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

Want to become an affiliate too. 

Just follow the link here: Craftsy Affiliate

Labor Day Weekend Savings

Are you looking for some great deals this weekend! I have gotten some of my favorite classes and crochet books on sale during Labor Day weekend in years past!! I have my eye on a few new stitch books to get my creative juices flowing for the upcoming fall and winter months ahead! 

Check out these great deals!!

Craftsy is having a up to 50% off Online Classes and Supplies

They usually have some great deals on yarn from Lion Brand, Premier, Cascade,

 and more specialty brands! 

They also have fabric, paper, tools and other crafty supplies! 

If your looking to learn something new. The classes are great. 

I've purchased a few and they are very well done. So why not learn something new this weekend!


If you are looking for a great deal on some new patterns or books! I love getting digital books through Leisure Arts! They have soo many! 

I have my eyes on a few! It will be hard to decide!


What are you going to get? Patterns? Yarn? I can't wait to here!
Share in the comments below and Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

***This is a Sponsored post with Affiliate Links!*** 

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! 

2 Days Only -- Shop Craftsy's Mystery Markdowns (sponsored post - Contains affiliate links) Shop Craftsy's Mystery Markdowns now! Enjoy special savings on popular yarn, fabric and project kits. But act fast because this limited supply won't last! Offer expires at midnight on November 14th, 2014 at 11:59 PM MT. Shop Craftsy's Mystery Markdowns now for surprisingly big savings. Click to reveal yarn savings Click to reveal fabric savings Click to reveal sewing kit savings Click to reveal craft savings What are you going to buy?!?

I Love Yarn Day

It's "I Love Yarn" Day! 

So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a sale!

 40% off all pattern in Ravelry today only. 

(Ends Midnight Central)

Don't have extra $$$. Me either LOL! So here is some links to some of my free favorites for fall! 

*NEW: Fall Harvest Infinity Scarf

Key Tab Series- 4 patterns

Enjoy! 

Thursday Yarn Talk

Back before my blogging break I used to go shopping every Thursday for yarn and share my findings with you on the blog. I've been on a yarn freeze (sorta) for the past 7 month. I only would pick it up for orders, or a special occasion like my birthday. I think I used that excuse a few times LOL! Well it's Thursday so I think I want to share what's in my stash instead! I have a few fun finds and trying new yarns is fun! 

I've been wanting to knit (yes I said knit) a pair of socks for a long time but I wanted nice yarn. Like at my Local Yarn Shop The Gourmet Yarn Company. So many pretties! I only visit there once every couple months.  I usually just touch. squeeze and wish for the yarn. It's a little more pricey but I have fallen in love with a few things there I like to spurge on once in a while. I love to get together with some of my yarn friend for there knit/crochet ins. 

If you want a peek inside the shop my mom blogged about it here with a few fun picks! 

There are always a few prizes and giveaways at the Knit ins, but I never win those until my B-day month! I was so excited I won a skien of Sock Yarn that has enough for me to make the socks!!! 

It's a skein of Rowan Fine Art - Premium hand painted sock yarn, made with wool and silk! I love the colors too! Lovely shades of blue! 

Here is my dilemma! I'm not a great knitter, but I'm up for this challenge I just need a easy, simple pattern! I've been looking but honestly there are a lot so I need your help! Let me know your favorite knit or crochet sock patterns and then I look through and narrow it down and let you vote on which one I should make! Then you can keep me accountable to make these before it's cold out LOL! So leave me some links here on the blog or on my Facebook page. 

I'm off to design something new in the meantime! Got to get back to designing!

Oh and PS. The Gourmet Yarn Company is celebrating a 10 years this coming Saturday. If your Local to OKC it would be a great time to stop in and check it out!! Just visit their page for details on the celebrations! I might have to go shopping :) 

I've lost 25 Skeins of Yarn

If you haven't noticed I went from blogging daily (I was in a challenge) to not blogging at all! I learned a lot through the blog challenge and it was great but as I was setting all those amazing goals I realized I needed to set personal goals too. Those personal goals have become my number one priority and crochet has taken a bit of a back seat for the moment. Don't worry I'm not going anywhere I just need to change things up a bit to get life back moving in the right direction. 

