Tag Archives: yarn

Creative Bug

Posted on July 2, 2013 by | Comments Off on Creative Bug

As a way to keep me from being bored while Susie is in Scotland (ha, ha!), Susie got me a subscription to Creative Bug. I’ve only been knitting since 2009 when SuzyQ taught me late one night while sitting on Susie’s couch. One thing I love about knitting is that there is always so much to learn! I’m constantly being engaged by learning something new, whether it’s a trying out a new construction or technique or even just playing with different stitches.

So tonight I had a little fun exploring the Creative Bug workshops in order to see what else I could learn. Melanie Falick’s Kool-Aid Dyed Yarn workshop caught my eye, since Susie’s dyed last month’s sock club yarn with Kool Aid solarly. I’ve done a little kool aid dyeing myself, so I thought I’d see what the workshop had to teach me.

This workshop is an introduction to Kool Aid dyeing and will give you all the basics to dye at home. It mostly shows you the stove top method, but it does also briefly touch on solar dyeing, which I know some Ravelry group members had an interest in after seeing the sock club yarn.

Solar Kool-Aid Dyed YarnJMF Kool Aid Solar Dyed Sock Club Yarn

One thing I love about dyeing with Kool Aid or Wilton’s Icing dye is that it’s safe to use your regular cooking pots and utensils. Acid dyes require special dye-only utensils and pots because they shouldn’t be ingested. But Kool Aid is safe to consume (even if you wouldn’t want to!) so you can dye with your kids and then cook pasta for dinner in the same pot.

Since I have a subscription, I’ll be able to watch as many workshops as I’d like for one flat fee. There are subscriptions in one, three, and six month options so you can plan to craft for as little or as long as you’d like. If you don’t want to commit to a specific time period, Creative Bug also offers an a la carte option where you only pay for the classes you want to take.

I’ve already got my eye on several more workshops including the color theory workshop and the double knitting workshop to see if I can sharpen my skills. And I haven’t even started to explore the other categories!

Creative Video Workshops on Creativebug.com

What Creative Bug workshops do you think I should take?

JMF will receive a percentage of the sales made on Creative Bug through our site and we’ll be putting it into the 2013 Heifer fund.

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Drive By Update

Posted on June 21, 2013 by | Comments Off on Drive By Update

1. I just did an impromptu giveaway on facebook. It was quick and fun, and I will definitely do it again. Winners will be announced tomorrow, and everyone that participated will get a 10% off coupon for the shop.

2. It has been a long and stressful few weeks as Brock tries to find a job. I am trying to hold it together, but just keep researching magic instead of working on Tiny Dino Studios, because one day I will actually write a young adult fantasy novel.

3. The first issue of ply magazine debuted and it is gorgeous. The first article on the first spinners made me want to go back to school and do the Textiles BFA at KU with a minor in History. Someday, I will do this.

4. Since Brock is unemployed, but brilliant, he is making a video game. I might be fantasizing about it having Minecraft-type success and becoming a full-time student/mom who couldn’t give a damn about money. In these fantasies, I am also, thinner, taller, blonde, and wearing a baby on my back as I work on the looms in the art building and walk around campus.

5. Despite the above despairing, I have been dyeing, and I have updated my shop accordingly.

6. I have also been spinning some really dreamy alpaca, pictured below. I don’t even hesitate to link you to Marcia’s shop because her stuff is so brilliant. (Most alpaca breeders go for density and then fineness. Marcia just breeds for fineness, and let me tell you what I am spinning is like buttah.)

greyalpaca
Available for purchase here. Let Marcia know I sent you.

And here’s what just went up for sale in my shop, if you can pull yourself away from the Alpaca.

magic moss2

morning rainbow

appleblossomandpeavines

harvestgoldpteranodonworsted2

sea glass tunis

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World Knit in Public Day

Posted on June 9, 2013 by | Comments Off on World Knit in Public Day
This weekend, a friend and I did a fiber-upcycling awareness demo at a nearby LUSH store.  LUSH is a really environmentally friendly hand-made cosmetics franchise originally from the UK.  They have stores all over the world now, and focus on reducing packaging as much as possible.  The manager at the local LUSH approached us and asked if we knew anyone who worked with "plarn".


Knowing World Knit-in-Public was coming up and all that, I agreed with the manager that it would be great to combine recycling and fiber fun.  What is "plarn" you ask?  Plarn is literally plastic yarn.  It is easily made from loops made when plastic bags are cut across horizontally.  Dunno what to do with all those extra plastic bags that one collects from here and there?  I had a stash under the kitchen counter, and I raided it.  If you'd like to do the same, check out this handy etsy post from 2010 here.


