Velvet yarn is the hot new yarn trend hitting needles and hooks as the cooler weather approaches. Its silky feel and luxurious sheen is quite attractive, and Velvet yarn looks great made up in both garment and home decor projects.
Thanks to American Yarns, who exclusively stock Bernat Velvet yarn in Australia, I tried it out for myself and I have a few thoughts.
Read on for my full Bernat Velvet yarn review as well as a free Girl’s Crochet Cardigan pattern.
This Bernat Velvet yarn review is brought to you by American Yarns
As with all my yarn reviews I like to make a project with the product I’m reviewing so I can give you my honest opinion about how the yarn performs, tips and tricks for getting the best results, and a project idea or pattern for you to try.
Bernat Velvet Yarn First Impressions
A soon as I touched the ball of Bernat Velvet, I knew I had to make a garment. The soft, silky texture felt lovely against my skin and I couldn’t help but squish the ball against my face. I was originally thinking of making a knitted tank top for myself but as soon as Emma saw the yarn she begged me to make her a cosy cardigan with it.
The yarn has quite a ‘feminine’ look which isn’t totally my style, but I think it will appeal to many knitters and crocheters. That feminine style is also reflected in the colour palette which consists mainly of pastel and soft dusty hues. Again not my style, but I can see how many would like it.
I picked ‘Shadow Purple’ which suited Emma’s fairer features much better than mine, so I was happy to make an addition to her winter wardrobe.
Bernat Velvet Sample Swatch
Because this style of yarn was so new to me, I thought a sample swatch would be a good idea to see if knitting or crochet suited Bernat Velvet the best.
I’m glad I did because it saved me a lot of frustration down the track.
Initially I thought this yarn would look good as a loose knit but boy was I wrong.
I quickly learned that ‘worming’ is a problem with velvet yarns.
What is worming?
Worming is when a loop of yarn pulls away from the knitted fabric and coils back on itself. It’s especially problematic with velvety and chenille style yarns and slippery/silky yarns like Bernat Velvet are very prone to it.
As the fibres in the knitted fabric move against each other, they create large holes and twisted loops.
It looks terrible and is very frustrating.
To avoid worming with Bernat Velvet Yarn:
- Use a smaller hook or needle size than recommended. I found 6mm was the best crochet hook size even though the label recommends 6.5.
- Crochet rather than knit for tighter stitches. The looser the stitches, the more movement to cause worming.
- Choose stitches with less loops. Eg, single crochet performs better than double crochet.
- As a last resort blend with a non-velvet yarn.
- Hand wash finished garments to minimise friction that causes worming.
As you can see in my sample swatch, the smaller the needle/hook size, the less worming. The 6mm crochet hook produced no worming, the 6mm knitting was better than larger needles but still had a tendency to worming.
Unfortunately, the tight tension creates quite a firm fabric without much drape. I’d recommend making your own swatch to determine the best hook/needle size for your tension style.
Bernat Velvet is best suited to Crochet
For best results, I’d recommend using this yarn for crochet projects only.
Skip to the bottom of the post for my Bernat Velvet Yarn Review final thoughts.
Because Emma wanted a cardigan I was on the hunt for a suitable pattern, but had no luck. The best I could find was a Velvet crochet sweater pattern by Hooked on Homemade Happiness which I adapted to make a cardigan.
Girl’s Velvet Cardigan Crochet Pattern – Size 12
The original sweater pattern is available in sizes 5-12 but I’ve only written the pattern for the adaptation in a size 12 (XL).
I’ve followed the original pattern for the back and sleeves and made up my own for the front pieces of the cardigan.
Get the Velvet Sweater Pattern here.
To make the Kids Velvet Cardigan
You will need:
- 2 balls Bernat Velvet (Emma has long arms so I was a few rows short on one sleeve and had to use a 3rd ball – annoying)
- 6.0 mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Crochet Stitches used (US terminology):
- Sl – slip stitch
- Ch – chain
- Sc – single crochet
- Sc blo – single crochet back loop only
- Sc2tog – single crochet 2 together (single crochet decrease)
Crochet the Back Panel
Follow the Kids Velvet Sweater Pattern to make the back panel. It’s a basic rectangle so no fussy shaping. Start at the bottom with a long ribbed band and then crochet along the long edge and work up to make the main body of the back piece.