I'm working on being a better Wife and Mother and I'm also working on my health! I posted a few weeks back I was going to start working out and I have. I have more confidence, I feel better and I'm so excited about what the rest of this year holds. 

So far I've lost 11 pounds. That over 25 skeins of I Love this yarn LOL! (Had to work crochet in the post some how!) 

I can't hardly sit still anymore. I get all jittery and feel the need to move it, move it! 

I've started training for a 5K I just finished up week two of couch to 5K. I also workout at home with my x box kinect. I have a crazy fun zubma workout (i'm a terrible dancer by the way) and another work out with Jillian Michael's. I try to change it up and work on different things each day so I don't get board. 

I learned that I love to run again. I should have already known that because I used to run all the time. I could barely run for seconds a few weeks ago let alone what I'm doing now. I'm getting stronger and feeling so much better. I've changed up my diet a lot and my body went through detox. I don't need coffee to wake up. I exercise and stretch! 

I just wanted to say all that to encourage you! Turn off that TV, put down that hook and get up and turn on some music and move! You can do! I look forward to sharing my progress! I have a lot to lose still but so much greatness to gain.  With encouragement, determination, and God I know I can do this! 

What's In My Stash Wednesday?

Would you believe that I haven't gone yarn shopping in 2014 yet! Haha! I didn't do much yarn shopping in December either. I usually go every week to be inspired.  This yarn addict doesn't make silly goals like, use the yarn I have, yarn buying freeze or organize that stash first (face palm). 

It just isn't happening! 

I had to get yarn for an order so seemed like a good day to explore what's new on the shelves.  Today I went to Hobby Lobby and the fact that I have an employee discount courtesy of my hubby working at corporate doesn't ever help me buy less. 

Red Heart recently released a reflective yarn. Reflective yarns aren't new but they are usually kinda pricey! I've seen yarn creations popping up in my Facebook feed but they seem to be so popular the yarns are already out of stock. Would you believe while shopping today I found a new version of I Love This Yarn- Reflective! They only had two colors Orange Glow and Yellow Glow. It's a worsted weight where I think the Red Heart Brand might be a Bulky. So I snatched up one of each! It's priced at $5.99 but I used a coupon on one of them. I'm going to brain storm a fun pattern or two with it for sure (eventually). If you click the photo below it will be bigger and you can read the yarn label for specific info. It is not on the website yet to order. 

This is with flash to show the reflective. 

This is without flash. 

I also picked up several skeins of I Love This Yarn in some soft and pale, wintery shades. I already have plans for some of these lovely skeins! Hopefully soon, if not come spring time I'm sure they'll be put to good use! Aren't they pretty! I think these shade would also be gorgeous with with my 

Serene Snow Pixie Pattern! 

Hobby Lobby doesn't carry a lot of other brands of yarn like they used to, but that a okay because I love everything they have come out with. I'm just sad they don't have as much Vanna's Choice because there are specific colors I use on a regular basis I now have to order ahead of time online.

 I was so excited to see today one of my new favorites Lion Brand Heartland being stocked on the shelf! I could only get it at Joann's and it's out of the way for me to go there so I'm super excited to see it! I use this yarn in my free Key Tab Stitch Series of crochet patterns! 

So buy any yarn this week? What did you get? 

Need to Organize?

After I posted all those 2014 goals I have yesterday I think I forgot one goal! Now that the crazy holiday season is past it might be time to tackle my craft room! It's a bit of a disaster and took quite a hit! I have yarn everywhere, unorganized. I have random projects laying about that need to be finished or find new homes. 

(I will be posting a de-stash sale soon.....as soon as I get organized, items and maybe yarn, if I can bare to part with it. {raise a hand if your a yarn hoarder}) 

When we moved in May/June I was so excited about this space. So much room and I was going to keep it top notch! See it looks so nice here. Everything had a place! 

Now look at this disaster! Inside of some of those cubbies are yarn tornados! I really need to wind some of my partially used skeins! 

My desk is usually clean. I do all my shipping here! Labels, packaging and organizing! 

(Although someone should really take out all that paper trash by the desk...)

