Review: Vanna’s Choice from Lion Brand Yarns

August 26, 2015 by ·

Review: Vanna’s Choice from Lion Brand Yarns

We raided our stash and used Vanna’s Choice from Lion Brand Yarns in our Twins Face Off crocheted flowers design challenge. Here are our thoughts about the yarn:

Vannas Choice

This yarn is a workhorse…and we mean that in the nicest sense. It has been one of our go-to yarns for years so it was only natural that we used it in our stashbuster challenge.

Yarn Features:

According to the Lion Brand website: Vanna White, America’s favorite crocheter and Lion Brand’s spokesperson for over 15 years, introduces Vanna’s Choice®, an easy-care, silky-soft premium basic available in a range of beautiful, expertly-coordinated shades.

Worsted Weight: 170 yrds / 100 g
100% Premium Acrylic

Vanna’s Choice Pros:

  • Lots of color options – there are several fun lines in Vanna’s Choice including: Tapestry and Baby. She also has a Glamour and Sequins line. What will Vanna dream up next? Looks like she’s introduced Mohair with her Complements line. Oh my!
  • Smooth texture glides across fingers nicely
  • Pretty Soft
  • Has a good twist, so doesn’t split very often
  • Has a medium sheen – not too shiney or too dull
  • Washable
  • A portion of the proceeds is donated to Charity (St Jude’s)

Vannna’s Choice Cons:

  • Even with all the colors available, we still long for more options in yellow

Floral Heart Throw Pillow

Patterns Using Vanna’s Choice:

Many of our patterns use Vanna’s Choice including those in this month’s challenge. Here are some links to patterns using this yarn:

Filed Under: Review, Yarn · Tagged With: ,

Vote in Twins Face Off Flower Stashbuster Challenge

August 18, 2015 by ·

Vote in the Twins Face Off Crochet Design Challenge
This is a Flower Stashbuster Challenge with Vanna’s Choice Yarn

It’s up to you to choose, which crocheted floral project you like better. After you vote below, scroll down to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of both crochet patterns.

Giveaway ends August 24, 2015 at midnight.

We have extended the vote and giveaway to August 28th at midnight. We’ll select 2 more winners!

Twins Face Off Floral Design

Flower Projects Close UPs

Left: Floral Heart Throw Pillow Right: Flower Door Stops

We raided our stash and used Vanna’s Choice yarn for our projects. Learn more and see additional photos for Floral Heart Throw Pillow and Flower Door Stops in the shop.

The vote is annonymous, so vote with confidence.

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Filed Under: Flowers, Home, Home Decor, Twins Face Off Design Challenge · Tagged With: , , ,

Twins Face Off – Vanna’s Choice Sneak Peek

August 11, 2015 by ·

Sneak Peek of Twins Face Off Crochet Design Challenge with Vanna’s Choice

Last week we announced that we would be doing a Stashbuster Challenge using Vanna’s Choice yarn by Lion Brand. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’re working on:

Sneak Peek of Twins Face Off Flower Challenge

Flower is the category of this month’s challenge. And it looks like we’re working on two very different types of projects. This should be fun!

Next week we’ll share photos of the finished projects and ask you to vote for the design you like better. We’ll also be giving away prizes.

  • 1 place: both crochet patterns;
  • 2nd place: both crochet patterns.

See you next week when we open up the voting and giveaway!

Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge · Tagged With: ,

Twins Face Off with Stash Buster Challenge

August 4, 2015 by ·

Twins Face Off Stashbuster Design Challenge and Giveaway

This month we’re raiding our stash for the Twins Face Off crochet design challenge. We’ll be using Vanna’s Choice, a Lion Brand yarn.

Vannas Choice

Next week we will announce what cateogry of item we will crochet . We’ll also share sneak peeks at what we’re working on. The week following that we will ask you to vote on the two designs and open up the giveaway!

Since we’re raiding our stash, there won’t be a yarn giveaway. But we will be giving away the patterns!

  • 1st place wins both crochet patterns;
  • 2nd place wins both crochet patterns.
Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge · Tagged With: ,

Pork Chop Pig Crochet Pattern

July 30, 2015 by ·

Hunting for Bacon?

Whether you need more bacon in your life or want to go on a boar hunt, this crochet pattern is PETA approved!

pig with collar

This pig can be accessorized with a sweater and a medal. He can be Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web, or a trophy piece for the hunters out there. We even made it in red for the Razorback fans!

I made several of the mounted pig heads for my students after we read Animal Farm. They loved them!

Pig Crochet PatternBe sure to download the free accessories pattern for the fun variations.

Pork Chop Pattern on Etsy

Pork Chop crochet pattern.

Pork Chop accessories pack (sweater, medal, Razorback).

