On Scarves and Softness
October 11th, 2006
I find that I am very picky about the softness of the yarn I am to use for a scarf. This may be the reason that I haven’t yet completed very many scarves, and don’t wear any of them. It needs to be incredibly soft in order to feel comfortable against the skin. I mean, the neck is a sensitive place on your body, and who wants to wrap something scratchy around oneself to keep warm. I want something that will envelope me and feel comforting in the brisk air. I don’t want to have to wear a turtleneck, or wear my jacket collar underneath all my scarves to be comfortable.
Today I bought some of Malabrigo’s new yarn Aquarella, which has this great thick and thin texture. This yarn has the wonderful look of spun singles, and the amazing colors that I always find in Malabrigo, but it isn’t nearly as soft as their Merino yarn. I should have expected it, and been more discerning when I was buying it with the intention of making a scarf.
My second purchase was some more Frog Tree Yarns alpaca. This yarn is so incredibly soft, but still has a slightly itchy feel to more sensitive parts like my neck. Perhaps I’m being too picky, but I don’t want to give scarves to people made out of something that isn’t wicked soft.
I’m disappointed that I won’t be using the yarns I bought today for the scarves I had in mind. Perhaps I will make some mittens, or some other suitably warm winter gear that doesn’t need quite as soft a yarn. Then it will be back to the yarn shop to get some more Malabrigo merino, because I really think it will suit the scarf I want to make the best.
I, too, am insanly picky about scarf-softness. I made a pretty moss-stitch scarf with leftover Brown Sheep from a sweater, and it was too itchy. So I ripped it out and made a hat instead.
“Insanely.” I really can spell.