A Knitty Miracle
Billy doesn’t like to wear sweaters. Can you imagine? Married to a knitter and he doesn’t wear sweaters. I’ve knitted him socks, hats, a scarf (the scarf was left in a cab and he didn’t really like the hats, but these sins have been forgiven because he shows his handknit socks off to all his patients)…but I’ve always wanted to knit him a sweater.
Well, maybe I was looking especially cute this evening (Was it the unwashed, frizzed out hair or the baby puke on my shoulder that made me so alluring?). Or maybe living with this much yarn finally got to him. Dunno. Don’t care why. Get this: I found a sweater that he likes, that he would wear, that he wants me to knit for him! Okay…”wants” might not be the most accurate verb. He likes it enough that he’ll go along with my knitting it and will, indeed, wear it. Close enough to “wants” for me.
Yes, it was Avast that won him over.
So here’s the thing. We’ve been together for four and a half years and married for two, yet this is the first sweater I’m knitting him. And seeing as he doesn’t really like sweaters (It’s his mother’s fault. Long story, but yes, now I worry that Thumper will someday hate sweaters and it will be my fault) it may be the only one I get to knit for him. Which makes me want to…well…make this sweater a damn good one. Makes me want to…I don’t know…use Rowan or something. Not necessarily Rowan, per se, but good yarn. The right yarn. You know what I mean.
The pattern calls for Plymouth Galway. Have any of you knit with the stuff before? What’s it like? Is it good enough to be used for The Only Sweater I Ever Knit for the Father of My Child?
It needs to be worsted weight because I don’t want to risk the thing not fitting well by bringing math into it. I have to be able to get pattern gauge with whatever yarn I end up using. He likes the gray in the pattern pic, so it has to come in gray. It has to not totally suck to knit. Should have a sort of “masculine” hand, if you know what I mean–silk/alpaca blends, not really the right feel. Needs to not cost so much that Thumper can’t go to college. Any suggestions?
Or should I just buy the Plymouth Galway?
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buy the Plymouth Galway – you already know he likes it!
Posted by: Sarah
I’ve knit with Plymouth Galway, and I like it. It is nice, solid, wool yarn. It has that masculine hand you’re looking for and will leave enough in the budget for Thumper to attend college. I think it would be a good sweater-knit-for-your-man yarn.
Posted by: Sarah
I have no idea about the yarn, but the sweater looks very good. And, you know, manly.
Posted by: marrije
I’ve used Plymouth Galway. It’s a nice yarn. It’s not luxurious or unique but its fine. There are certainly other worsted weight options, though.
Posted by: Carole
buy the Plymouth Galway – you already know he likes it!
Posted by: Sarah
I’ve knit with Plymouth Galway, and I like it. It is nice, solid, wool yarn. It has that masculine hand you’re looking for and will leave enough in the budget for Thumper to attend college. I think it would be a good sweater-knit-for-your-man yarn.
Posted by: Sarah
I have no idea about the yarn, but the sweater looks very good. And, you know, manly.
Posted by: marrije
I’ve used Plymouth Galway. It’s a nice yarn. It’s not luxurious or unique but its fine. There are certainly other worsted weight options, though.
Posted by: Carole
I’ve never knit with it, but I’ve felt it in shops. My impression has been that I would felt with it, but probably not use it for a full-on sweater.
Posted by: Mandy
I have been married for 24 years and I don’t think I’ll ever get to knit a sweater for my husband – he just doesn’t wear them.
I knit an adorable cabled sweater for my 1 1/2 y/o great-nephew last year and it was very nice. It feels very nice and holds it’s shape nicely. If that is what the model was knit in, I would use it.
Posted by: Julie
oops, I meant to say I knit the sweater out of the Galway.
Posted by: Julie
I’ve used Plymouth Galway a number of times. I’d totally recommend it for a guy sweater — it hasn’t pilled for me, and it is relatively hard-wearing: a good basic wool. And nice to knit with.
