The 10th Commandment

When I was little, I remember being worried that I would break that 10 commandment accidently. I figured, at the age of four, that most of the other commandments sounded pretty simple. Well, maybe not the "Honor your father and your mother," but the rest weren't too hard. I wasn't planning on killing anyone, and I knew I wouldn't have to worry about "Adultery" until, well, I was an adult. (No one had explained what it meant, so I figured it had something to do with being a grown up and since I was a kid...) But coveting, that's a different story.

I remember having a conversation with my mother about what the word meant, and from then on I was terrified to say I wanted anything, in case I sinned. It didn't take me too much longer to further examine this commandment, and after another chat with my mom, I learned the difference between wanting to have something and thinking you would just die without it and only thinking of that thing. While I'm not sure exactly how old I was when all of this took place, I couldn't have been much older than four, since we were still in the apartment in Maryland. 

At any rate, all this is just a preface to today's post: The Top 5 Yarns I Wish I Had

I'm not coveting. I'm not even obsessing. I'm just wishing I had an excuse to purchase and use them.

(Since I don't own these yarns, I'm not sure what all of their official names are. I'll do what I can.)

1. Yarn Bee: Chinchilla
(Have I mentioned that this may very well be my favorite brand?)

My biggest issue with this is what it would be used for besides a scarf. Way too much material needed to make a sweater, far to chunky to make socks or even slippers. A hat would come out looking awkward. But someday I will find the right pattern. Someday.


2. I Love This Wool!:Naturals (In striped)

Only one shot of this kind. I love love love the tight color variation. I just tend to avoid using yarns like this because it always looks better as a skein. And it's wool. The fact that it made my top five to try says a lot about my strong attraction to the color and pattern. It's not a member of my stash because, aside from the fact I haven't found a use for it, it's wool. Maybe I'll take a chance on it.


3. Red Heart Boutique: Chic

It's long and fluffy and has cotton ball like things attached. Useful, no. Bizarre, yes. Once again, what do you use it for? A scarf pattern is included, but is that its only purpose? Surely not. (Notice the clearance tags and be proud of the fact I didn't actually buy any.)


4. Red Heart Boutique: Rigoletto

It kind of looks like a partially made sweater already. And you could just pull it out of the skein, wrap it around your neck, and be good to go. But much like the chinchilla yarn, I really want to try making something different out of it. Hmm....


5. Red Heart Boutique: Ribbons

Ruffle scarves are pretty. Ruffle scarves easy to make. But with so many varieties of ribbon yarn available these days, it would be nice to find another use for ribbon yarn. It's so pretty, but I just can't bring myself to jump on the ruffle scarf wagon. (I say that...and yet I have made a few out of tulle ribbon. So maybe I'm just a hypocrite.) And this one sparkles.

So now everyone knows what to get me for Christmas...but by then I'm sure to have moved on other yarns.

Stay crafty!

CR

Top Five Yarns

So I got to thinking last night about yarn (no surprise) and about how there are some materials that are just a pleasure to work with. This was furthered today when I made a trip to Hobby Lobby to pick up a few necessities. I always get distracted in yarn aisles, especially at Hobby Lobby. Probably because they sell several of my favorite yarns.While there are some mainstays I go back to over and over again, when I get the chance to pick anything to work with, there are a few specific yarns that come to mind.


1. Yarn Bee: Soft Illusion

 

This stuff is amazing. Like working with a cloud. Perfect for blankets and scarfs and anything else you can snuggle with. But be careful: The "fluff" that makes it so fantastic can get tangles up with itself, so you want to limit the tearing out and starting again as much as possible (although, isn't that always true?) All the yarns are variegated, so make sure you're using it for something that can be stripy!

2. Yarn Bee: Enchantress

 

I'm a sucker for all things sparkly. And this has sequins in it. Brilliant! (Groan...that was unintentional, I promise.) Beware: the sequins can grab on to yarn around them, and it does make the yarn itself difficult to use in delicate projects. I like it best for purses and hair bows.

3. Red Heart: Oatmeal (?) I can't find the actual name for this, but the Vanna's choice version it called Oatmeal. This kind is less expensive and the yarn itself has about the same feel.

 

At my house, this is called boot cuff color. Lots and lots of boot cuffs. Easy to care for, cheap to buy, and not really any hassle to use. And the color is a great neutral.

4. I Love This Yarn!: Metallic

 

It sparkles. (Like I said, I'm a sucker for the sparkle.) And it comes in a bajillion colors (Well, more like a dozen, but that's still a lot). My only complaint it that I couldn't find it in brown. Brown Metallic may be out there somewhere, but I have yet to spot it. Great yarn, great price, and easy to use.

5. Premier Yarns: City Life

 

One of the saddest things about the ruffle scarf craze is that more craft stores have replaced their lattice yarn with ruffle yarn. But I did run across these lovelies while visiting my folks. They shine, they are a bit stretchy, and the are extremely workable. My only regret is that I only bought these three.

Stay tuned: Coming up tomorrow the 5 yarns I'm dying to try

Stay crafty!

CR