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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 (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. 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), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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