2.13.2012

giveaway #80

Here are the three winners from last giveaway (And, thank you so much for all the blog birthday wishes. It was so nice to read all your comments and words of encouragement!) :

1) Maegwin (comment)

2) Desiree (public follower)

3) blendab1 (Rav group member)

Congratulations! Please contact me at yarnonthehouse@gmail.com to collect your prizes.



My favorite kind of yarn is yarn that makes me smile, and this giveaway's indie dyer definitely does just that with their beautiful yarns. Meet Hearthside Fibers. Look at all the fun colors that are so smile worthy in their Etsy shop. I especially like all the speckled colorways! Here's a fun interview for you to read. Enjoy!


1. Please start by telling us a little bit about yourself and what you do?

My husband, our son and I live on the family farm (it’s been in the family since the 1950’s), where we raise sheep and goats and have a fiber dyeing business. We have had the sheep for over 10 years. We raise primarily Shetlands, but have had or have Icelandics, Polypays, Coopworths and Angora and Nigerian Dwarf goats.

Our background is not in farming - I was a business major in college and my husband and I both have a background in hotels and retail. But when we ended up living on the farm, we decided to make some use of the land that surrounds us. Somewhere along the way, I decided that I wanted to learn how to spin my own yarn. Of course, the natural progression led us to buy a few bred ewes - Shetlands, since they provide wonderful colored wool and they are small (I’m 5 feet tall) and easy to handle. That led to our building our flock up over the years to about 100 sheep (assorted breeds), - more during spring lambing!

While some of our sheep were raised for their meat, my primary interest has always been the fiber. I spin and knit and love hand dyed yarns and rovings. So, again, the natural progression for me, was to start dyeing my own yarns and rovings. And what better way to pay for my habits than to start selling my fibers to others.

One thing I do want to mention, is that while this interview is with me, and I do the "creative" work for Hearthside Fibers, my husband, Larry does a lot of the other work. He's the muscle, the numbers cruncher, he builds the displays for our festival booth, he skeins and reskeins yarn. I couldn't do it without him.

2. Your hand dyed yarns that you offer are very pretty and the colorways are so unique. Can you talk a little bit about what inspires you?

I see color everywhere. I found myself waiting in a doctor’s office one day, thinking that the colors in his carpeting would make a nice yarn! I look around myself outdoors and see colors in the flowers, the trees, I see colors in magazines and fish tanks and paint swatches. And I talk to customers to find colors that grab them.

3. Do you have a favorite colorway or yarn that you offer?

I do have some color ways that I prefer over some of the others. I’m partial to blues and “peachy” colors. I love the way some of the brown tones dye up, although I really don’t like to wear brown myself. And, in spite of the fact that I always tell people I’m not really a “purple” person, I seem to be drawn to that color lately.

I really like the bamboo blend yarn that I have sent for this giveaway - our “BaaBoo” line of fingering weight yarn. It is soft and lustrous - it dyes up really nicely and produces a nice knitted product in the end.

4. For budding new yarnies out there, what's the one piece of advice you have?

Well, to quote Nike, “Just Do It”. I have a tendency to hold back, in fear of failure. But you’ll never know if you can do something, or like to do something, until you try. If you screw up a batch of yarn, what’s the worst that can happen? Even if you end up with a yarn color that you don’t like, you can always blend it in with another yarn or, if nothing else, cut it up and put it out in the spring for the birds to use in their nests.

5. What will be next for you? Do you have yarns or colorways in the works that you can share with us?

We do have some new yarn lines that we will be introducing at the fiber shows this spring. We have a thick and thin, bulky weight yarn that will give your knitting some nice texture. And a single ply wool yarn that I think will work out nice for felting projects. We’re always on the lookout for something new and different, while keeping our tried and true lines available.

Always new color ways. I love experimenting with color - when I have colors that people like, I will most likely repeat them, but I’d get bored doing the same colors over and over.

6. I always like to ask, why do you knit?

To use my handspun yarn. At least, that was my initial motivation. My husband used to tease me about all the handspun yarn we had sitting around the house. So I decided I needed to learn to knit, just to use up some of that yarn. But now, I find it relaxing and exciting all at the same time. I think I’m more of a process knitter - while I do finish projects, I enjoy the actual knitting more than the finished product.

7. When did you learn to knit and who taught you?

Which time!?! I first learned to knit about the time I wanted clothes for my Barbie dolls. That didn’t last long, but then I picked up the needles again when I was in college. Again, a short lived adventure. But this latest time, was sometime in the last 10 years, after I started spinning.

My mom showed me how to knit back in my Barbie days, but this last time around, I just picked up the “Stitch and Bitch” book - they had instructions for Continental style knitting - and I just followed the diagrams. And, after I knit a garter stitch scarf, I decided socks couldn’t be too hard - and then I tried lace and some garments. And it’s worked out pretty well!

