> On the other hand, the one I'm working on now has given me great
> pleasure and I'm sure my friend will like it, even if it ends up being
> impractical. I just would prefer that it not be impractical, is all. I
> actually got the idea at another friend's baby's christening, where she
> put a handmade sweater on him. It didn't occur to me that such a thing
> might just be for dress-up. I did make sure that the cotton was machine
> washable before I bought it!

--
Brenda

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

October 12th 04, 07:30 AM

And at the same time the wools , cottons and silks , have gotten
better to take care of , most can be machine washed, all are anti moth
treated, and one rarely sees a scratchy wool anymore . The colors are
Heavenly !!!!
Think about it , those `better` quality` acrilycs are better , becuase
they are made more and more Wool like ....
mirjam

On 11 Oct 2004 23:13:15 GMT, (Caryn) wrote:

>>From: "Dr. Brat"
>
>>Olwynmary wrote:
>>>>See, I hate acrylic yarns. After two or three washings, they invariably
>>>>look like crap. More importantly, I don't like their hand, so I won't
>>>>knit with them.
>>>
>>> Then you must have only used the horrible cheap ones!! My DD insists on
>>> nothing but acrylics when I knit for the DGC, the oldest is now 10, and
>>some
>>> sweaters have gone through 3 kids and still look like new. The difference
>>is,
>>> I pay just a little bit more, and insist on good quality yarns as I refuse
>>to
>>> waste my time and skill on cheap, tacky stuff.
>>
>>I don't use much of anything that's cheap, but it's possible that
>>acrylics have improved greatly in the years since I last worked with
>>any. I knit quite a bit between 1984 and 1990, mostly with yarn I
>>purchased in Europe, since that's where I was living for much of my
>>knitting time. I then put things aside and didn't start again until a
>>year ago and have been working mostly with cotton, wool, and silk.
>>
>>Elizabeth
>>--
>
>
>It amazes me that you find it so difficult to believe that the quality of
>acrylic fibers has improved since the late 1980's.
>
>They have gotten softer, they pill less, and they wash beautifully. When
>knitting for kids they also make a lot of economic sense, because you aren't
>blowing $100 on fancy fibers to make a sweater the child will outgrow in a
>matter of months?
>
>Even for the scarf in question, which as you said is "just part of a costume"
>why spend Chenille money when Red Heart knitting worsted will do?
>
>Caryn
>Blue Wizard Designs
>http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
>View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

October 12th 04, 07:30 AM

Lucille i worked this summer with Cotton 100%, machine washable , [as
well as hand wash possibility ] . it washed great both ways.
I think it is a local make .. Teddy`s wool , i will have to ask where
they got it from , no country mentioned , but the British Standard
984/76......
mirjam
On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 21:49:10 -0400, "Lucille"
> wrote:

>
>"Dr. Brat" > wrote in message
...
>> Caryn wrote:
>> >>From: "Dr. Brat"
>>
>> >>I don't use much of anything that's cheap, but it's possible that
>> >>acrylics have improved greatly in the years since I last worked with
>> >>any. I knit quite a bit between 1984 and 1990, mostly with yarn I
>> >>purchased in Europe, since that's where I was living for much of my
>> >>knitting time. I then put things aside and didn't start again until a
>> >>year ago and have been working mostly with cotton, wool, and silk.
>> >
>> > It amazes me that you find it so difficult to believe that the quality
>of
>> > acrylic fibers has improved since the late 1980's.
>>
>> I don't find it difficult at all. In fact, that is why I forwarded that
>> explanation for my possibly unreasonable dislike of acrylic. I was
>> admitting that I hadn't handled any recently. No difficulty believing
>> improvement was expressed at all.
>>
>> > They have gotten softer, they pill less, and they wash beautifully.
>When
>> > knitting for kids they also make a lot of economic sense, because you
>aren't
>> > blowing $100 on fancy fibers to make a sweater the child will outgrow in
>a
>> > matter of months?
>>
>> Last money I spent on a child's sweater (still in progress) was $28 for
>> Mission Falls cottons.
>>
>> > Even for the scarf in question, which as you said is "just part of a
>costume"
>> > why spend Chenille money when Red Heart knitting worsted will do?
>>
>> Because I don't like the hand of Red Heart and if I'm going to knit
>> something for someone, then my pleasure in the process is as important
>> to me as the receiver's pleasure in the product. In fact it's more
>> important, since I often can't guarantee that the person I'm knitting
>> for will appreciate the gift. So I do my best to make sure that at
>> least I enjoy the process. If I'm concerned about what the gift costs,
>> then knitting isn't my first choice, anyhow.
>>
>> Elizabeth
>> --
>>
>Have you found a cotton that can be can be scrubbed to remove the kind of
>difficult stains that kids seem to most always make in a sweater,
>especially a hand knit one? And to my mind equally as important, can it be
>machine washed. It's been many years, but If I remember correctly I often
>didn't have enough time to wash my face properly, no less hand wash a
>sweater that my kid might have worn once and messed up?
>
>If you know of such an item I would love to know what it is because here in
>hot, sunny Florida cotton is the only way to go, but I'm lazy nowadays and
>don't want to do any hand washing even for me.
>
>Lucille.
>
>

