I felt just like the man from the Charmin ads. It'll date me, but he went around stopping people from squeezing the toilet tissue to find the softest. Please don't squeeze the Charmin.
I've decided to run a little test, thanks to a query from Sarah Elizabeth. Is Regia Silk softer than Lorna's Laces?
Well, I thought, let's take out the socks yarns and see. (If you're suspicious, try this blindfolded.)
I have excluded Fortissima, Opal and Socka from the trials for 2 reason. The printed yarns always tend to be a little harsher than these brands. They do soften up after washing but I find them still not to be as soft as these. The other reason is that I just couldn't get to them, they were piled under some other stuff and I didn't feel the urge to dig them up for the line up shot.
Form the left:
GGH Marathon- 75% superwash wool, 25% polyamid
Regia - 75% superwash wool, 25% polyamid
Lang Jawoll Cotton - 49% superwash wool, 35% cotton, 16% polyamid
Regia Silk - 55% merino superwash, 20% silk, 25% polyamid
Koigu PPM - 100% merino wool
Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock - 80% superwash wool, 20% nylon
Here are the results:
With the Lang Jawoll Cotton - very soft but even with the low cotton content, you knew right away that it was a cotton blend. It is my favourite cotton blend. The high wool content makes it soft and I find it a nicer yarn than the regia cotton blends.
Comparing the Regia Silk to the normal Regia - the silk was noticably softer.
The GGH and Regia were about the same.
I thought that the Lorna's Laces was softer than the Koigu and the Regia silk was softer than both. So, Sarah Elizabeth, the silk blend is the softest. One key point though, I have only seen the single colour yarns, so if you want something with more colour, you might prefer the other yarns. I don't know how these yarns stack in price either. I bought the Regia silk in Vienna for 4.95 euro a skein and reckon that you'll need 2 skeins for most socks. I know that regia is sold at much higher prices in the US, so you might find the Lorna's Laces to be a few bucks cheaper.
And in from Postie..
All the way from W. Yorks... a birthday present from Rowanette Louise.
Isn't it just gorgeous? It's perfectly knitted and appears to have been blocked as well. How does she do it? I never seem to get rectangular pieces, even with blocking, usually, it's almost rectangular or almost square. I don't deserve this, but I LOVE IT!
I think it's a feather and fan pattern, done in Kid Silk Haze. Now how did she know that I needed a new scarf? She also kindly sent me some Noro squares for the Afghan for Afghanns Afghan-along run by Ann and Kay . I'm going to take a photo of them too, once it stops raining.
Denim People Knit-along Update
In case, you didn't catch this... Kris has finished her Raspy and it looks dreamy. I am starting to feel guilty about my lack of progress on this knitalong.
What a dreary wet Sunday. I think I'm going to go and snuggle up with my new scarf over a cup of hot Lady Grey tea.
Welcome back, Polly. I loved your knitting pics from Austria. Reminds me of Knitters magazine where they invited readers to send in photos of themselves on holiday reading the mag. My Paris cardie is finished and there is a photo on my blog. Have also started Dolly as I have become a Rowan Denim fan.
Posted by: Anne at October 4, 2004 08:06 PMWhat timely research Polly - I was just looking at the Lorna's Laces stuff online and thinking I might have to have some of that. Gorgeous scarf too !
Posted by: Heather at October 4, 2004 10:07 AMbeautiful gift!
Posted by: froggy at October 4, 2004 09:50 AMThe shawl is gorgerous ! You lucky girl.
My Bomber is also lacking of progress. Anyway, I want to finish it in Nov.
Happy knitting !
Eva
Posted by: Eva Shiu at October 4, 2004 02:37 AMOh- about price- I think it'll hit about the same, Lorna's is usually about $8-10 a skein and the regia is $9 from Ram Wools.
Oh, Polly, thanks so much for the info! Very helpful. :) Actually I think the solid colours will be just right for my grandma and will look stunning with a few cables worked. I can't wait to work with this yarn, if it is really softer than Lorna's then I am in for a treat! Thanks again! :) :) :)
Posted by: Sarah Elizabeth at October 4, 2004 01:15 AMPolly,I feel very privileged that you consider my little offering worthy of having its photo on your blog for all to see. I'm just sorry that I couldn't get it to you on time.
It is a feather and fan pattern, courtesy of Jacinta. And yes, I did block it but if it has come out nicely rectangular it is more good luck than good judgment.
Posted by: Louise at October 4, 2004 12:33 AMRaspy and your shawl (though both very different) both look stunning. My Mary needs sleeves. Which are on hold since a friend of mine has giving birth to a little girl. So, I`m knitting a very pretty little dress. Love,
Posted by: Karin at October 3, 2004 08:30 PMthank you so much for that sock yarn detail :) I have to admit, I love hand knit socks but I tend to wear hiking liners under my socks. I dont know if I am sensitive but I have mountain colors mountain goat and I still find it kind of itchy. I ronically I didnt find my Opal itchy. Just cant find that yarn here :)
And that stole/shawl (the difference is...??) is GOREOUS. I saw one yesterday in teh Crous that looked simple enough to copy ... once I learn a bit more :)
Posted by: stinkerbell at October 3, 2004 06:56 PM