My Website Button-Use it to Link me to your Blog.There was a very sad turn of events for our friends at Malabrigo Yarns in Uruguay, they had a huge warehouse fire, our hearts go out to Tobias, Vanessa, their families and coworkers, we wish you all well…
“Last night, on May 29, 2008, the building where we have our mill in caught fire.
The fire started in the floor below us and was bravely contained by the fire department of
As you may understand all deliveries are stopped until further notice, we hope we can resume our dyeing activities next week, probably in another location, but we will not know anything until we get inside the building.
Please note that as the offices were in the same building at the moment we cannot access any record for any order or previous communication so we ask for you to be patient if we do not reply to you fast enough.
We thank you for your continuing support and we hope to be up and running soon.”
Memorial Day is always the unofficial start of summer and the fiber artist in you knows what this means, it’s Sock Time! Time to get your sock on, and I don’t mean on your feet because you’re finally wearing flip flops, but on your needles, or magic loop if you’re so inclined. You know the drill, the hot season, summer is the perfect time for travel which means light, portable projects and nothing beats a sock. So I bring you, the Season’s Best Socks…
This past weekend my husband & I did the 140 mile drive north of Boston to the Cummington Fairgrounds in Cummington, MA to attend the 34th Annual Massachusetts’ Sheep and Woolcraft Fair.
This is where a wealth of talented fiber artists from New England flock to display their works of art. Hand spun, custom spun and hand dyed yarn and knit & crocheted wares were just the start of what was for sale, there were examples of needle felting, spinning, quilting, sewing, weaving, rug hooking, shawl pins & jewelry, wood working, hand crafted looms, spinning wheels and drop spindles, homemade soap, sheep pelts and even paintings. Not to mention all the livestock and their handlers!
Compared to Rhinebeck and the Maryland Sheep & Wool Fest, and even the Kid & Ewe in Texas and the Taos Wool Fest, it was a relatively small event, but very colorful.
I had the good fortune to meet several hand dyers and pattern writers in person! I met Judy Jacobs hand dyer and creator of Ball and Skein and am excited to bring you her Sargasso Sea Sock Kit. Judy’s work with color is amazing and beautiful.
There were more spinners than you could shake a drop spindle at.
Many demonstrations and spinning wheels of all shapes and sizes were to be seen and tried. The Merlin Tree from Vermont had some beautiful examples for sale.
And fiber galore.
Some one on Rav asked, “Why don’t mittens get the love?” well at this event mittens were more than loved, they were celebrated works of art!
Not to mention all the beautifully knit sweaters.
Wool & Dye Works, located in Florence, MA demonstrated for us the many steps of rug hooking. And we loved their finished products!
And lots of Sheep!
Sheep in clothing!
And more sheep.
A few llamas…
And bunnies too!
The sheep shearing demonstrations were a hit everyone. I didn’t get a chance to see the Sheep Dog Trials, but I did see some working sheep dogs.
And interestly enough for lunch I dined on sheep or lamb, I had the Lamb Chop Suey. I had wanted the Lamb Chili but it had already sold out. There was also Lamb Bits and Lamb Burgers!
And musicians for our entertainment. If you’re in the area next year I highly recommend attending the 35th.
In the middle of the
Using the seaweed floats caught adrift in these ocean currents as inspiration, Cindyknits’ wrote a sock pattern using Ball and Skein’s SuperSock yarn and naming it, Sargasso Sea. Ball and Skein Supersock is 400 yards of a soft blend of 75% merino and 25% nylon, machine washable and hand dyed in rich blues & greens reminiscent of the sea.
The pattern is written for Woman’s Sizes 8-9 and features both written and charted instructions. Knit on size 0 US (2mm) double point needles and size C (2.75mm) crochet hook.
Kit includes Pattern and a skein of Ball and Skein SuperSock yarn in the Sargasso Sea colorway pictured and a Seashell Stitch Marker.
Sargasso Sea Colorway
Keep you little one warm in the winter and on cool summer days with Elaine Brody’s sweet Elaine Child’s Hooded Cardigan, which is designed to be knit with either a hood or a collar. Knit with 1 (2, 2) skeins of Schaefer’s 99% merino wool/1% nylon yarn Elaine or with 2 (2, 2) skeins of their 78% cotton/22% rayon yarn Sandra on US 10 & 11 (6 & 8mm) needles.