8. If you were to knit and live anywhere in the world, where would you knit and live?

Well, believe it or not, I love the Midwest, so I’m pretty happy here in Wisconsin. But I do like Great Britain, so maybe on a nice sheep farm there. Or smack dab in the middle of London.

9. What's been your worst knitting or in your case it could be a yarn dyeing disaster?

I don’t have a really good disaster story (yet!). I do sometimes have a color that doesn’t turn out exactly as I had envisioned - but the minute I say something about “what an ugly color that turned out to be” someone else admires it and buys it! Thank goodness we don’t all like blue - what a boring world it would be!

10. And last but not least, if you were enjoying a favorite drink while reading my blog, what would it be?

Well, normally when I am online, I have a cup of coffee by my side. Maybe some Berres Brothers coffee (the local coffee) - black, strong, no fancy flavors!


Hearthside Fibers has been kind enough to send three skeins of their BEAUTIFUL BaaBoo (how cute is that name?!) skeins for three followers to have a chance at winning. This stuff is pretty fabulous in person! Now, I have not knit with it myself, but the texture and softness of this yarn in it's skein form really makes me want to cast on with it. I think it might be the bamboo content that I'm loving so much. Check it out...


GA80yarn


There are two skeins of the dusty lavender purple colorway called Purple Haze, and a skein of Annie's Snowy Mountain, which has that fun speckled look to it that makes me smile. I know the three winners of this giveaway will be very happy!


I would like you to do the following if you would like to be entered into this week's giveaway:


1. Read over the rules if you have not done so already.

2. Leave a comment on this blog post by the end of Sunday, 2/26/12. Hearthside Fibers wants to know:

"Larry and I were talking last night - we were wondering, as we break cones of yarn down into skeins - do knitters prefer sock yarn in 50 gram skeins - 175 - 200 or so yards per skein - where they have to buy two for a pair of socks? Or 100 gram skeins that hold over 400 yards - where you can get a pair of socks from one skein (unless you are making really big socks)? Or would they rather have access to sock yarn skeins that go 500- 600 feet? 125 - 150 grams?"

What a cool question to steer the comments this time! Just in case you wanna know my thoughts on this subject... personally I like 100g or larger skeins. I use sock yarn mostly for shawls and I would hate to have to add yarn midway through; however, for sock knitters, smaller skeins maybe just what they like. I'm curious to see what all you say!


I'll randomly pick the winners in 2 weeks and post the results along with the new giveaway, so be sure to check back. Good luck everyone.

Sincerely,

Ve

187 comments:

Melody said...

I can't give a number. I do want to most bang for my buck. So I would say 100 grams.

melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

Karen said...

I like the 100 gram skeins too. I sometimes make socks and sometimes make shawls. I have size 10 feet, but still usually get a pair of socks with a 7 inch leg with 100 grams. And if I make a shawl, as you said, I don't have to add yarn as I would with 2 skeins.

Marlitharn said...

I like 100 gram skeins. When I buy sock yarn it could be socks, or a shawl, or a scarf, or a hat, or mitts; I never buy with a pattern in mind. If I do end up making socks or mitts I can do 2 at a time, knitting from both the inside and outside of a center-pull cake. Gorgeous yarn, btw!

affiknity said...

I prefer 100 gms skein too.

Kamigaeru said...

Definitely 100g or more! I mostly knit shawls from sock/fingering weight yarn, and the extra yardage is a plus.

Lovely colors... :-)

BrittanyLaine said...

Definitely 100 gram skeins.

Stranded Things said...

I have to join the 100 gram crowd, but all sizes probably have their place and time!

sharmylae said...

100g at least, for me! i've only bought one 50g skein, back when i was scared of fingering weight yarn and had no idea what i'd do with 400 yards of it. now after knitting a couple pairs of socks and some fingering weight scarves, i definitely want more!

Typstatting said...

100gram is the best to use!

Sheila said...

I like 100 gram skeins. Like you I don't want to have to join midway through a shawl.

Jessica Powers said...

I prefer 100+ gram skeins most of the time. Like V I use sock wool for shawls a lot. However, I also knit heaps of fingerless gloves with sock wool and for that 50g skeins are tops! I always thought that 100g should be the basic and then 50g skeins the 'top up' for when you need a little more, or a little less, but without ending up with miles of meterage leftover (as will happen with my two 100g skeins that are much too much for the Haruni I plan to knit with them, sigh).

Rachelle said...

I generally go for 100g skeins because they're more versatile, but I do love the way Kanui yarn is available in varying sized skeins above 100g; means you can choose the best size for your project.

donna said...

Definitely 100g or more. I can always divide it for socks but I like the option of using it for something else, like a shawl or hat, with no joins.
Donna (woolpiggy on rav)

Amanda said...

Oh, definitely 100+ grams. In fingering-weight bases that make more sense for shawls than socks, even bigger skeins (120-150g) are great.

Kristin said...