I ended up crocheting a basket and making a ribbon with all the grips and bases of the bags.  I think the ribbon or flower or whatever would make a fine bicycle bow or luggage identifier.  My friend and co-conspirator, Celina, made a lovely lace knitted bottle cozy, and a LUSH employee made a wonderful plarn crocheted purse!  All-in-all I believe the demo was a success.  So many people looked in, took photos, asked questions, and were generally curious about this alternative use for the excess plastic bags in our lives.

Then on Sunday, World-Knit-in-Public we gathered at our local SnB and knit the night away!

Need some inspiration?  Saw this interesting intarsia jumper on the streets of Munich back in May...



Happy Knit in Public Day!

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A Yarn as Majestic as Mount Everest

Posted on May 29, 2013 by | Comments Off on A Yarn as Majestic as Mount Everest

Sixty years ago today, Sir Edmund Hilary and sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to summit Mount Everest.

What has this to do with yarn, you ask?

Juniper Moon has a brilliant new yarn coming out this fall named Tenzing in honor of this momentous accomplishment. I can’t reveal too much about it just yet, but you are welcome to guess the reason that we chose the name…

Just to make it interesting, the first person to guess the correct answer will receive a couple of skeins to play with before the official release.

JMF sample and test knitters aren’t eligible to win and should keep any inside info under their collective, hand-knits hats. But don’t worry– we’ll take care of you, too.

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Sew Mama Sew, Giveaway Day 2013 at Adri Makes a Thing or Two

Posted on May 6, 2013 by | Comments Off on Sew Mama Sew, Giveaway Day 2013 at Adri Makes a Thing or Two

Hi and welcome to this year's Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day, May 2013.  Thanks for stopping by!
You are currently at Adri Makes a Thing or Two and I'm sure you'd like to know what you can win in the giveaway and how.

Here's what:
Giveaway Prize 1- Fabric for my Sewing and Quilting Readers
prize 1, traditional trachten cotton fabric .80m x 1.5m


Giveaway Prize 2- Yarn for my Crochet & Knitting Readers

Prize 2, DROPS alpaca yarn, 2 skeins (plus extra)

Giveaway Prize 3- Vintage Buttons for all Fiberists!


Prize 3, 21 vintage buttons still on their sheet


Here's how to enter my giveaways...

Leave a comment with the following:

  • your e-mail address
  • which prize you'd like to win
  • what you're working on at the moment

If you like what you see on my blog, feel free to follow me on Twitter or Bloglovin'.  Happy Giveaway Day!

Follow on Bloglovin

Follow me on Twitter here.

Details: This giveaway will close on May 10th at 5pm my time (I'm in Germany).  I will choose 3 winners using random.org, and I moderate all the comments so it may take a moment to post.  Please make sure that you have an email address attached to your comment otherwise you'll be disqualified since I can't contact you. :(  Winners will be contacted on the following Tuesday, May 14th since I'm traveling.

To find more giveaways this link will take you back to Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day for crafts and supplies!

May 11, 2013:  Comments are now closed on this post.  Thank you for entering!  Winners will be announced this upcoming week on Tuesday.

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Yarn & Knitting Machine Goodies

Posted on April 30, 2013 by | Comments Off on Yarn & Knitting Machine Goodies
It's time for a knitting update! The beaded project is off to the presses, and I'll post when it's published.  I'm so excited about it.  With a bit of time to work on my own personal projects, I learned how to manipulate stitches with the knitting machine.  Now I can increase and decrease.  Yep, and with a bit of time on Sunday afternoon, I managed to get the back/front of a sweater done!  And, I took notes so hopefully I can make another piece to match it along with some sleeves.


Did you recognize the yarn I used?  I used the other part of this skein of variegated Wollmeise in my latest design (see below). It looks so different!  Check out that variegation pattern (above) when the waist decreases started.  Such crazy color pooling!  It reminds me somewhat of DNA.  I am glad I'm making a teensy dent into my insane yarn stash.



And, with that, I started another swatch to practice some of my knitting machine skillz.


In hand-knitting this is a bit of progress I made on a KAL I started in (blush) October.  I'm getting there.  It's an in-between project that I haven't had much time to finish until now.


