Showing posts with label YarnyInformation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YarnyInformation. Show all posts

Saturday, February 6, 2021

Acryligate... Acrylipocalypse... Acrylistinction...

 Okay, perhaps a bit dramatic... but, it truly feels that way if you don't have a yarn stash that rivals the product isles of a specialty store like Joann's, Hobby Lobby or Michaels..

Have you been out looking for yarn lately?? Not the expensive stuff that only knitters buy...
(inside joke.. knitters, please do NOT take offense and start eMailing me...) ...
I mean the acrylic, "scratchy stuff" that we Amigurumists love to use!!

RED HEART YARNS!!

It's getting harder and harder to find even the most basic colors like Aran, Light Blue & Baby Pink... nevermind the ami specific colors like Warm Brown, Spring Green & Coffee..

Although I have not personally purchased yarn in almost 3 years ... I was made aware of this shortage, when I was contacted by a client asking for HELP on color substitutions and because of rumors that colors were being discontinued... 


So, I did what I always do..
(first I contacted a slew of sister designers.. then... ) I went to the source for answers!


I wrote to Yarnspirations to address the shortage issues as well as request an answer to the rumors that Warm Brown, a staple in the Amigurumi Community, had been "discontinued"... (Spoiler Alert.. it has and it hasn't.)


As I had suspected, COVID-19 is largely responsible for the yarn shortages of Red Heart.. or at least, COVID is getting the blame..

I had figured that with lockdowns and such, mills haven't been exactly 'milling'... and with so many people being home and picking up hooks while binge watching whatever on Netflix or Hulu.... supplies were bound to run short or even out.. 

But as I was searching for Warm Brown the other night, I nearly had a heart attack at what a single skein of Red Heart .. the Blue Collar Worker's yarn... is selling for!
Amazon is selling "Warm Brown Classic" ..
(which is a 3&change oz skein) for almost 8 dollars... 
8 DOLLARS!!   
(I am not going to put in my 2 cents as to 'why' Warm Brown is no longer a 'super saver' skein.. at 7oz.... but... yeah... 16 dollars for what you used to get for around 4 or 5??  ... you can figure that out for yourself...)

and Walmart wasn't any better.. they DO have a few skeins remaining of Warm Brown Super Saver.. if you are willing to pay between 11 & 20 dollars for each one!!


As for Joann's, Michaels, Yarnspirations, etc - they have absolutely NONE in stock!

Supply & Demand Baby.... 
Price gouging ?? ... 
Or perhaps something in between..


So, I think I'll be looking for a new yarn to call my own
(eventually. I have been getting the hooking itch lately) .. and make a new Yarn Palette Ring... 

I do love the muted colors of Big Twist yarns... so maybe I'll go with that.  I haven't used them for my work because they were more expensive than Red Heart..  and let's keep it real.. most people love Red Heart because it is so inexpensive!
I am not a fan of ILTY for Amis (its too soft), but there are other medium weight yarns out there... 
I mean, if you're gonna have to pay $5 to $7 bucks
(or more) a skein for acrylic... might as well work with whatever is pretty and available eh??

For those of you who are strict followers of pattern instructions... color substitutions will not affect the overall completed project.  Sure it's going to change the aesthetics .. but who's to say that my color palette is the 'correct one'?  Rainbow Zebras and Pink Elephants are actually very adorable!
So yes, you can absolutely substitute Red Heart Warm Brown with another Red Heart yarn.. such as Aran Fleck or Cafe Latte... or completely go with another brand or even weight..
(weigh WILL affect the size of your project) - color changes have always been a discretionary aspect of the design anyway.

Comments for this post have been left open - so please tell me your thoughts...
what has been your experience in trying to find your own favorite colors.. or even brands.  I know of Red Heart, because it's what I use... are other brands also lacking in stock?