Like many of the others, I, too, prefer 100+ gram skeins. I don't always know if it will be socks or a shawl, and I usually feel that the 100 gram skeins are a better value (though not always).

cysiphist on ravelry

susanmhj said...

Have to agree with 100 gm skeins!

Nadia said...

no matter to me,50 gr or 100 or 125),to join the yarn I use felting or braidng method.

Beathag said...

I prefer larger skeins. I knit mostly shawls but even for a smaller project it is always nice to have leftovers for small little projects!

craftink on raverly

wildkitten said...

100gr and more! I like when I have a long yarn without breaks :)

wildkitten/dot/handcrafts/at/gmail/dot/com

Rasa said...

I have to say, I like the 100 gram skeins...its just one skein and I don't have to look through my stash for one that has gone astray! I also like that if I choose to knit something other than socks, I don't have to join anything!!! Happy Valentines day one and all!

Sue Lowe said...

Since I like fingering weight yarn for things other than socks (I've only made one pair), I prefer larger lots with less ends to sew.

Debbie in KY said...

I like the 100g skeins best. I either knit shawls or other non-sock projects, or I knit socks that go up the leg a bit.

Since I knit sweaters in fingering (I'm nuts, I know), having it on cones would be fab, too!

Tara said...

Tough question! When I knit socks I find it so much more convenient to have two skeins so I can always be sure there will be enough yarn and it IS a pain trying to split a 100g+ skein yourself. But for larger projects, it's nice to have one continuous skein.

Jess said...

I prefer 100g skeins so I can use the yarn for other things, but then if I want to when I'm putting it into a cake I'll just split it myself into two 50g skeins/cakes for socks.

I'd also like the option to buy a larger skein so I can make knee-highs or a bigger shawl, but my standard would probably be 100g.

Jessecreations on Ravelry

Christine-Bellylaugher said...

I like the idea of 100 gram skeins and 125-150 gram skeins for shawls and larger projects.

BellyLaugher on Rav

JoAnna said...

I go either way on the sock yarn. Liking the base is more important to me than how many skeins I need for a project.

The 50 gr skeins are nice for colorwork. - especially for a pair of socks or mittens. A 100 gr skein is usually too much.

The yarn is beautiful! So uniquely dyed.

Beth said...

I prefer at least 100g skeins, but I would REALLY like the even larger skeins. I don't knit socks, but sock yarn is my go-to for scarves and shawlettes. 100g is usually just barely enough for the size of scarf or shawlette I like...I'd rather have extra to make it really luxurious!

Suzanne said...

What a great interview! Funny how life can take people in different directions than their careers. I love the fact that Hearthside fibers is a team effort.

I am fond of larger skeins as I don't always make socks with sock yarn. Lately all the shawl patterns call for more than 100grams and I'd rather not have to buy multiples to get the yardage I need.

Christine Lima said...

I like a skein that makes 1 pair of socks...so somewhere in the 400-ish yard range. Having to buy 2 skeins is never my favorite adn I always worry that the hand-dying will be a bit different between the two and my socks won't really match.

jennybookworm said...

I like a 100g skein to get a pair of average size socks out of one single skein/ball. You can usually get a pretty good sized shawl out of that size too and I'm knitting shawls as often as socks out of 'sock' yarn. I love that speckled blue yarn! It would be fun to knit up a wool bamboo blend - I wonder how 'drapey' it is?! ...

Sylvie said...

I like the 100 gram or 100+ gram skeins best - I can always split them smaller if I want to do two-at-a-time socks, but I don't have to worry about extra ends to weave in or extra skeins to keep track of.

Kassia said...

Definitely the 100+ gram skeins. I don't like to buy two skeins for a pair of socks. :)

Gynx said...

Personally, I prefer 100+ gram skeins. Like many before me have said, I'd hate if I was working on something like a shawl and had to add more yarn halfway through.

Gynx on Ravelry

Heather said...

I like 100g skeins most of the time. They tend to be more consistent than two 50g skeins. 150g skeins would intrigue me, since I have small feet and could get two pairs of socks from that much yarn. You could even market the 150g skeins to shawlette knitters or knitters who love someone with big feet (or have big feet themselves.

The only time I'd go for 50g skeins over a 100+ gram skein is if the yarn were dyed in a gradient or stripes and I wanted the socks to match pretty much exactly. Other than that, 100+ is the way to go.

cguard(on rav) said...

My preference is for the 100 gram skiens. Thrilled to see another Wisconsin business. Hope to come find you at a summer festival.

Heidi said...

I would also say 100 gm or larger because I use sock yarn for shawls, wraps, etc. I actually probably wouldn't want the yardage of 125 gm skein though, because that last bit would probably go to waste (not enough to make another project and so sad to get rid of).
bigheidi on rav

Emily said...

I like skeins with at least 100 grams -- that way I can use them either for socks or shawls.

Anonymous said...

I like smaller skeins for sock knitting.

sparkeespud said...