Crochet the Front Panels
The crochet cardigan pattern for the front panels is as follows. You’ll need to make 2 identical pieces, one is flipped over to mirror the other.
When you are crocheting each panel, decide which will be the right side and the wrong side so if you have to join yarn the knots end up on the wrong side.
Crochet Cardigan Pattern for front panels size XL
Bottom ribbing
- Ch 9
- Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from the hook and across (8)
- Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in first, sc blo in next 6, sc in last (8)Repeat row 2 to Row 25
Main panel section
Turn work so you are working across the long side of the ribbed band
- Row 1: ch 1, sc in the end of each row across {25}
- Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in each stitch across {25}
Repeat row 2 to Row 38
The neckline section has 7 decreases over 28 rows
- Row 39: ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in remaining stitches across {24}
- Row 40, 41, 42: ch 1, turn sc in each stitch across
Repeat Row 39-42 another 6 times to row Row 66
Fasten off, leave a long end for sewing
Assembly
Lay the front panels on top of the back, wrong side out. Use the long end to sew the shoulders closed with a whip stitch. Sew the sides closed using a whip stitch leaving about a 8” (about 24 rows) for arm holes.
Sleeves
Follow Velvet Sweater crochet Pattern for arm hole instructions. I crocheted 50 stitches around (25 on front and 25 on back).
Cuff finished with 24st around.
This cardigan works up quite quickly and the design of the crochet cardigan pattern is simple enough that you don’t need to refer to the pattern too often once you get going.
Emma loves her new cosy cardigan, so easy to throw on over a t-shirt as the weather cools down. Because the fluffy yarn is nice and thick, it’s super warm.
You may also enjoy the following crochet patterns:
The style is kind of slouchy which is right on trend at the moment. I’m tempted to make myself one now.
Bernat Velvet Yarn Review – The Final Verdict
As I’m mentioned in the title of this post, I have a love-hate relationship with this yarn. For all its faults, it has lots of redeeming qualities. Here’s what I like and don’t like:
LOVE
- Silky soft to touch
- Large balls go far
- Feels lovely to work with and easy to crochet
- Looks luxurious
HATE
- Worming problem
- Requires hand washing
- Limited colour range – mainly pastels
- Encountered several knots per ball
- Hard to weave in ends
- Yarn ends shed fibre
Bernat Velvet isn’t the kind of yarn I’d naturally go for, but after some initial teething problems, I found it quite nice to crochet with.
The crochet cardigan I made turned out quite nice, and Emma really likes it, which is the main thing after all.
Bernat Velvet yarn is available from www.americanyarns.com.au
Thanks for a well-researched yarn review. I’m very impressed with the amount of work you put in, not just in the yarn review itself but the pattern development also.
I had never come across the term ‘worming’ before. Do you know where and/or when it first came into use? In any case, you have taught me something new today.
Thank you for answering my question “Is it hard to weave in ends?” before I could ask! Your mention of using knots to join yarn made me wonder. I was taught never to join yarn with knots when crocheting because the knots will invariably find their way to the right side.
It is nice to see how velvet yarn works up in a garment after seeing it used in soft toys and blankets most of the time. The cardigan looks lovely on Emma and, as you say, if she likes it, then it is a success.
I’m not sure who first coined the term “worming’ but it was hard to find any information as to the phenomena of the loops pulling out of the knitting, and finally found some answers on a ravelry forum re the worming. I’ve just left the knots on the wrong side of the crochet.
