Juego Mystery KAL: A Few Yarn Ideas

Well, I know I promised you a post on ideas for yarn for Juego... and here you go!  I thought a good way to approach this would be to put myself in your shoes and go shopping at my local yarn store!

So, I headed down to Knitting Etc, and scoured their shelves with its owner, Hickory, to find a few ideas.  What I discovered is that finding yarns that will work for Juego is EASY!  It took us 6 minutes to come up with these three combos.... I can't even imagine how many more could have been made!  (Hickory is very good at buying yarn and beads!)

Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Midway with Cascade Heritage Silk in color 5639 with Miyuki Translucent Root Beer AB Beads

Madeline Tosh Sock in Byzantine and Gilded with Miyuki Silver Lined Dark Topaz AB Beads

Pagewood Farms Chugiak in Charcoal and Army Girl with Miyuki Matte Silver Lined Grey Beads
This yarn is perfect as it has 450 yards per skein, so you'll only need one of each color!-
Knitting Etc has lots in stock though it's not listed on their website!  I did a quick google search, though and found lots!

 

Liciniac, posted this combination in my Ravelry Group:Malabrigo Sock in Impressionist Sky and Archangel with gold toned beads.... this is going to make a GORGEOUS Juego!

 

Another AMAZING Rav member, KnittyTwin2, was inspired by this photo of a stormy sunset and DYED AND SPUN her own yarn for the KAL and then chose beads... she is obviously an overachiever and we all want to be like her when we grow up!  I for one am hoping on a plane to Australia to steal her Juego when it's done, because it is going to be NICE!

Important things to keep in mind when choosing yarn for Juego (beads or no):

• Choose two colors that really POP off each other. 
  This doesn't mean that they need to be different colors AND values (light or dark), just either a contrasting color OR a different value of the same color.
• Make sure you have enough yardage, you'll need at least 430 of the Multicolor (Col M) and 470 of the Solid (Col S).  When I design I always add 15% to my total yarn usage, so this means my Juego used around 380 yards of col. M and 410 of Col S... so that's my way of saying, you can maybe get away with a 400 yard skein, but maybe not!  Consider yourself warned!  Personally, I always buy MORE yarn than necessary!

Important things to keep in mind when choosing yarn for Juego if you are working with beads:

• Choose a weight yarn that size 8 beads can slide easily along.  All of the yarns listed above will work perfectly with size 8 beads.  There are also lots of other options listed here.
• I don't suggest choosing a single ply yarn when working with beads as the yarn will "fuzz" up awfully quickly!
• When choosing beads you want to choose a color that POPS from both your yarns... sometimes this just means your bead needs a metallic lining so it shines, other times a color that contrasts or shines.  See the examples above for a few ideas that work!
• A trick:  Not sure if your yarn is going to wear well with beads?  String a few on the yarn and rub them up and down a length of your yarn.... notice a halo starting to form?  If the answer is yes, your yarn is going to look worn before you are done knitting with it!  STOP and choose something else for this project!  Use that yarn for a cowl and send it to me, I need more cowls!

So, have questions?  Post them here, or in my Ravelry group... I can't wait to see what yarns you are thinking of using!

And the moral of the story?  Head to your LYS (if you have one).... you are bound to find the perfect yarn, and perhaps inspire a few other knitters to join you in our FUN!