Knit and Crochet Yarn, Red Heart or Lion Brand - Which Do You Prefer?

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I Like Lion Brand Yarns Better, How About You?

Knitting and Crocheting Yarn? Red Heart or Lion Brand - Which Do You Prefer? Yarn, yarn, yarn. Why would the brand of yarn be so important? Isn't yarn just yarn? No! Not to me, anyway. I bet it makes a difference to lots of fellow knitters and crocheters too.

Quality and selection are high on the list for me. So is how the yarn feels when I work with it. The yarn has to be soft, pliable and easy to work with. It makes me totally crazy to have to unravel knots coming out of a brand new skein of yarn! LOL

Just as important ~ how does my finished item look, before and after washing? Are the colors just as they were before washing? Is the yarn just as soft or is the item stiff? Did it pill?

I have used just about every yarn out there. Crocheting since I was 15 or 16 and knitting since earlier this year, that's *alot* of yarn, too! I buy it at the craft stores, I buy it online, I buy it at yard sales and thrift shops. I buy all the yarn I can hide from my husband! LOL

Knitters and Crocheters! Weigh in! What do you think of these top two brands? Let's talk yarn!

Help Me Decide Which Is The Better Yarn 

I actually do like both, you know

To be completely honest, I actually like these two yarns. You see, I make many of my gifts each year and I love to crochet. I've crocheted for a great many years, so it matters to me how my gifts turn out when I'm done.

If you're a crafter, you know what I mean when I say an item just 'looks' and 'feels' stiffer when you've finished it and even after you've washed it. For these items ~ afghans, pillows, stuffed toys and other decor, I lean toward Red Heart yarns, either the Classic or the Super Savers.

Over time, I have found that Red Heart does pill, no matter how careful I am with washing my items (beyond the washing instructions on their labels). Hmmm...

Lion Brand Yarns on the other hand are so soft and easy to work with! They don't seem to knot easily, either. Don't you HATE pulling a huge knot of yarn from a new skein of yarn? ARRRGH!

To be fair too, I use Lion Brands' lines to make gifts like scarves, dishcloths, and other items where softness or texture is going to be important. I love their Homespun line for one example. I've noticed that my projects stay soft and pretty even after repeated washings, too. Hmmm...

So...I'm curious! How do YOU feel about your yarn choices? Which of these mega brands do you like better?

Simply Scarves: Lion Brand 2009 Fashion Show  

April 1, 2009

As with any fashion show, there were a few things that were "over the top" here. Then again, there were lots of cute things I hope to make for gifts! Woo hoo!
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Like Lion Brand Yarn Better? 

Tell me why!

Show everyone that we know our yarn! Lion Brand has a large variety of yarns in different textures and colors. They're soft and easy to work with. I don't have as many knotting problems when I work with Lion Brand for some reason. So they work up great! Lion Brand is great for garments & gifts where high quality and eclectic textures and colors work to add that special touch.

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Leisure Arts - Interviews Red Hearts Ambassador Kathleen Sams 

Coats & Clark isn't on YouTube???

Leisure Arts Editor-in-Chief, Susan Sullivan, interviews Kathleen Sams.
Sams is the Red Heart Ambassador for Coats & Clark. She explains that as an
Ambassador, she promotes the use of Red Heart Yarn while teaching people to
Knit and Crochet.
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You Like Red Heart Yarns Better? 

Tell me why!

No doubt in my mind, Red Heart is great yarn and I do use it...a lot. But it does have its foibles. It feels rougher to the touch as you work with it, I can't explain why, really. It just does. My crocheted items seem to wash up stiffer when using this yarn too. Typically, I use the Super Saver in the jumbo sizes, or the Red Heart Classic these days. I use this brand for afghans and other non-wearables like pillows, my Christmas tree skirt, etc.

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So, Which Yarn Do You Prefer? 

Red Heart or Lion Brand - Which Do You Prefer?

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Lion Brand Yarn Rocks!

dustytoes says:

I am fairly new to knitting but buy Lion Brand wool. It felts nicely for mittens.

Posted October 18, 2009

missbat says:

When I learned to knit, I started with Lion Brand Homespun. For the majority of my projects, I've used Homespun or another one of Lion Brand's yarns. Someone bought my some Red Heart but I never used it. I like the feel of the Homespun and how it works up nicely when used for a project.

Posted September 07, 2009

Red Heart Yarn Rules!

crochetgal says:

with the wide variety of Red Heart yarns, from sock weight to wool blends, gorgeous cottons and bamboos and then the bulky Artesano, I would have to go with the Red Heart yarns by Coats & Clark! Customer Support from Coats & Clark is much better than what I've ever had from Lion Brand as well.
http://crochetgal.etsy.com

Posted September 09, 2009

BevsPaper says:

Haven't tried Lion Brand but have used Red Heart a lot so I will go with that.

Posted September 08, 2009

mysticmama says:

I like red heart for most of my general crochet needs

Posted September 08, 2009

bdkz says:

I like Red Heart.

