Getting to know Bouclé & Spiral Spun yarn...🧶

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

In today’s episode, we're doing a bit of a deep dive into the look of bouclé knits! And pardon my French towards the end of this, but Ravelry really had other plans for me here... Knitting Patterns begin at 16:08 I use the S word at 30:35 😬

[@bgummeson]

Your yarn looks very cozy! My tip for working with bouclé is to use the backwards loop cast-on no matter what pattern the first row is going to be. Any other cast-on can be frustrating and is difficult to rip back if you need to restart. And in the long run, just as you mentioned about textured stitch patterns in the fabric, a beautiful cast-on is lost in the texture created by the yarn itself. ~Brenda

[@SharonCodyCowgirlCreations]

Well darn....Ravelry went from crapping the bed to shitting the bed! I can't stop laughing! 😂 I have never knit or crocheted with boucle but have used it in weaving. It made a lovely scarf and I loved the texture. It was very forgiving for a new weaver!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

It sure did! lol So glad to hear that you've had a good experience with bouclé. I'm excited to turn it into something pretty!

[@donnarossignol5695]

Great episode Tayler. My question is could your new spiral spun yarn be substituted for Bouclé in any pattern or would it need to be help with something else ? Is your yarn considered a bulky weight ? Thanks

[@katserpaful]

That purple sweater that is out of stock looks a lot like the mellow mood sweater that I am currently knitting. I love it.

I have to say I'm glad you brought examples by Martin Storey, Kim Hargreaves and even some vintage ones, instead of only the same top 5 current designers we normally see I'd be very happy to see you explore that book by Patricia Roberts (maybe knit something from there) and further explore the whole backlog of knitting material we have pre-2020's and well into the past (Lovely colors in the collection, by the way!)

[@Craftywithwords]

I love that you are taking this topic on. I love Boucle but have only knit blankets and scarves with it. I would love to try a sweater. You found some great patterns. I might have to try one!

[@EsmereldaPea]

How did you know I was thinking of using a bouclé in a pattern I'm working on? Excited for this!

[@creativian68]

Tips for bouclé jackets: Sari Nordlund's Emily jacket, Meiju Kallio's Mickan jacket. I have knitted the Mickan. Now I have a diffrent bouclé yarn and knitting my own version of the Mickan.

[@Rugiada1035]

When you opened the Ravelry patterns page I immediately fell in love with the Skeeter skirt that showed up! Immediately had to look for it

[@adelinaprentice4703]

And now I have added it to my favorites lol! Just about every time she does ravelry routlette or pulls it up I find some pattern while she's scrolling to add to my list lol!

[@heathersgoinnuts]

I love homespun yarn. I mostly made blankets with it. They were crocheted. You are making me want to buy yarn that I don't need more of 😊

[@janetcannonteacher]

I love saying "Boucle! Boucle!" randomly. It's such a fun word. Who cares if it's a popular trend or not. It's cool. And I love the texture of your spiral-wound yarn. I'm sure it'll be cozy. I'd love to see some finished pieces with it.

[@JustWriter]

Hi Missus Earl, such an honor to be quoted 3 or 4 times by you in one video. But I enjoyed your turn-of-phrases "teddie bear bouclé fabric," and, "plushie," so much more! They were so delightful, they tickled me! I don't know if I'll ever go for making a tightly knitted fabric with bouclé yarn, unless it's to make a teddy bear. The color and the shape really need to make or break the garment, for me, in that case. I feel, with multiple colors, it stands out better, than just a solid color, in most cases, like that striped tee from the last video, or the color block one or the multi-colored sweater from this video. That's my preference. Otherwise, it reminds me too much of 70's rugs, or in the case of the green sweater on that gentleman, and I LOVE green, a hedge. 😄 With your lovely, red yarn, I can picture a cozy, kangaroo pocket sweatshirt-inspired sweater, with either a hoodie, or a loose-necked, two-by-two ribbed, turtle-neck which has a sort of shawl-collar feeling, and saddle shoulders. Loose, simple, sleeve cuffs, with a simple, loopy bind-off, but the pocket and hem would have similar, more tightly knit 3x3? ribbing as the collar. (blinks) Okay, I just designed a sweater... oops. 😄 Thanks for inspiring me. I definitely enjoy the spiral-spun yarn much better than the bouclé yarn. I am looking forward to whatever you make with your red yarn. Since it's wool, can you actually split a split hem with it, like steeking? 🤔 I am so curious.