I love this thread and found I could make invisible joins by : for each end – pulling all the fluff off the cotton base thread, then knotting the cotton threads and weaving the ends into the article (I was knitting). Completely invisible joins and the same for start and finish the article
Great article! I have ripped out a knit baby blanket four times. Rows and rows and the occasional “worm every other row or so. I used a 10.5 and a 9 thinking the 9 would solve my problem. I give up….will now pick up a 6 crochet hook and attempt this baby blanket and never buy this yarn again. I like uniform stitches and you just can’t knit that look with this yarn. Beautiful sweater you made for your granddaughter! Thank you for writing this article. Debra USA
I made a crochet blanket with this yarn and couldn’t believe how many loops popped out with time…as a new crocheter I thought it was my workmanship but now see it was “working”. I had no idea this was a thing!
You did such a beautiful job on the sweater. I can’t wait till I get to that level!
Do you have any suggestions on a yarn that is close to velvet, but not as expensive?
There are a few different brands of velvet style yarn listed on Amazon https://amzn.to/3DXrpfS (affiliate link), I can’t vouch for the quality of other yarns without using them. Hopefully the reviews will give you some indication as to how good these less expensive brands are.
Thank you so much for this review! I was considering knitting a throw with this yarn, but am definitely going to scrap that idea. Do you know of any yarns that would have a similar look and feel, but without the problems? I want to knit a throw for my newly engaged granddaughter, but want something that will last and would not be too much trouble for her to take care of.
If you crochet, I think this yarn would still make a lovely throw. I recently made a baby blanket and it turned out really well. Here is the pattern. https://mypoppet.com.au/makes/bernat-baby-velvet-yarn-baby-blanket-crochet-pattern/
I think crochet with a slightly smaller hook size than recommended, and shorter stitches give the best results.
Thank you for your reply. I do crochet (barely). This yarn looks wonderful, so I will give your suggestion a try.
Thank you so much for your review. Right on! Exactly right. Single crochet works the best; half double is okay; double, not so much. My first afghan was with DC3tog. Actually worked out, except for the initial chain, which wormed. I fixed it by running a line of yarn thru it! Far from perfect, but it’s for me. I then made a small afghan, only two skeins were available, but enough, all in SC. I crocheted it vertically instead of horizontally. Love, love it. I tried Catherine’s wheel:NO. Star Stitch:NO. I tried Alpine:NO. I even tried the Cabbage Patch:NO. Now I’m making a blanket, so far 250 chain is made. I’ll make it in SC, again, vertically.
The velvet yarn now says it is machine washable and dryable. So glad.
That is great news. Makes it a really practical yarn.
Thank you for your well researched review. It truly helps a lot as I envisioned the velvet yarn possibilities for loose, lacy shrugs. But now I will have to rethink that, as tight thick crochet garments may be too warm or confining for us in southern california(no really cold weather) and the hot flash age group I sell to would probably not go for it. Thank you again for saving me the expense and disappointment!
Please, don’t deny yourself the pleasure of working with this heavenly yarn. I’m in the Sunshine State. Many of us would love to have more Velvet yarn in all the possible colors, not just seven or eight (of the 30), that sell out quickly, and no reorder in sight. I have currently about three dozen skeins … just in case. Yes, loose, lacy items could work. Just takes a tiny bit more thought. I found a pattern for a light sweater (Filet Crochet Shawl) that I plan to make with the velvet yarn. Your hot flash group would make them for their northern friends and family, just as our snowbirds do.
Thank you for your response! I will give it a whirl! Velvety yarns are so beautiful.
I made 5 baby afghans with various stitches and none made it through a machine delicate wash without worming even though the label says machine washable. Just beware. I would advise only hand washing, so to me that means no baby blankets!
Very helpful, thank you! I recently purchased several balls on sale and plan to make a cardigan/cocoon. I’ll now make sure to use a smaller hook size–if the pattern calls for a hook size larger than 6mm–and modify the pattern as necessary.
What about blocking a project made out of this yarn?
I made my kiddo a scarf but didn’t know about the worming and now am not sure what to do next.
I’ve never seen a need to block velvet yarn, the synthetic fibers won’t really reshape much. I’d only block if the shape of the finished garment is very skewed. Some people have mentioned they have sewn the worms in with matching colour sewing thread to neaten.
Thank you for your article on the Bernet velvet! I frogged 4 times thinking I was doing something wrong. I kept getting more loops the more rows I did. With your pattern and tips, I am going to attempt to crochet your sweater pattern after all.
