#Yarn review
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New yarn review is up for all paid members on patreon!
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Experiments with Mohair + FO: Friends Ear Warmer
Good Morning, Crafters!
In my fiber crafts learning journey this week, I made my first finished object using a merino wool, held together with mohair. It seems that crafters are either a fan of mohair or dislike mohair, and I haven't seen anyone in between. So I figured it was time to figure out where I stood in this equation.
A couple of months ago I picked up some colorways in the relatively new Hobbii "Friends" Collection, the idea behind this product line being that you can mix and match the exact colorways across multiple fibers and weights. I think this is an excellent idea to create a line with varied, but reliable colors, and very well has the potential to be a staple when wanting to use a base of solids. There's cottons, kid silk, wool, a cotton and acrylic blend, and extra fine merino for all your fiber fun needs.
As I mentioned, I chose the extra fine merino and kid silk (79) - it will be the same across all fibers, which is also a nice feature and makes my organized brain all happy - also known as "Open Sea."
Find the yarn here: Kid Silk, Extra Fine Merino
Find the Friends Collection Here.
With kid silk, I am getting not the pure experience of mohair, as it actually is a blend with 72% Mohair, 25% Silk, 3% Wool. I don't have a comparison, but I can tell you the silk probably gives it a bit of shimmer and possibly softens the yarn. But merino and mohair from what I've read both tend to be considered soft wools, and are not the experience one might think of. If you are thinking of the scratchy stuff, these are not it. I can attest they feel like clouds, so I think they would be good for those with sensitive skin. As long as you are not allergic to the fiber, which can happen too.
With my yarns delivered, I first wanted to go about exploring the difference in the color. There's always bound to be some variety based on the way the fibers are able to hold the dye (I am sure there is a scientific word for that), but I was surprised to see that not only was the color as I expected based on the colors on my computer screen, but also that they did match each other even closer than I expected. I also ordered a pink in the kid silk and cotton (37) or "Rosewood."
It was then time to start working up my skeins to see how they worked together, and to determine where I stood with these materials.
Since softness was key, I figured I should test it on a pattern close to the skin. I chose a headband pattern from Hobbii, that was designed for their Universe line, but is an easy one to adjust for different yarn weights and desired width. This is a crochet pattern, and will create a gorgeous texture with alternating post stitches.
You can find the FREE pattern here.
The first thing I realized - the mohair creates a GORGEOUS natural halo. And that I think is the first thing to recognize about your own aesthetic when deciding whether to give mohair a try. Halo is those errant strands of fiber around your work - sometimes occurring overtime with use - and in this case, added intentionally because it will change the look of your fabric, but also provide extra warmth and softness. I think an ear warmer was the perfect choice of project for these yarns, and in my case, I really enjoyed the slight nuance of the new fabric I was creating - the kid silk adding just a bit of light to the matte of the merino.
There's a downside - this was not a froggable project. When I was first beginning the headband, I wasn't happy initially with the width and wanted to pull everything back to make it smaller. When I went to frog, I only felt comfortable going back a row, worrying that I would break the strands if I tugged it harder. Since I only had the one skein each, I chose to keep going forward. I am glad I did, because the end result is just right with the twist sewn in.
You know - perfect - just as we are about to go into the warmth of Spring.
I'll keep it for winter. <3
In the end Mohair - would try again! I feel like there could be a definitely appeal to expand into more adventurous color combinations now that I've seen how the strands and colors work together. I can definitely see that rosewood color way with a different yarn that could completely transform the look. I get it, I definitely do.
**I am new to this fiber journey**
#finished object#Yarn review#hobbii#hobbiifriends#mohair#extra fine merino#crochet#yarnblr#crocheting#winter accessories#Gavii Makes Stuff
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Red Heart Yarn Review
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#Afternoons With Gramma#CJD.Sign#crochet#Crocheting#Easy Crochet#Free Pattern Link#Free Patterns#Red Heart Yarns#yarn review
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Last month, Sixth & Spring publishing reached out to me to review the new Short-row Colorwork Knitting book by Woolly Wormhead. Woolly is best known for designing clever hat patterns that employ the use of short-rows to create dynamic shapes in colorwork. I've never made one of her patterns, but have long appreciated them as a sort of brain teaser. Each one seems to fit together like a puzzle of yarn. I've now spent a month with this book, reading through it and using it as a textbook to learn Woolly's signature short row technique.
The cover of the book has a frosted glass feel, which I think is nicer than a glossy cover. Three of the brightly colored stitch patterns are displayed along with the title. The book contains 50 stitch patterns and 10 projects. The yarn for the publication was provided by malabrigo so every stitch pattern is shown in beautiful tonal yarn. I also noticed a stitch key on the inside of the flap of the cover that folds out so you can look at it when you're working on a pattern. I love the consideration for the reader and the functionality.