Posted by: Wendy
My grandma used to use Galway a lot. I recall it as a heavy worsted, and I think that knit at that gauge it would hold up well (okay, and the pictures of it look really damn nice – the boy has good taste). It’s also affordable, but there could be any number of other options. I know that at least one place in the city carries it, if you need to feel it in person.
Posted by: Cassie
The injustice in the world! He should feel privilaged that you will knit him a sweater instead of the other way around.
When I rule the world, things will be different, oh boy. Free college and yarn for everyone!
Posted by: LaurieM
I’m knitting with galway right now. Like others have said, it’s a good honest wool that’s good for felting (think cascade 220 if you know that). I wouldn’t want a sweater for myself out of it. And Frog, also a mostly sweater non-wearer, probably wouldn’t either. But that may just be us sensitive skinned types. I can see why it would be appealing to some people but I’d probably go with something a bit softer… but still manly. You might want to check out the yarn reviews at knittersreview. She always beats up her swatches so you’ll be able to see how they might wear. This, being the only sweater you’ll ever make him, I’m sure you’ll want it to last foreverandeverandeveramen.
Posted by: kate
I’ve never knit with it, but I’ve felt it in shops. My impression has been that I would felt with it, but probably not use it for a full-on sweater.
Posted by: Mandy
I have been married for 24 years and I don’t think I’ll ever get to knit a sweater for my husband – he just doesn’t wear them.
I knit an adorable cabled sweater for my 1 1/2 y/o great-nephew last year and it was very nice. It feels very nice and holds it’s shape nicely. If that is what the model was knit in, I would use it.
Posted by: Julie
oops, I meant to say I knit the sweater out of the Galway.
Posted by: Julie
I’ve used Plymouth Galway a number of times. I’d totally recommend it for a guy sweater — it hasn’t pilled for me, and it is relatively hard-wearing: a good basic wool. And nice to knit with.
Posted by: Wendy
My grandma used to use Galway a lot. I recall it as a heavy worsted, and I think that knit at that gauge it would hold up well (okay, and the pictures of it look really damn nice – the boy has good taste). It’s also affordable, but there could be any number of other options. I know that at least one place in the city carries it, if you need to feel it in person.
Posted by: Cassie
The injustice in the world! He should feel privilaged that you will knit him a sweater instead of the other way around.
When I rule the world, things will be different, oh boy. Free college and yarn for everyone!
Posted by: LaurieM
I’m knitting with galway right now. Like others have said, it’s a good honest wool that’s good for felting (think cascade 220 if you know that). I wouldn’t want a sweater for myself out of it. And Frog, also a mostly sweater non-wearer, probably wouldn’t either. But that may just be us sensitive skinned types. I can see why it would be appealing to some people but I’d probably go with something a bit softer… but still manly. You might want to check out the yarn reviews at knittersreview. She always beats up her swatches so you’ll be able to see how they might wear. This, being the only sweater you’ll ever make him, I’m sure you’ll want it to last foreverandeverandeveramen.
Posted by: kate
I’m jealous,my husband won’t even do the socks. He does, however, admire them from afar. I’d second Wendy’s analysis of Galway.
Posted by: Cyndy
I also have no idea about the yarn, but I’m laughing because Dean doesn’t like sweaters because his mom made him wear hand-knit itchy scratchy sweaters. Now all he wears are cotton sweatshirt hoodies. Thumper is doomed for sure. 😉
Posted by: melanie
I’ve knit with Galway and it’s a good, sturdy yarn. I like Cascade 220 for basic sweaters, though. It sounds like you’re thinking of something a little fancier, though. Hmmmmm. It’s a great looking sweater, and I can totally picture Billy wearing it.
Posted by: regina
Are Billy and I the same size? Problem solved. He doesn’t like it, I’ll wear it. *evil snicker*
Posted by: john
Go with the Galway, I have used it in the past and it’s perfect for this sweater. Plus I think the price is right for 210 yards – and it comes in lots of colors. I love this sweater and I plan to make one for my new brother-in-law. Can’t wait to see pictures.
p.s. You should make one for Thumper too, at the rate he’s growing, he may fit it soon! Take care!
