Tag Archives: yarn

Rollercoaster

Posted on April 13, 2012 by | Comments Off on Rollercoaster
They don't tell you in business school that starting your own business is overwhelming on many levels.  You worry about your own success, the success of the business, and definitely about the toll it will take if you don't immediately realize what you call success.

While I continue to do the basic parts of what I love - knitting, designing, and running a business - I'm also expanding other parts of my creativity as a way to keep my mind off of things while I wait for certain milestones to happen.  


First, I'm counting down the days to a HUGE vendor expo, featuring 135 vendors, including a number of craft retailers that will be taking place in a little over a week.  Midwest Yarn will have its own booth so that people can stop by, check out some of the stock, and meet me.


I've also made tons of stitch markers as something handmade to sell at the expo as well.  Whatever stitch markers I don't sell there, I'll be listing in my Cherished Moments shop on Etsy.  If I can find a few more vintage craft books, I'll be selling those as well (I've got a number of vintage and antique craft books that are pretty cool).


There's also only 10 days left on my Kickstarter campaign and we're only at 5% funding.  


Finally, Sock Madness is on an optional round due to the holidays, so I took this time to give Peanut all the attention he can get for Easter.  That meant seeing bunnies at The Elegant Farmer, a haircut, and Easter dinner with family (both Saturday and Sunday nights!).  He and I are also visiting my parents at their bed and breakfast this week so he can get spoiled by his Mimi for a few days as well!




There's officially no turning back now.  I get the keys to the retail space soon, which means our storage space will be emptied, our house will be rearranged (all of my personal yarn and craft stash will be heading to the shop), and I will be in full swing.  I cannot wait until this new chapter begins.  Not to mention that my 30th birthday will be happening during the first month that the shop will be opening, so I have all kinds of milestones happening.

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Falkland plied

Posted on April 10, 2012 by | Comments Off on Falkland plied

014 015 016 018 006

I ended up with about 700 yards of Falkland lace-weight from 4 ounces of roving. I think it’s time to try 3-ply sock yarn again soon!

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De-stashing (ASAP)

Posted on April 2, 2012 by | Comments Off on De-stashing (ASAP)
Hi all!

I have to post this everywhere possible because I am getting a jump start on my spring cleaning and quickly realizing how big my yarn stash really is.  Here's a hint: it will not fit in my hubby's CR-V, even with all the seats down!  That means, as sad as I am to say this, I have to get rid of some of it.  I'm going to be selling it on Ravelry.com in order to get some additional capital for a few of the projects I have to do before we open (like decorate, paint, buy a few additional fixtures, etc.).  If you're a Ravelry member, click here. 

All that I have listed has to go.  In order to save costs after the store opens, I must get rid of our storage unit and my yarn stash is preventing additional items from getting back into our basement.  Yup, I'm bordering on being a yarn hoarder.  :)  I'm currently only shipping the stash to the US and Canada because it's more expensive to ship International.  Prices are about 50% of retail for each item and I have about two or three more boxes of yarn to take photos of (I'm hoping to cut my stash by at least 50% within the next week).

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De-stashing (ASAP)

Posted on April 2, 2012 by | Comments Off on De-stashing (ASAP)
Hi all!

I have to post this everywhere possible because I am getting a jump start on my spring cleaning and quickly realizing how big my yarn stash really is.  Here's a hint: it will not fit in my hubby's CR-V, even with all the seats down!  That means, as sad as I am to say this, I have to get rid of some of it.  I'm going to be selling it on Ravelry.com in order to get some additional capital for a few of the projects I have to do before we open (like decorate, paint, buy a few additional fixtures, etc.).  If you're a Ravelry member, click here. 

All that I have listed has to go.  In order to save costs after the store opens, I must get rid of our storage unit and my yarn stash is preventing additional items from getting back into our basement.  Yup, I'm bordering on being a yarn hoarder.  :)  I'm currently only shipping the stash to the US and Canada because it's more expensive to ship International.  Prices are about 50% of retail for each item and I have about two or three more boxes of yarn to take photos of (I'm hoping to cut my stash by at least 50% within the next week).

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De-Stashing

Posted on April 2, 2012 by | Comments Off on De-Stashing
Hi all!

I have to post this everywhere possible because I am getting a jump start on my spring cleaning and quickly realizing how big my yarn stash really is.  Here's a hint: it will not fit in my hubby's CR-V, even with all the seats down!  That means, as sad as I am to say this, I have to get rid of some of it.  I'm going to be selling it on Ravelry.com in order to get some additional capital for a few of the projects I have to do before we open (like decorate, paint, buy a few additional fixtures, etc.).  If you're a Ravelry member, click here.

All that I have listed has to go.  In order to save costs after the store opens, I must get rid of our storage unit and my yarn stash is preventing additional items from getting back into our basement.  Yup, I'm bordering on being a yarn hoarder.  :)  I'm currently only shipping the stash to the US and Canada because it's more expensive to ship International.  Prices are about 50% of retail for each item and I have about two or three more boxes of yarn to take photos of (I'm hoping to cut my stash by at least 50% within the next week).

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De-Stashing

Posted on April 2, 2012 by | Comments Off on De-Stashing
Hi all!

I have to post this everywhere possible because I am getting a jump start on my spring cleaning and quickly realizing how big my yarn stash really is.  Here's a hint: it will not fit in my hubby's CR-V, even with all the seats down!  That means, as sad as I am to say this, I have to get rid of some of it.  I'm going to be selling it on Ravelry.com in order to get some additional capital for a few of the projects I have to do before we open (like decorate, paint, buy a few additional fixtures, etc.).  If you're a Ravelry member, click here.