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

October 12th 04, 07:30 AM

Caryn in my time we gave the children Hankies and tissues ,
to wipe noses etc....
as to dragging scarves over the floor , or into food ????
this are supposed to be small accidents , but a routine thing as you
describe it ????....
aren`t you making a mountain from a mole ?
mirjam
On 11 Oct 2004 23:05:58 GMT, (Caryn) wrote:

>>From: "Dr. Brat"
>
>>Caryn wrote:
>>>>Plymouth makes a lovely black chenille that knits up like a dream and
>>>>comes out of the washer better than it went in. It's called Sinsation.
>>>
>>> I generally stay far away from chenille with kids garments.
>>>
>>> You need to wash them constantly, and chenille doesn't hold up in the long
>>run.
>>
>>Even scarves? I could see a sweater or something like that, but why
>>would you have to wash a scarf constantly?
>
>
>Speaking as a mom of three....scarves get dragged on the ground, they get
>"accidently" run thru food, they get stepped on, closed in car doors, closed in
>school bus doors, used to wipe running noses, used as a sling to throw
>snowballs.....it goes on and on the ways kids can get these things dirty.
>
>
>
>>
>>> Unless you are willing to hand wash and lay flat to dry. And with kids,
>>> patience waiting for the current favorite garment to dry is usually in
>>short
>>> supply. (I have had sweaters develop bald spots from the dryer, and had
>>kids
>>> bugging me every 10 mins asking "Is it dry yet?" when I air dried.)
>>
>>Seems to me that it would be a good way for a child to begin to learn
>>patience. It's not like it takes that long to air dry.
>
>One of my daughter's chenille sweaters takes overnight to airdry. Patience to
>a 4 yr old (for example, not sure of the age of the Batman Fan here) is about a
>half hour tops. They don't understand the concept of time all that well, just
>that they want their scarf, or sweater, or favorite stuffed animal back from
>drying NOW!
>
>I don't really expect anybody who doesn't have kids to understand this, tho,
>it's something most moms have learned the hard way.
>
>>
>>> There are some really nice, soft, acryllic yarns around. Yarns that wash
>>> really well, and will hold up to the abuse a little boy (I am assuming
>>based on
>>> the Batman reference) will put it thru.
>>
>>See, I hate acrylic yarns. After two or three washings, they invariably
>>look like crap. More importantly, I don't like their hand, so I won't
>>knit with them. Perhaps a nice superwash wool would work, but if it
>>were me knitting for someone, I would knit with the material that I
>>preferred, understanding that it may not last for years and years. It's
>>for a costume, after all, and costumes are often ephemeral.
>>
>>Elizabeth
>
>
>If I received something as a gift for my child that my child couldn't use
>because washing it was too ornerous, I wouldn't be real thrilled.
>
>Take the day my MIL bought my then 4 yr old dd a silk shirt that was dry clean
>only. She got to wear it 4x I think, just because we didn't live near a
>drycleaner at the time, and when I handwashed it it got weak in the seams. I
>appreciated the thoughtfulness of her giving my dd something nice, but not the
>actual gift which was something very impractical.
>
>Caryn
>Blue Wizard Designs
>http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
>View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

Caryn

October 12th 04, 11:21 AM

>> --
>Just for your information, oxyclean is very good and I do use it, but it
>definitely doesn't take out every single stain.
>
>Lucille

Lucille,

Try making a paste mixing oxyclean and hand dishwashing liquid. Rub this into
especially stubborn stains and then soak the garment overnight.