Posted by: monica
Galway is great. I knit my first sweater in it and loved it — didn’t love the sweater, but loved the yarn. (It was all about a bad Noro pattern.) It has some great manly colors, too.
Posted by: Norma
I really like Galway.
I say go with that.
Posted by: Lisa
I’m jealous,my husband won’t even do the socks. He does, however, admire them from afar. I’d second Wendy’s analysis of Galway.
Posted by: Cyndy
I also have no idea about the yarn, but I’m laughing because Dean doesn’t like sweaters because his mom made him wear hand-knit itchy scratchy sweaters. Now all he wears are cotton sweatshirt hoodies. Thumper is doomed for sure. 😉
Posted by: melanie
I’ve knit with Galway and it’s a good, sturdy yarn. I like Cascade 220 for basic sweaters, though. It sounds like you’re thinking of something a little fancier, though. Hmmmmm. It’s a great looking sweater, and I can totally picture Billy wearing it.
Posted by: regina
Are Billy and I the same size? Problem solved. He doesn’t like it, I’ll wear it. *evil snicker*
Posted by: john
Go with the Galway, I have used it in the past and it’s perfect for this sweater. Plus I think the price is right for 210 yards – and it comes in lots of colors. I love this sweater and I plan to make one for my new brother-in-law. Can’t wait to see pictures.
p.s. You should make one for Thumper too, at the rate he’s growing, he may fit it soon! Take care!
Posted by: monica
Galway is great. I knit my first sweater in it and loved it — didn’t love the sweater, but loved the yarn. (It was all about a bad Noro pattern.) It has some great manly colors, too.
Posted by: Norma
I really like Galway.
I say go with that.
Posted by: Lisa
I like Galway! It’s a soft and nice all-purpose worsted wool. I’d say go with it! It won’t be itchy, and it won’t be floppy, it will be JUST RIGHT!
And C has the same problem with sweaters… Drives me CRAZY! But just like you, I only knit him socks now.
Posted by: Miriam
You can’t go wrong with Galway, but there’s always Reynolds Candide – I think the lighter Candide is a worsted weight, and it’s good looking and cheap!
Posted by: Donna
Knitting with Galway is very similar to knitting with Cascade 220, but I prefer the way the Cascade feels when its warm (I make mostly hats, and I find Galway too itchy). If you want to be fancier, Reynolds Odyssey also knits to the same gauge. It comes in a “dark grey mix” (color #414) which is variegated but extremely subtle – you can get it at WEBS.
Posted by: Savida
Uh, when I said “warm,” I meant “worn.” Sorry.
Posted by: Savida
Funny!! This is the first sweater my husband has evershown slight intrest in that I could justify knitting it up for him too!! Shocker! I think I’m gonna have to go with Plymouth after all the comments here.
Posted by: Brook
You know what I would do? I would buy one skein of the Galway in the exact color used in the pattern. I would knit up a largish swatch. I would present said swatch to the husband. I’d carefully watch his reaction when he feels it. Anything less than a spontaneous…”nice” will cause me to ditch it and try again with another skein.
You see, knitters and non-knitters approach yarn totally differently. What is a “nice, hard-wearing, nice-knitting” yarn to knitters, is scratchy and heavy to a non-knitter. Personally, I think he will reject the Galway as too scratchy. I’d recommend Yorkshire Tweed DK, but I think that has been discontinued….
Posted by: claudia
Hey! I had to pipe up b/c my hubby hates sweaters and I just talked him into one for this season as well… I’m ultra excited and terrified that I will replicate whatever it is that he doesn’t like about sweaters. We’ll see.
Galway is hardy, but in my opinion too scratchy and hot – but I’m an Atlanta girl, so maybe it’s more appropriate there. I am making mine out of Interlacements toasty toes. It’s delicious. And for hard wearing, but still soft at a not too too killer price I really like Shelridge farms worsted. Softer than Galway.
Posted by: carrie
I like Galway! It’s a soft and nice all-purpose worsted wool. I’d say go with it! It won’t be itchy, and it won’t be floppy, it will be JUST RIGHT!
And C has the same problem with sweaters… Drives me CRAZY! But just like you, I only knit him socks now.
