When my October shipment of Annie’s Caring Crochet Club arrived I was happy to see that it was for a charity that supports our military.

Operation Gratitude

This organization coordinates all different volunteer opportunities that help our service members. They have three ways that you can virtually volunteer: you can write letters to a service member, make a paracord bracelet, or handmake an item that will be included in a care package. This kit from Annie’s is for the handmade item that will be included in a care package. If you can’t crochet, don’t worry! They have options for knitting, sewing and even making greeting cards. If this sounds like something you would be interested in doing, please make sure to click on one of the links that I’ve provided.

They ask that you crochet (or knit) a scarf or a hat in the recommended colors that the military personnel are allowed to wear with their uniforms. Thus the dark green yarn that came with the kit. I’ve looked at this yarn for a while, but I have no idea who makes it. To be completely honest, my first thought was Red Heart because I don’t like how it feels in my hands. lol

The yarn is 100% acrylic and is supposed to be a #4 worsted weight. I’m not convinced.

You can see that I started the scarf. As I’ve spent time with this yarn I’ve discovered that I really don’t like it. It’s a 2 ply yarn that feels more like the twine that I use on my cucumber trellis in the summer. It likes to split and I just don’t like it. To be fair, when it’s crocheted in the stitch pattern provided it doesn’t feel as bad. It definitely shouldn’t be horrible to wear around your neck. It’s just that I don’t like it as compared to other softer acrylics. For instance, Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn!

I was taking this with me to work so that I could use it as a lunch project. I decided that once I’m done with this one I will pull one of my better acrylic yarns and use that instead. I’m not sure if I’ll use the same pattern, or try to find a different one.

The pattern is very easy. It’s just the yarn that I don’t care for when using it. I think I’ll have at least one skein of this left when I’m done. I will probably save it for use on my cucumber trellis next year. 😉

In the meantime, I’ve received notification that my next kit is on its way. I will definitely finish this scarf before I start on the new kit. I do have plans to start my next Project Linus blanket that will use the yarn that I received in September. However, I’ll have to see what this month’s charity project is before I decide which one to start next.