Pattern written for sizes 1 (2, 4) years. Finished Width 22 (24,27)”
This is also sold as a Kit which includes PDF Pattern, emailed to you after purchase, and 1 or 2 skeins of Schaefer’s Elaine or Sandra yarn.
FREE SHIPPING on this Kit and these…Schaefer Munchkin Hat, Cherry Tree Hill A Family of Felted Mittens, Avalon FiberArts Sock Kits and all Kidknits’ Hat and Pullover & Hat Set Kits!
Introducing Jacquelyn Landry’s fingerless gloves Burtonesque.
These elbow high, sexy gloves are a design based on dichotomy! What began as a necessity for Jacquelyn, how to keep her arms & hands warm in her drafty office, evolved into a handcrafted homage to a directorial genius of Tim Burton. The black and white imagery so often seen as elements in Burton’s films is echoed here in a simple mosaic stripe pattern that satisfies practicality while decreases and increases create a visual image that is distinctly skeletal.
Love the clean, sophisticated lines of Burtonesque, but not the Goth imagery, change the look entirely and do them in bright stripes instead!
DIFFICULTY: Appropriate for advanced beginner. Knitting a mosaic pattern requires reading a simple chart and slipping stitches. Each color is worked separately for 2 rounds.
GAUGE: 22 sts/30 rounds = 4″ in Stockinette stitch on size 4 US (3.5mm) needles and 6 ts/12 rounds= 1″ in mosaic stitch pattern on size 7 US (4.5mm) needles
SIZE: XS [S, M, L, XL]
Pattern is written in four sizes based on wrist and bicep measurements. Measure your wrist directly over the wrist bone. Measure your bicep 3 inches above the fold of your elbow. Choose the size closest to your actual bicep measurement. The sleeves will stretch some but the mosaic pattern keeps them from being as flexible as ribbing would be.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Wrist circumference: 5 [6, 7, 8]”
Bicep circumference: 9 [10, 11, 12]”
Hand circumference: 6 [7, 8, 9]”
Total length: 21 inches
MATERIALS: (MC) Knit picks [100% merino wool; 123 yd per 50g skein]; color: Vanilla; 2 skeins and (CC) Knit picks [100% merino wool; 123 yd per 50g skein]; color: Coal; 2 skeins
NOTIONS:
1 set(s) size 4 US (3.5mm) double-point needles
1 set(s) size 7 US (4.5mm) double-point needles
2 spare double-point needles
Waste yarn
Yarn needle
Scissors
SUBSTITUTING YARNS: Jacquelyn suggests two important factors for choosing a sub yarn, a yarn with natural elasticity or the sleeve will become stretched with use and softness due to the sensitive nature of the inner skin above the elbow.
Approximate Yardage: [MC] 240 yards, [CC] 200 yards.
Possible yarn subs: Artyarns Ultramerino 6, Debbie Bliss Merino DK, Elann Peruvian Luxury Merino Superwash, or try Koigu Kersti Merino Crepe or Manos silk for something more colorful. Sold as a PDF File, no shipping charges!
Discover the joy of sock knitting with the lacey & cabled sock designs of Lynne Wardrop of Avalon FiberArts. Lynne’s patterns are fun & easy and knit up quickly from the toe up in either Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted or Shepherd Sport yarn, which means your color options are endless.
I asked Lynne, why socks? And this was her reply…”I love designing socks for a number of reasons. I love wearing hand knit socks & I love gifting them. Somebody knows you love them when you make something that they know will wear out & essentially be used up. They make a great small project that can either be very portable or a nice little break from a big project. I design them toes up because I have a major habit when it comes to collecting lovely hand dyed sock yarn. I don’t want to waste an inch of it. By doing them toes up, I can use up all the yarn easily. I’d rather have a cuff half an inch longer instead of having a little ball leftover after “saving” enough to make sure you have toes.”
Choose your favorite design texture & Lorna’s Laces colorway and you’re ready to knit yourself or a loved one a new pair of socks.