Posted by: Miriam
You can’t go wrong with Galway, but there’s always Reynolds Candide – I think the lighter Candide is a worsted weight, and it’s good looking and cheap!
Posted by: Donna
Knitting with Galway is very similar to knitting with Cascade 220, but I prefer the way the Cascade feels when its warm (I make mostly hats, and I find Galway too itchy). If you want to be fancier, Reynolds Odyssey also knits to the same gauge. It comes in a “dark grey mix” (color #414) which is variegated but extremely subtle – you can get it at WEBS.
Posted by: Savida
Uh, when I said “warm,” I meant “worn.” Sorry.
Posted by: Savida
Funny!! This is the first sweater my husband has evershown slight intrest in that I could justify knitting it up for him too!! Shocker! I think I’m gonna have to go with Plymouth after all the comments here.
Posted by: Brook
You know what I would do? I would buy one skein of the Galway in the exact color used in the pattern. I would knit up a largish swatch. I would present said swatch to the husband. I’d carefully watch his reaction when he feels it. Anything less than a spontaneous…”nice” will cause me to ditch it and try again with another skein.
You see, knitters and non-knitters approach yarn totally differently. What is a “nice, hard-wearing, nice-knitting” yarn to knitters, is scratchy and heavy to a non-knitter. Personally, I think he will reject the Galway as too scratchy. I’d recommend Yorkshire Tweed DK, but I think that has been discontinued….
Posted by: claudia
Hey! I had to pipe up b/c my hubby hates sweaters and I just talked him into one for this season as well… I’m ultra excited and terrified that I will replicate whatever it is that he doesn’t like about sweaters. We’ll see.
Galway is hardy, but in my opinion too scratchy and hot – but I’m an Atlanta girl, so maybe it’s more appropriate there. I am making mine out of Interlacements toasty toes. It’s delicious. And for hard wearing, but still soft at a not too too killer price I really like Shelridge farms worsted. Softer than Galway.
Posted by: carrie
Hey Cari!
I’ve knit 2 sweaters for my husband in the almost 5 years we’ve been together. One for his 30th birthday and another one after that. I asked him what he wanted for his third one and he told me, “That’s okay, you don’t need to make me another one, I have enough sweaters.” Haha, how diplomatic! Can you imagine one of us knittes *ever* having enough sweaters????????
Posted by: LeAnne
Hey, that Claudia’s a smart girl (ok, we already knew that.) Her swatching/watching reaction idea is probably the best way to go. I will never knit a sweater for my husband — he hates them because he’s too hot blooded. Shorts and lightweight shirts year round with an occasional cotton sweatshirt when it snows! The closest he comes to wearing sweaters are his fine (very fine) gauge silk ones he wears for dressy evenings in the winter. I’m not knitting ultra-fine gauge silk for a dude who’s 6’4″/225 lbs. and doesn’t really want to wear it anyway! Besides, not knitting for him means more knitting for me . . . and the kids, and our friends’ babies, and Dulaan, and the red-scarf project and . . .
Posted by: Janice
wow, i’m almost jealous b/c my husband has been begging and begging for a sweater and when i finally knit up one for him–he wasn’t around at the time for me to do measurements, so i just went by the pattern–well, he couldn’t get his neck into it! and he doesn’t have a huge neck. and it wasn’t a difficult pattern (the one from weekend knitting-berkshire i think)…sigh. so i have balls and balls of ripped up yarn that eventually will go into another sweater for him, but i’ve been scared away.
that said, avast looks like a fun pattern to boot, and i like the idea of having billy actually look at and touch the yarn, but if the photo is enough for him, go with galway. i’ve heard it’s solid and the price is right. and let’s face it, if you knit him that out of rowan or the like and he didn’t like it, oooh, no good.
Posted by: k
Lamb’s Pride Worsted might also be a good option for the sweater. It is soft when knit up, has a bit of mohair to give it just a tiny bit of sheen and some extra durability (important in a guy sweater). It comes in a wide range man-friendly colors (I believe there are several grey options) and it is quite cost effective. I have used it as a substitute yarn in a couple of Alice Starmore designs and it worked well and it looks lovely in cables and texture (probably because that mohair helps to give the yarn a little extra depth). It also didn’t pil too much, which made me happy as well.
