What comes first--the pattern or the yarn?

CapnHook wrote

on Sep 16, 2009 7:35 PM

I'm just curious how it works for everyone else. I sometimes find a pattern I must make, but more often I am browsing a yarn store and find a yarn I absolutely can't live without and then I hunt down a pattern to fit the yarn. How is it for you?

theonlynikki wrote

on Sep 18, 2009 12:51 PM

Usually yarn comes first for me. But this has become a serious problem when I'm making larger projects. I NEVER buy enough and end up hunting down more of what I have. and my luck they've stopped making it or are out of it and I have to drive all over town looking for it. LOL! It's sad I know.

I do a lot of smaller projects too though so I just go find colors that catch my eye at that time and go from there.

SharonM wrote

on Sep 19, 2009 2:45 AM

With filet crochet, the pattern comes first and then I buy the cotton thread to make the curtains, doily, or whatever. I have to say that usually the pattern comes first with crocheted garments too - only done a few girl toddler ones over the years. For the afghan I want to make, the pattern definitely came before the yarn! I'm just waiting for a sale!

However, I have a stash of luxe wool and wool blend yarns that I've collected over the years from thrift stores and sale bins, and they are all in shades of cream and brown. They are waiting to become a crocheted sweater. I think I may have found the pattern in an English crochet book that I bought in a Used Book store. Since I'm primarily a knitter, I'm not sure why I just knew that these yarns were meant to be used to crochet a truly special occasion sweater.

In general, I know the yardage I need to knit or crochet a project and buy enough, and then a couple of more balls of yarn. This way I avoid problems with dye lots, if I run short, and have odds and ends left over for other projects.

The Master Planner wrote

on Sep 21, 2009 5:50 PM

For me, the pattern comes first. And if I can't find it, I use a prudent substitute if I can't get it online. My stash is rather anemic, because of my personal resolution to finish all the projects I start.

"There are more things on heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy." --Shakespeare, Hamlet

theonlynikki wrote

on Sep 25, 2009 8:12 AM

So I was thinking of this post here, I'm making an afghan for my boyfriend's family for Christmas. I found apttern I really love and bought the yarn it recommended. Now that I'm about 1/4 of the way into the project I'm thinking they didn't suggest ENOUGH yarn! Usually they tell you too much. * sigh *

Just can't win. LOL!

Janine1 wrote

on Sep 26, 2009 10:51 PM

For me, it usually starts with the yarn. I see something that just calls to me and I have to have it. Of course, as has already been mentioned, this can cause problems. It is especially a problem when buying on-line. Very often, the color you see on the screen is not the same as the real item. Also, I have ordered a yarn that looks a certain smoothness or has a certain glitter on-screen that it doesn't really have. I think for big projects, you have to start with the pattern so you can make sure that you have the right weight of yarn and enough yardage. Always buy at least one skein (ball, hank, whatever) more that what is recommended. If, however, you have a large stash and are tired of scarves, try mixing colors, textures, yarn weights, etc. You just might be pleasantly surprised.

Kimmie4 wrote

on Oct 9, 2009 10:24 AM

The pattern comes first for me. I rarely use the brand of yarn recommended though. Since I'm on a budget I normally purchase I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby. It has become my favorite. I do occasionally find a skein with more than 1 knot in it though.

Janine1 wrote

on Oct 15, 2009 2:42 AM

Don't you just hate skeins with knots! I had a problem with a "big name" yarn company. I purchased 16 skeins for a large afghan and 12 had knots and big "extra fuzzy" areas. I cut these out and completed my project, but kept the labels and cut out pieces (I don't know what possessed me, but I did keep them). I contacted the company, just to register a complaint and let them know that they had some bad yarn out there -- I figured, if I got bad yarn, so did other people. Well, guess what? They sent me a color chart and told me to pick out 16 skeins to replace the bad ones -- totally for free! They even paid the postage!

So, it does pay to complain sometimes.