By Tara, on October 30th, 2009%
I’m going to try something new this week – a Live Boutique Update.
At 3:30 pm EST, today, Friday, I’m going to add these new yarns to the shop.
Most of these are spun with the roving I had milled from a gorgeous, chocolate brown Romney fleece that I bought at Maryland Sheep and Wool. So squooshy, so deliciously brown!
As I add yarns to the shop I’ll be adding them here, to this blog post. To make sure you don’t miss anything, head over the Handspun section of the Boutique (if you don’t see anything new every 10 minutes, hit “refresh”)
****Live Update*****
3:36 pm
Thin Mint
3:45 – Minty Sky
3:54 – Blue Bird
4:09 – Hot Chocolate
4:26 – Pumpkin Chocolate Chip
Ok, that’s all for today!
I’ll do another live update tomorrow, Saturday at Noon (EST), but I won’t be . . . → Read More: Fiber Friday – Live Edition
By Tara, on October 28th, 2009%
I received my copy of Knit Green 2 weeks ago. Since then, I have been pouring through it.
Now, I should warn you – I am NOT unbiased about this book – I sold my photographs to the editor and they appear in the book. This is the first time I’ve seen my name in print, in a bound BOOK. So yeah, I was more than a little excited when my copy came in the mail!
That said, I was prepared to just scan the book and put it on my shelf (or let’s be honest, on my coffee table where I can casually flip to my pictures whenever anyone wanders into the room). I’ve been reading and researching eco-friendly fibers since I first thought about starting a yarn business, over 4 years ago. I didn’t think this book had a lot to teach me.
. . . → Read More: Knit Green – Book Review
By Tara, on October 26th, 2009%
I’ve been working on the (soon to come!) Learn to Knit kit (get it 50% off by signing up here) and writing a pattern that will be good for beginners but not too boring. Scarves, in my opinion, take MUCH too long for a brand-new knitter! Thy need something quicker, to feel that sense of accomplishment.
And that got me wondering: What was your first knitting project?
Leave your story in the comments.
(Not a knitter? Think you might be? Sign up for the Maybe-Knitter e-course (free!) to find out)
By Tara, on October 25th, 2009%
This is Jay.
He needs a job. I have a theory that maybe you can help.
Since Jay got laid off, we’ve been talking a LOT about how one looks for a job. He’s been shaving, getting dressed nice, going in and asking “Are you hiring?” or “Are you looking for help”, along with a pile of resumes. They all say “fill out our online application,” or send his resume to HR never to be heard from again. There’s little to no interpersonal communication, no talking to a real person, no getting to know each other. And this is rough if you’re great with people but have a less-than-impressive resume.
But I’m all about the online. My entire business is based on meeting and getting to know awesome knitterly types online. Most of my newest friendships and collaborations have been formed online. Sure, I’ve now met tons of . . . → Read More: Can you help?
By Tara, on October 23rd, 2009%
I love to play with texture in my knitting, matching a smooth yarn with a scrappy one, or supercrazybulky yarn with a teeny tiny lace yarn.
It’s even more fun to play with it in the dyepot. Nearly every non-wool fiber I dye gets a “dyepot buddy”: cotton + banana, silk + hemp. Every fiber takes the color a little differently so the resulting yarns “match” without being identical.
I’m smitten with the depth this lends the knit or crocheted item.
My favorite combination is matte + shiny.
Here are are a few matte + shiny matching-ish yarns added to the Boutique this week.
Azalea Hemp Laceweight
Azalea Recycled Silk
Pumpkin Handspun
Butternut Squash Recycled silk
What are your favorite way to combine yarns?
. . . → Read More: Fiber Friday – Juxtaposition Edition
By Tara, on October 21st, 2009%
Magnificent Monthly Yarn Mail. You know you want it! . . . → Read More: The Yarn Mail always Rings Twice
By Tara, on October 20th, 2009%
Craft Attack was October 10 in Charlotte, NC. This is the first time I’ve had an entire booth all to myself (last year I shared a booth and at Urban Craft Uprising, I had a smaller space) and I was a bit worried about filling it all by myself.
My anxiety was further raised when I realized we couldn’t fit one of the table and 2 of the big standing baskets in the car. It’s an understatement to say I had a melt-down.
But since I couldn’t think of any solution (other than running right out and buying a trailor or a pick-up truck!), I decided to make do with what I had.And it all worked out – it was SO rainy in the morning, I had to keep everything UNDER the tent and out of the slanting rain, so all my stuff was a bit squished . . . → Read More: Craft Attack Round-up
By Tara, on October 17th, 2009%
Last night, my house was broken into and anything we had of value was stolen: TV, Xbox360 (my husband’s birthday gift), most of our DVDs, our old gaming systems (the Nintendos of our childhood) and my husband’s great-grandma’s acoustic guitar.
The door & frame were busted (replaced already, by our fabulous landlady). Our medicine cabinet was trashed (several glass bottles broken, but since we have no prescriptions, nothing was taken). We don’t have renter’s insurance, so unless we find the stuff at a pawn shop, it’s really all gone.
We’re safe. Our pets are safe (amazingly, since the door was busted and standing open when we got home). I was wearing the only valuable jewelry I have (my wedding ring!) & the laptop was in the car. The yarn, fiber and wheel is safe.
For this, I am so grateful, I can scarcely breathe.
Despite the new door and . . . → Read More: Heavy Honesty
By Tara, on October 14th, 2009%
The pain and glory of craft shows . . . → Read More: The Pain of Craft Shows
By Tara, on October 9th, 2009%
Whoosh!
This entire week has whipped by me; I’ve been knee-deep in yarn and fiber, getting ready for this weekend’s Craft Attack in Charlotte, NC.
Spinning, dyeing, fleece-washing, labeling, packing, oh my!
I’m particularly excited by this show, because last year it was my first craft festival.
(this is last year’s booth, which I shared with my friend Mama Beehive)
Last year was a beautiful introduction into the world of craft shows – the shoppers were friendly, the other vendors had amazing wares and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Despite the wonderfullness of last year, I’m nervous about this year because this will be my first time (ever!) having an entire 10×10 booth to myself.
To combat that worry, I’m bringing more yarn and fiber than I’ve ever brought to any show. I have brand new yarns (hemp!) and a knit sample of everything. I . . . → Read More: Craft Attack!
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