Exclusive only to Yarnspirations is Bernat All In One Granny yarn that launched in late December 2024. In today's economy, crocheters cannot afford to waste, and this yarn checks all the boxes to cut down on the amount of yarn purchased. I'll explain. This material is the infamous Bernat Blanket yarn reformated. Quick Demonstrations Mikey...
Reviews of Products and Books
These are reviews of books, eBooks and product or service reviews. I really like to review pattern books as I love previews and seeing different ideas.
Errors for The Crochet Crowd Book
While it's fantastic to be accurate, with any crochet pattern and significant projects, it's easy to make a mistake. Here are the known mistakes and fixes for them. Professionally, this is known as errata. Learn more about our Book and how to get it here. First Printing July 2021 has the following known errors and...
50 Crochet Christmas Holiday Blankets + Tutorials
We have 49 Crocheted Christmas Holiday Blankets to share with you. Each one is a free pattern. I enjoy patterns like this because they can be put away and returned another year, and you can have fond memories. Update: More new free patterns for 2024 were added for your stitching enjoyment.
New: Bernat Blanket Mist-ical Yarn + Free Patterns
In the newest extension of Bernat Blanket, Bernat Blanket Mist-ical yarn, pockets full of sunshine are highlighted by pockets of darker colours. The colours appear to be marbling effects achieved with watercolours. It's still a lightweight yarn but the same weight as a regular Bernat Blanket so that you can mix and match it with...
Inspired by Space: Bernat Blanket Extra Thick Cel-este Yarn + Free Patterns
The latest colouring of Bernat Blanket Extra Thick Cel-este yarn by Yarnspirations is new for August 2024. These balls are 600 grams / 21.2 oz, much bigger than they look. Thick and heavy yarn to keep you warm in the winter. Great colouring to help disguise pet hair or dust, too! The colouring of the...
Discontinued: What To Do With Bernat Forever Fleece Tweeds
An intriguing new yarn called Bernat Forever Fleece Tweeds is rolling out at Joann—home decor comfort yarn. This yarn has me captivated by the softness and the casual nature of the appearance of this yarn. This strong yarn is 90% polyester with 10% nylon, which gives it strength. The core of the yarn is like...
Even BIGGER: Caron Colorama Halo Yarn Product + Free Patterns
The packaging is deceiving as these balls are EVEN BIGGER than the original Caron Colorama Halo yarn. The yarn cakes have jumped from from 227 grams / 8 oz to over doubling its size to 500 grams / 17.6 oz. The yarn cakes also have its own colouring as well. . . When reviewing the...
New 2024 Yarn: Bernat Fluffee Yarn
It's August 1st, and it's time for the fall reset of retailers in Canada and the USA. New Patterns for Bernat Fluffee Yarn are Here. It's a generous-sized ball with bulky weight to make crochet or knit projects go much faster. The texture is air-spun with a nylon anchor that prevents shedding and allows you...
New Product: Coats & Clark Yarn Zip
Adding zippers to existing crochet, knitting or other projects or starting at the zipper to build out a project is made simpler with the Coats & Clark Yarn Zip product. It's not just a zipper; it's designed to help you much more than a regular zipper. . . As someone who doesn't sew well, the...
New Dappled Colour Effect: Bernat Baby Blanket Dappled Yarn
It is not a solid colour but appears to be smudged with intention, which is the dappled colouring effect by Yarnspirations. You can see a project below on how it looks like as well. You can see several free crochet and knit patterns here that use this yarn, too. I typically find this type of...
Discontinued: What To Do with Caron Jumbo Twirl Yarn
Watch the addiction of this yarn. It feels to me like the crazy fun addiction of Caron Cakes but in a different stitching journey. Introducing the latest innovation yarn by Yarnspirations called Caron Jumbo Twirl yarn. This will be available at Joann Fabrics and Crafts through in-store and online shopping really soon. It's already currently...
ALL NEW: Bernat Latch It Kits
As the economy shifts, many crafters tend to view the crafts as a form of entertainment instead of just death-scrolling social media. It's a way to use time and have something tangible to show for it. I'm also guilty of death-scrolling, so I am no stranger to doing that. All new is the Bernat Latch...
Where Does Mikey Get His Shirts?
Mikey gets his shirts at Demenswear, an online store. Before you click the link, though, be aware that some of the clothing is not appropriate for all ages or people who are too sensitive or closed-minded to accept people of the 2SLGBTIA+ community members. Some of the clothing is images I would never wear or...
