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Yarn Review: KnitPicks Swish Worsted

29 Aug


Description: (As per Seller)

100% Superwash Merino Wool

110 yards/50 grams

Worsted Weight: 4.5-5 Sts=1″ on #6-9 needles

Machine Wash Tumble Dry Low

Review: As a knitter on a budget I was really excited to discover Knitpicks.com.  Knitpicks is excellent for low priced wool yarn and you get free shipping with orders over $50.  But alas I believe it’s true that you get what you pay for: at least that has been my experience so far with Knitpicks.  First up: Knit picks Swish Worsted Yarn.  I ordered this yarn in Bordeaux and although I expected the yarn to be wine color (given the name) I was surprised by how much the actual color of the yarn differred from the pictures on the website.  (This is one thing to watch out for with Knitpicks: I recommend ordering a color card when available if you are really particular about your yarn colors).  On knitpick’s website the Bordeaux seems to be almost more of a deep pinkish color, in reality its definitely more maroon/wine colored.

This yarn is soft (although not the softest) to the touch and not itchy/scratchy at all. Nevertheless I expected it to feel softer because it is merino wool.  I was also disappointed by this yarn because it felt very much like acrylic and was not as much of a pleasure to knit with.  I was expecting somewhat nice merino wool yarn and instead what I got was much more like  cheap acrylic yarn although softer.   Also knitpicks lists this yarn as worsted but it is on the lighter side.  But hey this yarn costs 3.99/ball which can’t be beat!

The way it knits up is also somewhat mediocre and disappointing.  I purchased this yarn to make a pair of socks and although initially I was excited by the look as I was advancing through the project, I started to become disappointed with how it was turning out.  The sock was piling as I was knitting and the stitch definition wasn’t great.

This yarn is supposed to be machine washable: it’s superwash yarn but I wouldn’t recommend you throw it in the washing machine.  After a first wash in the washing machine the socks I knit had more piling and looked worn!  My socks looked old!  Im not sure I would use this yarn to knit a gift.  I’m not sure I will be buying it again.  I have two skeins left so have to figure out what to use them for.

PROS: Price, Price, Price

CONS: Feels like acrylic, pilling, stitch definition

RATING: 6/10