All I Want For Christmas is LOTS of yarn!

In pandemic times, major supply chain issues are hard at work. You may have missed 22 yarns that came out in the second half of 2021. August of every year is the 2nd half of the year store reset as we head into the busy season of the yarn crafts.

It's time for a relaunch that we here at The Crochet Crowd are calling New Yarn 2.0.

In previous years, the middle of August has been seamless with exceptions to some stores that get their product a bit after launch time. Remember, not all stores in a retail chain like JOANN, Michaels, Walmart and others carry the same variety and stock levels. In fact, some locations don't receive some of the yarns while others do. The individual location of store size and other variables at play. So it's possible to see online people showing their yarn at a store where your local store doesn't have any. It happens where I live as well as we have a small format Michaels Store.

At the end of June, the Stitch Ambassadors get a preview of the yarns that are coming in the fall so we can plan ahead, begin designing and build-out programs like the annual Stitch Along with JOANN. You can tell by our launch that it does really not fall. This introduction is filmed in July to be ready for the fall season in the weeks to follow.

Primary Focus

The Stitch Ambassadors are guided on where to focus their attention. O'Go being a brand new yarn format for 2021 was our highest level of attention. The new format is the future as Yarnspirations decided to take a risk on presenting a different format yarn to appease the 80% who responded in a survey that getting started to find the tail ends was a problem.

Like any new product or idea, humans tend to resist change. I have read somewhere that it takes the human mind about 15 days to adjust to something big. Myself, I have been working with O'Go well before the public knew about it and I have come to really adjust my habits. As a person that would have been the 20% of just cutting out tangles or just shrugging my shoulders to the tangles as I feel it's part of the experience. Though, I have thrown out my fair share of tangled yarn in my lifetime. My patience is low.

I've become a believer in the O'Go Format. Getting started is so much quicker. Yarnspirations has also been watching consumer feedback and comments on social media. There is always room for improvement. Consumers have suggested other yarns to be considered in this format as well. I am not privy to know anything further on other yarns that may go into this format or other new yarns at this time.

O'Go Yarn Review

Supply Chain Issues - Background

Many of you already know, my job before The Crochet Crowd was in the logistics of product movement.

1. I worked in a courier centre on the phones with consumers. My gawd, Christmas time and Valentine's Day is a freaking nightmare! Services of 1.5 hours, 2.5 hours, same day and next day services. My gawd, when a package is late, it's the end of the world for some people. Yes, there are packages that are time-sensitive.
2. I then worked as the shipping manager for a factory shipping an industrial product throughout North America including planes, trains and transport to remote areas that needed ferry services. I would have to package up the skids and then find sources to get the product from the factory to the customer's locations. Again, time-sensitive timelines are at play, especially when the factor is behind schedule and the product needs to be on the customer's doorstep immediately. It's stressful. I ended up in the hospital several times with anxiety attacks due to the pressure.
3. Truckers would talk to me at the factory about their travels. I then moved on to become a transport driver. I drove all over Canada and USA. I had consistent runs and runs that are unique. Some locations frothing at the mouth waiting for me to arrive. Giving me royal shit for being late when I am on a schedule based on how long it takes to drive from one location to another. The customer promises timelines that are not even remotely accurate.
4. I then moved to truck dispatch. A driver calling in sick was my worst nightmare. Especially when produce is involved. Everything is so time-sensitive.

What is amazing to me, I have seen the customer service side of the packaging movement business. I have seen the back end of being the person to arrange the planes, trains and transports. I have been the person to actually deliver the products in transport. What goes on behind the scenes is oblivious to most people. They just expect the product to be on the shelf without consideration of how many people it took to get there.

The supply chain behind the scenes is extremely stressful. Everything is working in real-time. One hiccup causes a ripple. Many times, the ripple can be hidden if a store or location isn't in desperate need of the product.

I have sympathy for the supply chain and absolute aggravation for people with little patience expecting everything during pandemic times to be the same. Hello!? 

In 2021, the world is the shopping basket of the average person, whether they realize it or not. A bit of this comes from this corner of the globe, a bit of that comes from another part of the globe and a bit of this from here, there and everywhere. If a part of the globe is in trouble, it has a significant ripple effect. Yes, it's nice to say buy it locally, but the world over several decades is working together in unity for product supply and demand.

Remembering the Supply Chain Break of 2016

Some of you remember back in 2016 when Caron Cakes first made its appearance. It was a 3-month program for Michaels exclusively to celebrate the 100th Year of Caron Yarns. Some of you will call this a gimmick, which let's face it, it was. Some people today, are referring to O'Go as a gimmick too but is the future of yarn. It's why we are focusing on it heavily in 2021.

