More Durable, My Ass

I knit this big poncho out of Lion Brand Cheap 'N Chunky (or whatever it's called -- the rope-like version of wool-ease) around four, maybe five years ago. It was one of those soopah bargains in the clearance bin at JoAnn's, so I thought, what the heck. Might as well give it a go on the needles. See whether the reputation for durability and quality is deserved.

Answer: no.

I'm not a big fan of ponchos in general, but this one came in handy at the old house for lounging in the cold basement. And since we moved almost three years ago, it has lived in the back den, also a very cold room, where I cozy up under it while watching tv. Regardless, at the end of the cold weather season, I would wash it (cool water, gentle) and spin dry it. For a yarn that is nearly all acrylic and rumored to be durable, this should be no problem at all.

That means this is its fourth washing. Maybe it's fifth.

And look at it. The heathering fibers are separating from the yarn. You see that fine gray haze over the whole fabric? You see the gray pills forming? Grr....

But that's not the worst of it. It shed all over the few other items I washed with it. Look at my cotton turtleneck.





















Very frustrating.