Posted by: Theresa
I think Avast will be my first sweater for my husband, too! He’s not into sweaters at all, but he actually liked *this* one very much. I was figuring on another yarn, too. Will keep checking your comments for ideas 😉
Posted by: Kathy
I’ve knit with Galway and it’s a good quality, basic worsted weight yarn. I found it a little softer than Cascade 220 but otherwise very similar to it. They both wear well and are rather masculine in that they are not lusterous or too squishy. I’d say go for the Galway.
Posted by: Brenda
I’m over from the Harlot’s blog and thought I’d put in my two cents. Go for the really great stuff and make him a sweater convert. Galway is a good staple yarn but there are many other yarns out there that can be worn near the skin (and sensitive neck). I think a nice Merino is in order, especially since knitting an entire man’s sweater isn’t a quick knit. Personally, if I felt a sweater that was manly colored but soft (think Banana Republic) I’d buy it for megabucks, but if the sweater was so-so-blah and a bit itchy, I wouldn’t even think of spending money on it. Since it is a sweater for one you love, you should love knitting it, the material it is made of, the pattern, all of it rolls into an expression of joy.
Yarn you could look for includes Jaeger Aran weight yarns (sometimes it is very very affordable on eBay) or Louet Worsted Superwash (Louet Gems Merino Topaz) as good Rowan alternatives.
Posted by: freecia
Hey Cari!
I’ve knit 2 sweaters for my husband in the almost 5 years we’ve been together. One for his 30th birthday and another one after that. I asked him what he wanted for his third one and he told me, “That’s okay, you don’t need to make me another one, I have enough sweaters.” Haha, how diplomatic! Can you imagine one of us knittes *ever* having enough sweaters????????
Posted by: LeAnne
Hey, that Claudia’s a smart girl (ok, we already knew that.) Her swatching/watching reaction idea is probably the best way to go. I will never knit a sweater for my husband — he hates them because he’s too hot blooded. Shorts and lightweight shirts year round with an occasional cotton sweatshirt when it snows! The closest he comes to wearing sweaters are his fine (very fine) gauge silk ones he wears for dressy evenings in the winter. I’m not knitting ultra-fine gauge silk for a dude who’s 6’4″/225 lbs. and doesn’t really want to wear it anyway! Besides, not knitting for him means more knitting for me . . . and the kids, and our friends’ babies, and Dulaan, and the red-scarf project and . . .
Posted by: Janice
wow, i’m almost jealous b/c my husband has been begging and begging for a sweater and when i finally knit up one for him–he wasn’t around at the time for me to do measurements, so i just went by the pattern–well, he couldn’t get his neck into it! and he doesn’t have a huge neck. and it wasn’t a difficult pattern (the one from weekend knitting-berkshire i think)…sigh. so i have balls and balls of ripped up yarn that eventually will go into another sweater for him, but i’ve been scared away.
that said, avast looks like a fun pattern to boot, and i like the idea of having billy actually look at and touch the yarn, but if the photo is enough for him, go with galway. i’ve heard it’s solid and the price is right. and let’s face it, if you knit him that out of rowan or the like and he didn’t like it, oooh, no good.
Posted by: k
Lamb’s Pride Worsted might also be a good option for the sweater. It is soft when knit up, has a bit of mohair to give it just a tiny bit of sheen and some extra durability (important in a guy sweater). It comes in a wide range man-friendly colors (I believe there are several grey options) and it is quite cost effective. I have used it as a substitute yarn in a couple of Alice Starmore designs and it worked well and it looks lovely in cables and texture (probably because that mohair helps to give the yarn a little extra depth). It also didn’t pil too much, which made me happy as well.
Posted by: Theresa
I think Avast will be my first sweater for my husband, too! He’s not into sweaters at all, but he actually liked *this* one very much. I was figuring on another yarn, too. Will keep checking your comments for ideas 😉
Posted by: Kathy
I’ve knit with Galway and it’s a good quality, basic worsted weight yarn. I found it a little softer than Cascade 220 but otherwise very similar to it. They both wear well and are rather masculine in that they are not lusterous or too squishy. I’d say go for the Galway.
