I have a friend who lives many time zones away and, because our schedules don’t often mesh, we’ve gotten in the habit of staying in touch through voice memos, which we record on our phones and then text to one another.  It means that it doesn’t matter if one of us wants to talk when the other is still asleep,  and we get to hear the sound of each other’s voices and all those background noises that make us feel like we are really in each other’s company.  It’s an odd but delightful way to stay in touch.

The outside of my new hat.  I love it!

The other morning, I was sitting on the porch, drinking my coffee and recording a voice memo to my friend, when I realised that what I was sharing with her, I also wanted to share with you.  I had been telling her about a new hat I had knit — one I had figured out right there on the needles — and how surprised and delighted I had been to discover I actually like the inside of the hat almost more than the outside.  So after I had sent my message off to her, I rerecorded it and saved it on my phone, with the intention of later finding a way to share it through social media.

I guess what I was doing was a little bit like a podcast (even though I really don’t want to do an actual podcast).  Call it a Mini Non-Podcast…  super short, totally spontaneous, and possibly never to be repeated.  My first thought was to share it on Instagram, but then I realised that wouldn’t work, because my message was about six minutes long and Instagram’s time limits for posts and stories are much shorter than that.  But what about Instagram Live?  That might work!

The inside of my new hat.  I’m not sure but I think I might like it even better!

Now, there’s a problem with that and the clue is in the name: Instagram Live is supposed to be live, and my mini non-podcast was recorded.  I thought about trying to just re-say it live, but I knew that wouldn’t go well.  When I’d originally recorded it, I was in the moment and it was authentic; if I then tried to re-do it, I’d trip over my words and lose all the realness of it.  But I had a grand idea: what if I played the recording over Instagram Live?  Maybe to a background of my hands knitting?

So many times in our lives we do things that seemed like a great idea in the moment that, with hindsight, really really weren’t.   I pressed the “live” button and began to knit as the recording played and, at that odd mid-morning timeslot, twelve people tuned in live (Hello, you twelve! Did you wonder what on earth I was doing?).  When the recording finished, I stopped the live stream and then went back to check how the recording-of-my-recording worked and…  it was Not Good.  My voice sounded like it was coming out of tinny phone speakers (as, of course, it was).  The cars that drove past during the original recording competed with the cars that went by on the re-recording, making it sound like I was calmly knitting on the median of a major highway.  And the sounds of nature created a similar double-bird effect that was downright bizarre!  It was a complete Non-Postcasting fail! I deleted it.

The thing is, though, that I had really enjoyed being able to share my thoughts and knitting with you when I made the original recording.  The day was fresh, the coffee was tasty, and it just felt good to chat.  I might do it again sometime, if I can find a good way to put it up on social media.  In the meantime, I’ll post my recording here.  The whole point of this newsletter is to spend a little early morning time sharing fiber arts goodness together so, really, it kind of fits right in, doesn’t it?

(If you don’t see the recording right there above, click here to listen to it.  And if you have any suggestions of good ways to share any future recordings on social media, please do let me know!)

Ok, and now, let’s get on with our regularly scheduled newsletter.  I’ve got a lot of fun stuff to share…

Corrine Walcher has started her countdown to Rhinebeck with a gift for everyone who is keen to start their Rhinebeck sweater too: between now and August 31, all of her sweater and top patterns are 15% off, no code needed.  You can see all of her designs here, but this one is my favourite: Dot Matrix, which she designed in one of our Sweater Sets (in the colourway Perilous).  Want to see how it knits up in a more neutral colourway?  I love TipsyTarsier’s version knit in the grey ombre of Downpour!

In the category of Crazy Things that Make Me Smile Every Time I See Them is ChiliPhilly, who crochets the most amazing hats and costumes(…?) and then dances(…?) in them on his Instagram feed.  Hard to describe but hilarious and weirdly hypnotic.

Just recently, I have seen more talk online about possible ways the new trade tariffs will impact the crafting industry and I’ll admit I don’t know enough about them to have any answers.  But JoAnn Fabrics recently termed the tariffs a “Made In America Tax” and created an online petition calling on lawmakers to exempt craft tools.  It’s an interesting approach (framed in terms of the impact on small, independent makers and charities) to come from a big box store and the reaction has been swift and vocal.