[@drj7723]

Here for the coolest made up words I’m going to start using…. 😂😂😂 so far “floofie” is winning…fun video and yarn….

[@catnapper3923]

I have a delicious fine bouclé in bright red - am away from its info at present, but it’s discontinued, so whatever I have is all that I can get. I started knitting just a strip of linen stitch for a simple scarf. The fabric is delicious, warm and light - but I got kerflummoxed with this simple thing! Got mixed up about what stitch should go where. I put it down for a while and should pick it up again. I’m afraid of frogging bouclé, thinking it might be sticky. Note: my fabric is denser than your swatch and looks almost woven. You know linen stitch! Try it; it’s really pretty. Reversible, so good for a plain scarf.

[@shawnkimadopting]

I'm currently knitting the Cumulus O-Neck Tee by Petite Knits with a spiral spun yarn. I'm using Bamboo Pop Sock yarn by Universal Yarns. (Almost done! Working on sleeve #2!) I'd been hesitant because of the yarn's texture and the fact that it's a little bit stretchy. But my tension evened out in my swatch and it's been smooth sailing. I quite enjoy this yarn. I'm even toying with making actual socks with some! I'm sure your yarn would be gorgeous in a garment.

[@katibere1966]

I’ve made sweaters using the Lion Brand Homespun yarn and they are lovely…can’t wait to see what you make with your gorgeous yarn!!

[@Madeleine-st8mo]

Woolfolk have a beautiful boucle yarn (Flette and Flette Bulky). Well worth checking out their patterns in this gorgeous yarn; they're all stunning.

[@colettemoolman4410]

After watching your video I went through my vintage 1950 - 1960s Vogue Knitting Magazines. I found some stunning patterns made with bouclé yarn - Chanel style suits and dresses, jackets, coats, two pieces - skirt & top, a pinafore dress, hats, etc. Maybe it was the styling, but all the knitwear was timeless and classy. I found one 1970s pattern in my library which is more casual and fun with its lime green and cream colour combo - Sweater 4525 by Jaeger. A his and hers sweater & hat pattern pamphlet.

[@ginninadances]

I appreciate the boucle tour! ❤

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed this one. ❤️

[@star_athena]

Love this video! Love the textured effect and the light as air quality. It would have been nice to see one or two examples in crochet but otherwise love love love ❤❤❤

[@Katepwe]

16:00 That tea was SO close to slopping out onto your lap!

[@divinelyengineered]

Theres a new pattern in testing from Emma Maier that uses boucle yarn called the Artemisia Sweater. It's a Raglan comfy/cozy sweatshirt type sweater that I think would look great with your yarn!

[@sylvia5642]

Thanks for this video. I'm working on the miles shirt jacket by ozetta using alpaca boucle and i'm so excited. It's so different working with boucle than working with other yarns. Very tricky sometimes and if dropping a stich, very hard to get it back on the needles. But probably not my last boucle piece. Wonder if or how blocking will let it more bloom . And finding the right ( for me) needlesize wasn't easy too. I wish i had gone a size down, but thats all experience. So, thank you Tayler. Always fun to watch your videos. Greetings from germany

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Oh I bet your Miles is going to be so pretty in the alpaca boucle Sylvia! I can certainly imagine how it would be tricky to retrieve dropped stitches though. Definitely a learning curve. But so cozy. Now I’m going to go drool over the Miles Jacket because I totally forgot about that design and I LOVE it. ❤️❤️❤️

[@sandravt2168]

Thank you for this! I would never have thought of knitting with bouclé yarn, but listening to you, I realize it would make sense for me as a beginning knitter: I can make a simple stockinette project that will still look a bit more interesting because of the texture, and since the yarn is quite forgiving, my mistakes won't stand out that much. What's not to love? :)

[@shamszakhour6076]

I knew that yarn wasn't exactly a boucle, so thanks for all the info!

[@jacquelynsmith2351]

I was at a store a week or two ago, and I like to look at any knits as I pass. This time, it upset me because there was a cardigan that MIGHT have some gorgeous cablework and texture... if it wasn't knit in bouclé.

[@institchesknits1166]

I'd have loved to see the size 9 (5,5 mm) needle swatch too. I am very interested in the yarn, but foind size 11 too open. Additionally, could you knit a swatch in both 1 by 1 rib and 2 by 2 rib? So curious!

[@saraht855]

Damnit, watching this video made me look up how to spin boucle yarn!

