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New O’Go Yarn – Yarn Review + Free Pattern!

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When I hear the words “new yarn”, my head pops up like a puppy looking for a treat. I love trying new yarns, so I was really excited to get my hands on Yarnspirations’ new O’Go. This brand-new yarn format claims to be easy to start and tangle-free. Well, I just had to see for myself.

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Trying the new O'Go yarn from Yarnspirations. Is it worth the hype? Get my pros, cons, and a free Tunisian crochet throw blanket pattern.

New O’Go Yarn from Yarnspirations

I have a long relationship with using Yarnspirations brand yarns in my making career. I learned to crochet using Red Heart Super Saver and totally fell in love with (now discontinued) Bernat Maker Big when I made the Big Little Pet Bed. I’m always amazed to see the ingenuity and creativity coming from Yarnspirations.

Trying the new O'Go yarn from Yarnspirations. Is it worth the hype? Get my pros, cons, and a free Tunisian crochet throw blanket pattern.

When I heard that Yarnspirations was coming out with a brand new yarn, I jumped on the chance to try it. O’Go, the latest from Yarnspirations, is a brand new format of yarn. It is wound around itself in an effort to make the yarn easy to start and prevent tangles and knots.

Yarnspirations solicited feedback from their maker audience and the biggest complaints had to do with yarn barf (when you start a skein from the center and a mess of unwanted yarn spills out), and tangles. O’Go was created to alleviate those headaches so you can get to making the moment you unwrap the package.

Image property of Yarnspirations

Here’s how O’Go works:

  • Remove (and recycle!) the cardboard pacakage.
  • Snip and remove the plastic tie at the end of the yarn.
  • Begin pulling from the outside of the yarn to crochet or knit.

But could it really be that simple? I had to put it to the test.

O’Go Yarn Review – Pros and Cons

When I look at a product like O’Go from Yarnspirations, I can’t help but be equal parts intrigued, confused, and excited. I wondered how this oversized worm of yarn could really make my crochet life easier. I just had to dive in and start answering some of my own questions.

O’Go Yarn Specs

If you haven’t seen O’Go yet, here are some details on what to expect. O’Go is a new format of fan favorites from Yarnspirations. You can now find Bernat Blanket, Caron Colorama, and Red Heart Super Saver in the O’Go format. I was able to go in-depth with O’Go Bernat Blanket while designing a pattern with it, so I’ll dive deeper into that yarn.

Image property of Yarnspirations

O’Go Bernat Blanket includes 300 grams or 220 yards of the classic 100% polyester Bernat Blanket yarn that we know and love. The O’Go is special because each one comes with three well-cordinated colors. The colors are joined together by a small knot (note that Colorama is better blended at the color change and has no knots).

Pros of O’Go

Ingenius, Forward-Thinking Design. Is O’Go gimmicky – YES. And no one is debating that, not even Yarnspirations. But this new format of yarn was created to solve a problem that Yarnspirations customers specifically said they had. And this yarn does solve that problem. After using 5 O’Gos for my new pattern and a few more for the Yarn Snob review, I can confirm that this format of yarn is easy to start and results in no tangles.

Easy to Store. Surprisingly, the O’Go creates a square shape when the cardboard label is still attached, making it ideal for stacking and storing. Mikey from The Crochet Crowd did a comparison and found that storing multiple O’Gos takes up about the same space as storing multiple skeins of the same yarn.

Cons of O’Go

Pricier Format. There’s no hiding it – an O’Go costs a little bit more than a skein of the same yarn in the same yardage. For example, Yarnspirations sells a 300g skein of Bernat Blanket for $11.79 while you’ll pay $12.99 for an O’Go on their website. You’re paying for the new technology, machinery, and packaging it takes to make yarn like this. If you want to bypass the price hike, try to find O’Go at your local JOANN or Michaels craft store. Both locations offer O’Go at a lower price than the Yarnspriations website AND they often have coupons and sales.

Not Practical for Travel. Large skeins like an O’Go aren’t the best choice for a suitcase. They take up a bit too much room and involve a lot of planning to take on the road. But, while this might be a con of this yarn, it is also a con when this same yarn is in a skein. To be fair, O’Go was created to be tangle-free and easy start, not easy to travel well. Keep your O’Go at home and you should be good to go.

What to Make With O’Go Yarn

Trying the new O'Go yarn from Yarnspirations. Is it worth the hype? Get my pros, cons, and a free Tunisian crochet throw blanket pattern.

I had the pleasure of trying O’Go before it hit store shelves. It was my first time trying Bernat Blanket yarn and all I could things was “Why haven’t I done this sooner?!” Since it’s called blanket yarn, my first instinct was to make something big and squishy to cuddle under while watching fall movies with my cat, Sir Peanut Butter. And so, the Cat Nap Blanket was created.

Trying the new O'Go yarn from Yarnspirations. Is it worth the hype? Get my pros, cons, and a free Tunisian crochet throw blanket pattern.

The Cat Nap Blanket is made in multiple panels of Tunisian simple stitch, crocheted with the join-as-you-go method. Since the O’Go already comes with three colors, I worked each worm (? lol) until it was all gone, then I moved onto the next one. When I came to a knot, I cut it out, then joined that yarn as if I was adding a new skein to my project.

The resulting blanket is a perfect companion for lazy days filled with movie marathons and cat cuddles. Pick up 5 O’Go’s of Bernat Blanket yarn and get your Cat Nap Blanket started today.

Keep scrolling for the FREE Cap Nap Blanket pattern below, and share your projects with me on Ravelry!

Trying the new O'Go yarn from Yarnspirations. Is it worth the hype? Get my pros, cons, and a free Tunisian crochet throw blanket pattern.