Speaking bluntly though, Caron Cakes was never meant to be a product that went beyond 3 months. Crocheters and knitters went nuts for this format and literally, 3 months' worth of North American supply sold out in most stores in only 3 weeks.

It caused a huge "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON MOMENT!" behind the scenes. While some consumers stated this shortage was on purpose, you know, everyone loves a good conspiracy theory, it caught both Yarnspirations and Michaels Stores with their pants down. They had no idea this was going to be at hot as it was.

It caused a significant telephone tag of conversations to get the cakes back into production and back into the stores. It would take 6 weeks and several cargo planes to get the first stock to roll back out with cargo ships going across the ocean to continue the supply.

What you see in this video here is the behind-the-scenes preview of what was happening. Speaking of gimmicks, have you seen how many brands and multiple companies now offer yarn in cake format! I rest my case, your honour. 

Change can be tough but in time, because the normal for people who may be coming onto the yarn crafts for the first time.

2020 Pandemic Supply Break

In March 2020 when Canada and USA went on lockdown for the first time, we were not the first countries to have already locked down. Countries, where raw materials and finished goods were coming from, were already locked down a month prior. The halt of cargo ships, cargo planes and more had already happened.

You see, North America was living on borrowed time and supplies that already were in North America were being used and depleted without a known timeline of when products will start returning. This became the start of the breaking of the supply chain.

Once North America hit lockdown, our own supply chains were also impacted and by the summer of 2020, empty shelves were all over the place and consumers are asking, "How can this happen?". We are all connected in some way! That's what's happening.

2021 Supply Chain

The backing up of the product movement started but in 2021, it has become far worse. Delays of months are now in play and you cannot just blame one element.

It's a domino of the entire supply chain, which includes the retailers at this time. If you aren't seeing much of Christmas on the shelves by now, it's stuck somewhere. A significant shortage of truckers exists. Honest, trucking was the hardest job I have ever had. It was so stressful. This just isn't from manufacturing to distribution but it's also from distribution to the stores themselves as well.

This issue has caused a friction point between crocheters and knitters themselves in not finding the yarns on shelves and comparing private yarn collections. Honestly, everyone and I mean everyone is trying to get through this pandemic without any emotional scars.

Yarns Scheduled for Release

Though we got a preview back in July, it's a difference between 1 sample ball compared to stocking stores. I have been dying for you to see the Bernat Forever Fleece. My gawd, once you touch this yarn. It is so dreamy!

22 yarns had updates and some brand new, never seen before, yarns were scheduled to come out. Things like Bernat Forever Fleece were delayed two months, again supply chain issues.

Let's examine what you may have mixed.

Bernat Forever Fleece Yarn

New yarn and sold at JOANN. Sink into the beautifully soft fleecy texture of Bernat Forever Fleece. The brushed, fluffy texture makes light and bright home décor projects that you’ll love to show off and the super bulky weight means that projects made with Bernat Forever Fleece don’t take too long to make – they stitch up fast! Machine wash and dry for easy care.

Red Heart Super Saver, O'Go Format Yarn

Available in Solids and long self-striping format. They are the same yardages as the original format of Red Heart Super Saver.

Red Heart Super Saver Brushed Yarn

New yarn and sold at Walmart. Red Heart Super Saver Brushed has a soft, glowing halo. The brushed acrylic yarn stitches up to create a soft and fuzzy fabric that takes cozy to the next level. Ideal for cuddly wraps, shawls and accessories, Super Saver Brushed creates a fabric with a soft and feathery texture. The worsted weight is suited for projects of all kinds from garments to home décor pieces.

Patons Highland Bulky Yarn

New yarn. New Patons Highland Bulky brings a super bulky wool blend to the Patons family. The bulky weight stitches up quickly making it ideal for garments, blankets and cozy accessories that go from cast-on to complete in no time. It’s machine washable for easy care and matches beautifully with Highland Bulky Tweeds for endless color-blending possibilities. Hand-stitched treasures start with Patons.

Caron Tea Cakes

This yarn came back from retirement and sold at Michaels. Caron Tea Cakes is a new take on a fan-favorite - Caron Cakes! This new wool-blend yarn is infused with a lovely heather effect, and the bulky gauge makes sweaters and blankets a breeze!

Caron Simply Soft Marled Yarn

New format. The Caron Simply Soft yarn that you know and love in a new marled format! Different colors are plied together to create a marled effect that adds depth and contour to your projects. By bringing different colors together right in the twist, marled yarns create a speckley, flecked fabric. Work with it on its own or combine it with solid colors to create fades, ombres and endless color combinations.

