While Coboo doesn’t have the ability to claim that it’s made with organic cotton and rayon from bamboo, that doesn’t mean that it’s just as bad as your cheap acrylic. Acrylic is made out of plastics, which is unfortunate since it is one of the most affordable yarns on the market.

Coboo is a light worsted (3) weight yarn that is made up of cotton and rayon from bamboo fibers, giving it a more natural rating that your typical acrylic. It comes in 232-yarded cakes at $5.99 each with 24 colors to choose from.

While it’s not one of your cheapest yarns on the market, it’s not overly expensive either. Most of the time, Coboo is on sale, so you might get it for closer to $4 (in my own experience).

With the sturdiness of cotton and the drape of rayon from bamboo, this yarn is great for adding a bit of pizzazz to your wardrobe. Its colors are a bit on the darker side, which help it accent your clothing without being an explosion of color.

Lion Brand Coboo Breakdown

I don’t think Coboo is totally as well-known as its sister, Truboo, which is a 100% rayon from bamboo yarn. It doesn’t have as many color selection, and I have found it harder to find in-store, which leads me to assume that it’s not that popular.

I think it should be a bit more popular because it’s a great yarn! The combination of cotton and rayon from bamboo initially put me off, but it actually works up nicely.

I’m not a big fan of granny squares (or hexagons), but working with yarn actually made it fun for me. I don’t know what about this yarn made it fun, but it just did. Weird, huh?

This may seem like I’m putting it down when I say that it’s a duller yarn (when compared to Truboo), but I promise I don’t mean it in a negative way. The fibers just happen to combine to create a darker yarn.

The cotton fibers naturally don’t have a sheen to it, unlike rayon from bamboo, and the color choices are darker as well. However, I like the color choices, and they work great for when you’re looking for less of a statement piece.

If you’re wondering about sustainability when it comes to bamboo yarn, I go over that gray area in my Truboo review. To sum it up, while raw bamboo is a sustainable fiber, the process to turn it into yarn is extremely harmful to the environment.

My experience using this yarn!

I raved about how much I like working with Truboo in my review of it. With Coboo, a blend of cotton and bamboo and made by the same company, I had high hopes for it.

I want to preface this by letting you know that I have not worked extensively with cotton yarn. I have only worked with one 100% cotton yarn (Sugar’n Cream), and I didn’t really enjoy it.

I went into using Coboo remembering the heavenly silkiness of bamboo yarn and forgetting about the rough inelasticity of cotton. Coboo’s majority is cotton, so that was my mistake of having the wrong idea when I went into it.

Unwashed cotton yarn is not a soft fiber, at least from my experience with cotton yarns. Bamboo is a silkily soft fiber. Pairing a rough fiber with a soft fiber was an interesting choice, in my opinion.

Right off the bat, I didn’t really like working with it. The roughness of the cotton was softened because of the bamboo portion, but I could clearly tell that it was mostly cotton. If you have any sort of sensitivities to the texture of cotton yarn, this yarn might not work for you.

After working with it for an extensive amount of time, I found the texture does soften a bit. It might just be me getting used to it, but it was easier to work with the longer I used it.

I ended up liking it after crocheting with it for a few hours. I definitely would pick up this yarn again. The color choices were nice, but I like Truboo’s larger and brighter collection more.

Because Coboo is made up of two different fibers, it splits easily. Since cotton catches on itself, it doesn’t split nearly as much as Truboo, but I still had splitting issues throughout my project.

When you cut the ends of it, fraying does happen a little bit. This is most likely from the cotton, as I didn’t have any fraying issues with Truboo. However, it wasn’t as bad as some yarns.

However, while I often put cotton down, cotton yarns will always be incredibly sturdy. Coboo has the same sturdiness as any fully cotton yarn would have, with the added bonus of bamboo yarn drape.

My plan is to make a pillow cover with it, since it has the soft and cool bamboo paired with sturdy, washable cotton. It’s going to take a few cakes of it, since this is a small yarn in terms of cakes and fiber size.

Overall, this yarn was okay. It’s not the best, but it’s a far cry from the worst. Of course, these are just my opinions, so don’t let me sway you away from it if you really like it!

Coboo vs Truboo

Both yarns are incredibly similar to each other. At a glance, without any labels or anything, the two are indistinguishable, barring the differences in color.

Coboo, because of its cotton fibers, is a bit denser than Truboo. It doesn’t really take away from its gauge, so items made with Truboo will be nearly the same size as items made with Coboo.

Truboo has a better drape, but Coboo is more sturdy. Cotton is inelastic, which helps Coboo items keep their shape better than Truboo items.

Both yarns work up breathable items which are great for summer clothing. Coboo could also work for autumn wearables, since it’s a denser yarn and retains more heat than Truboo.

Coboo has a smaller collection of colors, with only 24 colors to choose from. They tend to be darker with less of a sheen than Truboo’s 32 choices.

My personal favorite out of the two has to be Truboo. It is softer than Coboo and is almost as close to silk as you can get, at least in an opinion from a person who has never touched pure silk before.

If you like darker colors, or are needing your item to keep its shape, I would recommend going with Coboo over Truboo.

If you like brighter colors with a little bit of shininess or need a lovely drape, I would recommend Truboo over Coboo.

What should you use this yarn for?

As mentioned above, Coboo helps its items hold their shape while allowing for a little bit of drape. It is just a tad bit heavier than a normal light weight yarn.

That being said, it can be used for practically anything. I would personally recommend using it for wearables, pillow covers, or other functional items.

Shawls are one of the more popular items made with Coboo, since it combines sturdiness and drapability. Two of the best things for a shawl!

As with any yarn, you could use it for amigurumi as well if you so wish. It would help amigurumi hold its shape without that rough, cotton-y look or feel.

What yarns can I substitute for Coboo?

Since it’s a yarn that is made up of two different natural fibers, these yarn substitutions may not be exact in terms of fibers. Your best bet in terms of substitutions will be Truboo, another bamboo yarn by Lion Brand that is 100% rayon from bamboo.

The closest match I could find is Baby Silky by Ice Yarns. It’s made up of 52% cotton and 48% rayon from bamboo. It’s an incredibly close match!

It’s a light worsted (3) yarn with 264 yards per skein. On their website, each skein is listed as $2.12, but you can only buy them in packs of four skeins, so the true price ends up being $8.49. Keep that in mind if you decide to buy any Ice yarns.

3 Free Coboo Patterns!

Next to You Shawl

Coboo is practically made for shawls. It’s perfect for it, so why not try out this lovely shawl pattern?

This shawl has a difficulty of easy, but I would recommend skimming through the entire pattern before attempting it. Sometimes even the easiest shawls can be difficult, so don’t be afraid to ask question or research different parts of it!

Maria Top

Looking to up your granny square skill? Check out this awesome top that is made top-down! WHo says granny squares can’t be cool?

This top is great for this splitty yarn since granny square stitches work in the large chain gaps instead of the stitches itself. Working into a large gap helps lessen the accidental snags on any loose strands and lessens frustration.

V-Stitch Cardi

Coboo doesn’t come in large cakes, which can be annoying since it’s already a light weight yarn. However, this pattern takes that into consideration.

Using a stitch that doesn’t eat up yarn like most stitches, this cardigan is great for beginners and advanced crocheters alike. There’s a written and a video pattern for both kinds of visual learners. Take your pick!

Commonly Asked Questions

What does Coboo mean?

Cotton + bamboo = coboo! Made up of both fibers, Lion Brand combined cotton and bamboo to create another choice in their bamboo yarn line.

Are bamboo yarns good for socks?

Socks need to be made with elastic yarn, which is usually a combination of wool or nylon and another fiber. As long as the yarn has some sort of wool, nylon, or other elastic yarn, it will work for socks.

Since Coboo is made up of 51% cotton, which is very inelastic, it is not a good yarn for socks. Truboo wouldn’t be either.

How do you keep the weaved-in ends from unraveling?

Coboo is naturally slick, thanks to its rayon from bamboo fibers. While the cotton fibers allow for some drag, sometimes weaving in ends and hoping they stay there can be a pain!

My first recommendation is to leave an extra long end to weave in. The more yarn you weave in, the less likely it will unravel.

The more directions you go in, the more it will stay put. With the granny hexagons I made, I made sure to leave a long end and I wove those ends until they were practically going around the entire hexagon three times!

My second recommendation is to use a little bit of fabric glue. Built for fabric, it helps pin down those feisty ends and keeps them from moving.

However, it is glue, so if you have a bunch of ends to weave it, I wouldn’t recommend this. You don’t want to go overboard and ruin your item with too many glue spots!

My third recommendation is to tie your ends together. If you’re using multiple colors, weave in one color close to the second color then tie those together and hide the knot within a tall stitch, such as a double crochet.

After you tie them, I would still recommend weaving those ends into your item anyway. With that extra precaution, your ends are less likely to unravel completely.

If all else fails, get those loose ends to the edges of your project and crochet a border around it, weaving in the ends as you crochet! It’s less weaving you’ll need to do, but more crocheting. Some projects might not allow for a border, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind if you ever need it.

The post My Honest Review of Coboo Yarn by Lion Brand (worth it?) appeared first on Little World of Whimsy.

Loops & Threads delivers with its Soft & Shiny in all those aspects. Being a worsted (4) weight yarn with 311-yarded skeins priced at $4.99 each, it’s a decent yarn for a decent price.

It comes in two different colorways: solid and ombre. While ombre has a smaller yardage, both colorways have lovely bold colors to choose from.

Soft & Shiny Breakdown

Many people might find themselves gravitating towards Soft & Shiny because of its colors and lovely sheen. I know I am certainly drawn to them like a moth to a lamp…

It is also a decent price for its yardage. I know you can find other acrylics that are about the same price (or cheaper) for bigger skeins, but they just don’t have the colors or shininess that Soft & Shiny has.

I wouldn’t recommend this yarn for beginners because of its tendency to split and how unforgiving it is when frogging. Beginners make mistakes (it’s natural!), and it’s always best to have a forgiving yarn so you don’t add to your frustration when trying to backtrack.

Because Loops & Threads is Michael’s brand, it is pretty much only found at Michael’s. I don’t think I have seen it anywhere else, so keep that in mind if you decide to go looking for it!

My experience using this yarn!

Soft & Shiny is one of my favorite acrylic yarns. It’s not too thin (or thick), comes in all kinds of rich colors, and isn’t one of those rough acrylic yarns (looking at you, Red Heart Super Saver).

The texture of it, at least with the ones I have experienced, do not vary as much as other yarns. Each skein I have purchased or touched have felt about the same, so you won’t have to worry too much about one skein feeling rougher than another one.

While it’s not a show-stoppingly soft yarn, I find it much more pleasing to work with than regular acrylic. The roughest chenille yarn is softer than Soft & Shiny, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad yarn. I like it!

I can attest that it is quite versatile since I have made a plethora of items with this yarn. I have also combined it with Caron’s Simply Soft when I needed a color I didn’t have in Soft & Shiny to complete a bag.

When creating the bag, it wasn’t visually noticeable that Simply Soft was thinner, but I could feel the difference as I worked with it. If your item needs a specific gauge, then I would recommend creating a swatch.

My favorite thing about Soft & Shiny would have to be its color choices. I’m not sure what it is about their skein colors that catch my eye, but I always find myself drawn to them whenever I’m shopping in person. My favorite colorway would have to be Party.

Despite all the good things I have to say about it, it does have its drawbacks. One of the biggest cons is that it’s a yarn that splits very easily because of how loosely it was twisted into the skein.