Posted September 07, 2009

 

Lion Brand Yarn Sites 

Very Cool ~ Very Hip

Lion Brand Yarn Web Site
The purpose of this website is to enhance your enjoyment of knitting, crocheting and crafting with yarn. On our award-winning website, you'll find:

* 2,713 free knitting patterns, free crochet patterns and free craft patterns, with new ones published weekly.
* free instructions to help you learn to knit or learn to crochet,
* free yarn-themed e-cards and other goodies,
* the Charity Connection where you can search for knitting and crochet-oriented charities,
* the Directory of Knitting and Crochet Clubs where you can find friends who share your interests,
* a free gallery where you can upload and share your projects with others
* a free weekly e-mail newsletter that is packed with free patterns, tips, contests and features.

And much, much more!
Lion Brand Yarn | Facebook
Welcome to the official Facebook Page of Lion Brand Yarn. Get exclusive content and interact with Lion Brand Yarn right from Facebook. Join Facebook to create your own Page or to start connecting with friends.
YouTube - LionBrandYarn's Channel
Lion Brand is a family-owned and operated business and a beloved American brand since 1878.

Prefer Red Heart Yarn? Here's Some Nice Choices 

Yarn Red Hrt Classic-Purples

Yarn Red Hrt Classic-Purples

Amazon Price: $2.89 (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Yarn Red Hrt Classic-Gemstone

Yarn Red Hrt Classic-Gemstone

Amazon Price: $2.19 (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Red Heart Soft Baby Steps Yarn-Cherry Cola

Red Heart Soft Baby Steps Yarn-Cherry Cola

Amazon Price: $3.19 (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Red Heart Sport Yarn-Camouflage

Red Heart Sport Yarn-Camouflage

Amazon Price: $2.19 (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Red Heart Soft Baby Yarn-Powder Blue

Red Heart Soft Baby Yarn-Powder Blue

Amazon Price: $4.49 (as of 01/01/2010) Buy Now

Red Heart Yarn Sites 

RedHeart.Com
Quality & Style With A Contemporary Flair
Coats and Clark Web Site
Coats & Clark, America's #1 name in sewing and needlecraft products, is part of the world's largest textile/thread manufacturing company with products sold in over 150 countries for industrial and home use.
Welcome! | crochet today magazine
Published 6 times a year, plus special issues twice a year, Crochet Today is the magazine that helps you be creative your way!

* Fresh, fashionable patterns for the family, crafty home décor, accessories, gifts and more.
* Easy-to-follow instructions for beginners to veterans-anyone can learn to crochet
* First-rate information and advice from the industry's top experts.
* Ideas and encouragement with loads of patterns, tips, tricks and more.
* Crochet community with articles about fellow crocheters, craft trends and reader interaction.
Knit And Crochet Today TV Show
Free Patterns & Video clips from the TV show

Cool Crafty Links For You! 

Here Are Some Of My Favorite Craft Links To Share With You

Knitting Pattern Central - Free, Online Knitting Patterns - Beginner Knitting Instructions - Knitting Tips, Tricks, Testimonials and More!
A Directory of Free, Online Knitting Patterns - Beginner Knitting Instructions - Tips, Tricks, Testimonials, Links and More!
The Knitting Site - Free Knitting Patterns
Free Knitting Patterns, knitting pattern for scarf,
knitting pattern for hat. Also articles teaching all the basic knitting stitches.
How to cast on and how to cast off, how to knit and how to purl.
Everytyhing you need to start knitting your own garments.
AllCrafts.Net
Free crochet patterns. Beginner Crochet Patterns, Crochet for Baby & Children, Crochet for Dolls, Crochet Food, Holiday Crochet Patterns, Crochet Afghans & Blankets Patterns, Purses & Tote Bags Patterns, Crochet Home Decor Patterns, Crocheted Slippers & Socks, Crocheted Clothing Patterns, Ponchos, S
Crochet Pattern Central - Free, Online Crochet Pattern Link Directory - Beginner Crochet Instructions - Crochet Tips, Tricks, Testimonials and More!
A Directory of Free, Online Crochet Pattern Links - Beginner Crochet Instructions - Tips, Tricks, Testimonials, Links and More!
Free Patterns for Sewing, Knitting, Crochet, Cross-Stitch, Quilting, and Crafts | FreePatterns.com
FreePatterns.com has free online patterns and projects for afghans, baby crochet, holiday crafts, kids crafts, card making and other crochet projects. FreePatterns.com has bed-size quilting patterns, baby and children knitting projects, quick and easy plastic canvas patterns, religious and inspirati
Ravelry - a knit and crochet community
Show off your work. Share your ideas and techniques.discover.
Find new designs & yarns. Make friends.
Crochet Guild of America
The Crochet Guild of America is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of crochet.
The Knitting Guild Of America
Communicate and share with knitters on-line!! Visit the national association of hand and machine knitters: The Knitting Guild Association. Convention news, contests, Cast On Magazine, message board, chat. Free patterns for members!

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Hi! My name is Sylvia! I'm retired & doing what I love--selling online, crafting and gardening, reading, watching movies, crochet, learning to knit... (more)

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