Caron Lava Cakes Yarn

New yarn exclusive to Michaels. The deliciously self-striping pattern of Caron Lava Cakes lets you stitch right along while the colours mix and blend themselves. With a solid shade on the outside and a colourful striped molten core, Lava Cakes take the guesswork out of coordinating your colours. The versatile worsted weight yarn is a wool blend that is ideal for home décor projects and more.

You can find this at Michaels website or at select Michaels Stores near you.

Features:

• Weight: Medium (4)
• Contents: 80% Acrylic, 20% Wool
• Skein Weight: 8.5 oz. / 240 g
• Yardage: 457 yd. / 418 m
• Knitting Gauge: 18 sts - 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• Crochet Gauge: 13 sc - 14 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Caron Crystal Cakes Yarn

New yarn exclusive to Michaels. Top off your next project with sparkles! Caron Crystal Cakes have a subtle shimmer built into the yarn that adds a little shine to your next stitched-up treat. The versatile worsted weight yarn is machine washable and dryable for easy care. Stitch up a scrumptious blanket, afghan, pillow cover or another shimmery home décor treat with Caron Crystal Cakes!

Features:

• Weight: Medium (4)
• Contents: 64% acrylic, 24% polyester, 7% nylon, 5% metallic
• Skein Weight: 8.5 oz. / 240 g
• Yardage: 457 yd. / 418 m
• Knitting Gauge: 17sts - 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• Crochet Gauge: 14sc - 16 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Caron Colorama Yarn

New yarn and sold at JOANN. Caron Colorama is a bulky weight acrylic striping yarn, perfect for creating bold colorblocked projects. The added bonus of the innovative O’Go format allows for quick-start, tangle-free stitching. Easily separate out the different colors to use in whatever order you choose, or you simply stitch straight through the shades as they are. Shades are pre-coordinated and the tangle-free O’Go format makes Caron Colorama perfect for both new and experienced stitchers.

Caron Cloud Cakes Yarn

New yarn exclusive to Michaels. Caron Cloud Cakes are a light and fluffy addition to the Caron Cakes line of yarns. The fleecy texture comes in a versatile worsted weight and is machine washable and dryable for easy care. Stitch up some delectable home décor treasures and enjoy the delicious softness. Caron Cloud Cakes has a lightly brushed look that lends your projects a soft gleam.

Features:

• Weight: Medium (4)
• Contents: 100% polyester
• Skein Weight: 8.5 oz. / 240 g
• Yardage: 760 yd. / 695 m
• Knitting Gauge: 20 sts - 26 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• Crochet Gauge: 16 sc - 20 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Caron Big Donut Yarn

New yarn sold at Michaels. Caron Big Donut is a versatile worsted weight yarn in the new O’Go format. The innovative O’Go format allows a quick-start, tangle-free stitching. The pre-coordinated stripes in Caron Big Donut are easy to separate and use in whatever order you choose, or stitch straight through as they are. Colorwork and customization has never been easier or more convenient.

Caron Anniversary Cakes Yarn

Returned back to stock for fall only and exclusive to Michaels. Caron Anniversary Cakes are each a whopping 1 kilogram of yarn with enough yardage for most projects. Available in beautiful bright colours, the self-striping cakes are made of 100% acrylic and come in a bulky gauge, perfect for quick stitching.

Features:

• Weight: Super bulky (6)
• Contents: 100% acrylic
• Skein Weight: 35.3 oz. / 1000 g
• Yardage:  1061 yd. / 970 m
• Knitting Gauge: 11 sts - 14 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• Crochet Gauge: 8 sc - 9 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Bernat Velvet Twist Yarn

New yarn sold at JOANN. Bernat Velvet Twist yarn is made up of 3 plies that are uniquely coloured through. The tinging of the plies change for an outstanding finished look. Made up of the chenille-based fibre that has sheen.

Features:

• Weight: Bulky (5)
• Contents: 100% polyester
• Skein Weight: 10.5 oz. / 300 g
• Yardage:  229 yd. / 209 m
• Knitting Gauge: 12 sts - 117 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• Crochet Gauge: 10 sc - 11 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Bernat Sheepy Yarn

Returned back to stock for fall only and exclusive to Michaels. Bernat® Sheepy™ is a new super bulky 100% nylon yarn that mimics a fleecy shearling look, perfect for a wide variety of projects, from cozy afghans to baby sweaters! The machine-washable yarn comes in a convenient big ball format – not only is it quick to stitch up, but there will be fewer ends to weave in when your project is finished! Bernat® Sheepy™ is Oeko-tex certified and tested for over 300 harmful substances.