Posted by: Brenda
I’m over from the Harlot’s blog and thought I’d put in my two cents. Go for the really great stuff and make him a sweater convert. Galway is a good staple yarn but there are many other yarns out there that can be worn near the skin (and sensitive neck). I think a nice Merino is in order, especially since knitting an entire man’s sweater isn’t a quick knit. Personally, if I felt a sweater that was manly colored but soft (think Banana Republic) I’d buy it for megabucks, but if the sweater was so-so-blah and a bit itchy, I wouldn’t even think of spending money on it. Since it is a sweater for one you love, you should love knitting it, the material it is made of, the pattern, all of it rolls into an expression of joy.
Yarn you could look for includes Jaeger Aran weight yarns (sometimes it is very very affordable on eBay) or Louet Worsted Superwash (Louet Gems Merino Topaz) as good Rowan alternatives.
Posted by: freecia
Ooh, that’s a whole lot of pressure! One sweater in which to prove your love? I’d go somewhere big and roll in some yarn until you find something perfect, who cares what it’s called…
Posted by: Becka
Mmmm. I LOVE GALWAY! I knit my most favorite sweater in it. Minimum pilling, softens even more after a good block, quick to knit on US 8’s. I even ripped and reknit the sleeves, and they look great. I’ve been wearing it for just about 2 years, and i love it still. Claudia has a good point though, about how to present it to him.
Posted by: Julia
The Galway is very nice yarn. I buy it at my local knit shop for like $6 a skein. Not bad at all. Good luck.
Posted by: Kristi
I think Galway would work fine, especially for a sweater like this one that is more jacket-like. It’s a good, honest wool at a reasonable price.
Posted by: Ruth
Don’t know about the Galway but, funnily enough, “Avast” is the first pattern my husband has shown any interest in, so I’ll be monitoring your progress. Also, that same designer had another pattern in Knitty recently, the wonderful “Halfdome” hat. That was a great pattern which I enjoyed knitting for aforementioned husband. He – likes – it, but doesn’t actually wear it as he feels it makes him look potentially, ah, Muslim. Maybe as the weather cools, he might wear it in the garden to warm his bald patch…. Ah, the folly of knitting for a guy, but we keep doing it anyway. When the guy is tiny, we can make them wear what we knit!
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
Treliske organic merino yarn is hands-down the most wonderful yarn for this purpose ever. It feels, when knitted, almost as soft as cashmere, but with more body (and it doesn’t pill as much), it’s a joy to work with, and it’s inexpensive–I ordered mine directly from the web site a few years ago for my equally picky husband’s aran-of-all-time. http://www.treliskeorganic.com/ Don’t be put off by having to order it from New Zealand, it came quite quickly.
Posted by: lizgstein
Lucky you! I too am married to a man who doesn;t wear sweaters. Not that he doesn’t like them, in fact he has tons, but when he wears them there’s always the familiar complaint, “I’m hot”
So far all he has agreed to is a hat but I will take it!
Posted by: Nicole
Ooh, that’s a whole lot of pressure! One sweater in which to prove your love? I’d go somewhere big and roll in some yarn until you find something perfect, who cares what it’s called…
Posted by: Becka
Mmmm. I LOVE GALWAY! I knit my most favorite sweater in it. Minimum pilling, softens even more after a good block, quick to knit on US 8’s. I even ripped and reknit the sleeves, and they look great. I’ve been wearing it for just about 2 years, and i love it still. Claudia has a good point though, about how to present it to him.
Posted by: Julia
The Galway is very nice yarn. I buy it at my local knit shop for like $6 a skein. Not bad at all. Good luck.
Posted by: Kristi
I think Galway would work fine, especially for a sweater like this one that is more jacket-like. It’s a good, honest wool at a reasonable price.
