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Monday, February 17, 2025

Reviewing Bernat Baby Sport Weight Yarn

I am using Bernat Baby Sport yarn for the first time to crochet a small baby blanket. I have fallen in love with Bernat baby yarn. In the past, I had always associated Bernat with chunky and super bulky yarns. So I am very surprised at how much I like this baby yarn.

This Bernat Baby Sport yarn is a multi-color yarn. I am using the "Tiny Tulips" color (pinks, whites, and a small bit of green). I guess that it would be called a variegated yarn. The pops of color are small sections and are all separated by white. The color changes are subtle and do not leave one color ending mid-row with the next color beginning.

Specifications:

Light Weight, 3 weight
100% Acrylic
8.5 oz/240 g
718 yds/656 m
Recommended US 6/4 mm knitting needles
Recommended US G/6/4mm crochet hook

Personal Thoughts about Bernat Baby Sport Yarn

I knew I wanted to crochet a small gift for a friend's new grandbaby girl. But I hadn't bought the yarn yet. I knew what pattern I wanted to use (a mitered corner granny square), that I wanted to make a small baby afghan (car seat or strollers cover size), and I wanted subtle pink. Caron Simply Soft is one of my very favorite yarns because, in my opinion, it is a very light 4 weight. It is very soft and comes in a large variety of colors. But I had been working with pink Simply Soft on a large project and wanted a change.

While wandering through a local Wal-Mart for my monthly shopping I went through the yarn aisle, as I always do, just being nosey. And I saw this Bernat Baby sport in this very light pink. I scooped up 3 skeins (only needing one skein for my small project) and here I am now, telling you about this fantastic yarn.

Working with the Bernat baby Sport yarn has been a pleasure. This yarn does not split while working with it. The colors are subtle and sweet. An additional bonus was there was NO YARN BARF! The starting tails on each of the 3 skeins were easily found, barely hidden inside of the skein.

Left: I pulled the tail out a bit
Right: there the tail is... barely tucked inside and so easy to find!

I've taken photos of my granny square stitch pattern to show how the colorway works in the granny square clusters.

Bernat Tiny Tulips colorway in granny clusters

I had chosen the granny square pattern so that the blanket would be more breathable. But my next projects using this yarn will be in single stitch or half-double because I am loving how the color falls with those two stitches.

Color swatch: half double crochet on top
single crochet on bottom

I think this yarn will make wonderful infant and children's hats. I'm looking forward to beginning those projects.

Additional Information:

I am having difficulty finding this exact skein of yarn (8.5 oz skein size and Tiny Tulips color) while shopping online but I am very please to find other colorways available; solids, ombres, and variegated on Amazon and the Yarnspirations website.

Yarnspirations offers Bernat Sport Weight yarns.

Amazon offers Bernat Sport Weight yarns as well as many other brands of yarns.

Side Note: The three "local" Wal-Mart stores have the most pitifully small yarn section which seems strange since I buy a lot of yarn by impulse, and in several skeins at a time. I am very aware that I am not the only yarn lover who is puzzled by the small selection of yarn they carry. If anyone in the Wal-Mart administration happens to be reading this... I (we) wish you would carry a larger section of yarn.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Monday, December 16, 2024

Reviewing Fast, Easy, and Beautiful Crochet Hats with Premier Puzzle Yarn

I have always thought Premier Puzzle Yarn was a beautiful yarn and I have used it occasionally to crochet throws. Premier Puzzle is a 5 weight yarn. I typically prefer 4 weight yarns for crocheted hats. But I recently gave this chunkier yarn a try with a Bag-O-Day crochet hat pattern and I couldn't be more thrilled. If you are looking to make an easy crocheted hat, in a beautiful colorway, this pattern and yarn combination might be exactly what you are looking for.

text and photos of yarn and crocheted hats

Premier Puzzle Yarn

Premier Puzzle yarn is advertised on the Premier Website as: "soft, washable, bulky weight acrylic in spectacular colors... Each ball is made with 4 coordinating colors that combine in ever-changing, softly blended stripes".