That's a hard question. I like access to both. If I'm planning socks, having 2 smaller skeins is nice, but if I am doing a shawl having access to a larger skein is extra wonderful.

Great shop!

Zenitude said...

I really enjoyed this interview. Beautiful roving and yarn! I prefer a 4 oz skein of yarn, so a bit over the 100g. Then I can use it for a larger shawl or pair of socks with a bit of left over.
rav: zenitude

Erin said...

100 g is definitely the most versatile.

becca said...

I always tend to go for 100gm skeins, or larger ones if I can get them. :)

Zabbers said...

I like 100 gram skeins, though usually that is more than enough for my little feet and I end up with leftovers. (But it's not like I can get two socks out of one 50 gram skein either).

Kae said...

Definitely 100 grams. I always like more yarn in one skein versus less yarn. I hate to add yarn to lace knitting and to socks. In fact, I won't buy a particular yarn if a skein does not contain enough yarn for projects where adding a new skein would be detrimental to the project

sparky136 said...

I like 100 grams or larger. I like 450 to 500 yds.

Reikjavyk said...

I like the 100 grams skeins too. If I'm knitting socks, I can divide it. If I'm knitting a shawl, I won't have to join midway through it.

katherinelynn_04 said...

I prefer 100 g or more. I don't knit socks, but if I did I would still buy 100g. It ensures that the yarn is the same, as it is from the same skein, more than if it is from two similar hand-dyed. Plus I knit lace and shawls and all sorts of stuff that makes it seems silly to have teensy skeins.

ChrisC said...

Pretty yarns! I really like purple haze. I strongly prefer 100 g skeins of sock yarn. It annoys me to have to buy two skeins, for some reason, even though it's the same amount of yarn. Also, I like that one skein can make socks or a shawl, and that if it's the latter, I don't have to add yarn and then weave in extra ends.

Diana said...

I definitely gravitate toward 100 gram skeins versus 2 50 grams simply because I worry about the skeins not matching even with the same dyelot.

amchart said...

Bigger is better! I don't mind knitting from both ends doing two at a time, and I like knitting knee-hi stockings.

Laura said...

I like the 100 gram skeins because I'm not always making socks with my sock yarn.

Rosemary said...

Oh man, that yarn looks delicious!

And like many others, I prefer 100g skeins. That way I just have one tiny ball of leftover yardage instead of two. :)

Rae Lynne said...

I don't knit socks, like you, I use it for shawls so I'd prefer the larger skeins, unsplit. If I were to make socks, I'd weigh it out and divide the skein - a little more work maybe, but I prefer that to potentially having to join yarns in the middle of a project.

Jaime P said...

I prefer 100 gram balls - enough for a pair of socks or a small shawl.

Kathy said...

I agree, I prefer 100g or more on a skein, that way I can use it for socks, or a shawl, or whatever I've got my eye on at the time!

Emily said...

Usually I prefer 100+ grams per skein, but I've been knitting socks for my toddler lately, so 50g is great for that (I can usually get 1 solid pair + stripes for a second pair out of that).

Rachel D. said...

I prefer to buy just one skein, so 400+ yards is good for me.

Vee said...

I definitely prefer 100g or larger skeins. I don't see the point of smaller skeins unless it's self-striping and you want it even.

Sabrina said...

I, too, would like 100g or larger. I don't usually use really pretty sock yarn for socks, I use it for shawls and other projects. I really like being able to buy one skein and get a whole project out of it.

renewedmind said...

I usually prefer the 100g skeins also. Beautiful yarns!!

renewedmind on ravelry

Debbie said...

I also prefer the 100 gram skeins. Thanks! Debbie H gussek on Ravelry

Kara said...

I'm also in the 100g crowd. It's a good size to make a variety of projects (shawl, socks, gloves, scarf). Oh, and I LOVE the purple haze colorway!

Unknown said...

As someone with both small feet and a small budget, I like to go for the 50g skeins. I can usually squeeze a pair of socks out of one, especially if I use a contrasting color for the toes and heels.

Evan said...

i'm a 100 gram skein kind of girl

TopHat said...

I'm a 100 grammer was well. I also like bigger skeins for projects bigger than socks.

fracksmom said...

Ok I make shawls so bigger is better. when I have made socks I never know what to do with the left over and they don't usually have colorways to play well with others.

kjramstack said...

Hello Hearthside Fibers from a fellow spinner and knitter in Wisconsin! I prefer purchasing smaller skeins. I can always buy more but can't buy less if the yarn only comes in big skeins. BUT, if we're talking hand-dyed yarn, I would prefer to purchase a larger skein so everything matches.

Unknown said...

I would say that I like 100g skeins. . . it's usually enough for a small shawl or a pair of socks :)

lorraine said...

100gram for sure!

Sarah said...

I've always wondered why such small skeins (50g) exist! I definitely buy the bigger ones if I can!

Sarah said...

I've always wondered why such small skeins (50g) exist! I definitely buy the bigger ones if I can!