These delicious Berries knit up fast in a easy popcorn texture.
Stylish Braided Cable Socks are a large 3 over 3 cable.
The lacey Cloverleaf is a great pattern to introduce yourself to lace knitting.
The promise of spring looms large with the pretty Flowerbud Socks.
Cabled Four Strands Socks & lacey Giddy Up knit up fast using only 2 hanks of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport yarn.
The name of this pattern says it all, Girly Socks are a sweet, all-over lace patterned sock!
The lacey Lobed Leaves knit up fast from the toe up.
Enjoy the lacey design inspired by nature with Avalon FiberArts Spider Lace.
The Lacey Wave Socks & lace leaf patterned Twinners both knit up fast from the toe up using only 1 hank of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted yarn.
Its Feather N’ Fan at its finest with Little Fans.
And Lynne has designed a pair of crocheted gloves, the sweet lacey cuffed gloves, Lace Cuffs, are done with two skeins of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock yarn.
I’ve also put together Avalon FiberArts’ Sock Kits for the Patterns that use Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted yarn and to celebrate the addition of Avalon FiberArts to my website Shipping is Free for these Kits, and Shepherd Worsted is On Sale, please do not combine this with any other discounts or offers, thank you!
More About Lynne: Lynne Wardrop has been working and playing in the fiber arts since she was a child. University training in both Art History and Apparel Design led to many years as a seamstress and designer prior to jumping in with both hooks & needles to write patterns for other fiber folk.
The image of melting ice and snow meandering down the mountains, filling the rivers and winding away to the sea, was Sarah Chilson’s inspiration for the rivulets of cool blues and greens looping across her Meander Double Knit Scarf. The colors and spiraling pattern will have you thinking about spring, but its two cozy layers will keep you nice and warm during those last cold-snaps!
She wanted to create a stitch pattern that was rich and organic in appearance, but geometric enough to lend itself well to knit stitches. The Greek Key design fit the bill, being a squared spiral, and is a perfect motif to use with Double Knitting. Double Knitting is an extremely versatile technique that creates a reversible, double-thick fabric, ideal for flat pieces such as scarves. Sold as a PDF File, zero shipping!
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Length: 72″ X Width: 5″
MATERIALS:
[MC] Cascade 220 Heathers [%100 Peruvian Wool; 220yd per 100g skein]; Lake Chelan (sea green), color# 9451, 1 skein
[CC] Cascade 220 Heathers; [%100 Peruvian Wool; 220yd per 100g skein]; Mallard (blue) ; color# 2448, 1 skein
NEEDLES: size 7 US (4.5 mm) straight needles
GAUGE: 20 sts/28 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch using one color and 17 sts/18 rows = 4” in pattern (Double-Sided stockinette stitch using Meander Chart)
Since I enjoyed writing my story about my visit to Lorna’s Laces so much & it was met with such a positive response I decide to rewrite my experience a couple years back visiting The Schaefer Yarn Company…
Back in August 2006, before I started bogging, my DH & I spent the summer living in New York City. I took advantage of this opportunity to take a road trip to Interlaken, located in the finger lakes region of upstate New York and home to The Schaefer Yarn Co to visit its owner and creative force Cheryl Schaefer. I wrote about my adventure in my September 2006 Newsletter and will bring it to life again here…
Dolce Handknits Ithaca
Stitch Diva Goddess & Slinky Fitted Shrug
Knitsimple Simples Tees & Classic Tunics
The Alpaca Yarn Company Starry Night Beaded Top
Vogue Knitting Sexy Beach Cover Ups, Tops & Tanks
Karabella Lace Tank, Cap-Sleeves Top & Cabled Halter
Berroco Macarena, Rhumba, Can Can Can, the Can Can, Trina or Nori
Ilga Leja Sea Urchin, Waves of Lace, Antique Lace, Fluid Linen, Violetta, Urban Goddess, Skin of the Sea & Wharf n Weave
Jane Thornley Lapis Asymetrical, Come Spring Vest, Botany Wrap, Sunset Bolero, Riverstone & Road to Indigo
Gardiner Yarn Works Cannon Beach V-Neck, Knotty Wrap, Lace Rib Raglan & Venice Beach Tank
Sweaterbabe Romantic Cable and Lace Vest & Kimono Wrap Lace Top
Wendy Bernard Sizzle, Mentionables & Fad Classic
Cherry Tree Hill Berry Parfait Top & Big Easy Vest
High Country Knitwear Fitted Vest
Neoknits Audrey
Gas prices to high to a take mom on a trip, what the heck, they probably won’t let her knit on the airplane anyway!
