Fiber Lust Confessional

Tip Jar – Storey Publishing Getaway Contest

September 4th, 2011, 8:02 pm by Tina Martinez

Click on the image to view the entry form and further details.

Every once in a while there’s something that comes through my feed reader that makes my ears perk up. Storey Publishing is having a pretty sweet contest. The Knitter’s Life List Sweepstake aims to promote a new publication they’ll be releasing of the same name. It seems to be something like a ‘bucket list’ for knitters. While the book may or may not appeal to you, the contest prizes certainly may.

A trip for two to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival in May 2012
A trip for two to an exclusive knitting retreat weekend
A $200 yarn shopping spree
20 books from Storey’s craft library
2 signed copies of The Knitter’s Life List
Grand Prize is valued at over $4,000

Full rules are available on their website, please be sure to read them so you know what you’re getting in to. You will be asked for personal information to enter the sweepstakes. The deadline to enter is February 29th, 2012.

* I am not being compensated in any way to promote this contest.

Posted in: Tip Jar • Tip Jar | Post a Comment »

The Rabbit Hole

August 31st, 2011, 8:07 pm by Tina Martinez

Every once in a while I fall in love with a yarn before I’ve even used it, and aside from its inherent beauty, I have no rational reason for my smittenness. It’s like the yarn calls to me. There are certain signs that I’m falling down the rabbit hole. I good-naturedly call it “Obsessive-Compulsive Collecting Disorder”. In general it goes something like this:

1. I read about the yarn online and am utterly gobsmacked by pictures of the yarn in the skein, and it’s worse if there are pictures of the yarn worked up into a project I admire. This is known as “Falling in Love with the Idea of the Yarn”. If the yarn isn’t available at local yarn stores (which for me are mostly box stores), I might not progress past this stage for a very long time.

2. However, I travel a fair amount, so eventually I’ll see the yarn at a box store, an LYS, or festival. This begets the petting stage, which inevitably leads to the “Serious Lust” phase. Before the recession and my current fluctuating job state, this normally would normally end with finally purchasing a project’s worth. Thank god I knit mostly lace and socks… a project’s worth is just a skein or two.

The sad part is, I still haven’t knit with the yarn yet. I’m a slow knitter. I work full time. I’m running a small business on the side. I have a LOT of yarn. New -addictions- acquisitions have to wait a good long while before they’re allowed to jump to the front of the line. Thankfully there are few yarn lines that make me that crazy stupid. Noro Kureyon and Silk Garden Sock, Plymouth FX Sock, Centolavaggi Lace, & Paton’s Lace are a few of those on the short list.

Patons Lace

That last one was a bit of a surprise to me. I never saw it coming. Clearly I am an equal opportunity yarn lover. There I was one day, reading the Patons e-newsletter when I saw the announcement for the new yarn and my jaw dropped. The delicate halo. The long, gentle color repeats. The acrylic/mohair blend. Wait… what? Acrylic and mohair? For lace? Wouldn’t the acrylic make blocking the lace almost impossible? I fought, long and hard, but then I saw it in my local JoAnn’s and I fell, but hard. It was like petting a kitten. A kitten that cost only $6 and had tons of yardage. I had to have it, and so I started collecting it in batches of two skeins per colorway I admired. Then I found out it was being released in solids with tiny, delicate sequins. Like novelty yarn, but classier and still recognizably yarn! Oh, my…

Patons Lace Sequin

Eventually I’ll figure out what I’m going to make with my paradoxical kitten yarn, but for now I’ll merely enjoy dreaming about the possibilities. And petting. There will be much petting between now and then.

Posted in: Stitch Culture • It's a Lifestyle • Stitch Culture | 2 Comments »

Tip Jar: Spin Your Socks, .10c eBook

August 15th, 2011, 1:47 pm by Tina Martinez

Hey spinners! If you’re not on the Spin-Off mailing list you might not know about Spinning Daily’s latest deal, a .10c download of articles and patterns collected over the years into one eBook expressly for spinners who are interested in spinning yarn for socks. Spin Your Socks is a tiny treasure trove of info, carefully collected and worth so much more than the cost of the download. I know this is rather targeted, but if you’re a spinner and a sock knitter, like me, then this is too good to pass up.

I almost purchased this eBook at full price a few months ago but couldn’t really swing it at the time. However, for .10c it’s absolutely in the category of ‘recession special’. You bet I paid my dime and downloaded the 46 page eBook. I’m taking my time on this rainy, rare day off and reading over the articles written by far wiser spinners than I. Definitely a treat, and something I hope you’ll enjoy as well. Pass the word along, I suspect it’s a one day only deal!