P.S. - I did offer to start a 'petition' for Yarnspirations... you know, to allow a visual demand/need/desire; for their 'sales & marketing dept' to return Warm Brown back into the Super Saver package...
but...
a "yeah.. no thanks" was pretty much the answer..
which only firmed up, in my mind, the REAL reason it went from being a 7oz skein to a 3oz one...  
I was born on a day.. just not 'yester-day'.. 


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Should you wish to share this Information or FiberDoodlesbyK4TT Patterns, please share using an Official FiberDoodlesbyK4TT authorized page 
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Permission has NOT be granted to any 3rd Party to re-print, re-post or translate any FiberDoodlesbyK4TT products.

By utilizing any product from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT, whether by clicking over the internet, telephone, facsimile or otherwise, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of the FiberDoodlesbyK4TT End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) or qualification.
All patterns are sold in good faith. Every effort has been made to ensure that all instructions are accurate and complete. FiberDoodlesbyK4TT cannot, however, be responsible for human error or variations in individual work.


All patterns released from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT are protected under Federal copyright laws. Reproduction/distribution, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized. This includes, but is not limited to, any form of reproduction or distribution on or through the Internet, including posting, scanning, "Crochet-A-Longs" and/or eMail transmission.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Another Yarny Review


My people (the kids and the Hub) recently bought some Yarnspirations Bernat Popcakes, so that I could "make something just for you" (me) !! 

So with Fall not making any effort to hide it's approach - I decided to break out this long put to the side gift, and whip up an afghan for the cool months ahead.
(Sorry, the afghan is just a simple alternating rows of 150 single crochet stitches and a return pass of 150 mock knitting stitches - so no pattern to really share.)


I have not had the best of luck when I've used Bernat or Caron in the past.  The afghans I made in 2009, ended up being thrown in the trash - Believe it or not, the yarn began to get MORE scratchy with every wash and would actually squeak (like it was starched or still had soap in it) when transferring from washer to dryer. As one of my children has severe skin issues, it was easier just to toss out the hours of labored love; than deal with the irritation it would case to my child.

But the excitement of the "cake trends" on Facebook and in groups, overtook any reservations I had ... so I began working...

Disappointment quickly followed...

after only a few stitches - maybe 200 or so, I began to see variations in the consistency of the weight...  then - this happened... (approximately 430 sts in)




slight variations in yarn weight can be dealt with.. working in worsted weight then - BOOM - sock weight - cannot... it has to be 'cut out' - creating yet another set of tails that will need to be woven in...

However, since this is a personal project - and not for an order, I decided that a single stitch was not going to bother me enough to cut it out and rejoin - especially with only a few remaining stitches in the row... so away I went again...



A row and a half later..  another instance that would need to be cut out - for anything less than a 'personal project'..  the 'production joining knot'.. *sigh*




so, in less than 750 sts - already two major issues that would have to be dealt with, for a professional piece that someone would want to purchase.  

Since the majority of my clients crochet for profit and handmade holiday gift season on it's way - this is a headache they'd not want or need.

 

As you can see - there is still a long way to go, and perhaps even more unfriendly surprises..
but I decided to STOP where I was and write up the review..  because to be honest - I don't know if I will keep going or not.


My disappointment runs deep with this one.  Not only because it was a gift from my people to me and to not finish a project with a smile, could make them feel bad.
But also, because I love the colors, these cakes, titled "Foggy Notions" - the earthy tones of browns and blues, that are a perfect fit for my bedroom.  The yarn is very soft to the touch...  but sadly, I don't like the snags I've encountered and don't know how many more lay ahead for me, hidden within these cakes..  

I do not enjoy pleading with and hacking up my fiber to get it to perform as it should.

so..
Overall:
Would I use it again?  No - I am not even sure I am going to finish using it now!
Would I recommend it?  No, I would not - but that is me personally.
Perhaps I got a bad cake and just happened to pick up that particular cake to start my project..
but I won't be shouting "hey you gotta try this.." and if someone asks me outright - I am going to tell them - for the $$ you'd spend on that cake? - get some Red Heart With Love and some chocolate :)

Of course, should I finish the project - I will update : Another Yarny Review - Part 2? - but I am thinking of just donating the cakes to the school's art department - they always can use yarns and strings for their student's craftiness.