Because of its loose spin, it can get caught on itself in a project, which makes it a pain to frog if you make mistakes. I made a cardigan, which I needed to frog because it was too big in some places, and I lost some of this yarn because it got snagged on itself and simply wouldn’t let go.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s definitely a durable yarn. I could yank on the sucker until most of the yarn yielded back into my ball, but some was just too much of a lost cause to waste my time on it.

I wouldn’t suggest going down too many sizes in hooks if you want to keep the splitting to a minimum. The smaller the hook, the easier it is to stab through the middle of the yarn.

I personally like using a 3mm or 3.25mm for amigurumi and a 4-5mm for blankets, bags, and tapestries. Of course, as always, what works for me might not work for you, so make sure you test out different hooks to see which one you like best.

I have read that it is a yarn that pills, which is to be expected with acrylic yarns. I personally haven’t had that experience, but I have not washed my items enough times to see any noticeable pilling.

Soft & Shiny vs Caron Simply Soft

Since I keep mentioning these two yarns together, I figured I should do a quick general comparison of the two. If you want to know more about my opinion of Caron Simply Soft, you can read my detailed review of it here.

These two yarns I have both worked with extensively as they are affordable, come in many colors, and are fun to work with. They are very similar to each other as well.

If I had to choose between the two of them, I would have to recommend Soft & Shiny over Simply Soft. While they’re both good yarns, I find myself liking Soft & Shiny’s colors and texture more than Simply Soft.

Simply Soft’s colors tend to run paler and are better for pastel items. Soft & Shiny’s colors are richer and bolder, which, in my opinion, make my items pop better.

Soft & Shiny also has a softer texture and its sheen is more noticeable. Simply Soft is soft, but the softness can vary between skeins, and its sheen is best viewed in good light.

They’re both found easily online and in-store. They look very similar, but the easiest way to see which one is which (ignoring the label) is the color scheme and if one is thicker than the other. 

As a general rule, Soft & Shiny is thicker and bolder (and softer) than Simply Soft.

What should you use this yarn for?

As with all acrylic yarns, you can use this for anything! Thanks to its durability and lovely sheen, it can create any sort of item with a luxurious look.

I personally have made amigurumi, blankets, bags, and tapestries with Soft & Shiny. I love making tapestries with it because it gives it that thick, fantasy-woven look complete with a faint fancy gleam.

What yarns can I substitute for Soft & Shiny?

As stated in my Caron Simply Soft review, you can substitute Soft & Shiny for Simply Soft and vice versa. However, Simply Soft is thinner than Soft & Shiny, and the difference may reflect in your project.

If you don’t mind regular scratchy acrylic, Red Heart Super Saver is nearly the exact same as Soft & Shiny, just without the sheen and the softness. It is a $4.99 worsted (4) weight yarn with 364 yards per skein.

If you’re willing to sacrifice the slick sheen and willing to enhance the color, Premier Sweet Roll Vivid is a self-striping worsted weight yarn that is only $4.99 for each 174 yarded cake. It has a recommended hook of 5.5mm (I-9).

Truthfully, almost any worsted weight acrylic yarn is a substitute for Soft & Shiny. It may not have the shininess or softness that Soft & Shiny has, but it is often the same weight and can be used in a pinch.

3 Easy Patterns

Starburst Granny Square

This granny square pattern is gorgeous and great as a stash buster project! It can work with acrylic yarn in any size. The example square is worked in DK (light worsted; weight 3) yarn.

Wondering what you can do with the completed granny square? You can do many things, but I do have a pattern for a phone sling and the granny square working as a pocket for it.

Chain Loops Hair Scrunchie

This quick and easy scrunchie pattern is great when you have a bunch of extra elastic bands hanging around and need a last-minute gift idea. You can use any sort of yarn with it, too!

It only uses chains and single crochets, with a few slip stitches, so you won’t need to learn any new or fancy stitches to work up this unique scrunchie. If you’re looking for more scrunchie ideas, you can find more patterns linked on the blog post

Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket

Looking for something a little more challenging (but not too challenging)? This baby blanket is a great stash buster, great for practicing different stitches, and great for creating a decent-sized project.

It’s very customizable, and you can make it any size that you want! It doesn’t have to be baby blanket size. It is available in five different languages.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the recommended hook for Soft & Shiny?

The recommended hook is a 3.5mm (E-4). It is a worsted weight yarn, so you can get away with sizing your hook up to a 4mm or 4.5mm if you’re not a fan of smaller hooks.

Depending on your tension and your project, you may end up with a looser stitch if you size your hook up. Play around with different hook sizes and see which ones work best for you!

How do you wash Loops & Threads yarn?

For Soft & Shiny, just like any regular acrylic, it is machine washable and dryable. If you are unsure about how it may look after a wash and dry, create a small swatch and throw it in!

Most ‘machine washable/dryable’ yarns do best when washed and dried on delicate cycles. That doesn’t mean you can’t ever wash them on a normal cycle, but you may extend its life when treating it gently.

If you have a different yarn, always check the label. Most yarns, unless made out of natural wool or cotton, are machine washable, but some are recommended to lay flat to dry.

Is Loops & Threads Soft & Shiny a good quality yarn?

A ‘good quality’ yarn is heavily dependent on opinion. I personally find Loops & Threads to be a decent quality yarn.

It is worth its price, I like the colors, and I find it fun and easy to work with. Some people might disagree, and that’s okay.

Who makes the softest yarns?

It depends on who you talk to. There are thousands of different brands, types of yarns available, and different people out there who all have their own experiences and opinions.

Some people love Bernat Blanket and swear that it is the softest, coziest yarn on the market, but some people cannot stand the texture of it and dislike working with it. Some people love Sweet Snuggles by Loops & Threads, but some people avoid it like the plague.

Others absolutely love wool yarn while others can’t stand the texture of it. Some only work in the smallest yarn possible (lace or 0 weight) while some like working in only jumbo (weight 7) yarns.

The softest yarns out there, in my opinion, tend to fall under polyester chenille yarns. However, the softness level depends on which brand and type you choose. Chenille yarns tend to be quite expensive as well.

Yarn brands also aren’t fully consistent with their skeins. Yarn from ten years ago, or even a day ago, from the same brand could be softer or rougher when compared to a skein from a week ago.

If you really want to figure out who makes the softest yarns, go out and experience a craft shop! Whether it’s a chain store or an independent yarn shop, it’s in your best interest to go out and get a feel for all the yarns that you can.

The post My Honest Review of Loops and Threads Soft and Shiny appeared first on Little World of Whimsy.

It has the same feel as real fur without the worry of being an animal byproduct. It is one of the softest yarns on the market, albeit one of the hardest to work with.

Go For Faux by Lion Brand is a super bulky (6), amazingly soft faux fur yarn at only $6.99 per skein; solids and prints are 65 yards and sparkle is 56 yards. It’s great for adding a gorgeous accent or for an entire item.

While it’s amazing and will make items appear not crocheted, beware: you will not be able to see the stitches with your naked eye!

Go For Faux Breakdown

Do you like to crochet, are experienced in crochet, want to expand your skill set, and have your item appear as if it was made with faux fur fabric? Then this is the yarn for you.

This yarn is not for beginners. In fact, I would not even recommend it to anyone unless you are confident in your crocheting skills and looking for a challenge.

You will not be able to see the stitches. You will need to feel for them. The best way is to pinch the yarn until you get to a hole, which marks the middle of your stitch.

If you don’t want to guess where a stitch is, feel free to place stitches markers as much as needed. Place them in every three stitches, every two stitches, or every stitch!

This yarn requires patience. If you are a fast crocheter and expect to use this yarn at the same speed, you will need to lower your expectations.

Take your time with this yarn. It helps you make absolutely amazing creations, but you will need to be patient with it, especially in the beginning.

My experience using this yarn!

This yarn is a blessing and a curse. It’s a lovely nightmare to work with.

While I was excited to start using this yarn, I knew I was in for a challenge. When you are using this yarn, you are essentially working on vibes only.

The stitches are completely hidden by the fluff. All your mistakes will be hidden, but it’s nearly impossible to not make mistakes.

Crochet is very forgiving, so it’s okay if you skip a stitch or two. You’ll just need to make sure your increases line up and that you end up with the same amount of stitches at the end of a row.

I usually use magic rings for the start of all my amigurumi, but with this yarn, I found myself reverting to the chain 2 method more often than not. The magic ring method will work with this yarn, though.

Wondering about that hole the chain 2 method usually leaves? The fur hides it well; you’d never know I used that instead of a magic ring. Mistakes: disappear!

Since the yarn is just a collection of fluff on a thin string, if you yank on the yarn too roughly, it will snap. This is another reason why I tend to use the chain 2 method, since it doesn’t involve a tightening of a ring.

Because it’s just fluff on a string, it does not frog easily and will shed everywhere. If you end up needing to frog your item, you will need to go slowly and carefully to keep the yarn intact if you wish to reuse it.

When crocheting with it, while it does shed, I have found that it sheds less than velvet yarns. Isn’t that wild? It’s almost purely made of long, fluffy fur, and yet it sheds less than the velvet yarns I have worked with.

When I used a smaller hook than the recommended hook (a 6mm instead of a 9mm), I found that my tight tension didn’t allow for the yarn to stay at max fluffiness. I also discovered that one side of my amigurumi was slightly fluffer than the other.

In the amigurumi world, to make things simple, there is a “right” side and a “wrong” side for an item. If you are like me and do yarn under single crochets (also known as an x single crochet), the side where you can see the ‘x’ is the right side.

However, some people prefer the “wrong” side out, which is just fine. You don’t need to follow what other people say looks better if you like something else! You do you.

As I started to complete my x single crochets, I noticed that the ‘wrong’ side was fluffier and looked better than the ‘right’ side, which surprised me. It was probably because of the differences in tension, with the ‘right’ side being tighter than the ‘wrong side.

I ended up flipping my item ‘wrong’ side out because I liked the look of it better. And it’s okay to do the opposite that you usually do; as long as you are happy with your item, there’s really nothing to worry about.

That being said, as I mentioned before, I would not recommend using faux fur yarn unless you feel as if you’ve mastered acrylic yarn. You will not be able to see the stitches, and that can lead to frustration!

Faux fur yarn creates a lovely item, but you don’t want to force yourself to make something you don’t enjoy. Relax and have fun. It won’t try to run away from you, so take your time.

It’s especially important to be patient with this yarn. Since you can’t see the stitches, you are more likely to skip them if you are going too fast. It’s okay to slow down and take your time.

If you need to, place a stitch marker in every other stitch, or even on every stitch! That will help keep your rows and rounds even and less likely to have mistakes.

Again, mistakes happen, especially with yarn this fluffy. It’s okay to make mistakes. Nobody will know. I can guarantee it.

What’s the “chain 2” method?

Since I mentioned this a few times (in case you haven’t heard of this before), the chain 2 method is another way to start a magic ring/circle.

Some people prefer it to magic circles. I like chaining 2 for fluffy yarns, but I will use magic rings for everything else because I can pull it shut.

For the chain 2 method, you will start with a slip knot on your hook then chain 2 (as the name of it implies). From there, you will crochet into the second stitch from your hook however many times that you would normally crochet into a magic ring.

It’s as simple as that! Feel free to use this method instead of a magic circle, but be warned: it will leave a small hole that you won’t be able to tighten!

If you would like a visual, click here for a YouTube tutorial. If you would rather read a blog post, you can find a post on One Dog Woof, who breaks down magic circles and chaining 2.