* I am not compensated in any way, tangible or immaterial, for the promotion of this product. I just think it’s awesome.

Posted in: Tip Jar • Spinning • Tip Jar | Post a Comment »

Local Yarn Bomb Spotted, Scarf at 11

June 21st, 2011, 7:35 am by Tina Martinez

It was pointed out to me on Facebook that yarn bombing has hit the capital region! While more common in larger metro areas, it’s fun to see a yarn bomb popping up in our area. Read more about it at the Times Union.

Image property of the Times Union, and links back to the full article.

If you’re unfamiliar with yarn bombing, it’s the act of creating a cozy or other yarn stitched item for such things as a post, chair, door handle, or other inanimate public item. The reasoning is varied, sometimes it’s about pure fancy, other times a statement is being made, but it’s almost always done under the cover of dark and anonymously. I happen to like the whimsical graffiti, and I applaud that the knitter and her friends are very open about their identity and rationale. Living in the country as I do, I suppose I could yarn bomb a tree?

Posted in: Stitch Culture • Stitch Culture | 1 Comment »

Short & Sweet Showcase: Felted DROPS Bag

June 16th, 2011, 9:01 pm by Tina Martinez

It’s not often that I knit accessories that aren’t shawls or socks, and I haven’t actually felted a project since my first days knitting, but oh do I want to knit this bag.

This sweet little bag is just right to grab and go with a project, wallet, cellphone and keys. I’d skip the knitted strap and substitute a manufactured strap instead, guaranteeing better structural integrity over the long run. This is one of those projects that just begs for some good old fashioned stash diving, and the construction looks clever enough to make a quick knit a fun one too. Best of all? It’s free, as are all the other thousands of patterns at DROPS Design. Click on the image to be taken to the pattern page.

Posted in: Knitting • Short & Sweet Showcase • Knitting • Short & Sweet Showcase | 6 Comments »

Tip Jar: Noro Silk Garden Sale

June 9th, 2011, 6:38 am by Tina Martinez

Love Noro? Not sure but want to try Noro? Little Knits is at it again, and Noro Silk Garden Sock - by far one of my top three favorite yarns for quick winter socks – is on sale for $9 a skein vs. the regular $20. That would be a 100g skein, enough for a pair of socks, a hat, or most of a washable baby sweater in the Baby Surprise pattern.

There are three pages of colorways to choose from, all photographed three times to show as many of the colors possible in each colorway (I love that), and all have the knit-swatch sample to show you the colorway in its entirety for no surprises. Because the neutral taupe colorway is included, this is an excellent time to consider a baby weight version of the Mitered Crosses Blanket. And because it’s modular, you don’t have to worry about spontaneous combustion in this sweltering heat wave we’re having. Each square is small, portable, and won’t make you melt while you knit it.

Their shipping is reasonable divided between a multi skein order, their customer service is very good, and the savings substantial. Noro fans, you can thank me later (Kureyon sock and new colors of Kuryon also on sale). Chocolate ice cream sounds good, just sayin’.

Posted in: Tip Jar • Tip Jar | 1 Comment »

Goodbye, Shrek

June 7th, 2011, 7:03 pm by Tina Martinez

I’d like to give a tip of the knitting needles to the mighty Shrek the Sheep, of New Zealand, who passed away at the grand old age of 16. Shrek, a merino sheep wether (castrated male), captured world wide attention in 2004 after he was finally caught and shorn of his ENORMOUS fleece. That guy REALLY didn’t want to get his hair cut, and had evaded capture for eight years, building a fantastically huge fleece of truly epic proportions in the process. Apparently if you skip at least eight haircuts or so you grow a sheep-fro like this one:

Shrek’s big haircut was televised in New Zealand and, believe it or not, only took 20 minutes at the hands of a professional shearer. His fleece weighed in at a whopping 60lbs, far more than the average 8-10lbs you might normally get in a clip.

From a humble sheep who was just part of the herd, Shrek rose to heights I’m sure he never truly realized. He met the Prime Minister, his fleece raised money for a children’s charity, his second clip was reportedly shorn on an iceberg, and he settled down to life as a New Zealand celebrity. Rest in peace, mighty Shrek. Sleep well, and dream of large ewes.

Posted in: Telling Stories • Telling Stories | 2 Comments »

Tip Jar: Respect the Spindle Video Download Deal

April 27th, 2011, 7:41 am by Tina Martinez

I know there are a lot of people out there who would like to try spinning, but don’t know where to start. Wheels are expensive, and it’s not like you can pop on down to WalMart and buy a drop spindle. How would you like to learn everything you’ll need to start spinning (from making a spindle all the way to spinning purposeful yarn) from one of the best spinners I’ve ever met? How would you like to do so for .10c? Yes, ten cents.

