Sustainable, plant based yarns from Hoooked!

Have you been looking for sustainable, vegan yarns? Hoooked has always been a staple for sustainable yarns, and they've come out with a couple new ones: Jute and Somen!

 

Somen; a cool and airy yarn from recycled cotton with flax (linen)

Somen is cool and airy, making it a great plant-based yarn for knitting and crocheting clothing and fashion items. Somen is made by combining recycled cotton with sustainably grown flax, creating a soft but strong thread. Textile waste is shredded and combined with linen fibers to create a cotton-linen yarn that is perfect for crafting summer clothes. Hoooked Somen is available in 14 beautiful earthy colors, so there is always a color or color combination that works for your project. We recommend using 4-5 mm knitting needles or crochet hooks to craft beautiful fashion items, accessories, baby clothes and more. 

Note: Hoooked Somen is sold in individual skeins of 180.5 yards/165 meters (3.5oz/100 grams), so make sure to select enough for your project! If you are looking for ideas on what to make with Somen, take a look at the Somen pattern collection!

100% Natural Jute

This yarn is the first Hoooked yarn that does not have its origin in recycling. Although it is not a recycled yarn, this yarn is very sustainable. The idea for this yarn originated during a trip to Brazil. Here they discovered that Brazilian jute is grown in the Amazonian rainforest and cultivated by small farmers, united in a cooperation. The main purpose of this cultivation is to make jute bags for transporting coffee beans. Hoooked wanted to use this beautiful natural fiber for their yarn!

This fair-trade jute is produced by a BCS certified, sustainable operating family business in Brazil. This Jute is produced while leaving the forest and natural vegetation intact, no logging is need. Jute is a sturdy 100% vegetable fiber and offers a wide range of crafty possibilities for indoor and outdoor projects, such as macramé plant hangers and crochet wall hangers. Its natural properties ensure a fully biodegradable final product. The Jute collection comes from the Amazons and is available in a range of six toxic-free (non-Azo) pastel colors.

Hoooked natural jute yarn is quite sturdy and is therefore suitable for rustic creations such as rugs and crochet baskets. Are you looking for a free pattern with jute? Then check out this free pattern for a crochet rug!

Crochet Pattern for a Jute Rug

What materials do you need?

• 3 Skeins of Hoooked Natural Jute Vanilla Cream (620408)
• ½ Skein of Hoooked Natural Jute Serenity Mint (620403)
• Crochet hook US 15-17 (10-12 mm)
• This floor mat is 25x19 inches (64x50cm)

Pattern

• Chain 30 (25in/64cm)
• R1: Crochet 1 sc in the 2^nd stitch (counted from the hook), crochet 1 sc in every stitch, chain and turn the work.
• R2-27: Crochet 1 sc in every stitch.
• Your work should be end up being 25"x20" (64x50cm).

Finish with Fringes

• Cut the Serenity Mint Jute yarn in 81 strands of approx. 4"-4.75" (10-12 cm). 
• Fold them in thirds, fold and pull the loop through the crochet work and tighten. This way you create a nice finishing with fringes (see image).

Tip: Comb the fringes with a pet brush to make them extra fluffy.

 

Our First Virtual Vendor Visit with Tombow!

 

    Tombow seriously hit the nail on the head with their vendor meeting demo of a watercolor galaxy silhouette! Around the world, people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope, and life. Exactly the symbol we need during this time. Adding a galaxy inside was the perfect touch to making it worthy of a spot on your wall!

    “Business as usual but not typical.” A saying we believe perfectly describes life right now. Even though we are going through an uncertain time, Notions and our vendor partners are still trying to keep a sense of normalcy. One way we are doing this is by continuing to hold meetings with our vendors. Although we were not able to have our normal in-person vendor visit last week with Tombow, we were still able to participate virtually in the safety of our own homes. These meetings are important because they allow for us to see what’s new and trending which we then are able to show to you guys!

    Creating the galaxy design may look intimidating, but Tombow made it possible for everyone to create beautiful artwork! The best part is it only took four simple steps (and only eight products) to replicate this look.  

    First, you need supplies. We’ve got you covered. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Tombow Dual Brush Pens
• N15 Black
• 555 Ultramarine
• 452 Process Blue
• 133 Chartreuse
• Tombow Water Brushes, Medium
• MONO Glue Pen
• MONO Twin Permanent Marker
• Fudenosuke Colors Brush Pens, #15 Blue

    Second, you’ll need step-by-step instructions. We’ve also got you covered there – well, Katie from the Tombow team does. Watch this video to see her demo the products. Thanks Katie!

    Lastly, share your art! Tombow is hoping that you will put your creativity to use to infuse positivity into the community by leaving a piece of uplifting are in a public place for someone to find. Take a photo where you leave your art and tag It with #SharingArtMatters on social media to help grow the movement. Add our hashtag #SupplyingCreativity so we can see your posts too!

    We hope this not only left you feeling inspired to #StayHomeAndCreate but also shows you that Notions is still attempting to do their best to provide you with new, great quality products. 

    Thanks for stopping by this week and stay well!

    Curious to learn more about Tombow's background about their products? Tune in below!