It's a Wrap...

Elann Soie Bambou - 65% silk/35% bamboo. 8 oz. (227 g) cone - 680 yards (624 m). Completed shawl used 1 complete cone, plus a few yards from a second. Pattern - from a Japanese book "Crochet Lace" (ISBN 4-277-17188-5). Edging - pattern #139 (slightly adjusted) from "Complete Book of Crochet Border Designs" by Linda Schapper. Love how those staggered blocks mimic the 5 treble blocks in the design itself! Color - the label inside the cone states "basil", but Elann is calling it "sea grass".

After finishing the shawl, I decided to give the yarn a little knitting test drive. As previously stated, several Ravelry folks mentioned a splitting problem, something I didn't notice too much with this crocheted project.

I used 3.75mm (US 5) bamboo needles and cast on for the "Horseshoe" pattern (B. Walker's 1st Treasury) and off I went. I chose the simple Shetland lace pattern because it's a favorite, and although it has no complicated maneuvers, I thought the k2tog and psso's would reveal any splitting tendencies the yarn might have. My results? Well, although I did manage to split stitches (maybe 3 in the swatch?) it certainly wasn't terrible. My results may not be entirely indicative of other's experiences however. Needle choice, knitting style (I knit "English" style) and pattern choice all play a role.

I washed the swatch when completed and smoothed it out to dry. It didn't look too bad when dry, but I liked it better after a pressing with the iron on a "silk" setting.

All in all, I wouldn't hesitate to use this yarn in a knitted garment. I did, however, prefer the appearance and ease of working when used for crochet. You may notice some stitch splitting, but I've worked with far worse in that regard. Available (currently) in 9 colors and at US$28 per cone it seems a fair price. I don't anticipate Soie Bambou becoming a stash staple (which skews to wool), but it's an attractive yarn for the right project. As always -- my opinion, my views -- yours may vary!