It comes in 35 colors (at this time)
100% Acrylic
200g/7 oz - 300m/328yds
#5 bulky weight
machine washable (cold-permanent press, tumble dry with low heat)

While looking up the specifications for the familiar Premier Puzzle gradient yarns, I only just learned that they also now make Puzzle "Solids" and Puzzle "Shimmers". Such exciting news !!!

Bag-O-Day Crochet Pattern

Bag-O-Day is one of my favorite crochet tutorial YouTube channels. She goes slowly, is easy to follow, and she is always reassuring. During the tutorials, she often gives tips about making things larger or smaller, which I find to be very helpful. Even if she says something such as "to make this hat smaller, leave off this last increase row and continue with 50 stitches instead of 60". Okay, that quote was loosely paraphrased. But it is similar to many of the tips she gives.

I chose this particular hat pattern, Easy Crochet - Bag O Day Crochet Tutorial #686, because I had found my Premier Puzzle chunky yarn and needed a pattern made for chunky yarn. Once I started the pattern, I realized that the pattern and yarn were perfect for each other.

This Easy Crochet #686 pattern is a continuous round pattern. Meaning, each row does NOT have the slip stitch join on each row - which often leaves a visible seam. In this pattern, you continue crocheting around until you have the length you want.

This pattern is also a half-double crochet stitch (HDC). I love using HDC because it builds the piece more quickly than rows of single crochet (SC) and is more tightly woven (small gaps for cold air to move through) than double crochet (DC). I understand, if you don't crochet, this all sounds like gibberish. But hopefully, it will make sense to those who do crochet.

And, for those who are beginning crochet, I think this is a very easy hat pattern for beginners to create.

Personal Thoughts

Personally, I think a lot of chunky yarns produce hats that just look too bulky. This is only my opinion of course. And I'm not really a person who wears hats to begin with; unless the brutal cold forces me too. Recently, I've been attempting to make a pile of hats in children's and adult sizes, to offer to the children at work. But I am a slow crocheter. And I didn't have anywhere near the 45 hats that I wanted. So I thought I'd try a chunky yarn (5 weight) pattern - which would take less time to complete. I just happened to have 2 different colors of Premier Puzzle in storage. I dug those out of storage. I ended up whipping up one hat in just a couple of hours for me (blazingly fast for my normal speed). And the blue and red stripes that occurred were perfect! Because of the gradient, I should be able to make several hats from one skein and each hat should be striped differently.

Easy Adjustments

The first two hats I made are for large adult heads. Or people, like me, who have large heads and thick hair. By the way, did you know that most teenagers and older children have adult-sized heads when it comes to hats? So many of the hats I'm creating are considered adult-sized. To make some of these Premier Puzzle yarn hats for the smaller children, I'm simply leaving off the last row of increases. That will make a hat that fits a little tighter and should fit most of our younger students.

Thinking Ahead for Next Year

When I found my Premier Puzzle yarn in storage totes (untouched following my last move), I also found two skeins of "velvet" yarn. I found a green Premier Parfait yarn and a silver Bernat Crushed Velvet yarn. I made a hat using those two yarns with this Bag-O-Day pattern. I created the most luxurious hat. The resulting size is too larger. I'll have to remember to downsize it. BUT, using greens, reds, and whites will make PERFECT holiday hats for the kids next year!

Where I Find My Yarns

I often buy my yarns from JoAnn, Amazon. Also, for in-person touch tests and color selections, I always am able to find 2 to 3 colors of Premier Puzzle at my local WalMart.

The Premier Yarns Shop on Amazon

JoAnn.com

Easy Crochet - Bag O Day Crochet Tutorial #686

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Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Reviewing The Joy And Creativity Of Flower Pressing

I have wanted a hobby for some time that I can pursue during the winter and that is creative.

Most of the year I prefer being outdoors and active, gardening, long nature walks, countryside and beach walks. However in the depths of winter and to be honest as I get older i have felt the need for something I can do that is indoors in the depths of a cold, wet winter and that is creative, but that still relates to my love of nature.

