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A Birthday Yarn Haul (and the Most Thoughtful Crochet Hook)

 


There’s something about birthdays that just hits differently as we get older.

And honestly? I kind of love it.

This year’s birthday was full of laughter, a little harmless “vandalism” from friends (yes… my senior picture made a public appearance 😅), and some incredibly thoughtful gifts that felt so me.

So today, I wanted to sit down and share a little yarn chat with you because some of these pieces are too good not to talk about.


A Handmade Crochet Hook I’ll Treasure



One of the most meaningful gifts I received came from my YouTube friend, Cydney.


We haven't had the opportunity to met in person yet, but over the years we’ve built a truly special friendship. Read more about that in THIS BLOG POST.

And she made me a crochet hook.

Not just any hook... a custom hook, designed with me in mind.

It’s a smaller size (perfect for the fingering weight yarns I love), with the most beautiful mix of autumn tones, teals, and iridescent shimmer. It’s slightly weighted thanks to the acrylic, which makes it a really comfortable option if you don’t love ultra-light hooks.

And yes… I already put it to use immediately.

Some gifts are just things.
And some remind you how seen you are. (Thank you, Cyd 💛 I love ya!)

This one is definitely the second.

Check out THIS PLAYLIST to see how these hooks are made!


My Wool Warehouse Birthday Haul


I received a £75 gift card to Wool Warehouse, which gave me the chance to pick out a mix of yarns with intention.

Lately, I’ve been really focused on using my stash, but I also wanted to plan ahead for future markets. Specifically:

  • Some budget-friendly items
  • Some slightly higher-end pieces
  • And yarns that could work together across multiple projects

Here’s what I picked up:

Yarnsmiths Bizarre DK (in Kurfluffle)

This yarn immediately caught my eye. Get it HERE!

  • Soft, squishy, and 100% premium acrylic
  • A variegated mix of plum and brown tones
  • Great yardage for the price

It’s definitely a busier yarn, so I’ll likely keep the design simple and let the color do the work.

Yarnsmiths Create DK

I grabbed several shades here to build a cohesive palette:

  • Vintage Teal
  • Peach
  • Dusky Peach
  • Vintage Peach

These are classic, affordable acrylics, but what I love most is how well they coordinate together. Get it HERE.

Perfect for:

  • Market prep
  • Summer-to-fall transition pieces
  • Projects where color harmony matters

Making Budget Yarn Feel More High-End

This is where things get fun.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with ways to elevate simpler yarns and I picked up a couple of tools to help with that.

Drops Glitter Thread

Gold and silver strands that can be held alongside yarn to add just a hint of sparkle. Get it HERE.

Rico Sequined Thread

A finer thread with tiny sequins woven in, perfect for adding texture and visual interest. The two shades I picked are apricot and turquoice. Get it Here.


Why This Matters (Especially for Markets)

If you sell your work, or are thinking about it, this approach can really change the game.

Instead of only buying expensive yarns, you can:

  • Use affordable bases
  • Add texture or shimmer strategically
  • Create pieces at different price points

It gives you flexibility and creativity.

And honestly? It makes the process even more fun.


A Cozy Little Reminder

This haul wasn’t just about yarn.

It was about:

  • Thoughtful gifts
  • Creative possibilities
  • And taking a moment to enjoy the things that make this hobby so special

Whether you’re building your stash, prepping for markets, or just here for the yarny goodness… I’m really glad you’re here.


If you want to see everything up close, make sure to watch the full video here!



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