Today’s Yarns for You selection is a novel classic, Vickie Howell’s Sheep(ish).

Yarn Facts: Vickie Howell’s Sheep(ish) is a blend of 30% wool and 70% acrylic spun into a versatile, single-ply, workhorse yarn that is soft to the touch but is suitable for projects for the whole family. A true medium worsted weight yarn, it’s machine washable in cold water and should be laid flat to dry. It’s best not to iron this yarn. A size H/8 (5 mm) hook is recommended to achieve a 4″x4″ (10 cm x 10 cm) gauge swatch at 17 sc across and 22 rows up. The yarn comes in a very fresh palette of 19 saturated colors that just draw you in and work together very well. I should also mention that there is a related yarn line called Sheep(ish) Stripes that comes in 6 different colorways.

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Hello, Crochet Spotters!! Thank you for reading this first edition of Yarns for You! I was so glad to have heard from you on the introductory post, and there’s still quite a conversation going on there. That is exactly what I wanted for this series, so – AWESOME!

Today’s Yarns for You selection is the beautiful and smooth Paton’s Silk Bamboo.

Yarn Facts: Paton’s Silk Bamboo is a blend of 30% silk and 70% bamboo, resulting in a lovely and durable light DK weight yarn. It’s hand washable, and should be dried flat. A size G/6 hook is recommended to acheive a 4″x 4″ (10 cm x 10 cm) gauge swatch at 16 sc across and 20 rows up. Right now the yarn is available in 19 rich colors and jewel tones that are perfect for garment and accessory crafting.

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I am excited to annouce a new series on Crochet Spot – “Yarns for You” Crochet Yarn Reviews! The purpose of “Yarns for You” is to share a crocheter’s point of view about what makes a yarn good/bad/fun/useful/etc. to crochet with! This will be different from the “Focus on Fiber” series in that I will be reviewing specific types of yarn by name. As always, it would be great to hear from other Crochet Spotters in the comments section!

Why a crochet yarn review? Did you ever notice how sometimes yarn makers put all of the knitting information on the label and have knitted samples in the store, but may overlook crochet? Truthfully, some yarn is better for knitting and some is better for crochet. It has to do with how the yarn is constructed.
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Cotton is a summer staple because of its breathability, absorbency, softness, and durability. A crochet powerhouse, cotton is used for everything from dishcloths to fine wearables. Threadies know the joys of crocheting in fine cotton thread with tiny hooks, but cotton comes in bulky weights as well.

Think of all of the cotton garments in your closet. Cotton fabric can range from the virtually indestructible denim of blue jeans to the delicate crepe of a summer blouse. Similarly, cotton yarn has many varieties – from the affordable workhorse dishcloth cotton to the finer (and pricier) Pima and Egyptian cottons. Mercerized cotton has undergone a chemical process to increase the yarn’s strength, durability, and luster. On the other hand, organic cotton is free of all chemical processes in growing the plant and processing the yarn.

Because cotton paradoxically might shrink in the wash but stretch when worn, it is best to choose a blend when crocheting fitted garments so the yarn will give you the look you desire. Generally, washing and reblocking the garment will restore shape to your cotton creations.

Cool cotton’s fiber structure pulls heat and absorbs moisture, making it a must in warmer climates. Vegans and animal activists might like cotton’s animal-free quality, as might those who have animal allergies.

What do you like to crochet with cotton? Please share your cotton adventures in the comments below!

Silk is a warm and luxurious fiber. It’s fabulous for making crocheted garments and accessories. Undyed silk ranges in color from a bright white to a honey brown color. Because it takes dye well, silk can be found for sale in many bold and vibrant colors. It’s possible to crochet in pure silk, but perhaps more common to find yarns for purchase that are a silk blend. I love silk’s softness and shine. It’s a bonus that silk is also a very strong fiber.
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Today we continue our series of yarn chats with an elegant but hardworking powerhouse yarn, Merino wool. Our previous chats include Focus on Fiber: Acrylic Yarn, What’s in Your Stash?, and Yarn Obsession.

Known for its soft durability, Merino wool is a favorite among crocheters. It is quite popular among yarn crafters (and yarn hoarders 😉 ) in general, with over 1.6 million skeins stashed on Ravelry! Merino wool gets its name from the adorable Merino sheep. Originally a Spanish breed, the Merino sheep can now be found all over the world, including South America, Australia, North America, and Africa.
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St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. If you’d like to add a touch of emerald green to your wardrobe then crochet this quick and easy headband. The shamrock appliqué adds the perfect finishing touch to any emerald isle inspired outfit you might throw on for the holiday. This pattern is also great for children’s clothing or hair accessories. Don’t limit yourself to just the headband, you could make hairpins too. Simply crochet the shamrock, sew on the button and then hot glue the appliqué to a bobby pin or hair barrette.

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It won’t be long and instead of snow we’ll be enjoying spring showers. I have a trusty pair of rubber boots that I love to tromp through the spring puddles in. I often where them to town or in the garden. When I wear them all day long the hard rubber can rub on my shins. So, I crocheted these boot toppers to cushion my shins and for a chic update to my rubber boots. This project can be made in about an hour or less and it’s a great way to use up extra yarn. It’s also a great project for beginners. Make several in a rainbow of colors to suit your moods.

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Since it’s so much fun, I thought we should continue our yarn chat on a regular basis, with a focus on different types of fibers and their qualities. I thought we should start our fiber-specific conversation with the basic standby, acrylic yarn.

Acrylic is probably the most common type of yarn. It is very popular. In fact, good old Red Heart Super Saver has been used in almost 107,000 projects on Ravelry. Acrylic yarns are readily available at big box stores and craft stores, and they are relatively inexpensive, making acrylic very accessible.

Did you know that acrylic is made from petroleum? That’s right. The same substance that runs your car warms you with that brightly colored afghan you made. Aside from afghans, acrylic yarn is popular for all kinds of projects.

Acrylic is loved for its easy care. Because it can be machine washed and dried, it is an excellent choice for baby and child garments. It is soft to the touch and popular in warm garments. It also drapes well, particularly when blocked with steam. One drawback to acrylic is that it can pill easily, but pilling can be minimized with hand washing and drying flat.

Do you have any fun facts about acrylic? What is your opinion on acrylic?

Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. I love the smell of woodsmoke in the air. Pumpkins and squash in every shade are being harvested and used for decorations. Oftentimes my squash collection finds its way to my oven. Roasted squash, stir-fried pumpkin, cookies and pies all make my dinner table look absolutely mouthwatering. So, when I was thinking up a pattern for this week, this little pumpkin pin found its way off my hook. I added eyes and a smile similar to the happy veggie figurines I’ve seen in Japantown.

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