Big Twist Yarn Now Available at Michaels

It’s been quite the year for lovers of Big Twist yarn (I’m one of them; it’s one of my favorites for using in a circular knitting machine). First Joann stores, which was the exclusive carrier of the yarn, filed for bankruptcy, then it announced the company was for sale, it sold to a liquidator and all the stores closed.

Then craft retailer Herrschners said it would distribute Big Twist, and it does still have a variety of Big Twist yarns available. I’m not sure if these are closeouts left over from Joann or new product.

Back in June, Michaels announced it had acquired the intellectual property of Joann including Big Twist yarn. And now they are selling Big Twist yarns in stores and online.

Currently it looks like they have the regular Big Twist Value and Value + (which is more than a pound of yarn in one skein), as well as Big Twist Twinkle. The site says that Loops & Threads Posh Purl is standing in for Big Twist Posh, and Cozy Cub is their substitute for Baby Bear. I never used these yarns so I don’t know if they are comparable. If you’ve got intel on that let me know!

Speaking of yarn, Michaels has expanded yarn and fabric selection in around 800 of its stores and promises more soon. The store closest to me (an hour away, though we’re getting one closer later this month!) doesn’t have fabric and the yarn when I was there last month was underwhelming. When I can see an expanded yarn selection I’ll let you know.

Hopefully this ends the saga of Big Twist yarn, and they will be introducing more of the other lines that Joann carried over time. (Hereschners, for instance, has more multicolored yarns in the Big Twist line.)

Are you excited to see Big Twist back? Have another favorite in the line you wish they’d revive? Have you seen a change in your local Michaels to carry more yarn? Let’s talk about it!

[Photo via Michaels]

Whether you love the cottagecore vibe, are heading to a Renaissance faire, stitching something fun for your Halloween costume, or just want to keep cozy on your fall rambles in the woods, the Wandering Woods Knit Hood from Yarnspirations should be your next knit.

The skill rating is easy, and it calls for worsted weight yarn to knit the hood with an integrated seed stitch border worked in a contrasting color. The hood is worked flat and seamed, then you pick up stitches along the bottom to knit the cape portion.

The cape part is shaped just like a raglan sweater, with increases on each side of four points across the cape. If you’ve ever worked a raglan project before this will be simple for you. And if you haven’t you’ll be ready for your first raglan sweater after this project! The front edgings are worked at the same time as the body, and you’ll finish off with the contrasting bottom edge, as well as I-cord ties for the hood.

This cape is pretty short, just covering the shoulders, but you can knit it as long as you like and even make a full length cape if you’re going for high drama (and warmth!).

There are four size options for the cape, to fit a chest measurement ranging from 28 to 60 inches (71 to 117 cm). As shown the cape edges don’t meet in the front, so if that’s something you want you can work more increases, which will also make the project longer. I’d love a version that’s longer and with a fun clasp to make it even cozier, but you can make it your own way.

The pattern calls for Red Heart Super Saver, but this would be a great project to knit in wool or a wool blend for extra warmth.

You can grab a free copy of the pattern from Yarnspirations, and if you want to make it as shown you can also get a kit that includes the two colors of yarn you need and other supplies if you want them.

[Photo: Yarnspirations]

Have you read?