I wasted many hours and days trying to make the knitted pillow using the pattern on the yarn label. I finally gave up because of the worming. I tried different needles, combining it with another yarn and even a knitting board. The worms still crawled through. I thought I was crazy since the other knitters I asked had never had such an experience. Thank you for restoring my sanity and giving a name to the phenomenon. Bernat should not recommend this yarn for knitting.
I’ve been knitting for over 20 years and my knitted blanket “wormed” with this yarn. It’s not the knitting, it’s the yarn.
But it’s so beautiful and soft! I want to create with it so badly! I think I may need to learn how to crochet just so I can have a blanket made out of this yarn.
Yes, it can be so frustrating to work with. Knitting is not ideal for this yarn.
I cannot tell how wonderful it is to know that it wasn’t just my lack of skill that caused the “worming” problem. I was starting my 3rd skein before I saw how bad it was. Every time I looked at it there were more!! I tore that all out and tried different stitches and different hooks. Was wondering if I needed to try to knit instead so I am so very glad I found your review to save me even more frustration. Aside from possibly knitting, I had pretty much reached the conclusion that smaller hook and tighter stitches, as in single crochet, was the only solution. Thank you so much for your review!
I’ve used several dozen skeins of the velvet yarn, and have two large plastic containers full of the velvets. I found more success with smaller hooks, such as the fivers, 5.0, 5.25, 5.50. Even 5.75 can be problematic. The larger the stitch made, the more likely it is to “stretch”. Perhaps this is why the patterns on the labels indicate a single crochet. I found that even a single crochet with a 6.5 is going to worm. Why does Yarnspirations recommend 6.0 and 6.5 hooks, probably the same for needles, when they are clearly wrong for this yarn?
I only knit but fell in love with this yarn until I experienced worming and several knots per ball etc. I read your blog, took your advice and went to a much smaller knitting needle. Problem solved! Thank you.
Hallelujah, thanks to your tips and tricks using Barent Baby Velvet, I tried the smaller hook, 6m (J), and ‘blended’ with the non velvet in a ‘fingering’ weight, while doing a DC stitch isn’t ideal, I have been able to work up a sweater. From what I can tell, even though the ‘velvet’ states it is machine washable, I won’t recommend it, as you said.
Love the comment about just running a line if yarn through the chain!
Happy hookers, we all love the velvet yarn, despite the limited patterns. I am working on a Mile A Minute design by Diana Husband, which won First Prize. A little beyond my abilities, but taking it one stitch at a time, I’m getting it. Helps that it is all DC. Made in four sections. First, doing three long strips in a zig-zag pattern, easy; then braiding them. If you ever braided a little girl’s hair, this will be easy. Part 2, the Border, is most difficult. I just couldn’t get it. I followed the picture, got it done. Parts 3 Assembly and 4 Edging will be easy. Calls for Reverse Single Crochet. Never done it, but I think I can. All this to encourage you to try new designs. Tho it was done in regular yarn, I found the only difference using the velvet yarn is that it is coming out a little longer, due to the bulkier yarn, and perfect for the bedspread I’m making. No worming!!
How do people join this yarn? I’m working with the baby version of this and my magic knot keeps slipping – it’s driving me crazy!
Joining this yarn invisibly is almost impossible. I’ve just tied a plain old knot and tried to weave the ends in as neatly as possible. They seem to work their way out eventually (the tails), so I just weave them back in again. Not ideal.
You just have to sew the ends with a sewing tread. I made a baby blanket using this technique to weave the ends and it worked. Also, this blanket was machine washed several times ans is still ok. Made also a rabbit lovey blanket with this yarn…sooooooooo soft
Thanks for that tip. Good to know that your blanket was ok after washing also.
Hi everybody. After reading all these helpful comments, I’ve come to learn this yarn is only good for crochet. Trouble is my man wants a very large jumper made out of it. Sadly I dont have a pattern. Can anyone help me (a) confirm that I can knit with this yarn and (b) where can I find a pattern for a crew neck large male jumper. He is desperate for me to use this yarn. Thanks in advance for your help.