Megan said...

I prefer 100g skeins for socks or a small scarf. Thanks for the opportunity to give this yarn a try!

JanetK said...

I prefer the 2 sock 100gm for sure (though I've only knit one pair of socks so far!)

InJuneau said...

I prefer the 100 grams, esp. if not knitting socks but something bigger, because it's more difficult to spit splice sock yarns.

Beautiful colors!

Anonymous said...

Most definitely the 100 g or larger. That size is better for larger, non-sock projects.
hotknitter

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

I would prefer the 125-150 grams since I used sock yarn or fingering to knit shawls.

Marie said...

Actually I love both - big ones for shawls, little ones for socks...

Marie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marie said...
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sacha said...

I like 400 yd. skeins for sure!

Karen said...

100 or more. You can always cut things down but, as my kiddo says, "hitchin'm back together is hard to do."

sydneypaige said...

Gorgeous yarn, thanks for the opportunity! I have to jump on this bandwagon and agree with the crowd. I prefer 100g or more in a skein because I am not always a sock knitter, and I like to be able to knit either both socks or a whole baby cardigan or a whole shawl from one skein. I have the (sometimes bad) habit of buying one skein at a time of something I fall in love with... or losing matching skeins. :-) sydney.cole at gmail

Aussie Maria said...

Definitely 100g+. I tend to use the sock yarn for garments, cause I love the colourways. So the more yarn the better

Chelsea W said...

I too use the sock yarn for shawls, so 100+ skeins are better for me. Thanks!

txtaurus said...

I'm with the majority...I like my sock yarn in 100+ g skeins. I normally do the shawls, scarves, etc. so having the bit more eliminates the variance in the color ;)

CeltChick said...

OOO, did you see the Star Dust yarns on the Etsy site? "Teal We Meet Again" just knocks me over. I think I'd prefer to have fingering yarn in 100 gram hanks or skeins.

flora said...

nice question!
I like 100g skeins the best. I want to be able to make one pair with one skein!

Anna Marie said...

I prefer the 100 gram skeins. I usually make socks and like to make sure the dye lots are the same. With 100 gram skeins I wouldn't have to worry about dye lots.

Sara said...

100 grams - it is easier to use, especially if I am making a shawl -

Avila said...

I like the 50g balls because it gives me more flexibility - Just one if I'm making a gift baby hat and booties. I can get 2 different colors for color work socks or if I want miss-matched socks. My husband has large feet so when I make him socks I always need more than 100g and I wouldn't want to buy 2 100g skeins.

Sangeetha said...

I would say 100+ just more convenient to work with

Katrina said...

I like the bigger skeins - 100g...
I use sock yarn for things other than socks most of the time...

Maryse said...

I think 100g is fine! If you want to make socks, you don't want too much yarn left over ;-)

stephigordon said...

I like the 100g or larger... I'm more interested in knitting shawls/shawlettes/mobius cowls/etc... This yarn looks lucious! Thanks for the chance to win!!! Stephanie

Jessica Snell said...

I think I prefer 400+ yards. It's nice to get out a pair of socks and a little ball of scrap yarn to eventually go into an afghan (I love scrap afghans).

LochKnitsMonster said...

I like 100g skeins best. Your yarn is really, really beautiful.

Knitmish on Ravelry said...

I don't knit socks, so 100 g skeins are ideal. Depending on the company, the yardage varies per 100 g, but it's always enough to make a shawl. And I am a shawl lover!! :)

Erin said...

One more vote for the 100g skein. I'm always on a budget, so I like it when I can make a pair of socks from one skein. There's nothing worse than finally rationalizing the purchase of a really nice skein of sock yarn... only to find out that you actually need 2. Plus, I always end up with yarn left over, and I'd rather have it all in one little ball than in 2.

(vtgirl on Ravelry)

Turtle said...

i enjoy the larger amounts as i also enjoy using a good sock yarn for shawls... just helps! :)

Charlotte said...

I'm putting in another vote for 100g .... seems pretty popular ;-)

josiekitten said...

I would say that 100g is about right for most projects. It would be good to have the option of supersizing for a shawl or wrap I guess!

liz h said...

For socks, I prefer 50g skeins. This is so I don't have to split skeins in two to work out how long to knit the socks.

On the other hand, I wouldn't mind having some longer skeins for knee socks.

Lindr said...

I haven't forayed into the sock field yet, so I prefer my skeins on the larger size for sweaters and shawls. If I make hats or cowls or something smaller, I can always use a partial skein and have the rest for something else.

Lisaknits said...

I knit socks and shawls with fingering weight. The 100+ gram would be my pick.
Why can't we have all the options?
lasknit2..Rav id

karen alho said...

Usually I don't really care, but this week, for the first time two matching (according to the label)50gram skeins didn't make matching socks. It was a multi-plyed, self striping, tweedy yarn and I think I got different ends of the dye pots. Good thing my pants are long.

crookedknits said...

