Unspun Yarn: A Review (Plus 6 Tips and Tricks)

[@carmeslynn]

Hi Jennifer, Your episode was an incredible deep dive- you took figuring out the advantage/disadvantage of unspun yarn to the stratospheric level! Very thoughtful and helpful for making yarn purchase and pattern decisions. Carrie from the Northern San Francisco Bay Area. 🐑☕🧵🪡🧶

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you very much, Carrie! I love analyzing and comparing and contrasting similar things (e.g., yarn, patterns). I'm so happy you've enjoyed it!

[@sarahbearinthewoods]

Great video! I got my first Nutiden order this Spring in a gorgeous purple so I’m soaking in all the knowledge before I begin my first unspun sweater! I always chuckle when you chuck your sweaters behind the coach! 😂

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you! I'm so excited for you to cast-on something delicious with your Nutiden! And yes, my sweaters get the chuck. It's a fun way to get onto the next one as I chat on!

[@pamroberts4209]

Delightful video! I am now very interested in trying my hand with unspun yarn! Thanks for your tips and tricks - so useful!

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you! I'm so happy you found it helpful. Yes, I encourage you to get into unspun!!!

[@jamiejames5465]

That was very helpful…thank you! I have not knit with unspun yet. It intrigues me but makes me a lot nervous because I tend to be a tight knitter. That Nutiden though! I love that…so pretty. Great tips…may give it a go! Have the best day today!😊

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I’m very excited that you’re entertaining knitting with unspun. I hope the tips were encouraging to start your unspun journey.

[@tricotmeringue]

Manchelopi is from Spain :) made with Manchega wool, it is really soft, I find it peel more than Plotulopi, I think it can be compare to some softer Nutiden yarn !

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you for your help! It definitely looks soft in the photos I've seen. I'd love to try it!

[@damazdavalabagazh]

Contagious excitement. 🌹

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Yes!!! I love knitting and my current obsession is knitting with unspun yarn. I'm thrilled that you're on board. Wishing you joyful unspun knitting adventures.

[@damazdavalabagazh]

​@@pairswellwithknitting ​Thank you dear! After having watched this video I decided not to sell my little stash of Plötulopi and started a new jumper. All the best for you! 🍀

[@cherieirey1975]

Just rewatched this episode as I now have some nutiden to work with. Thank you

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I'm sooo excited for you! I hope you enjoy your knitting experience.

[@bluegrassdreams2seams510]

I started working with unspun a few years ago. It’s not easy to find but recently I was able to purchase closer to home. I love Melody Hoffman patterns. My first unspun is a bit over-sized for me but I wear it🤣 I have a second unspun purchased and hope to have more success. I’ve blended the yarn with Merino prior and it’s beautiful sweater. I’ll have to try the silk. Plutolopi rated high and I have to say, I’m really happy with my experience with this yarn.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

What a lovely unspun journey you're taking! I love that you're experimenting and playing around with fibre combinations and patterns. Wishing you happy unspun knitting!

[@joannethorvaldsen4164]

Thank you for this excellent episode. I have enjoyed knitting with Plotulopi and Nutiden. For me, it is helpful to role the plates of yarn into balls before I knit with them. As always, your knitting is beautiful.🌻

[@pairswellwithknitting]

What a great idea! I have heard that some knitters ball-up their plates of unspun before knitting with them. This is a great idea. Thank you very much!

[@gayleouthwaite5741]

Just found your channel. Excellent. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. As a spinner using unspun yarn is the opposite of what I do but think I might give it a try. I know it is very popular right now. The garments you showed are gorgeous.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I'm sooo happy to hear! I just spent the weekend learning about spinning. And you're right, unspun is the anti-spun yarn!

[@sandracroley9784]

Very good analysis! I've knit the TULC cardigan with a single stand of Plotulopi and I like it, but a bit scratchy, so I'm glad I used it for a cardigan. I've got quite a few Nutiden colours now, and I hear it's much softer to wear. I do like rustic yarns, so the itch-factor of yarns doesn't usually bother me too much. I have half of a Polina sweater knit with Nutiden...will get back to it later this summer. So, I think the only thing missing from your analysis is how the yarn feels next to skin. For one of my orders of Nutiden, my charge from customs was so exorbitant, they had made some kind of mistake, so I refused the package. The charge was something like $150. It made me hesitant to order again...but so far, so good The Wild Posy is on my to-do list!

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Great idea! Yes, the wearability/feel is a great piece of criteria to include in my next review. Thank you. I was also fearful of additional fees with an international package, but I was ok. Yes, I love the Wild Posy!