So many people in this world don’t seem able to so much as walk and chew gum at the same time, but YOU and I can do better than that — we can walk and knit or crochet at the same time, right?  I chuckled to myself when I came across this Knit and Walk event at the Nordic Knitting Symposium (watch the lady at the very end trying and nearly failing to stay in her lane).  If the Olympics can include a skiing-and-shooting combination, surely this must be a contender for future Games?  (with bonus points if your project is lace or intarsia!)

Our Upcoming Shows & Events

• Fri, Sept 7 — The Yarn Alliance opens to new members! (first dibs to folks on the mailing list)
• Sat & Sun, Sept 29-30 — Shanendoah Valley Fiber Festival, Berryville VA
• Fri, Oct 19 — Indie Untangled Rhinebeck Trunk Show, Saugerties, NY
• Sun, Nov 11 — Indie Knit & Spin, Pittsburgh PA

The Yarn Alliance Opens on Sept 7!

Being part of the Yarn Alliance club is all about coming on a colour exploration — in gorgeous yarns dyed in exclusive colourways and shared with a wonderful community of fellow club members who are all part of the adventure too.  Plus we create beautiful coordinating skeins to double the fun.  And each parcel contains a wonderful club gifts created exclusively for the club by our community of amazing handmakers.  Oh, and a 15% coupon!The Yarn Alliance is available for subscriptions only twice a year, and we always give early access to folks on our waiting list. There’s not much time, so click here and make sure you’re on it.  You’ll get an email a few days before subscriptions go live so you can join us!

Triptych by Audrey Borrego

I have often encouraged my readers to fearlessly mix yarns of different fiber contents (such as our Mini-Skeins or the wonderful pairing of Maia & Celeste) but this gorgeous shawl takes that one step further by mixing yarns of different weights — and to beautiful effect!  Look closely and you’ll see the change in texture as it flows from lace to fingering to DK.  And in some bold cable work and a lovely crescent shape and the result is simply compelling!

(Also, if you download this pattern, do read Audrey’s very interesting and thought-provoking notes on gauge.  I agree with everything she said!)

image © Audrey Borrego, used with permission

Fade Me, Seymour pattern by Ann Konzen

I love mosaic knitting because it looks soooo complex but is deceptively straightforward and, with this lovely cowl, you’ve got a beautiful opportunity to try it.   Creating a graphic, almost pop-art effect with its stitchwork, the pattern is designed for the pairing of a semi-solid yarn with a variegated.  Be sure to choose two colourways with a clear contrast and cast on a little mosaic magic!

image © Ann Konzen, used with permission

Caitriona Shawl pattern by Margo Bauman

Incorporating both vertical and horizontal elements (the eyelets and colour changes), this lovely triangular crocheted shawl is designed to invoke the plaids and kilts of Outlander.  And though that inspiration suits the beautiful neutral palette in the sample, I think it would look equally amazing worked up in bright berry or hot spice jewel tones.  Mini-Skein Club members, get ready to go raid your stash!

image © Edsger Studio (edsger-studio.com), used with permission

Ok, it’s starting to heat up (today is going to be in the mid-80s!) but would you believe I am heading down to the studio to work on some beautiful new Autumn and Holiday colourways we’re dyeing?  It feels kind of crazy, but it’s true!  So I’d better get moving.  I hope you’ve got something equally fun to look forward to today and, until next time, all my best!

This week I did something I almost never do.   Have you ever noticed that, whenever I share my knitting projects, I’m always using one-of-a-kind colourways in my photos? That’s because I always feel like I shouldn’t take stock from the shop to work with myself, so I only let myself to take the skeins that have breaks or mill knots or something weird that we wouldn’t allow into the shop. And, inevitably, that means I am working with our oddest colourways!⠀

the brim of my hat (in Lyra in Mars) along with my notebooks & adorable project bag (ever-present tea not pictured)

But this week, I had an idea for a hat (yes, another one!) and I really wanted to work with a nice semi-solid to show off the stitch pattern I have planned for it.  So I had a long talk with myself and finally decided I could take a skein out of the shop …just this once. And I’m so glad I did! First, because I love love love this rich red and second because… well, because it’s ok for me to share the nicest skeins with myself once in a while, right?⠀

And I’m so glad I did!  That red called Mars and it’s just a joy to work with.  I believe there were about 10 other skeins in the shop when I stole mine so if you’d like to cast on something this bold and fun too, click here to grab one!