What should you use this yarn for?

If you are wanting to create something that uses a very specific gauge, I would recommend not Going For Faux for the entire thing. You may end up missing a stitch here or there, and may end up having to frog everything to fix it.

If you are wanting to make something that’s more forgiving, such as an amigurumi or a headband, and are willing to test your patience, Go For Faux!

Add a little pizzazz to your wearables by giving them a trim with fur yarn. You could line the insides of your sweater if you wanted to feel like a soft teddy bear is hugging you at all times.

What yarns can I substitute for Go For Faux?

Knit Picks’ Fable Fur is another super bulky (6) faux fur yarn that is a tad bit cheaper than Go For Faux, being priced at $6.49 per each 71-yarded skein. It has 13 different colorways and a range of recommended hooks, depending on what gauge is needed.

If you are in Europe, Infinity Hearts Crocus is another super bulky (6) fur yarn priced at $4.29 (£3.55) per 66 yard (60 meter) skein. It has 15 different solid colors to choose from.

3 Furry Patterns

Fluffle the Bear

Fluffle is the perfect amigurumi to start off your fluffy fur yarn journey with. She was born from my desire to create the cutest and fluffiest teddy bear that I could. And I did!

Her little feet and the way she sits gives her a gummy bear look, adding to her adorableness. She’s made only with basic stitches and does not use any of those pesky smaller starts, which can be annoying with fur yarn.

Secret the Fluffy Cat

Inspired by my sister’s gorgeous Siberian cat, Secret is an adorably fluffy cat who can sit, stand, or lie down! With a long tail and chubby head, she’s easy to make and will win your heart over a thousand times.

You won’t need to worry about crocheting in a small, tight tube for her bushy tail. The tail is made with only two turning rows, but thanks to the look of faux fur yarn, it appears as if it was made in rounds!

Bearmuffs

If you are not into amigurumi, or are hesitant to try them out with fur yarn, why don’t you make yourself some adorable bearmuffs? With winter coming up in the northern hemisphere, you might need these very soon!

You will need a headband for the base, as well as a hot glue gun to help keep things in place. You’ll only be crocheting the beary earmuffs and wrapping the yarn around the headband.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the recommended hook for Go For Faux?

The recommended hook for Go For Faux is 9mm (N-13). This is the ideal hook size for amigurumi as well as garment and accessory projects alike.

If you want maximum fluffiness, I would recommend sticking with the label’s recommended hook. If you naturally have loose tension, then I would suggest going down a size and seeing how that looks or feels to you.

For my amigurumi, when I tested going down a few sizes like I normally do, I found that it took away some of the yarn’s fluffiness.

What is faux fur yarn?

Faux fur yarn is a novelty yarn that is one of the softest yarns that exists. It’s a synthetic fiber that mimics the appearance and feel of real fur without the cruelty of using real animals.

Is faux fur hard to crochet with?

Faux fur yarn is difficult to crochet with because stitches are impossible to see. Beginners should practice with acrylic yarn first, and then attempt using faux fur yarn. The best way to navigate crocheting with fluffy yarn is to feel for stitches and to make your best guess.

While I go into detail of my experience with faux fur yarn in my ‘experience’ section of this review and in my patterns, the long story short is: yes, especially if you are not practiced in the art of crocheting.

Go slow, be patient, feel for your stitches, don’t worry about mistakes (as they will get hidden), and be patient. This is a frustrating yarn, so it is okay to take breaks while using it!

What stitches are best for faux fur?

The single crochet stitch is the best stitch for faux fur projects. This is because more complex stitches are almost impossible to make out, and are much more difficult to create given how fluffy the yarn is. Single crochet stitches make the project more manageable and straightforward.

I would not recommend anything beyond single crochets. Basic, simple stitches without too much going on works best for the fuzzy, nearly unworkable faux fur yarns.

While you can use faux fur yarn for nearly anything and any stitch, and you are welcome to try (don’t let me stop you from experimenting!), the look of the fabric with different stitches will appear nearly the same across the board, unlike less furry acrylic or velvet yarns.

You can’t see the stitches with yarn, so you won’t be able to see the fancier stitches like the feather or basketweave stitch. They will look near identical to a single crochet stitch, thanks to its fluffiness.

The post My Honest Review of Go for Faux Yarn by Lion Brand appeared first on Little World of Whimsy.

Enter: dollar store yarn. Yarn that’s under $2? Chenille yarn that’s under $2? That’s basically a steal in this economy!

Dollar Store Just Chenille is a cost effective yarn with surprisingly good quality. At only $1.25 for 65-yard skeins, this super bulky (6) chenille yarn might lack in quality but makes up for it in price. It has limited color choices but is great for small projects.

As of the time of this review, due to the rise in popularity, it either has a very limited selection or is sold out online and in stores.

Premier Just Chenille Breakdown

This yarn is exclusive to Dollar Tree, and it is not easily found online. Unfortunately, due to inflation, it is no longer a $1 skein but $1.25.

It is a decent yarn for its price. It is a small skein of only 65 yards, but if you find the right pattern, you can make one or two small items for less than $2.

It may be a cheap yarn, but it is just as squishy and soft as any other expensive chenille yarn. It doesn’t feel like the dip in price has made the quality any worse.

While it is listed as a super bulky (6) chenille yarn, I personally think it’s closer to a bulky (5) weight yarn. Either way, it still works up thick and squishy items.

One of the drawbacks with this yarn is the very limited color choices. From what I was able to find, it has about 12 different colors to choose from, but most online places were out of stock no matter where I looked, and the stores I went to either had no choices or only one viable choice.

If you can find a store with it, or happen to find it online, then I do think it is worth its price. Try to only look for it through the Dollar Tree website, as some people on eBay or other resale sites will try to raise the prices on it and make you pay more than it is worth.

My experience using this yarn!

I will be referencing Bernat Velvet multiple times as it is the yarn I have used that is most similar to Just Chenille. Velvet yarn is not the exact same as chenille, as it is silkier, but it is just as fluffy.

I didn’t have high hopes for this yarn. It’s dollar store yarn, so how great can it be? Surely everyone is hyping it up just because of the price.

I couldn’t find this specific brand online, so I went driving. It took me three different Dollar Trees before I could find it in stock.

At the final store, they only had one usable color: white. The one skein of blue looked like it had rolled around in the dirt, and the one green skein was unraveling and tagless, appearing like it had already been used.

My first instance when I picked up this yarn was that I was surprised at how small it was. It was probably because I am used to Bernat Velvet’s 315-yard skein, but it still struck me as too small for most things at only 65 yards per skein.

I will admit that it was nice to only spend $6 (a quarter of Bernat Velvet’s price) and grab 260 yards (4 skeins) of yarn. It actually had a nice, squishy feel to it as well, which also surprised me.

For a Dollar Tree yarn, I was expecting a low quality item, but it was proving me wrong before I had even used it. No wonder it’s been popular for the last few years; it may be worth it.

When I started using it, it shedded like any other fluffy yarn. As expected, there was no escaping the fluff. It did shed less than what I was expecting, which was nice.

This yarn was a pleasant experience to work with despite all my misgivings I had beforehand. I had assumed too quickly that it was going to be as cheap as its price, but it didn’t seem that way after I started using it.

My only gripe about this yarn is how grimy it made my hands feel. It may have been because of the Dollar Tree I got it from (considering how dirty some of the skeins were), but this was not a clean yarn, even if it was an unblemished, crisp white color.

All four of the skeins I bought and used made my hands feel grubby after I started using it. Unlike other yarns I have used over the years, this was the first time I felt like I needed to wash my hands before touching anything else.

I even kept the yarn in the plastic bag that I originally bought them in since I didn’t want to ‘contaminate’ my other yarn supply. I don’t claim to be the absolute cleanest person on the planet, but I like to keep my yarn stash decently clean.

I don’t think I will be gifting or selling the items I made with it before washing them. Again, I am not sure if it was the Dollar Tree I bought them from (as most dollar stores aren’t exactly known for their cleanliness), or if this is how the yarn is, or if it was just an unlucky collection of skeins I grabbed.

Besides the dirty feel of it, I do like using this yarn. It’s soft and squishy and a great find for anyone who wants to whip up a few small items for a fraction of the price.

I don’t like how unobtainable it is to find (seems to be more like the luck of the draw), but it may just be because of my area. I do wish there were more color choices available.

If it came down to choosing Bernat Velvet or this dollar store yarn, I would have to go for Bernat Velvet. While it is nearly ten times the price of Just Chenille, it’s more accessible (online and in store) and has a bigger color selection.

If you’re looking for a small amount of yarn, don’t have any specific colors in mind, and only have a few dollars to spare, then I would recommend Just Chenille. It’s a decent yarn for a decent price.

What should you use this yarn for?

Just Chenille can be used for practically anything. Since it is a bulky yarn, it will work up thicker and bigger than your usual worsted weight acrylic yarns.

Most people, from what I’ve found, use it for amigurumi since you only get so much in one skein. However, if you buy enough skeins, then you will have more than enough to crack at a bigger pattern!

What yarns can I substitute for Just Chenille?

If you’re looking for a bigger skein of Just Chenille, Just Chenille Cone puts a whopping 1312 yards (~20 skeins of Just Chenille) into one purchase of $24.99! However, it is listed as a bulky yarn and has a smaller recommended hook of 5.5mm (I-9), so it may not be an exact match. It also has 20 colors to choose from.

If you’re looking for another Premier yarn, super bulky Premier Parfait Chunky is a close match. It is priced at $4.99 per 131 yard skein with 53 solid colors to choose from and has the same recommended hook of 8mm (L-11).

Paintbox Yarns Chenille is also a close match, but it is exclusively online. While listed as super bulky, it has a smaller recommended hook of 6mm (J-10) and comes in 131 yard skeins at $6.75 in only 16 solid shades.

If you are in Europe (or willing to pay shipping), Cygnet Yarns Jellybaby Chunky Chenille is another chenille yarn that comes in 17 different colors. It is priced at $6.00 (£4.29) per 131 yard (120m) skein and has a smaller recommended hook of 6mm (J-10).

3 Easy Amigurumi Patterns!

No-Sew Narwhal

This super cute narwhal is such a great no-sew beginner project! It’s great for practicing your shaping techniques with its increases and decreases.

Snuggle Bunny

This adorable bunny pattern only takes one skein of Just Chenille to complete! It’s perfect for a test run with this yarn if you are any misgivings about it and only want to try out one skein.

Frog

Everyone loves frogs, at least in the crochet community, so why not join the crochet frog army? This easy pattern only takes one and a half skeins of Just Chenille to create your very own huggable, snuggable frog.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the recommended hook for Just Chenille?

Just Chenille’s recommended hook is 8mm (L-11). However, the yarn runs thinner than the “super bulky” label, so a 5.5mm hook is more ideal for amigurumi.

I personally used a 5.5mm hook (I-9) when crocheting my amigurumi with this yarn. You can always create a swatch to see which hook works best for you.

What is chenille yarn?

“Chenille” means caterpillar in French and chenille yarn is aptly named for its fuzzy caterpillar-like look. This fuzzy yarn is achieved by twisting the yarn cores with fluffy, soft yarns piled in between and cut at an angle to give it its softness and sheen.

It is a fully synthetic, polyester yarn that is desirable for all kinds of items for babies and adults. For more information, Interweave has an in-depth article about chenille yarns.

Is chenille yarn hard to crochet with?

