Berroco Yarn Tasting Review + Free Mini Project Patterns

A little while ago, Berroco sent me this adorable Yarn Tasting kit to try out six of their new yarns. Read on to find out what I thought and see the little projects I worked up with the samples (there are even a few free quickie patterns thrown in for good measure). This post is not paid, and Berroco did no task me to review the product, but I did receive the kit for free.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase I may, at no additional cost to you, earn a commission. Read full disclosure here.

Six new berroco yarns reviewed - which will be your favorite? Plus see sample projects

This kit included six different yarns, so let’s go through them one at a time. I included some quickie patterns, but since they’re not really full releases, I didn’t have them tested. If you find some errors, let me know and I’ll fix ’em up. You can see video of opening the kit and first impressions here, or below is a video showing the mini projects and final thoughts on the yarns.

Yarn 1 – Ultra Wool Handpaint

On first impression, I loved the color of this Berroco Ultra Wool Handpaint, and this one feels just kind of like your typical wool yarn. After working with it, I basically feel the same way. It works up nicely, it has great colors, and I really can’t complain. If you’re looking for a decent wool, maybe give this one a try!

For my sample project, I made a Tunisian crochet headband. I’ve been wanting to experiment with Tunisian cables more, so I started with a cable headband made with knit stitch.

Though I love how it looks flat, I really hated how it looked when I wore it, so I frogged it and replaced it with straight knit stitch. I think it looks great! My sample yarn didn’t really have enough yarn for me to make this headband as large as I would have liked, but I can definitely see the potential.

This headband was super simple – just 8 stitches in Tunisian (tss, tks 4, tss).

Yarn 2 – Berroco Chai

On first impression, I didn’t love this yarn. After working with it, well, I still don’t love it, but I will say that it has more potential than I assumed at first. I could actually see some summer garments with this yarn, but I think it would definitely go best with lace designs to counteract some of the stiffness of the yarn. I probably would not buy this yarn.

For the projects – I made a quick little tassel necklace and two bookmarks.

Little Pineapples Bookmark

Berroco Chai with F hook

In magic loop, work 7 dc.
ch4, *dc, ch1, repeat from *
ch1, turn, sc in ch space, *ch3, sc in ch space, repeat from * across
repeat above row until only one ch3 space remains
ch1, turn, ss in ch3 sp, ch3 (counts as first dc), work 6 more dc in ch3 sp, repeat 2-5 until pineapple is desired length. Add optional top fringe.

Bookmark 2

Berroco Chai with F hook

ch12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (11)
sc across three more rows (11)
ch1, turn, sc 2, ch3, sk 3, sc 1, ch3, sk 3, sc 2
ch1, turn, sc 2, ch2, sc in ch3 sp, sc in sc, sc in ch3 sp, ch2, sc in last 2 sts
ch1, turn, sc 2, ch3, sc in center sc, ch3, sc in last 2 sts
ch1, turn, sc across, working 3sc in ch3 spaces (11sc)
sc across 2 more rows
repeat 3-7 until bookmark is desired length. Add optional top fringe.

Yarn 3 – Remix Light

This is one of the more interesting yarns in the set. On first impression, it reminded me of a well-loved sweater. It’s soft and has a bunch of different fibers blended together, with an almost tweedy look. The feel of it is nearly impossible to describe. I think I called it almost “greasy” feeling, though there’s no grease involved. It just has an odd smoothness that you wouldn’t expect from the look of it. I really liked this yarn and would consider buying it. I think it would make great sweaters.

For my mini projects, I made two little drawstring bags. Of course, my kids claimed them straightaway, ha!

Larger Little Bag/Shells Bag

ch21, sc in second ch from hook and across, then work scs along the back side of the chain and join to form a ring (40sc)
work 2-3 more joined rounds in sc.
make 5dc clusters as for the simple shells cowl (which includes video tutorial) until you reach your desired height.
create a chain to tie the bag closed.

Smaller Little Bag

ch14, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (13sc), work two more sc in end ch, sc across other side of chain, then work 2 more sc in beginning st of starting ch (30sc total), do not join
continue working sc in the round for about 1″
switch to *2sc, ch2, sk 1, repeat from * for another inch or so
switch to *sc, ch2, repeat from * around another inch or so
for 1 row, *dc, ch2, repeat from * around, join.
work 2 rows sc around, working 2sc per ch2 space (30sc)
make braid to tie bag closed, weaving it through the dc row spaces.

Yarns 4&5 – Zinnia and Medina

I learned from the first headband that I probably wouldn’t be able to get a whole headband out of 1 sample ball, so I decided to combine Zinnia and Medina for this sample. Both of these yarns are fingering weight and I liked both of them at first sight. The Zinnia really drew me in with the beautiful color. After working with it, I didn’t love dealing with the neps (the little nubbies in the yarn), but I do think it would make beautiful summer tops. The Medina is just gorgeous, with beautiful stitch definition, plus it’s soft. This one was a total win in my book.

The Zinnia/Medina Headband

I used an F hook for this project.

with medina, sc to desired length, working in multiples of 6
Medina – ch1, turn, *sc, sk1, 2dc in each of next two stitches, sk1, sc, repeat from * across.
Zinnia – *ch3 (this counts as first dc, so work a dc on repeats), dc in same st, sk1, sc 2, sk1, dc 2, repeat from * across
repeat 2-3 once more, then 2 one more time.
on other side of foundation chain, work 2-3 twice, then 2 once more.
Sew headband together, weave in ends.

Yarn 6 – Summer Sesame

This is the yarn that surprised me the most. On first impression, I was kind of indifferent. After using it, I actually really like it and think it would make super fun summer garments. This yarn features bright, bold colors, but it works up nicely and looks great. It does have neps/nubbies, so if those bother you, you might want to skip this yarn.

I just worked a swatch in alpine stitch for this mini project, though I did later sew it up to make another little bag. And I forgot to take a picture of it separately, but it’s the swatch in the top right corner of this picture below!