I've had some luck with that.

Caryn
Blue Wizard Designs
http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

Cheryl Isaak

October 12th 04, 12:33 PM

On 10/12/04 2:30 AM, in article , "Mirjam
Bruck-Cohen" > wrote:

> Caryn in my time we gave the children Hankies and tissues ,
> to wipe noses etc....
> as to dragging scarves over the floor , or into food ????
> this are supposed to be small accidents , but a routine thing as you
> describe it ????....
> aren`t you making a mountain from a mole ?
> mirjam

Mirjam,

We still give children tissues, doesn't always mean they use them, not their
scarves, mittens or coat hoods while they are sledding, building snow men,
having snow ball fights, drinking cocoa or otherwise playing in the snow.

Cheryl

Caryn

October 12th 04, 01:22 PM

>From: Cheryl Isaak

>On 10/12/04 2:30 AM, in article , "Mirjam
>Bruck-Cohen" > wrote:
>
>> Caryn in my time we gave the children Hankies and tissues ,
>> to wipe noses etc....
>> as to dragging scarves over the floor , or into food ????
>> this are supposed to be small accidents , but a routine thing as you
>> describe it ????....
>> aren`t you making a mountain from a mole ?
>> mirjam
>
>Mirjam,
>
>We still give children tissues, doesn't always mean they use them, not their
>scarves, mittens or coat hoods while they are sledding, building snow men,
>having snow ball fights, drinking cocoa or otherwise playing in the snow.
>
>
>Cheryl
>
>
>

Perhaps, being in a different climate, Mirjam is totally clueless as to what
playing in the snow does to little noses?

ROFL

Caryn
Blue Wizard Designs
http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

Meredith

October 12th 04, 01:25 PM

Or how hard it is to keep tissues dry in the snow!

Meredith

Caryn wrote:

>>From: Cheryl Isaak
>
>
>>On 10/12/04 2:30 AM, in article , "Mirjam
>>Bruck-Cohen" > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Caryn in my time we gave the children Hankies and tissues ,
>>>to wipe noses etc....
>>>as to dragging scarves over the floor , or into food ????
>>>this are supposed to be small accidents , but a routine thing as you
>>>describe it ????....
>>>aren`t you making a mountain from a mole ?
>>>mirjam
>>
>>Mirjam,
>>
>>We still give children tissues, doesn't always mean they use them, not their
>>scarves, mittens or coat hoods while they are sledding, building snow men,
>>having snow ball fights, drinking cocoa or otherwise playing in the snow.
>>
>>
>>Cheryl
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> Perhaps, being in a different climate, Mirjam is totally clueless as to what
> playing in the snow does to little noses?
>
> ROFL
>
> Caryn
> Blue Wizard Designs
> http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
> View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

October 12th 04, 02:29 PM

Ok - it's not a problem that you hate acrylics. But the rest of your
message about the amount of washing required for everything (including
scarves) and teaching a 4 yo enough patience to wait for a garment to
air dry just proves the argument some have made here about those who
dwell perpetually in academia.

"Dr. Brat" > wrote in message >...
> Caryn wrote:
> >>Plymouth makes a lovely black chenille that knits up like a dream and
> >>comes out of the washer better than it went in. It's called Sinsation.
> >
> > I generally stay far away from chenille with kids garments.
> >
> > You need to wash them constantly, and chenille doesn't hold up in the long run.
>
> Even scarves? I could see a sweater or something like that, but why
> would you have to wash a scarf constantly?
>
> > Unless you are willing to hand wash and lay flat to dry. And with kids,
> > patience waiting for the current favorite garment to dry is usually in short
> > supply. (I have had sweaters develop bald spots from the dryer, and had kids
> > bugging me every 10 mins asking "Is it dry yet?" when I air dried.)
>
> Seems to me that it would be a good way for a child to begin to learn
> patience. It's not like it takes that long to air dry.
>
> > There are some really nice, soft, acryllic yarns around. Yarns that wash
> > really well, and will hold up to the abuse a little boy (I am assuming based on
> > the Batman reference) will put it thru.
>
> See, I hate acrylic yarns. After two or three washings, they invariably
> look like crap. More importantly, I don't like their hand, so I won't
> knit with them. Perhaps a nice superwash wool would work, but if it
> were me knitting for someone, I would knit with the material that I
> preferred, understanding that it may not last for years and years. It's
> for a costume, after all, and costumes are often ephemeral.
>
> Elizabeth

