mystery yarn from Germany
Look! I have actual yarn content!
Of course, it’s a mystery as to what it really is, because this is the yarn that #1 Son brought back from Germany in his guitar case sans ball bands. And let me just repeat, gentle reader, how proud I am of him for going into a yarn shop - not his native habitat at all - and making himself understood and finding sock yarn. A very nice present for his mom, eh? I think he did really good.
The consensus from those who have seen it up close and personal is that it’s probably Trekking. Unless, of course, it isn’t. As I look at this picture now, I can see that the ball in the upper right corner is slightly larger than the other balls. I don’t know if that means it’s a different brand or just a different type? The yarn itself appears to be almost identical. It’s all wool, with maybe some nylon woven in. I wouldn’t call it exactly soft and squishy - not like, say, Dream In Color or Koigu. But it’s not unpleasant and I think it will be nice after washing.
I really like most of the colors - they’re growing on me, I will admit. #1 Son wants the upper right corner ball for a scarf. But the more I look at it… He may get the one in the middle instead. We shall see.
So, what do y’all think this might be? Any guesses? (beyond the obvious sock yarn that is)
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looks like the first four are opal: http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/zwerger-garn-opal-6-fach—6-ply
i’ve made a couple of pairs of socks with that yarn and the yardage is generous. if you compare it to another superwash sock yarn, like knitpicks or lion brand, the wool in opal is more apparent. not that it’s scratchy but more fluffy and sheepy-like–comes together well after washing. pretty good stuff, i’d say.
1Remark from vera — Thursday, 7/24/2008 @ 9:01 AM
I agree, the top four look like Opal. THe bottom ones look like Lang Jawoll or Trekking. Hard to say without feeling them, though.
If you want to compare, bring them to the shop on Saturday. We have some that looks similar.
2Remark from Maxfun — Thursday, 7/24/2008 @ 10:29 AM
I’d agree that the bottom center and right balls look like Trekking (as much for coloration as anything)…
I’m not much good at identifying Opal.
(I have not had a ball, so can’t tell)
But I love Trekking!
3#1 Son did “good!”
(((hugs)))
Remark from Knitnana — Thursday, 7/24/2008 @ 11:22 AM
I’m with the masses. Guessing you have 4 Opal and 2 Trekking, but I am not an expert on European sock yarns
Any chance I can bug you with an Judy’s Magic Cast-On question? I am hoping for a little troubleshooting on a hiccup I haven’t mastered yet. Happy Thursday!
4Remark from amy — Thursday, 7/24/2008 @ 12:01 PM
My vote is also for 4 Opal and 2 Trekking or Lang Jawoll.
5Remark from knitopia — Thursday, 7/24/2008 @ 5:52 PM
I actually have some early Opal that looks very similar to the bottom 2 on the right - my guess is that they’re ALL Opal!
6Remark from margaret — Thursday, 7/24/2008 @ 7:45 PM
I would guess Opal, since I have some which look very much like yours.
7Remark from Pam — Thursday, 7/24/2008 @ 7:45 PM
I would say Opal for the two on the bottom right. They have that kind of semi-dyed look to them. It’s nice enough once washed.
8Remark from Dave — Friday, 7/25/2008 @ 5:59 AM
I’d guess yarn, in colors, and fingering weight.
9Remark from melissaknits — Friday, 7/25/2008 @ 6:30 AM
From what I’ve read so far, your son was in Munich.
My guess is he bought this yarn at the Wolle Rödel store that is close to the Viktualien Markt.
This could actually help identify the yarn…
Wolle Rödel sometimes makes copies of colourways of big brands, like Opal (the first Wolle Rödel I’ve ever bought was a perfect copy of one of the Opal Brazil colours), Fortissima,…
It cannot be Lang Jawoll, since the shape of those balls is completely different (long, think, only 45or 50g of yarn, plus a little bit of reinforcing yarn inside the ball)
Is it really that important to know exactly what brand it is?
Most sock yarns in Germany are 420m for 100g…
The one that is thicker might be 6 ply… or a special weight Wolle Rödel makes that is just slightly thicker than 4 ply.
If it is 6 ply, the ball should weight 150g rather than 100.
10Remark from Noémie — Friday, 7/25/2008 @ 6:42 AM
It also could be Lana Grossa Multieffekt.
11Remark from sharon — Friday, 7/25/2008 @ 1:18 PM
I have never knit with Opal, but I have 2 pr. Trekking and they wash and wear very well. Great to see you last night!
12Remark from LeAnne — Friday, 7/25/2008 @ 1:19 PM
It may be Trekking, but I’m leaning toward Opal or Meilenweit (Lana Grossa). You could check it out here to see if they show up: http://www.lanagrossa.com/produkte/02_2007meilenweit.php?l=e&p=2hj_2007
13Remark from Duffy — Friday, 7/25/2008 @ 5:51 PM
It could be Austermann Step mit Aloe Vera und Jojoba oil - 75% virgin wool, 25% polyamid. I’ve got some otn right now…looks very much like some of those. Great yarn! I’m enjoying working with it.
14Remark from Joan — Monday, 7/28/2008 @ 8:22 PM
I’m pretty sure the bottom two on the right are Austermann Step, also. If one of your previous posters is right, and he went to Wolle Roedel, then it’s a good possibility, as the WR in Heidelberg also carries Austermann. They should feel different than the others, if so–very soft and smooshy. Nearly all of the German yarns are 75% wool and 25% acrylic. The one on the top right does look like it’s bigger–does it weigh more? I doubt that the others are Trekking, but I’m not an authority. Opal, Regia, Sockotta, and Meilenweit are all better guesses, and Wolle Roedel has their own brand too, I think. Opal and Regia feel a little more woolish, like your first poster mentioned (unless of course you got a cotton blend!) I’ve had a lot of trouble finding Trekking in Germany, believe it or not! Maybe I live in the wrong area. Anyway, most of the German yarns feel and knit up about the same: good, long-lasting, and colorfast.
15Remark from Lia — Tuesday, 7/29/2008 @ 2:06 AM
Top row left and middle are almost definitely Online Supersocke 100 - I sent for a mixed pack at a bargain price from Germany (http://www.wollstudio.com/en/Sockwool-package-for-less), and it contains exactly these 2 colourways. Some of the others may be too, although the colours aren’t cler enough to tell exactly. Haven’t knit ant yet as I got a broken wrist that is not healed yet. Jane in UK
16Remark from Jane Simpson — Tuesday, 7/29/2008 @ 7:57 AM
Thankfully everyone else is lots more knowledgeable on the subject than I am. All I can contribute is …. oohhhh look at all that yarn!
17Remark from ~Kristie — Wednesday, 8/6/2008 @ 4:57 PM