I couldn't resist this kit!

Posted on July 19, 2008 by knittingpatterns4you | 7 Comments

So last week I had a dinner date with Lidia, my ex-coworker from String. I met her at the store, and of course had to take a look around at all the new stuff . . . and I literally squealed when I saw this little crochet flower scarf kit:

(anyone else notice the typo in the title?)

It looks cute enough from the front, but wait until you see the back!

How could I possibly resist all those tiny skeins of cashmere!?!?! There was no way it wasn't coming home with me.

I was so captivated and excited I didn't even read the details on this thing . . . so I was kind of shocked to open it and realize I had just bought a crochet kit using laceweight yarn! I had never really seen the laceweight version of Artyarns' cashmere, so when I saw this I assumed it was the worsted weight . . . I probably would still have bought it if I had known this fact, but I wouldn't have gotten such a shock when I started winding the little skeins! This is the "Pastels" version of this kit (it apparently also comes in a Jewel Tones, although I've never seen it) and the colors are gorgeous. This picture really does them no justice whatsoever. They're all tone-on-tone solids, but some of the colors have more variegation than others. Together they positively sing!

I have done one row of flowers so far:

(this shot is much better for color)

But I have to say, this isn't easy. The yarn is SO thin, and cashmere is SO delicate, and you change color after every round . . . it's a very fiddly project. To put it mildly. And this is gonna take a long time.

And frankly, as is the case with most of Artyarns' patterns I've ever read, this pattern is poorly-written and hard to understand. I am an experienced crocheter so I figured it out, but I probably could have done just as well working from a picture as I did working from their instructions. And their explanation of how to do the color changes and how to order the different motifs leaves much to be desired, too. I find it much more annoying to have badly-explained instructions than to just have it say "change colors randomly as it pleases you" -- even though writting the latter is less instruction, at least it is crystal clear!

In any case, I've decided to do the color changes in order from left to right as they are presented in the chart (if you buy this you'll know what I mean), just so I don't have to think about not repeating colors and hopefully don't run out of any color too soon. Although I have no faith in this system assuring me I won't run out, it at least lets me keep going without second-guessing every color choice . . . and if I'm going to follow someone else's design I would like to worry/think as little as possible, thank-you-very-much.

So if this completely mixed-bag review has made you want one for yourself, here's what I know about the kit: It is brand new and apparently only a few shops have it now, so I appologize if posting this drives you as crazy with desire but you end up unable to get your hands on one . . . I believe String is supposed to get more in soon, but I know I bought the last one they had last week!

Posted in cashmere, crochet, crochet flowers, scarf kit


7 Responses

Marianne
Marianne

August 08, 2008

I have the pastels kit winging it’s way to me in the UK for my birthday next week. It sounds like it will be a challenge. I just needed this kit so bad. Got it from KPixie. Wish they just sold the pattern! Can’t wait to see your progress…

Darcy
Darcy

August 28, 2008

I started crocheting this summer I love how beautiful delicate and soft they look:)Hugs Darcy kaleidscope the o is missing from between the d and s

linda
linda

March 15, 2009

I too am attempting this scarf. Have you gotten very far? It’s so beautiful but so fiddly – I debate about trying to cut down on the number of color changes or even doing a totally different block – but then I look at it again and just love those little flowers…. let me know how you are doing.

margaret
margaret

July 19, 2008

make that www.jimmybeanswool.com

Anne
Anne

July 20, 2008

That looks awesome. Can’t say I have the crochet capabilities or patience for it, but I’m looking forward to seeing yours. Maybe IRL sometime, hmm?

sherry
sherry

July 21, 2008

Definitely beautiful. But glad that you posted about it, and am anxious to watch the progress. Yes I crochet, well 23 yrs ago when I was pregnant with my son. But gosh, lace weight?? I do love a challenge.. sigh.

margaret
margaret

July 19, 2008

found them both at www.jimmybeans.com – tempted, but not completely convinced yet to buy it – but with one functional hand, crochet may be what I have to think about! ;-)
stay cool if you can …

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