I just opened up my February 2014 Int/Adv KnitCrate and I am so excited to share with you what I received. As always, if you’re a subscriber and don’t want to know what’s inside, stop reading now!
For those of you still with me, I have to say, this Knitcrate has the coolest yarn I have ever seen.
The title of my post is foreshadowing the awesomeness to come.
But first, the rest of the goodies:
The promo card is near and dear to my heart this month. The reason being is that my little ol’ shop is featured on it.
There are 4 different promos this month as well as the Free Pattern:
Note: as always, I don’t share the actual promo codes (just what the value is to demonstrate the total value of the Knitcrate), you have to subscribe to Knitcrate to get those.
1) 20% off the featured yarn (which you’ll see in a minute) in the KnitCrate shop. ($3.00 a skein savings)
2) 50% off any pattern at Emily Peter’s Ravelry shop. Her Octopus Mittens are so cool. ($2.00 to $3.00 average savings)
3) 40% off your whole purchase in my pattern store. (infinite amount of savings!!)
4) 20% off any needle set in the KnitCrate shop. There are crochet hooks under the link as well so I’m guessing the hooks might count as well. ($10.00 + savings)
Free Pattern: Beaded Cushion by Nathalie O’Shea ($5.00) This is a very beautiful pattern, and I’ll be giving it away to one lucky winner. See near the end of the post for more details.
1.6 oz sample of Rare Hawaiian Organic Kiawe Honey (approx. $4.00)
I tried a bit of this honey and it is delicious!
0.9oz David’s Tea in Read My Lips (approx. $3.50)
This tea company has a really great website and the names for their teas are so cute (ie. Brazillionaire, Glitter and Gold). I can’t wait to try Read My Lips.
3 balls of Zealana Kauri in color K14 ($15 a ball)
I am so excited about this yarn. I’ve never seen this brand before, but after checking out their website, I’m instantly intrigued and can’t wait to make something with this yarn.
What’s so special about this yarn?
It’s all about the blend. This yarn is:
- 60% New Zealand merino wool
- 10% mulberry silk
- 30% brushtail possum
Yes, I said possum, and no, I had never heard of using possum in yarn.
This is a brushtail possum and fur traders introduced them to New Zealand (where this yarn is from, hence the brand name of Zealana). However, because there are no natural predators to this fuzzy guy in New Zealand, he’s become way too overpopulated.
What the New Zealanders have found though is when combined with wool and cashmere, they produce over 50% more warmth in the garments made from them. That’s pretty impressive.
Plus the Kauri yarn is a part of their performance line. So each 94 yard ball of yarn is machine washable and less likely to pill. so it’s really easy to take care of. Plus it’s actually really soft and I can only imagine it getting softer with washing.
I encourage everyone to go check out Zealana’s website. It’s really interesting to read about the yarn, they give even more information about the possum and all of it’s cool benefits of being used in yarn.
Now for the giveaway.
As most of you know, I am not a great knitter so you get to benefit from this every month. I’m giving away my code to download the Knit Cushion pattern to one reader. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment in this post about what you think about possum yarn. I’ll pull a name on Valentine’s Day Friday Feb. 14th and they will get the code.
Bonus if you are only a crocheter.
If you are like me and only crochet, I am going to give away a copy of my Hearts Abound Fair Isle Crochet Pattern (since it is Valentine’s Day) on the same day as well.
You will enter the same way, by leaving a comment in this post about the possum yarn. Just be sure to add that you are a crocheter.
If you do both (Knit and Crochet) you can state that as well and you’ll be entered for both patterns. Good luck!
Make sure to follow the blog as well so you never miss a good giveaway.
Here is a video unveiling if you want to see more of the possum yarn (as I am now calling it).