When knitting, the type of yarn you choose for your project is as important as the stitches you make. Shopping for yarn is like shopping for a pair of shoes: quality brand makes a difference, but you don’t have to break the bank to get something that fits.

The upscale UK company Sirdar is beloved by hand-knitters for its funky yarns and contemporary patterns for both children and adults. Yet, depending on where you live, Sirdar yarn can be difficult to find at your local craft store. And even if you do stumble upon it, you may experience a bit of sticker shock. You'll pay as much as $7 for a 1.76-ounce ball. So is it worth selling your soul for this luxurious brand? Let’s inspect the details, shall we?

Sirdar has been committed to making high-quality yarn for 130 years. Even the name  — which means leader — signifies being above the rest. Their products include a variety of yarns that are fashionable and resilient. “Snuggly,” their best-selling yarn, is a super-soft nylon/acrylic blend that's ideal for knitting up baby items. It’s available in delightful pastel colors and is hypoallergenic and machine-washable.

Knitters who work with Sirdar yarns tout them as being easy to work with and quick to knit. Life-long knitter Robin Cassidy used Sirdar’s Snuggly Bubbly to make a pair of bridal slippers. In her article "After Using Sirdar Yarn A Yarn Snob No More," she writes that "This Sirdar yarn was great fun. There’s enough texture to the yarn that it is not as slippery as it could be … It was easy to work with ... I found it to be a very ‘bouncy’ yarn, so it was easy on my hands and wrists and I finished the bridal slippers in no time."

Still, great quality comes at a hefty price tag. Sirdar Snuggly ($5.35 for 1.7 oz.) can be considerably more expensive than other comparable yarns such as Bernat Baby Coordinates ($4.49 for 6oz.) or Caron Simply Soft ($3.79 for 6oz.), which can definitely produce projects that are just as gorgeous and durable.

The bottom line: If you're a beginning knitter, start with one of the less-expensive brands until you're more comfortable with your technique. More experienced knitters should let the pattern decide. For baby projects, Sirdar can be worth every penny. But for general use, we would suggest shopping around and going with what works best for your individual project or budget.

Tell us about your experience with Sirdar in the comments.