I wanted to pursue something useful and make something. I truly admire those who can knit and crochet and make clothes but while I can do basic mending I have never been so successful at those crafts. I like art and drawing but it is not something I am especially good at. I would love to learn pottery but it is not something I can do at home.

So I was watching a gardening programme and there was a lady who was gathering flowers from her garden for flower pressing! Suddenly it hit me, I could do that!

Flower pressing is a lovely, traditional craft that allows us to gather and preserve the beauty of flowers and leaves from Spring to Autumn which can then be made into decorative or artistic pieces at any time, but especially for me in winter.

So the Flower pressing journey for me started this summer.

Selecting Flowers

The first step in flower pressing is selecting the right flowers. I had to do some research on this as I needed to know which flowers were suitable for flower pressing.

We need to look for blooms that are not too succulent. The reason is that they press well when their moisture is taken out quickly.

So I learned that all Roses and daffodils are excellent choices due to their thinner petals. Luckily I have a garden full of roses in summer though I missed the daffodils this time i can pick those in Spring.

Then it was a case of looking for flowers with thinner petals and I found that Aquilegia, Poppies and Forget Me Nots were perfect and with learning and a little trial and error I found a lovely selection from our garden.

I made a decision early on that I would only pick flowers form my garden. We are losing so many wildflowers from the wild so fast that I do not want to contribute to their loss , so I never pick any wildflowers. I only pick the flowers that I grow and I always leave a lot to set seed for next year and for wildlife.

When to Pick Flowers

I read that for the best results it is preferable to pick flowers when it is a dry day after the dew has evaporated from the flowers , so about mid morning. The worst time is after it has been raining when the flowers are wet and should be avoided.

How To Preparing Flowers for Pressing

It is ideal to prepare the flowers by blotting them with tissue paper carefully in order to remove any moisture. Although I have to say that in my excitement to get going I often forgot to do this step and the flowers were just fine, but for best results I would advise it.

The Flower Pressing Process

I remembered as a child I used to press flowers with my Mum. We used to arrange the flowers with paper and place between the covers of a heavy book like a National Geographic hardback copy. However now we can buy specific flower presses and once my husband realised I was interested in this hobby, he thoughtfully bought me a flower press for my Birthday! I was so happy with this beautiful gift!

I simply placed the flowers carefully and not overlapping onto the paper in the Flower press and placed another sheet of the absorbent paper over it and repeated until the whole book was full. Then gentle and carefully tightened the screws

I always used to think you needed a huge weight for the process to work but it turns out you only need a gentle pressure.

This Happinit Flower Press is really lovely with great reviews and can dry smal petals quite quickly

Happinit Large Flower Press Kit, 6 Layers 11" x7" Even Pressure Flower Pressed DIY Arts, Flower Pressing KitCheck Price

The Waiting Game, Drying and Storing Flowers

We need to have some patience as the drying process takes time, up to 3 or 4 weeks ideally though you can get away with 2 weeks, or with some flower presses and small petals you can manage a few days.

The flower press needs to be placed in a warm dry place indoors. It is advised to check on the flowers every day or every few days, however due to family bereavement I did not check for several weeks and they were just fine.

I think ideally I need at least two flower presses so that I can have some drying and some to work with. I like this Aboofx Extra Large Flower Press

Aboofx Extra Large Flower Press Kit, 11" x 11" 10 Layers Wooden Flower Pressing Kit with Storage BagCheck Price

So I have now reached the stage where I have all my beautiful pressed flowers! In the coming year I will have the whole season of flowers so even more to work with. I am very much still learning what work and what doesn't but I am finding it a very satisfying hobby. The next step is finding out what I can create with the pressed flowers.

Creating With Pressed Flowers

I am thinking of using the pressed flowers in several different ways. First to make a piece of art that I can hang on the wall or if good enough give as a gift.

I could make cards from some of the flowers. I could explore how to add flowers to plain glass vases, though I am not sure how I could then wash them.

