Yarn Review Monday 33: Candy Skein Yummy Fingering

What is YRM: I honestly believe there are good things and bad things about every type of yarn, no matter how much you save or how much you break the bank. 

This is for the lay-knitter, not professionals. This is for people like me who might not necessarily be fiber experts despite being a crocheter or knitter for a long time, but need an honest opinion about yarn before they dive into a project with it.

The yarn: Candy Skein Yummy Fingering (sock weight)
463 yards, 423 meters
100 grams, 3.3 oz 

• 75% merino wool, 25% Nylon superwash
• 
  

Colors used in my project: Poppy seed (main), green bean casserole, green olive, pumpkin spice, cranberry sauce (top stitched monogram)

The Project: Dumbledore Socks from Harry Potter Unofficial Knits

What I liked: Beautiful stitch definition. The yarn is so soft and beautifully dyed. Very fun to work with. All of the colors have food related names which is kind of fun. But more importantly, the colors are absolutely stunning in person. Photographs really do not do justice to this beautiful yarn. The dyer does a lot of fun stuff, like seasonal colors, monthly colorways, and cross stitch.

What I didn't like: I really can't complain, although as wonderful as it was to work with I found it to be out of my price range. I was a little bummed out that the mini skeins were just barely enough yarn for the toe and very top stripe of the socks. So the greens on these socks are not the same. (There was enough in the mini skeins to at least have matching heels.) But after all, they are just sample skeins.

Affordability:  I bought everything in the top photo for $70 total. That was for the out-of-season (leftover) Thanksgiving themed mini skeins and one whole skein of the "Yummy fingering," and shipping and handling. I bought this yarn in January of 2015 and don't remember details. I'm sure prices have changed. One skein of Yummy Fingering is listed for $22 on the Candy Skein website. Definitely worth it though!

Rating: I think this yarn is beautiful, albeit way out of my usual budget. 5/5 stars. I would definitely buy this again when I have the chance.

For a list of Yarn Reviews, click below:

 

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this or asked to review this yarn by any store or the company itself. Opinions are my own.

Plans

I seem to be apologizing in most of my recent posts for my obvious neglect of the blog. The way things have been going, every time I pick up my needles I am immediately interrupted. No knitting, nothing to share.

I do have two Yarn Reviews in the works which I am planning to post in the next few weeks. As in, I am planning to publish one this upcoming Monday, and the next one two weeks later to help with my otherwise sparse updates. I was looking through my last of yarn reviews and realized I have actually been keeping up with my reviews when I finish my projects, but I missed one last year and I have one to write for the sweaters I made my daughters.

Hopefully this will give me enough time to finish another sleeve on the sweater I most recently steeked.

Adventures in Steeking

I did it. I cut 5 months and countless hours of knitting struggling down the middle this weekend. And it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be!

Countless YouTube videos said that as long as you used one method to anchor your stitches before you cut, you shouldn't have to worry about unraveling. I ended up using the crochet method, we've though I ended up machine sewing it later anyway since I was planning to install a zipper.

You can tell I don't crochet!

After I anchored the stitches it looked a little lumpy. All of the tutorials said to use the same color yarn to anchor the stitches as the yarn in the garment, however, I used a very obvious contrast color so that I could see the stitches easily when cutting. Since this was the first time I've ever steeked a sweater, I wanted to make sure I got it right the first time.
Then, the moment of truth, time to cut!

What I had when I was finished cutting:

Then I pinned in the zipper and ran it through the sewing machine. I only had to redo about two inches where the knitting stretched and caused the pattern to be misaligned while I was installing the zipper. Which is a huge improvement on the last project I put a zipper into!

So here it is with the zipper installed, inside view. I sewed the sides down where the sweater edges are crocheted.

All that is left is the sleeves!

Sweater Progress: Flax and Severus Pullover

I apologise for the absence around here. I've been making progress on all of my projects though!

I finished the Flax sweater for my littlest a couple days ago:

The Flax for my almost 3 year old just needs sleeves finished:

And despite a long road trip last week, I didn't have much opportunity to work on my husband's sweater. However, I've still added length to it since my last post:

I really like the way it's turning out with the strip down the middle for steeking. It makes me feel less nervous about cutting it up since it looks alright (so far) if I fold the middle so the stockinette panel doesn't show. I wasn't sure how the center cables would look.

I am still working on an Elsa doll for my daughter's birthday next week:

She looks a bit like a frog at the moment, but once she's completely stuffed she should look better.

And lastly, the yarn for my boys' sweaters arrived last week! I'm pretty excited to get these started.

Have a fantastic and productive weekend, my fellow knitters!

Another Sweater

I needed some instant gratification knitting so I cast on for a Flax sweater by Tin Can Knits. It is a free pattern. I'm making one for each of my kids and due to my need for a quick project and my lack of yarn, I started with the baby.

I added the button band at the top. It is not in the pattern but since this is such a pain sweater it is very easy to change and personalize.

Until next time... Happy knitting!

Anna flip doll

I finished the flip doll I was making for my daughter. I knit the braided head separate from the rest of the doll. Once I cast on for the first body and attached the head, I decided to use the pattern as more of a guideline.

I under stuffed the body and head on the half of the doll in Anna's coronation dress but otherwise I think I did a pretty good job.

So, wonky head and body aside, enjoy the photos!

And a close up on the details:

5.10.17 Edit:
I added stuffing to her head this morning. Huge improvement.

Back Panel Finished and Other Projects

I finally finished the back panel on the sweater I'm making for my husband! I think these cables are so great, and I can't wait to cast on for the front.

I also started working on some Anna and Elsa dolls for my daughter. She quite suddenly decided last week that she "hates Mickey" and loves princesses now. Toddlers are so fickle. Hopefully she will still be just as obsessed with Frozen next month for her birthday as she is right now.

I ran out of buttons for the eyes, but I have more coming in the mail on Friday. That's all for now! (Remember to provide your blog address of you comment so I can make sure to read your most recent updates!)