I vote for options! Maybe offer all 3 amounts that can be custom cut as people order (obviously this doesn't work so well for sales in a retail shop but better for straight through the dyers). I like to make knee socks and find that I probably need about 150 grams for non-lacey socks. I also like to make shawls and tend to need just that little extra bit. But really it depends on what one would be making. I wish I could order the amount I think I'll need sometimes.

Suburban prep said...

I am like you in that I have knit sock yarn mainly into shawls or doubled it and knit it in a sweater.

I think I am of the side that I prefer the yarns to come into the 400 yds or 100 grams.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Anett said...

I prefer 100 g skeins.

Kristen said...

I make more shawls than socks so I prefer the 100g+ skeins.

Elspeth H. said...

Definitely one-pair-per-skein. SO handy.

pavlas on Ravelry said...

I too would like the 100gm skeins, since I knit shawls. What beautiful yarn!

Liz said...

I like the 100g skeins. It means if you want to knit a small shawl, you only need one (or 2 if you want something bigger) and you can get a full pair of socks. It makes it easier for me to splurge on one skein of some color that I love, even if I'm not sure what I want to do with it yet.

Tish said...

I like the 100gm size skeins so I can either do a pair of socks or a small shawl. I rarely have a specific pattern in mind when I buy Indie yarns so I like 100gm or more in a skein so I have options.

As someone else said, I am curious about a 150gm skein of fingering as I have wished a had more on occassion for a larger shawl. Hmm....this BaaBoo sounds lovely for a larger shawl... so difficult to choose. ^_^

Nicole said...

I prefer to buy sock yarn in 100g skeins, but a 500-600 yard skein would be really awesome!

steelwool said...

Love the 100 gram skeins. Even larger would be a nice option but not an everyday purchase. I used sock yarn doubled for some anemone hats this year because I knew how well it washed. Larger skeins give you more options than just socks.

Kimberly B. said...

Count me in for the 100 gram skeins (or larger) . Whether or not it's accurate, they feel like a better bargain, and you do have a bit more flexibility in choosing to make socks or something else. And if there's yarn leftover, I can make fingerless gloves!

Thanks for the terrific giveaway!

djp375 said...

I would say that I would like the 100 grams. I just love your site and the fact that you live in Wisconsin. I live near Madison.

djp375 said...

nI would have to day that I would prefer the 100 grams. I really like that you would not have to match color lots and to add yarn. Much cleaner project. I love your sight. It is so awesome. I really was excited when I read you were from Wisconsin. I live near Madison.

roxy1364 said...

I like to get the most yarn for my money so I always go for the larger skeins! Love your blog btw - just discovered it.

an ika said...

I prefer 100 gram balls

Anna
anna_k67 at yahoo dot com

meeshelle said...

I like 100 gram skeins because I mostly use sock yarn for shawls and scarfs. If I want to make socks I just wind the skein into to cakes but I keep them attached so at the end if I have yarn leftover it's still in one piece :)

Judi A. said...

Oh those yarns are beautiful! I am not a sock knitter, but using sock yarn for other items, like shawls, I like larger skeins.

kristyh1981 said...

I prefer the larger skeins myself. I don't knit socks but I usually need more than just 50g for my projects as well.

Elaine said...

I prefer skeins of sock yarn in 100g weights or larger. 125g(~600yds) is is perfect for small shawls or scarves and if I need to make a larger shawl or sweater, I can just pick up two skeins.

ikkinlala said...

For the most part I prefer 100 gram or larger skeins for socks - if I want to split it up I can always do that while I'm winding (there's always an exception, and for me that would be colour-gradient yarns, where it's good to have the smaller skeins so they match). I have fairly big feet and like skeins that are at least 400 yards - for most wool sock yarns 100 grams is enough, but for some blends the standard 100 gram skein is under 400 yards and I'd rather pay for a little more and not be so worried that I'm going to run out.

Jen Price said...

Good question. I don't know that I have ever even used sock yarn before so it's hard for me to say.

Kathy said...

I suppose it'd be nice to have some of both. A 100g skein can't always complete a project for the big-footed, so it'd be nice to be able to buy a little more instead of another large skein.

winterwrens at gmail dot com

Silvina said...

I think having both is good, but I definitely prefer a 100gr skein.

Ely said...

Oh definitly 100 gram or more - especially if you can't get more of that same lot. There is nothing so frustrating as running out - and there is always a million things to use scraps for.

Walk-N-Knit said...

Not to be non-committal, but I would say both - larger skeins for shawls & those kinds of projects, and smaller (50 gram) skeins for socks. I like to make both socks of the pair at the same time (on 2 different sets of double-point needles) - to avoid second sock syndrome. I've done that w/a large skein, but it means having 1 yarn from the middle & 1 from around the outside - a bit of a pain. It's nice to have 1 sock from 1 skein & 1 from another...

LuisaM said...

I prefer 100g skeins.