Posted by: Ruth
Don’t know about the Galway but, funnily enough, “Avast” is the first pattern my husband has shown any interest in, so I’ll be monitoring your progress. Also, that same designer had another pattern in Knitty recently, the wonderful “Halfdome” hat. That was a great pattern which I enjoyed knitting for aforementioned husband. He – likes – it, but doesn’t actually wear it as he feels it makes him look potentially, ah, Muslim. Maybe as the weather cools, he might wear it in the garden to warm his bald patch…. Ah, the folly of knitting for a guy, but we keep doing it anyway. When the guy is tiny, we can make them wear what we knit!
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
Treliske organic merino yarn is hands-down the most wonderful yarn for this purpose ever. It feels, when knitted, almost as soft as cashmere, but with more body (and it doesn’t pill as much), it’s a joy to work with, and it’s inexpensive–I ordered mine directly from the web site a few years ago for my equally picky husband’s aran-of-all-time. http://www.treliskeorganic.com/ Don’t be put off by having to order it from New Zealand, it came quite quickly.
Posted by: lizgstein
Lucky you! I too am married to a man who doesn;t wear sweaters. Not that he doesn’t like them, in fact he has tons, but when he wears them there’s always the familiar complaint, “I’m hot”
So far all he has agreed to is a hat but I will take it!
Posted by: Nicole
I’m knitting something in Galway right now. There are a lot of qualities I like about it but as I work it I’m thinking it is a little course and itchy (it irritates my knitting calluses). Now in all fairness I haven’t washed it so that itchy issue may actually be a non-issue. I definately think it deserves some investigation. Maybe get one skein, swatch and wash and see if it passes the itchy test.
But wouldn’t it be nice to swath Billy in merino?
Posted by: Laurie
this is the sweater that won my boyfriend over too!
Posted by: jessica
I’ve knit with galway and I can say it isa very nice yarn indeed. Other yarns that would readily compare: patons classic merino and cascade 220.
Good luck with it. I know it will be a stunner.
Posted by: anj
I think Claudia’s idea is good. Since it’s not gonna be a surprise anyway, you should totally give him veto power on the yarn.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
Plymouth Galway is very nice to work with. And it’s very reasonably priced (I think). It also felts very well. Can’t wait to see it from start to finish.
Posted by: Miss Amy
Someone above suggested Yorkshire Tweed DK but that it might be discontinued. I don’t know for certain if this is the yarn referred to, but Jimmy Beans has it, AND it is on sale!
http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlinegen/currgen/Rowan/YorkshireTweedDK.asp?showLarge=true=4443
It is a nice yarn, I have knit with it…very soft, and there is a dark gray that is beautiful.
Posted by: Knitting Nettie
I’m knitting something in Galway right now. There are a lot of qualities I like about it but as I work it I’m thinking it is a little course and itchy (it irritates my knitting calluses). Now in all fairness I haven’t washed it so that itchy issue may actually be a non-issue. I definately think it deserves some investigation. Maybe get one skein, swatch and wash and see if it passes the itchy test.
But wouldn’t it be nice to swath Billy in merino?
Posted by: Laurie
this is the sweater that won my boyfriend over too!
Posted by: jessica
I’ve knit with galway and I can say it isa very nice yarn indeed. Other yarns that would readily compare: patons classic merino and cascade 220.
Good luck with it. I know it will be a stunner.
Posted by: anj
I think Claudia’s idea is good. Since it’s not gonna be a surprise anyway, you should totally give him veto power on the yarn.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
Plymouth Galway is very nice to work with. And it’s very reasonably priced (I think). It also felts very well. Can’t wait to see it from start to finish.
Posted by: Miss Amy
Someone above suggested Yorkshire Tweed DK but that it might be discontinued. I don’t know for certain if this is the yarn referred to, but Jimmy Beans has it, AND it is on sale!
http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlinegen/currgen/Rowan/YorkshireTweedDK.asp?showLarge=true=4443
It is a nice yarn, I have knit with it…very soft, and there is a dark gray that is beautiful.
Posted by: Knitting Nettie
Try elann.com for really good prices on really great yarn. The colors can be limited though.
