Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Bernat Recalls Tizzy Yarn

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bernat tizzy yarn recallI saw a post from Vickie Howell about Bernat’s voluntary recall of its Tizzy yarn.

The yarn, which is a polyester novelty yarn that has twists of fiber protruding from the core, is being pulled over worries that garments made out of it can come unraveled when snagged.

The company said:

All knitted or crocheted garments or blankets can come unraveled or pulled apart if they are “snagged”. The potential for these snags can vary depending on the tension of the stitch or the construction of the yarn.

We believe that the risk of snags with Tizzy may be higher than normal. In finished knit or crochet items, the yarn can unravel or snag and form a loop, posing an entanglement hazard to young children. Since this yarn is marketed towards babies we have decided to voluntarily recall this product from the marketplace and discontinue its sale.

Since all yarn is prone to a certain level of risk in this regard, this was a very difficult decision. However, the safety of children is our first concern. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this Voluntary Recall may cause you.

If you have the yarn and are interested in obtaining a refund, visit the company’s recall page. I think this is a great proactive (though I hate that word) step and am glad to see it.

[Photo via Bernat.]

Have you read?

Free Knitted Crown Pattern for Kids and Adults: A Sweet Handmade Dress-Up Idea

There’s something wonderfully charming about a knitted crown. It’s playful, useful for the dress-up basket, and just the sort of small project that gives a leftover ball of yarn a proper purpose. Much better than letting it roll around the cupboard for another three years.

This free knitted crown pattern for kids and adults combines a simple garter-stitch band with shaped triangular points. The mustard-gold colour gives it that storybook crown look, although pink, purple or woodland green would be equally lovely.

A Manageable Next Step for Beginner Knitters

The construction is the appealing part of this design. Everything is knitted flat, so you won’t need double-pointed needles or experience joining stitches in the round.

You knit the band first, then work each crown point separately over a group of 12 stitches. Paired decreases gradually narrow each triangle, giving you a small, repeatable section to concentrate on.

I’d describe this as a confident beginner knitting project. You’ll need to know how to knit, work two types of decreases, hold unused stitches and sew a simple seam. There are several yarn tails to weave in, so a little patience with finishing will help.

Three Sizes With Room to Personalise

The pattern includes three sizes, with seven, eight or nine crown points. Choose by the wearer’s head measurement rather than age, and check your gauge carefully. Yarn stretch will make a noticeable difference to the fit.

For birthdays, an embroidered initial would be a sweet finishing touch. Contrasting yarn diamonds could suggest little jewels without adding hard embellishments.

What to Know Before Casting On

This is a soft knitted crown, so expect gentle points rather than a rigid costume accessory. A springy wool or wool-blend yarn should give the shaping more support than a very drapey yarn.

The stitch calculations have been checked, but the design has not yet been sample-knitted. The accompanying image is an illustrative mockup, so the finished texture and proportions may vary with your yarn and tension.

For a small handmade birthday accessory or a cheerful addition to the dress-up box, this is an appealing idea. And if an adult needs a matching crown for supervising the royal household, the larger size has that covered too.