PenCraft said...

I prefer larger skeins. I don't always knit socks with sock yarn. 150g is awesome. 100 is good.

Kim said...

I prefer 100 gram because I don't knit socks but love the sock yarns to make scarves, shawls and fingerless gloves.

windzgirl said...

I am a sock number and I prefer one skein that is 100g and about 400 yards. I just like any leftovers I have to be one ball and not two tiny balls (I do a lot of cuff-down socks so I usually have some leftovers). My mother is the opposite and prefers two separate skeins!

PBnJ said...

I like the larger skeins too. 100g or more.

PBnJsFiber @ Ravelry

Sarah Bear said...

I love making shawls with sock yarn, so 500-600 yard skeins would be perfect, for something that will be a more even color distribution! I haven't seen too many skeins that big, though!

rinebird said...

I enjoy reading about different Indie yarn companies.I like sock yarn or fingering in enough yarns to knit socks or a shawl.I have big feet,I need more than 400 yards, perhaps...rinebird@gmail.com
on Rav as rinebird

Jade said...

I prefer at least 100 gram skeins, that way I don't have to have a pattern in mind when I buy it :)

masshag said...

Beautiful yarn. I like the 100+ skeins for doing socks for my husband. I do a longer cuff on his socks. For myself the 100 gram is great.

nittinmama3 said...

I love to have 100 gram skeins because sometimes I use "sock yarn" for shawls. Having 1 larger skein means I do not have to join.

Tallguy said...

I have to say that I do not like the small 50-gm balls since there is not enough to do a sock. I like longer socks, I guess, than do most people, but I always need 1 ball plus a bit of another, so I need to buy THREE balls for a pair of socks -- and then I have leftovers. I would prefer 100 or 150 gm balls, which would make a nice and decent pair of socks.
If I was using this yarn for larger projects such as a shawl or a sweater, it's preferable not to have many joins and the larger balls would allow me to knit rather than weave in ends! I don't see the point of 50 gm balls, unless you are making baby booties.

Mar VM said...

I like 100g or more for either socks or shawls. Smaller skeins tend to be pricier but maybe I'm wrong about that.

ms stacy said...

I like the 100 g ( or more) size. Takes up less room in the stash and I can get 3 socks out of a skein on the CSM. (l'll end up buying two skeins anyhow) So.... I vote for 100, although having a choice to get 400 or 500 might be good, too.............. Geez

Debbie said...

I think I prefer the 100+grams. I am also a shawl knitter vs. sock knitter so I wouldn't want to have to deal with possible dye lot issues or joining the skeins. But, having said that, I have made several articles where I used less than 50 gr. of several different colors, but in general I prefer the bigger skeins.

Zilliah Bailey said...

100g or more! I have a scale to split it myself, and I like having more at once.

Jubbers said...

I prefer the larger skeins as well. Sometimes I do two-at-a-time socks, in which case the smaller skeins are nice, but I do more w/ sock yarn than just knit socks! Perhaps in your most popular colorways you could offer a variety of sizes, but for the broader collection stick with the 100 gram skeins?

Michelle said...

I'm so glad you like the name, 'cause I am the one who came up with it!!! Lael is going to send me a skein for that, but I would LOVE to win another so I can make a two-color shawl. Like you, I mostly use sock yarn for small shawls, so 100 grams is the minimum I buy, and I would prefer even longer skeins.

nanamac said...

Definetly the 100 gram skeins for me. I also love using sock yarn for shawls and even the occasional sweater. Here in Texas we don't often need a heavy sweater and sock yarn has such a nice drape when knit on a little larger needle.....and the 100 gram skein means less joins !

Colleen

knitterlydesigns said...

I typically buy sock yarn for anything but socks. It is just as easy to wind two balls from a single. BTW, they yarn is very pretty and both are in my favorite colors.

knitterlydesigns on ravelry

pennie said...

Add me to the froup that prefers 100 grams.

Catherine said...

I would prefer 50 g skeins but not if the put-up impacts the price, i.e., not if 2 X 50 is more than 1 X 100.

Ginger said...

I like 100g skeins so that I don't have to worry about matching dye lots, but I have had some skeins that have noticeably different coloring at the two ends. Resulting in two socks that look like they're from different dye lots, so that is definitely something to be aware of.

Rhonda R said...

I perfer my sock yarn with at least 400 to 450 yards in one skein. I too use my sock yarn mostly for shawls and neck wraps but when I do use sock yarn for socks I just split the skein into two cakes. I have had the pleasure of using Hearthside Fiber's yarn and just love it. I have also purchase a couple of their raw fleeces and they are just as lovely.

Unknown said...

What lovely yarn! I've never knit with a wool-bamboo blend before. I'd probably prefer 100g skeins, so that I have fewer ends to worry about if working on a large pattern. I can always split it if knitting socks.

hawknitr13 said...

i knit socks and shawls. the bigger the skein the better ~
100+g for me! i hate adding yarn to anything!! i just found your blog! i will definitely follow you!

srsinstructor said...