If you go on ravelry, you may find some of the projects people have made helpful. I found this one where a person knit a jumper but worming was an issue https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Serenityriver13/top-down-pullover. I’d suggest signing up to ravelry (it’s a free knitting and crochet community) and poke around to see what others have knitted with this yarn.
Hello, I just crocheted two striped velvet sweaters and there are a lot of ends and they refuse to stay in! I have been scouring the internet to fund a solution but nothing until what you’re saying here, so please help me. Is a sewing tread something I don’t know about? Or if you’re saying to use a sewing thread could you tell me how I would do this?
Yes, some readers have suggested that sewing the ends in with regular sewing thread to match the yarn colour keeps the ends firmly secured. You can use any sewing cotton you have available.
Was the blanket machine washed and dried? Or hand washed and dried flat?
Thanks for the great review! I’m almost finished a crochet baby blanket. I did a half double crochet stitch and it really made it much easier than single crotchet or double for me.
I have used this yarn and crocheted several blankets with it and never had a problem with it except the fact that I made a extra large long one for my6 ft 4 grandson that wanted it to cover his feet if it were folded under them size 13 clod hoppers Bot sure if this site excepts pictures but they turn out very beautiful and so cozy and fun to make The pattern I used was from a booklet called Birthstone afghans and it was the December one. Looks like a large waffle looking zig zag style so very fluffy If you wish message and I can forward a picture to you
Sounds like a nice pattern. I’m sure I’ll be able to find it on Ravelry. Thanks for your comment
Thanks for your article about velvet yarn.
I fell for it as well and have had many frustrating moments with it.
The worming (oh, isn’t that the best term ever for this annoying phenomenon) made me wonder what it was I was doing wrong. Frogging it was so very vexing, since the small furry fibers came loose, which tightened knots in the fabric, leaving me tearing several pieces to shreds (and I am usually very relaxed about frogging; I rather frog than leave a mistake in my work).
I will use sewing thread to secure the knots and flatten worms that are too large to go unnoticed. Since I make my own designs no one knows what was or wasn’t intended in a finished piece (grinn).
I proceeded to use a Solomons knot/Lovers knot to make a loose bouncy wrap with the velvet yarn (which does go well with The Hot Flash Crew, as I am glad to say).
For the first part of the capelet and fingerless mittens/wristwarmers I used halfdouble crochet, single crochet, slip stitch and chains. And I used a 4,5 mm crochet hook, since I work with a loose tension.
Making a net-like fabric with chain stitches and single crochet/half double crochet turns out quite nice as well and gives the drape I first envisioned.
For comforting shawls, capes, blankets and cardigans or sweaters this could well be a nice option. Warm but not smothering.
I am going to try swatches with Tunesian Crochet and Knooking/Ipponbara to see if worming is an issue with these types of hooking and velvet yarn.
I have a large stash of different colors and waiting to be transformed into wearable snuggle stuff 😉
Oh, I like the idea of a chain based net. I really do think that could solve the worming issue and get some nicely draped garments. Please get back to me on your Tunisian crochet adventure. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Definitely love/hate. I found this on sale at Joann’s, kept handling and loveing it and up and bought EVERY color they had. Now I have all those skeins. I made a Christmas stocking for my sister and it turned out HUGE. Pretty but huge. I told her she didn’t have to take it if she didn’t want to but she loved how unusual it was. My mom even tried it on and asked if I could make her a second one to wear :0 I told her it is was not fun to make and I couldn’t oblige her. I love the softness but it is so slippery it is hard to work with. I normally have a natural tight stitch but I had trouble making it tighten up. I am trying to make a hat but keep hooking, frogging, hooking, frogging… I make hats for homeless shelters and when I found out it is not a rugged yarn I am not going to use the yarn for that now. I am sure someone would love to have it but it will be hard to care for in their situations. I did make one hat that turned out nice, soft and loose and I will give it to someone else who has the resources to care for it. Anyway, I am so glad I found this discussion and found some answers to my dilemma. Now to figure out what to use it for… Oh, concerning the worming. I noticed it tended to pull out easy so I told my sister to be careful and not rough it up too much :/
I am so glad I found this forum. I thought it was me, but it turns out it’s the yarn! No ladies, we are not crazy, we know how to knit. It is just these enticingly soft and colorful, but hard to handle yarns!