So sit back & relax at home and enjoy this special day with mom celebrating with my Cherry Tree Hill Yarn Sale, all yarns are In Stock and 30-40% Off!
More!
Well dressed tots are Erika Flory of Kidknits.biz, business. If you’re already familiar with her sweet & clever designs for children you’re very lucky. If you have yet to discover her extraordinary talents creating children’s knitwear clothing that is comfortable, functional and of course adorable, you’re in for a treat.
Discover her designs with these two sweet outfits that are absolutely Free! If you like what you see, and knit, check out more of her work at Kidnits Hats and Pullover & Hat Sets.
Erika’s Little Red is a hooded, finger-tip-length cape sized for toddlers 18 months to 4 years. It is worked in one piece from the bottom up in stockinette stitch with a garter stitch border. Decrease rows below the neck gather the fabric in to shape the neck, and increases worked just above the neck shape the hood. A pewter clasp fastens the cape at the neck. Our model, Anika, wore hers as part of her Halloween costume. Worn over a velvet party dress, it’s perfect for a visit to Grandma’s house (no wolves invited).
Kimono-style sweaters are an easy fit for babies: just wrap them in and tie it up! The classic kimono sweater is updated with Erika’s Sachiko Kimono Sweater with a sophisticated color combination, and the design detail of leaving slits at the side. The sweater is also designed to maximize “finish-as-you-go” techniques: the eyelet-garter band worked on the fronts eliminates the need to pick up ribbing; a three-needle bind-off finished the shoulder seams at the same time that the back neck is bound off; and the sleeves are picked up and worked from the top down, leaving only a short sleeve/side seam to sew.
Simply Print Each Page or Email me for the PDF File.
I’m delighted to bring you this fresh pullover design from Dolce Handknits! Its easy to knit and a versatile wardrobe staple.
Introducing Ithaca, a feminine tee with side shaping and slightly puffed short sleeves.
Skill Level – Easy/Intermediate
Yarn - Sport-weight
Knitting Needles - 6 & 7 US (4-4.5mm)
Sizing - Bust 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40)” and Length 21 (21.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5)”
Jane Thornley’s Riverstone Vest was born of rock and moss, twig and leaf, her inspiration behind this vest is organic and elemental. Jane shares the story for this vest, “The stones around my house, heaved up by glaciers in primordial times and texturized by nature over the eons, influenced the hues blended together in this tunic-length vest. When I wear it, I imagine I’ve donned a sheath of lichen like some (large) forest nymph.
Knit from carry-along yarns — those skinny, nebulous yarns like ladders or railroads designed to be held together with sturdier fare — and size 9mm/US13 needles, this will knit up quickly yet remain whisper-light despite the length. Modeled in primarily Habu yarns but any light-weight yarn will do.
Wear it belted or loose. Knit it long as in the original or make a shorter version. Eliminate the gently rounded shirt-like tails or experiment by making one in lace-weight linen or some textured filament yarn. As a free-range knitting pattern, this design just begs to be tried in different ways. Sold as an instant PDF Download, no shipping charges!
Jacquelyn Landry is busy once again. This time she is in the process of designing a child’s sundress and she’s holding a contest for the name! There will be prizes for the winner. Visit Jacquelyn’s Blog for details and make sure to tell her I sent you if you decide to enter!
Happy Anniversary To Me!
Spring Lace Wrap by Dawn Brocco
Add a touch of spring to your wardrobe with Dawn Brocco’s V-shaped shawl, the Spring Lace Wrap. Simply drape it over your shoulders & step out the door in style into your busy day. Dawn also brings us a new hat design, the Interlocking Cable, this sweet cap can be knit in two sizes.