[Bombshellknits]

Homespun is super snuggly. I made a couple "blankets" out of it. I just made used the basic washcloth pattern. The knit 2, yo, knit across. then you decrease? I bought an even number of skeins. Knit with the increase for half the number, and decreased for the other half. No counting involved! I made one out of I think a color called Tulip. It's beautiful. My cat loves them all!!

 

[beachknit]

Personally I really dislike this yarn. It doesn't have a nice "feel", (feels "greasy" to me), stitch definition is virtually obscured in a worked piece, it pills easily, colors are muddy, results in a thick fabric that is not always desirable, and it is difficult to frog.

Only pluses I can see are it's cheap and available anywhere Walmart, etc)... except LYS! Many beginners (myself included but long ago) choose it as a first yarn - bad idea for the above reasons.

There are plenty of inexpensive yarns out there that produce a much better piece for a baby than Homespun...IMHO of course.

 

[copper wire-n- beads]

I'm not a big fan of Homespun and similar yarns from other companies. It's ok for garter stitch on big needles, but not much else. Keep your project simple as this stuff is IMPOSSIBLE to tink, frog or otherwise undo. Whatever you do, don't try to crochet with it. The yarn will totally fuzz up into a giant mess.

 

[RoxyCatlady]

My suggestions:
Garter or stocking stitch - anything else will get lost. Though, you could do eyelets (k2tog, yo) for interest.

Use a large needle - too small, and you'll have trouble.

I always use the yarn from the center pull. Never have a problem with it.

Do not hold the yarn too tightly, or it will slide along the center strand, causing it to bunch and "worm".

Relax and enjoy the soft cuddly result of your knitting (or crochet - again, big hook, loose stitch). I LOVE working with Homespun!! Wish I could afford to buy lots more of it!

 

[Nana5]

I have made several afghans from Homespun and love the way it holds up, is soft and for me, easy to knit with. I have found it is easier with this yarn to pull from the outside. Best of luck with your project, Homespun knits up fast.

 

[LilgirlCA]

I pull from the center on this yarn and use simple stitches - many feather and fan afghans. For a baby, I would use knit front and back instead of yarn over to reduce holes in the fabric. Another good stitch for this yarn is garter - all knit.

although frustrating to knit with it makes up beautifully

 

[glenniemae]

I'm knitting a large afghan for my DIL, using Homespun.
It's a Lion Brand pattern, very easy. It's based on Grandma's Favorite dishcloth.
I found the Homespun is very light and cuddly.

 

[Pdodge]

Homespun tends to fuzz and bunch up rather quickly. I use it only for fluffy pompoms and small projects that use garter stitch. It might shed on a blanket pattern.

 

[jabberjaus]

Just completed
Queen's Cowl http://www.beatriceryandesigns.com/2014/12/01/queens-cowl-free-crochet-pattern/ and started
Knot Just Any Hood (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knot-just-any-hood)
in Homespun Lion Brand Waterfall color 329 98% Acrylic and 2% Polyester. I'm using a wooden crochet hook size P maybe. These crochet hooks were special ordered way long ago and don't have a size marked in them. I find a very large crochet hook works best with Homespun and some pattern adjustment for sizing. Following the pattern but winging it as I go.
I'm very pleased with the Queen's Cowl. Feel's very light, but expect it would be warm.
This hat a cowl set is for a caregiver to my neighbor. She wears a yarn cap with a scarf tied over the top of it. I'm hoping she'll enjoy this style hood with the cowl. The blue is a lift your spirit color and brings a smile.

So, posted link in Ravelry for patterns, but came up unavailable...bummer. Changed the Queen's Hood website and it did work for me. Please go to Ravelry and sign in. Once there go to patterns and enter in search Knot Just Any Hood and hopefully it shows up correctly.

 

[NCOB]

/when knitting this yarn you need a simple pattern and pull the yarn from the outside rather than from the center as it will make knitting much easier.

 

[BarbaraSD]

I wouldn't use Lion Brand Homespun for a baby blanket. It sheds and fibers will be all over the baby, it's clothes etc.

