Lion Brand Landscapes Yarn Review and Project Ideas for Cartwheel Purse Headband Cowl and Lanyard

Some yarns do a lot of the visual work for you. Lion Brand Landscapes is one of those yarns. The color changes roll along as you stitch, so even a simple pattern can look layered, moody, and special without changing skeins every few rows.

That is exactly why I reached for it for several accessory patterns: the Cartwheel Purse, Galaxy Headband, Galaxy Snood/Cowl, and Orion Lanyard. Each project uses the yarn a little differently, and together they show what this yarn does best.

This Lion Brand Landscapes Yarn Review covers the feel, fiber, weight, texture, color behavior, care notes, and the reasons it works so well for smaller statement pieces.

What Lion Brand Landscapes yarn is like

Lion Brand Landscapes is a self-striping acrylic yarn with a soft, lightly fuzzy, roving-style texture. It has a smooth look in the skein and a cozy feel once stitched up. The colors are the main feature. Instead of short speckles or tiny variegated flashes, Landscapes usually moves through longer color sections that blend into one another.

That gradual color shift is what makes it so fun for crochet and knit accessories. You can make a fairly simple shape, and the yarn still gives the finished piece movement and depth.

Here are the general yarn details to know. Always check the current ball band for the exact information on the skein you are using, since labels and colorways can change over time.

Detail	What to expect
Brand	Lion Brand
Yarn line	Landscapes
Fiber	100% acrylic
Yarn weight	Medium weight, CYC 4
Texture	Roving-style, softly spun, lightly fuzzy
Skein size	Commonly sold in 3.5 oz / 100 g skeins
Yardage	Commonly around 147 yd / 134 m per skein
Best for	Accessories, cowls, hats, scarves, bags, decorative details
Care	Check the ball band, and treat handmade items gently for best wear

The texture is one of the biggest things to understand before choosing a pattern. Landscapes is not a tightly twisted yarn with crisp plies. It has a soft, rounded strand that creates a plush surface. That gives it a lovely feel, but it also means it behaves differently from a basic worsted acrylic.

With this yarn, stitches look full and blended. The fabric can have a gentle halo, especially after handling or wear. It is not the yarn I would pick for tiny, detailed stitch patterns where every post, picot, or lace opening needs to stand out sharply. It shines more in patterns with clean shapes, simple repeats, and enough surface area for the colors to show.

Why Landscapes is such a nice yarn to use

The biggest reason I like Landscapes is simple: it makes projects feel exciting without making the stitching harder.

If you enjoy color but do not always want to plan color changes, cut yarn, weave extra ends, or carry multiple strands, this yarn is a treat. The skein handles the color play for you. That makes it especially nice for relaxing projects, gift projects, and pieces that need a little extra personality.

The color changes are the star. In a headband, they can create a small sweep of color. In a cowl, they can wrap around in broad bands. In a purse, they can highlight shape and direction. The same skein can look different depending on stitch height, hook size, gauge, and project width.

The softness is another plus. Landscapes feels comfortable for accessories that touch the skin, especially headbands and cowls. Because it is acrylic, it is also easy to reach for if wool is not your preference. It has warmth and softness without the itch that some people notice in animal fibers.

It is also a good confidence-building yarn. Beginners can use basic stitches and still end up with something that looks more involved than it was. More experienced makers can use it strategically to show off construction, curves, spirals, and stitch direction.

A few things make it especially enjoyable:

• It works up quickly because it is a medium weight yarn.

• The colors add interest to simple stitches.

• The soft strand gives accessories a cozy finish.

• It is widely available compared with many specialty yarns.

• It can make small projects feel gift-worthy.

  
  

That said, a good review should be honest. Landscapes is wonderful, but it is not perfect for every pattern.

Because it has a roving-style strand, it can get fuzzy if you rip out your work several times. It may also snag more easily than a tightly twisted yarn. If you crochet with a very pointed hook, take your time so you do not catch only part of the strand.

The color changes are also somewhat unpredictable. That is part of the charm, but it means you may not be able to control exactly where one color lands. If you need two pieces to match perfectly, such as two identical panels, you may need to pull from the skein carefully or start at a similar color point.

How I used it for the Cartwheel Purse

The Cartwheel Purse is a great match for Landscapes because the yarn emphasizes movement. A purse gives the color changes enough room to show, and a circular or wheel-inspired construction lets the shifting shades become part of the design.

For this kind of project, Landscapes adds a playful, handmade look without needing stripes that are planned row by row. The color movement naturally draws the eye around the purse. That works beautifully for a design with curves, rounds, spokes, or sections that radiate from the center.

The medium weight also gives the purse enough substance. It does not feel too thin or flimsy, especially when worked at a firm gauge. For bags, I usually prefer stitches that are not too loose. A tighter fabric helps the purse hold its shape and keeps small items from poking through the stitches.

If using Landscapes for the Cartwheel Purse, these tips help:

• Use a slightly smaller hook if the fabric feels too open.

• Keep your tension steady so the circular shape stays even.

• Choose simple accents so they do not compete with the yarn.

• Consider a lining if the purse will carry keys, coins, or heavier items.

• Reinforce handles or straps if the bag will be used often.