Chenille yarn is difficult to crochet with for beginners since the stitches are almost impossible to tell apart at a glance. Complete beginners should not start with chenille or any other fuzzy yarn until they have gained some practice with acrylic or cotton.

Once you are used to fluffy yarn, it is about as easy to crochet with as any other type of yarn. Practice makes perfect!

Can you wash and dry chenille yarn in a washer and dryer?

Just Chenille is machine washable, but it is recommended to lay items made from Just Chenille out flat to air dry. Most other chenille yarns recommend the same. However, it is possible to machine dry items made from Just Chenille on low heat, placed in mesh bags.

Just Chenille is machine washable, but it is recommended to lay flat to air dry. Most other chenille yarns will recommend the same.

However, I machine washed and dried the amigurumi I made with this due to how grimy the yarn felt to me. I also didn’t want the stuffing to be damp for as long as it took to air dry.

I put them in their own separate mesh laundry bags with a small load of like colors, washed them on warm, then put them in the dryer on a low heat. It took about an hour and a half before the amigurumi felt dry.

I didn’t use any fabric softener, and they came out about as soft as they did before. My stitches weren’t as tight as they were before being washed, but the stuffing wasn’t going to fall out easily.

This was my personal experience. If in doubt, follow the instructions listed on the yarn label.

Why does chenille yarn worm?

Chenille yarns’s construction of tufts of yarn piled around a twisted yarn core means that it naturally wants to coil around itself. In fiber arts, worming means that the loops created in a project begin to pull away from the fabric and coil around itself.

Slippery fibers and loose stitches have a higher tendency to worm. For tips to prevent worming, you can check out Jimmy Beans’ article. While the article is focused on knitting, it will also apply to crochet.

More blog posts like this:

• My Foolproof Guide to Crocheting with Chenille Yarn (easy!)
• My Honest Review of Feels Like Butta Yarn by Lion Brand
• Jumbo Narwhal Free Crochet Pattern
• Jumbo Penguin Free Crochet Pattern

The post My Honest Review of Dollar Store Just Chenille (worth it?) appeared first on Little World of Whimsy.

If you are looking for a well-known, accessible yarn that has a massive collection of color choices, Red Heart Super Saver is one of the best brands out there. It has over a hundred different colorways to choose from, ranging from solid to variegated, along with a few flecked skeins.

Red Heart Super Saver is a worsted (4) weight acrylic yarn with skeins priced at $4.99 each. While it’s not the softest or highest quality yarn, it is one of the most popular, durable, cost-effective, and beginner-friendly yarns out there.

Red Heart Super Saver Breakdown

Red Heart Super Saver is a great yarn for beginners. It is not too pricey, it comes in an array of colors to choose from, and the skeins are large enough to allow mistakes to happen without worrying about how much yarn will be left over.

While some acrylic yarns fall apart over time, Red Heart Super Saver is incredibly durable. I have some skeins that are over ten years old and while they may not be at their best, they are still holding up and are usable to this day.

This yarn is one of those yarns that many experienced fiber artists say they can tell by touch. Taken straight from the shelf of a store or out of a box, it is not a soft yarn.

Some people may be turned off by its initial scratchiness, which was exactly what happened to me. However, once it is washed (with or without fabric softener), the scratchiness of it lessens considerably.

It is fairly popular and found in every single craft store that I have been in. It is easily found on nearly every single online craft store.

My experience using this yarn!

I avoided Red Heart Super Saver for quite a while when I started my crochet journey. I didn’t like the rough feel of it and wanted something softer and squishier like velvet or blanket yarn.

Since the prices of yarn are on the rise (my favorite blanket yarn has gone up nearly $4 since I have started using it!), I’ve started looking into cheaper yarns to scratch that crochet itch when I don’t really have much of a plan and simply want to crochet.

I ended up inheriting my great-grandma’s stash of yarn and much of it was Red Heart Super Saver. I avoided it for a while, since it did not feel as good as my pricey, squishy yarns, plus I didn’t want to bother with a scratchy yarn.

One day, I was wanting to draft something for a pattern. I did not want to use my expensive yarn, as I figured I would be frogging most of it, and the end result wouldn’t exactly be… worth using up my more expensive yarns.

I pulled out some of that Super Saver I’ve been avoiding and I got to work. Surprisingly, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected it to be once I started working with it.

Since I was used to working only with fluffy yarn, I started to enjoy seeing my stitches without them disappearing underneath fluff. As I frogged my design over and over, and the yarn did not fall apart in my hands like frogged velvet yarn does, I realized I should have given Super Saver more credit.

Granted, it was still a scratchy yarn, and the roughness of it started to irritate my fingers after a while as I was using it. But, despite all my earlier grumblings and how long I avoided it, it really did work well for creating a draft. It doesn’t split easily either.

I don’t use Super Saver for anything I plan to personally enjoy or gift to anyone else. I would rather not use it for wearables, unless they were something that was just for a one-time thing or specifically for design purposely only.

I personally think it’s great for drafting things, or practicing, since it can withstand constant use. I also think it’s great for items where you need very specific colors, since it has over 100 different colors to choose from.

What should you use this yarn for?

As Red Heart Super Saver is an acrylic yarn, machine washable and dryable, has over a hundred colors to choose from, skeins with over 300 yards, and is durable, it can be used for just about everything!

It’s a big hit in the amigurumi community and is often used for blankets, baskets, and more. I personally wouldn’t recommend it for wearables, but many people do use it for cardigans, sweaters, crop tops, shorts, pants, and more.

Whatever you can dream up, this yarn can offer you a solution to bring it to life. If the yarn is too scratchy, you can always soften it with fabric softener or hair conditioner.

Don’t use acrylic yarn for potholders!

Use cotton yarn for any item that will come in contact with heat!

When crocheting a potholder or hot pad, make sure to use a thick stitch like the thermal stitch.

It may be tempting to whip up a super easy square potholder with thick acrylic yarn. Since it’s thick, it should be able to protect you from the heat, right? Not quite!

Synthetic fibers like acrylic, polyester, and nylon will melt when exposed to heat. They won’t combust immediately if they accidentally brush up against something hot, but they will melt if exposed to high heat for long periods of time.

If you are looking to make a potholder (or placemat, hot pad, or coaster), cotton yarn is the best. Organic cotton yarn is even better. It’s heat resistant, easy to clean, inelastic (keeps its shape), and absorbent.

Wool is another option for potholders. It’s heat resistant and self-extinguishing, but it is not as easy to clean as cotton.

What yarns can I substitute for Red Heart Super Saver?

If you’re looking for a cheaper acrylic yarn, Premier Basix Worsted has its solids priced at $3.99 for 359-yard skeins. Multis, Marls, and Tweeds are the same price but have smaller skeins; Multis and Marls are 245 yards, and Tweeds are 260 yards.

From Solids, Multis, Marls, and Tweed, it has 89 colors to choose from. It has the same recommended hook of 5.5mm, the same worsted (4) weight, and is machine washable and dryable.

If you’re looking for a softer yarn while still having a decent collection of color choices, Loops & Threads Soft & Shiny is a great alternative. It only has ~36 solid colors to choose from, unlike Super Saver’s 100+ choices, but it is a yarn I would recommend over Super Saver.

While it is the same $4.99 price, skeins are smaller at 311 yards. It is a worsted (4) weight yarn, but I have found it a tad thinner than Super Saver, so you’ll want to create a swatch if gauge is important.

It does split rather easily, unlike Super Saver, so just keep that in mind.

3 Easy Patterns

Refillable Cat Nip Toy

This little project is perfect for anyone who wants a little mouse toy for themselves or their cat. It’s perfect for practicing nearly all the basic stitches with.

If this toy is for a cat or a child, make sure you sew any buttons and small pieces on securely. It’s best to supervise playtime with this. 

Monochromatic Men’s Scarf

I know I have mentioned multiple times how I don’t recommend Super Saver for wearables, but it doesn’t mean that you have to avoid making wearables with it. It does get softer with each wash (especially when using fabric softener), and it is truly up to you to choose what you’d like to use it with.

This scarf pattern is easy (despite being labeled as intermediate) and is great for practicing slip stitches as well as single, half double, and double crochets. While it is advertised as a men’s scarf, the colors can be changed up to fit anyone’s personality.

Mushroom Check Bag

This bag is great for stash busting and using up any extra Super Saver skeins you may have laying around. The mushroom is sewn on, so you could just make the bag and keep it plain or add your own appliqué onto it.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the recommended hook for Red Heart Super Saver?

The recommended hook for Super Saver is a 5.5mm (US: I-9). Regardless of the project, I prefer a size to 5mm (H-8), which works better for general crochet projects. If I am working on an amigurumi, I will often go down to a 4mm (G-6).

Does Red Heart Super Saver have dye lots?

When yarn is dyed, it is dyed in batches. Not every batch of the same color will be exactly the same shade.

A dye lot is a numerical identifier on each skein label that helps match batches to make sure you end up with the exact same color that you need. Red Heart Super Saver’s solids, however, do not have a dye lot.

That does not mean they will all be the same color from skein to skein. ‘No dye lots’ is misleading; these types of yarns are either hand-dyed or dyed before it is spun into skeins, hanks, or balls.

It’s recommended to at least one more skein than you think you need, especially for a large project. While Red Heart’s skein batches are huge, and you’ll most likely get the same color, it’s always a good idea to grab more than you think you need.

Is Red Heart Super Saver yarn good for cardigans?

While Red Heart Super Saver is a budget-friendly yarn, it’s not ideal for wearables, especially ones that are sold or gifted to other people.

It’s not a bad yarn per se, and people do use it for cardigans and other clothing, but its quality and softness isn’t the absolute best.

I have found that Loops & Threads Soft & Shiny, Caron Simply Soft, and Paintbox Simply DK are 100% acrylic yarns that are softer and have a higher quality than Red Heart Super Saver.

However, Simply Soft is a bit pricer, Soft & Shiny has a smaller yardage, and I have only found Simply DK online.

Is Red Heart Super Saver good for baby blankets?

Super Saver is a durable and machine washable option for a baby blanket, and also comes in a large color palette. However, if your priority is softness over durability and washability, then Super Saver is not the yarn for you.

Its roughness does lessen over time, since each wash softens it (especially if you are using fabric softener), but it has that initial coarse feel that may not be best for sensitive skin.

In my Lily Sugar’n Cream yarn review, I have listed three different ways on how to soften cotton yarn. I would not recommend the third option of steaming the yarn in a pot when working with acrylic due to its tendency to melt when exposed to high heat.

The post My Honest Review of Red Heart Super Saver Yarn (worth it?) appeared first on Little World of Whimsy.

Lily Sugar’n Cream yarn is a 100% natural cotton worsted (4) weight yarn that comes in an amazing array of spectacularly bright colors. At $2.99 per 120 yard skein, it is perfect for beginners who want enough yarn to work with without denting their bank account.

It is also great for experienced crocheters who want to branch out from their normal yarns and try something new! The cotton yarn grants you nice, crisp textures, allowing your gorgeous stitching to pop out.

Sugar’n Cream Breakdown

As Sugar’n Cream has many different variations touched upon later in this review, I will be focusing this review on the Original Yarn variation. It is Sugar’n Cream’s most popular 120-yard skein available with nearly 40 different beautiful colors to choose from.

It is a 100% cotton yarn which is perfect for people looking to use a cheap, yet quality, non-acrylic yarn. It is great for household items or anything else needing a sturdy, non-acrylic base. It’s a lightweight, breathable, durable yarn with amazing versatility.