All that I have listed has to go.  In order to save costs after the store opens, I must get rid of our storage unit and my yarn stash is preventing additional items from getting back into our basement.  Yup, I'm bordering on being a yarn hoarder.  :)  I'm currently only shipping the stash to the US and Canada because it's more expensive to ship International.  Prices are about 50% of retail for each item and I have about two or three more boxes of yarn to take photos of (I'm hoping to cut my stash by at least 50% within the next week).

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Pop-up Yarn Shop!

Posted on April 2, 2012 by | Comments Off on Pop-up Yarn Shop!

We have been such busy bees that ages and ages have gone by since any yarn has found it’s way into the dye pots. Zac and I rectified that this weekend and we’re excited to share the results with you.

Fall Back Sock Yarn

We’re trying a little something new in our online shop. In addition to selling single skeins, we’ve put together two collections- The Sweater Set and The Sock Set- that give you a discount when you purchase several skeins at a time. Check out each listing for the full story.

Peacock Feet Sock Yarn

We dye all of our yarn in small dye lots because we think it improves the quality of the yarn. The batches are small, and we generally don’t repeat color ways, but if we are sold out, don’t despair! We’ll be adding new colorways from time to time.

Lady Sybil Worsted Weight

We also still have some Yarn and Fiber CSA Shares available, although they are going fast, as always.

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Caution, will stain

Posted on March 31, 2012 by | Comments Off on Caution, will stain

80 superwash merino/ 20 nylon 80 superwash merino/ 20 nylon 80 superwash merino/ 20 nylon 80 superwash merino/ 20 nylon

I plied up the red yarn this week. It’s 20% nylon %80 superwash merino from MadColor. Unfortunately, this yarn really bleeds even after 2 washes in Synthrapol and a vinegar rinse as well. No color bled onto my hands as I worked with it so I think it’s safe to make a shawl or something wearable with it but I will have to remember to always wash it alone.

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Still Here!

Posted on March 31, 2012 by | Comments Off on Still Here!
Sock Madness Round 2 - Submitted last night
After a week of knitting and planning to exhaustion, I'm happy to sit at my computer to take a break.  I found out this morning that I've made it on to Round 3 of Sock Madness!  After completing the first sock using US 0 sized dpns, I nearly kicked myself because I'd forgotten that gauges change with cables.  My right sock ended up way too small around my ankles, but fortunately was long enough for me to continue without frogging the sock.  I plunged forward using US 2 dpns and ended up with a sock that didn't cut off my circulation a day and half later.


My first "official" pattern - Garter Stripes Cardigan
for 0 to 24 months
This particular round was interesting, as it featured an afterthought heel which I'd heard of, but never tried before.  I used to be one of those who, after reading the specs of a pattern, would not attempt a pattern if it featured a technique I didn't know.  After this past year of picking up skills left and right, I've changed that behavior.  I guess I've found that it was much easier to learn something new than it was to find a pattern with techniques I'd already mastered.  Not to mention that it makes me feel better if I make a mistake because, hey, I'm learning.


My favorite design - Falling Leaves Jumper
I'm also in the midst of putting together crafts and yarn for a few craft/vendor fairs.  One has already passed and a HUGE one is coming up on April 24 at Potowatomi Casino in Milwaukee.  I'm very excited about this one, as I'll be setting up an area almost like a booth at a yarn trade show in hopes of raising some additional capital for the shop.  After the first show, I did figure out the yarn capacity of my car and got some very funny looks while travelling.  


And as if I didn't have enough to do, I've been convinced by my mother to write a book of patterns for baby clothes.  To raise money for that venture I started a Kickstarter campaign, so if you like my designs, please contribute to the cause (and there are some great rewards out there too).  I've got quite a few sketches ready and some other ideas that need to make it onto paper, but funding is mainly to get materials for testing patterns, making swatches, paying a photographer, etc.  I have also made plans to attend the publishing workshop at Stitches Midwest in August.  I will be booking the class soon, just have to price hotel stays etc.  Wish me luck!


My son, Peanut, modeling a few of my impromptu
child hat designs.  Above - Groundhog ; Below - Packers/Sport Beanie

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Design Contest Winners!

Posted on March 26, 2012 by | Comments Off on Design Contest Winners!

I hate to be cliche, but everyone who entered our design contest is really a winner. Even those designs that didn’t make it to the finals were AMAZING, and Caroline and I made sure that everyone got a little something for entering.

But I think the most important part is that some of our designers had never written a pattern before. Entering this contest may have been the little push they needed to try something new and that makes me so incredibly happy!

So, without further ado, I give you the winners of the very first JMF Design Contest in order:

Willa

First Place:  Turtle Baby Vest, by Kathryn Maynard. You’ve won $300 worth of JMF yarn!

Second Place: Buttons Anywhere, by Shirra Stone. You’ve won $200 worth of JMF yarn!

Third Place: Sailboat Vest, by Patricia Kirtland. You’ve won $100 worth of JMF yarn!

Fourth Place: To the Top by Rik Schell You’ve won $50 worth of JMF yarn!

Chadwick

First Place: Cloud 9 Bed Socks, by Rebekah Baquiran. $300 worth of JMF yarn!

Second Place: Geometric Hat, by Jenn Cox. $200 worth of JMF yarn!

Third Place: Christie’s Cowl and Cloche, by Karen Watson. $100 worth of JMF yarn!

Fourth Place: Pink Ripples Hat, by Guzel Eaves. $50 worth of JMF yarn!

Congratulations to EVERYONE who entered. We’ll be getting these patterns out to be test knit right away and then they’ll be available here as free patterns for everyone to enjoy!

Winners, we will be getting in touch with you to let you know how to claim your prizes.

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