For Christmas I did do a little shopping with Thrity-One! I have lots totes and more fun items from them and I love it! 

I got this hanging organizer to help me better keep track of orders, receipts, patterns (which I rarely print) and many other things. I'm going to add a calendar and labels that will help me better plan. I usually just fly by the seat of the pants but I think with a little organization and planning this can be an awesome 2014. 

So how is your crafty space? Does it need help? I'm going to make a post on my Facebook page and I want you to share a picture of how you organize? If you don't have Facebook just post a pic to twitter instagram and tag  #Calleighsclips (that's my name for both) I can't wait to see your pics and tips! 

Thursday Finds - Yarn & Hooks

Today I had some yarn shopping to do.  I love custom orders because that means I get to go pick out or work with new yarns & colors! It's hard to believe I didn't have some of this in my stash already!

Michael's had their Vanna's Choice Worsted 2 for $5 so I took the opportunity to get some new colors I don't have already! I love Vanna's and use it a lot! I was inspired by all the fall halloween colors so I picked up Eggplant, Olive and Rust. The Raspberry was just pretty so I got it too! I have some plans for these in a new pattern I'm working on. You are going to looove it!



If you know me I love chunky yarns! Got to pick up some Cozy Wool and Country Loom by Loops and Threads from Michael's for a Baby Hammock and Hooded Coocon Props. I also get to make one of my favorites My Hooded Capelt with some yarn from Hobby Lobby!  

If you saw my post on my Owl Ami you'll remeber me talking about needing a good C hook! My tiny steel one just wasn't working for me! So I picked up a much raved about Clover with my coupon of course! I've not previously purchased or used one of these hooks yet so I'm anxtious to try it out! I have a teeny tiny owl to finish so maybe I'll get to play this weekend. 

The funny thing is I'm going to be working with my Q Hook today! It's always weird to switch from working with a really big hook to a tiny hook! I'll always vote for bigger hooks! 

Hope you enjoyed my Thursday Yarn finds! Did you pick up anything new this week? Have any fun projects your working on? Feel free to share in the commnets below!

Be on the look out tomorrow! I'll have a Freebie Friday Pattern! It's easy peasy and great for girls of all ages baby to Women! See you later! ~Elisabeth

Knit in Weekend and Yarn

What a fabulous fun weekend! On Saturday I got to enjoy a girls night out at a knit in. Our local yarn shop Gourmet Yarn Company hosts a knit in every month on the 2nd Saturday of the Month. This was only my 2nd time but it's was loads of fun! There's food, friends, and well lots of yummy yarn!

I met up with my local crochet buddies because well I don't knit much but crocheters are always welcome at the knit in. Here are a few fun pics.

Left to right: Me, Nicole of Boomer Beanies, and Rachel of Silly Stitches. 

Can you see what I'm making? 

I always have trouble deciding what project to take because we end up chatting and I lose track of what I'm making LOL! So I tried two different project and ended up untangling a skien of yarn then proceeding to make a Turtle prop since I can make those in my sleep now! 

We found this silly sign the reads "if I crochet fast, does it count as exercise? " 

We think is surly does count!! Oh and look a Playin' Hooky Sighting! (Nicole's t-shrit)

We had a ton of fun crocheting, knitting, showing off projects and of course shopping for yarn. Although I declined to purchase any this time, I enjoyed feeling, squishing and project thinking all the divine yarn! 

So after being inspired to knit I came home that very night and started browsing. How do you decide where to start? I went to my yarn stash and my skein of Lion Brand Amazing yarn grabbed my attention. It's gorgeous. I went to Lion Brand's website and browsed by yarn to see if they had a easy knit pattern that would inspire me that only needed one skien because that is all I had. 

I came across this: 

I made two already but I'm new enough to knitting I didn't even realize I did the 1st four rows wrong, like totally wrong until I was done so I took it apart and started over or I would have both done already. 

Here is one completed! The only thing wrong with this one is the edge. I need to remember not to bind off to tightly. That is an easy fix but I'd already weaved in the ends. LOL! 

These may seem silly but I hate socks! I would go barefoot all the time if I could but I think these would be great warmers in the cooler months plus I can still paint my piggies with my new obsession of Julep Polish !!! 

