Saturday, March 14, 2015

Red Heart Sizzle Yarn Review and FREE Pixie Blossoms Daisy Braid Ivy Pattern



Or find the Braid Ivy and Daisy Pattern Below
Or find the Hair comb and Rose Pattern at our Cre8tion Crochet contribution
A few weeks ago I was thrilled to receive the opportunity to become and "official" Red Heart Yarns Reviewer!  Just a few days after qualifying, a beautiful bag arrived, filled with tons of yarn!  Some were admittedly, those yarns that you pass by at the store, and maybe you just never buy because you think....I just am not quite sure about that "new stuff".  Others yarns were actually lines I had been waiting to try and immediate ideas sprang to mind.  As I perused the bag, two small skeins in particular caught my eye.  At first, I honestly thought I received a roll of kite string by mistake, but no, it was indeed a yarn, or in this case nylon thread called "Sizzle" by Red Heart Yarns.  As one who likes a challenge, and is not usually comfortable working with tiny hooks, I decided to review what I felt would be the toughest first.  I am SO glad I did!  We have created a GORGEOUS line of patterns all included in our new eBook: Pixie Blossoms Hair Attire and all using SIZZLE brand Red Heart Nylon Thread and a size B crochet hook.  The pattern was adapted by a few testers for embroidery thread, or weight 1 or 2 yarn and a C or D hook, with very similar results.
We are including the pattern for the Daisy Braid Ivy and Headband Right here at the end of this review AND sending the beautiful Pixie Blossoms Rose Hair Comb pattern over to the Cre8tion Crochet Blog for your hookin' pleasure!  The full Book with all thousands of combinations can be purchased here on Ravelry for just $2.

Now, on to the review.  This yarn is slick, and took a bit of adjusting.  I definitely recommend a clover amour hook with this, as the heads are slick and I glided in and out with ease.  I think oddly enough my favorite thing is how it is skeined.  The cotton threads I have bought to use in the past, do not ever unwind well, and seem to roll all over everything without a yarn bowl.  But the way "Sizzle" is skeined, I was able to place it on a big Q hook I have sticking out of my bag and it spun perfectly as I worked.  It was very easy to untangle the very FEW times that happened, and the look and definition of the stitches simply cannot be beat.  There is a shine and beauty to the flowers created with the sizzle that doesn't match any of the other yarns tried.  I also polled my pattern testers that went out and bought"Sizzle" for their tests.  Here are a few positive things they had to say:

"I really love the vibrant color selecting. While other thread leave a fuzz that always irritates my eyes, Sizzle leaves no fuzz to get in my way of completing my projects quickly! Love it!!!" - Lisa Joyner Vicente of Knotty Grammie's Handmade Goods

"It is easier to work with than embroidery thread. And I like the colors and the way a project looks when it's completed." - Sara Elizabeth Silva Puentes of Content in the Meantime

"Once I got going I did like the sizzle and loved how the finished one looked! Sitting at BB gun today but I think I will have to try another tonight if I can find more barrettes!" - Cassie Burrington Stoeser of Lou and Marie

I completely agree about the fuzz factor!  I made a few thread crochet Shrugs earlier this year, and the fuzz on the black on almost turned it white once I was done, It was EVERYWHERE.  I also agree about the colors, the colors are much more fun than I can usually find in thread, unless I go to embroidery thread, which as Sarah mentioned, this is much better, it does not separate and is easier to work with, plus you don't run out every 18 yards!!!!!

So, the moral of the story, the next project that calls for size 2 thread, or weight 1 yarn, I will head straight for "Sizzle".

Now please find the Pixie Blossoms Daisy Braid Ivy and Headband pattern below:
Click HERE to add this pattern to your Ravelry Favorites
Click HERE to add this pattern to Pinterest

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By using this pattern you agree to the Pattern Terms of Use set forth by SICK 'LIL MONKEYS
This pattern is the intellectual property of Kelli Wohlgemuth. SICK 'LIL MONKEYS reserves all rights to the photos and designs with in this document.  Cover model credits to: Gianna Matassa.  Photo credits shared with Christine Naugle of Sweet Potato 3 Patterns, Jennifer Louden of Louden Farms, and most photo credits to Cherie Matassa.  You may sell all items made from this pattern but please credit SICK 'LIL MONKEYS with the pattern.  SICK 'LIL MONKEYS operates with the goal of sponsoring one "sick little monkey" at a time making the world a tiny bit better than we found it. 

