Yarn is Number-1 thing you have to choose to start crocheting. Or knitting, if you prefer this kind of craft. And each project has its own perfect yarn choice. Here are my TOP 5 choices.
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Addiction to yarn
As probably all avid crocheters, I have an addiction to yarn. I used to have lots and lots and lots of yarn skeins, cones and cakes when I was running a small yarn business through Etsy couple of years before.
But now, I only make and sell yarn very rarely in very small limited edition batches, so I was "forced" to look for yarns to buy. And here is what I love the most so far - my TOP-5 yarn finds-choices today (in no particular order, even though numbered).
Before I start, I have to mention - I adore colorful yarn the most - variegated, multi-color, tweed, rainbow and similar. So don't be surprised I mainly picked those.
1. COTTON YARN CONES
Premier Home Rainbow Cotton
I am simply in love with this rainbow cotton blend cone and see it in so many projects. This yarn is perfect for most crochet, knitting and home decor projects, such as:
> blankets: both baby and adult sizes
> baby clothes and toys
> hats & gloves and scarves & shawls
> washcloths, placemats, etc.
1 cone = 700 yd / 640 m and weights 14 oz / 400 g, so it is quite enough for a baby blanket. For the adult size blankets you will need 2 cones (lap blanket), 4 cones - large blanket. Or see what your patterns calls for.
Get it from Amazon here.
Recommended crochet patterns for this yarn:
One more cone type yarn and, again, cotton. You can now suspect me to be addicted to cotton and you will be absolutely right. This one in particular is so tempting not only because of its sugary name, but also very light sweet creamy color with a tweed look. It comes in many other color choices too.
Perfect for all crochet items listed above, especially baby items. 1 cone is 14 oz / 400 g and 706 yd / 645 m.
100% cotton and really economical cone size.
1 cone is perfectly enough for a baby or toddler size blanket.
Check it out on Amazon here.
Recommended crochet patterns for this yarn:
2. TWEED YARNS FROM KNIT PICKS
I mentioned already, how I love tweed yarns and this one is just one of the visual proofs how gorgeous it is.
Main features of this yarn:
» easy care (machine washable, tumble dry low)
» premium acrylic 97 % and viscose 3 %
» 1 skein = 100 grams and 218 yd
» hypoallergenic and hard-wearing
» perfect for sweaters, cardigans, blankets
I personally think, the baby blankets look the best in this yarn, the colors are so soft and various combinations could be crocheted out of them. And also - good price - just under 5 USD per skein.
Check them out on Knit Picks online store here.
Here is yet one more beautiful tweed yarn option from Knit Picks.
Main features of this yarn:
> 80% Peruvian Highland Wool, 20% Donegal Tweed
> weight: worsted (available in different weights too)
> 1 skein = 50 g and 110 yd
> care: hand wash and dry flat
> more than 20 colors to choose from
It can be purchased separately or as value pack, which is a great option if you want to try every color or make a colorful afghan. It consists of 26 skeins (1 of each color) and saves you almost 20 %
See all colors available to purchase separately here.
See the value pack option here.
Recommended crochet patterns for this yarn:
3. HANDSPUN ART YARNS
Handspun art yarns make me gasp all the time as I see how much creativity, imagination, time and love is put into handmaking them. I adore this art yarn handspun in small badges by individual small yarn business owners the most. And here are my top 2 favourite art yarn finds from Etsy.
Handspun Alpaca Merino Wool by Garden Party Fibers
Look at this color combination!
So earthy and natural look.
Each batch is different and is sold on Etsy as limited edition.
So I include the main link for the shop, rather than for the particular color (as it may be expired when you read this blog post).
Main features of this yarn:
> all fiber processing by creator - 100 % handmade yarn
> weight: bulky
> locally sourced alpaca and merino wool
> available in small batches
> best for crochet beanies and scarves.
Recommended crochet patterns for this yarn:
Or try simple single, double or triple crochet stitches.
Watch basic stitches video tutorials on my Youtube channel here.
Here is yet one more handspun art yarn maker, selling her gorgeous wool on Etsy.
As the previous seller, this one also makes small limited edition batches, so check out what is available at the real time of reading this post -
Main features of this yarn:
> based in the UK, but ships worldwide.
> 100 % handspun and hand-dyed.
> weight: super bulky
> fiber: soft merino wool
Recommended crochet patterns for this yarn:
4. MINI YARN BALLS BY NERRI PANGO
Yes, yes, that's me. Couple of years ago I was pretty serious yarn maker, running a small online yarn business known as Twice-baked Yarns. But when my bank career jumped, I nearly quit.
Now, I am back to crafts business again, but mainly as a crochet designer, which was my passion from the very start, and I only make very small limited edition batches of yarn to please my own needs and a bit of my fans'.
Am I going to expand my yarn business in the future?
I have no such ambitions at the moment, as I concentrate on crochet designs, video tutorials for my Youtube channel and blogging. I also love to explore and try other yarns for my crochet creations.
Regarding these mini yarn balls, I enjoy making them enormously, it is like meditation to me.
And they are extremely popular amongst craft makers on my Etsy shop.
Main features of these mini yarn balls:
> cotton, wool and acrylic blend mix
> weight: DK / Sport
> 310 yd per 100 g
> available in yarn boxes of 3 different sizes: 400 g, 800 g and 1,6 kilo.
> ships worldwide from Lithuania. Free shipping.
>handmade by myself (with a little help of my sister if I have too many orders on my hands)
Check them out on my Etsy shop here.
Recommended crochet patterns for these mini yarn balls:
Recommended video tutorials, which might give you some inspiration here:
Knotty Pattern - best for blankets, you can use up all mini yarn ball before connecting the next color or cut yarn and join in shorter pieces. Watch the video here.
You can also use these mini yarn balls for colorful granny squares, adding the neutral color of yarn.
Watch my classic granny square tutorial on Youtube here.
5. CROCHET CORDS BY MONOMEY STUDIO
If you follow me for a while, you probably know that my main crochet passion is crochet rugs.
For them to turn out as perfect as I want, I picked special crochet cord from Monomey Studio on Etsy here.
Main features of this cord:
> 6 mm thick
> polyester
> best with 7 mm crochet hook
> ships Worldwide
> available in different size cones.
> perfect for rugs, placemats, tote bags
Why I love this cord the most?
Because my rugs stay in shape after many years, it is pleasant to work with and very easy to care (machine washable). Very high quality. And I tried many others, believe me, this one is on the top!
Recommended patterns for this cord:
Rug Life is a Flower crochet pattern - my bestseller.
If you like both of these, here is a bundle deal.
There are thinner cords available too so check out Monomey Studio Etsy shop here and pick your favourite.
So here is the end of my Top-5 yarn choices for now.
Of course, there are plenty others I love and would love to try as well. It is never ending obsession, I guess. So I will be writing more about yarns in the near future for sure.
Yours,
Nerri Pango
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