BASIC INFORMATION – THE PETITE WOOL SKEINS:
- Skeins: 100 gr / 140 meters.
- Composition: 100% fine wool
- Brand: We Are Knitters
- Price: 9,90 € / skein.
- Shade range: 26 colors available.
- Where can you buy it: WAK online store.
- Needles / hook recommended: 8 MM knitting needles and 7 MM crochet hook.
- Gauge:
– Stockinette stitch: 12 stitches x 16 rows (10x10cm)
– Simple crochet: 12 stitches x 14 rows (10x10cm)
Note: In my case I used 10 MM and 6 MM knitting needles for the yarn to create the Leaf sweater winter edition sweater (check my pattern review if you missed it!) by The Knit Stitch and the left overs to create my criss-cross stitch pattern – Aki headband & snood (free pattern available through the link!) with 10 MM knitting needles.
Gauge for criss-cross stitch (10cm x10cm) = 16 stitches x 14 rows.
I think there is no wrong or correct needles in this case, you should choose depending on the result you are looking for. I must admit that working with 10 MM knitting needles was such a pleasure cause the sweater, headband and snood grew very fast but for example in the case of the leaf sweater the stitches are a bit loose. So have in mind that it’s all about trying depending on the stitch you would like to work and how tight or loose you want the final result.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS & APPEARANCE
It was my first time getting this yarn so I was very curious to try it out. When it arrived I just loved how soft and squishy it was, which made me want to not stop touching it and cast the new project right away.
The appearence is a bit hairy and airy, seems to not have much structure, which was not true when playing around with it, frogging and knitting for a few times to get the perfect tubular bind-off
WORKING / KNITTING WITH THE PETITE WOOL SKEINS:
I knitted The Petite Wool with 6 MM (rib stitch for the cuffs, neckline and bottom part of the body) and 10 MM knitting needles (body and sleeves). Since they are aran / chunky skeins, even if you choose 8 MM you will see how your project grows very fast.
As noted in the beggining of the post, I used different knitting needles than the ones specified for the skeins, I went 2 numbers up and both results were amazing. It’s all about playing and see what fits best your project or design. I had a great experience knitting with this yarn, it’s very easy (it just feels like the yarn slips through your needles) and you have “instant” gratification since you see how your project grows in no time.
Since it was my first time trying the tubular bind-off it required unraveling a few times and re-doing it again and I was impressed how the yarn endured through it and I could finally achieve it with the yarn almost as new even if I tried it 2-3 times.
One of the cons I would point out for this yarn is that you need to be careful to knit the whole amount of threads so as not to have weird stitches with threads sticking out. It happened to me a few times, which made me go back to that stitch and knit it again (if only all knitting problems were like this right?)
I haven’t had the chance to try crocheting this skeins but it is completely possible and the results are incredible. You can check these two amazing projects by WAK with Santa Pazienzia (sweater) and Susimiu (cardigan) both using 7 MM crochet hook. Don’t they look splendid? I think I should add the cardigan to my wishlist!
Down below you can see the leaf stitch and criss-cross stitch with this yarn in 10 MM (rib stitch was made with 6 MM in the left picture)
You will end up with a very fluffly and warm project, I couldn’t be happier with the results of both projects. When it comes to softness and touch, once it’s finished it is such a cozy feeling and the finished project barely weights so it is a big plus.
When it comes to washing I would recommend it your stitches are loose to be very careful and not to panic when it’s drying. When I washed my Leaf Sweater all the hairs of the yarn were, obviously, all together since they were wet, which at first glance it might appear that the sweater has expanded and you’ve lost your project (yup, I made some May Day calls to my mother thinking I would have to re-do my sweater). After some time drying (over a towel in a flat surface) the hairs appeared again and the original sweater look returned.
Below you will find pictures of the projects before and after use (and also being washed). I barely see any difference and just a little bit of peeling has appeared in the sleeves (the part that touches the body) but it’s barely noticeable (and trust me, they have been my go-to projects for this autumn without any doubt!)
Before use:
After use:
IS IT WORTH THE HYPE?
My experience with it has been amazing and the projects are very cozy, warm and airy (who doesn’t wan’t a weightless sweater which is suuuper warm?)
Would I buy it again? I think it’s an investment since you will need at least 4 skeins to obtain a sweater (so at least 40€ just in yarn – 42€ if you get the 5 skeins bundle) and if you are in a budget it might be a bit over priced, but I must admit it’s very good quality.
I will check different options from other brands to find a dupe for this yarn (maybe Drops Air double stranded… but if you know any dupe please let me know!), but I think for the moment your decision can only be based on the price / quality that this yarn can offer and if you are willing to make that investment (or save it in your wishlist for future seasonal sales or free shipping campaigns that they have!)
Hope this gives you a better insight of this yarn and don’t forget to give this a thumbs up if you liked it in order to create more content like this in the blog 😉
Have a great Sunday!