Aldi Yarn Review: So Crafty Hemp Yarn

Dear Readers,

Aldi is releasing some new yarns this coming Thursday, the 24th of September 2020, and I see that some of them are hemp yarns! I have some of their previous hemp yarn so I thought that I would do a quick swatch review for you before the release incase it is the same yarn that they are releasing but in different colours! they do have some dreamy colours in this new release!

Yarn Company: So Crafty Knit & Purl (Sold at Aldi)

Name of Yarn: Hemp Yarn

The Yarny Details

• Colourway: Forest Green
• Grams: 200g
• Metres: 370m
• Material: 55% Hemp and 45% Cotton
• Weight: Medium 4
• Needle and hook size: 4mm
• Wash instructions: Hand Wash at 30 degrees C, no iron. 

The full price of the yarn was £3.99

So the first thing that I noticed when I went to do my swatches is that this particular ball did not want to centre pull nicely and I landed up with such stiff yarn barf that I resorted to pulling from the outside which I almost never do. This would not deter me from buying more in the future as I actually really enjoyed this yarn and I love that it is 100% natural but it could be an issue for some people. As I only bought one ball of this, it could also just be an unlucky ball.

Knitted Swatch

Knitted Swatch before washing

Knitted Swatch after Washing

Gauge:  22 stitches = 10cm and  32 rows = 10 stitches
This gauge is different to the ball band which was 18sts x 23 rows but mine shrunk after washing. I got gauge before I washed it. Even though I hand washed it in cold water it still shrunk. This doesn’t bother me but I do think that it highlights the importance of washing your swatches.  (I used the recommended 4mm)

Crochet Swatch 

Crochet Swatch Before Washing

Crochet Swatch After Washing

Gauge: 
US single Crochet/ UK Double Crochet 20 stitches = 10cm and 30 rows = 10 cm
US Double Crochet /UK Treble Crochet 20 stitches= 10cm and  10 rows = 10cm 
(I used the recommended 4mm)

Washing experience: 

The colour did not bleed when I washed it. The fabric has shrunk a little. Interestingly the fabric has not stiffened up like some cottons do when washed there is still a fair amount of drape to the fabric. 

Other Thoughts 

The yarn has a nice feel to it, it is not too stiff or rough and I would use it as a garment. It also has a fairly tight spin twist so I didn’t have any trouble with splitting plys as I worked. After washing the fabric did not stiffen up which was excellent as I have had some bad experiences with that happening with other 100% plant fibre yarns. The fabric has some decent drape to it at the tension I worked it. Also it’s 100% plant fibre! The label is even made from recycled paper and is 100% recyclable which makes me very happy too.

I hope that you found this review useful. If you have any suggestions about other things you would have wanted to know about the yarn please let me know in the comments below and of course, if you have any questions please do let me know too.

Keep Crafty!
Peace and Love
Ellie