Perhaps some of the more crafty people reading this could give me some more ideas.

If you are or you know someone who loves flowers, nature and gardening a gift of a flower press would be a beautiful present. A Flower Press can be an excellent gift for an adult or a child.

I have found flower pressing to be a lovely way to still feel connected with nature even in winter.

I love the process of collecting them and pressing them and now I can see them all again and work creatively with them which is a beautiful hobby that brings me joy.

More Reviews By Raintree Annie

Monday, October 21, 2024

Introducing Shepherd's Wool Yarn by Stonehedge Fiber Mill

My first experience with hanks of Shepherd's Wool is that this yarn is extremely soft, beautifully colored, and easy to work up. I am thrilled about my choice of yarn color and the mill that spun it. I could not have made a better choice of my first handspun wools for my first crochet cardigan project.

I recently went to my first Fiber Festival and purchased handspun yarns with the plan to crochet a sweater for myself. Previously, I hadn't had the confidence to attempt crocheting a sweater. Especially, with more expensive handspun fiber yarns. I've decided to jump right in. I researched an easy cardigan crochet pattern and the various vendors that were going to be at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival. I had chosen the yarns from two vendors and only had to choose the yarn colors and weights while at the festival.

I had recently reviewed the Companion Fiber yarn that I purchased during that adventure. Today, I will tell you about the Shepherd's Wool from Stonehedge Fiber Mill, Michigan.

I had gone to the festival with a plan of purchasing yarn from two specific shops. I first bought the hand dyed yarns at Companion Fiber then made my way to the Stonehedge Fiber Mill booth to choose the neutral colors that will make up the majority of my cardigan.

The Yarn: Shepherd's Wool

This yarn is so luxurious that I find myself touching the skein just to give it an extra squeeze.

Sport weight (2 weight)
2.5 ozs - 230 yards
Worsted Spun Fine Wool ("merino top")
Hand Wash - do not agitate
colors - granite and black

The website speaks more about "merino top" and that the way this yarn has been spun creates a yarn that is smooth, almost shiny in appearance, and creates wonderful stitch definition in your projects. I do not yet understand the different levels of yarn and what type of spinning creates what quality of yarn, but I have experiences that this yarn has a gorgeous look and does great a wonderful stitch definition. The way the yarn is spun, it looks like two different colored strands to me, it gives a depth of color in my project that I don't get with many other yarns.

I purchased the neutral colors of yarn (black and grey) from Stonehedge Fiber Mill.

The Mill: Stonehedge Fiber Mill, Michigan USA

This family owned and operated mill provides services such as carding, fiber spinning, and fiber evaluation (Please check their site for updates on the availability of these services. The site currently states that they are not accepting new items for services due to their backlog.)

They also offer handmade yarns, batting, and roving from their own flock.

The Stonehedge Fiber Mill booth was filled with their yarns in various weights, a gorgeous colorful skein that is called Stonehedge Crazy yarn, T-shirts, and the most gorgeous handmade stuffed sheep, alpaca, and other animals. Deb had made the wonderful stuffed animals. Even though she had many customers, she took the time to help me make decisions about the best color and weight of yarn to work with the yarn I had purchased at Companion Fiber.

The Stonehedge Fiber Mill is located in the northern portion of lower Michigan (on the Traverse City and Petosky side of the state). If you are not local to that area, and are not able to visit the mill shop in person, they do online orders.

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Monday, September 2, 2024

Reviewing Wool Ease Fair Isle Yarn by Lion Brand

I have crocheted for many decades but only recently have begun purchasing natural fiber yarns (wool and alpaca) for my projects. I was very excited to find the Fair Isle colorway by Lion Brand and have crocheted a hat that I'm very pleased with. My project ideas for this specific yarn is already a long list.

Photo of the Pink Mushroom Wool Ease yarn

Isn't Fair Isle Just the Name of a Colorway?