UPDATE: 10 December 2020 : As I had to fix the link to the product above, I figured instead of taking a whole other page to make the statement that I never did anything with this yarn (donated it to the school's art department shortly after originally writing this post) I would just update this entry. 
In reading the 'negative' (1 & 2 star reviews on the Company Website) I did notice that I was not alone in the frustration over the "machine joins" moving from color to color - nearly every review of value, had the same issue.  I did not see any complaints regarding the consistency of the yarn however - as I did not finish my afghan or use more yarn from any of the cakes, I can't say as to whether there were more instances of this happening or not.. 
But I, personally, will never purchase again.. In fact, I have been hearing a lot of bad stuff regarding Red Heart lately since Yarnspirations! has joined with them... 
but I will leave that for another post, later... 
Page Updated on: 10 December 2020


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Should you wish to share this Information or FiberDoodlesbyK4TT Patterns, please share using an Official FiberDoodlesbyK4TT authorized page 
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Permission has NOT be granted to any 3rd Party to re-print, re-post or translate any FiberDoodlesbyK4TT products.

By utilizing any product from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT, whether by clicking over the internet, telephone, facsimile or otherwise, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of the FiberDoodlesbyK4TT End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) or qualification.
All patterns are sold in good faith. Every effort has been made to ensure that all instructions are accurate and complete. FiberDoodlesbyK4TT cannot, however, be responsible for human error or variations in individual work.


All patterns released from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT are protected under Federal copyright laws. Reproduction/distribution, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized. This includes, but is not limited to, any form of reproduction or distribution on or through the Internet, including posting, scanning, "Crochet-A-Longs" and/or eMail transmission. 

Sunday, April 16, 2017

A Yarny Review & Something for You

First the "disclaimer". I am extremely bias to Red Heart Super Saver Yarns. It's what I have used for years for my amigurumi and my preferred medium in producing my designs.

However, that being said - a few weeks ago, I had ordered some of the Mary Maxim Worsted Yarns since they were on sale for 99 cents a skein.  I generally treat myself to new yarns once or twice a year.

I can't say I am disappointed in how it works up for amigurumi - but it won't be replacing my Red Heart stash anytime in the near future.


PROS:
- Easy to work with and is comparable to the worsted weight I am comfortable working with.
- 2 of the 3 colors I used were soft and easy on the fingers. (1 was a little stiffer, but still not - to me - scratchy on the fingers)
- Colors are are vivid and very "primary" in nature.
- While this particular project contains no "draping", several pieces made for the project are 'flexible' and yarn easily accommodates this allowance.
- 100% Acrylilc yarn approximately 215 yrds (200m) /3.5oz (100gm) is more than enough to produce a small to medium sized amigurumi project.

CONS:
- Limited Colors - only 8 in the Worsted Weight Line
- Not an easy find for ends and not sure if skein is designed to be an inside pull or not (I had quite the yarn barf for one skein and used the other 2 working from outside - I will end up having to use a winder to make these skeins easier to use.)
- This yarn DOES have Dye Lots
- There was some splitting and pulls in the skein
- Yarn is made in Turkey. (personal preference to support USA and or Canada produced yarns.)
- Texture of yarn is not as elastic or forgiving as RHSS when frogging or if tension goes off on a stitch.



OVERALL:
Would I use it again? Sure!!
Would I recommend this yarn? No, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it - MM is still having a sale on this yarn. Purchase 8 skeins and you get them for 99 cents each. At that price, of course it's worth trying to review for yourself.
You can find more specs on this brand/yarn here: Mary Maxim Website


So what did I make with Mary Maxim Worsted Yarns??


So grab up your favorite yarn and head on over to Jelly Belly's Instruction Page to hook up this adorable creature for yourself!


