Long established yarn brand Emu have recently brought to the market a new Classic range of acrylic yarns. They claim their yarns are “soft, smooth and wonderful to work with” and the yarns have received numerous 5 star reviews at The Knitting Network. I purchased a sample pack to try these yarns for myself.
The Emu Classic range includes four 100% premium acrylic yarns all made under license in Turkey. The yarns are Classic DK, Classic Aran, Classic Chunky and Classic Super Chunky. All the yarns are machine washable at 40 degrees, can be dry cleaned and tumble dried and all come in 100g balls. As I write these yarns are all £1.89 per 100g ball.
Available in 50 solid shades
282 metres per 100g
Gauge: 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm on 4mm needles
DK weight acrylic yarns are an essential part of my stash, I like them for all sorts of knitting and crochet projects such as blankets, toys and baby garments along with crafting with the children. From a ball of Emu Classic DK in shade Lilac I have so far knitted a Barbie dress and crocheted a selection of children’s hair accessories. The yarn was soft, easy to work with and produced even stitches although the true colour of this shade was tricky to photograph accurately. This is a great budget yarn similar to Hayfield Bonus DK, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, James C. Brett Top Value DK and Stylecraft Special DK.
The Knitting Network have a selection of knitting and crochet kits which include pattern and all the necessary Emu Special DK yarn to complete the project.
Available in 21 solid shades
210 metres per 100g
Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10cm on 5mm needles
The 100% acrylic aran weight Emu Classic Aran is a budget friendly yarn available in 21 of the most popular Emu Classic shades. I’ve used this yarn in shade Admiral to knit fingerless mittens (Fetching by Cherry Niamath), I would also use it for blankets and children’s garments.
The Knitting Network have Emu Classic Aran yarn bundles at lower price than purchasing individual balls, perfect for your own blanket creations.
Available in 33 solid shades
164 metres per 100g
Gauge: 14 stitches and 20 rows to 10cm on 6mm needles
Like all the other yarns in the Emu Classic range, Emu Classic Chunky is soft, easy to work with and has good stitch definition. The pictured cabled hat (Northward by Tin Can Knits) in shade Fog was knitted in two days. This 100% acrylic chunky weight yarn would be a good first yarn for beginner knitters, it’s forgiving of being unravelled and projects will grow quickly.
Available in 19 solid shades
107 metres per 100g
Gauge: 9 stitches and 12 rows to 10cm on 10mm needles
I like the idea of knitting items in super chunky yarn more than I like doing it in practice. It’s not the yarn’s fault though, it’s the fat needles I can’t handle and make me curse as I knit the thing which should be a sprint but turns out to be more of an endurance marathon.
To save my sanity I switched to crocheting the Emu Classic Super Chunky yarn as I’m much more comfortable with fat crochet hooks. The yarn slides smoothly on and off the hook forming pleasingly even stitches and quickly produces a lovely soft fabric.
If you have the patience to knit with big needles or enjoy crocheting with a large hook this yarn would suit a variety of cosy hat, ear warmer, scarf and blanket patterns; it would also be idea for finger-knitting with the children.
This yarn is similar to Stylecraft Special XL and Hayfield Bonus Super Chunky in both fibre content and knitted gauge. Both these yarns have an extensive collection of patterns for which Emu Classic Super Chunky should be a good substitute.
I’ve crocheted a small neck warmer from one skein of Emu Classic Super Chunky in the graphite shade using a 10mm hook and linen stitch. This combination produces a lovely drapey soft fabric.
The opinions above are all my own and not sponsored by The Knitting Network or Emu, however, the article does contain affiliate links, if you follow them to shop it wont cost you any more but I may receive a small commission which goes towards the running costs of Pollyknitter.
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