Summer Yarn Camp

With new yarn, patterns + inspiration.

The weather is warm. The wool yarn is sticking to your hands. You wonder if you really feel like picking up that sweater to knit a few more rows.
Maybe, like me, you just get bored with these projects, especially when so many summer activities are calling to you.

*sigh*

What we need is a little inspiration. And warm-weather-appropriate yarn. And a little time playing with our fellow knitters and crocheters.

We need to bring some fun.

When we were kids and the boredom of long summer days threatened to overwhelm us, we went to Summer Camp.

Slightly structured, it was full of meeting new people, singing funny songs and crafting.
But with plenty of free time to explore and craft and play and get to know your fellow campers.

Your summers may no longer be unending days of sunshine and boredom (ha!) but you can  still enjoy summer camp!
And hanging with other campers!
And a talent show !

But without mosquitoes or sunburn or those horrible shared bathrooms.

Summer camp FUN  from your home.

No need to leave your house to enjoy this summer camp. It’s all about the YARN, lightweight and sweat-proof. Cool and strong, exactly what you want to have in your hands while your enjoying all those outdoor activities.

The projects (should you choose to do them!)  are simple and portable with summery-y yarns.  Yarns with shine, drape, strength and fergoodnesssakes won’t stick to your hands!

Projects like a floaty shawl out of hemp laceweight.
Or a farmer’s market bag with shiny Banana yarn.

Add in an extra serving of chatting with fellow campers (both online and on the phone) and you have the recipe for a delightful summer of knitting and crochet!

The Summer Yarn Camp.

Hi, I’m Tara and I’ll be your Camp Counselor.

On July 1st, I’ll send you yarn for your summer fun (you pick it!) and a pattern. And then, on the 1st of August and September, I’ll send you more yarn.

AND I’ll introduce you to  a bunch of your fellow campers. Other knitters and crocheters that love to work with banana and hemp yarn.

But this is a heckava lot freer than those stuffy do-this-next camps.

You can do whatever you want!
You can join us for chats, or not!
You can knit the pattern, or not!
Honey, you can take your yarn and set it aside and work on it this winter, or not!

The camp fun will include

3 months of yarn (you pick the color + the yarn type)
+ 2 super simple patterns
+ A fortnightly chat (every 2 weeks!) about your summer crafting, on Twitter
+ An end-of-summer Talent Show, where I share all your pictures of summer crafting.

Sound like fun?

To join in the fun,  pick what kind of yarn you want, then click on the picture and tell me what colors you want.

But here’s the thing: I can only dye so much yarn each month. So I have to limit it to 10 campers per yarn.

The Banana Camp is $69 + shipping .

Color(s)?

The Hemp Laceweight Camp is $39 + shipping.

Color(s)?

The Mixed-Up Camp is $49 + shipping.

2 skeins of hemp + 1 skein of banana

Which colors in which yarns?

Need more details?

Banana Yarn:

This unusual yarn is handspun from recycled banana fibers. The fibers are collected by women in Nepal from the remnants from sari weaving looms. They handspin the fibers and sell it through fair trade co-ops that offer educational opportunities to the woman. Banana fiber was extracted from banana trees – mostly their stems and leaves. When it comes to my home, I dye it in the above colors.

100% Banana Fiber
150 yds/200 grams
weight: bulky
gauge: 3stitches/1 inch
needles: US 10-11, 6.0-8.0mm

Hemp Yarn:

Strong and even, this laceweight is millspun from 100% hemp.

Knit on bigger needles, hemp is much softer and drapier than I imagined. Slightly stiff in the skein, it becomes softer and softer the more it’s worked with and washed.

100% Hemp
625 yards/2 oz
Laceweight

Is the price for one month? Or the whole camp?

The whole camp! You pay once, right now and you get yarn for the next three months. Pretty cool, eh?

What patterns will I get?

In your first month’s package, you’ll get a simple pattern suitable for a single skein of the yarn you chose.

In your last package, you’ll get another simple pattern, suitable for 2 skeins of your yarn!

What if I want to make something else?

Make whatever you want!

During our bi-weekly chats, we’ll talk about all the different possible pattern ideas for your yarns! (with links!)

When are the chats?

The first chat is on July 1! After that, the chats will change times throughout the summer, to allow people in all the different time zones to participate. When you sign up, I’ll send you information about the first chat. After that, you’ll get a reminder at least 24 hours before every chat!

If you aren’t on Twitter, then we’ll hold chats on the phone. You’ll get the number and call in and chat about what you’re making (or just listen to everyone else talk about what they are making).

When do I get my yarn?

The camp officially begins on July 1 (to give me plenty of time to dye your yarn!). All packages will be mailed by July 1, so you should get yours soon thereafter.