I would prefer a 400 yard skein. I'd rather have a little left over rather than realize too late that I have too little. =)

Like the Season said...

I think 100 gram skeins are just right for most of the socks and shawls I make.

sherry said...

I like the 100g skeins for socks and shawlettes. I always have left over on the sock that is enough to do a heel toe on another pair.

Nicole said...

100 gram of course!

ACraftyKnitter said...

Definitely 100 grams. Great for a pair of socks, but it's also a lot easier for a shawlette.

Becka said...

I like larger skeins. I don't knit many sock-weight shawls, but I like knowing that ONE skein will equal at least ONE pair of socks. I love the little leftovers, too--great for scrappy odds-and-ends garter-stitch scarves! Spring cleaning doesn't get any better. :D

Lizzi said...

I am a 100gm girl too. It gives me more scope to knit something other than just socks - although it's usually socks!

KRHknitting said...

100 + grams. It gives me the confidence I will get two socks ... I am currently knitting my first pair of socks! :)
Kristy
KRHknitting on ravelry

jen said...

I'm so new at this that I probably shouldn't have an opinion, but I did just knit a shawl with sock yarn and was grateful for more yarn! Given that my vote would be 100+ grams.

butnostephanie said...

i like the 100 gram skeins. hats, shawlettes, socks, and baby stuff. no worries about matching dyelots.

aednarb said...

I much prefer the 100 gram skeins of yarn, that way I know what I'm working with and I can kep color progression steady.

NimrodVern said...

Bigger is better! I make more shawls than socks & appreciate being able to knit one in its entirety without having to worry about skein-to-skein variation.

melonkelli said...

I like the larger skeins for making shawls or scarves. But, that doesn't stop me from buying 50g skeins.

melonkelli (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I prefer the 100g skeins too. Even if it costs the same as two 50g skeins, it FEELS like a deal.

Frankly Beka said...

I like having 400 or more yards in my sock-weight skeins. It gives me enough to make a pair of socks (for me or my hubby). Also, with 400+ yards there's plenty for other types of projects if I decide not to make socks.

Ref said...

Until last year I didn't know there was any other size than 50g skeins. Now I do, but I don't really mind which size they come in.

nancy88 said...

I like the bigger skeins. It's pretty rare that I'd knit socks two at a time, so heck, why not go 200g?? :)

Unknown said...

I would love to win this yarn and give it to my friend Nancy so she can make me something amazing!!! : )

melosa said...

I prefer 100 g or larger skeins myself. It's nice for me to only have to keep track of one for a pair of socks and definitely nicer to not have multiple skeins for shawls etc.

Stephanie said...

I would love to see more "large" skeins (> 100 g) regularly available. I also often knit shawls with sock yarn, so the extra yardage comes in handy. It's also nice for cuff down socks, so you aren't worried about running out. I would think it would be handy for baby projects as well so you could knit a sweater with only one skein. (sjn821)

Jules said...

I love the 100 gram skeins because, let's face it, it looks prettier for one thing. Secondly, I use sock yarn for lots of other projects so I like the flexibility of being able to use a little or a lot.

SaavS said...

I prefer 100g for socks or larger projects. On the other hand, if I am working with several colors, 50g skeins are the best choice if that doesn't mean it would cost more as others have pointed out.

wclay said...

When you knit two socks at a time it is great to have enough to do in one skein so the colors match.

Knittingmomma79 said...

100 grams are nice!

Qi-Tah Girl said...

100 gram skeins. Use it for shawls, pretty mitties...

Iva said...

Hope I'm not too late to give an opinion... My preference is for 100 or more grams per skein as most of my projects tend to be larger.

Anonymous said...

I haven't made socks yet, but I love sock yarn for other projects. Personally I prefer the larger sizes. And if I were to make a pair of socks, I know I'd rather buy just one skein than two.

Retrobaby said...

I love sock yarn but seldom use it for socks - so I would prefer 200 g. I usually by 2 skeins of 100 g.

Alice said...

For fingering weight, I prefer a minimum of 400 yards because I often knit cabled or other yarn-eating sock patterns. I, too, often use fingering weight yarn for shawls and other items.

Occasionally, 200 yard skeins are great--as for knee socks/stockings that where the yardage falls in between. But, usually I can make mitts or a hat from any leftovers from a 400 yard skein--and still reserve some for mending.

cindymen said...

I definitely agree that the larger skein, 100 grams, is ideal. I love buying one large skein knowing I can either make a pair of socks or a shawl and I'll have enough yarn.

Marilyn said...

I prefer a larger skein of at least 100 grams or maybe larger. I like having one ball left overs rather than two ball leftovers, if that makes sense. Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

100 g for certain. I'd rather buy just 1 sk for socks, easier to buy (especially when buying different brands), easier to store. It's also a convenient size for shawls.
hotknitter