Yes and no. It is the name of this Lion Brand skein because it is a self-striping or self-pooling skein of yarn intended to create patterns that appear similar to the original style of Fair Isle - but without using two strands of yarn at a time while knitting. I chose the Fair Isle (self-striping) skein in the colorway Pink Mushroom. There are other color choices in the Fair Isle style of yarn.

Historically, Fair Isle is a knitting technique that is worked holding two strands of yarn, separately, at a time. The technique results in colors that create repeated shapes across the work. These shapes often are "OXO" shapes or simple geometric shapes. It was named Fair Isle after one of the Shetland Islands and reportedly became more popular after the Prince of Wales wore a Fair Isle sweater. I have always admired these designs but hadn't known previously that it was a specific knitting technique.

Wool Ease Fair Isle Yarn by Lion Brand

The Wool Ease Fair Isle yarn is meant to pool into patterns. This happens much more easily when knitting since the shapes are better formed in the "v" stitches that occur in knitting. Unfortunately, I have not yet learned how to knit. But I still loved the colors offered in these skeins. And I'm looking to make more projects with natural fibers and that have the thicker, "wool" appearance. I bought one skein, worked up a hat, and immediately ordered more skeins.

Specifics:

80% Acrylic, 20% wool blend
weight size 4 (worsted)
5.3 oz/348 yd
machine wash gentle, tumble dry low
Size 8 knitting needles/size J crochet hook

This Wool Ease yarn is a great way to start using a natural fiber blend, but isn't as expensive as a full natural fiber skein. And because it is a blend, it does not have to be handwashed.

I was attracted to the colorways. Many variegated yarns are extremely bold and bright colors. I know that bright colors are the preferred choice of many people. But I prefer subdued colors. The Wool Ease Fair Isle offers the gentle colors that I like.

I crocheted a hat, knowing that I would not get the exact patterns that someone knitting would achieve. But I was focused on the gentle colors. I was very pleasantly surprised when my hat turned out with pleasing stripes and flecks. And bonus, I have enough yarn in this skein to make another 1 - 2 hats!

As I was creating my hat, I was excitedly listing all of the projects that would be beautiful in this yarn; mittens, fingerless gloves, scarves, stuffed animals (wouldn't bunnies and elephants be beautiful in this color?!). This yarn is not as soft as the Eddie Bauer Wool-Paca yarn I recently purchased. But that's okay. While the Wool Ease Fair Isle is not as soft, it is not itchy due to amount of acrylic yarn in the blend. It is very thick and "cushiony".

The skein labels picture a finished project with repeating shapes. It states, "to create projects pictured here, visit Lionbrand.com. With an internet search, you can also find reviews of this yarn, some projects, and examples of Fair Isle projects using 2 strands of yarn instead of the ease of using this one strand of Wool Ease.

Related Links:

Be sure to visit the Lion Brand official site for more information and patterns.

I often buy my yarn online at Joann Fabric and Crafts now that I don't live near any good yarn stores. I take advantage of their really good sales.

If you prefer Amazon Prime due to saving the shipping costs, just do a search for "Yarn" and many options pop up; including Lion Brand yarn.

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Monday, August 19, 2024

Reviewing Eddie Bauer Wool Paca Yarn

I've crocheted for decades and have usually used acrylic yarns. I have always wanted to use natural fiber yarns (wool or alpaca) but had been hesitant due to the high prices of the natural fiber yarns. And I don't like how some natural fibers yarns are more scratchy than soft. I didn't want to spend extra money for a yarn that I didn't want to touch. I have recently purchased and begun using Eddie Bauer Wool Paca yarn and couldn't be more thrilled. This yarn is super soft and works up wonderfully.

Eddie Bauer Wool Paca Yarn

Eddie Bauer Wool Paca Yarn is a blend of 80% extra fine Merino superwash and 20% Alpaca. It is a 3 weight yarn (thinner/lighter than worsteds weight yarn). The skeins are 277 yd and 3.5 oz (small/lighter than worsted weight yarn skeins).

At the time I ordered, there were 16 colors to choose from. And there were 9 5-star reviews.

