Do you enjoy sets of mini yarn balls? You know, the kind where each ball only has a small amount of yarn. However, you get a package filled with a whole assortment of different colors? If that's your jam, then you need to check out Caron Little Crafties. New from Yarnspirations, this set of 20 colorful mini yarn balls is perfect for summer crafting.

400 Grams / 1260 Yards Total Yarn

Each of these mini yarn balls is 20 grams / 63 yards. However, you purchase the Caron Little Crafties as a single set. Within that set, you get twenty different colors. Therefore, you end up with a total of 400 grams of yarn. That's more than 1200 yards of yarn. Obviously, you can make a whole bunch of small projects with that amount of yarn. Alternatively, you can combine all of the colors into one large project. For example, make a colorful striped simple shawl this summer using all of these mini yarn balls.

How to Find Projects for 1200 Yards of Yarn

Not sure what to make with this amount of yarn? Head over to Ravelry. Choose whether you're looking for knitting or crochet projects. (Or select both if you're bicrafty!) Then under the yarn amount, choose under 1200. You'll come up with an array of different patterns to choose from. The Caron Little Crafties are a size #4 weight, so it's best if you narrow down your options to worsted weight choices. Need help?

• Here are all of my crochet patterns on Ravelry that are worsted weight and 1200 yards or less.
• Here are all of my knitting patterns on Ravelry that are worsted weight and 1200 yards or less.

If you're a crocheter, the Caron Little Crafties are perfect for making granny squares. You could mix and match the colors to make all sorts of different squares. Then stitch them together to make a scarf, shawl, or baby blanket.

Easy-Care Acrylic Yarn

Caron Little Crafties are 100% acrylic yarn. They're machine-washable. Moreover, you can dry them in the machine as well. Therefore, these are great for durable projects. For example, make a granny square crochet picnic blanket to use this summer. Take it to the park or the beach. Then, when you're done with it for the day, toss it in the washing machine.

Basic Worsted Weight Yarn

As aforementioned, these mini yarn balls are each worsted weight #4 yarn. That's one of the most popular yarn weights out there. You'll probably use a 4mm crochet hook or 4mm knitting needles when working with this yarn. However, if you're working with a particular pattern, you can obviously adjust for gauge.

More Caron Little Crafties From Jonah

You probably already know Jonah (known online as Jonah Hands.) If you don't, then you need to check him out. He's on our list of Top 100 Instagrammers because he's just awesome. He's a young kid who is a terrific crocheter. He's made a name for himself in the crochet world because of his great skills, fun personality, and enthusiastic love for crafting. J

Jonah did a promotional video for Caron Little Crafties in which he offers some other great suggestions for how to use these mini yarn balls. He suggests making amigurumi and tassels. And he also has some really smart suggestions for how to pair the different colors. For example, he suggests a butternut squash color would look good with a cream and a dark heather grey. Take a look:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are these Caron Little Crafties all about?

So here's the thing… these are super cute mini yarn balls from Yarnspirations! They come in a set of 20 different colors, and each ball has just a little bit of yarn, perfect for all sorts of small projects or mixing and matching colors for bigger ones.

How much yarn do I actually get in this set?

Honestly… you get a total of 400 grams of yarn, which adds up to over 1200 yards! Each little ball is 20 grams and 63 yards, so it's plenty to play with for lots of fun crafting.

What kind of projects can I make with this yarn?

Yes! These are perfect for things like granny squares to make a blanket or shawl, amigurumi, or even tassels. You could also make a fun striped shawl using all the colors!

Is this yarn easy to care for?

Oh, absolutely! It's 100% acrylic, so you can just toss your finished projects right into the washing machine and dryer. Makes them super durable for things like a picnic blanket!

What needle or hook size should I use with these?

You'll most likely want to grab a 4mm crochet hook or knitting needles. Of course, always check your pattern for gauge, but that's a great starting point for this worsted weight #4 yarn.

Do you have a yarn bowl? If not, then you're missing out on a great tool for your knitting and crochet. Many people don't think a of this as a necessary tool. And while that's strictly true, you might find that it adds to the ease and joy of your crafting if you get one. Let's talk about how to use a yarn bowl. And, if you're going to buy one, what you should look for as you do.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I receive a percentage of sales from those links but your price doesn't go up. I appreciate your support.

What Is a Yarn Bowl?

A yarn bowl is, as the name suggests, a vessel for your yarn. More specifically, you place a single ball of the yarn you're working with into that container. People who don't know how to use a yarn bowl are sometimes surprised by this. For example, they assume that the ball holds the yarn decoratively when you're not using it. While you can certainly display the container – with or without a ball in it – as a form of decoration, that's not it's main purpose.

Your yarn bowl is bowl-shaped (although it might also have a slightly more creative shape, like that of a cat or a panda.) It has at least one hole in the side. The hole be a simple circle, a more organic shape, or another decorative design. Regardless of the shape, the point is to thread the yarn end through the hole. Therefore, the ball of fiber stays in the bowl, while you pull on that end to work with the yarn. It's an easy way to keep your yarn in one place as you work.