Click the image to visit the product page on Interweave Press!

Interweave Press is running a limited time promotion wherein you can purchase the video download of Respect the Spindle by Abby Franquemont for only .10c. The download is the same content they sell for the companion DVD to her Respect the Spindle book. It’s over an hour long, and I have it playing in the background right now as I type this. You can’t beat this deal with a stick! Taken from the product description:

“You’ll learn:
• How spinning works and how to spin on a simple stick
• How to make a functional spindle out of almost anything
• How to spin a lot of excellent yarn in an amazingly short time
• How to manage the yarn supply, to ply efficiently, and to finish appropriately”

Spinning is a great way to learn more about your knitting or crocheting by learning more about yarn itself. By creating your own yarn you bring a whole new depth to your crafting world. Even if you’re already a spinner, I can tell you from personal experience that you will deepen your spindle skills by learning from Abby. The deal ends on Tuesday, May 3rd so don’t let this pass you by.

Posted in: Spinning • Tip Jar • Spinning • Tip Jar | 2 Comments »

Short & Sweet Showcase: Shoulder Shawl

April 16th, 2011, 7:37 pm by Tina Martinez

It’s been a while since my last post, I hope you’ll forgive me. Show season is starting in less than one week and I’ve been running non stop. Have no fear though, I have a new bit of fabulousness to share with you, the banally named “Shoulder Shawl” by Lisa Gentry for Caron International, which is anything but. Yes, I know, another shawl…

When I opened a recent Caron Newsletter email I was really taken by this shawl, or should I say shawlette? Being a recent convert to the shawlette myself, I can say that while I enjoy them as an alternative to a scarf in the winter or as an extra layer in the spring, I don’t like the choices you have to make with the pointed end of a V-shawl. The rounded, gentle curve of this shawl makes for a more elegant drape, in my opinion. I’m smitten with the simple body and not-too-fussy lace border. I have friends who like lace, but enjoy a less busy look, and this could be the shawlette for them.

While I wouldn’t make this in the acrylic yarn that the pattern calls for, I would definitely make this in a gently hand painted or semi-solid natural fiber yarn. Make it in wool for more warmth, or a cotton blend for warmer weather wear. A smaller shawlette like this is perfect for summer when you’re moving in and out of frigid air conditioned environments. Click on the images to be taken to the project page.

The pattern is free, and calls for worsted weight yarn which means it will work up very quickly. Knit it in DK or Sport weight yarn and go down a needle size or two for a smaller shawlette that’s more delicate. My only complaint about the pattern is that it’s not charted and I would have to chart it before knitting. Still, a small price to pay for a beautiful, free pattern.

Next time I share a pattern I promise it won’t be a shawl. In fact, it won’t be knit either!

*Holy alliteration, Batman!

Posted in: Knitting • Short & Sweet Showcase | 1 Comment »

Wooly Play Date #1

April 8th, 2011, 6:14 pm by Tina Martinez

I’m a bit squirmy inside today and I swear that I thought the day would NEVER END. Time always seems to crawl by when you have something fun to look forward to, and boy do I have something fun to look forward to tonight! When setting up a visit with a friend she casually asks me, “do you want me to bring over my drum carder?” Not just any drum carder, but her brand new, motorized drum carder.

Umm… I dunno… how about yes? Yes, with a pretty please and a cherry on top?

Drum carding must be awesome to rate an AC/DC soundtrack!

If you’ve never seen a drum carder in action before, you can watch this short clip I found on Youtube to get a better idea. Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to embed the video player, but really, you should go look. Basically, a drum carder combs clean, washed wool and said wool builds up into a blanket on the large drum. Depending on how many times you run the wool through, you can get some really interesting effects when playing with multiple colors and/or fiber types.

For some reason there seem to be a lot of spinners who don’t like spinning from batts, and I’m not sure why. Do they seem intimidating? Maybe… If you’ve never spun from a batt before, I can see not knowing how to start once you’ve unfolded your small blanket of carded wool. It’s really not hard though. You can start spinning right from a corner, you can spin from strips of wool you pull off the larger blanket, either way it’s up to you. And if your batt is well prepared, it should be an effortless spinning experience.

My big goal this show season is to afford the same drum carder my friend has, a Fancy Kitty motorized model. It’s the most affordable e-model on the market, and being able to play with hers tonight will be a big treat. It will be a hard thing not to grab the freshly dyed locks I have set aside and have at. Talk about a play date!

Posted in: Spinning • Spinning | Post a Comment »

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Sep
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
31