Filed Under: Animals, Crochet, Father's Day, Great as Gifts, Home, Home Decor, Patterns for Sale, Pets, Toys, Yarnovator · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Review: Shangri La from Bijou Basin Ranch

July 29, 2015 by ·

Review: Shangri La Lace Weight Yak/Silk Yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch

We used Shangri La lace weight yak/silk yarn by Bijou Basin Ranch in our Twins Face Off crochet design competition to make Lacy Scarves. Here are our thoughts about the yarn:

Shangri-La Yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch

We love it! Honestly, we were a little nervous about crocheting with this yarn. Not because of the material (which is fabulous), but because we have never worked with lace weight before (unless you consider crochet thread to be lace weight).

Yarn Features:

According to the Bijou Basin Ranch website: “A blend of two of the world’s softest and strongest fibers, our Shangri-La is the knitter’s [or crocheter’s] version of the earthly paradise for which it is named!” [our adeptation to  their quote].

Lace Weight: 400 yards / 2 ozs.
50% Tibetan Yak  / 50% Mulberry Silk: Hand Wash, Dry Flat

Shangri-La Pros:

  • Ubber Soft (softest, most luxurious yarn we’ve ever used)
  • Silky so it glides across your hook easily
  • Smooth, so it feels gentle on your fingers
  • Blocks great so it’s perfect for showcasing stitches
  • Not itchy, so it’s comfortable to wear
  • If crocheting a solid fabric, this would be nice and warm
  • If crocheting a lacy fabric, this is light and airy
  • Comes in fun jewel tone colors

Shangri-La Cons:
We love this yarn so much, we don’t want to write any cons!

  • The two strands can separate a bit and get caught on the hook
  • Frogging should be done slowly or the fibers will knot up a bit
  • There is a faint odor to the yarn, but it’s very mild

Bijou Basin Ranch had the right idea when they named this yarn. It really is a dream and a half to work with. Shangri La is so nice that you may find yourself saddened when your project comes to an end. No worries, just get yourself another skein and start on another great project!

Patterns Using Shangri La

Check out these beautiful patterns that use Shangri La yarn.

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Winners in Lacy Scarf Twins Face Off

July 28, 2015 by ·

Winnners in the Twins Face Off with Shangri La Yak/Silk Yarn

Dana BincerCongrats to Dana Bincer for winning the Shangri La yarn Twins Face Off design challenge sponsored by Bijou Basin Ranch. The Beaded Broomstick Lace Scarf squeaked a win with 53% of the vote!

We heard from many people that this was the most difficult challenge yet in that they liked both designs and found it very difficult to choose a favorite. We love that!

Winners in the Giveaway

A big round of applause for the two winners in the Shangri La lace weight yarn giveaway.

Shangri La Yarn from Bijou Basin RanchFirst Place: Stephanie S.
Stephanie wins 1 skeins of Shangri La yarn and the patterns for both lacy scarves.

Second Place: Joyce C.
Joyce wins both patterns for the lacy scarves.

A special thank you to Bijou Basin Ranch for sponsoring this months challenge. Stop by your local independently owned yarn shop to puchrase this fabulous yarn, or visit their website.

And a big thank you to everyone for participating in the Twins Face Off Design Challenge. It means a lot to us that you voted and entered the giveaway.Beaded Broomstick Lace Scarf

On Display and a 2nd Chance to Win

Both lacy scarves are on display at Ewe and Me: A Yarn Boutique in Colorado Springs for the next month. Feel free to touch and feel how soft these are and pick up a skein or two of Shangri La while you’re there.

The patterns for the lacy scarves are available here in our shop or free with purchase at Ewe and Me the month of August 2015.

Lacy Scarves Pattern on Etsy.

There is a second chance to vote and enter the giveaway at Ewe and Me. So stop by and enter!

Tomorrow we’ll post a review of Shangri La. Be sure to check out what we liked and didn’t like about the yarn.

Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge · Tagged With: ,

Vote on Lacy Scarves & Bijou Basin Ranch Giveaway

July 21, 2015 by ·

Vote on the Lacy Summer Scarf Crochet Design Challenge and
Enter to win the Shangri La Lace Yak/Silk Yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch

It’s up to you to choose, which crocheted lacy summer scarf you like better. After you vote below, enter the giveaway for your chance to win 1 skein of Shangri La lace weight yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch as well as the patterns for both scarves.

Giveaway ends July 27, 2015 at midnight.

Twins Face Off Scarf with Shangri La from Bijou Basin Ranch

both draped

Left: Floral Scarf     Right: Broomstick Lace Sarf

Each scarf uses only 1 skein of Shangri La lace weight yak/silk yarn from Bijou Basin Ranch. Learn more and see additional photos for the Lacy Summer Scarves in the shop.

The vote is annonymous, so vote with confidence.

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2nd Chance to Vote and Win

If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, stop by Ewe and Me, A Yarn Boutique for a 2nd chance to vote and win!