Acrylic can be irritating and itchy for people with sensitive (or even non-sensitive) skin. An all-natural cotton yarn is a great substitute for anyone who has an avoidance to acrylic, especially a high quality brand with a cheap price for their cotton yarns.

In each Sugar’n Cream skein, there are very little, if any, knots. While it does split at times, it is not a skein that will fall apart in your hands. If you accidentally stab through a thread, you can twist it back together. The cotton clings to itself quite easily.

This yarn is great for beginners who are looking to practice for the very first time. Almost, if not all, of Sugar’n Cream’s colors are bright and cheerful, making the stitches easy to see and fun to work with.  It is a sturdy yarn that is great for showcasing different stitching with its crisp threads.

If you are looking to use this yarn for amigurumi, I would recommend going down at least two sizes front the recommended hook to minimize the holes in the project. As it does not have any fluff or fuzz to help you hide the natural holes that appear, it’s always better to use a small hook size (unless those holes are needed for your design).

My experience using this yarn!

Sugar’n Cream is not a yarn that I personally like using for too many projects. It is a great cotton yarn and comes in small skeins that are great for small items, but it’s not a yarn I regularly search out for the texture.

I love how bright the many color choices are with Sugar’n Cream, and I enjoy the final product that the yarn produces. It’s truly a cheerful yarn and quite easy to work with.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive cotton yarn with an array of color to choose from, Sugar’n Cream is a wonderful choice regardless of your experience level. It’s great for kitchen cloths and other home items if you’re looking for a study cotton texture.

However, despite all the good things about it, the texture of it differs so greatly from one skein to the next that it makes me hesitate when I want to use it.

One skein can be incredibly soft, gliding smoothly on the hook, and perfect to work with. The next skein can be incredibly rough, even hard, snagging on any healing calluses you might have on your hand. It’s not easy to work with if you have dry hands, either.

I’ve had to use bandaids to cover areas of dried skin due to the rough skeins snagging on it and irritating the areas. If you are prone to dry hands or have calluses that might snag at yarn, I would recommend either skipping Sugar’n Cream all together or softening the skein before you work with it.

While it’s a great cotton yarn grown and spun in North America, I find myself looking elsewhere for other yarns. If I am in need of a small, quick, brightly colored item, I will use Sugar’n Cream if it happens to have the colors I need. This is not a yarn I would personally use for anything large.

What should you use this yarn for?

As it is a 100% cotton yarn, it is best used for household items like towels, washcloths, rugs, market bags, potholders, and more. I have used it for amigurumi, which gives it a study, cheerful form.

Since cotton is absorbent, it is great for kitchen towels, washcloths, hand towels, and scrubbies. If you want to create a towel, or items like a towel, make sure to use a cotton yarn like Sugar’n Cream. Do not use acrylic as it will fall apart or melt under a high heat.

It works well for wearables, as long as you keep in mind that cotton shrinks during the first wash and when dried on high heat. Summer, spring, and early fall clothing can be created with cotton as it is lightweight and breathable.

What yarns can I substitute for Sugar’n Cream?

Sugar’n Cream has five different variations. The Original Yarn, which is what this review mainly covers, is the most popular version. The other five variants are slightly different from the Original Yarn in price, skein size, and colors, but they all have the same medium worsted weight.

There are the small 120-yard versions of each type, usually priced at $2.99 a skein, and there are Super Size 200-yard skeins of each type, priced at $4.49.

The original Super Size skeins come in 32 different colors. Cotton Cone, priced at $15.99, is the largest Sugar’n Cream skein. It comes in 674-yard cones in 22 shades.

Ombres have 41 shades of variegated yarn. Super Size Ombres have 25 shades. Stripes are $2.99 self-striping yarns that come in 5 different colors and 95-yard skeins.

Scents yarn comes in $2.99 skeins of 95 yards or in $4.49 Super Size 150-yard skeins. There are 4 different scents and colors: Fleur de Lavande, Lavender, Aloe Vera, and Camomile. The soft scent infused in the yarn will fade with washing.

Scrub Off is a yarn with alternating scouring textures and cotton strands built for items like washcloths and dishcloths. Priced at $5.49, it comes in 106-yard skeins with 9 different colors to choose from.

Twists is a variant you will see, but as of this review, it only has one color to choose from. It is just as it is called: neutral cotton yarn twisted together with a colorful shade.

If you would like something other than Sugar’n Cream, Crafter’s Secret Cotton Yarn is an almost exact match. Found at Hobby Lobby, at 120 yards per skein, it is slightly cheaper, priced at $2.29. With 33 different colors from solids to twists to choose from, it’s a great substitution.

If you like to shop online, or are in Europe, LoveCrafts hosts another almost exact match: Paintbox Yarns Recycled Cotton Worsted. It has 170 yards per skein and is a bit pricer, sitting at $5.00 (£3.50) with 10 different colors to choose from.

3 Easy Sugar’n Cream Patterns!

Double Crochet Dishcloth by Desert Blossom Crafts

Sugar’n Cream, being 100% cotton, is great for dishcloths! This super easy and quick dishcloth can be made to fit whatever size you’re looking for, with or without the cute border. There is also a video tutorial you can follow to help you through completing three different sizes from a towel to a scrubby!

Simple Flower Coasters by Oombawka Design (Danyel Pink)

These flowers are a simple and easy pattern that works up in under 30 minutes. These flowers, especially the petals, may seem complicated, but this pattern includes a detailed step-by-step YouTube tutorial if you get stuck and need help.

You can create the center part one color, then tie off and switch the petals to a different color. Be creative!

Nesting Baskets by Yarnspirations

These baskets are worked with two strands of yarn together to create a sturdier basket. There are three sizes: small, medium, and large. You can choose to make all three or just one of the sizes.

If you decide to use one thread, it may not end up as sturdy, but you won’t need to worry about it collapsing in on itself. It is a sturdy yarn in general, so it will work just fine with one thread.

Commonly Asked Questions

Where is Lily Sugar’n Cream made?

Lily Sugar’n Cream yarn is made from 100% USA-grown cotton that is spun and dyed in Canada.

How do you soften Sugar’n Cream yarn?

Here are three different ways to soften any cotton yarn:

The first way is putting it in a mesh bag and washing it with fabric softener. This is great for both finished items and unworked skeins.

If softening an unworked skein, remove all labels and loosen the skein up a little bit. Make sure to wash it with like-colors to prevent bleeding. Put it into a mesh bag, add to your laundry load, and wash it with fabric softening. Dry with low heat.

The second way is giving it a conditioner bath. You can do this with hair conditioner or fabric softener. This is best for completed items.

In a bucket or bowl big enough for your item, fill it with warm water. Let the yarn sit until fully soaked, about 3-4 minutes. Once fully soaked through, add a few drops of conditioner. Work it gently into the item, and let it sit for another thirty minutes.

After sitting in the water, rinse it with cool water and gently squeeze the excess water out. Wringing or twisting the item might damage the stitching. Leave it out to dry or dry it with a hair dryer.

The third way involves steaming the yarn. This is best with unworked skeins.

Just as you would prepare to steam food, take a pot and fill it with water. Bring it to a boil, place a metal strainer with the yarn inside of it over the boiling water.

Cover it with a lid and lower the heat. The goal is to keep the yarn moist but not wet. Once the yarn is damp, but not soaked, remove it and let dry.

If you don’t happen to have a steaming pot, you can run a long, hot shower and drape the yarn in the bathroom.

Does Sugar’n Cream yarn shrink?

Typically, cotton shrinks a bit after the first wash and heat dry and remains the same size afterwards. Cotton will continuously shrink when exposed to high heat. Since Sugar’n Cream is a 100% cotton yarn, it will shrink if always dried on a high heat.

If you don’t want to risk too much shrinking, it is best to wash cotton items with cold water then hang to dry.

What is the best stitch for cotton yarn?

Since Sugar’n Cream is a crisp cotton yarn, it is great for showing off different stitches and designs. Textured stitches will hold their shapes with this sturdy yarn and prevent stretching.

Post stitches are a great stitch to work with, as it locks around previously made stitches to hold it into place.

Is Sugar’n Cream yarn good for blankets?

While I personally would not recommend Sugar’n Cream for blankets, many people have created amazing afghans and baby blankets with this yarn. Here is just one example pattern by Yarnspirations.

As a worsted weight cotton yarn, it is incredibly versatile. It allows for lightweight, breathable items, which is perfect for throws and other blankets during spring and fall months without the risk of overheating.

The post My Honest Review of Lily Sugar’n Cream Yarn by Yarnspirations appeared first on Little World of Whimsy.

Do you need a soft yarn for baby and toddler items with the ability to throw it into a machine wash without any worries? Would you like a yarn that feels soft against skin?

Feels Like Butta by Lion Brand is the yarn for you! While this thin worsted weight yarn doesn’t have a large amount of colors to choose from, it is one of the softest beginner-friendly yarns on the market. It comes in 218 yard skeins at $4.99 a pop.

It is ideal for baby items as well as anyone with sensitive skin. If you are a beginner looking for a yarn that is not scratchy acrylic and does not break the bank, Feels Like Butta is a great yarn for that. It is perfect for babies, adults, blankets, amigurumi, and wearables!

Feels Like Butta Breakdown

Feels Like Butta lives up to its name. It has the velvety feel of softened butter without the grease or mess. It has a certain slickness to it that I cannot describe, but just know that it is quite nice.

It may seem like a weird comparison, and may turn some people off from using it, but you will understand once you touch it. Do not let that dissuade you from checking it out!

However, in my personal experience, many in-person stores don’t carry a large selection of Feels Like Butta. They may have two or three colors in a section, while online stores often have at least 10 different shades available. I would recommend checking online or calling your local store to make sure they have it in stock.

It is a great yarn for beginners. The stitches are easy to see. It behaves a lot like acrylic yarn without the scratchiness.

While it is fuzzy and soft, it does not have the same issues as velvet or blanket yarn. Stitches are easy to see. It does not shed or pill which is a huge plus when working with soft yarn. It also does not split easily, which is even better!

Although it is listed as a worsted (4) weight, most crafters would agree that it is on the thinner side of worsted. Don’t let that trick you into thinking it creates lightweight items. It often ends up working up into squishy, thick, warm items. I love it!

My experience using this yarn!

I enjoy working with Feels Like Butta. I am not a big fan of acrylic yarn since it is often scratchy (before you throw it into a bucket of fabric softener), so Feels Like Butta is the yarn for me when I want to work with a cheap quality yarn that is soft yet easy to use.

It has a very specific velvety feel to it that is hard to describe. It literally feels like butter, at least in a way that yarn would feel, if it was made of butter. This yarn is definitely one that needs to be experienced firsthand. Feel free to take the leap and buy some online without checking it out in person first; you will not regret it!

Not only does it feel great, but it is fun to work with. There is just something about this yarn that just makes it so fun to work with. However, it does have its drawbacks as all yarns do.

It can get knotted in the skein quickly. When doing the center pull, I discovered quite a few knots. While it was not an issue in the long run, and the knots were not frequent, it still happened in each skein I had. Because of its slickness, the knots can easily be undone (as long as they are not super tight).

While Feels Like Butta has some stretch to it, it holds its shape well. Thanks to its chainette construction, it has a nice stretch to it without losing its shape. It flexes a bit when stretched, but it goes back to its original shape without too many problems. I have not blocked my items made with this yarn as of this review, so I am not sure how well it blocks.

It does not fray easily or leave bits of the fuzz behind when crocheting with it, which is a very nice touch that any crafter can appreciate. While it is not prone to fraying, you do need to be careful when cutting your ends.