The description of the yarn on the Joann site describes the yarn as:

soft, luxurious, and warm
machine-wash safe
perfect weight for baby items and women's garments
the merino base helps create accessories and garments with warmth and sophistication

My Project

I decided to give this Wool Paca Yarn a try when I found it on sale on the Joann site. I chose 2 different colors: Scarlet and Alaska Gold. I hope to learn how to crochet a cable-stitch with the Alaska Gold color. I completed a beanie with stitches that I'm familiar with as a test-run with the Scarlet color.

For this first hat, I used the Bag-O-Day Knotting Around Beanie video tutorial. As an intermediate crocheter, Crystal is SUPER easy to follow. I feel that she goes slowly enough, and had her camera set closely enough, that this is a great tutorial for beginners also.

I was concerned about ordering my first wool/alpaca blend online. I haven't always been a tactile shopper - wanting to touch everything before I purchase it. When I lived in a metro area, I was blessed to have several, very large and well-stocked, yarn and fiber stores near my apartment. Now that I live in a rural area, I do not have this luxury. I have to mail order most all of my yarns. I was extremely hesitant to order this new yarn and expected it to be scratchy and not pass my touch-test.

This Eddie Bauer is very soft! As I was crocheting the hat, I was already thinking about making scarves, sweaters, baby blankets and maybe stuffed animals. I'm already wondering if I can find a pattern for crocheted plush bunnies that I used years ago.

Related Links:

When brick and mortar stores are not an option, Joann.com is a great place to order your crochet supplies. Be sure to watch for their sales.

If you prefer to shop Amazon for your yarns, you can begin your search for wool alpaca yarns here.

I also used my Nelsonwood crochet hook with this hat. You can see my review of my first Nelsonwood hook here!

Our Review This contributor, Wednesday Elf, is a talented crochet artist. You can see her most recent article related to crafts and crochet here.

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Saturday, August 17, 2024

The Calming Effects of Crafting

A Health Review

Crafting projects are good for your brain and helpful to your body. Positive benefits are found no matter the medium you use. Crafting can elevate your mood, improve your self-confidence and reduce stress. Mentally it can decrease cognitive decline. Physically, it improves both gross and fine motor movements and control.

Who would have thought that a fun hobby could have health benefits? That it could lower your blood pressure and reduce tension, giving you an overall sense of well-being.

Benefits of Yarn Crafting

All crafting is helpful, but yarn crafting is particularly beneficial.

Image Source: Pixabay

Knitting and crochet can reduce anxiety and relieve stress. The repetitive action of these crafts help release serotonin, your body’s feel-good hormone, which is a natural anti-depressant. What a fun way to feel happier.

Crocheting and knitting help improve fine motor skills and have been shown to be effective in maintaining dexterity.

Knitting in a social setting reduces loneliness and isolation.

The creative process of crochet, providing a creative outlet for self-expression, can boost self-esteem and instill a sense of accomplishment.

The calmness of these crafts can help reduce insomnia. By getting relaxed into a repetitive rhythm with your crochet hooks or your knitting needles, your mind is allowed to unwind.

Crochet can be a form of meditation. By allowing you to focus on the task at hand, concentrating on the stitches and following a pattern, your mind becomes present-moment focused - helping you to achieve a meditative state.

Summary

So, don’t forget to set aside a period of time each day for the health benefits of crafting. Get out your favorite craft project and enjoy a relaxing time.

If you don’t already have a craft hobby, consider the benefits of taking one up. Following are a few suggestions for How-To learning.

Crochet for beginners: The Ultimate Guide to Learn Beginner Knots & Patterns From Scratch. Design Beautiful Creations with Step-By-Step Instructions

How to Knit: Learn the Basic Stitches and Techniques. A Storey BASICS® Title

How to Quilt: A Beginner’s Guide to Learn How to Quilt Step-by-Step (Crafts for Beginners)

For more reviews of Craft Projects, Craft Supplies, Books and How-Tos, check out the Crafts & DIY section here on ReviewThis!

For more Health Reviews, Click here.