[@katheard262]

Thanks for this video! Love unspun! Nutiden is my favorite but also the most difficult to work with.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you for being here! Interesting that you also find it the most difficult to work with.

[@monikb3085]

Great video Jennifer! I love unspun and I'm with you on Plotulopi! I have made several 1 strand sweaters that are faves. Also knit a few single strand garmeents in Nutiden and that was an experience... Need to try Manchelopi and I have some Crux Fibers as well that I haven't used. For Plotulopi I order it directly from The Icelandic Store and I pay around $8,50 CAN per plate which really makes it the most affordable for great quality. Other Canadian unspun include Prairie Wool Bulky by Custom Wollen Mills in Alberta. It comes in 6 strand and I rolled it up in 2 strand balls for a 14st gauge. Another I haven't tried because they seem to always be sold out is Wild In the Woods Natural Canadian Unspun which is 34,95 for 250gr.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you very much! And a big thank you for sharing about some other unspun yarn options. I can't believe I missed Prairie Wool Bulky! I've knit with their 2 ply this summer and loved it. I am searching Wild in the Woods now, which is totally new for me.

[@kaesnow2380]

😂perfect timing❤. I love Plotulopi ! But was sucked into the price of Country Roving. I am a spinner, so, don't mind splitting the strands. I find it meditative like winding my own center pull balls. Just started a color work sweater with it using single strands and the inconsistency of thin spots is a little annoying so, I will finish the yoke, but will do the bottom stockingnette with another thin yarn....especially now that I saw your pilling! Thanks for a great informative post! ❤

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I'm so glad! Yes, I do love the end result of the Country Roving but the process to get there and the piling are not my favourite thing. I'm excited for your colourwork sweater!

[@pattyfox6907]

A terrific comparison - the results surprised me. I’ve not used Plotulopi and have feared it would be too scratchy to enjoy knitting. I’ve swatched with Nutiden held together, which was not too, too hard, and mean to test it with some mohair; I also have some Manchelopi to try.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I love that you're diving deep into unspun yarn options. I do know that there are a number of people that find the Plotulopi too scratchy. Maybe experiment with one plate first?

[@SwamiMommy]

🙏🏽 been thinking of pulling the trigger on some Nutiden. Very helpful info

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I'm excited for you! I'm happy you found this episode helpful.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

I'd love to try the Wool Deamers Manchelopi unspun. I never knitted with unspun, but I'd say I would start with a very simple pattern.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

This sounds wonderful! I love the fabric that unspun yarn makes, so a simple stockinette project would be a perfect into with unspun!

[@susancormack2618]

Excellent evaluation! I’ve yet to knit with unspun, I tend to be a tighter knitter and have hesitated due to this. I’m still uncertain about the appeal.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you! I do hope you give unspun a go. Maybe just start with one plate of plotulopi and have a play with it?

[@kieranemcgarry]

Thanks for this! So far I've only knit with the Briggs and Little unspun, because oddly enough it's carried by several local yarn stores near me. I really like it but I did find the winding took a while as well. And the gauge seems different from plutolopi or nutiden when held single or double, so I need to frog the sweater I was working on because it ended up way too large sadly.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Interesting that this yarn is carried by your many of your LYS. I haven't seen it a lot out in Ontario, and I hunt for unspun. Sorry to hear about the sizing issue with your sweater. Maybe it's time for a brand new cast-on?

[@hebepena3220]

Thank you for this episode Jennifer. This is new to me.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Ohhhh, I'm so excited for you to dip your toe into unspun yarn!

[@cottonconfections7188]

I got the same unspun yarn from crux fibres in knit city, and it’s my new favourite unspun yarn 😊

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Ohhhh! I love hearing this! I have a million sweaters in my queue, but the Crux Fibres is calling!

[@elissamcgahren8473]

Never used an unspun before, but now I’m excited to give it a try!

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I'm so excited for you! Yes, give unspun a try. I love it and I hope you do too!

[@TheGreenEyedRam]

Nice comparison and evaluation

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you! I really enjoyed putting this episode together!

[@lsdev4229]

Thanks Jennifer for this episode of your comparison of unspun yarn. Looking forward to seeing what you think of the Crux unspun. I never knew MacAuchlands sold unspun. I actually seperated the Briggs and little unspun into single strand and made a cocoon cardigan from it. You are correct...a lot of work but i have a beautiful, light but warm cardigan for $12 Canadian. 🤯🥰🇨🇦Sharon.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

That would be A LOT of work! The separation of the strands was my least favourite process I've experienced as a knitter, but I do love the finished garment that yarn produced. And yes, it's very cost effective!

