Yarn provided by Knit Picks through their Brand Ambassador Program. Post contains affiliate links. See site policies. Opinions are my own.
Hey! It’s been awhile since there’s been a yarn review & giveaway on Hands Occupied, and we’re breaking the dry spell with a yarn appropriately named High Desert. This springy yarn from Knit Picks is 100% American from sheep to skein, which is more rare among accessible yarn brands than I wish it were. I’m so excited about this yarn that I already have a few handmade gift and design ideas in mind after putting together this review.
Read on for more about High Desert, recommended patterns, and to enter to win FOUR skeins to add to your stash!
“Made with 100% American grown and spun Merino and Merino/Rambouillet sheep from Shaniko Wool Company, ranched across the American West.”
via Knit Picks
This yarn was released just this month. High Desert is available in two weights, sport and worsted, & 12 jewel tone colors inspired by Oregon’s outdoors. (There’s more info about the development of this yarn on the Knit Picks Blog if you’re curious). For this review and giveaway, we’re looking at the lighter blue in the collection, Juniper Berry, in worsted weight.
Like I said, it’s been a moment since my last review, so as a refresher, here’s what I like to do when I am trying a yarn for the first time (or reviewing it for a post like this). I make a swatch in both knit and crochet using a needle and hook size as recommended on the label. I wet block both swatches a couple days before the photo shoot for the post, and I try to capture the look of the yarn for both knit and crochet in the photos. Each review contains a short profile of the yarn, including label information like fiber content, weight, needle and hook recommendations, and a couple pros, cons and recommended patterns.
THE YARN: Knit Picks’ High Desert Worsted
Where to find: Knit Picks website
Colorway pictured: Juniper Berry
Skein details: bullet skein / 217 yds / 100g // 100% USA Shaniko Wool // Worsted Weight
Knitting needles: US 6-9 / 4-5.5mm // 18-20 stitches = 4 inches (10 cm)
Crochet hook: US I-K / 5.5-6.5 mm // 11-14 sc = 4 inches (10 cm)
Cons: The price point is a little more than you’d find at a big box store, but…
Pros: (…continuing from above) we’re talking about 100% US sourced & processed wool, from sheep to skein.
Pattern Ideas: Another pro for this yarn is its springy texture and stitch definition, so I like it especially for making vintage knits for me and baby crochet projects for gifts.
THE GIVEAWAY
Enter to win FOUR skeins of High Desert Worsted to try! Giveaway is open to U.S. only. Enter in the box provided below or here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Yarn provided by Knit Picks through their Brand Ambassador Program. Post contains affiliate links. See site policies. Opinions are my own.
I read the magazine Simply Crochet and I’m always jealous that England has access to so many sheep to skein brands of yarn, so it makes me happy that there is a decent one available that is 100% US made! Thanks for bringing it to my attention!