The rest of my weekend I enjoyed knitting and then I remembered I had Joann's birthday coupons so I thought I need more yarn! I got all this for $40.00 well technically $15 because my mom sent me $25 in yarn money for my birthday! 

4 balls of Bernat Mosaic

6 Balls of Sugar and Cream cotton

2 Balls of Joanna's exclusive Heartland by Lion Brand

3 balls of Vanna's Chioce

2 Balls of Natures Organic Cotton

I have ideas for some of these but not all. I think the Organic cotton will become pumpkin hats for fall. 

The sugar and cream is to make more Perfect Bags! I thinking one in OKC Thunder Colors and the other in the Jade/Purple my two favorite colors at the moment. 

The Heartland is for me to make some hats for winter but not sure what yet. I'm thinking of a slouchy/brimmed/textured something to design.

I hope you had a great weekend! This is my last week before school starts. My youngest starts kindergarden and it will begin a whole new adventure for our family! Have a fabulous week! 

Thursday Yarn Shopping

I usually go yarn shopping every Thursday! My mother in law watches the kids and I can shop in peace. Some days I just feel the yarn and squeeze it hope that a project jumps out at me. I haven't done that in a while but it did today! So I thought I'd share what I got to day!

I love Vanna's Choice yarns and how they all work together no matter the color combos but unfortunately Hobby Lobby is weeding out most of it's non Hobby Lobby brand yarns. The selection is small but they were clearancing a bunch out so I grabbed a few skeins of the colors I know I'll need eventually.

I  picked up some Grey worsted in two colors since I used a bunch up in my new shark design.

The fun furs and cream color is for a fun custom order I'm going to work up tomorrow! I can't wait to share it with you!

I was excited to see Hobby Lobby added Vanna's Choice Twists. I fell in love with them when they first released but that was while visiting my mom in Colorado and my stores weren't stocking it. 

I loooove the purple with blue/green twists. They are now carrying about 4-5 colorways of it. 

I use it to make my favorite slouchy hat (free pattern) 

Then on a whim I picked up the bon bons. I laughed when I 1st saw these a while ago. Why would you buy this? I have tons of scraps but......today I thought of an idea for them and I'm hoping to get to work on the pattern very soon! I love the bright colors in this set. I've been obsessed with Jade lately and I tend to lean towards jewel tones. You'll just have to wait and see! 

On another note! I've been wanting to share my desk in my crafty loft space. We've had it a while but finally got it upstairs. It was a little heave so my hubby got some help since I'm a weakling!

We purchase this from a friend of my hubby's that was moving. She had hand painted the entire thing. 

Isn't the top pretty! I said to my hubby "that reminds me of ikea" and he said that was her inspiration! 

Funny because most my yarn storage is Ikea and so is the rug and lamp in my picture!

Any hoo! That is my Thursday fun! I hope to share more in the coming Thursdays! 

Yarn Shopping Fun

I've not posted totally randomness in a long time but I thought this was to funny not to share. I've really enjoyed visiting with my family here in lovely Colorado the past two weeks. I'll be heading back home on Sunday.

 My mom and I really enjoy yarn shopping together. We has so many ideas!!! 

 I looove her Joann's and we hadn't had a chance to visit it yet. So off we went!! 

We bought lots of yarn but discovered something funny today.

 I"ll let the pictures below tell the story of what happens when you take two yarn addicts shopping!!  

Take a look at the yarn bin and tell me if you see anything funny??

Take a closer look...... 

Yeah that's my son. Mom and I were chatting about yarn and pattern designing and I guess he thought that was a good place to rest for a moment. I totally didn't see him get in and get comfy....LOL! 

nananananana Batman!! 

Batman doesn't enjoy yarn shopping as much as we do..LOL :) 

Happy Thursday! 

Thick and Thin Yarn

I've been hearing a lot about thick and thin yarn lately so I just had to try it. I was referred to Ilashdesigns on Etsy. She has so many lovely choices to choose from. I couldn't buy just one so I bought up a few.