Bernat Bounce Back Yarn

New yarn and exclusive to Michaels. Bounce into softness with Bernat Bounce Back yarn! This light and springy yarn have all the warmth and all the cozy softness without the heaviness. The bouncy new texture brings a lightness to home décor projects of all kinds. From afghans to pillows, the bulky weight of Bounce Back stitches up quickly and it’s machine washable for easy-breezy care. I'm not going to be biased but maybe I am, this was one of my favourites that came out this fall. 

Features:

• Weight: Bulky (5)
• Contents: 96% Acrylic, 4% Polyester
• Skein Weight: 7.9 oz. / 225 g
• Yardage: 285 yd. / 261 m
• Knitting Gauge: 14 sts - 24 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• Crochet Gauge: 11 sc - 12 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Bernat Blanket Tie Dye-ish Yarn

New colouring options and I believe at Michaels. For a groovy spin on your favorite blanket yarn, check out Bernat Blanket Tie Dye-ish. The color effects are far out! The chenille-style yarn creates plush, huggable fabric that is ideal for blankets, afghans, pillow covers and other home décor treasures. The super bulky weight works up quickly so it’s easy to spread the love.

Bernat Blanket O'Go Format Yarn

Same Bernat Blanket but different colouring and format sold at all major yarn stores. Bernat Blanket O’Go is the same super bulky chenille-style Bernat Blanket yarn you know and love, now in the new innovative O’Go format. Unlike any other format, the new O’Go style creates a quick-start and smooth stitching experience. With no more yarn tangles, you can pick up your yarn and O’Go straight into stitching your next blanket, afghan, or pillow.

Bernat Forever Fleece

New yarn and exclusive to Michaels. Suprise! Bernat Blanket Confetti brings bright confetti sprinkles and fun to your favourite Bernat Blanket yarn. With pops of colour throughout, this yarn creates a bright and cheerful fabric speckled with extra surprises. The chenille-style yarn creates a plush, huggable fabric that is ideal for blankets, afghans, pillow covers and other home décor treasures. The super bulky weight stitches up quickly and it's machine washable for good clean fun.

Features:

• Weight: Super Bulky (6)
• Contents: 90% polyester, 10% nylon
• Skein Weight: 10.5 oz / 300 g
• Yardage: 176 yd / 161 m
• Knitting Gauge: 8 sts - 13 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• Crochet Gauge: 7 sc - 8 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Bernat Blanket Big Bold

New yarn and exclusive to Michaels. Bernat Blanket Big has a new twist! Coordinating colours are twisted together to make a fabric with bold and beautiful patterns. The jumbo weight of Bernat Blanket Big Bold stitches up fast to make dramatic home décor projects that wind their way from start to finish in no time. The same chenille-style Bernat Blanket Big yarn in a new, bigger, bolder, twistier format.

Features:

• Weight: Jumbo (7)
• Contents: 100% polyester
• Skein Weight: 10.5 oz. / 300 g
• Yardage: 29 yd. / 27 m
• Knitting Gauge: 2.5 sts - 3.5 rows = 4" (10 cm)
• Crochet Gauge: 25 sc - 2.5 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Bernat Forever Fleece

New yarn. Bernat Extra Thick yarn gets your project from start to finish extra fast. Your favorite chenille-style Bernat Blanket yarn now has even more to love. The jumbo weight comes in a generously sized ball so each one goes a long, long way. Use Bernat Blanket Extra Thick to stitch up washable, squishable, comfortable projects that are done before you know it.

Bernat Forever Fleece

Create easy stripes with no hooks and no needles! Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Stripes lets kids and beginners create big and cuddly striped projects. The pre-formed loops and jumbo weight mean that projects are completed in no time. Watch the stripes take shape as you link loop after loop. Fast, convenient and washable for easy care; nothing could be EZ-ier!

Bernat Forever Fleece

EZ loops now come in a double format that lets you build reversable graphic images right into your plush and cuddly projects. The double row of pre-formed loops on Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Graph It creates a contrasting graphic image on either side of the work. Follow an easy-to-read chart to build your double-sided graphic loop by loop.

Conclusion

A lot has come out but may not be at your local store yet. Some may have come in without you knowing about it as well. Keep your eyes peeled for it. I have provided links to the yarns that are available through Yarnspirations.com. Due to GEO TAGGING from Michaels, if I post a link, it will create an error if you are on the wrong side of the border. All of the Michaels exclusives are available through their Canadian and USA Websites.

More Ideas

1. Marly Bird 12 Gift Choices for 2021
2. Jonah's 6 and 6 Choices for 2021

More Collections of Free Patterns