| Sirdar Big Softie |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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The Look Big Softie is aptly named for it is a big and soft yarn that will appeal to your more delicate side. This lofty singles yarn has a gleaming luster and soft haze that gives the deep colors a bright glow that will sparkle against the snow and shimmer amongst springtime blooms.
The Feel Big softie is lightweight and billowy with cushiony soft texture that earns this yarn a 9 on the softness scale.
The Patterns Sirdar has created a range of patterns perfect for beginners. The simple hats, cardigans and coats for women and girls are easy enough for beginners and quick hits for more experienced knitters. Simple lines and a bit of ribbing are all that is needed to create fashionable garments.
Color Range Sirdar makes Big Softie available in 15 solids including 2 new tones released for 2010. The mainly feminine hues of pink, purple, lavender, fuchsia and pastels is rounded out by a bolder range of black, brown, red and teal.
Working It Big Softie is the ideal yarn for beginners because it uses only few stitches and rows to get big results. The big stitches made by extra-large needles (US 15) are easier for beginners to read. Using the recommended gauge of 9 stitches over 4 inches (2.25/inch), a teen who has just begun to knit only needs to cast on 36 stitches for the back of a 32-inch sweater. Knitting at this gauge brings quicker results for beginners. It’s far less daunting to knit a row of 36 stitches than to knit the same row of 72 or more stitches. At 3 rows per inch, the rows click off quickly, too. If you're looking for a quick project to pull you out of a knitting slump, or if you’re teaching a new knitter, try Big Softie. It doesn’t split, is silky soft to knit and can be knit easily using bamboo, plastic, wood or metal needles. Singles yarn is known for excellent drape and crisp stitch definition, and Big Softie meets those expectations. Its big scale is very effective in 2 x 2 ribbing against a smooth stockinette background, and the Sirdar designers have created several garments that utilize this design element.
What I’d Like to Make with It Because Big Softie is airily light, it's ideal for a longer jacket or coat. Don’t overlook it for kids’ wear: the loose, flowing and light fabric won’t constrain active kids. This lustrous and beefy yarn is a good candidate for a hip, slouchy beret or a warm muffler, too.
Knitting Outside the Box Sirdar’s Big Softie is easy care, lightweight and durable. Consider it for a lap robe, afghan, carriage robe, or a Prayer Shawl. These projects are quite large with no supporting seams, so they can easily become heavy. If you use Big Softie, you’ll have a lighter but just as warm outcome, and one that is machine washable, too.
Blocking It Lay flat to dry.
Washing It Big Softie can be laundered. Use cool water and the gentle cycle on your machine to avoid stretching and twisting your knitting. Try using a lingerie bag to prevent over wringing the garment.
Wearability As a singles yarn with minimal twist, Big Softie has a lot of surface area that can be subject to pilling or fuzzing. Take these steps you can take to minimize pilling in this or any other yarn:
Overall Recommendation Big Softie is an ideal yarn for beginners and for big scale knits. I rate it #7.
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