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Zen Yarn Garden Magical Dye Pot Series – Review & Giveaway

January 24, 2018 10 Comments

Zen Yarn Garden Magic Dye Pot Series - Yarn review & giveaway at Hands Occupied
This month’s yarn review & giveaway is an interesting one. Zen Yarn Garden is a Canadian yarn company that makes gorgeous and interesting colors of yarn on great-to-work with yarn bases (the plain yarn they dye with beautiful colors to make it extra special). They sent me a few skeins of their Superfine Fingering yarn, an Italian-spun yarn, dyed in their new Magical Dye Pot series to share with you. Essentially, there are several sets of color series, labeled A through F, and within each lettered set, there are 6 colors. Each color, indicated by a number (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 & A6, for example) is designed to go with the other  colors within the same letter series. For testing’s sake, I grabbed two of the three colors they sent and played with different striping patterns in a knit swatch, and then I used the same striping pattern in a crochet swatch. 
Zen Yarn Garden Magic Dye Pot Series - Yarn review & giveaway at Hands Occupied

The Yarn: Zen Yarn Garden Magical Dye Pot Series

Colorways pictured: D5 & D6. Shown striped together in bands of 4, 2 & 1 stripes of each color per swatch.
Skein details:
400 yds / 366 m skeins / 90% Superfine Merino / 10% Nylon
Knitting needles: US 3, 3.25 mm / 20 stitches & 28 rows over 4 inches
Crochet hook: US D-3, 3.25 mm / 22 sc & 26 rows over 4 inches
Cons: Wrapping your head around which colors to buy since their naming convention is unusual could be a challenge if you’re intimidated by selecting color combos online.
Pros: This yarn is a lot of fun, and opens up a lot of opportunities to play with stripe, gradient and color in your knitting. And hey, if you’re finding yourself curious about that fade shawl that’s so popular but don’t want to stash dive for it, you could buy a whole set of Magical Dye Pot colors (all of the D options, for example), and go to town knowing the colors are dyed to work together. 
Pattern ideas: Because of the striping and gradient possibilities, I’d go ahead and knit a Top Notched Shawl, playing with the striping in creative ways. For crochet, it would be fun to play with a tiny gauge version of the Scraps Scallops Scarf, using it as an opportunity to play with making your own gradient stripes.

Zen Yarn Garden Magic Dye Pot Series - Yarn review & giveaway at Hands Occupied

The Giveaway

To enter the giveaway, use the box below. If you’re on mobile, you’ll need to click a button that takes you to the entry page. If you’re on the desktop site, you’re all good to go right here! Open to US, UK, Australia & Canada. Full terms & conditions available by clicking the link in the box provided.

One hank of the colorway pictured below (color D4 in the series) will be raffled off.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Zen Yarn Garden Magic Dye Pot Series - Yarn review & giveaway at Hands Occupied
Yarn was provided by Zen Yarn Garden. You can follow them on Ravelry, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Reviews & Sponsored Tagged With: giveaway, magical dye pot series, yarn review, zen yarn garden

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Anne

    January 24, 2018 at 8:33 am

    What a gorgeous yarn! And an interesting review. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway, the rafflecopter doesn’t seem to work, unfortunately. I’m on mobile, will try desktop later.

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 24, 2018 at 9:36 am

      Hi Anne, it looks like there was a hiccup on mobile early this morning, but I just confirmed it’s all working now! Thanks :)

      Reply
  2. Pamela

    January 24, 2018 at 11:55 am

    Wow what pretty yarn. I love the speckles!

    Reply
  3. Dani

    January 24, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    I’m not entering this month (because I was lucky enough to win last month!), but I had to say THANK YOU for such informative and clear reviews. I really look forward to reading them, and “testing” yarns vicariously thru you :) You’re awesome!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      January 25, 2018 at 2:40 pm

      Aww, thanks Dani! :)

      Reply
  4. Pam

    January 27, 2018 at 11:23 am

    Interesting yarn.

