[doubleoh7]

sounds great everyone! everyone has been so helpful(: im definitely heading out to WalMart very soon ;D

[luvs2ridewbs]

Another vote for Red Heart. Never had a problem with it snapping.

[DMK]

LOL, now I know quite a few braiders that won't use red heart! Yarn is a very personal thing.

I use Caron Softee Double Chunky but a good brown is a hard thing to find now that Aunt Lydia's rug yarn is a thing of the past (most unbreakable yarn ever, although it is tough on the hands). Ithink that Caron so soft had a pretty brown and held up well. Fortunately I typically only braid mine (black) and catch braid a few here and there. Or that's what I did before I injured my hand. Jury's still out on whether I'll be catch braiding again. Might take me all night to finish my own horse.

[drawstraws]

I use the Red Heart too, although it's a little thinner than I'd prefer. I also use what they call rug yarn - never had one break and has a good grip to it. It's sold in smaller skeins and it's more expensive, but I usually pick it up at Joann Fabrics when it's on sale for $1.00/skein - usually only get a few manes done out of each one.

[Sleepy]

I am finding it absolutely unbelievable that some of you are breaking Red Heart. The new formulation, i.e., Super Saver, is like iron. Generally icky to knit with and simply unbreakable. You could use the stuff to garrotte someone. The Red Heart Classic is what we had back in the days when I was braiding. You might find that a little easier on your hands, though possibly a little harder to find. Probably not available at Walmart. Caron anything is very splitty and likely to unply itself. Bleh. Just make sure that you don't use wool. It WILL break.

[lauriep]

I have switched from Red Heart to Ruthann's Lucky Braids yarn. Expensive, but cannot compare in soft feel and iron strength. I had started to break Red Heart WAY too often. Since switching over, I have yet to break any yarn.

[Sugarbrook]

Just am reading this thread. Years ago I remember the braiders only wanted to use one type yarn. So, now I am wanting to see if any professional braiders (I am talking A show big barn braiders) are on reading this and will fill y'all in.

[heatherny2]

When my mother was braiding professionally up in NY (1980's), we used to go to Tandy Leather to get waxed thread/yarn...those braids never moved!! It was definitely pricier than regular yarn, but her braids looked awesome.

[Hunter Mom]

Don't braid professionally, but do my own and help others out from time to time. I am also a buy whatever seems to work girl. I like using subtle color (my favorite was a beautiful rich raspberry on my black mare) for a little variety. Thankfully, I don't have to braid much now - DD does short stirrup at locals and my boy is jumper.

[soloudinhere]

I use this stuff http://www.yarn.com/webs-knitting-cr...e-cotton-club/

It's a little pricier but the cotton is easier on my hands and I can use some really nice colors for a fun little touch. I always used red heart when I braided professionally but I like this stuff much better.

Of course now it's on closeout so I'm going to have to buy more...I live right near the actual store for that site though, so I can go pick a new yarn now!

[HenryisBlaisin']

I've attempted several times to use thread the same way you would use yarn in braids... tying up, not sewing in. It's never worked. Do you sew your braids or just tie up using thread? (That's a question to the braiding masses as well!)

I sew mine in. I'm no pro, but they always look good enough for local shows.

[kookicat]

Blackcat, I sew mine in too, but I'm not doing hunter braids. I think you'd call mine button braids. (Like what you'd see on an event horse.)

[Midge]

Years ago I remember the braiders only wanted to use one type yarn. So, now I am wanting to see if any professional braiders (I am talking A show big barn braiders) are on reading this and will fill y'all in.

Ahhh, Kolor Match. Those were the days. Gigantic skeins, cheap, and you could use it to moor a boat, it was so strong. When they stopped making it, I stopped at every K Mart I passed and bought all they had. A friend of mine was going to name her horse Kolor Match- the horse that yarn built.

I am finding it absolutely unbelievable that some of you are breaking Red Heart. The new formulation, i.e., Super Saver, is like iron. Generally icky to knit with and simply unbreakable. You could use the stuff to garrotte someone.

Not even close to unbreakable. I can snap it between my fingers in the store.

This is what I use.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/tr...ster-rug-yarn/

I buy it in bulk cones from a supplier.

[pattnic]

Add me to the list of those who hate Red Heart; I snap it all the time!

Like lauriep, I like Ruthann's Lucky Braids yarn... I think I've snapped it twice.

[sarcam02]

Add me to the list of those who hate Red Heart; I snap it all the time!

Like lauriep, I like Ruthann's Lucky Braids yarn... I think I've snapped it twice.

OK i am a bit of a pro on this topic and like many other topics I have researched it to death

Used to used Red Heart - it is not a strong as it used to be and i find it often breaks

Started using Lucky braids yarn - love it but it is too pricey

Found Caron Simply Soft - also love it but it is thinner than i like so I wrote to Caron customer service to find the "thick" and just as strong version of Simply Soft AND found CARON ONE POUND!!!! LOVE - it super cheap and super strong

[lauriep]

When I get $75 per horse for a braid job (m & t), I figure I can afford pricey yarn if it is what I like.

[sarcam02]

When I get $75 per horse for a braid job (m & t), I figure I can afford pricey yarn if it is what I like.

yes ma'am

[llsc]

Lucky Braids, Caron's So Soft and Red Heart's Super Soft are all unbreakable. The regular Red Heart breaks constantly. I'm pretty sure the Red Heart Super Soft is the same as Lucky braids - it comes in the exact same colors and size.

[lauriep]

Interesting. I'll have to see if I can find it!

[llsc]

Interesting. I'll have to see if I can find it!

It's half the price too.