Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name: 128 Superwash
Review Date: January 18, 2011
Date Introduced to Market:

Free Celtic Cables Pattern Free Superwash Entrelac Hat Free Superwash Weskit Vest Free Superwash Post & Rail Cowl

The Look

Knitters have come to equate Cascade Yarns with high quality fibers in a wide range of brilliantly dyed colors. Cascade 128 Superwash will not disappoint. This bulky superwash merino wool combines the great qualities of wool with the carefree maintenance of superwash.

The Feel

Cascade 128 Superwash is silky soft; it rates #10 on the softness scale. The process that makes wool machine washable removes the scales from the fibers and the scratchiness along with it. In some cases the yarn is rendered limp and lifeless, but Cascade has preserved much of the natural resiliency of the fine merino wool. The 2-ply yarn is twisted from two singles, producing elastic yarn with a carved surface texture. The bulky spin knits up quickly; 14 stitches over 4 inches.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

Cascade Yarns provides a bounty of patterns that illustrate the many projects you can create with Cascade 128 Superwash. Download patterns for cowls, hats, vests, sweaters, shawls, and huggable toys. Not sure about knitting socks? The pink piglet is an easy introduction to using double pointed needles and some of the techniques used in knitting socks. It requires just one skein each of the vibrant hot pink main color and contrasting pale pink. This little pig is a huggable treasure that won’t be sacrificed to the haute cuisine of charcuterie. For solid warmth and fashion, knit up a bundle of sweaters, jackets, scarves, hats, mittens and shawls in 128 Superwash.

Color Range

The vibrant color range includes a painterly selection of beautiful colors suitable for babies, children and grown-ups. Mix, match, shade, coordinate, contrast or juxtapose the colors in this palette to set any tone from bold to pastel. The wide selection of neutrals and natural sheep shades will please the men and those who prefer natural shades.

Working It

Cascade 128 Superwash is lofty, light and silky so it's a pleasing yarn for hand knitting. The 2-ply twist is firm and doesn’t split or twist back on itself. It’s easy on the hands and quick to knit; knitters will enjoy their relationship with this pleasing yarn. Like most 2-ply yarns, the dimensional quality of the stitches is excellent; openwork, traveling stitches, and cables are well defined. The knitting has good memory and keeps its shape without drooping or sagging, even though the yarn is bulky. It has a soft flowing drape that makes it adaptable for hats, scarves, garments and even kids’ wear.

What I’d Like to Make with It

Regardless of the impassioned testimonials about the wonders of wool, many knitters who are concerned about scratchiness and wash ability forego this marvelous fiber when knitting for babies and children. The fears run the gamut from concern that busy moms will heedlessly dump the knitting in the laundry or that the little one will develop a rash or allergy. Fear no longer. The new superwash wools on the market deliver this natural renewable fiber in easy care form. Knit up a bundle of blankets, onsies, soakers, sweaters, hats, socks, and mittens for all ages with 128 Superwash.

Knitting Outside the Box

Big hats, cowls and scarfs are in-demand fashion accessories. Browse through the multitude of patterns available. Adapt patterns written for smaller gauge yarns to a bulky gauge by reducing the number of stitches proportionately. Since the row gauge will be much larger in a bulky yarn, remember to work to the desired number of inches, not rows. Consequently, it is generally best to choose a pattern that repeats after a few rows, leaving those with more than 10 row repeats for the finer gauge yarns. It’s easy to make a simple cowl collar using one skein of 128 Superwash. Find a simple textured or lace pattern and determine the number of rows and stitches in the repeat. At 14 stitches per inch, the gauge works out to approximately 3.5 stitches per inch. For a cowl that measures 24-inches around, you will need to cast on 84 stitches. Adjust the number of stitches cast on if you want a larger or smaller circumference. Now look at the number of stitches in the pattern repeat: does it divide evenly into 84? For example, if the pattern repeats every 8 stitches, you will need to cast on either 80 or 88 stitches, not 84. Join the knitting, being careful not to twist and work in the round. Start with a base row of garter stitch so that the cowl lays flat. In the round, that means purl 1 row, knit 1 row. Repeat these two rows one more time and commence with your pattern. After about 6 – 7 inches, end on the last pattern row then work the garter rows again and cast off. Pay attention to the amount of yarn left so that you don’t run out in the last few rows.

Blocking It

Light steam or pin to block.

Washing It

Cascade 128 Superwash is specially treated to avoid shrinkage and felting so you can machine wash and dry it. That doesn’t mean you should douse it with harsh detergent and throw it in the laundry with your jeans and bath towels, but you can wash garments knit in 128 Superwash on a gentle cycle using wool wash, cool water and a light spin cycle. Treat your hand knitting with care. Put it in a mesh bag and avoid washing it with items that shed a lot of fiber and lint. 128 Superwash can even be tumble dried on a low setting, which is a nice feature for bulky yarns that take long to dry flat. However; for best results, don’t put lint producing items in the dryer with it and don’t use a fabric softener on wool.

Wearability

Even though Superwash 128 is soft, light friction did not raise or loosen fibers that will lead to pilling. The fabric stands up well to wear and relaxes back to its original shape without the need for blocking. Store the knitting carefully and brush off any debris, pills or spots to enjoy Cascade 128 Superwash for years to come.

Overall Recommendation:

Knitters are always encouraged to knit with quality yarn that will show their effort to its best. 128 Superwash is a yarn that will make you proud of your craft. It rates #9.