Yarn provided by . Opinions are my own.
Ever wanted to knit or crochet something in team colors, only to be disappointed by the very plasticy options available? Or the not-quite-right color selection? In this month’s yarn review and giveaway, let me introduce you to , a company specializing in hand dyed wool yarns in accurate team colors.
If you want to give KnitPal a try, use code HEIDI10 at checkout for 10% off all orders, valid through 1/31/2020.
When KnitPal first reached out about working together, my gut reaction was thinking that it wasn’t 100% a good fit for Hands Occupied because I personally am so not about sports. Like at all. I’m into Pilates, but I have no enthusiasm for organized athletics. The thing that many long time knitters and crocheters know, though, is how great gifting a handmade beanie or socks in a friend’s favorite sports team can be. (Hence me saving them for December’s review!)
Another reason I wanted to work with KnitPal is because they have addressed a real issue team-inspired beanie makers have worried over for years – that of only finding low quality yarn and/or yarn that’s just not a correct match for the team you’re emulating. With hand dyeing, they can ensure the color is correct. The other nice thing about KnitPal is that their great colors also come in a variety of weights, including fingering, DK and worsted. (Wouldn’t it be fun to knit a stranded yoke sweater inspired by someone’s favorite team? I feel like that could be a super cool design challenge!)
PS: They also do kits if you know a collegiate knitter who likes sports and needs a gift!
The Yarn: KnitPal DK in Michigan State Green
Colorway pictured: Michigan State Green (I went there for undergrad and it’s the holidays, so yay green!)
Skein details: 490 yards/448 meters per skein // 3.5 ounces/100g per skein // 100% Superwash Merino Wool // DK Weight
Knitting needles: US 7-9 / 3.75-4.5 mm // 16-20 stitches = 4 inches (10 cm)
Crochet hook: US H-I / 5-5.5 mm // 18-22 sc = 4 inches (10 cm)
Cons: Like many hand dyed yarns, its $28/hank retail price could be prohibitive to folks on a budget.
Pros: If you want to make your nephew Kenneth a scarf to wear at his college homecoming game next year, you aren’t limited to close-enough colors or yarns that aren’t the most fun to work with thanks to KnitPal.
Pattern Ideas: I worked with the DK weight base, but with three weight options that are all common for garment patterns, there are lots of options for working with this yarn given the range of bases. In particular, I’d knit a DK weight for layering as a a scarf, and I’d crochet a for the same too. 🙂
THE GIVEAWAY
Enter to win a skein of KnitPal to try! Up for grabs: one skein of the pictured yarn in Michigan State White. Giveaway is open to U.S. only. Enter in the box provided below or .
In case you want to try your luck at another giveaway, KnitPal themselves are also doing a giveaway leading up to Valentine’s Day. You can learn more about that and enter to win .
Don’t forget! If you want to give KnitPal a try, use code HEIDI10 at checkout for 10% off all orders, valid through 1/31/2020.
Yarn provided by . Opinions are my own.
