A while back I posted about crocheting a cowl with dollar store yarn. If you remember, that whole project came about because I'd found a single skein of unlabelled yarn in a colour I loved (also at the dollar store). Before I did anything with the mystery yarn, I decided to experiment with some other yarn first. The experiment went pretty well, so I decided to go ahead and replicate it with the mystery yarn (which turned out to be "Knit It!" Cable Knitting Yarn in 100% polyester).
Well, I finally completed a second cowl in the dreamy colour that happens to match a hat and mitts I already had. Yay! Not in time for winter, but hey, it'll be winter again soon enough.
By the way, I don't know why these photos are so washed out. The yarn looks vaguely grey, but it's actually a lovely aqua colour.
I used the same pattern again for this cowl. It's meant to be striped, but I didn't want a second colour this time. I just switched up with stitches as I went to get a striped texture instead.
I also used the right size hook this time.
It ended up narrower at one end again. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong (probably multiple things, and that's what I get for being self taught). If anyone has any tips or suggestions, please leave them in the comments...
It's a cowl! (And this photo shows the colour a little better.)
In the end, this cowl fits a little better and is less stiff than the last one. I think that's probably because I used the correct hook (and maybe because I didn't cut or alternate yarns? I just crocheted along, switching stitches when the pattern said to, without starting a new row.) I'm really happy with it and look forward to wearing it when the weather is right.
I still think dollar store yarn is a good choice for newbies or those of us with more amateur skills (and/or budgets). I've noticed the selection doesn't tend to be great, though. If there's ever a really nice colour, it's guaranteed they'll have only one skein of it. At most they seem to carry only three or four skeins of basic (browns, greys) colours. And they never re-stock. So if you want to use dollar store yarn, stick with smaller projects and get all the yarn you need right away. That, or be prepared to drive around to all the stores in your area to get the amount you need.
Don't forget to get my books! I promise I write better than I crochet (links below)...
Where do you go for decent quality, affordable yarn? Share in the comments...
Cheers,
Aspasia
My Books
Love Lies Bleeding
Bleeding Heart
*Blood Magic
*Tooth & Claw
(Links take you to all available stores. Books marked * are free everywhere other than Amazon. Love Lies Bleeding and Bleeding Heart are also available in paperback.)
PS: Follow me on my official site: AspasiaSBissas.com.
All photos by Whimsy Bower/Aspasia S. Bissas
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