Review: Introducing Cloudborn Fibers from Craftsy

Last month, the generous folks at Craftsy asked if I'd knit up and review a premium yarn line they've just launched on their website. Because I'd have to be certifiably insane to turn down an offer like that (and because I always need to keep my hands busy), I jumped at the opportunity to snatch up some gorgeous fiber and work on a fun autumn project.

And by "autumn", I mean "winter", because procrastination.

That yarn is Cloudborn Fibers, a Craftsy-exclusive yarn line that sounded to-die-for based on its photos and description. My only dilemma? With so many available options, I had a heck of a time narrowing down which yarn I wanted to play with (the struggle is real, first world problems, yada yada yada - life is hard).

The yarn I chose is Cloudborn Merino Superwash Sock Twist in the Stormy Skies colorway - and it's beautiful not only to look at, but to knit with, as well. I've chosen the Pebble Beach Shawl for its debut on my blog, partially because I thought it would be perfect for this project and partially because I didn't think I could work on another pair of socks without losing what's left of my sanity (there's not much, so I'm holding on tight to the remnants). That said, this yarn would work up into beautifully comfy socks if you chose that route.

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I'm knitting the shawl on my Knitter's Pride Marblz and they're doing a great job - the yarn is a bit slippery thanks to the merino, so the acrylics lend just enough grab so my stitches don't escape. Believe me, I've given away enough projects blocked with the salt of my tears due to overly slippery needles; I don't need that during my busiest crafting season.

Suffice it to say, I'm blown away by this new yarn line and think it's a marvelous foray into a new brand by Craftsy. Make sure to check it out or add it to your wish list this holiday season :)

Review: Yarn Crush Subscription Unboxing

It's never a bad day when someone messages you on Twitter and asks if you want to get yarn on your doorstep.

That's right: imagine my glee when the good folks at Yarn Crush contacted me early last month to ask if I wouldn't mind taking a look at their next subscription box and giving you all my honest opinion. So here goes:

What I Got:

The Yarn: True North Strong Sock from Violette Yarn Co. Dyed exclusively for Yarn Crush, this yarn is a blend of 80% Bluefaced Leicester and 20% nylon, which I think will make for a nice, sturdy sock.

The Pattern: Inspired by the gorgeous peacock, the Tail Feathers pattern coordinates beautifully with this month's yarn.

The Goodies:

Soak: I've heard nothing but good things about Soak. In fact, I think I have a sample from a swap I participated in several years ago (which has been lost to the magical elves that steal things in my pigsty of a craft room). In any event, Soak is what the pros use to wash their hand-knits because it's super gentle. It also smells really good.

Heel: By the makers of Soak, Heel is a foot cream that will make our toes worthy to wear our new Tail Feathers!

Self-Measuring Tape: Maybe my favorite non-yarn item in the box. This tape measure is format to fit around round surfaces and lock so you don't need to fight with those flimsy fashion tapes anymore.

Pocket Mirror: The latest adorable accessory to be added to the black hole that is my purse, this adorable pocket mirror states the obvious: "All you need is love and lots of yarn".

My Rating:

Two thumbs up! This is a semi-surprise package I'd love receiving every month, and the price ($32.99) for what's included can hardly be beat by similar subscription boxes. And if you have too much yarn (as if that's a real thing) or need to save some cash, there's a bi-monthly subscription option for only $2 more.

I particularly like that the retail prices are listed individually so you know how much the items are outside of a subscription box. The September box I received has a retail value of $48.97, but you'd only pay $32.99 - that's a savings of over $15, guys! For high-quality, exclusive yarn that'll make all your friends jealous.

Full disclosure: Yarn Crush sent me this box to review, but I have otherwise received no compensation for my opinion. I really did love this box and think you will, too!

Review: Tulip Etimo Crochet Hooks

My go-to tools for every project, Tulip Etimo crochet hooks are designed for the crafter who means business.

For years, I used the standard crochet hooks you can purchase in mass-market craft stores. I even pitched in some money to buy high-end hooks - usually made with bamboo - from local yarn shops. While these hooks were fine (and certainly got the job done), I often found myself struggling with joint and wrist pain - especially during the holidays when I’m furiously whipping out projects for friends, family, and my online shop.

Long story short: I knew if I wanted to take my craft seriously, I needed to make sure I didn’t get carpal tunnel. It was time to find a solution.

Enter the Tulip Etimo crochet hooks. Not only can you get them in various shades of pink, but they may have saved me from serious health complications.

Review: 2015 January KnitCrate

This review is a little bit belated. Why? Because I was having so much fun finishing up December's KnitCrate project (Lapidary) and working on orders that I wouldn't permit myself to indulge myself with much drooling over these new goodies:

The Yarn was two hanks of beautiful, hand-dyed Tweed DK from Jorstad Creek. While there were up to four colors shown in the sneak peek, the good folks at KnitCrate sent me the teal, which I'm in love with. I'm not sure if you've noticed from all my recently completed projects, but I've been a tad obsessed with jewel tones lately, so these fit right in. The yarn isn't an obnoxious tweed, either. I'm not sure if yarn can actually be too tweedy, but I've seen a number of yarns that look like they just puked tweed. These aren't like that; they're lovely.

