Comments about Harrisville Designs Shetland:

This yarn got a negative review from someone below...but it NEEDS washing, some agitation, to full properly. Woven, it is beautiful and very soft, once finished. Don't be afraid to use it, just don't use it at a very tight guage, as unwashed wool will fill the air spaces when washed, and that might be why some people think it is scratchy and hard.

Comments about Harrisville Designs Shetland:

People compliment the sweater I made with it almost every time I wear it. It pills a little, but not the worst by far, and is not particularly soft, so it's not good for hats and scarves, but very good for sweaters. I had no problems with breaking or splitting in the combination of machine knitting and crocheting I used for the sweater, hat, scarf and mittens I made with it.

Something about it caused this chemically sensitive knitter/crocheter to get headaches when I worked with it (mothproofing? dyes?) that did not go away with intensive washing. It stopped bothering me only when I subjected it to intensive ozonation for a week and then washed it several more times.

Comments about Harrisville Designs Shetland:

I purchased 3 cones of this yarn hoping to make some nice woolly winter scarves. I absolutely loved the variety of colors and after reading the previous reviews I though I knew what to expect. I have used virgin unwashed wool for scarves plenty of times before, so I figured that the reviews were accurate when they said that the yarn and finish product become softer after washing. However, this yarn is completely different. In fact, yhis is the worst yarn I have ever purchased! The yarn remains very rough and scratchy even after washing it and giving it a good soak in Eucalan.It is by far too scratchy for any scarves, hats, mittens, or anything else that you would make to be worn close to the skin. This yarn also breaks very easily! I tried knitting with it using various knitting methods ( by hand, knitting machine, and loom) and the slightest tug while unwinding more yarn from the cone will cause it to break. I can only suggest that this yarn would be good for everything else but clothing/garments. Maybe items like area rugs, felted items, bags, etc. So, for anyone else considering buying this yarn for scarves ... Don't do it! Click "back" while you still can! You can find much better yarn on this website. Don't waste your time and money like I did. I'm stuck with [$] worth of yarn that makes a brillo pad feel soft. Such a shame ... the colors are beautiful!

Comments about Harrisville Designs Shetland:

I weave Harrisville Shetland at 12epi & 12ppi and I get wonderful results - perfect for Colorado winters. After a supervised warm water soak & light agitation, the finished product is soft & has a very nice loft. This is one of the easiest wool fibers I have found weave with and get consistent results time & time again.

Comments about Harrisville Designs Shetland:

I've woven scarves and baby blankets with Harrisville Shetland and knitted fair isle sweaters with it. Once wet-finished, the texture is very soft. The colors are gorgeous, probably due to being dyed in the fleece. Too bad this lighter-weight yarn isn't available in skeins.

Comments about Harrisville Designs Shetland:

Harrisville is one of my favorite brands of yarn. Hard wearing, economical, and a great color selection. I've made several sweaters from both Harrisville Shetland and Highland. Don't be put off by the harsh feel of the unwashed yarn. It fulls up beautifully and garments made with it last for years.