Shannon Talks Yarn

  January can feel a little strange as a maker. The holidays are over, the rush of gift-making has stopped, and suddenly you might find yourself wondering, “What should I even be crocheting right now?” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Especially if you went hard in November and December or if you’re still figuring out what kinds of projects you actually enjoy making. Today I want to share several crochet ideas that are especially well-suited for January… and one big project I gently suggest not starting right now. Embrace the Winter Slowdown Here in Iowa, January is cold, windy, dark, and long. There’s no popping outside for activities, and most of us are spending a lot more time indoors. Because of that, January is actually a great time to work on projects that might feel annoying or impractical during warmer months. If you’ve been wanting to make a larger project like a blanket , now is the time. You can comfortably work with a heavy project on your lap, actually...

  Every January, it seems like everyone on YarnTube is making a temperature blanket. Your feed fills up with gorgeous color palettes, neatly organized yarn kits, and excitement about tracking the year one stitch at a time. I’ve been there. I’ve felt the FOMO, jumped in, and learned the hard way that just because a project is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. So consider this your friendly reminder: you don’t have to make a temperature blanket , and you’re not missing out if it’s not the right project for you. What a Temperature Blanket Really Requires Before you commit, it’s worth doing a little honest self-reflection . First, temperature blankets are tedious by nature . You’re not just following a pattern, you’re tracking daily temperatures, deciding whether you’ll use the high, the low, or both, and keeping records every single day. None of this is difficult on its own, but it adds up quickly. Second, this is a long-term commitment . A true temperature blanket ...

  I’ll be honest right up front: for a long time, I've been fairly skeptical about buying yarn from Amazon. Yarn is such a tactile thing. The texture, drape, softness, structure, those are hard to judge from a product listing and a handful of photos. And let’s not even get started on listings that don’t clearly state the yarn weight . But yesterday, during a full-on Iowa blizzard, I found myself in pajamas, under the glow of the Christmas tree, finally ready to take a closer look at some Amazon yarns I received for Christmas. All of these yarns were gifted to me from an Amazon wish list I shared with my mother-in-law, making this a perfect opportunity to give true first impressions -  no hype, no pressure, just honest yarn talk. If you’ve ever wondered whether Amazon yarn is worth it, especially if you’re used to brands like YarnArt, Hobbii, or Lindehobby, let’s dig in. Why Amazon Yarn Makes Me Hesitant One of my biggest frustrations with Amazon yarn listings is how inconsiste...

  Where to Start (And What Really Matters) I’ve talked myself in and out of doing craft fairs more times than I can count. If you’ve spent any time on YouTube or social media, you’ve probably seen incredibly talented makers share stories about going to markets and losing money instead of making it. On top of that, many local craft fairs simply aren’t advertised well, which makes it hard to justify the time, energy, and expense. That’s exactly why I decided to do something different. This post is the first in a series where I’m sharing the real, behind-the-scenes process of planning a craft fair from scratch. N ot as a professional event planner, but as a small business owner and maker who cares deeply about doing things intentionally. Why I’m Qualified to Talk About This I’m not an event planner by trade but I do have a background in marketing, and I’ve been running a small business with my husband for over 16 years. I’ve also had hands-on experience helping organize a la...

  Winter in the northern Midwest is not gentle. It’s cold, snowy, dark, and very committed to making you stay indoors. We just had our first big snowfall of the year. It was over a foot... and once that happens, I know it’s officially time to hunker down. In THIS VIDEO , I took full advantage of a winter storm! Honestly? I don’t hate everything about it. Winter is my favorite season for crochet creativity. It’s the time of year when staying home feels justified, when warmth and comfort become priorities, and when making things with my hands feels extra meaningful. WATCH THIS VIDEO about how crochet has helped me deal with seasonal depression. Letting the Seasons Guide Your Making I’ve learned over the years that going with the flow of the seasons makes my crafting feel more natural and enjoyable. In the summer, I don’t want a heavy wool blanket on my lap while I’m crocheting. But in January? Absolutely. Cold weather inspires: Thicker yarns Warmer fibers Texture, cables, and cozy ...

  Sometimes the most fun crochet projects aren’t the ones we plan, they’re the ones that sneak up on us. This week’s project was exactly that. I didn’t set out to make a sunflower granny square hat… but the universe kind of handed it to me. So today’s post and project are dedicated to my niece, Sahvana , who recently learned just how "yarn crazy" her aunt really is! Can you tell how proud of her I am? A Pinterest (or IG?) Photo That Started It All A couple of weeks ago, I came across a simple photo online: a basic trucker hat with a single granny square sewn right on the front. So simple. So cute. So me. That tiny spark of inspiration had me searching for inexpensive blank hats. Amazon didn’t have great deals, so I made a mental note to check Hobby Lobby during my next visit. And sure enough, there they were. Plain trucker-style caps for $1.99. If you were a die hard Joann shopper and are new to the Hob Lob, read THIS POST.   The WIP Bin Comes to the Rescue  My pl...

  Over the past year, I’ve noticed a huge spike in views on my older blog post about my favorite online yarn shops. And while I’m flattered that so many people still find it helpful, it was definitely time for an update! A lot has changed since I first made that list: I’ve explored new shops ( Huge inspo HERE ) My yarn taste has changed ( Read more HERE ) And… Joann officially closed it's doors for good ( Shop HERE instead ) So today, I’m sharing my current top five favorite places to buy yarn online as of December 2025 going into 2026. If you love yarn variety, great prices, rich color palettes, and discovering new fibers, this list is for you. 1. Wool Warehouse: (UK) My #1 Forever Favorite If you’ve been around my channel for a while, this one won’t surprise you! Wool Warehouse is hands-down my favorite place to buy yarn online for several reasons: Their house brand Yarnsmiths is fantastic Affordable, soft, and available in so many colors - especially the wa...