If you do not snip the thread entirely, it can lead to fraying when you yank on it. Instead of pulling on an end that might still be connected, I would recommend snipping through it all to make sure you don’t cause any fraying by accident.

If fraying does happen, and the thread ends up with weaker spots, it would be a good idea to snip off the thin area and reattach your yarn. The thin areas are prone to snapping, which is not ideal for items. You probably want to make sure your items stand the test of time!

I personally like to use Feels Like Butta with items that use half double crochets or double crochets (half treble and treble crochets in UK terms). It allows the items to work up faster (always a nice plus), and it makes it feel less dense than they would if made with single crochets (double crochets in UK terms).

Granny squares are one of my favorite things to make with Feels Like Butta. As I stated before, I like using taller stitches with this yarn, and, in my opinion, granny squares are perfect for it.

What should you use this yarn for?

Feels Like Butta is highly versatile and made with babies and toddlers in mind. Its softness and machine washability make it desirable for baby blankets (or anyone who loves soft blankets without all that fuzz).

While it is on the thinner side of worsted weight yarns, the items it creates are often thick and warm,  especially when using a tighter tension, so keep that in mind if you decide to create something for a little one. I would not recommend double stranding it unless you are in a cold area and need that extra warmth or are wanting a thicker item.

It is also great for amigurumi and wearables for both kids and adults. I have found that the texture changes as you crochet with it, which leads to amigurumi feeling slightly different than a blanket due to tension stretching out the thread in a different way. However, all final products are still soft and smooth.

What yarns can I substitute for Feels Like Butta?

When creating an amigurumi with Feels Like Butta, I have had great success when using Forever Fleece Finer by Bernat along with it, even if it is a larger yarn with a recommended hook of 6mm (US: 10). It almost has the exact same texture, but it is fuzzier and does pill a little bit.

Forever Fleece Finer is a bulky (5) weight yarn, so it is bigger than Feels like Butta and may not work for items needing a specific gauge. They are great together when it comes to amigurumi. When online, it only has 6 colors to choose from, but they have limited edition colors in in-person stores. It is more expensive at $11.99 per 385 yard skein.

If you are looking for a closer match, Hobbii’s Metallico is a worsted (4) weight yarn at $6.70 per 126 yard skein. It does have a larger recommended hook of 5mm.

It also has a metallic shimmer that Feels Like Butta does not have, which could add a nice touch to your projects. Due to this, it is recommended to hand wash and hang to dry, which voids Feels Like Butta’s machine wash and dry ability.

If you are looking for a bulkier version of Feels Like Butta, you can use Feels Like Butta Thick & Quick. At a weight of super bulky (6) and a recommended hook of 10mm (USA: P-15), this will not only help you work up a bigger item but, in the case of a blanket or wearable, also help you finish it faster.

It is more expensive at $7.99 per 55 yard skein. While it is machine washable, it is recommended to lay flat to dry, but it can be machine dried if you are careful. It has 12 pastel colors to choose from.

3 Easy Feels Like Butta Patterns!

Spill the Beans Baby Blanket

This pattern is great for confident beginners who are looking to learn a new stitch and create a lovely baby blanket. There are step by step written and photo instructions on how to create the bean stitch, so you do not need to worry if you’ve never seen the stitch before.

It works in rounds, rather than rows, so it is great for practicing working in rounds. This pattern does use a discontinued Loops & Threads yarn as an accent color, but you could whip it up in only Feels Like Butta yarn without any worry.

Bingsoo the Chubby Penguin

Bingsoo the Chubby Penguin is an adorable and easy beginner’s amigurumi project. If you can make a ball then you can make this pattern! He stands straight on a round bottom and wobbles like a bobble head when you nudge him on the side, and is the perfect bag charm or desk companion. Make him in a whole range of pastel colors and add your own pop of color in his little bow!

Softest Lounge Around Pullover

Do you love the feel of Feels Like Butta and want to create something for yourself but you are bigger than a baby? This is the pattern for you! Made for confident beginners from sizes Small to XXL, this oversize sweater is a great start for your wearable journey.

Better yet, thanks to its inherent oversized style, mistakes can easily be hidden! It is great for practicing your basic stitches and ribboning. Take this pattern for a spin!

Bonus Blanket Pattern!

Are you wanting to try out a more advanced pattern that can be adjusted to fit any size blanket that you desire? This pattern goes over a chevron stitch to create a stunning design! The stitches may seem complicated at first, but the pattern walks you through step by step with detailed tips.

While this video uses four different colors, it is easily adjustable to use more or less color choices to create such a wonderful blanket. The ad-free written pattern is available on Etsy.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the recommended hook size?

Feels Like Butta has a recommended hook size of 4mm (USA size: G-6).

Is Feels Like Butta discontinued?

Feels Like Butta is not discontinued. While it does not have a huge color choice selection in stores and sometimes certain colors are out of stock online, this yarn is still available on Lion Brand’s website. You can also check out other retailers such as Amazon, LoveCrafts, and Etsy for more colors. 

Does Feels Like Butta pill or shed?

Feels Like Butta does not pill or shed. It has a chainette construction which helps it resist pilling and shedding despite its soft chenille texture. It’s like velvet yarn without all the issues. It is great for beginners!

Does Feels Like Butta really feel like butter?

Feels Like Butta does feel like butter, in an odd sort of way. It has that smooth, velvety texture that butter has, just without the grease or mess. It truly is something you must experience yourself.

More blog posts like this:

• My Honest Review of Dollar Store Just Chenille (worth it?)
• My Foolproof Guide to Crocheting with Chenille Yarn (easy!)

• Jumbo Narwhal Free Crochet Pattern
• Jumbo Penguin Free Crochet Pattern

The post My Honest Review of Feels Like Butta Yarn by Lion Brand appeared first on Little World of Whimsy.

Lion Brand Truboo is ideal for those who want to create silky projects without having to pay for true silk. A light worsted / DK (3) yarn at 241 yards per skein that is almost always on sale, this bamboo yarn is great for soft spring and summer wearables, lightweight blankets, and more!

Because it is sourced from bamboo, Truboo has an innate cooling factor. Bamboo fiber has a natural tendency to wick away, or draw out, moisture which keeps the surrounding air (or your body) cool and dry. This makes Truboo great for lightweight wearables for warm days and year-round blankets.

Lion Brand Truboo Breakdown

I have found with this yarn that it is often on sale in most online or in-person stores. The drop in price isn’t because it’s a low quality yarn; in fact, Truboo is the opposite of low quality. In my opinion, Truboo has a superior feel when compared to polyester yarns.

If you happen across it at full price, just wait a few days or check another store. It goes on sale anywhere between a few cents or a couple dollars off.

Truboo has a flowy drape and is breathable yet strong. It’s perfect for people who have sensitive skin or live in hot climates and want that cardigan look. However, due to its breathability and how it easily sops up moisture, high heat or too much moisture can have negative effects on it.

Nowadays, many people are looking for more sustainable options to do their craft. Because of this, many corporations have started creating more eco-friendly fabrics and yarns.

“100% rayon from bamboo” may be misleading for some people who expect it to be completely made up of raw bamboo. It means that it is sourced from bamboo. While bamboo yarn isn’t exactly the greenest of fiber choices, it still is better than all-synthetic fabrics like polyester.

More yarn reviews like this:

1. My honest review of Caron Simply Soft
2. My honest review of Sweet Snuggles Yarn
3. My honest review of Bernat Blanket Yarn
4. My honest review of Bernat Velvet Yarn

Is bamboo yarn sustainable?

The short answer is yes and no. The longer answer is complex and depends on different factors.

Bamboo yarn, at least in Truboo’s case, is made up of bamboo-sourced viscose, more commonly known as rayon from bamboo. The simplest description for rayon would be artificial silk.

As a general rule, while the source of bamboo rayon is natural and sustainable (bamboo can grow three feet per day!), the chemical process to transform it into rayon fibers is extremely harmful to the environment.

While its process of plant to workable fiber is quite toxic, rayon is completely biodegradable as long as it’s not threaded with extra synthetic fabrics. Unlike synthetic fabrics like polyester, viscose is not made with petrochemicals.

The final product does not have any raw bamboo in it and is considered a semi-synthetic fabric due to the chemical process it must endure to become yarn. That does not make it half synthetic, however.

If a yarn label has “100% bamboo” on it, then that company is falsely advertising their fiber content. If it has “100% rayon from bamboo” or something similar, then they are being truthful.

Truboo’s fiber content is not false advertising. It is completely sourced from bamboo, but the chemical process has stripped away all of the raw plant fibers from the yarn.

If you would like to read more in depth articles about bamboo fibers and their sustainability, The Filtery, Treehugger, and Sustainable Jungle have articles about bamboo-sourced rayon fabric, and Sustainable Stitching has a quick article about bamboo yarn specifically.

If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly yarn, natural materials such as organic cotton and organic wool are good choices. Upcycled yarns made from leftover fabrics are another sustainable option as well.

My experience using this yarn!

Truboo is one of my favorite yarns. I’m typically not a fan of DK or lightweight yarns because I am a rather tight crocheter, so thinner yarns tend to make me feel like I’m crocheting with string.

However, Truboo is just thick enough that I don’t need to worry too much about how thin the yarn is compared to the ones I typically use. It also allows me to practice with DK weight yarns in case I ever come across one that looks enticing.

Truboo is definitely a contender in that arena. It has such a beautiful satin sheen to it that it almost appears like silk. Not only that, but it has a certain smoothness in both feel and look not many yarns have.

The feel of Truboo is one of my favorite things about it. Thanks to its bamboo source, the innate coolness of it makes it great to play with and handle. It does heat up via body heat by conduction like anything else when you’re handling it for long periods of time, but it still has a pleasant feel that other yarns don’t have.

It really does feel like silk. I’m sure people who have access to true silk will be able to tell the difference between the two, but Truboo is truly silky smooth and just lovely to work with.

I crochet with aluminum hooks, and I find that Truboo glides over them easily without any of that squeaking that some acrylic yarns have a tendency to do. It’s such a light and feathery yarn yet has the sturdiness of acrylic.

A frustrating thing about Truboo is how easily it splits. Because how of it’s piled and how smooth it is, the threads don’t stick together as they do with acrylic yarn. If you’re not careful, you may end up losing one or more of the strands as you crochet.

While it’s fairly easy to work around, these snags may cause issues down the line. If you do see you’ve lost a strand or the yarn begins to unravel more than it should, I would recommend frogging your rows to fix the mistake.

Because I don’t use wooden crochet hooks, I don’t know how Truboo would glide over them because of how easily the threads split. You don’t want your threads getting snagged on a random loose splinter and unraveling your whole project!

Because of how easily it splits, I would recommend using it with projects that have more rounds. While mini amigurumi is quite cute and does look stunning in this yarn, I personally don’t like using Truboo for them.

Larger amigurumi with more rounds work just fine with it. If you’re practiced in the art of micro amigurumi, then you’ll have no problem using Truboo. In fact, it might be a thicker yarn than you’re used to!

While all yarns have their positives and negatives, I personally think Truboo has more positives. Not only does it have an amazing drape, but it’s comfortable and breathable. I’m not a fan of acrylic wearables because they tend to be itchy, but Truboo isn’t itchy in the slightest.

It’s an incredibly soft, light yarn that behaves almost like silk and is at a decent price at all times. It may not have the biggest skein yardage out there, but those small skeins pack a lot of goodness in their little handfuls.

