Yarn Substitutions Made Easy

I get lots of questions to my inbox  everyday, but one that I see often is can I substitute a different yarn for that project. Some times I have an answer and sometimes I just don't. I would love to say I'm familiar with every type of yarn but unfortunately I'm not. 

When you substitute a different yarn than a project calls for you have to ask yourself a lot of questions. What weight is the yarn? What texture is the yarn? What type of fiber is the yarn 

Is your gauge the same? Do you even know how to check gauge? LOL 

I know we hate to but its a necessary evil. 

So generally when someone asks me about substituting a yarn, I tell them first to make a swatch and check the gauge. Sometimes it will depend on what you are making too. Some yarns drape or hang better than others. You may even need to block your swatches to see if the yarn will work. 

So do you need help with learning how to substitute yarn?

 I came across a new class on Craftsy called Yarn Substitution Made Easy by Kellie Nuss that just might help although I saw that it's geared toward knitters. If your itching to try something other than crochet like I do once in a while. This may be a great class as beginner with an intro to knitting.  I bet you could learn some new skills to apply to yarn substitution for crochet projects as well. 

Click the image to visit the class info

The Class is currently on sale for $19.99 (reg 29.99)

You get 7 HD videos to watch anytime, anywhere

Class materials including a Cowl pattern

Detailed instrutions

Plus one of my favorites: You can ask the instructor questions right in the virtual classroom. 

I've taken a few craftsy classes and I've really enjoyed them very much! 

Please note: This is a sponsored post

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Big Savings on Craftsy

Did you know you can get craft supplies from Craftsy? Show me the yarn!!! I've actually got some really great deals on some common and not so common yarns! Be sure to check out what they have on sale now! 

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Twisted Knit Project

Sometimes you just need to switch it up! I don't knit often. I forced myself to learn more about it last year. I had tried it several times before but it just wasn't clicking for me! One day last year when I came across the Fiber Flux blog and it really excited me. She has some simple clear videos and instructions that it all finally came together for me. I've only competed a couple knit project because they do take awhile but it's fun to try new things outside my crochet box! 

I kept seeing these fun twisted head wraps and I thought a knit one would be simple enough. I went in search of a pattern on Ravelry. I found this freebie : Twistin the Night Away. 

I started it Saturday night and finished it Sunday afternoon. I'm a slow knitter LOL! I loved this project because it was using chunky yarn! I don't have a large knitting needle stash like my crochet hooks.  So I used my 11- 8mm DNP's and adjusted the pattern as I went which is very easy to do with this pattern. I'm going to attempt some more of these soon. My Calleigh said "mom I need one in blue next please" so I'll work on a child size, which will work up faster! 

Don't you just love this color! The yarn is Michaels Brand Loops and Threads Cozy Wool in Spearmint.

I didn't realize till I was finished that there is a video too and lots of pics. So if you try the pattern or just want to learn to knit this could be a good project for a brave beginner. 

Do you just crochet or do you have another craft you enjoy too? 

Birthday Gift's Crocheters and Yarn Artists Would Love

I just wanted to say thanks so much for all the birthday wishes. Turning 30 is weird to me. I don't feel different but something about that number is troubling me! Oh well got to grow up sometime! LOL! 

I got some fun gifts. A few I bought for myself that I'd been eyeballing for a while! 

Check out this awesome bag my mom got me! It's from ThrityOne and I'm in love with it. I want to get a matching tote bag for all my crochet supplies. This is now my postage bag. They know me in the post office pretty well now and one of the regular mail ladies said it was a nice upgrade from the cardboard box I was using. LOL ! Something tells me it may get filled up with yarn though. 

I finally bought some really cute stitch markers. I know I don't need them. I usually use a safety pin or a contrasting color of yarn but these are just to adorable. I purchased these from Day by Day Crochet. I asked her to make me five that matched my logo colors and she did them perfectly! Aren't they lovely! They are very light weight and don't pull on stitches. I have them hooked on my crochet coffee cup pin cushion so I don't lose them. haha! 

This last gift I purchased myself is just for fun. It's a heart shaped yarn ball stamp with a crochet hook in it. I bought it from a cute shop called Hoffee and a Nuffin. She hand carves these herself. I thought it was great quality and turn around time was fast. You can find these and some other fun stamps in her etsy shop.

I picked up a rainbow colored ink pad and used my 2 inch circle punch with card stock and made these little thank you circles! I may just use it to add a special touch to my packages, but we'll see how crazy busy this fall/winter season gets! 

So if you know any crocheters or other yarn artists. These would make really great gifts if you don't know what to get them besides well yarn....but you can't have to much of that right? 

Do you have other ideas of gifts? Share in the comments below!