Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

caron cakes yarn review...




Caron took the fiber world by storm with the introduction of "Caron Cakes", their new and delicious gradient yarn. Prior to the release of this new yarn, at Michaels stores across North America, gradient cakes were something that you only saw in high end yarn stores. As soon as pictures of the new Caron Cakes started to grace the web, I was instantly intrigued and I wondered how this box store gradient yarn would measure up.

In a nut shell...I loved it! It was a fun and affordable way to try something new and exciting. Caron Cakes yarn is 20% wool, so it had no where near the plastic feel of many acrylics, plus the colourways are amazing. Soft and squishy, the Caron Cakes also boast a generous yardage of 350 meters (383 yards), which is more than enough to complete your basic crochet project. The Mostly Harmless pictured was completed with just one cake of Cookies and Cream.


Mostly Harmless Shawl by Kaylie Dawn

The only really negative thing that I had to say about Caron Cakes would be about the abrupt colour changes. It would have been nice to see a more gradual colour change, but at this price point I don't think that it's really worth complaining about. Besides, if you find the colour change bothersome, the yardage is generous enough to fasten off at the end of a row/round and then start the next round with the new colour.



(September 1, 2016 - I forgot to mention that this is an independent post and that we are
not sponsored by Caron Yarns.)




kim.

Friday, November 27, 2015

yarnit - review


The first time that I had ever seen or heard of the Yarnit was at Knit City 2015, in Vancouver B.C. Intrigued by the display, I stopped to have a look and watch a quick demo. My first thought was, "interesting...yes...but do I really need to spend more money on a gadget that is just going to be housing another forgotten work in progress?"

The Yarnit

When Kate Sullivan, the inventor of the Yarnit, heard that I was a crochet designer and blogger she generously handed one over to me with the request that I write a review. I was immediately drawn to Kate, and not just because she gave me a free Yarnit, although that certainly scored her several "cool points"! What impressed me the most about Kate was her friendly, good business sense and the fact that she was willing to stand behind her product. Kate expressed her desire that I be 100% honest with my review even if it was negative. In fact, she seemed more interested in hearing any negatives as this would help her to improve the quality of her product, a product that she clearly believed in. It is that kind of humility and dedication that I respect, and love to see in a company.

Knit City 2015 - Kate Sullivan on the right

First off, what is the Yarnit? Simply put, it is a clean, lightweight, portable home for your yarn

The Yarnit features are many! The flexible base holds the Yarnit secure on any surface, and also doubles as a handy storage space for your stitch markers, yarn needles, etc.


The clear, locking dome on the Yarnit, not only keeps your yarn clean and tangle free, but it also keeps it safe from dogs, cats, and small children. A lifesaver for your luxury yarns!


If you are a crocheter or knitter on the go then not only will you love the carrying strap, but you will also love the fact that it fits perfectly in any standard cup holder.


So how did the Yarnit stand up? I LOVE it!!! Not only is it lightweight and packed with personality, but it is made of some tough stuff!  I checked out their website, and the Yarnit is made from Lexan which is a high end, quality polycarbonate used for products that require strength and long lasting durability. So...no worries if you drop or bang your Yarnit.

In the end, I tried to come up with something negative to say about it, but the best that I could come up with was, "what about chunky yarn?" Then, when I was checking out their website, I found a little note under the "Our Yarnit" tab that said, "If you love to knit chunky or do color work ...we have a wonderful product for you coming in early winter." How exciting is that? I can't wait to see what they come up with! 

If you would like to learn more about the Yarnit, the story behind Kate Sullivan, or the shop nearest you, then I encourage you to check out their website at http://www.theyarnit.com/




kim.