This book is written like a workbook, it starts by giving you all the tools that you need to use to knit the stitch patterns then use them in your own projects. The first few chapters explain the short-row colorwork fabric, the chart system, ways of altering the motifs in the book and color theory. I was not left with any questions about the instructions. The next section of the book contains tutorials teaching the basics of short row knitting, the skills that are needed to complete the patterns are shown with photos. There's even a photo tutorial on knitting backwards - a huge time saver. It seems like Woolly and I have the same party trick.
Next, I tried making a few of the stitch patterns with my new skills. The chart system was intuitive. The first swatch is the Sine Stripes pattern. The swatch in the book showed a selvedge, which I added on my swatch as well. Next, I tried making the Anemones motif. I did not add a selvedge this time, but felt confident using the lessons to shift the placement of the short rows. None of the short rows were changed,I just cast on extra stitches and practiced moving the motifs. I did not have a chance to try any of the "repeatable" stitch patterns yet which can be used in the round as well as flat. The majority of the book is spent on these adaptable stitches.
I didn't have time to try any of the projects, but noticed a good mix of different accessories. I appreciate the inclusion of multiple designers showing different perspectives and approaches to the Short-row Colorwork technique. The final chapter of the book explains different design considerations, inviting the reader to actually use the stitch dictionary portion of the text for their own applications. The properties of some of these stitches are unique and the lessons are helpful and explaining all different scenarios that may come up.
I always intended to get this book, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. It's incredibly thorough without becoming overwhelming. If you enjoy learning new things, this is a great purchase. It's currently available for pre-order and will be available in the US on April 16th and in the UK on May 14th. More info is available on Woolly's website. And you can preorder a copy of the book on Amazon.
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(via GIPHY)
#giphy#transparent#cat#kitty#online#internet#computer#forum#review#comment#knitting#yarn#feedback#amigurumi#mochimochi#mochimochiland#mochimochiworld#commenter#catside#comment cat
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book tracker update
this year i've been tracking my reviews of books in a crochet blanket i'm making and here is my march update.
so far i've only had three, four, and five stars which, to me anyway, means it's been a pretty good reading year so far. i honestly cannot complain much, last year i had a few one and two stars and even a dnf so this year is better than i expected.
here is the color chart:
dark green: 5 stars
cream: 4 stars
gray: 3 stars
tan: 2 stars
sage green: 1 star
month change: white
#crochet#book tracker#fredrik backman#benji ovich#beartown#book recommendations#book review#bookblr#bookish#booklover#bookworm#book quotes#books#book#book blog#booklr#books & libraries#books and reading#bookshelf#bookstagram#booktok#yarn crafts#crocheting#yarn#crochetblr#crocheters of tumblr#monthly#monthly update#to be read#reading
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The spinners Book of yarn designs by Sarah Anderson, book review:
First things first: I SO EFFING LOVE THIS BOOK. BUY IT!!!
Like most books it starts with a nice and tidy chapter overview:
The introduction is just a bit of "what is this book for" a bit of the spinner history of Ms. Anderson, where she got all the ideas and so on.
Chapter 1, Spinning basics
is self-explanatory,
It talks about twist, and controll samples the basics of fiber prepping for spinning (carding , combing, working with dyed fiber) how to choose, what to look for, woolen vs worsted. For a book that is not ment to teach you spinning it's surprisingly detailed (not complaining there is always something to learn in the basics, or to remember)
Chapter 2, singles for plying
How to spin a good single, but So. Much. More!
How to spin a good single, what makes a single good, how thick/thin. Difference between wheels and handspindles. Tips and tricks to spin thin singles on a wheel. AND plying! Like, what kind of plying is out there (chain, bracelet, center pull ball how to trouble shoot etc), how do they behave what to ply together (2ply vs 3ply, and the difference they make in a knitted sample, trouble Shooting)
Chapter 3, stand-alone single
First a general information on how to deal with the different behaving anergy and on felting (some singles need to be felted before using them, but how do I do that)
Peppers through (in ALL chapters) are examples on the yarn and how it looks used (some are knitted, some crocheted and some weaved.)
For every yarn there is a detailed explanation on how to spin them what to look out for and detailed pictures to show the process, that help recreating the yarn
Also look at this cool thing?!?!? Just made with the enegery of the twist! It's plainly knitted, no pattern magic just spinning magic!!!
She also wrote out a very detailed recipe for "sizing" energized yarn. So it stays in form when stored, and after using it and washing the fabric all the energy comes back and makes some unbelievable cool effect (collapsed weave my beloved) how utterly cursed, how utterly beautiful, i want 20
Chapter 4 spiral yarn
In the beginning of this chapter, you have: how the tension shapes the yarn (more tension on the thin single, moderate tension on both, more tension in the fat single) general info on the finished yarn ( it is delicate, and should be used in projects according) also here we have a wonderful example in how the instructions are build
Name of the yarn with a bit of info, the singles you'll need to built it and the direction it is spun and plied (always telling you what fiber got used). And beautiful depiction of yarn and knitting(crocheting/weaving) with the yarn.
