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Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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High Desert Yarn Review & Giveaway

April 21, 2021 1 Comment

Yarn provided by Knit Picks through their Brand Ambassador Program. Post contains affiliate links. See site policies. Opinions are my own.

Knit Picks High Desert is a new yarn available in a range of jewel tone colors & two weights. Take a closer look at this versatile yarn that's 100% American from sheep to skein.

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.

Knit Picks High Desert is a new yarn available in a range of jewel tone colors & two weights. Take a closer look at this versatile yarn that's 100% American from sheep to skein.

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.

Knit Picks High Desert is a new yarn available in a range of jewel tone colors & two weights. Take a closer look at this versatile yarn that's 100% American from sheep to skein.
Knit Picks High Desert is a new yarn available in a range of jewel tone colors & two weights. Take a closer look at this versatile yarn that's 100% American from sheep to skein.


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.

Knit Picks High Desert is a new yarn available in a range of jewel tone colors & two weights. Take a closer look at this versatile yarn that's 100% American from sheep to skein.

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
Knit Picks High Desert is a new yarn available in a range of jewel tone colors & two weights. Take a closer look at this versatile yarn that's 100% American from sheep to skein.
Knit Picks High Desert is a new yarn available in a range of jewel tone colors & two weights. Take a closer look at this versatile yarn that's 100% American from sheep to skein. #KPHighDesert2021 #sponsored

Yarn provided by Knit Picks through their Brand Ambassador Program. Post contains affiliate links. See site policies. Opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored Tagged With: gauge, giveaway, high desert, knit picks high desert, swatch, swatching, worsted, yarn review

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author & content creator in love with primary colors & vintage vibes. She specializes in knitting, crochet, latch hook and macramé, and her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now!

Previous Post: « Yarniversal Championship Belt Design Diary & A New YouTube Series
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Comments

  1. Cindy G

    April 21, 2021 at 9:57 pm

    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!

    Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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