Exhibit A: Martha Stewart Baker’s Twine from Michael’s. I can’t remember how much this costs — we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt — $4.99. So, that’s $4.99 for 72 yards, or roughly 6 cents a yard.
Exhibit B: Bernat Holidays “Twists” yarn from JoAnn’s. $7.99 for 603 yards, or a little over a penny a yard.
Here’s the side-by-side comparison — Martha’s twine is much thinner, but the yarn (and it’s a cotton yarn, so it doesn’t really seem like a yarn) is more colorful.
I’m going to have to go with the yarn. I know it’s not Martha, but I can live with that! I’m having great fun using it to tie packages. (The handles on these bags are a thicker cording — the yarn has been used to tie the handles together and attach the little bell to the package. The bells, btw are from Martha’s Macy’s line — $1.99 each on sale.)
And look Sharon, I made pretzels last night. That’s some fun stuff!
Finally, I have the day off tomorrow and I’m hoping to get the big tree done. We’ll see, I might opt for a nap instead, ’cause just thinking about how far behind I am makes me really tired!
XOXO,
Anna
I really appreciate your shopping comparison as I was tempted to buy the Martha version the other day but felt like it was too expensive in relation to the amount I want.
Your packaging is gorgeous and the yarn you used is perfect.
I would love to make gorgeous pretzels like yours and am going to give it try, too. Yours look so pretty and delicious.
Thanks for all these great ideas!
Martha’s name sure costs the big bucks. Love the sweet little pretzel ties :)
Thanks for the tip…oh your pretzels look wonderful! I have to make some more today. Thought I was done. But they sure are fun to do. Thanks Sharon for getting us all going.
You always have to pay so much more for the “Brand” don’t you! I’ve just had the sad realisation that I’m not going to get your parcel to you in time for Christmas :o( So sorry! I have some lovely little goodies earmarked for you too. I think I will wait until after the Christmas rush to post it to reduce the chances of it getting lost in transit! Enjoy your nap! Lucy xxx
Anna, wish I could grab a pretzel. They look like something from a magazine. Everything looks festive and pretty. Thanks for the comparison. :)
Haha, that damn Martha! If you google up that Baker’s twine you can buy gigantic bolts of it for like $10? (I would have to look again, but when I did look this summer it was cheap.).
Those packages you put together are so festive.
I admit to being tired and behind, so I let Emma (who is 4!) chose our wrapping paper… Let’s just say it is very little kiddish, but hey, this season is about the kids anyway, right?? I did find some cute gift tags on Etsy attach to the food goodies we are giving out.
a brilliant comparison Anna…I love your blog, it is so pretty and cheerful. I very often use the yarn I used to knit a gift as the gift thread too, it looks pretty on some toning tissue..!
good way to get the look without the cost! Love how beautiful all of it is… red and white, what could be more beautiful?
Anna, I love the packages. They are beautiful and the pretzels so cute. No matter what Martha would be jealous of how they all turned out.
Cute packages!!
sigh…..I’m very susceptible to the marketing genius that is The Martha.
I found an unopened roll of bedspread weight red string with silver running through it for $1 at the thrift store and have bee gloating about my victory over MS once again. Childish I know, but I rarely take the moral high road.
The pretzels look really lovely and very yummy.
Those pretzels came out so cute and good on you for finding a more reasonable alternative to the Martha twine. Plus, the Bernat yarn looks more like a fabulous candy cane.
YUM.
Well, sometimes I make little tiny things, and think the cording is lovely for that because it is thinner, but the yarn is a truly inspired substitute for so many other thinks Anna. I love how it looks with those bells on your packaging.
Wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing!
Anna, you are quickly becoming one of my favorite blogs! Martha better watch out because I’ve always been a fan of hers and I think you might be gaining on her! Smart move on the twine vs. yarn. I think she would agree!
love that yarn! I never would have thought to use that instead, but it looks better than the string. thanks for the wonderful tip!
Well Ms. Thimble look at you go!!! Those are some fine looking pretzels there. I knew you could do it. And I must say a big old thank you for the comparison shopping on the thread. I’m running out to get me some of that there yarn. LOL!!! Hey those are some cute gift bags there.What’s inside??
You’ve found a winner! The yarn is definitely snazzier. :)
I was just at Kmart yesterday… and I thought that “THEIR” MARTHA line (a “cheaper” version) had the prettiest things for the holiday… and it was all on sale!
I have always wanted to do the pretzels… where did you find the cello sleeves to put them in… I prefer them wrapped
THANKS for sharing!
Lala :o)
I just found your blog and love it!! I am a quilter too and a shopper as well. I can appreciate comparison shopping as much as the next person. Come visit me at my blog!
Excellent comparison shopping!
Several years ago – the Container Store sold a big spool of the red/white twine. It was kind of pricy (I thought) maybe 9.99 for the big spool? I loved it so much that I went back afterwards and bought a second big spool for half off. At the time, it seemed like such a splurge, but now it seems like the deal of the century. A few years later, I’m most of the way through the first and haven’t even started on the second!
And – I *love* your pretzels! They’re delish looking, and your packing is fab!
I love the photos – they are so very festive! Those pretzels look good enough to eat – LOL! The bells tied on the bags are such a fun and pretty accent. You talented, girl, you! Just set the bags around your house, and you will be decorated!!
Hey I have that Martha twine and haven’t used it yet. I guess I’m saving it, but I’m not sure why. Those packages are so cute and I love the ornament tied on. Girl you are always so clever. Hey what kind of bags did you use to put your pretzels in and can I get them before Christmas :)
Hugs – karen
Thanks for the consumer survey Anna. I can go one better – I just won some twine, loads of it in a blog giveaway! Not that I’m gloating or anything ….!!!! Love the way you’ve used yours for the pressies,
Kimx
brilliant!
you crack me up Anna! Here’s my sightly fetishistic version of your bakery twine blog post
The last bakery who used the red & white twine in my NYC neighborhood closed about 10 years ago. My studio was a few doors away, so I went there for coffee and cookies, etc. almost every day.
I used to save this twine because it was so “retro”
I made the most beautiful Xmas present wrapping for Paton, the first Xmas we were together…(eons ago)
It was many little separate ties of the recycled red & white twine, with little dye cut cream tags that had P-A-T-O-N rubber stamped on each of them.
memories, from the corners of my mind (that’s all that’s left!)
best,
H2