Yarn U App Review

Sometime back I was approached I review an iPhone/iPad app. Although this review is a bit late but I did not want to rush it. Meanwhile I have been using the app quite a bit and it has proved to be very useful.

The app is called Yarn U and it is available through the Apple app store . This app is quite a reference for popular yarns available today. (am sure more information is added and will keep getting added over time about more yarns.
The app is developed by Mary Beth Klatt who is a yarn collector and has written another app called Yarn U for sewing enthusiasts.

There are a number of ways to navigate the app. Simply through the table of contents, alphabetical index of yarns by name or yarn company, or filter by yarn weight. To get started there is a small manual for the app users built into the app.

Upon clicking on a yarn you can read a little review of the yarn, get information on its yarn company, weight per ball/ skein, stitch gauge, fiber content and yardage, pros and cons of the yarn and it's care instructions. You can even see its price an leave additional comments for the yarn. There are also a few links to project pictures and patterns that use this yarn.

Another great feature I found was that if you allow the app to use your location, it also gives you the address of the nearest store where you can buy it. However this feature is currently available only for USA based location. There are also pointers on an area map for nearest locations to buy the yarn.

All in all it is an app with a great potential and already very useful. Head over to the apple store and download it today.

PATTERN RELEASE - Perfect crocheted beanie.

The following is my recipe for making this hat for my DH.

Perfect Crocheted Beanie

Introduction:
There are a number of variations possible for this hat. Make it with one or many colors but it will fit perfectly each time.
Please note, that for changing a color, work till 2 sts remain on the previous st to where color change needs to be done. Then use a loop of the new color to draw through both these loops. In every round, beginning ch 3 counts as first double crochet.


Materials:
Worsted / 10 ply (9 wpi) yarn, Approx. 150yds required
US G/ 4.0 mm Crochet Hook

Sizes Available:
One Size (Adult) (Fits Small, Medium and Large Heads well)
Beanie is 8.5" tall and has a circumference of 19"

Gauge: 17dc and 10 rounds in 4"x 4" (10cm x 10cm)

Abbreviations:

• Chain - ch
• Slip Stitch - sl st
• Stitch/es - st/s
• double crochet - dc
• beginning - beg
• round/s - rnd/s
• repeat - rep
• increase - inc
• single crochet - sc
• previous - prev
• double crochet 2 together - dc2tog

Instructions:

• Ch 3.
• Sl st into the first ch.
• Ch 3, 11 dc into the space formed in the ring from prev step. Sl st into the top of the beg ch 3. (Total 12 sts)
• (Ch 3, dc) into the same st from prev rnd, *2 dc into the next st from previous rnd. Repeat (rep) from * around and join with sl st into the top of the beg ch 3. [12 sts increased (inc) - Total 24 sts]
• (Ch 3, dc) into the same st from previous rnd, dc into the next st, * 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next st. Rep from * around and join with sl st into the top of the beg ch 3 [12 sts inc - Total 36 sts]
• (Ch 3, dc) into the same st from previous rnd, dc into the next 2 sts, * 2 dc in the next st, dc in the next 2 sts. Rep from * around and join with sl st into the top of the beg ch 3 [12 sts inc - Total 48 sts]
• Rep in the pattern above, inc a st between each inc, till there are 84 sts in a rnd. 
• Next crochet 8 rnds in dc.
• Next rnd ch3 in the first st, dc into the next 4sts, dc2tog into the next 2 sts, * dc in the next 5 sts, dc2tog into the next 2 sts. Rep from * around and join with sl st to the top of the beg ch 3. [12 sts dec - Total 72 sts]
• Next crochet 4 rnds in dc.
• Next ch1, crochet 1 rnd in sc. Sl st to beg ch1, fasten off and Weave in Ends.

The hat takes only about half an hour to an hour to make up.