I just finished knitting a 6 feet long afghan with a Tunesian crochet. There was some worming on the back of the throw, which I thought would even out after putting it in the washer and dryer, but it just came out worse! It almost looks like one of those hippy shaggy rugs! Such a disappointment! I used 7 skeins for the throw and one for the border. The best part is the border, because I used a regular size 6 crochet, but much of the original softness and silkiness of the yarn is lost to the tight knit with the size 6 crochet. The worse part is that I bought another 8 skeins in a different color to make another throw for me (the first one was for my daughter). I am not sure I will be able to put up with this again. I will look for a different pattern, but I am extremely disappointed and frustrated. Manufacturers should note that the yarn “worms” when using anything other than crochet or with loose knitting!
I don’t think loose knitting helps either. Sadly my baby blanket will look like a large pot holder, stiff with single crochet on a size K hook. You lose the whole appeal of a soft “squishable” knit look. I started the blanket three times with different size needles each time and kept ripping out in frustration. I bought this yarn well over a year ago, 6 skeins, and it just sits in my project bag. NOT inspired to pick it up and proceed. I wonder if pairing it with another standard yarn would help it “grip” on the needle and tension would be uniform? I just can’t take the time to tack all the “worms” on a baby blanket such as it is.
Yours is a refrain I’ve read much about. So sorry. I crochet, and found that the smaller the stitch and hook, the better. Using a 6.0 and 6.5 hooks was disastrous, as was trying more complicated stitches like clusters. I’m working on a difficult (for me) mile-a-minute, using a 5.50mm. All DC, and it’s holding tight. I made several afghans for friends with the 5.50 in simple SC. They loved the exquisite colors and luxurious softness that you expect from the yarn, without the worming. Clearly, we must rethink patterns for this magnificent yarn. You may still be using needles too big b/c the yarn “calls” for larger needles. Don’t be frustrated. I’d make small samples using smaller needles (or hooks in my case) until I got the results I wanted. You have a design you want. Make the pattern fit the design, not control how you make it. I hate for you to give up when possibly a few adjustments would get you a beautiful product. Oh, what pride and pleasure you’ll have in your accomplishment.
So glad I found this blog and read the review! Thank you for the honesty and expert advice. I agree with all the comments about this velvet yarn. I bought 4 skeins of this lovely yarn in misty gray to make a small baby blanket for my first grandchild. It looks so beautiful and feels so soft. I’m a rusty beginner and am having a hard time managing the yarn. I did some research and experimented making swatches with different stitches and hook sizes and indeed it is difficult to work with. It’s hard for me to tell where to put the hook and the yarn “squirms” like it’s fighting the hook, sometimes taking like 3-5 stabs with the hook to get it through lol..It’s taking 3 times longer than it should to work up. What I have made so far feels wonderful and soft, but I know it has mistakes even though it’s hard to tell. I’d be disappointed and embarrassed to see it get wormy if it ever needs washing since it’s going to be a gift. I’ve decided to return the yarn and get something more user friendly. This will be the second blanket I recently abandoned due to yarn issues. 🙁
That’s a shame, I hope you don’t get too discouraged. I think fluffy yarns are quite tricky for beginners because it’s hard to see the stitches. I’ve really enjoy working with Bernat Pop and Sweet Roll yarns – both machine washable and great for children’s blankets. I’ve written a post about them here https://mypoppet.com.au/makes/yarn-cake-review-faq-crochet-pattern-ideas/
This is a lovely sweater and I love the velvet yarn. I have had no problem with crocheting single crochet with a size 6 hook. I am just working on the back of this sweater and I can’t find how many rows are supposed to be crocheted. I can see it for the side panels which I guess are the same as the back.. I have never done sweaters before, only hats and scarves, so I need clarification please. Thanks
Susan
The link for the back pattern is this https://www.hookedonhomemadehappiness.com/kids-velvet-sweater-crochet-pattern/ – yes it’s 66 rows, same as the front.