    Reply
  5. Becky

    January 27, 2018 at 1:04 pm

    Hi Heidi! I love seeing those swatches, especially the crochet.. Every time I see a crochet pattern featured in your blog I want to learn to crochet too. I’ve haven’t found time to make it to a class and I’m tempted just to try Craftsy or YouTube. Although, it seems like I can’t keep up with all the knitting I want to do already, so maybe it’s not the best idea!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      February 1, 2018 at 9:15 am

      I am probably the worst yarn craft enabler in the world, so I would tend to say “Go for it!” I taught myself to crochet (I’d knit for like 12 years) using mostly YouTube, and I enjoy getting to change things up. Like I said, me = enabler. ;)

      Reply
  6. Jaime McCorry

    January 27, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    Hi Heidi! Thanks for the review & raffle! I had no idea this yarn came from Canada, I saw this yarn at a trunk show at String Theory in Glen Ellyn during a Yarny field trip with my knitting group!
    You’re the best!

    Reply
    • Heidi

      February 1, 2018 at 9:14 am

      Aww, shucks! Thanks :)

      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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handsoccupied

Helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010
🧶 Really into intarsia
Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop the latest patterns ⤵️

Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
This audio was me last summer while secretly desig This audio was me last summer while secretly designing the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern behind the scenes. 😆 I very often design with primary colors, so trying to explain suddenly working with black, white and grey was awkward/kinda funny. 🩶
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In case you missed it, this is my design from the new book ‘Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town,’ available now from @insighteditions & @tanisknits. We’re doing a knit along starting very soon, and we’ll be knitting this pattern! I’ve got weekly video tutorials planned for this educationally-focused knit along. This KAL is especially for you if you’re eager to work on your intarsia. 🧶
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Full KAL details, yarn quantities & pattern information are available on my bl0g, the 🔗 is where you’d think. 
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Yarn: @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted
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#nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook #handsoccupied #spiralhillsweatervest #knitting #halloweenknitting #knitalong #kal #knitting_inspiration #intarsia #intarsiaknitting #learntoknit
Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the S Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest. Thank you. 🙏🏻❤️ If you love this pattern & didn’t know already, we are going to be doing a knit along (KAL) from October 1-29 featuring this spooky sweater vest & lots of tutorials, especially for the intarsia part. 
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Later today my newsletter will be coming out with additional Knit Along details, so if you’re not already signed up, now is a great time - the 🔗 is in my b1o. 
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Pictured: My Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern from the new Nightmare Before Christmas knitting book by @tanisknits. Model is wearing size 1 with 2” of positive ease, knit in @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted. Vest images via @insighteditions 
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#spiralhillsweatervest #handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook
At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest, my contribution to the new book Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town, out now! 🎃💀 
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I’m hosting a knit along (KAL) October 1-29 for anyone who’d like to knit this vest along with a group & learn a little about intarsia while we’re at it. I’ve got weekly tutorials planned to help you knit this worsted weight sweater vest, and there’s a prize package giveaway at the end for KAL participants too. Details are on my site - you know where to find the 🔗 I think. 😉
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Book by @tanisknits 
Publisher @insighteditions 
Yarn @brooklyntweed Imbue 
Find it wherever fine books are sold. 
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#handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmas #intarsia #sweatervest #knittingpattern #knittingbook #spiralhill #knitting_inspiration #knitting
Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs closet after this weekend’s quick tutorial, here are few. ✂️ The tutorial is one post back in my feed as a video.
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As you can see, I didn’t worry about the wire hangers all being perfectly uniform, but it doesn’t matter to me. Also, this closet holds a lot! Despite that, it is already at capacity. Since the hanging bags don’t appear to be recyclable, I want to reuse them as long as possible. Who knows, maybe this will be a way to limit my WIPs? 😅
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P.s. In the third photo you can see how I use this system to store the original swatches, scraps, yarn ball bands, & notes from a design project all together. 
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#handsoccupied #wips #craftstorage #yarnstorage #yarncrafts #knitting_inspiration #craftstudio #craftroom #craftcloset
How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with jus How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with just a few supplies ✂️
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When I was a librarian, we would use these hanging bags to circulate books with audiobook CDs. They came to mind when I wanted to develop a filing cabinet-like system for my differently-sized WIPs. To fit in my studio closet, a standard bedroom closet, they just needed custom hangers. 🤙🏻 
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HOW TO MAKE THE HANGERS
1. Carefully cut approx. a 9” (23 cm) length of flexible 3 mm aluminum wire.
2. Near the end of a large knitting needle or dowel, wrap the wire around it as you would a twist tie. 
3. Bend the other end into a hook shape, perpendicular to the circle shape you just created. 
4. Hang like a hanger in a closet, as shown. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration #craftcloset #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #craftroomdecor #crocheter #latchhook #knittersofinstagram #wip #wips #hangingstorage
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