Alice Starmore

[Mermaid]

I have just bought a couple of Alice Starmore knitting books (Celtic Collection and Fisherman's Sweaters) and want to start knitting one of her aran designs.  Are there any other Alice Starmore fans out there?  I'm wondering how easy it is to find substitute yarn or whether I should try and find the right sort of Rowan yarn and pay the $$$.

Has anyone else tried to knit one of her patterns?

[Cathy]

hi you could try Bendigo woolen mills for a cheaper alternative ,they have aran weight wools a very good prices,just make sure your tension is rightand as a extra precaution find out how many metres on the Rowan wool needed in Book (per ball) and compare with thbendigo and you can't go wrong and when you are ready then try the Rowan!!!!! Cathy

[shazknits66]

Yes I love Alice Starmore designs she is one talented lady, I agree with Cathy, use Bendigo Aran for a cheaper alternative, I also have knitted 5ply doubled to get a 10ply or Aran equivalent and it worked, just make sure you check your tension and you can't go wrong.  In one of Alices books I found a beautiful pattern knitted in Rowan Denim Cotton which I would love to knit one day but as it shrinks quite a bit the pattern is written specifically for that yarn so in that instance I would definately save up and use only the yarn specified
Sharon
http://shazknit.blogspot.com

[Mermaid]

Thanks for the advice.  I have got a Bendigo Woollen Mills yarn sample and will see if the tension and ball length match.