Elysian By Cascade Yarns Fiber: 60% Superwash Merino Wool, 40% Acrylic Yardage: 219 yds (200 m) Physical Weight: 100 g (3.5 oz) Yarn Weight: Worsted (4) Gauge: 20 sts = 4" (10 cm) US 7 (4.5 mm) Wash: Machine Wash Cool, Tumble Dry Price: $8.95 to $9.00 (On-line/In Stores) | Pattern Support: Seven Free Patterns via Cascade Yarns website. Color Palette: 31 Colors |
First Impressions of Elysian
Swatching with Elysian
For the Knit Swatch I found the stitch definition and sheen of the worked stitches beautiful and stunningly crisp. Because the yarn is so full it made stockinette a pleasure to work in. It unknit so easily. My one concern that the yarn may split was unwarranted. It stayed together without any issued at all. I do use sharp tipped needles. I find with blunt tipped needles I am quite likely to split the yarn where with sharps I do not. Work-ability of this fiber on bamboo and metal is dreamy. It just glides across your needles.
For the Crochet Swatch I was equally impressed with the stitch definition. Each loop and post is crisp and distinct. The yarn is not overly dense which can easily happen in crochet. The yarn did not lose the cushy quality either.
When it came to the Abuse Olympics Elysian placed in the top. The yarn hold up extremely well to repeated frogging with minimal haloing/fuzzing. After six frogs and virtually no fuzzing I did not see any point in frogging any more. Gold medal awarded for top honors here.
Making a Project with Elysian
Remember in the swatching section I talked about how the ends of the yarn in the skeins were frayed? After making the hat I went back to weave in my ends. All of the ends that I had cut after I was done using a color DID NOT fray or untwist at all. They stayed together without any issues. My thought is, since the only parts that were frayed were literally first and last inch or two of the skein it is most likely due to the sudden release of extreme tension the yarn goes through when cut in the winding process. When I cut the yarn it is under virtually no tension and even with the movement of the knitting nothing came untwisted or frayed.