Oh yarn cakes how I love thee, let me count the ways. (literally, I’m fixin’ to count the ways) I don’t always know what to do with you but first I want to stare at you, and then I want to buy you, and then I want to run my fingers through you until I know what to make with you. It sounds so scandalous when I say it like that.
No matter if we are talking Caron Cakes from Michaels (the yarn cakes that started this whole phenomenon) or Sweet Rolls from Joann’s or the NEW Bernat Pop! yarn cakes found at Walmart; I want them all. And now Lion Brand has come out with their own new version called Mandala cakes, also found at Walmart. All the pretty colors, the textures, the excitement and anticipation of not knowing when that color will change. Oh, the things us yarn enthusiasts get excited about.
I have already shared an extensive article on the differences (and similarities) of the Caron Cakes and Sweet Rolls here on Heart Hook Home. Now we are going to add in the Bernat Pop! yarn cakes and the Lion Brand Mandala yarn cakes.
Honestly: I love ALL of these cakes. I do like some more than others, and for various reasons. So keep reading friend!
Caron Cakes
I like the Caron Cakes because of the beautiful colors. This yarn is super soft, although it does contain that 20% wool. One thing I have noticed is that as time goes on, they are releasing new colors and discontinuing the older. Moral of the story: buy as much as you think you’ll need now, else you may not find it later. I love the length, I was able to make an entire Triangle Scarf with just one skein! One thing I do not like about Caron Cakes: the abrupt color changes. If shopping online you can purchase these through Michaels, but only in multiples of three. As if that’s a problem. 😉
Bernat Pop! Yarn Cakes
This yarn feels bit “fuzzier” to me. Not that this is a problem, in fact I like the way it feels compared to the other yarns in this article. I have noticed though that there are random little pops (no pun intended) of color where they shouldn’t be. (see photo)
I do love the size of these cakes, and the value (regular price at least) is much better than that of the Caron Cakes or Sweet Rolls. One thing I do not like: the abrupt color changes.
Sweet Rolls
This yarn is my least favorite of the cakes. Please do not interpret that as bad. It really isn’t, it’s just not my favorite. Of the three I have had the pleasure of caressing (the Caron Cakes, Bernat Pop! and the Sweet Rolls) these are the scratchiest. If you have previously worked with Sweet Rolls, this may surprise you as they are quite soft. I wish these were longer (they are the shortest of the cakes) and that the colors didn’t change so abruptly. I do love the color choices though.
Mandala Cakes
Mandala yarn cakes are are a little thinner/lighter weight than the other three cakes I’ve discussed. These are also a whopping 590 yards (!!!) and would be the perfect yarn to pair with my Dragon Tears Fingerless Gloves pattern.
In fact, I was able to make TWO pairs of my GORGEOUS gloves out of just ONE Mandala cake. I did control the colors on these Dragon Tears Fingerless gloves and this is How to Create Planned Color Transitions in crochet so that the colors lay just like you want them.
Which of these cakes is your favorite and why? Are you looking for some patterns to use up all these yarn cakes? Corner to corner crochet makes a gorgeous blanket (for babies, throws, even king size!) or you could make that Triangle Scarf I was telling you about. I have also seen beautiful virus blankets made with all kinds of cakes.
If you’ve got the Mandala I *highly* recommend trying my gloves pattern. It would be absolutely GORGEOUS and I’ll be making myself a pair as soon as I find them. Make sure you are part of the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook so you get updated when I get my hands on that Mandala!
More crochet tips and tutorials before you go:
How to Add a Border in Crochet
How to Make the Perfect Mohawk Beanie Using Pom Poms
How to Size Crochet Beanies + Master Beanie Pattern
The Crab Stitch Crochet Stitch + Video Tutorial
Easy Peasy 30-Minute Beanie Crochet Pattern
Child Size Messy Bun Beanie Crochet Pattern
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