*Health Review written by Wednesday Elf

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Monday, July 29, 2024

Reviewing Nelsonwood Crochet Hooks

I have just recently received my first handcrafted ergonomic crochet hooks from Nelsonwood and I'm so excited to show them to you. Nelsonwood crochet hooks are handmade, primarily wooden, hooks that are as much pieces of art as they are functional tools for crochet. No two Nelsonwood items could ever be identical, so every hook is a custom artpiece that only you possess. They feel so velvety smooth that I just want to pet mine, like a calming fidget. Do you think I'm being dramatic? I would have thought so too had I read this prior to touching and seeing my first Nelsonwood hooks.

Photo of 2 wooden Nelsonwood crochet hooks

Crochet is a fiber art in which items are made using yarn and a hook. Crocheted items can be functional (hats, socks, blankets), unique art pieces and heirlooms (doilies, christening gowns), or fun (shaped pillows, amigurumi, stuffed animals, and costumes).

I enjoy crochet very much and am astounded at some of the intricate art I see crocheters producing. I am a moderately skilled crocheter but my retirement dream is to spend plenty of time sitting on the deck and learning to crochet intricate doily tablecloths, mosaic blankets, and beautiful wearables.

Many crocheters have their favorite brand or style of crochet hooks (and yarns, but that's an entirely different maze of rabbit holes to go down). I recently saw a crochet youtube tutorial in which the artist showed her Nelsoonwood hook. I was so astounded by how beautiful it was that I went directly to the website. It wasn't long after that I ordered my first Nelsoonwood hook.

Nelsonwood

Bryan Tyler Nelson is the Texas wood artist of Nelsonwood. He handcrafts beautiful wooden items with a focus on bowls and crochet hooks. And the selection of woods and base/body parts seems endless.

You choose the components to each hook you order at Nelsonwood.

Hook. Most importantly to me, you are able to choose a wooden hook or a metal hook. My favorite hook over the years has been the Boye brand. So I select that option and the size hook.

Base (body). This is the largest part of the hook. Where you hand holds onto. You can choose one of the many woods listed (with a vast variety of colors and grains) or you can choose one of the AlumiLite designs. AlumiLite is a "Proprietary Casting Urethane". It is very strong, stronger than Acrylic and will not break or chip.

Exotic Wood Ends. Whether you choose a wooden or AlumiLite base, you will then choose an exatic wood for the ends (for example, the far end of the hook and the piece between the base and the metal crochet hook on my custom Nelsonwood hook.)

My next order will be a hook with the AlumiLite base. There are so many options. There are some styles that have feathers or dried flowers inside. With the clear AlumiLite, it looks like they are floating.

All handcrafted items, that aren't created first then are "ready to ship" take slightly longer to receive after ordering. The site states that it typically takes between 4-5 weeks for the hook to be created and shipped. That is reasonable for a custom, handmade item. I feel that mine arrived in the 3 to 4 week time frame. (Frankly, I only usually check my post office box weekly. And my Nelsonwood hooks arrived a week sooner than I had anticipated).

Nelsonwood orders can be made on Nelsonwood.net

Nelsonwood can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Personal Thoughts

As I can begin to see retirement age approaching, my hands seem to be retiring before the rest of me. I find myself wondering if days filled with working with my hands/fingers will be a realistic goal. This is the primary reason I hurried to order this ergonomic hook option. I also would like to be able to surround myself with a few nice, possibly heirloom, items here and there.

I did find the ordering page a bit confusing. Part of that was 1) I rarely read directions and just try to race through and 2) there are so many options that I had a very hard time making decisions. The good news is that Bryan has included a step-by-step "how to order" page that was extremely helpful (once I chose to look at directions!)

These hooks are pricey. I am not at all saying they are over-priced. Like all handmade items and works of art, the price is higher than mass-produced items. In fact, for what they are, the Nelsonwood custom crochet hooks are very reasonably priced. A younger me would not have been able to pay this price. Fortunately, the older me is able to splurge on some gifts to me. And, is it really a splurge if the ergonomic shape will help me continue crochet well into my retirement?