FDbyK4TT is not affiliated, endorsed or sponsored by Mary Maxim, or it's subsidiaries.  There are no affiliate links contained in this post and no monies have been promised or given for any review of products mentioned in this post.  
Page Updated on: 10 December 2020


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Should you wish to share this Information or FiberDoodlesbyK4TT Patterns, please share using an Official FiberDoodlesbyK4TT authorized page 
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Permission has NOT be granted to any 3rd Party to re-print, re-post or translate any FiberDoodlesbyK4TT products.

By utilizing any product from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT, whether by clicking over the internet, telephone, facsimile or otherwise, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of the FiberDoodlesbyK4TT End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) or qualification.
All patterns are sold in good faith. Every effort has been made to ensure that all instructions are accurate and complete. FiberDoodlesbyK4TT cannot, however, be responsible for human error or variations in individual work.


All patterns released from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT are protected under Federal copyright laws. Reproduction/distribution, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized. This includes, but is not limited to, any form of reproduction or distribution on or through the Internet, including posting, scanning, "Crochet-A-Longs" and/or eMail transmission. 

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Yarn + Pantyhose = Easy Life

One question that I am asked CONSTANTLY, since everyone pretty much knows I have a zoo in my home, is:  "How do you keep your yarn clean?"

Even with a craft room devoted to my art, stray pet hairs can and will travel and eventually, will find their way into my sacred place.  Or what about when I don't want to be alone in my room hooking and want to hook while watching the hub and the kids play the latest video game or watch the newest movie on the tube?  
What... do I kick the furrkids out?  There's still cat hair and dog hair on everything - no matter how well you clean, it's still there.. waiting for that one stitch of dark clothing to cling to!  (you know it does!)

Nope - there's an easier way. 

Now you all know I store my yarn in clear plastic bags (like the kind that you used to get newspapers wrapped in).  But my working yarn also gets a home..



That's right!  There's Katt, re-purposing things again!  That is so not what they are intended for! 
*smile* 

Knee High Pantyhose work GREAT to keep your yarn clean while you are working on a project AND if you need to wash it for any reason... like say your 200lb beastie accidentally spills a half full cup of coffee on your almost brand new skein of White Red Heart Super Saver just because the mailman has the audacity to knock at the door so you can sign for a package...  I mean, not that has ever happened; but merely as an example *grin*


You just knot up one end and toss the skein into the washing machine :)


So simple:
 


And you can keep the labels on if you fear you may forget the color's name you can see thru most shades of pantyhose!




Page Updated on: 14 December 2020

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Should you wish to share this Information or FiberDoodlesbyK4TT Patterns, please share using an Official FiberDoodlesbyK4TT authorized page 
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Permission has NOT be granted to any 3rd Party to re-print, re-post or translate any FiberDoodlesbyK4TT products.

By utilizing any product from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT, whether by clicking over the internet, telephone, facsimile or otherwise, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of the FiberDoodlesbyK4TT End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) or qualification.
All patterns are sold in good faith. Every effort has been made to ensure that all instructions are accurate and complete. FiberDoodlesbyK4TT cannot, however, be responsible for human error or variations in individual work.


All patterns released from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT are protected under Federal copyright laws. Reproduction/distribution, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized. This includes, but is not limited to, any form of reproduction or distribution on or through the Internet, including posting, scanning, "Crochet-A-Longs" and/or eMail transmission. 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

The Yarn Industry is Trying to KILL the IndeDesigner

Okay, they aren't really ...
But as a designer is it incredibly frustrating to find the perfect color to use, work up a pattern - place it out there for the buyer, only to have a few months later to get
"the color you listed has been discontinued, what can I use?"



And I am sure the buyer is just as frustrated and fearful the color change will not make the finished product look like the pattern they purchased.
Or even worse, a pattern calls for a yarn which you can only purchase online and the shipping alone would be enough to scream!


