I have a really cute pattern for a sweater that I am going to make my bestie as a gift for Christmas (I know its September but the backlog is backlogging!).
It the Lazy egg oversized sweater by autumn olive crochet
I am relatively new to crochet as especially new to wearables so here is my question…
What is the best yarn for a sweater that fit the following criteria…
- Worsted / Aran weight
- Warm but has drape
- Works well with colour work
- Good stitch definition with a hdc stitch
- Easy care for laundry purposes
Material, brands, suggestions? I am open to anything.
I’m for the UK if that also makes a difference to your opinion.
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not sure if this mewts all the criteria cause im still relatively new to sweaters, but Lion Brand Pound of Love seems to be pretty good for my first sweater
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*googles * I think it fits all the criteria 
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oh, glad i could help then!
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I made a Katie Jones blooming bomber using paintbox simply aran , but i think stylecraft do an aran too both have decent colour range and availability.
Heres my afflink to paintbox yarns on lovecrafts which is on 35% off at the moment. They also stock most pop uk brands . There’s a paintbox cotton aran, asst wool mix arans but tbh of you want ready wash care id go all acrylic or all cotton… though cotton might be heavier feeling.
If it was DK id suggest knitcraft cotton blend
from hobbycraft as a good best of both pick though they don’t have a huge colour range but it is Nice to work with for colourwork decent desire and affordable price but no idea if they do aran weight in this…i did look i don’t think they do, but its quitec thick for a DK. Ive been using 5mm hook for colourwork in it and it’s a decent gauge but i do crochet fairly tight. You can see an example of colourwork done in that yarn if you look at their granny square month bkanket crochet along on the knitcraft website. My square last year was the roller boot xx
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I was wondering the same, i always thought acyclic would be easiest but doesn’t it make you sweety wearing essentially plastic? I think it would be awesome to make my own xmas sweeters but i was afraid they’d be too unbearably hot?
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@Madeformygirl
Have a look at the label inside your favourite / most comfortable sweater you own… bought from a shop ready made. See what fibre mix its made from… use c that as a starting point xx if it’s hot in your timezone at xmas any jumper can be sweaty lol! But otherwise most mad produced jumpers are mostly acrylic or even polyester or something. Cotton is cooler but can absorb sweat, wool will wick away sweat see https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/what-does-moisture-wicking-mean.html#:~:text=Wool%20is%20also%20considered%20moisture,remains%20dry%20to%20the%20touch.
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Hmmm thats great advice, thank you. Im in the uk so not usually hot but the house, trains and office all have heating! 
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Yay hi fellow uk ribblr!
So yeah lol bet most jumpers you own are acrylic if bought in the uk, unless we’re bought from a small maker… so really choice comes down to personal budget, aesthetics, preference/allergies/personal ethics etc etc
So acrylic is vegan… but less eco friendly than wool, cotton isn’t plastic but used loads of water to dye and process, any handmade garment is slow fashion…etc etc… so many reasons people might choose one thing over another. … but i reckon you’re safe in the sweat factor unless you make it out of cut up plastic bags… which can be used as yarn actually… but only the non compostable ones or it will disintegrate 
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You’re right! Any good recommendations for a basic jumper pattern (free if possible)? I expect my first attempt should not just be me winging it lol
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I would look for something that you know has been tested and properly tech edited. So from. An established designer or yarn brand. One that has all sizes with stitch counts etc and measurements for those sizes, a schematic and plenty of instructions/info about gauge etc etc. Rather than a ‘recipe’ type pattern that says add a bit of width, length here etc. But important to measure yourself properly first not just go by what size you think you are cos standard sizing that patterns generally go by are the craft yarn council standards (google it… it has all industandards for abbreviations , how to do stitches wtc etc) but they are (Like in sewing) way out of kilter with the realistic view of general publics dimensions and don’t relate to so sizes because they set their own sizing parameters depending on brand. Eg a size uk 12 in H&M is smaller than size 12 George at Asda and Primark sizing varies garment to garment lol
It depends on the type of garment you want to make too. Oversize stuff will be easier, if you want a really nice fit find a designer who specialises in garments that ‘fit well’ that consider bust size etc not just shoulder/body width.
@TheFairythorn on ribblr is an expert with fit and size grading
Made with Love and fibres on Ravelry/instagram is also a garment fit expert
Lovecrafts has lots of good free patterns by well known yarn brands so you know they will have been tested and tech edited.
I’m not saying recipe garment patterns arent /can’t be good, but for your first one go with one where it’s all worked out for you… eg how much yarn you’ll need all that sort of stuff.
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https://ribblr.com/pattern/odds-and-ends-sweater-Crochet
I found this one by @Craftandacuppa they have several different great 1st tme sweater patterns all graded with yarn calculations xxx
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