Recanting

Some updates about those blingy yarns:

1. I used some of Artyarns’ “Beaded Silk Light” (without the sequins) and the beads-to-yarn ratio is almost the same as the Tilli Beaded Lace.  The beads are smaller, but the ratio is the same.
2. The bead strand of this yarn also makes little loops on the right side of the fabric.
3. I washed some green hand-dyed yarn in “Soak” (allegedly, and I do mean allegedly, a superior no-rinse wash for handknits) and it bled maroon all over the place just like that brown shawl did (which I also washed with Soak).  Conclusion:  Soak is garbage.  I threw out the rest of it.  Folks on Ravelry report the same problem. 

So, having gone through all this, Tilli Tomas really only has one strike against them, and that is the frays in the silk strand.  I still haven’t found any in my Artyarns. 

To sum up, when comparing beaded to beaded:

Tilli’s pros:  cheaper, wider range of bead colors, more yardage per skein.

Artyarns pros: better yarn construction, much wider range of yarn colors.

I have just signed up to become an Artyarns retailer in my Etsy shop.  (I won’t actually have any stock for a few weeks, though.)  I wouldn’t consider dealing in Tilli because of the yarn breaks in the bead strand.

Stay away from Soak!