Shelter yarn, to be excited or not to be? | A WIP {Knitting}

I finally had the chance to knit Brooklyn Tweed's Shelter yarn. Yes you heard right Jared's own yarn, the same Jared who made me knit Tapenade and the Baby MiH's favourite blanket. It was supposed to be the ultimate connection. Shelter is tweedy, comes in amazing colours, durable and gives a fabulous stitch definition. And of course Jared has designed several knitting patterns for Shelter that are wonderful.

 

But I am a bit disappointed - and believe me it is really hard for me to tell you this. From the start the yarn was a little splitty. I think this is because of its handspunish quality. I also kept finding bits of organic matter spun right into the yarn so I am spending a bit of time picking that out while I am knitting - and it is a bit strange. I like rustic, but there may something as too rustic.. And it is coarse - this isn't something I'd necessarily want to make a cowl with as it would bother me.  Now, perhaps a good soak in conditioner will help but I haven't done that yet.

It is a bit expensive. It runs GBP 10.50/skein and you only get 128 m (140 yds). You can see that I will need 2 skeins for one beanie hat - when I usually use one. For small projects, the price isn't prohibitive...but if you're looking to make a long-sleeved, cabled cardigan (like Channel), this yarn can get a little expensive.

I had to match a BT pattern to Shelter - if you are going to knit his yarn you may as well knit a pattern he approves right, and pick one of my favourite projects of Wool People 6. 

Pattern: Bough (WP Vol 6) by Leila Raabe

Yarn: Shelter in Soot

Needles: 4mm circular (smaller than recommended as saw comments 
on the pattern knitting big)

What I would say is that it is a wonderful pattern and it will look great in Shelter - I am just hoping it will be comfortable enough to wear, and that there will not be any itchiness.. But you know what, I am glad I am knitting it, and I am still Jared's fan.

So who has knitted with Shelter before? What did you think? Am I being too harsh - and the blocking is going to make it much better?