Posted by: Elayne
Gee, I hate to go against the grain here, but I would NOT knit it in Galway. I’ve made several hats, scarfs, sweaters for the guys in my life – 2 teen sons and husband, and I don’t like the look or feel of the Galway. It almost looks acrylic sheen to me when knitted and kind of cheap. For a guy’s sweater I like a more rugged look with a bit of texture to it – all wool. I would suggest Beaverslide yarn from Montana (available on line) it has some texture and a masculine feel and look to it. Or a Cascade 220 which has more texture to it that Galway. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by: Shelley (Pink House)
I knit with galway , a lot. I love it.
My husband loves what I knit with it.
Little warning, even with hand washing /drying flat, it shrinks.
Yes, my hubby handwashes the stuff I knit him, and he is very careful.
I tend to use galway for felting, tho I have used it alot for sweaters.
Buy the galway.
Posted by: Lady Wyvern
What is it with knitters and their sweater-disdaining SOs? I swear there’s a thesis in there somewhere…
Yes, I’m married to another one. I haven’t shown him Avast yet (I’d sort of given up). Maybe I’ll have to try…
And I like Claudia’s idea. Make him a big swatch (or even a hat or scarf or wristwarmers) out of Galway and see what he thinks about it before committing to the whole sweater. Or wait until Rhinebeck, when you’re there with the family, and just keep rubbing yarn on him until he says “I like that one.”
Posted by: Sarah
I like the Lambs Pride Worsted a lot – just knit my husband a hat with the dark gray and I am now working on a scarf with alternating shades of gray (as well as a cardigan for myself but that’s another story altogether!) Good luck!
Posted by: Meghan
I’ve used Paton classic merino, which is similar to galway. Nice, but not special. If RCY Cashsoft isn’t in your budget, my vote would be Plymouth Suri Merino. Really, my first choice for affordable but special is Malabrigo, but I haven’t seen it in a classic grey.
Posted by: Pearl
Did you receive your yarn? Do you think it will work? Do tell!
Posted by: Knitting Nettie
Try elann.com for really good prices on really great yarn. The colors can be limited though.
Posted by: Elayne
Gee, I hate to go against the grain here, but I would NOT knit it in Galway. I’ve made several hats, scarfs, sweaters for the guys in my life – 2 teen sons and husband, and I don’t like the look or feel of the Galway. It almost looks acrylic sheen to me when knitted and kind of cheap. For a guy’s sweater I like a more rugged look with a bit of texture to it – all wool. I would suggest Beaverslide yarn from Montana (available on line) it has some texture and a masculine feel and look to it. Or a Cascade 220 which has more texture to it that Galway. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by: Shelley (Pink House)
I knit with galway , a lot. I love it.
My husband loves what I knit with it.
Little warning, even with hand washing /drying flat, it shrinks.
Yes, my hubby handwashes the stuff I knit him, and he is very careful.
I tend to use galway for felting, tho I have used it alot for sweaters.
Buy the galway.
Posted by: Lady Wyvern
What is it with knitters and their sweater-disdaining SOs? I swear there’s a thesis in there somewhere…
Yes, I’m married to another one. I haven’t shown him Avast yet (I’d sort of given up). Maybe I’ll have to try…
And I like Claudia’s idea. Make him a big swatch (or even a hat or scarf or wristwarmers) out of Galway and see what he thinks about it before committing to the whole sweater. Or wait until Rhinebeck, when you’re there with the family, and just keep rubbing yarn on him until he says “I like that one.”
Posted by: Sarah
I like the Lambs Pride Worsted a lot – just knit my husband a hat with the dark gray and I am now working on a scarf with alternating shades of gray (as well as a cardigan for myself but that’s another story altogether!) Good luck!
Posted by: Meghan
I’ve used Paton classic merino, which is similar to galway. Nice, but not special. If RCY Cashsoft isn’t in your budget, my vote would be Plymouth Suri Merino. Really, my first choice for affordable but special is Malabrigo, but I haven’t seen it in a classic grey.
Posted by: Pearl
Did you receive your yarn? Do you think it will work? Do tell!
Posted by: Knitting Nettie