[@tess7510]

Love this episode! So cool. Was looking for an overview just like this. You didn't mention if the B&L is soft or itchy? Or somewhere in between ?

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I'm so happy you've found it helpful! The Briggs and Little is a rustic unspun yarn. Softer than Plotulopi, more rustic than Nutiden. I wear the sweater I knit-up with this yarn, with a t-shirt underneath, but am also not fazed without.

[@libbybowles]

I haven't knit with unspun yet, but I'm curious and this video was really helpful and motivating. I was wondering, do you block your unspun sweaters the same way you do with spun yarn?

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you very. much! Yes, I wet block all of my sweaters. Unspun yarn garments are no different in my blocking process.

[@mariecouture7591]

I am actually knitting a Cowichan Cardigan with the Briggs & Little. I don't see what else I could knit with the five strands. 😊

[@pairswellwithknitting]

That sounds beautiful! The Country Roving is a funny amount of strands to work with. So happy you found a pattern that works!

[@EV-D-10]

Good content, thank you!!

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope you found it helpful.

[@klz4377]

Thanks

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thank you for checking it out!!!

[@Meirjolanknits]

I will ask before watching: how does unspun yarn wear compared to spun yarn? 😅

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I feel that unpsun yarn is softer and lighter on the body. You're trapping air within the knit fabric allowing for a lightweight knit item to give plenty of warmth. As far as life of the knit item, I think can be vary dependent on a few factors (e.g., gauge, held double, held with a stronger fibre like mohair, what the item is and where it is being worn in regards to quantity of friction). Fabric that is knit with 2 strands held double of unspun or with a mohair will be more robust than a single strand of unspun. A tighter gauge will wear better, along with areas that don't experience a lot of friction (e.g., head, back). I hope that helps.

[@Meirjolanknits]

@@pairswellwithknitting Thanks a lot! I Might try it one day, I will check the nutiden site :)

[@biristef9490]

Hi Jennifer! I also love unspun a lot. I'm literally obsessed with it😂. Everybody will think I am crazy but I enjoy a lot splitting unspun🙈 it is like meditation for me. Thanks for your lovely video. There are another 2 unspun you didn't mentioned: Thrive ( from Germany) which it is not so accessible and Dundaga (from Lithuania). It comes also double stranded and it is also very warm and beautiful, not so soft like Nutiden but very nice and I can even wear it next to skin. I recommend you the unspun from Hillesvåg. It is so soft or probably softer as Nutiden, smells very sheepy and the final garments are beautiful. I am knitting now the Miles Shirt Jacket with Hillesvåg and silk mohair and I am in love with it. You have a new follower😉. Greetings from Germany.

[@pairswellwithknitting]

This is soo lovely! Thank you very much for sharing about your love for unspun and recommending other unpsun options. Yes, I have my eye on Hilledvag unspun and am hanging-on until my trip to Norway. I can't wait!!!

[@biristef9490]

@@pairswellwithknitting share with us when you travel to Norway please🙏

[@sharayale]

wooldreamers is a Spanish company😅

[@pairswellwithknitting]

Thanks for sharing!

[@debrasorenson3770]

I have now made two garments with Plutolopi. The first being the Pellerine shawl by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I held the yarn single and didn't know enough back then to hold it double. It took some getting used to but "Oh my!" the shawl is cozy! I love it and was happy I held it single. I just finished the Malin sweater by Natsja Hornby. I tried a gauge holding the unspun doubly but it got too bulky so I went to my stash for a lace? weight merino/alpaca. I love how the sweater turned out. The only problem was I knitting it prior to the US elections and the tension in my second sleeve reflected my emotions. I had to rip out the entire sleeve. Oh horror! Unspun yarn is a bugger to frog! I chose not to reuse it because it pulled apart a gazillion times! I can possibly knit a hat or something with it so it doesn't go to waste but that was certainly a learning experience!

[@pairswellwithknitting]

I'm so excited to hear that you're knitting with unspun yarn! Yes, there are definitely techniques that can help the knitting experience when using unspun. I must admit, ripping out can be a challenge. If the knitting is relatively loose, doing mico-tugs on the yarn to rip out is possible as you frog, however I have had the misfortune of ripping out unpsun that is knit tightly and has resulted in unpsun yarn that cannot be reused easily.