The Cotton Fleece colours I blogged about in yarn substitutions, for the Moorish Mosaic Afghan are now in-store.  They look great together!

This is a re-post (the old one got deleted) of a previous blog entry on the yarn substitutions I am doing for the Moorish Mosaic Afghan – from Interweave Crochet, Fall 2009.

The original pattern calls for Mission Falls 136 Merino Superwash, with a total value of AUD$220 – making it a very expensive project.  The colours are unique, though, which makes it harder to match colours.  at any rate, I have been posting yarn substitutions featuring various yarns that I stock, from budget (Red Heart Super Saver), to average (Lion Brand Wool-Ease), to high-end (Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece).

This post features Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece – a wonderfully light cotton/wool combo – perfect for our warmer climate – similar gauge to the Mission Falls (DK/8 ply) – but a much lighter yarn to work with.

So, for all you Aussies who love afghans, take a look at these gorgeous colours:

1.  Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece – 80% cotton, 20% wool, 113g skein, AUD$11/skein – 197m

Main Colour – new Age Teal: 3 skeins

Contrast colours: 2 balls of each of the following -

Rue

Putty

Peridot

Terracotta Canyon

Hearty Merlot

Total Cost of Project = AUD$143.00

The new issue of Crochet Today – March/April 2010 has lots of fab patterns in it, but I really want to make “Grandma’s Rose Throw“.  The pattern calls for Red Heart Soft Yarn, which is beautiful in itself, but some of my customers prefer a natural fibre.  So with this in mind, I have some substitutions:

1.  Lion Brand Wool-Ease – though not strictly 100% natural (it is 80% acrylic, 20% lambswool), it still gives the feel and luxury of wool, but with the washability of acrylic.  Each 100g ball is $5.50.  Total cost of project is $77.00

For this pattern, you would need:

9 balls of Grey Heather -

5 balls of Seaspray -

3 balls of Black -

2.  Brown Sheep Company Lamb’s Pride Worsted:

80% wool, 20% mohair – 100g skein – 190 yards per skein.  $11 per skein – Total Cost of project is:  $187.00

Yarn colours suggested are:

9 balls of Grey Heather

5 balls of Seafoam

2 balls of Onyx

Obviously the more natural fibres are more expensive – it really just comes down to your budget and preferences.

Yay!  The new issue of Crochet Today – March/April 2010 arrived by courier today.  I have it listed ready for purchase – 4 copies only.  Crochet Today will be a regular item from now on.

I am loving the “Grandma’s Rose Throw” pattern – so kitsch, so retro!

The pattern requires Red Heart Soft yarn in the following colours:

Light Grey Heather

Seafoam

Black

Red Heart Soft is a super-soft and shiny acrylic in a worsted-weight.  This yarn is very economical and produces a lovely result at minimum cost.

However, if you wanted a natural fibre, I would recommend a pure wool or wool blend such as Lion Brand Wool-ease or Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride for a more traditional, though heavier, afghan.

See my yarn substitutions category for some ideas in natural fibres for this pattern.

Happy Crocheting!

Today a customer rang me, wanting to make this gorgeous afghan:

Problem is, to buy 22 balls of the yarn required – Mission Falls merino 136 Superwash, would cost AUD$220!!.

Hmmm, so it was time to find a suitable and much cheaper substitute.  I looked on ravelry.com and found some others who had done some substitution with Vanna’s Choice, which looks lovely.  I’m also going to suggest Red Heart Super Saver/Classic, Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride and Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece.  If I have time, I’ll try some other brands like Patons Canadiana or Decor, and Plymouth Galway Worsted.

Well, here goes!

Original Yarn and Colours:

Mission Falls 136 Superwash Merino – 50g/78m balls – AUD$11 per ball (available in Australia through me)

7 balls of Macaw – #027 (total of 546m required) – Main Colour  (MC)

3 balls each (total of 222m required per colour below) of:

Raisin – #012

Stone #002 -

Curry #013 -

Sprout #531 -

Mist #019 -

Subsitiution Number 1:  Red Heart Super Saver – 200g/356m balls – AUD$6.60 per ball  OR  Red Heart Classic, 100g/180m balls – AUD3 per ball

Main Colour:

2 balls of #656 Real Teal – Red Heart Super Saver

OR

3 balls of #683 Light Seafoam – Red Heart Classic

Contrast Colours:

1 ball of Red Heart Super Saver – #378 Claret:

1 ball of Red Heart Super saver – #330 Linen:

OR  1 ball of Red Heart Super Saver – #341 Light Grey:

2 balls of Red Heart Classic – #289 Copper:

OR 1 ball of Red Heart Super Saver – #256 Carrot:

2 balls of Red Heart Classic – #631 Light Sage:

2 balls of Red Heart Classic – #615 Artichoke:

Total Cost substituting Red Heart Classic/Super Saver – AUD$39.00!!

Look out for my next substitution featuring Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice and Wool-ease.