Bucilla Doodle-Loom Product Review

I recently purchased a Bucilla Doodle-Loom in the hopes of being able to make pom-poms for hats faster and easier. I had "graduated" from making my own cardboard pom-pom forms to using a cheap pom-pom making set from Wal-Mart; I'm not sure of the brand, but it had three little plastic circles that could nest inside one another. The instructions only partially made sense, but it didn't do too badly at helping to make a decent pom-pom, although it was a bit tricky to use. So, I purchased the Doodle-Loom at Hobby Lobby ($5.99 plus tax) in the hopes of streamlining the pom-pom process.

The packaging makes the Doodle-Loom look impressive. Mine came in a little plastic zipper "purse" with a little corded handle. The looms themselves come nested in a plastic form and you get the instructions and a "project worksheet." "No knitting knowledge required" says the package. Well, for a pom-pom, I wouldn't expect to need to know how to knit. But, the professional look of the packaging was encouraging.

I took the looms out in the van on the way home (my hubby was driving) because I was impatient and wanted to try the loom. There were 3 looms in the package, in small, medium and large sizes. The instructions are pretty clear, although they make me wonder a little bit. You'd have to read them to see what I am talking about. It's a little complicated. I used some Caron Simply Soft and was not able to make a satisfactory pom-pom. I've tried a couple of times and can't get either the small or the medium to make a satisfactory pom-pom. I think the main problem is loading the pom-pom loom with enough yarn to make a full pom-pom. Even if you fill the loom to the bursting point with yarn, you don't wind up with enough yarn to make the pom-pom full enough, although I came pretty close with the last one I tried to make. I think if I tried, I could make a good pom-pom with the Doodle-Loom, it will just take some practice.

All in all, how does the Doodle-Loom make out? The packaging is pretty good, although all the plastic and stuff probably contributes to the somewhat high price for a few bits of plastic. The Looms themselves seem pretty sturdy; they' re not going to break any time soon. The instructions are not great, but they're not too bad. It's hard to make a good pom-pom, but part of my failure is that I need to practice with the looms. The project sheet seemed like pretty much of a joke to me, I could have done without it. I can't give the product a totally bad review even though I can't get a good result because I believe part of the problem is operator error. Therefore, I can't recommend you buy this product yet, but I can say that the price is relatively low if you feel like taking a chance.

The product, on the whole, averages out to be about 3 noses (medium smelly) only because I'm giving it a medium review until I try a few more times to make a good pom-pom. I'll revisit this product in about a month to give an update.

'Tis the Season to be Knitting


Note on spelling: "Pom-Pom" is the way I have always spelled the word for those little fuzzy yarn balls you make by wrapping yarn around something, tying it, and cutting the loops.

Red Heart Super Saver Starts Smelling Superfluously

I have been using Red Heart Super Saver yarn for years. It is one of the least expensive yarns you will find, barring the bargain bin at Big Lots. However, for general knitting for general type hats and scarves and stuff it has always held up well, felt pretty much OK to wear, and stood up to multiple washings from everything from baby spit up to ketchup to steak sauce. I have always felt for a quick project and especially anything I had to do for the kids' schools, Super Saver was an excellent choice. It is also supposed to be hypoallergenic (I say "supposed to" not because I suspect otherwise, it's just I read it on the label, but do not know first hand if this is true).

In the last two years, however, I have become increasingly disappointed with Red Heart's quality. Often, the dye does not seem to get through to all parts of the yarn and after completing a project I will often see white spots where the yarn was not dyed. This is especially apparent with bright or dark colors. Very often I will also see breaks in the yarn where it broke and they tied it together, sometimes very near the beginning of the skein.

Overall, however, the quality for the price is still pretty good. And, since I rarely use a product like this for a project for which I will receive payment, and usually use it for "disposable" hats and scarves for the kids that I don't mind so much if they get lost or ruined, I don't feel a big sense of disappointment in this yarn. More like a confirmation of this yarn's place in the whole "scheme" of knitting: you have to have some bargain basement yarns out there to buy when you're feeling adventurous and want to try out a new project or technique with little cash on the line. Or, if you're like me, and you want to knit a bunch of hats that will cause you little heartache if something happens to them, this is the yarn.

Even so, I am keeping an eye on Red Heart from now on. Shall they descend further into the depths of smelly-ness, or will they shower off and redeem themselves? Only time will tell.

Red Heart Super Saver yarn gets a rating of 3 out of 5 noses.

*0 noses being best (not smelly!) and 5 being worst (totally gross!).

Starting all over again!

Here I go, starting all over again .

I was away for awhile, hopefully, I can keep up the pace this time. The ol' arthur-itis seems to be hitting hard right now. Maybe it is the change in weather.

Please keep looking to this space for reviews on yarn and knitting products or techniques.

Happy Knitting!