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Shetland yarn

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Tue, 2008-01-15 09:19 — albert

I was just looking at Jamieson traditional Shetland yarn online in the weight used in Fair Isle knitting (they call this yarn Spindrift), and I nearly gagged at the price. Can anyone suggest a more affordable substitute?

Comments

Wed, 2008-01-16 23:14 — kiwiknitter
kiwiknitter's picture

Because of the awful service

Because of the awful service from Jamieson & Smith, I decided to have a look around for other sources of their wool. Here is what I found for starters:

UK
Jamieson & Smith - GBP1.30
Jamieson (Spindrift) - GBP1.87

USA
Jamieson & Smith - schoolpress.com - US$5.40 (GBP2.75)

USA
Jamieson - Sheeweknits.com - US$4.75 (GBP2.37)
Jamieson - twoswansyarns.com - US$4.39 (GBP 2.24)

Postage is not included which will make a difference for those in the UK and the US. To Middle Earth, postage is always dear and we are used to is.

I love working with the Shetland knitting wools and I don't even need to swatch any more as they knit up consistently.

I purchased a "kit" (pattern and yarn) for a jumper from Anne at Sheeweknits in Canada. She was lovely to deal with and the entire transaction went quickly and smoothly (unlike Jamieson & Smith). I'll let you know how it goes.

Knit like the wind!

Thu, 2008-01-17 06:51 — albert
albert's picture

Thanks for the sources,

Thanks for the sources, Jesse- I'll check them out. Would love to try the real McCoy.

Thu, 2008-01-17 09:55 — kiwiknitter
kiwiknitter's picture

I have been dealing with

I have been dealing with Anne at Sheeweknits and she is fabulous! I can't believe the superior customer service. She has been great help with replacing discontinued colours and putting together packs. I know her price is a big higher but I have found I get what I pay for and so far, she's good value. As for using knitting wools from the Shetland sheep, I love it for the stranded knitting. There's nothing like the real thing!

Knit like the wind!

Tue, 2008-01-15 14:59 — Kerry
Kerry's picture

I get my Shetland Jumper

I get my Shetland Jumper weight direct from Jamieson & Smith (Jamieson is a different company) in Scotland. It's the perfect yarn for Fair Isle. It has increased in price in recent years, but even with postage to Australia it is not expensive. I think it is still cheaper than Jamieson's.

Wed, 2008-01-16 23:05 — kiwiknitter
kiwiknitter's picture

I just cancelled an order

I just cancelled an order with Jamieson & Smith because of their inability/unwillingness to communicate with me. It was for 2 jumpers' worth of knitting wool at the cost of GBP 77.88 (triple that for NZ dollars). I'm over dealing with them.

Knit like the wind!

Tue, 2008-01-15 11:35 — MMario
MMario's picture

I've used the spindrift -

I've used the spindrift - and I believe the Jaggerspun Maine Line 3/8 is roughly the same.
MMario - ambiguity is cultivated, it doesn't happen in a vacuum!

Tue, 2008-01-15 11:25 — Celowin
Celowin's picture

I'm something of a yarn

I'm something of a yarn snob, but also a cheapskate. In your case, I'd use any fingering weight wool that came in the colors I liked. I don't think it knits up the same as the real Shetland wool, but it is "good enough" in my book.

I hate to seem a shill for knitpicks.com, but that is where I get most of my yarn. I'd take a look at their "Palette" line for starters.

Wed, 2008-01-16 11:06 — BuduR
BuduR's picture

I'm right there with you on

I'm right there with you on the whole Knitpicks thing. not only are the yarns good at reasonable prices, but their customer service as far as I know, can't be matched by any company.

MWK's Token Estrogen-American

Wed, 2008-01-16 11:22 — MMario
MMario's picture

Now if they (KnitPicks)

Now if they (KnitPicks) would only hire someone with *any* kind of colour sense....

MMario - ambiguity is cultivated, it doesn't happen in a vacuum!

Wed, 2008-01-16 11:24 — knitmaniac

If only they would learn to

If only they would learn to ship abroad.

Wed, 2008-01-16 11:38 — MMario
MMario's picture

they probably don't want the

they probably don't want the whole export hassle. A lot of US companies will not ship outside the US - and a great many will not ship outside CONTINENTAL US.

MMario - ambiguity is cultivated, it doesn't happen in a vacuum!

Wed, 2008-01-16 12:13 — knitmaniac

Weird - you just stick it in

Weird - you just stick it in a plastic postal bag and send it!

Wed, 2008-01-16 12:50 — MMario
MMario's picture

The additional paperwork is

The additional paperwork is a killer

MMario - ambiguity is cultivated, it doesn't happen in a vacuum!

Wed, 2008-01-16 15:13 — BuduR
BuduR's picture

There's not only that, but

There's not only that, but have you ever checked out the US postal service website and seen some of the insane restrictions some of these countries have? Some countries you can't send board games, or a deck of cards. It's crazy.

MWK's Token Estrogen-American

Wed, 2008-01-16 16:26 — knitmaniac

Hmmm - maybe the European

Hmmm - maybe the European Union isn't such a crazy place after all.

Tue, 2008-01-15 10:42 — QueerJoe
QueerJoe's picture

Direct From the UK A lot of

Direct From the UK

A lot of folks used to find it much less expensive to order their Shetland Jumper weight yarn imported from Jamieson & Smith, and even with shipping, the cost was cheaper. With the weakness in the dollar, I'm not sure if that's true anymore.

Check it out here:

http://www.shetland-wool-brokers.zetnet.co.uk/prices.htm