What should you use this yarn for?

Because of its sturdy yet lightweight properties and lovely drape, Truboo is great for filet crochet wearables. It gives items a delicate, lacey look while still holding up like acrylic yarn. Shawls and ponchos especially work well in Truboo.

I personally have found Truboo great for amigurumi as well. I personally would recommend using it for larger patterns as sometimes the splitting of the threads can be frustrating to work with in small rounds.

What yarns can I substitute for Truboo?

Truboo has two yarns in its family: Coboo and Truboo Sparkle. You may see Nuboo around, but as of this review, it is discontinued and not widely available.

Coboo is composed of 51% cotton and 49% rayon from bamboo fibers. It is priced the same as Truboo at $5.99 and comes in cakes of 232 yards. It has a smaller range of only 18 colors as of this review.

Unlike Truboo, Coboo is machine washable and dryable. It does not have the same satin sheen as Truboo, but it is still quite soft and light. It has the same recommended hook of 4mm (G-6).

Truboo Sparkle is the same as Truboo but threaded with thin, shiny polyester threads to give it a special shimmer. It is priced at $6.49 and comes in 195 yard skeins. It has 9 different colors available and is machine washable but should be laid flat to dry.

If you’re in Europe, Bommix Bamboo from Hjertegarn is a 70% bamboo viscose, 30% cotton Danish yarn that is another close substitute for Truboo. While it has smaller recommended hooks of 4.5mm and has skeins of 114 yarns, it still is a close match. As of this review, it is 28 DKK (about $4 USD).

3 Truboo Patterns!

Theodosia Truboo Beanie

This advanced beginner pattern is great for creating a beanie for the transition between summer and fall or winter and spring. It’s great for places where the weather doesn’t know how to make up its mind half the time.

Due to a few complex stitches that might be difficult for beginners, this pattern would be better attempted if you have some experience under your belt. That said, if you wish to test yourself and learn new techniques, this pattern is great for that as well!

Rainbow Baby Blanket

This advanced beginner blanket pattern is great for showing off Truboo’s array of different colors. While the pattern has detailed photos and extra tips to help you through each step, it is considered an advanced beginner pattern due to the use of mixed cluster stitches.

If you’re looking to widen your stitch dictionary, this pattern is great for that! Cluster stitches are lovely and get easier as you practice them.

Bellevue Beautiful Crochet Scarf

While this pattern uses Nuboo (a discontinued yarn that was part of the Truboo family), Truboo is a perfect substitute for it. It’s an easy pattern that’s perfect for beginners who are looking to work on their single, half double, and foundation crochets.

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the recommended hook for Truboo?

The recommended hook for Truboo is a 4mm, or in US sizes, a G-6. If you plan to work on an amigurumi with Truboo, I recommend going down two or more sizes. Generally, if you go down only one size for amigurumi, it’s possible to see the stuffing.

Is Truboo yarn good for baby blankets?

Truboo is soft and gentle on skin which makes it perfect for young children. Since it is a lightweight / DK (double knit) yarn, it will take more skeins to create a blanket than thicker yarns. It takes about 5 skeins, or 1200 yards, of Truboo if the baby blanket is 36 x 36in (91.5 x 91.5cm).

Does bamboo yarn hold water?

As a general rule, bamboo yarn is naturally absorbent, which makes it great for washcloths and dish towels. Due to this, it holds moisture for longer, and that can lead to mildew if not properly dried. It does lose strength when wet, so it is best to lay any bamboo creation out to dry.

Can bamboo yarn go in the dryer?

Generally speaking, bamboo yarn should not be placed in the dryer. The care instructions for Truboo recommend laying the item flat to dry. However, as long as the dryer is on a cooler setting and gentle cycle, machine drying it should be fine. If it’s on a high heat, the item may shrink or become damaged.

The post My Honest Review of Truboo by Lion Brand (worth it?) appeared first on Little World of Whimsy.

Caron Simply Soft is a high quality, cheap, sleek, worsted weight yarn that is extremely cost efficient. It has a lovely shine to it which makes it an ideal choice for amigurumi and accessories alike. It has a yardage of 315 and is 100% acrylic.

To add to its list of good things, its skeins barely knot within themselves. Its color choices are amazing, and it’s machine washable.

Not only that, but Simply Soft has many different varieties from solid colors to variegated to tweeds. Everyone is able to choose a yarn they enjoy with Simply Soft.

Caron Simply Soft Breakdown

I have found that when people post their creations that use Simply Soft yarn, there are so many comments asking what type of yarn they use. The interwoven sheen the yarn has gives it a unique luster that regular acrylic yarn doesn’t have, making items irresistible.

A drawback of that sleek sheen are the woven ends’ tendency to slip out if they’re not tied down properly.

It doesn’t have the same catch as non-shiny, rougher acrylics do. With this yarn, take care to leave longer ends to weave in so you’ll have the length to tie knots to keep the ends in.

My recommendation for tying the ends would be to split the ends of the yarn, tie a knot with the split ends, then weave in one end one way and the other end opposite from that.

If you need a visual example, check out this blog post.

The ends, when woven in using this technique, will hold up over time, especially in wearables. With amigurumi, knotting it inside of the project works just fine.

More blog posts for amigurumi beginners:

• Easiest Crochet Whale for Absolute Beginners!

• My Foolproof Guide to Crocheting Amigurumi for Beginners
• What’s the best stuffing for amigurumi? (+ how to stuff!)
• How to Sew Amigurumi Parts Together (easy photo tutorial!)

While Simply Soft is advertised as a worsted weight (4) yarn, it is thinner than your average worsted yarn. Many people, myself included, agree that Simply Soft feels and acts more like a DK (light worsted) weight yarn.

If gauge is important with your project, you will need to do a swatch to ensure your measurements are correct. If gauge doesn’t matter, be warned that your project may come out a bit smaller than anticipated.

Like most acrylics, it is a yarn that pills. Pilling is where the threads loosen over time and create bits of fuzz on the surface of the item. The pilling happens more often when the ends have begun to unravel while I have been sewing.

While I’ve worked up multiple amigurumi and tapestries with this yarn, I haven’t created any wearables with it. This leads me to believe that it might pill with wearables throughout the years as they are worn, so keep an eye out for that if you are using it for a wearable.

My experience using this yarn!

Before I get into the mechanics of Simply Soft, one of the things I enjoy about it is the amount of color choices you have.

While it doesn’t have limitless choices like some acrylic yarns, it still has a relatively decent amount that can cover nearly every project.

I’m not one to spin my yarn skeins into cakes before I begin using them. I tend to use my yarn skeins, balls, or cakes in the way I bought them (unless they come in hanks and need to be spun to be used).

I do like how Simply Soft’s skeins are spun together in a way where it doesn’t barf yarn when you least expect it.

It may be a bit tight (and tend to roll away more since it’s so compact), but I personally like that because it feels like I have more control over it. It might be very much a me-thing, but it’s just one more thing I like about Simply Soft.

Since it is an acrylic yarn, its threads are twisted together to form the yarn to work with. I have found that the threads split easily, especially when you are sewing your items together or when your hook slips into the middle of the thread. It’s an easy fix by simply twisting the threads back into place.

It happens more often towards the ends of the yarn, so take care to make sure it doesn’t unravel too much. As long as you’re not constantly sticking your hook into the middle of the yarn or unraveling the ends, it will stay in place.

A positive about how easily it splits means you’ll be able to embroider designs without relying on the stitches themselves. You’d be able to insert your needle into the middle of the yarn creating the stitch if need be.

While I do enjoy working with Simply Soft overall, I have found that some skeins are softer than others.

As with some yarns, the quality (and sometimes color shade) of the skein tends to vary from each batch. Some of my Simply Soft skeins from years ago are rougher or softer than skeins I bought a few months ago.

It’s sometimes the luck of the draw when it comes to the softness of this brand. I will say that most of the skeins are relatively soft.

In my experience, even its itchiest skeins are softer than your typical acrylic yarns. I would recommend Simply Soft over other rougher, typical acrylic yarns.

While it does have its drawbacks like any other type of yarn, I do enjoy working with it. If you use a smaller hook, it whips up some fantastic amigurumi with solid rounds that don’t collapse in on themselves easily.

What should you use this yarn for?

As with most acrylic yarns, Simply Soft is highly versatile. It can be used from hats, sweaters, amigurumi, blankets, potholders, tapestries, and more! The sky’s the limit with this yarn.

I personally like using it for amigurumi and tapestries. It gives amigurumi and other projects a unique sheen that makes them even more eye-catching.

What yarns can I substitute for Caron Simply Soft?

Caron has many different varieties of Simply Soft. As of this review, their current availabilities are Brites, Heathers, Marled, O’Go, Ombres, Paints, Party, Speckle, Stripes, and Tweeds.

Yardage, price, texture, and color choice may vary between each type. From my research, all of their variants have the same weight and hook size, but it’s always a good idea to double check by creating a swatch.

Personally, I have used Heathers and Tweeds. Heathers is thicker than regular Simply Soft and is closer to a regular worsted weight. I find that Heathers is a bit scratchier as well, but still works up nicely.

Tweeds has a design where bits of yarn are woven into the thread, but not too tightly. This may cause problems for beginners as sometimes the bits are annoying to work around. It is about the same size as regular Simply Soft, which makes it a thinner worsted weight yarn.

If you wish to use a different yarn that’s not Caron’s brand, you do have a few choices. My personal favorite is Loops and Threads Soft and Shiny.

Soft and Shiny isn’t an exact match. While it is labeled as a worsted (4) weight just like Simply Soft, it is slightly thicker, even though it has a smaller recommended hook of 3.5 mm (US size: E-4). It has 311 yards per skein with a cheaper price of $4.99.

In my opinion, it is slightly softer and shinier than Simply Soft and is a good substitute. Please note that Caron Simply Soft is slightly thinner than Loops and Threads Soft and Shiny and that difference may reflect in your project.

If you’re looking for a more exact match, Bernat Premium has the same worsted (4) weight and recommended hook size. The solid color skeins are slightly longer with 329 yards, but their ombre skeins are smaller with 236 yards. Both types are priced at $7.99 per skein at the time of this review.

3 Easy Simply Soft Patterns!

All Squared Away Baby

This blanket is made up of different sized granny squares to create this very cool look! There are videos linked in the PDFs for visual learners. There are also color design ideas listed, but you could easily create your own design as well.

Simple Scarf

Wanting to test out Simply Soft but don’t want to commit to buying more than one skein? This scarf is perfect for that! This super easy pattern repeats two rows until you hit the end of the skein, creating a beautiful scarf.

Pocket Fox

This incredibly easy pattern just takes two flat pieces crocheted, sewed (or single crocheted) together, then stuffed! You can make them any color you want, thanks to Simply Soft’s array of color choices. You’ll also be practicing color switches with this pattern.

More home decor crochet projects:

• Bear Basket Free Crochet Pattern
• Heart Pillow Free Crochet Pattern
• Desk Succulent Free Crochet Pattern
• Ribbed Crochet Pumpkin Free Crochet Pattern
• Bear Throw Cushion Free Crochet Pattern

Commonly Asked Questions

What is the best crochet hook for Caron Simply Soft?

The recommended hook for Simply Soft is 5mm, or H-8 in US sizes. However, a 4mm, or G-6 hook, is my preference due to its thinner weight.

Is Caron Simply Soft Yarn DK?

While Simply Soft is advertised as a worsted weight yarn, some people claim that Simply Soft feels more like a DK weight yarn. DK (double knit) yarns are lighter worsted weight yarns, but they are both considered medium/worsted weight.