[@adelinaprentice4703]

14:45 oh dang I wish that sweater was a pattern lol I want to make it

[@estefanamanrique3317]

Great video! Have you noticed at some point that some bouclé yarn may look similar to boiled wool fabric? It reflects the light similarly on a garment like a vest. I love bouclé yarn.

[@jdubbs528]

9:03 Haven’t seen the patterns or examples yet but this yarn looks like something that would make a great ‘Shacket’

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes!

[@mjkwiatek7217]

The beeo sweater by Aegyoknit is a great boucle yarn pattern that I'd love to try one day.

[@ImmaHippster]

I had some boucle yarn in my Etsy favorite, my partner being the beautiful human they are got a bunch for me and that was last Christmas. I have not found the right project to work up. I really am looking for the perfect pattern and I’m excited to watch this

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Oh I hope this helps then! There are some really pretty designs out there for boucle. ❤️❤️

[@holoinfinity4691]

Kinda reminds of slub yarn too. Had no idea they had a term for either yarns. I've worked with an acrylic boucle yarn to arm knit a blanket (have no idea where it went but probs donated). And have this discontinued French cotton slub yarn that one of my cousins crocheted a tote with.

[@jenniferjohnson9335]

Wow, Tayler! This was a terrific post--love the look of your yarn and the patterns you shared. Got me drooling! So would you say all those patterns could be knit in your yarn? Also, how does your yarn compare to Lion Brand Thick and Quick? Yours is lighter, maybe? Thanks for sharing a fun episode!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

@@jenniferjohnson9335 thank you so much Jennifer! So glad you enjoyed this. As for these patterns and my yarn, yes! If the pattern calls for bulky yarn, you could totally use this yarn here. And my yarn is far less dense than Thick and Quick. Very light, in fact. ❤️

[@Tkok_iswatching]

This yarn is hit or miss for me! It really depends on the color. I would use this yarn for children’s items but that’s just my preference. You had some really good examples that won me over a bit.

[@bevabberley1524]

Aknoraknits was showing this weekend a test knit she is going to do on her channel in boule.

[@SusanTonizzo-071]

I would love to try to make the white sweater!!

[@maureendesmarais6955]

I have Sari Nordlund's Emily jacket in my queue for my daughter.

[@jasminenoack]

The moment you went to the status page and were like, no you aren’t working is my life. I’m a software engineer and the number of times that a status page doesn’t update until after I email support is so high.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Oh my gosh, I bet. It's so annoying. Like what do you meeeaaannn all systems operational?! lol

[@balkenbrack]

Hey! Is this a trend? I ask because I am not usually trendy, but I just picked up some boucle yarn from Wild West Dye to make a Forsten vest (on ravelry) can’t wait!

[@allisonobrien3961]

I haven't worked with boucle yarns before, but I really wonder if reverse stockinette or garter stitch might be the ticket with this yarn. I was hoping to see the back of your swatch. Also, more useful to know the gauge of your swatch, not needle size, as that varies among knitters. Did the supplier give you a recommended gauge or WPI?

[@valeriehowden471]

The patterns you showed are stunning, and your yarn clours are equally beautiful. I've had commercially produced boucle sweaters which shed a ton of fibre - tended to be acrylic. I've crocheted with LB Homespun and we don't get along well together, especially if a bit of frogging is required. My questions are - do the natural fibre novelty yarns shed more than a woolen spun? And how are they for frogging back? I just may have to pass them by.😢

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

These are great questions! I've swatched with this yarn here a few times now and haven't notice any shedding at all. As for tinking back, or ripping back, which I've done with all three swatches I've knit, it's no problem at all. Now I can't speak for the bouclé yarns, but for the spiral-spun yarns, it's no problem. 👍

[@dorisenderle5857]

They are terrible to frog. I wanted to just throw the whole thing in the trash.

[@valeriehowden471]

@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS maybe the wool felts a bit to the core of the yarn and doesn't shed?

[@valeriehowden471]

@dorisenderle5857 that's been my experience with Homespun. The colourways are gorgeous but not worth that hassle.

