Elspeth Lavold Hempathy

I have very mixed feelings about Elspeth Lavold's Hempathy.  I LOVE a lot of things about it. I love this particular color for starters -- it's a gorgeous shade of navy with a bit of life to it.  It's also made from 40% Hemp/40% Cotton/20% Modal so it should wash/wear beautifully (although the tag does recommend handwashing).

The Weight/Yardage is 50g/153yd and the Gauge is 5.5 sts = 1” on US 5 and it's a  "DK weight".

Which is why it was thought (and recommended by two independent yarn store owners) to be a fine substitution for Debbie Bliss Prima for her Knife Pleats Riding Jacket Pattern. Only my BKF questioned whether the yarn wasn't a bit on the thin side but, like me, gave way to the the expertise of "professionals" and no doubt to my stubborn insistence that it was working up just fine.  I did have to adjust my needle size down from a 4mm to a 3.5 to get the correct gauge, but after that, the yarn knit to exact measurements of the pattern and I was feeling pretty pleased with it.  It felt great, the color was stunning, the drape was lovely....oh, it was going SO WELL.

Then I put it on and that's when I noticed what I suppose I should have noticed a lot earlier.  The yarn was just a bit thin. 

You see how my white tank can be seen through the sweater?  I don't think it should be like this, do you?  Sigh.  It makes me want to not like Hempathy anymore,  but I think it's probably just not the best pairing of pattern and yarn.

What are your thoughts on this yarn?

Comments

[Joan R.]

Joan, you sweater is lovely and after checking with my daughter, she suggested wearing a navy or black shell underneath. The thinner yarn makes the sweater fair more on the dressy side than casual. Just lovely and the color is beautiful. Lovely job on the back ruffle and belt. Some dinner parties can become quite warm so you may be quite happy your sweater is on the thinner/lighter side. Great job and congratulations on getting it finished!!