Wishlist Number 2

Oh how I enjoyed working with you Cascade 128. I used the Cedar and the Turtle. Mmmm.

So I told you guys that I would do a Two Buck Chuck Wishlist. Yeah. I suck. Its been awhile, and now its not in time for Christmas. But its here!

1. Vanna's Choice: So I've gone on at length on the wonders of Vanna's Choice. If you're gonna go cheap that this should be your choice. The colors are vibrant, the yarn is soft and easy to work with. Unlike other acrylic yarns, this one doesn't hurt my fingers when I use it at length. It doesn't itch and it doesn't feel cheap at all. This is the best of the best cheap yarn. In my humble opinion.

2. Sugar and Cream Cotton: So if you're looking for the best yarn for purses, wash clothes, towels and any other creations that needs a lot of sturdy yarn that's still easy to work with and isn't too stiff, this is your yarn! Sugar and Cream was my first yarn. I used a ton of it when my mom was just starting to teach me to crochet. Its great for beginners because you can see your stitches clearly and it holds up and to lots of frogging.

3. Patons: is lovely. Just lovely. My favorite is the Classic Wool. This yarn feels good and its felts really easily. There are some wools that take a few washings to felt up well, but in my experience with Patons, its felts easily. One wash and I have a felted stuffed animal. Which is great when you make a ton of animals and you don't have a lot of time for multiple washings. Its also sturdy. A kid can grab on the leg of your stuffed chicken and yank forever and Patons will stand up to it all, which is a good feeling when you're selling a lot of chickens.

4. Impeccable: This is a good all around yarn. Loops and Threads makes softer yarn, but the Impeccable yarn is great for household goods. Its heavy and thick and so its sturdy. I use it for kids toys because it's washable and durable and drool proof.

5. Knit Picks: So I love Knit Picks (I have some issues with them that I'll rant about later). Its a great site and their Wool of the Andes is by far the most affordable yarn on the site. Its great, if a little rough, but it works up really nice and its felts easily. Word of warning, they don't have a whole slew of colors at Knit Picks. You really have to settle sometimes, for a color that you don't actually want. But you're paying a really good price for high quality yarns, so you deal.

So that's my top 5 best affordable yarns. I hope you all had a great Holiday and that your 2010 is better than 2009. May all your yarn dreams come true!

Photo Credits: yarn.com, Lionbrand.com, Sugarncream.com, patonsyarns.com, michaels.com, knitpicks.com

Ho Ho Ho.

My Yarn Wishlist:

Oh how I love Christmas, and... yarn. God I love yarn. So here's my top 5 list of expensive yarns to use. I'll make a 2 buck chuck version next.

1. Manos Del Uruguay: This gorgeous yarn is so fun to work with. It moves with your hook, and it works up in the most interesting ways. Because its hand spun and hand dyed, no two skeins are the same, and it thickens and thins as you use it. Its never going to work up the same and no two projects will ever be the same. What's better though is who the company supports. The company is owned and operated by the women who spin and dye the yarns. They are a co-op that creates and sells the yarn made by hard working women for a fair price and its awesome.

2. Berroco: This yarn is amazing. Nuff said. But then you take into account how many different kinds of yarn this company puts out and you'll be stunned. From basic cotton to merino wool and all the way down to a linen blend that looks and feels like a pair of well worn jeans. This company has it all. Plus, the great thing about Berroco is you can try all their yarns and not go completely broke in the process. Always a plus.

3. Cascade: Cascade is a yarn unto itself. I think what I like the best about Cascade's skeins is that you get SO much for your money. And they don't skimp on the quality so you're paying for 2 buck chuck and you're getting 200 yards of high quality, beautiful yarn in every color imaginable.

4. Rowan: Rowan is a unique brand in my heart. They're yarn is gorgeous, and they're patterns are stunning but they are so expensive that I have a really hard time buying the stuff. They also seem a bit knit-centric with very little in the way of crochet patterns in all of their publications. But when this company puts out a magazine or a book its worth picking up just to look inside. They're stuff is to die for. I would die to be able to make the stuff they have and with their yarn. DIE I say.

5. Noro: This is probably my boyfriend's favorite yarn. And I have to say that its a fantastic yarn to work with. Its really very pricey, but the self striping effect added on top of the very unique color choices (I probably wouldn't choose to put any of the colors together that they do, yet somehow it always works when I buy their yarn). Plus you can felt it, or leave it be and always have an insane end product that will make even a knitter happy with your work.

So that's my list of the top 5 expensive yarns. Next up... the cheap ones! Yes!

Keep on hookin' my fine hookers.

All photos are from the website of the yarn producers. Click the links for more details.