| AslanTrends Pima Clasico |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
 Yarn Name: Pima ClasicoReview Date: 3/2009
The Look Springtime came in a box the day this yarn arrived. Unlike some of the common dull, coarse and ropy cotton yarns, Pima Clasico sparkles. Spun from pima cotton, a fiber noted for its shine and silkiness, this light, lustrous and brilliantly dyed yarn restores excitement about the possibilities of knitting with cotton.
The Feel This 6-ply worsted yarn is noticeably light, soft and silky compared to some worsted weight cotton yarns, approaching the feel of a fine merino. It has more resiliency than some cottons, but no cotton has the memory of wool. This yarn rates an “8” on the softness scale.
The Patterns Pima Clasico can be substituted for any worsted weight yarn, and there are many designs available for basic cotton in worsted weight. Look at any summer knitting or fashion magazine, and ideas for this yarn will begin to tumble over one another. It is suitable for infant and children’s wear, adult garments or household items like lap robes, pillows, and face cloths.
Color Range I tested a deep royal blue called “sky diver.” The dye was completely saturated, creating a uniformly vivid blue. Pima Clasico is available in a range of 5 neutral hues, 15 rich clear colors, and a selection of 8 vibrant marled combinations. This cheerful palette includes shades ranging from pastel to deep jewel tones, all strong clear colors that can add pizzazz to your knitting.
Working It
What I’d Like to Make with It The excellent stitch definition, luster and smooth texture of this yarn make Pima Clasico a winner. It doesn’t droop and the brilliant colors call to mind playful, whimsical knitting like multicolored children’s garments and hats or summer tops.Knitted face or dish cloths are simple projects useful for trying a new stitch or technique. Some coarse cotton yarns create a fabric feels more like a scouring pad a soothing cleanser, but Pima Clasico retained its softness. Give a little gift of luxury by knitting a lacy face cloth to give with a fragrant bar of handmade soap.
Knitting Outside the Box Join the green revolution by knitting a shopping bag with Pima Classico. Choose one of the three shades of green or the variegated green to make your own string bag for the farmer’s market.
Blocking It Lay flat. Do not use heat.
Washing It Hand wash in cold water using mild soap, lay flat to dry or dry clean. I washed in cool water with a drop of mild laundry detergent. The deep blue color bled slightly, but there was no tint left in the rinse water. If your project calls for more than one color, knit a striped swatch to test for color fastness. Dry cleaning is an option, too.
Wearability The label proclaims “with the right care, it will last forever.” Pima Clasico is a finely spun yarn high quality cotton yarn that washes and blocks well, does not shrink when washed, and bounces back to the original frothy texture. It won’t pill or shed, and will not trigger allergies. Cotton is cool and absorbent, making it an ideal fiber for summer garments.
Overall Recommendation Risking a bad pun, Pima Clasico will likely become a staple in your stash when it comes to cotton yarns. It is a multi-purpose cotton yarn that is indispensable because of its smooth texture, high luster and silkiness. In the cotton yarn category, Pima Clasico rates a “9”, suffering only because of its tendency to split. The silky soft texture makes this yarn irresistible.
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Cotton yarns are less elastic than wool, and can cause hand strain due to the tension required to knit evenly. Pima Clasico is exceptionally smooth, however. It knit up little or no resistance or drag, and consequently caused far less hand strain than many cotton yarns. Some cottons look and feel like cardboard when knit up, but Pima Clasico is soft and resilient. 
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