The Yarn Industry is concerned with profit.  They are not concerned about 40 or 400 people liking any particular shade of yarn, when they are making tens of thousands of skeins of yarn each month. Colors which are not in demand simply get dropped - most times without any advanced warning (in fact, the only warning we may get is "for a limited time" stamped across the outer package.).


Recently, a referral to a client (see the Doodled by You page DOES work!), requested a finished item for which one of the colors had indeed been discontinued. Usually, I can recommend a substitute without hesitation because I have my little cheat sheet bookmarked.
But on this day, I was drawing a blank - couldn't find my bookmark (after having to change my usual browser) and actually had to go to Red Heart's website and do some actual looking around to answer my client's question.




So, lesson learned - this website is NOT common knowledge

and I wanted to share with you all, my cheat sheet:



http://yarnsub.com/

While it's not a 100% perfect solution - there are some gaps in the website with discontinued yarns, leading to another discontinued brand of yarn (so you may have to search again... and again)... it is close to perfect (at least in my opinion) ..

unless of course, you have an yarn encyclopedia of knowledge in your head... 
or just have a love-affair with fiber and don't care what sort of yarn you use.

Page Updated on: 2 September 2020


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Should you wish to share this Information or FiberDoodlesbyK4TT Patterns, please share using an Official FiberDoodlesbyK4TT authorized page 
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Permission has NOT be granted to any 3rd Party to re-print, re-post or translate any FiberDoodlesbyK4TT products.

By utilizing any product from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT, whether by clicking over the internet, telephone, facsimile or otherwise, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of the FiberDoodlesbyK4TT End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) or qualification.
All patterns are sold in good faith. Every effort has been made to ensure that all instructions are accurate and complete. FiberDoodlesbyK4TT cannot, however, be responsible for human error or variations in individual work.


All patterns released from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT are protected under Federal copyright laws. Reproduction/distribution, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized. This includes, but is not limited to, any form of reproduction or distribution on or through the Internet, including posting, scanning, "Crochet-A-Longs" and/or eMail transmission. 

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Hoist the Colours!

I've not been in much of a 'designing mood' lately.  Various things on my mind (human nature of people disappointing me mostly) as well as a touch of "Spring Fever" perhaps...

In fact, I've been spring cleaning more than I've been hooking..


Now over on Ravelry, they have this notebook section called "stash"; which to the best of my knowledge keeps an inventory of your yarns...


Of course, you have to manually enter your yarn(s) into this section..

but these are just the colors that I have used since January ... 
Needless to say, I got bored quickly with the tediousness of it, and since my yarns don't have dye lots or other factors that are unique
I ain't loggin nothing more!!
lol



But I will be back to designing in no time..
and of course, I will offer up another freebie here..
I am thinking of something to celebrate Earth Day.. we will just have to wait and see what pops out of my brain though :)

The point of this post? Other than to let you know I am still alive??

To show off my DIY Stash Shelf and let you know, Garment Wardrobes & Garment Racks, paired with those inexpensive fabric 'shelves' on hangers...  
make great Yarn Storage Units - Jus' Sayin!

Page Updated on: 14 December 2020

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Should you wish to share this Information or FiberDoodlesbyK4TT Patterns, please share using an Official FiberDoodlesbyK4TT authorized page 
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Permission has NOT be granted to any 3rd Party to re-print, re-post or translate any FiberDoodlesbyK4TT products.

By utilizing any product from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT, whether by clicking over the internet, telephone, facsimile or otherwise, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of the FiberDoodlesbyK4TT End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) or qualification.
All patterns are sold in good faith. Every effort has been made to ensure that all instructions are accurate and complete. FiberDoodlesbyK4TT cannot, however, be responsible for human error or variations in individual work.


All patterns released from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT are protected under Federal copyright laws. Reproduction/distribution, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized. This includes, but is not limited to, any form of reproduction or distribution on or through the Internet, including posting, scanning, "Crochet-A-Longs" and/or eMail transmission.