Yarn Store: Rewards in Nova Scotia
Locals have been telling me about Rewards for years. I've lived here since 2018, and I haven't been to Rewards yet. It's a store of home decor, toys, and other things that I struggle to describe. My local group told me recently, "You should have listened to us sooner!" Well, they are right, but don't...
What is the Bernat Quickweave Kit? New June 2024 + Tutorial
New as of June 7, 2024, is the Bernat Quickweave kit that stunned me when I saw it months ago at Yarnspirations in Toronto. They tossed it before me, and I was like, "What is that!?". This was supposed to be a few-minute presentation as I was getting a preview for 2024 / 2025, and...
The Crochet Crowd Book
The Crochet Crowd's only book came out in September 2021 after a year of development. Featuring Michael Sellick, Daniel Zondervan and a list of other friends to make some patterns for the book. Those people included Jeanne Steinhilber, Anita Grover, Megan McHugh and Kathleen Nolen. You can pick it up at your favourite bookstore and/or...
Review: Kollage Square Crochet Hooks
Kollage Square Crochet Hooks are made both in the United States and Canada. I was really on the fence about these hooks because the promise of ergonomic hooks depends on the individual. I had to enlist my friend Kelly to give me some blunt feedback. You should know this is a review with no bonuses...
Crochet Accessibility For Hands
Are years of crocheting getting to your hands? Maybe it is time to adjust your tools to accommodate the changes in your body. For years, I have noticed my hands numbing occasionally. Picking up smaller tools like tapestry needles and even fashion-like small scissors is becoming more of a challenge for me. In 2024, the...
What to Do With Felted Yarn Debut
The latest new yarn is rolling out at Michaels called Bernat Felted yarn. It's a generous-sized ball of 9.2 oz / 260 g with 249 yards / 228 metres. This yarn combines solid and durable materials, including 62% acrylic, 21% wool and 17% nylon. It has a recommended crochet hook size of 8 mm /...
Bernat Blanket Bigger Yarn; Finger Crochet or Knitting
Look at the size of that yarn ball! This is the new Bernat Blanket Bigger yarn. Compare that to the Red Heart Super Saver. It's massive. They are intended for finger knitting and crocheting. These big bad boys will be available at select Joann locations in the USA. They are 21.2 oz / 600 grams....
Discontinued: Caron X Pantone Yarn
Introducing Caron x Pantone, a new exclusive yarn to Michaels in person and through Yarnspirations.com. This is pronounced as Caron (AND) Pantone. The x in the name is branding from Pantone when an affiliate relationship is in place. Caron x Pantone is unlike any yarn we have seen produced at Yarnspirations. From presentation of the...
Red Heart Super Saver Color Block Yarn
Red Heart Super Saver Color Block yarn can be found in Walmart USA with only 3 colour choices. It's a generous 10 oz ball that is uniquely dyed that you cannot see in the ball unless you know about it. In crocheting or knitting thinks like scarves, you will see it do it's magic. It...
Red Heart Super Saver Metallic Yarn
New to the Red Heart Super Saver family of yarn is an extension called Red Heart Super Saver Metallic. Found in Walmart USA, available in only 6 colours. It's the new type of shiny filament that doesn't have the scratch element to it. From either gold or silver shiny filaments with a base colour of...
New LARGE format of Bernat Blanket Yarn
New to Yarnspirations is the large format of Bernat Blanket yarn. These balls are double the size of the original Bernat Blanket yarn. The original balls were 300 grams or 10.5 oz, but these new balls are now 600 grams at 21.2 oz in size. Stitch everything home décor from blankets to crochet baskets, Bernat...
How To Crochet Red Heart All In One Granny Square Yarn
If you're looking for an innovative approach to crocheting granny squares without dealing with tail ends for each colour. This yarn aims to minimize the number of yarn tails woven at your project's end. This is the new Red Heart All In One Granny Square yarn. I have provided written instructions and downloadable crochet diagram...
Did You Know the Difference?
What is the difference between Lily Sugar'n Cream and Bernat Handicrafter Cotton? Maybe this is a trick question, or is it? When you compare the 100% cotton yarn. The look, the texture and how it behaves on your crochet hook or knitting needles, you shouldn't notice any difference. It's the same thing. Lily Sugar'n Cream...
Review: What's The Deal with Caron Cakes?
