Thursday, July 26, 2007

Bye-bye, Jaeger. (Sniffle.)

I just heard what I had suspected might happen for a while but was hoping I was wrong about: Jaeger Yarns is kaput. The Jaeger brand is being discontinued. I was particularly partial to the Extra Fine Merino stuff -- in fact, one of the sweaters in our book is knit of it -- but I also liked Matchmaker Merino, and have many Jaeger pattern booklets in my knitting library. I suppose the popularity of RYC Yarns made Jaeger less relevant, and if I were looking at it as a hard-hearted businessperson, I'd probably agree that the Jaeger line had become redundant. You can find a good quality yarn in the Rowan or RYC lines that does just about everything Jaeger yarns do. Rowan seems to be focusing on the younger, trendier set, while RYC appeals squarely to the next age group up, and Jaeger -- perhaps directed to the professional woman? -- seemed to flounder without a clear target audience. Recent dabbles in more novelty-ish style yarns (like Jaeger "Fur") didn't cut it either.

The good news, I suppose, is that you'll be able to stock your stash with oodles of great yarn at discounted prices. And the existence of RYC certainly sweetens the pill. But you'll have to excuse me for a minute while I light a candle (a flipflop votive?) in honor of the passing of a fine line of mostly natural-fiber yarns with excellent pattern support. [Insert "God Save The Queen" music here.]

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello, psychic friend!

I just wish that the RYC wasn't so trendy blendy. I like my wool yarns mostly unadulterated.

Lola and Ava said...

Which would explain why I bought eight balls of Jaeger for a steal in London three weeks ago. Damn . . . I, for one (and probably only one) like Jaeger Fur and knit a scarf out of it. I call it my Muppet scarf.

Stacey said...

booo - I liked the extra fine merino too....sad....

Anonymous said...

Jaeger Extra Fine Merino is lovely stuff. I will miss it.
But there's always Filatura Zara and oh, those Zara colors!

Carol said...

Not too sad here. I'm more of a Rowan girl anyway. The irony is that I just bought 30 balls of Extra Fine Merino to make an RYC pattern! I also think Berroco's Pure Merino is a fab substitute.

Carol said...

Charrrrrrrge it!

Anonymous said...

Pardon my ignorance about yarn companies but what does this mean for Jaggerspun, the mainstay of lace knitters everywhere?
eadaoine

Carol said...

Completely different company -- no relation. So it won't affect them at all.

Anonymous said...

I love Jaeger yarns also. Purchased a bit last April while in NYC enough for a vest taking into consideration "ease". The good yarns always go far to early. Hear that Classic Elite - I am referring to Waterspun.

Unknown said...

I read on Knitter's Review that a company named Coats Patons owns both Jaeger and Rowan. I like the designs of both - I'll miss Jaeger.