Not much room on the Tagboard, and I'm too lazy to add comments to this blog, so I'll ramble here. In my venting about the recommendations I've received from "natural fiber snobs" I should clarify that I'm a yarn snob in my own way. I don't care who made it, I don't care what it's made of, it has to have a look and feel I like, and be the "right" yarn for my purpose, and I'm very picky in that area. When it comes to felting yarns I'm particularly opinionated. IMNSHO, felt should never look hairy. Much is made of the "halo" created by felted Lamb's Pride - people, that's not a halo, that's STRINGY HAIR. Long strings of hair stick out here and there, looking slightly matted at times - ick. I used some LP bulky from the stash for my clogs, and while they are warm and functional and I do wear them, I would not have used this yarn but for having it already on hand. Long fuzzies of hair stick out all over the surface, and when my daughter tried them on the other day, she pulled her foot out and had a tuft of purple hair stuck between her toes. I'm sorry, but EEEEW. Now she doesn't want a pair of her own - I'm trying to tell her that Cascade 220 (insert sound of heavenly chorus) wouldn't do that.

Noro Kureyon, OTOH, does get a true halo. It develops a soft, fine, glowing fuzz that is uniform and feels lovely to the touch. I'm not anti-halo, I'm just anti-strings-of-hair.

And of course, Cascade 220 (sound of angels singing) is the supreme felting yarn in my book - it makes a fine and non-hairy felt. Patons Classic Merino is also very nice.