Sunday, May 19, 2013

Caron Simply Soft Vs. Hobby Lobby's Yarn Bee Soft Secret

I recently ha to pick up yarn form Hobby Lobby. I really don't like shopping there but it was across from my knitting group and I needed yarn. They have been slowly pushing out other brands and replacing them with their own. Most recently they have gotten rid of (or are in the process of getting rid of) Caron Simply Soft (CSS) yarn and replacing it with their brand Yarn Bee Soft Secret (YBSS). At a glance they look similar, thin weight yarn, lovely sheen, vibrant colors.

Would I recommend YBSS? NO!

My skein of CSS heather grey had 315 yards of yarn. the YBSS had 370 yards. So by yardage there is more yarn. But this yarn is very loosely plied which causes it to compress to a smaller size.

Here is a closeup of a blanket I am working on. This blanket is a collective blanket so I do not know what the square are made from because they were sent to me from around the world. But I am assembling them in CSS grey heather. I purchased the YBSS in the rainbow colors. This is how they crochet together. I used an I hook.

*click on the images for an enlarged view.



Here is a side by side of the CSS (grey) and YBSS (blue and purple) yo ucan see the ply is looser.


 Here I split the plies of both yarns. you can see the CSS is spun much tighter and is a 4 ply yarn. the YBSS is only a 3 ply yarn and is spun much looser.


Also when walking through the store the and when I put the yarn on the counter it had left lots of lit on my shirt.

I would not reccomend this yarn. If you like CSS stick to CSS and don't bother with the YBSS

14 comments:

Gexton said...
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Anonymous said...

I agree completely. I'm working on a striped scarf using Caron's Simply Soft, and when I first saw HL's new "Soft Secret" (supposedly the equivalent of Simply Soft) I was delighted because there were two colors I hadn't been able to match well in Simply Soft. The HL yarn had two colors that were much closer to what I needed in terms of color, so I was happy—until I started knitting with it :-(

Caron's Simply Soft is on the lightweight end of the "worsted" yarn category (#4) to begin with, and that was great for what I was trying to do. HL's Soft Secret is, in my opinion, not even in that category, though they say it is on the lsbel. In reality, this is a "sportweight"(#3) yarn (in fact, I have #3 yarns that are actually heavier than this stuff) and yes, it is only a 3-ply loosely twisted yarn.

The fact that HL misrepresents it is extremely annoying. When I tried working a stripe in the HL version, I ended up with an absolutely horrible mess because the HL yarn didn't even come close to making gauge.

My recommendation? Do not buy this as a substitute for Caron's Simply Soft; it might work well for some things, but be aware that it should actually be labeled as a sportweight yarn and if you buy it, you should want a yarn of that weight. The recommendation on the label to use #7 knitting needles is simply ludicrous—I'm using #4 needles on the project I'm trying to complete, and the stripes done with this yarn, despite my attempts to knit very loosely to minimize the difference, are barely opaque.

Corpus Christie said...

I found that the YBSS has more than an average number of mill ends and knots in it, as well.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't use CSS for anything. I've tried making baby things and once it's washed it becomes a limp rag. I made a shrug to wear over a dress to my sons wedding rehearsal dinner and after I knitted it and before I could even get the buttons sewed on it was so full of pills I threw it and all the other CSS I had in the house in the trash! CSS is junk!

Unknown said...

Horribly cheap stuff...After all, "made in China" should warn anyone not to use it....It sheds terribly and I keep getting fuzz up my nose! Hobby Lobby needs to go back to the drawing board on this one..

Anonymous said...

I used CSS to crochet my granddaughter's afghan. It turned out great - washes very well. I wanted to get more at HL & found only YBSS - will not be getting it! Thanks for the info!

Anonymous said...

Thank you to everyone who posted. It is a big help. After three false starts with test blocks and hat ribbing, I could not make the gauge work. Fortunately, I have two unopened skeins which can be returned. Back to CSS if I can find it.

Happy Knitter said...

I see no difference in quality or texture and virtually none in price I hate and have always hated caron simply soft I once wrote to them their attitude was the worst I have ever encountered Redheart is the best and if the customer service at Hobby Lobby is as good as I have been treated in person they rival Redheart for kindness I don't know why there is so much bashing on Hobby Lobby but I have had terrible knots in every brand I have ever used and redheart makes it right caron says (before bought out) too bad and since I have never felt the need to return HObbyLobby yarn that speaks for itself to me....

Anonymous said...

So glad I found this! I've been looking for something to make a temperature blanket with, and was unsure about CSS vs. YBSS, as Hobby Lobby is always my go-to/favorite craft store. Luckily, a Michaels just opened up near me and they do carry CSS! I guess I'll have to boycott my beloved Hobby Lobby for this one product- so sad :(

Unknown said...

Didn't like CSS it split I had too much trouble. I'm trying YBSS. I do like other Caron yarn though.

Anonymous said...

I'm using YBSS and I love it, and my 3rd project using this yarn, haven't had any issues, my garment is coming out evenly and beautiful. I think it's all just a personal choice.

Unknown said...

I love Hobby Lobby and this yarn is absolutely WONDERFUL!! Not a big fan of Caron SS. I don't mind it, but I much prefer the Hobby Lobby brand. I cannot say enough good things about Hobby Lobby, their products, and their customer service. I am , and always will be a loyal customer. They have gone above and beyond more times than I can count. My favorite store!!

Stitchwitch339 said...

Michaels Carrie's Caron simply soft if you are having a hard time finding it. Walmart where I live quit carrying it too.

Anonymous said...

It is made in Turkey.