This is Pumpkin patch- I loved the fall colors

This one is Called Frosty Feet and is great for winter tones 

This is called Goofin' Off- I just loved the bright colors

I plan to make some newborn hats with these! The textures and colors will make perfect photography props too! I'm sure I'll have new items to share very soon.

Yarn- How do I choose?

With all the yarn selections out there it can be a bit overwhelming at first if your new to crocheting or knitting. Most people when they start are likely first drawn in by a favorite color and the texture of the yarn.  I would also guess that they choose by price I know I did but as always you get what you pay for unless you found a great deal on sale or down the clearance isle. 

After crocheting a ton more this past year than ever before I've had the opportunity to try lots of different types, weights and brands. I thought I'd share a little bit about what I like, don't like and why. 

I do most my shopping at Hobby Lobby and Michaels and I've found that I love the store brand yarns over some of the bigger brand name yarns. 

I should mention first I have very sensitive skin. I can't crochet with Wool yarn at all unless it's a blend of  some sort.  It makes me itch and break out in hives. There are some acrylics I can't use either. 

For my Worsted Weight Yarn (4) I love Hobby Lobby's "I love this Yarn" acrylic yarn. It's so much softer than Vanna's Choice and Red Heart to me. It also seems a little thicker so generally I have to crochet a little tighter but I do that anyways.  I also like Simply Soft by Caron Yarn, but it's the opposite of the I love this yarn. I seems smaller to me so I have to crochet looser or go up a few hook sizes. I like the sheen of it but it's limited in color choices. 

For my Chunky yarn depending on the project I recently tried Michaels brand yarn of Loops & Thread and I'm in love with the Charisma yarn. It's so soft, squishy has a little shiny sheen to it. I also like their Country Loom Yarn which is similar to homespun by Lion brand. I think that the Country Loom is easier to crochet with. I use it for my hammocks, Kangaroo pouches and cocoons which are used to hang up for photo shoots and I feel better about the strength of the yarn. 

When it comes to cotton yarn I like sugar and cream by Lily but I Love this Cotton my Hobby Lobby is much softer. I think it crochets up a little different so really it just depends on my project for what I choose. I don't like the peaches and cream I got at Walmart. I seems crunchy to me and hard to work with. 

I've been noticing lots of my crocheting online friends trying the thick and thin yarn that is hand dyed and I'm "dying" to try it. I might spoil myself in the next few weeks!

I don't use only these yarns I've tried lots of others and it really just depends on my project. So What are your favorites? feel free to share your thoughts here. 

a great find for a yarn addict

This has been a busy week with getting back into the grind of teaching Piano Lesson and filling orders. On Thursdays it tradition that my Mother in Law watches the kids. I love it because it's currently a day off for my hubby so we make the most of spending the entire day together kiddless. The Fair was in town this week so he had a fun date planned and it was a blast.

Afterward we decided to try a few thrift shops.We're not usually thrift store shoppers but as a crafter you have to see what great finds you can get once in a while. So we stopped into our local Goodwill to have a look. Didn't see much and then I noticed about 8 bags full of 4-5 skeins of random yarn.  I usually pass it up but these had current labels and prices still on. There were some great tweeds, hand dyed yarn, and most of it I'd never heard of. After a little research most of it was from over in Europe. I don't know much about any of it but I love that I get to try some new yarn that I wouldn't normally purchase. Most of it was marked 8.99-14.99 so it's yarn I would not usually purchase and I only paid $4.00 for all of it. That make my husband happy :)

This first pic includes the hand dyed yarn (green) the purple are from Japan and the variegated purple one is lovely. The others are just basic colors but it's still good yarn.

the pastel colored yarn and variegated blue is super soft and from Germany, The ivory looked american from the label but wasn't sure. The purple sparkle yarn is Mohair and tiny but I think it will make some gorgeous flowers. 

This yarn is from the UK - Jo Sharp. I loved the tweeds which are super popular for winter and then there were 3 skeins of grey alpaca silk blend.

I don't know much about yarn so they may be pretty common but I thought these were great and I can't wait to try some new things with them. 

Pom Pom Calleigh

This is what happens if you leave yarn out that looks like soft little pom poms and leave the room for a minute!