Yarn Rip Off? Temu Charm Elves Cute Gradient Yarn Review & Free Pattern Reveal

Today, I’m reviewing the Charm Elves Gradient Yarn I recently bought. Let’s see if its adorable look is worth any potential challenges. If you prefer watching over reading, the full video review is at the bottom of the page. Also, there are affiliate links, so if you click on them and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission for no extra cost to you.

Temu Haul Recap

In my second Temu haul (see more about that here), I grabbed a few knitting items this time around and found this Charm Elves Gradient Yarn, which I thought was super cute with the pretty colorway and fun little white nubs scattered throughout. According to the website, it came in a package of six balls weighing 300 grams total, all for just about $11! That seems like a great deal, right? However (and this is a pattern with Temu yarns), the website didn’t list the weight of the yarn or how many yards were in each ball. The website and packaging only noted that it’s a blend of 40% acrylic, 30% wool, 20% nylon, and 10% mohair – which is quite a mix! So, buying this was a guess on what I could use it for until I received it.

Since it had no yardage listed, I used my trusty yardage counter. I found each ball measures about 140 meters (150 yards), giving a total of 840 meters, roughly 925 yards, which is a good amount that can be made into a couple of scarves or even a shawl in either knit or crochet. I would say the yarn is close to a DK weight yarn, but the nubs can get up to a worsted which caused some issues that you’ll see below.

First Impressions

The yarn has a beautiful self-striping effect with little white nubs scattered throughout, which is what drew me in. It’s fairly soft, with a texture I can’t quite describe, but it isn’t the kind of yarn that makes you gush over its squishiness. This yarn is all about aesthetics rather than feel. So keep that in mind if you have aversions to certain textures. It definitely doesn’t feel bad, but it’s not a yarn I would first talk about its softness over the look of it.

Hook Size Recommendation

The website recommended using a 2mm crochet hook or 3mm knitting needles. Typically, the larger size is suggested for the hook since achieving drape with knitting is easier. However, with this yarn, it was reversed, which was a bit concerning. Additionally, both sizes seemed somewhat small just by looking at the yarn.

Checking out my video below, you will see despite my efforts, crocheting with a 2mm hook was nearly impossible as the yarn is quite sticky, and the nubs made it challenging. Even though the 3mm needles were somewhat easier, those too were a little difficult to get the nubs and sticky yarn through each stitch. I would say this yarn should be used with larger hooks and needles for sure. For reference, the two projects I reference below were both made with a 6mm [US-J] crochet hook.

It was also quite a nightmare to frog because of its stickiness. Thankfully the makeup of the fibers kept it from breaking as it was being ripped out, but it was quite a task of peeling the yarn apart if you have to rip out your stitches. This is definitely yarn you need to have a project in mind to make and not one you experiment with.

Projects I Made

I recently remade the Amethyst Crochet Shawl, a pattern that will soon be available for free. I loved how it turned out using this yarn with its long color changes. Many self-striping yarns have short repeats that are more suited for knitting projects, but this yarn’s long repeats were perfect for crochet. Another great feature was the seamless color transitions without any jarring changes or visible joins (or knots). The Amethyst Shawl pattern, which was previously a paid pattern in my shop, will now be free forever. It’s a fairly easy project, and I’ll be sharing a step-by-step tutorial soon so you can make this airy shawl yourself. Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss the release!

I also whipped up the Mobius Crochet Cowl from my free pattern workshops with the yarn. Because of how the Mobius is worked it allowed the nubs and colors to play out beautifully. With just the right amount of stitches, the mirror effect in the cowl turned out great.

Conclusion

Overall, I adore the appearance of this yarn, but there are some challenges to consider. It’s a great deal for experienced crocheters or knitters, though it may not be suitable for those with wool allergies or sensitive skin due to its blend. If you’re new to crocheting or knitting, I’d recommend waiting until you’re more comfortable with the craft, as ripping out stitches can be quite difficult. However, if you love its aesthetics and are up for the challenge, this yarn could be a perfect choice for you.

Do you like the look of the yarn? Share your thoughts or favorite yarn finds in the comments. And as always, happy knitting and crocheting!

Video Review Below