  
  

The yarn makes the Cartwheel Purse feel cheerful and expressive. It is the kind of piece that can turn a simple outfit into something more personal. The purse also shows how well Landscapes works when stitch direction matters. The color is not just sitting on the surface. It helps show the path of the stitches.

How I used it for the Galaxy Headband

The Galaxy Headband is one of those small projects where yarn choice matters a lot. A headband does not use a huge amount of yarn, so every inch shows. Landscapes brings enough color interest to make the headband feel finished and intentional, even if the stitch pattern is simple.

For a headband, softness is key. This yarn feels nice near the forehead and ears, which makes it a good fit for cooler weather accessories. The acrylic fiber also keeps the project lightweight. It gives warmth without making the headband feel heavy.

The self-striping effect works differently in a narrow project than it does in a wide one. On a headband, the colors may appear in shorter sections across the width or longer stretches along the length, depending on how the pattern is built. That can create a lovely scattered effect, especially for a design with a name like Galaxy.

A few headband notes:

• Check the fit as you go, since acrylic has some give but does not bounce back exactly like wool.

• Use a stitch pattern with enough texture to feel snug, but not so much that the color gets lost.

• Place the seam carefully if the pattern is joined.

• If making a gift, measure against a headband that already fits well.

  
  

Landscapes gives the Galaxy Headband a soft, colorful look that feels lively without being too busy. It is also a satisfying project for leftover yarn, depending on how much remains from a larger skein.

How I used it for the Galaxy Snood or Cowl

The Galaxy Snood/Cowl may be my favorite type of project for this yarn. Cowls and snoods give Landscapes room to relax and show off. The color changes can wrap around the neck in bands, waves, or soft blocks, depending on the stitch count and construction.

Because the yarn is cozy, it works well for an accessory worn close to the skin. The fabric has a nice softness, and the medium weight makes it warm enough for chilly days without needing a complicated pattern.

This is also where simple stitches really shine. A basic stitch repeat can look much richer because the yarn does the color work. If the pattern has too much detail, the texture and color changes may fight with it. For the Galaxy Snood/Cowl, I like letting the yarn be the main feature while also allowing the stitches to show their detail.

For the best result:

• Swatch if the finished size matters.

• Buy enough yarn at the start, especially if you want a fuller cowl.

• Keep the stitch pattern simple enough for the colors to show.

• Use a comfortable hook size so the fabric drapes instead of feeling stiff.

• Check the color sequence before joining a new skein if you want a smoother transition.

  
  

The Galaxy Snood/Cowl shows why Landscapes is such a nice accessory yarn. It feels soft, looks interesting, and turns a practical cold-weather piece into something with personality.

How I used it for the Orion Lanyard

The Orion Lanyard uses Landscapes in a smaller, more detailed way. A lanyard is not as large as a purse or cowl, so the color changes appear in little flashes. That can be really pretty, especially if the rest of the outfit or bag is simple.

For this project, I like Landscapes best as a decorative lanyard yarn. It creates a soft strap with color interest, and it can coordinate nicely with the Cosmic themed pieces. It is also a smart way to use shorter leftover sections from a skein.

Since a lanyard gets handled often, structure matters. Landscapes is soft and slightly fuzzy, so I would not treat it like heavy-duty cord. For keys, badges, or lightweight accessories, it can work nicely when stitched firmly. For anything heavy, valuable, or safety-related, choose hardware and construction carefully.

Helpful lanyard tips:

• Work at a firm gauge to reduce stretch.

• Use secure knots, joins, or sewn ends.

• Pair it with sturdy hardware.

• Avoid using it for heavy loads.

• Expect some fuzzing with regular friction.

  
  

The Orion Lanyard is a sweet finishing project because it ties the set together. After making a larger item, using the remaining yarn for a small accessory feels practical and satisfying.

The best patterns for this yarn

Landscapes works best when the pattern gives the yarn space to be seen. It does not need complicated stitchwork to look good. In fact, it often looks better when the design is clean and the color changes can take the lead.

Good pattern choices include:

• Cowls and snoods

• Headbands and ear warmers

• Simple hats

• Scarves

• Small purses

• Decorative straps

• Wrist warmers

• Accent panels

  
  

Patterns with strong shapes also work well. Circles, spirals, diagonal rows, simple ribs, and long rectangles can all show the colors in interesting ways.

I would be more cautious with patterns that require very sharp stitch definition. Tiny cables, intricate lace, detailed motifs, or pieces that need perfectly matched color placement may not be the best fit. The yarn is soft and expressive, not crisp and exact.

My honest takeaway

Lion Brand Landscapes is a lovely yarn when you want color, softness, and a little drama without extra work. It is especially nice for accessories because the projects are small enough to finish quickly, but large enough to show the color changes.

I liked it for the Cartwheel Purse because it emphasized shape and movement. I liked it for the Galaxy Headband because it felt soft and made a small project look special. I liked it for the Galaxy Snood/Cowl because the color changes had room to shine. I liked it for the Orion Lanyard because it turned leftover yarn into a useful matching detail.

Choose Landscapes when you want the yarn to be part of the design, not just the material. Keep the stitch pattern simple, work with steady tension, and let the colors do what they do best. The result is warm, playful, and full of handmade charm.