[@cerenipek7583]

Heyy, im a beginner knitter and kinda struggling to adjust the patterns with my yarns and needle sizes. Sooo basically where i live i cant really find much bulky yarn and the pattern i want to do uses really bulky yarn i think (suggests 12mm and 15mm needles for the project). I wonder if it would work if i do the project in the larger size (i wear small but if i do a gauge swatch and compare i can maybe find a ratio) and if its okay to use my thinner yarns and needles, by knitting the large or xl version of the pattern maybe it will make a good adjustment. But what do you think? Its a bit complicated to explain and english is not my first language that may be the reason also. I need helpp, do you think it would work like that?😅😅 would knitting a larger sweater with thinner yarn and needles compensate for the gauge difference? Thank youu❤❤

[@michellemcghee9707]

Oh, “Shit the bed” was my grandpa’s favorite saying, though he followed with the name Fred.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Lol! Love that. ☺️

[@MrsKWheatley]

I'm currently making a boucle pullover called Musgo by Paula Pereira in the Laine publication Textured Knits. It's a lovely design.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Oooo I need to look this up...❤️

[@creativian68]

When I have used bouclé yarn I have found that the wrong side (purl side) looks a not nicer. It's evenly "nobbly". Your yarn probably does the same. Maybe garter stitch could work well too if you want to achieve that boucléy texture.

[@catherinecunningham7126]

I have tried a few times t crochet with Lion Brand’s Home Spun yarn and disliked it immensely! Not sure if knitting with it would be better? 🌸🌼🌻🌵

[@maryannw5289]

I knit and crochet, and knitting Homespun is far easier for me than crocheting it. When I crocheted it I’d have a hard time finding where to place my hook for each stitch, and then my hook would catch on the fibers. I’ve tried knitting simple stitch patterns in Homespun but they really don’t show. Garter stitch and some patience is your friend with Homespun!

[@Katepwe]

It’s not….it is my least favourite and I would never use it for anything. I don’t recommend it at all for beginner knitters.

[@maryannw5289]

@@Katepwe Definitely not for beginners!

[@KYERRN]

When I hear "novelty," I think of eyelash, Sashay, ribbons and glitter marled in to a skein, etc. I don't put boucle in that category.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes! Same here. In fact, I don’t know if I would consider this novelty really other than just lacking a better word in the moment. It’s certainly nothing like eyelash yarn, which is really something I’m not into. It’s just heavily textured. But…I don’t know. It is out of the ordinary, so maybe “novelty” fits. 🤷‍♀️😅

[@cynthiawick216]

Could you help me find that Polar Teddy Jacket on Ravelry? I’ve searched, but it claims that there is no such pattern.

[@atorres8760]

It’s “polarteddyjacket” all one word

[@Katepwe]

@@atorres8760that’s the trick sometimes with searching patterns on Ravelry…..the way the word is written needs to be exact and that does mean “run on” words sometimes.

[@KnittingReindeer]

The last ”e” in Lene is pronounced, otherwise you said it pretty good.

[@jeanmccullough7737]

Well I guess I’m not in the trend because I am not a fan of boucle or spiraling yarn. I think it’s my eyesight but also not a fan of the fabric it creates. It reminds me of chenille and I’m not a fan of that either. It’s great we have so many options to suit all.

[@deniseyoung3738]

Nope, sorry, not convinced. I just don't like the look of these. But that is why there are so many different yarns. I do love the colors of your yarn.

[@vulffwardgarr4546]

Boucle, cork-screw spun, thick-and-thin, and chenile yarns are a HARD pass for me! After literally spending decades practicing and experimenting, to make my stitches even and uniform (almost machine knit!), these types of yarn throw all my hard earned uniformity right out the window! It looks like I'm back to being a newbie-knitter! The stocking stitch fabric produced looks like someone with poor tension control - some call this rustic, I call it "not on my needles!" I do, however enjoy your videos and the topics you explore in them!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I LOVE your honest take here and TOTALLY understand! It's definitely not for everyone and certainly challenges those of us who really strive for that super consistent stitch definition. ❤️

[@JacquelinePayne-is8mw]

Nope, not a fan of either. And apparently I'm a snob, cause in my world, NOTHING, by the Lion brand would be considered fancy or would I purchase...but that's just me😅!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

'Fancy' refers to the texture of the yarn being unique or novel, not the quality of the yarn itself. It's like the term 'eyelash' yarn. As for Lion Brand, I think you'd be surprised the kind of yarn they have under their LB Collection label. Some of which I would certainly consider "nice" at the very least.

[@LyraStitchery]

Polar Teddy Jacket looks a little like a fur coat.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

It totally does. I love it!

[@janetvonholt8775]

I disagree with your comparison of your spiral spun yarn to a boucle yarn. Your yarn will give a much more even texture than a boucle yarn. The resulting fabric will not be as randomly textured, nor as fluffy and airy looking as a boucle. Search for art yarns, worsted, aran and bulky to find yarns and projects that are more similar to your spiral spun yarn. To me the resulting fabric texture is very different than boucle.