Cat Nap Blanket Details

FINISHED SIZE: 60″ long x 48″ wide

MATERIALS:

NOTES:

  • Sub in traditional Bernat Blanket yarn is you can’t find or don’t want to use O’Go. You will need to choose coordinating colors to acheive the look of the Cat Nap blanket.
  • To acheive the color changes, work each O’Go beginning with the gray end, and continue until the O’Go is exhausted. There are knots at the color changes – cut the knot out of the yarn and continue as if adding a new ball of yarn to your project.

This pattern uses the Tunisian crochet Join As You Go method for adding panels. If this technique is new to you, check out this tutorial video:

Cat Nap Blanket Pattern

First Panel

  1. Starting with the gray end of the O’Go, chain 12. Pull up a loop in the back bump of the 2nd chain from the hook and each chain across the row. Yarn over and pull through one loop (chain 1 made). Yarn over and pull through 2 loops – repeat this step until there is only 1 loop left on the hook.
  2. For the next row, pull up a loop in the vertical bar of the next stitch, and each stitch across the row, and pull up a loop in both loops of the last stitch – there will be 12 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through one loop (chain 1 made). Yarn over and pull through 2 loops – repeat this step until there is only 1 loop left on the hook.
  3. Repeat Step 2 until you have 78 total rows.
  4. Slip stitch in the vertical bar of the next stitch, and each stitch across the row. Slip stitch under both loops of the last stitch. Fasten off your yarn and weave in any ends.

Remaining Panels

  1. Using the yarn end from the bind off, join with a slip stitch in the last chain of the First Panel. Chain 12. Pull up a loop in the back bump of the 2nd chain from the hook and each chain across. Join to the First Panel (Don’t know how to do this? Watch the quick video embedded above.).
  2. Continue working in Tunisian simple stitch (pull up a loop in the vertical bar of the next stitch) for the entire panel, joining at the end of each row.
  3. Continue to create panels in this way until you have 8 panels.

Border

Join with a standing double crochet in any corner. Double crochet around the blanket, placing 5 double crochet in each corner. Join with a slip stitch in the first double crochet. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Tassels

Cut remaining yarn in 15-inch lengths. Use two lengths of yarn to make a twisted tassel in every other stitch along both short sides of the blanket. Learn to make twisted tassels in THIS video.

Finishing

Weave in any remaining ends. It helps to use a large metal tapestry needle for this step. Steam the sides of your blanket if they seem to be curling.


That’s a wrap, friends! I hope you’ll give O’Go a try for yourself. Come back and let me know how you like it! And be sure to share your Cat Nap Blanket with me on Instagram and Ravelry.

Find more FREE beginner Tunisian crochet projects here:

Elmore Blanket // Harper Bucket Bag // Pilson Blanket

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Comments

  1. AvatarSusan says

    I’ve watched a few videos on the O-Go Yarn package and I would just buy the skeins of yarn that I want even if they are the same colors as in the O-Go. I don’t see the benefit of them all attached. If you are just separating them and caking them separately…. what’s the point?

  2. AvatarJenna says

    Hi! I am recreating your Cat Nap blanket but subbing out different colors that aren’t offered in the O’Gos. How many rows of each color did you do before switching?

  3. Avatarmiri says

    This is my first time using this think blanket yarn. I’m having trouble starting the second color without leaving things extra chunky – it’s hard to hide the tails when they are sooo thick. Any suggestions?

  4. AvatarStacey L Robinson says

    Thanks for the Pro/Con list! I have looked at the yarn online…I mean, I like “New” yarn…It looks pretty cool. I do appreciate your review.

  5. AvatarPeggy Panar says

    I watched your YouTube review then bought Ogo. You ( they) were right about it being tangle free.in fact it is so easy to wind I had to put more tension on the yarn while winding it so the “ little cakes” weren’t too lose. My only complaint so far.( But I can live with it)😁

  6. AvatarMarcy says

    I’ve been watching some of your vids on YouTube. I could watch you crochet for hours! The next best thing to crocheting or knitting is watching other people…yeah, I need a life. Anyway, I love your patterns. You’re such a talented designer. I wish you much success.

    I’m making this afghan now and loving it. I love Tunisian crochet, and the yarn is so soft. I hope it holds up well over time. Thanks for the great pattern.

  7. AvatarJacqui says

    Hi Toni, thanks for the catnap blanket pattern. I’ve started it and my cats seem very excited( they keep trying to lay on it), but unfortunately, I’ve had to start over twice because the gauge seems to be off. My panels are too small and the color changes are not occurring in the appropriate places. Right now, I’m up to row 62 on the first panel and I still have grey left to complete the 78 rows. Can you tell me how wide each panel should be and/ or what the overall pattern gauge is? Maybe I need to go up a hook size or just work more rows because each panel is also not anywhere near 60″ long even estimating 2 inches for the border. Please help.

    • Toni L.Toni L. says

      Hi! Each O’Go will be slightly different, so I wouldn’t worry about getting too hung up on where the color changes are. As for the panels – if they aren’t wide enough, add a couple of stitches to the starting chain. There will be plenty enough yarn leftover for the tassels.

  8. AvatarCathy Rubert says

    Hi Toni

    I am almost finished with the Catnap blanket. Working on the tassels. Do you have a tip? Mine untwist.
    I checked out the tassel video but it isn’t working out for me.
    Thanks for posting this free pattern. I love your website and YouTube videos.

    • Toni L.Toni L. says

      To keep the tassels from unraveling, make sure you rotate the fringe in the opposite direction of how you’re twisting it together. The tension of the twists in opposite directions is what keeps things together. If you find they are still unraveling, try twisting them together a bit more. They will unravel a bit either way, but adding more twists should help them keep their shape.

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