Lacy Scarves Pattern available on Etsy

Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge · Tagged With: , ,

Twins Face Off – Shangri La Sneak Peek

July 14, 2015 by ·

Sneak Peek at Twins Face Off with Shangri La from Bijou Basin Ranch

Last week we announced that Bijou Basin Ranch is sponsoring this month’s Twins Face Off and that Ewe and Me will be diplaying the finished projects in their shop (located on Garden of the Gods Rd in Colorado Springs).

Here’s a sneak peek at what we’re working on with Shangri La lace weight yak/silk yarn.

Shangri La Scarf Sneak Peek

Summer Scarf is the category for this month’s challenge. Shangri La is perfect because it’s thin, soft, has great drape and displays stitches really well. Did we mention how soft this is? It may be Dana’s new favorite yarn!

Next week we’ll share photos of the finished projects and ask you to vote for the design you like better. We’ll also be giving away prizes.

  • 1 place: 1 skein of Shangri La yarn and both crochet patterns;
  • 2nd place: both crochet patterns.

allureFor cleaning and blocking knit and crochet projects, Bijou Basin Ranch makes a fabulous fiber wash called Allure. We’ll be using it on these scarves. We love the Woodland Mist scent. It’s soft, subtle and not perfumey. It’s so nice, we’d love to wash all our clothes in it!

Allure comes in three varieties: Fragerance Free, Woodland Mist and Prairie Breeze. It’s biodegradable, color safe, tough on stains, and septic/gray water safe. There are no dyes, enzymes, or phosphates, no optical brighteners, no formaldehyde and no gluten. LOVE it!

See you here next week when we open the challenge and giveaway.

Lacy Scarves Pattern available on Etsy.

Filed Under: Twins Face Off Design Challenge · Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Teaching at Taos Wool Festival 2015

July 10, 2015 by ·

We’re Teaching at the Taos Wool Festival 2015

Taos Wool FestivalWe will be teaching 1 workshop and 2 make-and-take classes at the Taos Wool Festival the first weekend in October. Come join us! There are a lot of fun classes on crochet, knitting, felting, tatting, punch needle and more!

Check out the Workshops at the Taos Wool Festival.

What: Taos Wool Festival
When: October 2-4, 2015
Where: Kit Carson Park in Taos, New Mexico
Cost: Free to attend Festival (Classes and Workshops have a fee)

The 32nd annual festival includes: Wool market, Critter Corner, Demonstrations, Contests, Dog Sweater Show, Silent Auction and more. Check out all the fun activities planned for the Taos Wool Festival.

Take a Worshop and Make-and-Take Class with Us!

Surprisingly Simple Houndstooth Print Bag

A Houndstooth BagFriday, 8:30am-12:30pm, Tent 1, Kit Carson Park, $70, no materials fee, limit 30 students

Learn to crochet this cute bag, accented at top and bottom with the Crocodile Stitch and adorned with a rose. Perfectly sized for storing your tablet. Student to provide: two skeins of worsted weight yarn approx 170 yds ea, appropriate size crochet hook

Skills: Intermediate crocheter, must know how to ch, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, trc, crochet in rows & in the round, inc, dec, crochet in both, front & back loops

Sign up for the Workshop.

Owl Cup Cozy

Owl Cup CozySaturday, 9:00am-11:00am, Tent 1, Kit Carson Park, $35, no materials fee, limit 30 students

Woo loves coffee?! (or tea or coco?) Crochet your own cup cozy that will keep an eye on your drink. We’ll take a basic cozy and dress it up with large eyes, a petite beak and 3D wings made using the Crocodile Stitch.

Students to provide: 50 yds ea worsted weight yarn in 2 coordinating colors, 2 yds black yarn, 20 yds white yarn, 5 yds yellow (colors of choice may be substituted), appropriate size crochet hook

Skills: Intermediate crocheter, must know how to ch, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, trc, crochet in rows & in the round, inc, dec, crochet in both, front & back loops.

Sign up for the Make-and-Take.

Broomstick Lace Scarf

Broomstick Lace ScarfSaturday, 11:30am-1:30pm, Tent 1, Kit Carson Park, $35, no materials fee, limit 30 students

We’ll take you through combining traditional broomstick lace with “drop stitch”, or single stranded broomstick lace to create this light and airy scarf. Your friends will think you knit it.

Students to provide: 200 yds of Wool/Silk Blend or the like (light weight yarn with good drape), crochet hooks F, G, or H – just one, using a size slightly larger than yarn calls for, knitting needle – (1) #50 / 25 mm and (1) #17 / 12.75mm

Skills: Intermediate crocheter, must know how to ch, sl st, sc, crochet in rows, crochet in both and back loops, have at least tried Broomstick Lace (video link-please practice before class)

Sign up for the Make-and-Take.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Classes & Workshops · Tagged With: , ,
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