Yarn substitutions for the Wyvern Wrap

(or the Dragon-Skin Wrap from the IK Holiday Gifts 2007).  I've been asked for some possible substitutions, so here they are.  Please remember that swatching is more important than ever when substituting yarn!  In addition, I have personally worked with only a couple of these yarns, so don't consider the list below to be anything more than a starting point for finding an alternative for the Kollage Yarns "Yummy" called for in the pattern.  Especially since there is a PLETHORA of yarns in the proper weight range!  My criteria for putting a yarn on the list:  same gauge using the same needle size as the "Yummy" (5.5 sts per inch on US #6 needles*); range of colors that appealed to me; some sheen; yarns that would seem to have good stitch definition.  I also tried to choose yarns from a variety of price points, and finally there are some yarns suitable for warm weather or "no-sheep" types, too.

Bamboo/wool blends (like the "Yummy"):  Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo, Sirdar Baby Bamboo
Alpaca/silk blends:  Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK, Knitpicks Elegance
Wool/silk blends:  Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, RYC Silk Wool DK,
Wool/cashmere blends:  RYC Cashsoft DK, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK
Non-wool:  Katia Linen (linen/cotton), Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy (hemp/cotton/nylon), S. Charles Collezione Kyoto (cotton/rayon/silk), Louet Euroflax Worsted (linen)

OR:  Feeling adventurous??  How about Noro Silk Garden Lite (silk/mohair lambswool)--the Dragon Skin stitch pattern just might look really cool with this yarn.  Or how about Rowan Scottish Tweed DK (wool)?  I'm not sure the tweedy look would work well with this project, but then again....

*I noticed that the Kollage Yarns website now calls for US Size 7 needles with this yarn, but the ball bands on the leftover yarn I have call for US Size 6.  Which is what I used.

(Photo:  Lake Lugano on the Swiss-Italian border, from the top of Monte San Salvatore.)

Comments

[Typesetter]

I have the sensation that also Grignasco Infinity (http://www.unfilodi.com/shopping-online/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,113/category_id,8/manufacturer_id,0/) could fit the bill, for the Italian knitters, and also Lana Gatto Feeling (http://www.unfilodi.com/shopping-online/page,shop.product_details/flypage,shop.flypage/product_id,35/category_id,8/manufacturer_id,0/)

[connie]

You're making me miss Italy! I'll have to try to convince Maurizio to take me to Como when we next visit his family.

[Anna]

I have some Elann Peruvian Highland Silk I'm going to try! http://www.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=elann%2Ecom+Peruvian+Highland+Silk&Season=&Company=&Cat=&ProductType=5&OrderBy=&Count=4

[Typesetter]

Connie, in case you come by Lombardy we'll fix an extra S'n'B in Milano ;-D By the way, my dad's name is Maurizio.

[connie]

Thanks, Silvia. I'll be sure to let you know if I make it out there :)

I love the name, Maurizio, but I find it hard to pronounce. It's a little sad that I can't say my husband's name properly! It's the "au" and the "r" that I have trouble with. That's neat that that's your father's name too. It's not so common in the US, but I guess it's moderately common in Italy?

[Typesetter]

Moderately, yes. Actually it's a late Greek name, several Byzantine emperors had it. In gek it's even harder to pronounce: something like "Mavrikios". A cousing of my dad also goes by that name (no family tradition involved, just coincidence), and a relative of his from Parma can't say it and pronounces "mavrizio" 8-D