I don't have a choice. I was given this yarn to make a baby blanket. The grandmother fell in love with Homespun and bought it.

 

[BarbaraSD]

My suggestions:
Garter or stocking stitch - anything else will get lost. Though, you could do eyelets (k2tog, yo) for interest.

Use a large needle - too small, and you'll have trouble.

The pattern I decided on called for a size US 13. It seemed too loose so want to a US 11. I hope that was a good decision.

 

[NCOB]

You should be okay with the size #11.

 

[AuntKnitty]

I love Homespun, but it does not lend itself well to intricate patterns, they just get lost in the texture of the yarn.

This simple pattern looks good...

Multiples of 8 stitches + border

Row 1: K4, P4 across ending with P4

Row 2: K4, P4 across ending with P4

Row 3: P4, K4 across ending with K4

Row 4: P4, K4 across ending with K4

Repeat this pattern until it's the length you want.

I would also suggest a top and botton border of maybe 6 or 8 rows of garter stitch and slipping the first stitch of each row to make an even side border. This pattern shouldn't roll in on the sides, at least I've never had that happen.

 

[Grandma Jo]

I don't think Homespun is a good choice for a baby blanket. Baby things require lots of washing and I don't think Homespun would hold up to that and it is so fuzzy. I just finished a baby blanket out of Bernat Blanket and it is just so soft and comes in pretty baby colors. It is meant to be used for babies.

 

[clickyoursticks]

I have knitted many prayer shawls with Homespun. I either use an all knit pattern or knit 3, purl 3, 2nd row and all following rows knit the purls, and purl the knits. Before I start I roll into a ball from the outside of the skein. It prevents getting that yarn barf trying to knit from center. Hope this helps.

 

[BarbaraSD]

I don't think Homespun is a good choice for a baby blanket. Baby things require lots of washing and I don't think Homespun would hold up to that and it is so fuzzy. I just finished a baby blanket out of Bernat Blanket and it is just so soft and comes in pretty baby colors. It is meant to be used for babies.

I totally agree, but the grandmother already bought the yarn.

 

[BarbaraSD]

I love Homespun, but it does not lend itself well to intricate patterns, they just get lost in the texture of the yarn.

This simple pattern looks good...

Multiples of 8 stitches + border

Row 1: K4, P4 across ending with P4

Row 2: K4, P4 across ending with P4

Row 3: P4, K4 across ending with K4

Row 4: P4, K4 across ending with K4

Repeat this pattern until it's the length you want.

I would also suggest a top and botton border of maybe 6 or 8 rows of garter stitch and slipping the first stitch of each row to make an even side border. This pattern shouldn't roll in on the sides, at least I've never had that happen.

Do you slip the stitch as to knit or purl?
After "ending with the K4" or "P4," do you then do the side borders of 6 stitches?

 

[Manga]

The pattern I decided on called for a size US 13. It seemed too loose so want to a US 11. I hope that was a good decision.

All my projects have been knit on size 13 needles and I like the fabric that size produces. I would think size 11 might make a stiffer fabric. All my projects have held up well but I don't know about a baby blanket. Since you have no choice, just know it will be beautiful and soft.

 

[OResmerelda]

I'm knitting my first sweater with Homespun right now. The pattern is stockinette with 3 or 5 rows of garter along the edges, depending upon which edge. So far no curling.

As others have said, don't bother with any fancy stitches, they won't show. I'd even venture to suggest that garter stitch might make too heavy a blanket. What do others think?

Lastly, someone had said Homespun couldn't be pulled from the center so on the first skein I dutifully unwrapped it from the outside until I got tired of fighting with it and balled the rest of that skein. For the 2nd skein I thought I'd give center pull a try and had no problem finding the end BUT that's when I started having problems with the yarn bunching along the central thread and eventually twisting on itself (think phone cord). Not sure if center pulling was the culprit but I won't be trying center pull again.

Oh, and don't forget to knot all ends so they don't fray out on you.