I tend to use only a range of 4 hook sizes; F, G, H, and I. So I have plans to buy Nelsonwood hooks in those four sizes. And the next will be one of those gorgeous AlumiLite bases. Probably one with the combination of flowers and fathers.

Personal Thoughts About Stereotypes

I'm rattling on about being an older woman and am looking forward to crocheting during my retirement. That is me personally. In no way do I want to continue the myth that crochet is a hobby that is only for old ladies.

There are many males (adult and younger) who are passionate about crochet and who are extremely talented. I am so very thankful for these folks who are sharing their passion and talent on social media.

I have worked with at-risk and special needs children for decades. I often offer crochet as a way for these children to have a hobby, develop skills (physical and emotional), have an outlet for their amazing creativity and so on. Unfortunately, over the decades, most males and many young female children were hesitant to try; citing "that's for old women".

I am thrilled that so many people, of such a wide range of age, gender, race, and culture are sharing their crochet passion with others. And am especially thrilled that males are showing their talent on social media.

Thank you for that.

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Saturday, July 13, 2024

A Review of Blue Bunny Ice Cream

I am not a big dessert eater, and am particular about the desserts I DO eat. Growing up, dessert was not a regular part of our meals, usually reserved for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays.

I am not fond of cake, except for falling in love with the recently discovered Chantilly Cake. My dessert preference is for pies (mostly cream pies such as chocolate), and ice cream.

When it comes to ice cream, I really only like vanilla ice cream plain, in a hot fudge sundae, or for the topping on warm apple pie. Plus, any ice cream with some type of nuts in it.

My favorite ‘snack’ is an ice cream drumstick - vanilla ice cream in a sugar cone dipped in a chocolate coating and topped with peanuts.

Recently, I bought a brand I was not familiar with because it was on sale at my grocery store. It was the ‘best’ drumstick-style cone I have ever had. It is made by Blue Bunny, an ice cream brand I had seen in store freezers, but never tried.

Blue Bunny Caramel Butter Pecan Praline Ice Cream

This week I branched out and bought a tub of ice cream by Blue Bunny - the Caramel Butter Pecan Praline flavor. WOW! Unbelievably delicious!

Blue Bunny has become my new favorite ice cream. It is SO creamy and rich tasting and far surpasses any other ice cream I have ever had.

Blue Bunny Ice Cream by Wells Enterprises

Blue Bunny ice cream is made by Wells Enterprises of Le Mars, Iowa, just northeast of Sioux City. The company was begun in 1925 by Fred H. Wells Jr. and his sons and they delivered it to neighboring Iowa towns. In 1928, Fairmont Ice Cream purchased the ice cream distribution system in Sioux City, along with the Wells name.

Blue Bunny in Crochet
handmade by (c) Elf

In 1935, the Wells family decided to again sell their ice cream in Sioux City, but unable to sell their product under their own name, they decided to hold a “Name That Ice Cream” contest. The winning entry - Blue Bunny - was submitted by a Sioux City man who had noticed how much his son enjoyed the blue bunnies in a department store at Easter.

By 1954, Fred Wells' sons, Harold, Mike, Roy and Fay, and their cousin Fred D. Wells, began running the family business as a partnership. It has become the largest family-owned ice cream company in the country.

Summary

According to what I learned in my research, I think the secret to the fantastic taste is the fact that Blue Bunny uses only high-quality ingredients, such as their locally-sourced fresh milk in their delicious ice cream. I must disclose that I have discovered that this ice cream is quite high in calories (200 calories per serving), which is a lot to devote to just dessert. But, oh, what a decadently delicious treat! Definitely worth tasting, even if only for special occasions. Pick up a pint at your favorite store and see if you agree. :)

For more information about Blue Bunny Ice Cream Products, click here.

For an added incentive to try Blue Bunny ice cream, National Ice Cream Month is celebrated during the whole month of July, with National Ice Cream Day occurring on the third Sunday in July each year.

*Blue Bunny Ice Cream review written by Wednesday Elf

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