Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name: Bouton d’Or Evasion
Review Date: December 1, 2011
Date Introduced to Market: Fall 2011

The Look

Evasion is a soft and luscious new yarn from Bouton d’Or. It is manufactured in France by Pierre Loye, a company with a remarkable history. Through innovation and dedication to quality, the company evolved through continental world wars and countless economic cycles. Originally founded in 1770 as a silk thread manufacturer, the company expanded into yarn manufacture in 1926 when a descendant, Pierre de Loye, built a spinning mill. The company adapted its expertise with silk to wool yarn and dye processing. The Bouton d’Or brand was created in 1928 and is literally synonymous with quality. By continuously utilizing the latest spinning and dyeing technologies to create premium yarns, Pierre Loye has become one of the foremost producers of high quality knitting yarns. Today, Pierre Loye produces spectacular angora, mohair, wool, silk and blended yarns under the brands Bouton d’Or and Anny Blatt. Its designers set trends for the fashion loving French and European markets.

In selecting only the highest quality raw materials and pairing the fine yarns with top designers, Bouton d’Or feeds knitters’ passion for fashion and fiber. New this season, Evasion, is an outstanding medium weight all-purpose yarn perfect for casual chic fashion. It is 100% combed merino wool. Notice the evenly and perfectly plied surface, the high loft and lustrous glow. Evasion is dyed in eye-catching jewel tones that coordinate beautifully with the fashion world’s color trends. Since it's machine washable too, Evasion is ideal for any project including babies and kids wear.

The Feel

The Pierre Loye mills combed and straightened every fiber in Evasion before softly twisting it into a 2-ply yarn. The soft merino fibers are perfectly aligned, lofty smooth. Evasion rates #9 on the softness scale. Part of the softness is no doubt because the yarn has been scoured to make it machine washable, but the high loft and fluffiness maintained in the yarn even when knit yields a fabric that grazes the skin so lightly that you won’t know it’s there. Children and men will greatly appreciate this feature.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

Bouton d’Or seasonal books contain a big selection of fashions using new and staple yarns. There’s an edgy, Euro flair to these French styles and updated classics that is fresh and appealing. Evasion is suitable for women’s fashions, accessories, kids’ and men’s garments, and the designers a Bouton d’Or have provided lots of suggestions. Evasion can also substitute for Anny Blatt Merinos or any medium weight yarn.

Color Range

Anticipating the wide demand for this yarn, Bouton d’Or offers Evasion in a palette of 34 clear vibrant colors.

Working It

Evasion is highly elastic and resilient. The medium gauge (23 stitches over 4 inches) allows a myriad of design choices. It is fine enough to allow shaping, detailing, and pattern play while not so small as to be tedious. Children’s small sizes and some textured or Fair Isle patterns require an adequate number of stitches to show detail. In order to shape and fit garments for tiny bodies, you’ll need a finer gauge. Pattern repeats should be centered on the body and are generally more attractive in larger multiples. Consequently a finer gauge is more suitable for cables and colorwork.

What I’d Like to Make with It

Capitalize on Evasion’s washability and wide color palette to create cozy accessories. Evasion is available in almost any school color you can imagine except Syracuse orange. There’s even an approximation of Carolina blue. While the hat, scarf or mittens you knit will survive most laundry disasters, it might be wise to include a few instructions on care with your gift. For the younger set, Bouton d’Or’s designers have developed a marvelous child-sized letter jacket. With Evasion, you can fashionably nudge the little ones toward Harvard crimson or the colors of your alma mater.

Knitting Outside the Box

Evasion may be a little soft for socks and slippers. If you do decide to knit it into socks or slippers, use nylon thread to reinforce the heel. I knit a sample in deep olive green, aptly called Army. It made me think of the patriotic knitting circles that provided socks for soldiers during the world wars. While socks are no longer in such demand, you can donate knitted items to soldiers and wounded veterans. There is currently an ongoing scarf project at Operation Gratitude. I knit up a soft neck warmer in Evasion and sent it with other requested items. Operation Gratitude is a bona fide charitable organization that serves U.S. veterans and active duty military. There are many other community charities with noble goals where you can contribute knitted items. Find one whose cause resonates with you and knit a random act of kindness.

Blocking It

Lay flat to dry. May be lightly steam blocked.

Washing It

Machine washable in cool water on gentle cycle.

Wearability

The smooth surface of this yarn reveals no short ends that will ball up into annoying pills. Evasion is resilient and returns to gauge even after gentle washing. This is a high quality yarn worth the investment you’ll make in time and money.

Overall Recommendation:

For spectacular color choice, versatile gauge range, easy care and premium quality, I rate this washable merino #9.