1, 2010
Eureka!
Did this actually post? Horray!
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.
10, 2009
New Colours
We’ve combined the best of our Fleece Artist tonal colours with our Hand Maiden subtle series in this new elegant spectrum. Salt spray – a pale blue, green grey – is a brand new addition. These are available in all fibres with both lines.
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
14, 2008
New Colours Fall 2008
some newbies to enjoy.
From Top Left:
Hummingbird, Pewter, Hemlock, Safari, Stardust, Morgana
15, 2008
Mineville Wildfire Update
UPDATE - the evacuation is over. All but a few residents of the area are now allowed to return. A huge sigh of relief.
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
16, 2008
Knitting Machines - Friend or Foe?
I've never quite gotten into the swing of knitting machines. Mind you, I've never had a really great, professional style one, so my attempts have been frustrating. It does seems to be a great way of actually using up some of the stash to create a useful item. Sweaters, blankets, felted items all easy to finish in record time on a knitting machine. When friends and family hint that they would actually like to receive something, it can be a real drag to give away that lace shawl you spent months slaving over. And actually getting to wear something new is always a treat and much easier to whip up with a machine.
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.