And, speaking of that sneaky yarn stash that keeps reaching toward SABLE, a few pretties managed their way into my life.  Firstly there's this cone of ITO with stainless steel in it.  Steel.  Hee hee!  It's going to be an experiment to attempt some hand-knit gloves with conductivity.  Steel will at least conduct heat, so I'm hoping it will work with smart phones.  I am still wary that the stainless steel will work, but heck, it's so pretty and shiny it's worth a try.


And then, there's the softest yarn in my stash so far.  This beautiful hank from the Mulberry Dyer was part of Prêt-À-Tricoter's Brit Knit Lace Club 2013, Kit #2.  It is the most beautiful yarn I've seen in a long time.


And with that, folks, I leave the month of April behind.  I'm sure looking forward to May.  It's a month full of giveaways and Me Made May!  But, more on that tomorrow...

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Probably something you would like… Yarn Con Edition

Posted on April 8, 2013 by | Comments Off on Probably something you would like… Yarn Con Edition

I finally made it home from Chicago! And even the fact that my return flight was three hours late didn’t harsh my post-YarnCon buzz. What a lovely weekend we had!

I am predicting that, in a few years, YarnCon will be the must-attend event of the Midwest. You heard it here first.

Part of what made YarnCon so amazing was the quality of the vendors. I have been to Maryland Sheep and Wool and Rhinebeck lots of times and I have never attended an event with such consistently great yarn-and-knitting related, handmade stuff.

Here are some of my faves:

The Wool Dispersary

I am completely smitten with The Wool Dispensary!  I love the name. I love the logo and branding.

Wool Dispensery yarn

I love the yarn.

Wool DispenseryAnd I love Sam, the genius behind this indie yarn company.

jelby

You guys may already know about the amazing Jelby but she was new to me. Super-cute needle felted stitch markers, pendants and tiny little tins to hold your notions. All lovely, handmade and ridiculously inexpensive.

Jelby

Biggie sign

This weekend was also my introduction to Biggie, a smart young women who weaves, screen prints, spins and I don’t know what all else. I bought this little bag for Amy as a thank you for taking care of the flock while I was away (and maybe one for myself):

Biggie Bags

Sticks & Twigs

The award for the best name and sign at Yarn Con goes to Stick ‘n Twings. Isn’t that sweet?

recycled yarn

They sell recycled yarn that is reclaimed from discarded sweaters.

I actually have a few more to share with you but I’ll save those for latter this week. In the meantime, I am off to NYC (via Washington, D.C.) and I’ve got to get ready for my meeting.

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It’s Worth It

Posted on March 24, 2013 by | Comments Off on It’s Worth It
When I was pregnant with Peanut, I managed a small women's clinic which was a 45 minute drive from my house.  It was the middle of my 3rd year at that location, so the scenic drive through southern Wisconsin was monotonous.  I loved to spice things up by singing or stopping off at local small shops or restaurants on my way to and from work.  So, it's no surprise to me now that Vincent loves to ride in the car, sing along to my favorite music, and even have the occasional mother/son dance party at the shop and at home.

Vincent saying "smile" instead of actually
smiling for the Boys Will Be Boys photo shoot
Lately, I've had to start calling him Mr. Sassypants, because, like his mommy, he can be quick to respond to comments with a roll of his eyes or a, "Don't even go there."  I can't decide if it's annoyingly entertaining or entertainingly annoying.  My answer will change depending on the day.  Like most moms, especially ones that stop into the shop, it really depends on what's going on that day, or how sassy he actually gets.  Three going on 13, Vincent may even lecture me on how I'm supposed to be organizing things in the shop.  Maybe he takes his title of VP of Sales and Marketing a little too seriously (then again, he did insist upon that title).

Am I giving a little too much credit to my son's intelligence?  Not in the least.  For almost 2 years, I've been his interpreter.  I picked up what his nonsensical babbling meant from an early age, and you cannot imagine the relief it was for him when he noticed that I was starting to understand.  It's almost as though he was learning English as a second language.

With all my projects going on, I've had to come up with my own way of communicating with myself in order to keep track of everything.  I've never been one for writing anything down, drawing diagrams, but I did like making lists.  I occasionally ask Siri to remind me to pick up my medication, but a lot of it just stays in my head.

On the Lido Deck of the Carnival Legend cruise ship
wearing the All the Stops Dress that took
about a year to knit
It's been a process: teaching myself how to sketch an idea so that I don't forget about a cool design; remembering to eat my breakfast, even though it's sitting right in front of me; and yes, responding to emails and writing a journal or blog entry.  As someone notorious for taking on too much at once, I'm learning how to say "no" to more projects, or putting some things on the back burner while I work out other, more pressing items.  I believe they call that prioritizing.  Meh.

