It is a wonderful day outside, temperatures in the seventies, sunny, nice breeze. The kind of day that makes you want to scoop up your lace project, and go outside to work on it. So….. Can someone explain to me why I have started a Bulky yarn project?? I must be absolutely out of my mind. First of all I am cheating on Oregon, even though I said I would try not to do that too much. (Notice the operative word? TRY I left myself a way out! I should have known better) And second, I am going to be doing two projects, one in Lace weight yarn, the other in Bulky! Do you have any idea what it does to your tension when you switch between the two?
But DS#1 said that he would like a hooded cardigan like his brother. Brother’s cardigan was a lace pattern in cotton, and I thought it might make more sense if this one would be at least wearable through the winter. I wanted a quick pattern that would not take too much brain power. So I can up with this one. I will be using some Lion Brand Homespun in a nice dark red color. I am slowly “collecting” the 3 skeins needed from Joann, and only payong half price for them. I knitted a swatch, and it is clear that this will not be easy to knit with. I would not recommend this for a beginner. Homespun consists of a rather loose polyester plied with a thin polyester. This causes bunching if the yarn is tensioned too tight. I have also heard it does not stand up to frequent washings, as it will start to pill and look ratty. But I don’t intend to wash it often, and would be shocked if DS would not have grown out of it by spring. 
So I think it will be okay. It is bulky, I am getting about 11st per 10cm/4 inches, and about 18 rows. This is about perfect for the pattern, but not what the skein said it should be, even though I usually knit mostly to stated gauge on the skein. It comes in 6 oz balls (170 gr.) and has 185 yds. (169 m.) It consists of 98% Acrylic, 2% Polyester. At $5.99 it is not expensive, and with a coupon you an get an even better deal. Though it feels nice knitted up, I don’t think I will use it frequently. Further, I have noticed that when you knit with it, it splits rather easily, it is very difficult to see your stitches, and even though there are 66 colors available, Joann only carries five in the store I was at.
Ha! The best laid plans, etc. LOL The hoodie is really cute and I love the color you chose. But then, I like almost anything that’s red.
I knitted an afghan from Lion Brand Homespun probably 10 or 12 years ago. The yarn feels soft and yummy, but it is a pain to knit–very splitty, as you noted. I don’t know how it wears because the afghan was a gift and I haven’t seen it since. LOL I have never knitted with it since.
Oh, and my two cents? It’s always good to have two very different projects going at once.
Homespun will be fine for what you need. I made a vest out of it and do wear it fairly frequently. It has good drape, but collects static clean like crazy!