It is a bit thinner when compared to other worsted weight yarns. I have found better tension when using a hook smaller than 5mm when working on amigurumi. If you wish to use it for wearables, then I would suggest testing out different hook sizes to find the one that fits for your project.

Does Simply Soft hold its shape well?

Simply Soft holds its shape well with amigurumi. If you have a tighter tension, the shape of the amigurumi stays stiff and does not collapse or flop over as easily as some other yarns.

I have not tried it for wearables, but reviews talk about how lovely the drape is.

Is Caron One Pound the same as Simply Soft?

Caron One Pound is not the same as Caron Simply Soft. They both have the same recommended hooks (5mm / H-8), but Simply Soft is a bit on the thinner side. At the time of this review, One Pound runs $11.99 and 812 yards per skein.

I personally haven’t worked with One Pound, but based on reviews by other people, it seems that One Pound is scratchier but more durable. It can be softened with fabric softener, but it doesn’t have the same pretty sheen as Simply Soft.

Is Caron Simply Soft good for blankets?

Caron Simply Soft would work well for blankets. It is a thinner worsted weight yarn, so it would be easily able to create a throw blanket that could be used year-round.

Is Caron Simply Soft good for sweaters?

Simply Soft is good for sweaters thanks to its softness and affordability. Many reviews talk about how well it drapes when you use the right hook size; create a few swatches to see what works best for you! Sweaters don’t come out bulky or stiff as with some other acrylic yarns.

Some of its skeins can be a bit itchy, but Simply Soft works just fine for wearables. My personal preference would be to use the thicker Loops and Threads Soft and Shiny instead.

The post My Honest Review of Caron Simply Soft Yarn (worth it?) appeared first on Little World of Whimsy.

Bernat Velvet Yarn is a superior velvet yarn option because of its versatility and accessibility. A bulky weight (5) yarn, it can be used for amigurumi, wearables, and for baby items. Its huge array of colors makes it easy to work with, though all velvet sheds easily and is not for beginners.

Bernat is one of the more popular velvet yarn brands. Not only does it have quite a few color options for Velvet, but it also has two other types: Baby Velvet and Crushed Velvet. While this review will focus primarily on Velvet, I will briefly offer my opinions and comparisons of both Baby and Crushed.

To keep this review as honest as I can, I will admit I personally don’t like it for wearables, so most of my review will cover how it felt while making amigurumi and pillows. However, many people out there love making beanies, gloves, cardigans, and more with it.

I have made quite a few amigurumi with velvet yarns and will recount my experiences with it in the review below.

Bernat Velvet Yarn Breakdown

If you search for ‘velvet yarn’ online or walk down the velvet yarn section of a Michaels or a JOANN, Bernat is most likely the first, if not only, brand you will see. Its popularity is not a fluke; their velvet yarn is superior.

Unfortunately, with a luxurious yarn like Velvet, its price may cause big projects to become costly. I have also experienced many of its color shades disappearing throughout the years.

With its popularity, it makes sense to change up their available colorways so there is never a lack of choices. With 315 yards per ball, there is a lot of yarn to work with in just one skein! You can make all kinds of things with just one ball of Velvet.

It’s a gorgeous yarn. It is one of the softest polyester yarns I have ever worked with. These super soft, plush yarns are tempting to work with right off of the bat, but they are not beginner friendly. I would not recommend velvet yarn for beginners.

The fluffier the yarn, the harder the stitches are to see, which can lead to dropped stitches, frustrations, and wonky creations. This yarn should be used after you have some experience with crocheting and are able to recognize stitches.

Until then, I would recommend acrylic or a non-plush yarn to start off with. I know it’s tempting, but save yourself some frustration before you indulge in velvet yarns!

One of the biggest cons of velvet yarn is that it sheds incredibly easily. Shedding like a furry animal in summer isn’t selective to just Bernat Velvet. It is one of the major drawbacks of any velvet or fuzzy yarn you may use, regardless of brand. When using Velvet, it may be a good idea to have a lint roller nearby to pick up your trail of loose fuzz that gets left behind as you create your project.

I find that Bernat tends to shed less than other velvet yarn brands. I have used Lion Brand Vel-Luxe yarn before, and it did not have the same durability as Bernat. It felt much thinner, snapped easier, and shedded like there was no tomorrow.

While the skeins have plenty of workable yarn, they almost always have multiple knots throughout. If you pull your yarn from the center, you’ll find most of these knots quicker than those who work with the outside tail.

The knots are usually easy to work around, especially with amigurumi. You just have to keep the knot on the inside of your project. Sometimes, if they’re too awkward, it would be easier to snip off the knot and reattach your yarn with an unknotted strand. It just gets annoying when you find knot after knot after knot when you’re on a roll.

My experience using this yarn!

To keep this review as honest as I can, I will say I did not listen to the not-a-beginner-friendly-yarn warnings I mentioned before. Bernat Velvet was one of my very first yarns I ever worked with. I indulged in that silky softness before I should have.

It wasn’t easy, and I didn’t crochet much when I worked with Velvet. When I switched to acrylic yarn, I found that it was much easier to use because I could see the stitches. After I worked up a few amigurumi with a yarn I could see, I picked Velvet back up and, boy, was it great to work with!

Velvet is one of my favorite yarns. I love the feel of it, and how soft it is. I love how the creations come out, looking incredibly soft and sweet. There’s a softness to each Velvet item, as if the light around it has been diffused to create a gentle aura around it.

I find that the tighter my stitches are, the less it will retain its initial softness. With amigurumi, the yarn will still hold its silky softness and feel softer than if it was made out of acrylic yarn, but it will not feel the same as it did when loosely wrapped in a skein.

This yarn is not the easiest to work with. I crochet with tight stitches more often than not, and Velvet has a fragile, thin thread underneath its plush fuzz. If pulled too hard, it will snap and leave you with leftover fluff and an unworkable thread. Not only that, but Velvet tends to be slippy and needs a tighter tension to keep the stitches clean. There is a fine balance that needs to be met when working with Velvet.

I find that working with a much smaller hook actually minimizes the shedding and the weakening of the fluff. I typically go down about one hook size from the recommended size when I make amigurumi, but with Velvet, I often go down two or three or even four sizes.

I find that it’s not easy to sew large pieces together with just one Velvet strand. The threads rub up against each other as you sew, which leads to shedding, and that will lead to a thin thread you wouldn’t be able to use anymore.

Once the strands lose their fluff, they become unworkable. If your yarn starts to thin, I would recommend stopping that strand and starting back up at the next part that still retains its fuzz.

What should you use this yarn for?

Velvet is incredibly versatile. Not only can it be used to create amigurumi, but it can be used for all kinds of wearables, pillows, blankets, and more! Need a project to be soft? Velvet is the yarn for that!

If you are creating an item for a baby, toddler, or younger child, I would recommend using Bernat Baby Velvet instead. Baby Velvet is essentially the same as Velvet, with a slightly smaller weight and the ability to be thrown into the washing machine.

What yarns can I substitute for Bernat Velvet?

Velvet can be substituted with Bernat’s own Crushed Velvet, which is basically a variegated Velvet, or with Premier Yarn’s Retro Velvet.

Crushed Velvet is the same in price, weight, yardage, and size, but it does not come in solids and has a limited color palette. It does come in fun colors, and it’s always fun to see how variegated yarns end up looking!

On the other hand, Retro Velvet has 28 colors to choose from. Its yardage per skein is slightly smaller, at only 306 yards, but it can be machine washed (but not dried). It is also cheaper at $8.99 per skein at the time of this review. It has the same Bulky (5) weight as Velvet, with the same recommended hook size of 6.5mm or K-10.5 hook.

Baby Velvet and Crushed Velvet Comparisons

Bernat has two other types of popular velvet yarn: Baby and Crushed. There is a Baby Crushed Velvet and Velvet Plus, but both are not nearly as popular as the other three. I have not worked with either of those. Each type comes with different shades of colors.

Baby is specifically made for kids in mind. I find it the most durable of the three types. It is also machine washable, which is a big plus! When compared to Velvet, it does sacrifice just a bit of softness due to its durability, but it still holds an incredible silky softness to it.

Crushed, from my experience, is the softest of the three. It does not come in solid colors and has a limited color palette. I’ve found that Crushed has the least amount of knots in each skein, even when pulled from the center. It’s lovely to work with!

3 Easy Velvet Patterns!

Tri-Color Lenin Baby Blanket

Who doesn’t love a soft blanket? While this pattern was created with Velvet in mind, I would suggest switching it out to Baby Velvet instead, due to its machine washability. Baby Velvet is slightly smaller, so you may need to adjust the pattern to reach the pattern’s blanket size! Don’t worry too much about adjusting this pattern; it only has one type of stitch, making it easily adjustable.

Isaac Beanie

If you’re looking for a simple beanie to create with silky velvet yarn, look no further! This beanie, created with just single crochets, is perfect for beginners. It’s a great pattern for beginning your journey into hats and other wearables with velvet yarns.

Strawberry Bee

I just have to mention my velvet bee pattern! Not only is it a super easy amigurumi to create, but you can customize the colors of it to whatever you’d like. It’s a great amigurumi pattern for beginners to start working with velvet yarn.

Commonly Asked Questions

What hook should I use for Bernat Velvet?

The recommended hook for Bernat Velvet is 6.5mm or, in US sizes, a K-10.5 hook.

Can Bernat Velvet yarn be washed?

Bernat Velvet can be washed, but it should be hand washed only.

Is Bernat Velvet yarn hard to crochet?

Bernat Velvet Yarn can be difficult for beginners to use. If you’re at an intermediate level, then Velvet to be a fun challenge that gets easier to work with over time.

How many skeins of Bernat velvet yarn do I need for a blanket?

6-7 balls of Bernat Velvet is enough for a 50×60 inch single crocheted throw blanket. More skeins should be added for bigger blankets, and larger stitches like half double or double crochet stitches use less yarn than single crochet stitches.

The best way to figure out how many skeins you will need for a blanket is to create a gauge swatch and math your way into figuring out precisely how much you will need.

It’s always better to get more skeins than you think you’ll need, because you never know if you’ll need to play yarn chicken towards the end of your project!

What crochet stitches are best for velvet?

Any stitch can be worked with velvet yarn. As long as you can recognize the stitches, anything is possible.

If you want to work with velvet yarn but find that seeing the stitches is frustrating, you can use the Basket Weave stitch or any stitch that involves working around the post of the stitch rather than that tiny, very top chain.

How do you keep velvet yarn from tangling?

The two things to note when untangling velvet yarn are to be gentle and patient. It snaps very easily if you’re aggressively trying to pull the tangle out.

As long as you wrap it around itself, either by rerolling it or simply wrapping the loose end around the rest of the skein, and keep it from becoming an untamable pile of yarn barf, it will keep itself free of tangles.

Is chenille yarn the same as velvet yarn?

While very similar, velvet yarn is essentially a silkier version of chenille. Chenille is often classified as Super Bulky (6) in weight, making it bigger and chunkier than Velvet.

More blog posts like this

• Strawberry Bee Free Velvet Crochet Pattern
• Jumbo Strawberry Free Velvet Crochet Pattern
• 27 Soft and Fluffy Crochet Patterns for Velvet Yarn (free!)
• 29 Luxurious Free Crochet Patterns for Bernat Velvet Yarn
• 11 Adorable Velvet Teddy Bear Free Crochet Patterns

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