💜🌈 CitizenPressDog 🌈💜

Hello and welcome. I’m sitting in my apartment watching TikTok and reflecting on life. Overall, I feel good and happy, but I’ve been experiencing some nuanced feelings lately regarding my mental health. I’ve realized that I am significantly happier at home; it’s about having control over my environment, especially when it comes to noise. The only times I genuinely enjoy going out are for shopping or running errands with Lulu. Even dentist appointments feel more like a chore than an outing. The only thing that makes those visits somewhat bearable is the idea of rewarding myself with some time outside afterward to recharge.

With that in mind, I’m committed to making my apartment as comfortable as possible since I spend nearly all my time here. I’ve been assessing my yarn stash, and I possess everything I need, even though I still feel the urge to add to it. This morning, I’ve been working on a mini blanket, and I’ve noticed that OGO yarn is becoming scarce; it’s no longer available online from the company. It’s frustrating, especially considering the chaos surrounding Joann going out of business. The Big Twist yarn has shifted to either Herrschners or Mary Maxim. My only issue with Herrschners is their infrequent free shipping, which is a disadvantage for hobby crafters like me.

I’m currently working with OGO from Herrschners, and while I’m enjoying it, I do find it a bit stiff. In a recent TikTok live, there was a discussion about Red Heart yarn’s texture, and I can confirm the widespread dissatisfaction. This is one reason I limit how much Red Heart I keep in my stash. While OGO does remind me of the original Red Heart yarn in terms of texture, it still falls short. If I need to prepare the yarn—whether by washing or ironing it—before using it, that feels like a waste of time. It’s clear that many others are also steering clear of the Red Heart brand, not just me.