I don't like things to be too structured, that's just not how I function, but I know that if one day I'm obsessed with knitting a certain project, I have to tell myself, you only have until midnight before you do something else or you can only work up until this row on the chart.  Then, I make myself take a break, go to bed, take a shower, etc.  

And so far, it's working.  I've got one pattern in testing, three that are in the sample stage (knitting a sample/taking notes in order to write the rough copy for testing), and quite a few sketches that are currently just ideas that are looking for the right yarn, colors or designer call.  Is this what professional designers end up doing?  If only I could talk to someone like Debbie Bliss or Jenny Watson, or anyone who churns out more design ideas than I'd know what to do with.  

Could those same designers also run their own yarn shop while caring for a toddler and keeping up with other fiber related hobbies?  Who knows?  I feel like I'm barely holding on to sanity at times, but all I know is that I'm enjoying it ten thousand times more than all my other jobs combined.  And part of owning a business is about taking the risk, not knowing if your gamble will inevitably fail or if it can continue to sustain itself indefinitely.
Me dressed up as Aretha Franklin after the
Carnival Legends show with the cruise ship dance
staff member assigned as my "escort" for the evening

I wish I could know that one day all these days of struggle would mean something.  Will I be able to make this a career or will this just be a couple of years where I tried something that didn't work?  It's worth the shot.  Though word on the cruise ship was that, if all else fails, I'd probably be able to make a good living as a singer.  :)

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Beads & Quilting

Posted on March 23, 2013 by | Comments Off on Beads & Quilting
These days, I've been working on a top-secret project for an unnamed magazine.
See the sneak preview below...


The photo shows several different types of beads and how they look on the project's yarn.  Any thoughts?

And, in the quilting world, I've been prepping!


All my quilting blocks from last year's Craftsy Block of the Month Sampler needed some sashing in order to free-motion quilt them.  So, I'm taking that first step and adding 2.5" strips around all the blocks.  I can't wait to start FMQ'ing!  I may start before I finish sashing them all.  I don't think I have that much patience to wait!

And, news on the Knitmaster knitting machine,  I've opened it up to inspect its condition, and there's a lot of dust and cat hair, but as you saw, the machine can still knit.  Plus, the needle retaining bar (aka sponge bar) needs replacing, and once that's done it will be a lot smoother.  So, that's what I'm up to this weekend!  Hope you are all doing well yourselves.  Anyone doing any fun projects this weekend?  I am sorta missing sewing clothing.  Perhaps once the quilt and the deadline projects are done, I'll work on some trousers.

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Yarned by You: Moonshine Hat Gallery

Posted on March 20, 2013 by | Comments Off on Yarned by You: Moonshine Hat Gallery

I’m a little bit obsessed with Moonshine right now. I am excited about finishing up Berzelius so I can make the Ida Mitts from the Moonshine booklet. In the meantime, I thought I’d look at what people have made with Moonshine so far. They’re all hats! I guess because hats are fast and easy. So let’s look at some hats!

This Man Thing was knit by gardendeeva in Dew. Lovely basket-weave pattern! She made it for her Man-Thing, Bill. (That was a terrible line. Let’s just scratch that from the record book, okay?)

gardendeeva's man thing

This Lucky 7 Hat was knit by mamykay in Popsicle. I love how the cables are so well-defined because of the lovely sheen of the yarn. Even though the yarn has a halo, it’s got lovely stitch definition!

mamykay's lucky 7 hat

I adore abbylb’s Lace Ribbon Slouch Hat! She loves it so much, she’s threatening to wear it to her wedding! I’m not certain that Firefly will match her wedding dress, but I bet she could rock it!

abbylb's Lace Ribbon Slouch Hat

This The Amanda Hat was knit by ohbeautifulqueen in Conch Shell. That pattern has been in my favorites for a long time!

ohbeautifulqueen's The Amanda Hat

Here’s an Oak Trail knit by gardendeeva. (She knit the first hat, too.) Isn’t it just lovely?

gardendeeva's Oak Trail

In case you’re not convinced that it really is gorgeous, here’s SareBearKnits’ Oak Trail in Spring 2010 JMF Share yarn.

SareBearKnits's Oak Trail

It links to her Creature Comfort Cardigan (also in Spring 2010 Share Yarn), since she doesn’t have a project page for the hat, yet. I still think the hat is lovely! Don’t you?

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