Your review and explanation of worming has saved my sanity! I chose this yarn to make a plush throw for a wedding gift. I frogged, tried another stitch and was still upset over the sloppy appearance. I have been knitting for over 50 years and knew I wasn’t doing anything wrong, but nevertheless couldn’t figure how to correct the issue of worming. Thanks for taking the time to share your expertise. I will choose another yarn for the gift and donate these skeins to someone that crochets. It’s not worth the frustration level! Luckily it was on sale.
I haven’t used this yarn yet but i bought quite a bit at Michaels today. The “Stitch N Win” contest yarn was marked down to 2.97 a skein there so if you are wanting to try this yarn now would be a good time. Be sure to look for the skeins that say stitch n win. It is a different color selection than the regular color range so I purchased enough to make a few projects knowing I won’t be able to get those same colors again.
Hi ! I recently crocheted a sweater with this yarn. Any tips for blocking? I usually soak in water with a conditioner or fabric softener, but am worried it won’t keep its velvety texture after. How does it come out after hand washing?
p.s. I first crocheted this sweater before I had the proper skills, took all the yarn out, (which was way more of a process than it needed to be, I still have nightmares) and re-crocheted the sweater, so I don’t want to ruin it after all that work
I have washed (by hand) a cardigan made from this yarn and it does keep its fluffy texture, but does flatten out a little bit and doesn’t look as silky as it did pre-wash.
When wet the garment was very heavy so I’d recommend drying flat (like with all knitwear).
If you can avoid blocking I would. Maybe try misting with a spray bottle and then pinning to shape. Or if you have a clothes steamer, that may also work.
Desperatly looking for tips on blocking. Would you suggest it for the elephant rug for a nursery?
I’m not sure what elephant rug pattern you are referring to, but this yarn does not give good stitch definition. If you are relying on varied stitches to define a pattern, velvet yarn is not ideal. It has quite a lot of drape and best for patterns which require minimal or no blocking.
Just a thought occurred to me last night. I’m still storing my baby blanket because I hate working with this yarn due to slippage. What if one were to work with damp/wet yarn? I contemplated putting the whole ball in water and squeezing it with a towel to get it damp, or use a spray bottle and spray as I go. Does this make sense to anyone or has anyone a thought as to keeping tension even with no slippage? Maybe rubberized needles, ha? That would slow things up a bit. Anyway, it may be a silly question I’m posing but curious if that would “de-slicken” the velvety yarn while working with it.
I honestly don’t think that would be helpful but it’s worth a try? You may want to experiment with a small amount and swatch to see the result. I’d love it if you could report back on your experiment.
Hi Cintia! Love this yarn and your article about it. I just finished a cheveron throw using impeccable in 3 green, 3 dc rows each and then the 5 dc rows in velvet white, using a 5.5 mm hook and no worming! The velvet stayed soft and fluffy. I have 6 Skeins of white left. Love the sweater you did up. Where can I find a pattern like that for a ladies size med/large?
This site has a ladies sweater which is similar. You may need to split the front in half and adjust the pattern accordingly like I have done with this cardigan pattern.
https://www.hookedonhomemadehappiness.com/velvet-pullover-sweater-crochet-pattern/
I found this review after finishing a throw for a friend who lost his house in the recent California fires.
I would have picked a hdc pattern is I had read this first. Alas.
The good news is, the standard crochet basket weave (fpdc, & bpdc) worked beautifully! The only worming I had was on the dc border I added. I’ve even run it through the washing machine with absolutely zero worming in the fpdc or bpdc sections.
Hmmmm….I’m 2 balls (15″) into a large throw blanket using double strands and a broken rib stitch. My beginning section (approx first 8″) is full of worms :'( but the next 8″ are much much better! I tightened my stitches ALOT and switched from bamboo needes to the Chiaogoo lace stainless tips.
