Knitch Magazine

Brand: Red Heart
Manufacturer: Coats and Clark
Yardage: 835 yards
Weight: 16 ounces (453 grams)
Yarn Weight: Worsted
Fiber Content: 100% acrylic
Texture: Plied (4-ply)
Gauge (st./4 in.): 17 sts / 4 inches
Needle Size(s): US 8 (5mm)
Availability: Currently available
MSRP: $8.79
Care: Machine wash, machine dry (cool). Do not apply heat.

Red Heart is one of the oldest yarn labels in the marketplace. Jumbo Super Saver is the modern version, packaged for your convenience in generous 16-ounce no dye lot skeins. That’s enough for a medium size adult sweater, child’s jacket, or lap robe. You can mix no dye lot skeins without fear of mismatched color. This reliable yarn is machine washable and dryable and meant for durability.

The Look

Red Heart Jumbo Super Saver is a traditional 4-ply worsted weight yarn. This yarn is a workhorse, but don’t let that make you think it's dull and boring. If you ever admired the form and strength of a Belgian, Clydesdale or Percheron draft horse, you’ll recognize the beauty in this durable yarn. For nearly 70 years, knitters and crocheters have relied on this quality yarn for afghans, sweaters, baby blankets and accessories.

The Feel

Super Saver is 100% acrylic, plied and worsted spun. It has a smooth, even surface. The acrylic fiber makes it somewhat scratchy, rough and a bit stiff. While Super Saver does soften with washing, the yarn itself rates a “4” on the softness scale. Knit Super Saver at a relaxed gauge; knitting this firmly spun yarn at too tight a gauge will yield a stiff and rigid fabric.

The Patterns

Red Heart offers several free online patterns, plus books and collections. You can find patterns for this medium gauge yarn for babies, children, men, women, crafts and home décor. Whether your preferred style is hip, classic, vintage, eclectic, or anything in between, Super Saver can fill the bill. Your imagination is the only limit on what you can do with this versatile yarn, and the pattern supply to help you is nearly endless.

Color Range

Jumbo Super Saver no dye-lot solids are available in 9 best-selling colors. Jumbo packaging is available in nine standard colors, but you can add supplement these basic colors Super Saver Economy, put up in smaller skeins. With over 100 choices of Super Saver Economy solids, flecks, prints and multis available, your color choices are nearly unlimited.

Working It

Jumbo Super Saver is packaged in convenient center pull 16-ounce skeins. At a generous 835 yards per skein, you will avoid or at least minimize joins. The yarn knits to gauge. Super Saver does not twist, snag or split. With excellent stitch definition and lustrous colors, you can use Super Saver for textured fabrics, cables, garter stitch, stockinette stitch, or openwork. Super Saver is strong and somewhat stiff, so you might experience hand strain you knit over long periods of time. To alleviate hand strain, take frequent breaks.

What I’d Like to Make with It

Super Saver is perfect for a lap robe or afghan. One skein will make an afghan, baby play mat, or lap robe. Busy moms will love its easy care and durability. Charities and institutions often require washable items, making Super Saver the perfect choice charity knitting. Make a lap robe to bundle up a loved one who is in a nursing home or care facility. Super Saver can withstand frequent laundering, softens with washing and keeps its shape over a time. It is a just the right fiber when heavy use intersects with the demand for easy care, as in sweaters for Fido to wear to the dog park. Did you know there is an entire site devoted to knitting for dogs? Try one of the doggie sweater patterns at Dog Gone Knit.

Whether you make a traditional afghan, rugged outdoors gear, or an easy care baby blanket, Red Heart Super Saver Jumbo will give you long wear and easy care.

Knitting Outside the Box

Granny square afghans are known by nearly everyone for their vibrancy and color play. They never seem dated and always attract attention. Coats and Clark Kim Kotary designed a lively Granny Square Jacket. The pattern is free on the Coats and Clark web site; you can use Super Saver Jumbo for the background color. Make a granny square jacket now and attract attention to yourself.

Blocking It

Tumble dry, low. Never, never, never apply heat to acrylic yarn to block. Acrylic fiber is made resilient by heat-setting the crimp, which gives it elasticity and resilience. If the fiber is subjected to a higher heat than that used to set the crimp, you could end up with a limp, flat, inelastic and saggy knit or crochet fabric. This cannot be undone.

Washing It

Machine wash in warm (not hot) water.

Wearability

Acrylic is known to pill, and generate static electricity because of its inability to absorb moisture. One of the downfalls of frequent laundering is the likelihood of more pilling. To reduce pilling to a minimum, wash and dry knitted garments separately using cool water and low heat in the dryer. However, it is very durable, resilient, and elastic. It is quick drying and does not shrink. Acrylic can be dyed to lustrous colors and it is resistant to fading, moths and mildew. Red Heart Super Saver is a fine acrylic that exhibits all these qualities. It can be depended upon for rugged children’s active wear and outdoor garments. The one drawback of acrylic is that it does not insulate well for warmth, but its rugged and durable qualities may outweigh the need for warmth – you decide.

Overall Recommendation

Red Heart Super Saver is always one of the best selling yarns. It is economical, dependable and durable. Acrylic definitely has its place in the crafting world and for many knitters and crocheters, this yarn is a “10.” On the other hand, many knitters would never knit with acrylic or cotton; they prefer only wool. Overall, I rate Super Saver a “5.”

Where to buy Red Heart Super Saver Jumbo Yarn: BargainYARNS.com