Monday, April 28, 2014

Coats and Clark Featuring Red Heart Yarns

Where are my crafters today? You know I have been pretty vocal here and on Facebook about my new obsession - knitting. I have knitted everyday without fail since I taught myself less than a month ago. And of course I have shared the experience with you. It stands to reason that with such a strong knitting hobby I have become addicted to yarn. When I see a new color or style I start to think about what I could make from it. I am so super excited to tell you about the bag of goodies I received from Red Heart.

First off there was the actual bag and you know I love bags of all kinds. This is a great big tote that is perfect for carrying projects with me so I can knit on the road, or in the doctors office, where you know I spend way too much time. On the front of the bag it has the Red Heart logo and a big pocket to put your tools and whatnot in.  You can never have too many project bags I am finding out! I already have four that are filled with yarns and ongoing projects so this is a very welcome addition to my tote collection. Plus, I get to proudly display my love for Red Heart.



In the bag I found the most fabulous fancy yarns! I have worked a lot with Red Heart Super Saver yarns but I really had no idea the range of yarns from Red Heart and the Coats and Clark family. The first yarn I pulled out was the Red Heart Reflective of which there were two, one Neon Yellow and the other Olive. These colors look like they will complement each other perfectly so I will combine then in a hat or wrap for early morning walking. I love that they will reflect headlights and help keep me and the dogs safe. The yarn itself is a bulky #5 and feels very soft to the touch. Just as soon as my round needle is free I will cast on with this yarn and, of course, update you with the completed project.


There were also two shade of Anne Geddes Baby which is a super soft light #3 yarn. There was a light tan and bright red that also look like they will be beautiful together. I was thinking these would be great for socks. As soon as I can get my hands on some double pointed needles I will dive in to that. It won’t be long and then I will update you. I have a feeling after doing some practice stitches with this yarn that it is going to be a joy to work with. It feels so soft and luxurious in my hands I bet it makes comfy socks, and of course a baby blanket would also be perfect in this yarn.


From the Boutique line I received the Swanky yarn in Sterling and I instantly knew what I wanted to do with it! I have been eyeing a driving scarf pattern that reminded me of a classic movie star and the extra silver dangles on this will catch the light perfectly, adding that extra bit of swank to the pattern. I am practicing some of the new stitches I will need for this pattern and then I will be on it, I think if I can pull this off you will be so impressed. This is a #4 and feels very soft compared to the other #4 yarns I have used, but really it is the silver embellishments that make this yarn something super special. I need to get my hands on this in more colors! I could see a beach shawl looking lovely in this yarn.


You ladies know me and my deep love of pink so you know I was so giddy when I saw the Boutique Sassy Fabric in Pink Dot! OMG Pink with polka dots. I have no idea how to knit with this yet but I found a pattern on the Red Heart site, they have so many great patterns and I found some instructional videos as well. I will make this into a scarf very very soon and share the learning process with you. This is going to be so fun to learn to knit with something so unique and so fabulous. This is a #6 but it feels to me like a very sheer fabric and it has little holes which I assume are to make easy to knit or crochet with.


In addition to the lovely yarns there were also some needles in the bag from the Susan Bates Crystalites line. These are acrylic and I have never knitted with acrylics before so I was excited to see the difference. First off they are very pretty, I have some metal Susan Bates needles and they are also pretty colors but these are a little see through and catch the light, changing color slightly when I knit outside.  They don’t make as loud of a click click sound but there is still a light soothing sound when you knit.



There are a few main differences I noticed right off the bat. The first thing is that they have a little give, which is nice because I tend to work tight. The other is that they hold the yarn a bit. I found that both good and odd, it is odd until you get used to it and it kind of threw off my rhythm but it is great in that at the start of a row the needle won’t drop.  I am still clumsy and have had a few close calls where at the start of a row when moving the yarn from back to front to change stitches I dropped the needle and it came right out! I almost lost all of my work several times. These needles don’t do that since they have a little grab to them. I can see that being super useful when working with very fine or slippy yarns.

I encourage you to visit Red Heart and Coats and Clark online to see all of the great supplies they offer and make sure to browse around all of the free patterns for inspiration and ideas for your next project.  Look for supplies from the whole Coats and Clark family at your local craft stores as well as online. You can also connect with Red Heart on Facebook and Twitter for fun promotions, new products, free patterns, and promotions.


Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.

11 comments:

  1. You're definitely making me want to learn to knit, I like the boutique sassy fabric too.

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  2. The bag and yarn is gorgeous! I like the colors and after reading this post, I see that you are a very good knitter. I like the knitting colors and the sassy fabric-it looks like a great color for Spring.Keep up the good work.

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  3. I am so impressed you are doing this. I guess i just have a difficult time trying to figure it out with directions. I am more of a visual learner which is how I learned as a child the basic crocheting I had done. I can't wait to see how you've done. I did use this a few times when I crocheted as well. Wish I would have had a tote for my things. I didn't and had different size hooks and yarn everywhere

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  4. I checked out their site and they do have quite an amazing selection! I only know how to crochet but the quality of yarn makes such a huge difference. I love that they have free patterns too. And I have to say that the Boutique Sassy Fabric in Pink Dot is so adorable!

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  5. Oh I wish I was crafty! Those yarns are just such beautiful colors! I need to learn to crochet. I just love your blog by the way.

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  6. I love red heart yarn ! I use to to crochet scarves and hats for my girls :)

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  7. I love this craft. I don't knit at all. I don't even know how. I would love to try some day.

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  8. I'm jealous of those that know how to knit well. I never did learn and wish my mother was still around to teach me.

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  9. My mother tried teaching me how to knit with yarn before never been able to finish anything yet !

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  10. I am commenting again. I love all of your gorgeous knitting hats and scarves that you have made. You are an expert in knitting.

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  11. I know knitters who only use red heart yarns. They believe it is the best.

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