October 12th 04, 02:39 PM

Hmmmm I was always taught that the receiver's pleasure was more
important when giving a gift. Thus, I don't gift handmade items that
have taken a lot of time to those who I'm not positive will appreciate
them, and I certainly won't give a small child something that requires
special care.. because it causes more annoyance for the mom than
anything else. I guess I was raised strangely, though.. I was taught
that things aren't always about me.

"Dr. Brat" > wrote in message >...

> Because I don't like the hand of Red Heart and if I'm going to knit
> something for someone, then my pleasure in the process is as important
> to me as the receiver's pleasure in the product. In fact it's more
> important, since I often can't guarantee that the person I'm knitting
> for will appreciate the gift. So I do my best to make sure that at
> least I enjoy the process. If I'm concerned about what the gift costs,
> then knitting isn't my first choice, anyhow.
>
> Elizabeth

Mirjam Bruck-Cohen

October 12th 04, 03:26 PM

I remember my chidhood in Amsterdam , once the snow was so high , the
firebrigade had yto come and dig our front door open..And i spent time
im Manchester UK , with small kids , and I Lived in Boston USA ,,,, 2
Very snowy years !!!
mirjam
>
>Perhaps, being in a different climate, Mirjam is totally clueless as to what
>playing in the snow does to little noses?
>
>ROFL
>
>Caryn
>Blue Wizard Designs
>http://hometown.aol.com/crzy4xst/index.html
>View WIPs at: http://community.webshots.com/user/carynlws (Caryn's UFO's)

Brenda

October 12th 04, 04:16 PM

In defense of the tots: It is very difficult to handle a fragile paper
tissue when you are wearing damp, bulky mittens which are tucked under
the cuffs of your coat.

Cheryl Isaak wrote:
> We still give children tissues, doesn't always mean they use them, not their
> scarves, mittens or coat hoods while they are sledding, building snow men,
> having snow ball fights, drinking cocoa or otherwise playing in the snow.

--
Brenda

Brenda

October 12th 04, 04:18 PM

Hmmm, why not have two identical scarves. No waiting.

jv wrote:
> Ok - it's not a problem that you hate acrylics. But the rest of your
> message about the amount of washing required for everything (including
> scarves) and teaching a 4 yo enough patience to wait for a garment to
> air dry just proves the argument some have made here about those who
> dwell perpetually in academia.

--
Brenda

Dianne Lewandowski

October 12th 04, 05:51 PM

Even silk and wool can be machine washed these days. You might have to
leave it out to air dry flat, but I don't call that difficult to care for.

I'm with Elizabeth on this one. Part of my joy in giving the gift is
the process. So, the type of yarn and the finished product is as much a
consideration as how I deem the recipient will accept/use it.

Wool (and the newer ones are fabulous) is practical. You can pass it
around to younger ones or a friend in need when yours can no longer wear
it. Made in an appropriate size, they will get more than a few months
out of it, unless we're talking infants.

The subject of Red Heart yarns has been the buzz for at least a decade
since I first subscribed to newsgorups. Those that love it and want to
knit cheaply will defend it to the death. Like Elizabeth, I don't like
the way it feels. I'll never forget, out of economic necessity, I was
making a Tunisian crocheted afghan and bought Red Heart yarn. After one
panel was finished, I so detested the feel of it, that I abandoned the
project - all the embroidery being finished. I gave the rest of the
yarn to someone who loved it. :-) And I vowed, "Never again!" I now
simply wait and scrape the bucks together.

