"I just completed an infinity scarf using Handmaiden Fine Yarns’ “Flaxen” and I think it is lovely. The Flaxen is luminescent! Thank you for a beautiful yarn with which to complete this special gift for my daughter-in-law. "
"I just completed an infinity scarf using Handmaiden Fine Yarns’ “Flaxen” and I think it is lovely. The Flaxen is luminescent! Thank you for a beautiful yarn with which to complete this special gift for my daughter-in-law. "
But we now have the solution.
Bess is soft. Bess is lovely. Bess is the Best.
We are pleased to introduce our new merino/cashmere blend Bess. This machine washable yarn has been treated with the totally new BEST wash process. No chlorine is used in the treating of this merino making this much better for the environment. Perfect for shawls, baby clothes, camisoles and the like. The hand of this yarn is soft and still feels alive. And it takes the colour so well. 88% BESTwash merino, 12% Cashmere. 100g /275m 24sts/4"
]]>How did they get the cat to stay put and not chase the yarn all over the place, I wonder?
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The next one is the making of video. Notice how everyone is wearing parkas indoors? Mom's theory is that they couldn't turn on the heat as the radiators were covered in wool.
I'm thinking that most of this was machine knit, wrapped and taped to things rather than hand knit to form. Then unraveled and played in reverse. But there seems to be someone doing some crochet too. I wish they put a bit more of the knitting this "making of" video for us knitters.
But all that unraveling - it breaks my heart.
]]>Sorry about the blog glitches. I know that there have been troubles downloading patterns and such. I'm working on it as I've got a really scrumptious new yarn that I'm dying to preview. Coming soon.
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Butterfly Moebius from the Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes in Swiss Mountain Tussah [in hummingbird] Knit by Pamela Subotincic.
Mara writes -
"In playing w/ it during a try-on session, I determined the center spot between my shoulder blades hosts the twist detail best. I reworked things a bit by stringing an elastic thru one edge for stability. This stabilizes the draping, effectively injecting a bit of collagen into the flipped over part where the moebius turns. So now I’ve resolved to wear it w/ the flat span across my chest, instead of across my back. Showcasing that ikat effect on the front of the piece makes it totally stunning. "
The striping is particularly wonderful in this one, don't you think?
Top Row: Topaz, Ocean, Berry, Ruby, Amethyst, Wine, Chocolate, Ebony
Bottom Row: Ivory, Smoke, Salt Spray, Straw, Pumpkin, Cedar, Moss
We've also added three new variegated colourways to our collection.
from left to right
Orchid - creams and corals
Cezanne - rich golds, reds, turquoise with hints of greens and purples.
Labrador - dark brown, grays and blueberry
in Fleece Artist Merino Sliver, Mugs by Laura McLean
Cross section with interior
I'm envious. hint, hint. (Valentines day is coming up and I don't need any chocolates, honey)
My husband makes felt by layering wool sliver in a grid. This piece had a core of cheese cloth in the middle with 4 layers on each side in a plaid pattern. Then he rolls it up in a piece of non-felting fabric and sprays it with very hot soapy water.
Then the fun begins, the part that 10 year old boys get a kick out of. He beats the crap out of it - first rolling it gently and by the end thumping it heartily. Every so often he unrolls and changes the direction of the log, adding more hot soapy water.
After a loose fabric has been formed, he carefully places the piece in an old fashion washing machine and runs a load. It's important that an older style washer is used as the fancy new HE washers don't agitate the same way.
Voila! - inch thick, indestructible felt.
]]> We recently visited felt Artist Sanna Rahola whose exquisite landscapes give a whole new meaning to Felt. She uses wool, silk and linen in her work giving it great depth and texture that I can only described as luscious. Her partner Doug Drdul carves and together they create the most extraordinary work.
I adore this one. (honey - are you catching this??? It could be valentine, birthday, anniversary and christmas presents all in one lovely piece of art! )
You can check out their work here.
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From Top Left:
Hummingbird, Pewter, Hemlock, Safari, Stardust, Morgana
HM
Take a look at this view from the dye house. Looks like the end of the world, doesn't it?
Our Fleece Artist Studio is currently under mandatory evacuation due to a large forest fire in the area. We hope this to be brief as the winds have calmed and water bombers are working to contain the blaze.
We would like to thank everyone for their concern.
HM
But on the other hand, it kind of defeats the delight of the process of knitting. For many of us, that is what it is all about. Tactile meditation. Prayer almost.
So Knitting Machine - Friend or Foe?
Adrienne from Perl Grey says friend. While machine knitting does look different from hand knitting, it has a place. She has had great success using machines for large felted rugs, something where the machine knit look doesn't show up anyway.
This post was prompted by a shawl by Jo, owner of Crafty Cottage in the UK. Look at what she made on her knitting machine.
She writes:
"I made this scarf/shawl yesterday on the knitting machine – it would have taken forever doing it by hand and I wanted to get it done for today as it’s a present for my mum – so I did 111 stitches and 480 rows with 2 hanks of Sea Silk in Paris. Then undid every 11 stitch et voila (I got that idea from the Clapotis scarf on Knitty). It took an hour and a half from start to finish, no idea how long by hand (I started and finished it on tension 6 and then moved up to tension 10 for the rest, so it would be similar to 3mm needles). "
ahh. It kinda seems pointless to do anything like this by hand doesn't it? I've just never had much luck getting these machines to run smoothly. I'll get a couple of rows done, then it skips some stitches well, you get the picture. I always end up feeling that it would be less of a pain to just knit it by hand, even though I know it will take far longer.
Maybe I just tame my knitting machine, stroke it and get to know it a bit better? hum.
]]>We realised the other day that we can no longer call ourselves "maidens" since we are both married with children. So are we "hand matrons" now? Oh dear, that sounds so dreary...
Shown in Casbah from left to right:
Ireland, Victoria, Aurora, Twilight, Merlin
I know that my "subtle series" of tonal colours has been missing from my colourways page for some time. Until we get those up, here are our current colours for your reference.
From top left to bottom right:
Ebony , Cedar, Ocean, Topaz, Pumpkin, Berry, Amethyst, Straw, Moss, Smoke, Ivory
HM
_
She writes:
"I have long been a fan of your yarns, and wanted to send a photo of a simple project that turned out beautifully. It is a simple mistake rib scarf made out of one skein of Great Big Sea. I always get lovely comments on it, so thank you for your efforts in making such beautiful material."
why thanks. This is a fine example of totally wearable fiber art. Doesn't this scarf show that sometimes simple is best, especially when working with hand dyed yarns? Let the yarn speak for itself.
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