Notions: B/1 -  2.25mm Hook
Yarn: I skein Red Heart Sizzle for each color desired
Materials: OPTIONAL: elastic hair tie, and any beads, pearls, buttons or ribbons you would like to dress up your piece
Abbreviations:
SL ST = Slip Stitch
CH = Chain
Flower loop = CH 4 loop, CH 4 and SL ST back to SC you began from; use these any place you want a flower
SC = Single Crochet
DC = Double Crochet
LEAF STITCH = CH 4, 3 DC in 4th CH from hook, CH 3, SL ST to same ST

Note:
I found it helpful to place a ST marker every 20 ST or so, in case I lost my place.
Each Ch 10 and leaf should measure about 1".  You may make to length sired, but the pattern is written for ivy for long length hair or a headband.  You may also choose other options such as ponytail holders, barrettes, hair combs, or a bun net.
Hint you can add a "leaf stitch", or "flower loop" at ANY point in this project
  
First Ivy Ribbon Strap:
*(CH 10, Leaf ST), repeat from * 16 times total (160 CH, 16 leaves) Each 10 CH and leaf = about 1" so you may adjust for length as desired
(This begins the loop for flower(s), and tie loop)
Three options:


 
Option 1 - See photo above (loop for pulling "ivy ribbon" through to tie around center hair piece/no elastic hair tie):
CH 5, *( flower loop =  CH 4 (or 6 for mum) and  SL ST to 4th (or 6th) CH from hook to form CH 4 (or 6) loop), repeat exactly one time for each flower you wish to add to hair piece, CH 23, SL ST to 20th CH from hook and in next 2 ST (This is creating the loop you will use to pull the ivy strands through and secure the piece around the piece of hair desired),
(that should bring you back to the CH 4 loop at the center to begin the other Strap)  


Option 2 - See photo above by Sweet Potato 3 (add elastic hair tie of your choice):
CH 5, *(then flower loop =  CH 4 (or 6 for mum) and  SL ST to 4th (or 6th) CH from hook to form CH 4 (or 6) loop), repeat exactly one time for each flower you wish to add to hair piece, Add hair tie by 4 SC around (This is creating the loop you will use to pull the ivy strands through and secure the piece around the piece of hair desired),
(that should bring you back to the CH 4 loop at the center to begin the other Strap) 

Option 3 (no elastic hair tie or loop for pulling ivy ribbon through; best option for headband wear or adding other tied pieces later):
CH 5, *(then flower loop =  CH 4 (or 6 for mum) and  SL ST to 4th (or 6th) CH from hook to form CH 4 (or 6) loop), repeat exactly one time for each flower you wish to add to hair piece,  
(that should bring you back to the CH 4 loop at the center to begin the other Strap)  

Second Ivy Strap
*(CH 10, Leaf ST), repeat from * 16 times total (160 CH, 16 leaves)

Join center flower(s) color(s) to center flower loop(s) you left un-worked

Daisy Blossom: (Note: there are 3 blossoms in photo below)
Round 1: CH 1, 12 SC around CH 4 loop, Finish off.  Join petal color to BLO of center color

Round 2: *(CH 3,  2 TR in same ST, 2 TR in next ST, CH 3, SL ST to same ST) repeat from * to end.  Finish off.

Don't forget you can also add roses, from the Cre8tion Crochet Hair Comb Pattern, or get the book including the thousands of variations HERE.















1 comment:

  1. I've been doing flowery stuff on our elastic hair tires for some time in my own home. There are some fun, fresh ideas here and I just love them! I really like the one whither the loops that you secure over "bun" by running a crochet Hook through the elastic loops! Great idea!

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