Now my question is now that I’ve finished the first 2 balls double stranded, is what would be the best way to join the next 2 balls?!? I am at the end of a row and ready to start the pattern repeat. I saw the author stated that the ends are very hard to weave in, but should I knot the ends and start fresh?
I would probable knot the ends and then sew in the tails with a few stitches of similar colour sewing thread.
I was wondering about the Premier Retro Velvet yarn …. does it worm as well ? It has gotten good reviews , but don’t want to try if it worms. I used Bernat velvet and never again …continued to worm more with washing
I haven’t personally used Premier Retro velvet but it is very similar so there is a possibility that it will act the same way. I did read a review that said that the retro velvet had less of a worming problem, so hopefully it will be a better experience to make with.
I’ll put in a request to use it next time I speak to my yarn supplier so I can experience it first hand.
Thanks !
I love to finally know that worming is the term for what I’ve experienced before. The tension that I knit with straight needles is just too loose on a good day so I had a bad worming issue with a head band I knitted with them. But the two cowl scarves I knit on circular needles did well if you want to try and see if that makes a difference. I also knit with two strands for one scarf which made it a lot tighter. They have some darker colors now too I highly recommend the black it looks so good and any mistakes are hard to find because of how the light hits the yarn although I too am in search of more vibrant colors in this yarn.
What about embracing the worming? I mean, make crochet loop stitch items.
I know that for a cardigan it would seem a bit funky and vintage, but it wouldn’t be bad either.
I never thought of it like that. May crochet a little worm stitch sample and give it a try.
The only problem is the ‘worms’ have a mind of their own so you’d have to embrace the chaos.
I knitted beanies with Bernat velvet with great results.
But, I took the thread from the centre of the ball, and had issues with over twisted yarn and so I kept untwisting it to fix the tension…I got a good result but such a hassle, and no worming!. Much later I see the bernat website says take thread from the outside of the ball !
They should print this in the wrapper !!
I see folks unhappy with this yarn, if you have leftovers then post it on a marketplace somewhere, I’d take it, even half a ball makes a great beanie. I knit to keep my hands busy and donate beanies to a local charity
I was going to knit a throw and thus purchased 12 skeins of the blue Bernat Velvet Twist yarn from JoAnn’s. Thankfully, before I started, a friend visited, saw the yarn, and asked for a small rug for her cat. I made it using basket weave; it came out soft and in places a tiny bit loose, but definitely fine — till I washed it. OMG! What a mess!!! I am returning ALL of the yarn (the blue and 6 of the brown that I was going to use for a different project) and have let JoAnn’s know about my experience in a review. I did not know the term “worming,” so it was hard to describe what happened (I feared they’d think I just kept dropping stitches or making some other mistakes). Now I do know, thanks to you and to google, which is how I found you. (I googled “Bernat Velvet Twist washable”, saw a surprising entry under “People also ask” that read, “How do you keep velvet yarn from worming.” Clicked, and up came your list of how to avoid worming and your photo of what looked like a rosy-purple version of my sorry-looking little rug. Clicked on the photo and voila, your My Love Hate … article was mine!) There’ll be no more velvet yarn for me! I read your pros and cons and workarounds, but the beauty of the yarn, for me, is outweighed by the high probability of worming! What a disaster! 🙂
Hi Cintia, good job with the review of this yarn! I, too, bought and tried and ended up using a small and tight crochet. Still have skeins in my storage bins, waiting for a different project.
If your readers are interested, I just found the perfect project for this yarn! I am using it to wrap coiling cord in a coil basket. Because the yarn must be secured with a fairly tight wrap, this works great and the velvet yarn stays firmly in place. The rich velvet texture and shimmer add a wow factor to an ordinary basket. So cool!
Hope this helps someone else, too. 😁
Great idea for another way to use velvet yarn. I bet the texture on your basket is just dreamy. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hi there, thankyou for the tips on using this beautiful yet very annoying yarn. I was half way through knitting a throw with 5mm needles that wormed everywhere. Ripped it out and started again, changed nothing other than every stitch is pulled quite tight. No worming but quite slow going. I will persevere though as the result is beautiful.
Thanks again
S x