In this chapter she also teaches you how to incorporate beads into your yarn in different ways.
Chapter 5, opposing plies
What happens, if instead of 2 S spuns singles plied in Z, you take on S and one Z spun single to ply??? Well, at least 6 different beautiful yarns!
Also one amazing theme through this book, are Ms. Andersons Sock experiments. She takes the same fiber base, spins and plys one sock in basic ply and one in a different way. And then she wears them until the first hole appears to see what yarn construction is more sturdy. Absolutely amazing
Chapter 6, Bouclés
We all know Bouclés, i believe. But who spun them before?
The chapter starts with basic boucle technique 1O1 and takes you on a Wilde ride.
You guys have seen Bouclé in weaving??? I'm madly in love with it
She takes you throu basic bouclé like you know it. Showed differences between fibers, color possiblitys and "spiral bouclé" mixing bouclé with the spiral technique from chapter 4. Which is so insanely beautiful!
It finishes with: shrink bouclé. What happens if you ply a felting single with a not felting single? Spoiler: very cool stuff
Chapter 7, cable yarns
(how beautiful is this combination of color and construction??)
Two 2plys plyed together. Lots of things that could go wrong but if they go right you get a yarn that looks like a chain. How cool is that??? (Extremely) we get a lot of amazing yarns not limited to basic, beaded and dyed. Absolut Chefs kiss 👌
Chapter 8, crepe yarns
Looking forward to these, because I know exactly what fiber to use!
How to describe crepe yarn? That is DIFFICULT, because even if the construction is the same in every yarn, the use of singles and tension makes them absolute unrecognizable! If you get handed two crepe yarns you couldn't tell on the first glance! How is this the same construction method?!?!?
Same build as the other chapters. I want to live in this book. in total 7 crepe yarns that are full of love.
Chapter 9, core yarn
Do you remember the 90' where wrapping colorfully thread around your hair was the shit™?
Yeah, that! But better, because it's yarn! 12 different ways of coils are named in this chapter.
After that follows...
Soft core (this is not an asthetic, well maybe it is, but not in this chapter)
Your basic core spun yarn, in 3 different variations. Explained in detail. What's more to say?
Chapter 10, novelty yarn
Let's combine alle the cool things we learned in previous chapters and add little extras!
You meet an old acquaintance: the knop yarn that is followed by 7 different ways of making pigtail yarn. And then we have: beehives, cocoons, 3 ways of altering the cocoons (+one beaded inspiration) and something that makes my fingers itch with need for colorfull locks: tailspun!
Imagine this:
But SO colorfull!
The last yarn we get to know is "squiggle" a yarn with hiccups (or that giggles) either way it's adorable and very cute!
In the End we have a: glossary, Bibliography 👀, some acknowledgments, an index and some Bock recs.
On the VERY end there is a paper pocket with cards for all the yarns?!?!? HELLOOOO?!?!?
General opinion:
I LOVE this book it is the best book on spinning i have read so far detailed without being overwhelming. Also it is impossible to not notice how much care and love were involved. This is truly a book from a spinner to other spinners.
General information on the yarns and techniques are sprinkled between (like the sock experiment and how to work beads into the yarn)
It is well built, the chapters and everything is well sorted.
All in all, a loveletter to yarn.
Cons: i can't touch the samples. And that is TERRIBLE. Also i want to spinn all the yarns right now in an instant, but i don't have enough fiber, money, or time. A crime!!! Just Mean!!!
My tip: BUY THIS BOOK IF YOU DON'T ALREADY HAVE IT!!!
2023 we'll have a spin along to this book. More information will be on this blog shortly:
#sarah anderson#book review#book recommendation#hand spinning#yarn Design#srsly this is an amazing book#long post
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Books of 2023: DISORIENTATION by Elaine Hsieh Chou.
I tend to wait for lit fic in paperback instead of purchasing the hardback, but I've had my eye on this one since the hardback came out. I'm enjoying it so far! The Goodreads reviews are very polarized (people either love it or think it's hugely stupid), but it's easy to read and has made me laugh out loud a couple times (like weaponizing a box of jumbo tampons + toilet for a Heist Cover--this shit is ridiculous, I love it).
