Do you want some high quality, natural fiber yarn at an acrylic price? Then click on over to
Joann's Fabric and Craft Store online and purchase some of the new yarn by 'Red Heart' called
Stitch Nation!
There are three different new yarns in this line called Bamboo Ewe, Full of Sheep and Alpaca Love. The samples I received have incredibly luscious colors. Since I usually like to create a new design instead of just swatching, I designed three new accessories, one with each new yarn!
Bamboo Ewe is as soft as you would expect a Bamboo yarn to be. In addition to it's softness and brilliant color, it has really nice stitch definition. The smoothness of this yarn made my design crochet up really quickly! My mom needed a new small handbag, so I designed a pretty one for her with this yarn. A swatch is shown at the left, but I hope to have the full pattern available soon!
Full of Sheep has a firmer texture as would be expected from 100% peruvian wool. I really enjoyed crocheting with Full of Sheep and it, also, has a nice, textured stitch definition. I wanted to try it for felting, but decided instead to design an ear warmer/headband, as I knew that this 100% wool would be nice and warm! The color I was sent is Plummy and the 'purple' color is so deep and rich, perfect for today's designs. I plan on trying to felt it next! When fastening off with Full of Sheep or using it to sew your crochet item together, you do need to be careful and not pull the yarn too tightly, as it seemed to break much easier than other yarns I have used. As long as I was gentle, this did not cause me any problems!
I think Alpaca Love is going to be my favorite; the alpaca mixed with wool makes it so great to touch; a firm yet oh-so-soft texture. While crocheting, the yarn was so soft and smooth, like butter running through my fingers. It was not slick like some ribbon yarn or silks, just smooth, which made for really nice crocheting. I designed a crochet baby hat with it for my new grandson who is expected any day now! I can't wait to post a photo with him in the hat!
Alpaca Love was definitely named correctly because you are going to love it!
I can't wait to see all the new colors of these yarns in person. I believe that
Stitch Nation yarn will be available at Joann's Craft Stores sometime in March. Until then, you can, of course, purchase it at
Joann's Fabric and Crafts online.
Disclaimer: The yarn from Stitch Nation was provided to me to use in my design work.
