Eek…I’m REALLY excited about this week’s Cool Shop, Tangled Yarns…
I know that I’m supposed to be all about fabrics and the sewing machine but at the moment I’m going crazy for YARN! I want to crochet and knit the nights away, maybe it is the cool weather…the problem is, I don’t know how!
I’ve tried a bit of knitting and crochet before and have found crocheting much easier, you can’t drop stitches and it is easier to keep track of where I am at. When Kelly (from Tangled Yarns) and I were discussing a product to review, I remembered this great tutorial for a crocheted bag and thought that I could probably manage it. Kelly suggested some yarns and I told her the colours I was interested in and she put together this happy selection of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece for me. Aren’t the colours gorgeous? She also sent along a Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hook to get me started.
The yarn has been amazing to work with…I have to admit that I have only ever had experience with cheapo yarns before and it definitley pays to buy the best quality you can afford. The Cotton Fleece is super soft and has a lovely thickness to it.
(Check out my crochet skills! I’m so proud of myself and it has been soooooo easy – this bag is a great beginner project!)
And in about 4 weeks of crocheting a round here and there I have finished the bottom of the bag! Looking forward to finishing it off – I am getting much faster the more I practice and will be sure to share the finished bag with you (give me a month or two!)
The problem I have with Tangled Yarns is Kelly’s photography…I don’t think I have drooled over a ball of wool before, but I keep finding myself flicking through the archives of her blog for inspiration. You know what has put me off knitting/crochet in the past? When I see a pattern for something I want to make, I have no idea what kind of yarn to use, don’t know what size hook/needles I need, etc. Kelly has been such a great help….I’ve emailed her regarding a few different projects I want to make up and she quickly lets me know which yarns would be suitable. Great! I have no more excuses for picking up the needles and teaching myself a new craft 😉
I’ve had my eye on a few sock knitting projects for winter…these funky stirrup socks and this dainty spiral boot sock (I love the lace look). Kelly has suggested a few different yarns to use for each and I’m going to go with the Biggan Design 4Ply for the stirrups…so many amazing colours to choose from – how am I going to decide?! And the Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino looks lovely and soft for the spiral socks. (Poor Kelly…she is probably going to get sick of my emails asking for yarn advice!)
Tangled Yarns has an extensive array of yarns, accessories and other knitting/crochet related products.
I’ve read a lot about Soak, a cleaning agent suitable for all fine fibers…don’t you want to take this little jar home and pop it in your laundry?
Looooving the greens in this Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton bundle…
A sweet collection of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece…
Kelly also has some gorgeous finished projects up in her Ravelry projects page.
This blanket is amazing…
I think I could probably manage this gorgeous bangle aswell…
Love the grey in this hexagon blanket…
Her ripple blanket is great inspiration for a baby little girl project:
Are you still reading along?? Didn’t mean to make this review so long…too many beautiful things to share though!
If you want to see all of these lovely products and more in the flesh and live in Brisbane, head into their retail store…next time I’m in Brisbane I’m definitley going in for a shop!
Newstead QLD 4006
Australia
