Fiber content: 50% Acrylic 50% Tencel
1 Ball Contains: 50g, 105 yards/96m
Price: I think the original price was $3.99, but I got this yarn on clearance at Zellers. $0.71 for 11 of the balls, then, later, $0.59 for more.
Weight and Type: Aran, plied. A little splitty and not completely smooth. Ravelry link
Label’s Gauge and Needle Size: 18 sts and 25 rows = 4″ in st st with US7/4.5mm needles (no mention of crochet or picture of a hook)
My Gauge, Pre-Wash: 20.5 sts and 25 rows = 4″ in st st with US7/4.5mm needles, crochet 17.5 sts and 22 rows = 4″ in sc with US7/4.5mm hook
Post-Wash: 18.5 sts and 25 rows = 4″ in st st with US7/4.5mm needles, crochet 16.5 sts and 21 rows = 4″ in sc with US7/4.5mm hook
Colour Range: There are 6 different shades in Canada, less in the UK. In Canada, I bought Ebony, Thyme, Champagne (off-white), and Linen (beige). There’s also a pink called Pink Cameo that I didn’t buy, and a deep brown Walnut that I didn’t see. Australia and the US apparently don’t have it anymore, and the UK (Hobby Craft) just has Champagne, Pink Cameo and Walnut according to the website.
Washing Instructions: “Cool Hand Wash, Do not Iron, Do not Bleach or Tumble Dry, Drycleanable. Keep away from Naked Flame.” My washing machine has a decent Delicates setting, so I washed my February Lady Sweater in this yarn alone in cold water with President’s Choice Fine Fabric Care Delicate Wash with no problems, then laid flat to dry. I did close to the same for the swatches, except by hand in the sink.
Unlike a lot of dark-coloured yarns, no dye came out at all when I washed the swatches.
I think I’ve said all there is to say in previous posts, but I loved working with this yarn. It’s soft, but still sturdy, doesn’t look like it’s going to fuzz or pill easily, feels great on the skin, and works up to a drapey, velvety fabric. It’s warm, I suppose about the same as a straight acrylic, but I haven’t really put it to the test yet. The colours are also decent, as few as they are. I hope that they don’t end up discontinuing it. It used to be available in the US, and when it was listed I remember seeing more colours. The skeins are a little small, and there are knots. They’re center-pull skeins, and I think 5 out of 6 green skeins had a knot about 1-2 yards in from the center.
I’ve already knit the February Lady Sweater in this, and also have plans for it in black (Talia from knitty) and champagne (Alatus from Craftster, Ravelry Link). I also have more in Linen that I’m not sure what to do with. But since I have thyme leftover, I could combine colours to make something else, like a shawl.
I don’t mean to ignore crochet, which I have been doing lately. There just aren’t many crochet projects that are grabbing me right now. There is, however, Seraphina’s Shawl which is crocheted, and since I’d have more than one colour I can have the colour changes like the blue one at the top. (Non-Ravelry link, scroll down to the bottom, there are more pictures there). It’s beautiful in lace, so it’d be a match with the right lacy crochet pattern.
Actually, there is a crochet pattern book that I’d like, and that’s SweaterBabe.com’s Fabulous and Flirty Crochet: Gorgeous Sweater and Accessory Patterns from Los Angeles’ Top Crochet Designer (Spiral-bound) . There’s a pattern called the Lush Cowl-Neck Sweater that I have my eye on.
Oh, this has got to be the most perfect green — just love the richness of it! Thank you for sharing!