Lion Brand has something called "wool roving", so you might want to either check their web site lionbrand.com, or go into the yarn studio between 5th and 6th on 15thstreet. They are closed on Saturday, but open on Sunday..

Some felting would be good, yes. And I agree, roving sounds a little complicated - but it is not a vintage pattern actually. I have knitted a few things in my days, but it's been a while. I'm afraid ravelry etc would suck me into a vortex of time-consuming online research so I figured I could get some quick advice here. I'll have to check out some upcoming shearing festivals or go with something like the Irish relanolized yarn I guess. Thanks again!

I agree with alee2. If you are a novice knitter, then trying to knit with roving would be really hard. I don't know of any yarns that leave the lanolin in anymore, but Lion Brand does have an Irish Wool that they actually put the lanolin back in, and it can be felted. But this sounds like a vintage pattern? and then you also have to be concerned with stuff like sizes (we make the babies bigger now than even the 50's), and the weight of the yarn. I would recommend that if you are not wedded to this pattern, join RAVELRY.COM, which is free to join, has 2 million knitters on, and more to the point LOTS of free patterns in a searchable database, so you can say free diaper cover, and even add novice or beginner if you want and you will get a bunch.

Is it meant to be felted after you knit it? I've definitely seen both fiber and yarn that are minimally processed & still hold a lot of lanolin, but it's always been at fiber festivals or farmer's markets. There aren't a lot of processors that will leave lanolin in there, from what I understand.
There are lots of real simple diaper cover patterns out there if you're not totally settled on this one.

I want to use a knitting pattern for a wool diaper cover that calls for wool roving, or if that is not available, "untreated wool yarn". So I guess yarn that has been minimally processed except for the spinning, and still holds a lot of lanolin.

The instructions say "When casting on, you can carry regular cotton sewing thread with the roving if the roving tends to break" so maybe I could use wool intended for spinning, but it sounds a little complicated.

What do you mean by untreated? You can by organic yarn at Patricia's in Hoboken, and she may have some other undyed options.
As for roving -- are you looking for wool for spinning? It is very hard to come by locally unless you order it or happen upon it at a farmers or craft market. Woolbearers in Mount Holly has wool for spinning, and I've seen teeny amounts of Corriedale at Brooklyn General Store and possibly at Purl Soho.
If you know exactly what you want, I can definitely help you find it.

Unfortunately the Stockinette Cafe and yarn shop closed, so there is no yarn shop inJC. I don't think any of the suggested places, have roving, as that is more a specialized item. I do order from KNITPICKs a lot, but they also do not have roving. Check WEBS (YARN.COM). If you don't have a car, then I do recommend NY for yarn shopping. KNITTYCITY, SEAPORT YARNS, and SCHOOL PRODUCTs all have web sites that will give you an idea of what they have and are all convenient. You might also check out LionBrand Yarn Studio on 15th between 5th and 6th (convenient offthePATH) which has (surprise) Lion Brand yarn of all types, including their premium brands, and is just a fascinating store to visit (their window is not to be believed.

If you want roving, I also know you can get it from alpacadirect.com (naturally enough,mainly alpaca).

As someone earlier said, check out ourSNBJC on MEETUP,and other folks may have more suggestions.

Great - thanks for all suggestions.

Try Michaels over at the Bayonne Crossing Mall..


Bayonne Crossing Way
BAYONNE, NJ 07002-5304
(201) 437-0261

http://www.michaels.com/

Or knitpicks.com is a good resource.

Seaport yarns near WTC is your best bet.

There are a couple different meetup groups for knitters in JC, where I'm sure people could offer great advice. Patricia's in Hoboken is a lovely little store, but I don't know whether she carries roving or not. There are a million stores in Manhattan. You could check out one of the nyc groups on ravelry for reviews of specific stores. I'm pretty lazy myself and order almost all of my yarn from knitpicks.

A.C. Moore in Secaucus might be the best bet.

http://www.acmoore.com/c-72-yarn.aspx

Novice knitter looking for wool roving or untreated wool yarn, but where? Looks like there are two yarn stores in Hoboken, are they any good? What about JC, Bayonne, Manhattan or could somebody recommend a site to order from?
Thanks!