#books#books of 2023#disorientation#elaine hsieh chou#book photography#yarn#also ingrid's 29yo life/career crisis is. too relatable.#apparently this was a booktok sensation which. fear.#but it's the right level of absurd and stupid for me lol and i do appreciate the different kinds of conversations the asian women have vs--#--white men and asian women lmao#a lot of salty GR reviews are 'this is 101 level stuff' but like. sometimes people need 101 lol#and ingrid is such a mood about a lot of things XD
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I am at this point convinced that Red Heart created the All-in-One Granny Square skiens just to see how many times crocheters would frog a project due to gauge issues just so they wouldn't have to weave in ends.
#crochet#yarn#I have seen so many reviews in my yt feed of people testing it and getting stuck#mostly people I don't follow#I'm convinced it's made by the fae
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a cotton yarn that doesn't feel like absolute dog shit to work with is the cryptid of fiber crafts. i want to believe, but the reality of my dry, raw fingers just won't let me.
#fiber art#crochet#i'm a gauche bitch and i love acrylic#caron simply soft is DIVINE#and yet no matter where i look and no matter how many ''this cotton is actually soft and nice i swear'' reviews i see#i have yet to find a single cotton yarn that doesn't sap all the moisture from my body and leave me with welts on my fingers for DAYS#but! i also refuse to use acrylic for cat toys/beds so. SUFFERING WITH COTTON.#i would use animal fibers but they're too expensive for my broke ass#maybe one day i will find some secondhand wool and crochet a super warm cozy bed for the boys
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AUGH! My town only has ONE teeny-tiny piddly bookstore. Half of the books are about racism, the other half are about psychology. The music is perverse. I want to go book shopping so badly, but in the entire area we have no used bookstores. HELP!
#we have a giant book sale bi-annually#but that is no help to me nowwwwwww#i am in despair#I found reviews for what seemed like the best bookshop ever only to discover that it went under during the panic over covid#so much of everything in my area DIED during the panic#and there is only walmart and target left#and I am pining#i want to go to tiny craft shops#and coffee shops#and book shops#but the only thing we have is antique stores#we have no restaurants--only fast food joints and bars#my area is so so so so culturally dead#the empty husks of local businesses taunt me as i drive through town#no yarn store any more#the old bookshop died#the health store is hanging on by a thread#no diners left#the ice cream place closed#we only have cooperate businesses and a few bars
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what if i did yarn reviews. i could make a scarf or other small project every month and review how it feels, how warm it is, how it was to crochet with, etc.
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Hey y’all! If I am maybe getting into sewing doll clothes for 18″ dolls (because I found some cool patterns on etsy), do y’all have any advice? I’ve sewn some doll clothes before, but that was for much smaller dolls and the clothes were MUCH less detailed
#the person behind the yarn#I found a bunch of 1800s patterns for 18 inch dolls#and it's just so tempting! the patterns look so good!#good reviews including pictures that show other people succeeded at making the finished project
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review of Vanna's Choice yarn
(Image transcript): Someone
(one-star review) 11 months ago
This is not Kelly green! While the picture is Kelly green and the label on the yarn says Kelly green it is more of a dark forest green. I've waisted money and now can't start my project which needed an anctual Kelly green color not forest green. I don't think I like Vanna's choice. She needs her eyeballs checked... (link to "More")
Reviewed on walmart.com
#i get that exact yarn colours are important#i'm a knitter myself#but this is funny#vanna white#product reviews
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2/5 stars
I was expecting this to be interesting considering it was similar to other light novels I have read in the past. One of the biggest aspects that keeps me interested in the series is usually the characters. In this case, I liked very few of the characters that were presented to us. The stories could get confusing to follow at times, leaving me to reread certain sections multiple times. In some cases, I had to go back to another section in order to understand what I was reading.
I got halfway through the book before deciding against finishing it. Overall, I would not personally recommend this book to anyone. If you're going to read it, expect to be confused while reading this book.
#the golden yarn#the ancient magus bride#bookaholic#book review#bookshelf#book blog#booknerd#books#reading#reviews#kore yamazaki#light novel#manga#manga and stuff#ancient magus bride#magical#character development#2 stars#would not recommend#i feel like the anime is easier to understand
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🦄 Eugene the unicorn 🦄
This is the first time I've had to crunch a project and let me tell you, it's not a good idea, my hands were hurting like hell. It wasn't too difficult of a pattern though trying to make a full plushie in the span of an afternoon/evening isn't an idea I recommend.
This time around I used a pattern from a book which you can find here, ISBN-10: 949164324X
It might be fun to try making the mane and tail by just tying pieces of yarn and potentially brushing them out so that they have more of a hair-like texture
Completion time: ⏱ 12 hours (pain) ⏱
Rating: ✨9/10✨
Difficulty: 🟢 Beginner/Intermediate 🟢
#crafts#crocheting#diy#fibre crafts#free crochet pattern#pattern#pattern review#amigurumi#fiber crafts#crochetblr#yarn crafts#yarn
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