This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click or make a purchase through one I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Today I’ll be conducting a review of the Sari Silk Tote Bag from Darn Good Yarn!
Disclosure: I received a bag from Darn Good Yarn in order to share my opinion about their product, but this isn’t a sponsored post. All opinions are my own!
About Darn Good Yarn
Darn Good Yarn is a company that sells mostly yarn and notions; but also home goods, decor, clothes, and lots of types of craft supplies!
They focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing, and make it a priority to empower underprivileged individuals by giving them sustainable jobs that allow them to support their families! I think this is a great mission, but since I have only had the privilege to use one of their products, I can’t say I know too much about their company as a whole!
The below video is a quick two minute explanation of the story behind Darn Good Yarn.
Obviously, these people are very dedicated and hardworking, but let’s see how that translates to their product quality!
The Sari Silk Tote Bag
Ok, the first thing you need to note is that the colors are random, and though you’re able to state a preferred color when you purchase it, they can’t make any promises.
Full disclosure: I asked for a blue or green. I got a pale pink with orange undertones and purple dots. I mean, I guess they tried. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Failed in that regard, but hey, they warn you!
I love bags and bins, as I’m a bit of a storage freak.
In other words, I need TONS of storage because I have so many skeins of yarn and tools! I was expecting a lot from this bag, so realize I have high expectations!
I’m also kinda literal like my dad, which means if someone says something I assume they mean it. This means several things they say in the listing irk me, but we’ll come back to that!
Construction and Appearance:
First off, it’s pink, which kinda blinded me when I first pulled it out of the (very sturdy) envelope! One of the best things about this bag is that it compresses/folds down very small!
I don’t love the feel of the bag in my fingers, though I have rather dry hands so that’s probably just me.
I was disappointed because it is a silk bag…
The Sari Silk Tote Bag is moderately disappointing when you look at the construction. It’s a single seam around the edge, so quite literally held together by a single thread. But then again, a single seam if done properly is quite strong, I just worry about longevity.
The straps are very strong though, so good for carrying lots of yarn!
The pocket on the front is kinda cute! It would be quite a good place for a small package (think chocolate!) that you want to keep out of the bottom. Hey, leaves it accessible for eating when you get to the car, assuming you use this bag for shopping!
Or your notions tin, like the ones from my friend Lisa of Green Fox Farms Designs! Especially if you are using this as a project bag since no one wants to stick their hand down a mess of yarn and folds of a project to dig out your notions.
Again. It’s pink. ;P
The Sari Silk Tote Bag’s construction and appearance gets a 7/10 rating from me.
Listing Accuracy:
Ok, so this next part might get brutal!
I’ll quote what they say in the listing description below:
“The humble tote bag gets a Darn Good Yarn twist. Our tote bags are made from vintage silk saris, making each one absolutely unique and one-of-a-kind. This bag will make the perfect knitting bag, or can even be used as a diaper bag, craft tote, or carry on!
Product Specs:
Dimensions: 13.5″x 14″ Each bag has a silk patch on the front with our logo, and a statement that reads: “Made from reclaimed sari silk at a co-op in India that empowers women”.
Note: Because each bag is unique, if there is a color that you’d like, please leave a note at checkout and we will do our best to match it!”
Sari Silk Tote Bag from Darn Good Yarn
Ok, my main issue is that they say that the bag has a statement on the front of the patch (pocket). There is no such thing on my bag, inside or out.
The description states that it’s 14 inches tall, though mine is 17. Not gonna complain about a deeper bag! And I know handmade items are not always perfectly sized, but three inches off is quite a bit!
However, looking through the listing photos they show three types of bags. The first shows the one I got, a second that fits the description better, and the third that has a lot of beautiful embroidery on it. I have a feeling they either have three different variations and don’t state it, or they haven’t updated the listing properly.
Either way, it doesn’t really matter, just annoys me that they didn’t send what the listing says.
Listing description rating (yeah, I’m doing this, lol): 6/10. Not completely accurate, but reasonably well written.
Overall Quality:
Overall, for $14, this is a very sturdy and high-quality reusable bag that’s likely to last several years as long as you aren’t too hard on it. Unless you have kids, in which case it’ll be destroyed in a matter of minutes, lol.
Personally, it’s pink, and while I don’t hate pink, I don’t want to walk around with it! However most of you people are gals, so hey, there’s that! I’m probably not their target audience, but this is a good quality sustainably sourced bag.
Overall rating: 6.5/10
While I personally don’t love this bag, I’ve tried to be fair and it’s only a 6.5/10 for me. You’re welcome to come up with your own conclusions! If you don’t agree with anything I said here, comment below and tell me why.
If you are interested in purchasing a Sari Silk Tote Bag of your own, click the button below to be taken to the listing! I hope you enjoyed reading this, and make sure to sign up for my email list below if you love big yarns and quick projects!
If this was your first time here, go ahead a look around! I’ve got tons of Amigurumi Patterns, lots of Wearables Patterns, and several Pattern Roundups!
I usually design in Bernat Blanket yarn, but I love most big yarns, and don’t enjoy using anything under a size #5! You can also get my Finnick the Fox Amigurumi Pattern for free below!
Anyway, I’m out! Thanks so much for reading!
Bye for now!
-Caleb