Caron Cakes was originally launched over 7 years ago and was initially put into Michaels Stores for just 3 months. The original packaging of the yarn was slightly different. The Caron logo had its 100th anniversary on the ball band. While Yarnspirations thought the stitching journey and presentation would be a hit to consumers, the...
Bernat Blanket Perfect Phasing Yarn
New Bernat Blanket Perfect Phasing yarn is fresh in 2023 at select JOANN stores and Joann.com. This is a new technology that colour grades ideally. Testing with Caron Colorama Halo last year, the technology is now with Bernat Blanket this year. There is no colour blocking of a shade; the colour seamlessly changes and, depending...
Bernat Plush Yarn
You have to feel this new yarn called Bernat Plush by Yarnspirations. It's already available at select JOANN and Joann.com for online ordering. This yarn is something to touch. It's 100% polyester and incredibly soft. It bounces back when you squeeze it. The yarn is like a soft rope. It's machine washable and dryable. It's...
Bernat Maker Yarn
Yarnspirations announces the arrival of Bernat Maker yarn. If you think you recognize this yarn, you have a good eye; this was called Bernat Maker Home Dec in the past. This yarn is like a knit i-cord made of 72% cotton and 28% nylon. It's a heavy material that is considered in the bulky #5....
Book Review: Motif Magic by Kristin Omdahl
Motif Magic by Kristin Omdahl Kristin is one of my all-time favourite crochet designers in the main stream publishing of pattern books. For me, until 2009, I hadn't bought any other patterns besides the one I had from the age of 14 back in the 80's. I needed ideas for a live show to dress...
Book Review: Crochet Animal Rugs by Ira Rott
Crochet Animal Rugs Introducing an incredible book by Ira Rott. Ira is a Canadian Designer and you may have seen her designs floating in and around facebook. You may need a refresher because you probably don't even realize she is the designer of the popular Elephant Rug, which is also included in this book. Ira...
Crochet Cute Critters by Sarah Zimmerman
Crochet Cute Critters The Crochet Cute Critters by Sarah Zimmerman is definitely an uphill battle achievement. The book is over 130 pages of crochet goodness featuring 26 easy-level amigurumi patterns. Sarah has the ability to take the ordinary in designs such as this and make them extraordinary. I admire her skills to be able to...
Crochet Adorned Pattern Book Review
Crochet Adorned Pattern Book This Crochet Adorned Book is definitely an eye-catcher due to the stunning cover of the model wearing a bright flowered necklace... OH WAIT... it’s not a necklace, it’s added embellishments to her blouse. This book is exactly about adding to what you already have. Linda Permann, the author, does an incredible...
The Happy Hooker Pattern Book Review
The Happy Hooker Pattern Book Laughter... Giggles... Guilty Pleasure... are three descriptions that instantly pop into my mind when thinking of Debbie Stoller’s Happy Hooker book. The name in itself lures you at the Book Store to investigate further because of the double meaning of words used on the front cover. Stitch’n Bitch is a common...
Sportacular Afghans for Him by Karen Barnes
Truly An Incredible Book for Man Caves It's rare I see a crochet pattern book that makes me smile with a stupid grin on my face with awe at the creativity within. Karen Barnes, designer of the Sportacular Afghans published by Leisure Arts is responsible for this sheepish grin of mine today! Gone are the...
Crochet Wildlife Guide by Ha & Wiehler
The Crochet Wildlife Guide To my delight, I got a copy of The Crochet Wildlife Guide by Phillip Ha and Jeff Wiehler. From time to time, unprompted, I get a copy of a book to review. Whether it be from the publisher or author directly. In this case, the boys sent me a copy to...
9 Months to Crochet by Maaike van Koert
9 Months to Crochet by Maaike van Koert 9 Months to Crochet is a fabulous little book inspired by new mom's waiting over a 9 month period for their precious young one to be born. The colourful and adorable book has the book separated by trimesters for goals to achieve while waiting. The projects aren't...
24 Crochet Hats Book by Kristin Omdahl
Kristin Omdahl, designer extraordinaire has just released another self-published book called 24 Crochet Hats. The 115-page book is filled with patterns for all levels of crocheters. From the simplistic to the stitches that will tease your imagination with flare. Yes, even a pattern for a Tunisian Hat is included. The book not only has the...
Make Miniature Crochet Crowd Book + Tutorial
Make a miniature Crochet Crowd Book for your miniature library, or to have something small as a keepsake. This is officially a 1:12 Scale that fits modelling for doll houses and vignette scenes you may want to create. My tutorial below will show you how to use my template to produce your own. Download You...