How to Use a Yarn Bowl

Basically, here's how you're going to make use of this great tool:

• Place the ball of fiber that you're working with into the bowl. If you're working with more than one ball in a project (for example, you're doing striping), then you'll put each ball into its own yarn ball.
• Pull the end of the fiber through the hole in the yarn bowl. Make sure that the ball of yarn is secure in the container. You should be able to tug on the end without the ball popping out of the bowl.
• Place the container next to you as you craft. You can play around with positions but basically it should be located close to the hand with your working yarn. You'll be pulling gently on the yarn so that it keeps coming out through the yarn bowl's hole.
• If you have two or more yarn bowls, place them far enough apart so that the yarn doesn't tangle while you work.

If you stop working mid-project, then you may set your project into the yarn bowl atop the ball of yarn. Tuck your crochet hook or knitting needles into the yarn ball. It's a great way to keep everything organized in one place.

What Are The Benefits?

These are the main benefits you'll discover:

• Your yarn doesn't get tangled as you work. This is especially helpful when working with two balls of yarn in one project.
• The balls of yarn don't stray away from you. How many times have you had to get up to grab the yarn that dropped off your lap?
• Your yarn stays clean. Yarn easily picks up pet hair, lint, and other stuff when it's in your lap or on your bed. However, putting it into a yarn bowl keeps it clean.
• It keeps your yarn in one place when you travel. It's great for road trips and plane rides.
• It's a pretty addition to your craft space. Little things like this enhance the craft experience.

What Features To Look For

So, now you know how to use a yarn bowl. Moreover, you know why you might want to get a few. But how do you know what makes a good yarn bowl?

First, decide on the material that you want for your yarn bowl. They come in a variety of different materials. Many people prefer them made of wood because the yarn moves around smoothly inside. Therefore, it's easy to pull out the yarn as you work. You'll find yarn bowls made of different types of wood, such as beautiful teak wood and hand-painted wood. That said, there are also ones made of clay and ceramic, as well as bowls made from a variety of other materials. Test a few out to see what's right for you.

Next, you'll want to think about yarn bowl sizes. What size yarn balls / cakes do you typically use? Obviously, if you work with big, bulky ones then you're going to need jumbo containers. In contrast, you might find that your yarn fits better in a smaller container.

Other than that, it really just depends on your style preferences. You might find that different sizes or shapes of holes work best for you. You might find that you like deeper or more shallow yarn bowls. After you learn how to use a yarn bowl, you can try different ones to find the one that's truly perfect for you.

You Might Also Like:

• Yarn Weight Chart and Recommended Yarns for Each Weight
• 20 Best Super Bulky and Jumbo Weight Yarns

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a yarn bowl and how does it work?

A yarn bowl is a weighted bowl (usually ceramic, wood, or metal) with a curved slot or opening in the side. You place your yarn ball inside the bowl and thread the yarn through the slot. As you knit or crochet, the yarn feeds out smoothly through the slot while the bowl's weight keeps it from rolling around or falling off the table. The curved slot allows the yarn to move freely while keeping the ball contained. It's a game changer for anyone whose yarn ball keeps escaping across the floor during projects!

What should I look for when buying a yarn bowl?

A few key things! The opening slot should be wide enough for your yarn weight… a slot that's too narrow can snag the yarn. The bowl should be heavy enough to stay put while you're pulling yarn through… lightweight bowls tip over. A curved or spiral slot is better than a straight one because it keeps the yarn secure. Size matters too… a bigger bowl is needed for larger yarn cakes, a smaller bowl is perfect for a sock-yarn ball. And honestly? Get one you love looking at. It'll sit out on your crafting surface all the time.

What types of yarn bowls are there?

The most popular are ceramic yarn bowls, which are heavy, beautiful, and come in amazing artisan designs from pottery makers on Etsy. Wooden yarn bowls are lighter but still sturdy, with a warm, natural aesthetic. Metal and silicone yarn holders also exist. Magnetic yarn bowls hold the yarn in place with a magnetic insert. There are also yarn bowl alternatives like yarn bags and project bags with feed holes… not technically bowls, but they serve the same purpose for knitting on the go when a ceramic bowl isn't practical.

Do I need a yarn bowl or are there alternatives?

You don't need one… crafters made beautiful things for centuries before yarn bowls! But they're a delightful tool if yarn management drives you crazy. DIY alternatives: a heavy bowl or pot from your kitchen (works fine!), a resealable bag with a small hole poked in the corner, a laundry mesh bag, or a wide-mouth jar. Some crafters simply put their yarn in their project bag and thread out through the zipper gap. For portable crafting, a yarn bag with a built-in holder is often more practical than a heavy ceramic bowl anyway.

Can I use a yarn bowl with center-pull cakes?

Absolutely! Center-pull yarn cakes (wound on a ball winder) actually work beautifully with yarn bowls. Place the cake in the bowl and pull from the center… the bowl keeps the cake from collapsing or rolling as you work. This is one of the best uses for a yarn bowl because center-pull cakes can be annoying to work from without some kind of container. The bowl cradles the cake while you pull from the center, and the sides of the bowl prevent the outside of the cake from catching on anything.