The Patterns make for some wonderful future projects. The featured pattern (ie: what we're expected to use with our yarn) is the Cedarbury Cowl by Jann Hopper, which can be made in two sizes. So basically, you can use both hanks to make the larger size or one hank to make the smaller size, saving the second hank for a matching hat or fingerless mitts. I love that KnitCrate thinks ahead like this and gives us not only enough yarn to complete a project, but to also have some extras left over so we can coordinate other accessories.

We also received a bonus Noro pattern book, full of over a dozen inspirational designs that'll make your fingers itch for long and bright color changes.

Our Fun Extra was the Color Grid by The Kangaroo Dyer. This will definitely come in handy for me when I'm looking to make something with specific colors, but don't have one or both colors in stock. Sometimes, I know I want to make something in a certain color, but need something that contrasts it and just can't find it in my stash. Now I'll know exactly what will work well and, having studied Color Theory, can find it in a cinch.

The Soothing Extra was Harney & Sons Fine Teas: Winter White Early Grey. From the website:

A perennial favorite that combines beautiful Chinese Mutan White tea, making it lighter than traditional black teas, with natural lemony Bergamot. It is a pleasure to drink during any season! Reuse that tin for notions or more yummy tea.

And boy, will I ever be reusing the tin. It's fun and small. The little tea sachets are so cute, too. Most importantly, the tea is delicious. I've already had a couple cups and definitely enjoyed it.

As you know, I also purchase the Add-On Minis each month. For January, we received five gorgeous assorted mini skeins of more Jorstad Creek. Once again, I was thrilled with the jewel tones and can't wait to add them to either an upcoming Cosy Memories Blanket or my Beekeeper's Quilt.

Overall, I'm once again blown away with the wonderful items awaiting for me in my monthly red envelope. I've been telling people that subscribing to this delivery service is surprisingly saving me money (now that I have pre-determined projects to use my yarn for, I no longer buy as much fiber just to have it sit around) and encouraging me to finish projects so I can show them off to fellow KnitCraters.

You'll love it, too! Click the link below to join KnitCrate and get 10% off your first purchase. Or you can try a KnitCrate and see if you like it. This month's featured Try A KnitCrate is the Indie kit, which is what you've been seeing in my reviews. If you like what you've seen, then make sure to visit the site to try it on for size. It's worth the investment!

Review: 2014 December KnitCrate

Consider my monthly KnitCrate's eye candy my Christmas treat to you :) This is only my second package, but I was so excited to see what we were getting this month that I tore it open with the fervor of a starving cat. Luckily, I wasn't disappointed (LOOK AT THE YARN!)

This month's pattern is Lapidary by Brittany Wilson, sent as a redeemable code for digital download on the site. It's totally drool-worthy (especially in the colors I received), and I've had to hide it at the bottom of all my Christmas projects so I don't get distracted. But believe you me: this thing is happening during my nearly-two-weeks off from work for the holidays. I'm not one to rush through Christmas, but I'm chomping at the bit to knit on this project.

From the KnitCrate website: 

"Honeycomb-like patterns are hot this season and we couldn’t leave you out of that fun! Lapidary is worked on the bias and the colorwork is created with stripes and slipped stitches." Who doesn't love working on the bias? To me, bias designs seem to work up faster than others.

The yummy yarn was selected to coordinate with the pattern, which requires two colors. I was more than happy to get two skeins of Sunrise Fiber's Co's Frolic Sport in Electric Indigo and Jelly Bean; not only will they work up nicely in this pattern, but there's a little bit of pink in the Jelly Bean colorway. Two of my favorite colors combined in holy matrimony. Could I be any happier?

The Fun Extra is, indeed, a bit of fun. We received a Luxury Fur Pom-Pom, which is something you may have seen floating around in your LYS or online. These are fantastic for those times you don't feel like making your own (which is always for me... I absolutely hate the process of making pom-poms). It comes ready-to-attach to old or new projects that need a smidgen more pizzazz and is made of 80% acrylic and 20% polyester so it lasts a long time. You can check out what's available for purchase on the KnitCrate website.

December's Sweet Extra barely made it to the photo; I think you know why. It was Peppermint Hot Chocolate on a Stick from Ticket Chocolate and it was yummier than you could imagine. A perfect little treat to sip on while finishing up (or, in many cases, just starting) my Christmas gift knitting. Here's how it works:

Swirl our blocks of finest couverture into steaming milk or water and you’ll have a cup of hot chocolate worth lingering over. We can’t help but feel that the stirring adds to the experience, soothing you over while building up anticipation for that first sip. The hot chocolate that results is the same caliber you will find in the world’s finest cafes and bakeries. Trust us, we know our hot chocolate.

And finally, it's not splurging if I don't indulge in a minis add-on. This month, we received five more wonderful yarn from Sunrise Fiber Company in Classic Sock, a high-twist 100% Superwash Merino Wool 2-ply sock yarn. I love the mix of colors and can't wait to add it to my as-yet-to-be-started Beekeeper's Quilt.

So... happy, happy, happy things! Are you a KnitCrate subscriber? What'd you get this month?