Dianne

jv wrote:
> Hmmmm I was always taught that the receiver's pleasure was more
> important when giving a gift. Thus, I don't gift handmade items that
> have taken a lot of time to those who I'm not positive will appreciate
> them, and I certainly won't give a small child something that requires
> special care.. because it causes more annoyance for the mom than
> anything else. I guess I was raised strangely, though.. I was taught
> that things aren't always about me.
>
> "Dr. Brat" > wrote in message >...
>
>
>>Because I don't like the hand of Red Heart and if I'm going to knit
>>something for someone, then my pleasure in the process is as important
>>to me as the receiver's pleasure in the product. In fact it's more
>>important, since I often can't guarantee that the person I'm knitting
>>for will appreciate the gift. So I do my best to make sure that at
>>least I enjoy the process. If I'm concerned about what the gift costs,
>>then knitting isn't my first choice, anyhow.
>>
>>Elizabeth

wicked brat of the west

October 12th 04, 11:00 PM

jv wrote:
> Ok - it's not a problem that you hate acrylics. But the rest of your
> message about the amount of washing required for everything (including
> scarves) and teaching a 4 yo enough patience to wait for a garment to
> air dry just proves the argument some have made here about those who
> dwell perpetually in academia.

And if you had any education (or manners) at all, you'd know that one
example doesn't prove anything.

Elizabeth

wicked brat of the west

October 12th 04, 11:02 PM

jv wrote:
> Hmmmm I was always taught that the receiver's pleasure was more
> important when giving a gift. Thus, I don't gift handmade items that
> have taken a lot of time to those who I'm not positive will appreciate
> them, and I certainly won't give a small child something that requires
> special care.. because it causes more annoyance for the mom than
> anything else. I guess I was raised strangely, though.. I was taught
> that things aren't always about me.

Given the number of "I"s in the above paragraph, I doubt the lesson took.

And as I pointed out in a later post, I haven't yet given such things to
a small child yet, so am still learning. Some of us know that we
weren't born knowing everything. It's an attitude you might try on some
time.

Elizabeth

wicked brat of the west

October 12th 04, 11:07 PM

Brenda wrote:
> I think you are doing a wonderful thing. As long as you are having fun
> you should go for it. My only complaint about toddler tops is the necks
> are often too tight for little ones who are just learning to dress
> themselves. They get frustrated easily if the top gets stuck. A single
> button keyhole in the back makes a huge difference. I say in the back
> because while it prevents them from completely dressing themselves it
> also means they can't gnaw or twiddle the button loose when they are
> bored (long rides in the car, church, etc.).

Both the pattern I am working on and the one I have in stash are for
cardigans. I thought that a cardigan would be more useful, for some reason.

Thanks for the positive encouragement. I appreciate it.

Elizabeth

Brenda

October 13th 04, 01:00 AM

Has anyone tried one of those new dryers with the drying cabinet above
the regular dryer? How are they for silk and wool items?

Dianne Lewandowski wrote:

> Even silk and wool can be machine washed these days. You might have to
> leave it out to air dry flat, but I don't call that difficult to care for.

--
Brenda

Irishwasherwoman

October 13th 04, 04:03 PM

Thanks for all the recommendations. I found some wonderful washable wool
that is knitting up quickly and very enjoyably.

This is my first time posting on this newsgroup. It seems to me that there
was a lot of sniping going on. Gee, I thought hobbies were supposed to be
fun and a great source of friendship!

IW

"Irishwasherwoman" > wrote in message
...
> What would you recommend for yarn for a child's scarf? My little friend
> wants a black scarf to wear with his Batman outfits.
>
>

Lucille

October 13th 04, 04:31 PM

"Irishwasherwoman" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for all the recommendations. I found some wonderful washable wool
> that is knitting up quickly and very enjoyably.
>
> This is my first time posting on this newsgroup. It seems to me that
there
> was a lot of sniping going on. Gee, I thought hobbies were supposed to be
> fun and a great source of friendship!
>
> IW
>
> "Irishwasherwoman" > wrote in message
> ...
> > What would you recommend for yarn for a child's scarf? My little friend
> > wants a black scarf to wear with his Batman outfits.
> >
> >
> It might surprise you that some of the people who do the most sniping on
this ng are actually good friends and admirers of each other's work or area
of expertise. They just love a good "discussion." Sometimes a noisy, down
and dirty one, but most always good.

Lucille

>