(Oh, after my newsletter last week, when I shared with you about the two hats I inadvertently knit in entirely the wrong weight yarn, quite a few folks got in touch to ask what the pattern was.  And I realised that, in telling the story, I’d forgotten to mention that I’d just been making the hats up as I went along.  But I’ve written the pattern down and my assistant Jade is testing it now — in the right yarn even!  If she gives it the go ahead, I’ll get it edited and released — which is something I hadn’t planned on but am now really kind of excited about.  I’ll let you know when I do!)

the hat I shared with you last week

In the meantime, I’ve got some great stuff to share with you this week so grab a cup of tea and quiet spot to sit, and let’s get to it!

I’ve often said — and I am earnest in this belief — that if we could get the whole world knitting or crocheting, we’d achieve world peace.  And, ok, maybe we wouldn’t achieve it but they way fiber arts pull people together and help disparate groups relate means we’d be so much closer.  Take this video, for example, showing Brazilian criminals learning to crochet in prison.  The pride of of them describes as he masters new stitches and finishes his projects…  I totally get it!

British crafters: the voting for the British Knitting and Crochet Awards are live now until 30 August.  If you’ve got a local yarn shop, designer, or yarn brand that you’d like to see recognised, click here to vote.  (And I’m wondering, is there a similar set of Awards for North America?  Anyone know?)

I came across this Instagram post asking how local yarn shops can compete against the growing number of yarn shows, and I found the discussion in the comments really interesting.  And while the post is discussing the situation in the UK, I think the same question could be asked in the US just as legitimately.  To my thinking, LYSs are the backbone of the industry we all work in and need our support and yarn shows provide an exciting event that keeps everything interesting.  There must be good ways to keep them mutually supportive and, if you work at a yarn shop (or a yarn show), I’d love to hear your thoughts!

my forest so far — isn’t it sweet?

Ok, this is not fiber related but I think it is so incredibly genius that I just have to share it with you.  You know that your phone can be both a help to your productivity and a real hindrance to it, right?  I mean, when you’re working on something that requires your full attention, that’s the time when your brain starts telling you to check your phone, right?  Forest is a fantastic little app designed to help you resist that urge by growing a tree during the time you’ve told it you want to concentrate.  Leave your phone alone and the tree is added to your forest, but click out of the app to check something else and…  your tree dies!  There’s even a group setting where your team can grow a forest together and if anyone checks their phone during a meeting or work session, the trees for the entire team get chopped.  I’ve been using it for a couple of days now and I LOVE it! Available for iOS and Android, click here to check it out.

Our Upcoming Shows & Events

• Fri, Sept 7 — The Yarn Alliance opens to new members! (first dibs to folks on the mailing list)
• Sat & Sun, Sept 29-30 — Shanendoah Valley Fiber Festival, Berryville VA
• Fri, Oct 19 — Indie Untangled Rhinebeck Trunk Show, Saugerties, NY
• Sun, Nov 11 — Indie Knit & Spin, Pittsburgh PA

Swatching with June’s Yarn Alliance Colourway

The other week, my assistant was playing with some texture, using the July Yarn Alliance colourway to do it.  It was a lovely mix of purples, soft browns, creams, and a touch of blush that all swirled into each other.  When she cast on a very narrow swatch, they started to do this cool striping effect and I just had to share with you!

Now, widen swatch and of course the striping disappears.  What will it do?  Well, it depends on the stitch you choose and that’s why swatching is so valuable.  But it’s fun to see how it came out here!

The Yarn Alliance is opens to new members on Sept 7th, and I give first dibs to folks on the waiting list.  Click here to get on it!

Wild and Free pattern by Annie Lupton

You remember a couple of weeks ago when I was discussing crochet?  One of our readers wrote in to suggest this gorgeous shawl, knit with garter, stockinette, and eyelet sections in the body and then worked with a lovely crocheted lace edging.  Annie recommends a yarn with drape to make the most of the shape and edging, so I’d recommend either Oriana or Maia, both of which have incredible drape and, if you happen to have a gradient set from in our Mini-Skeins, all the better!

Pixham pattern by Jimenez Joseph

Even though it feels like summer will never end, September is right around the corner (I know, right?!?) and, when it arrives, we’ll all be wanting those sorts of sweaters that are warm-but-not-too-warm.  Not only does this one fits the bill perfectly, but I’m also intrigued by the detailing: see how it’s taking the yarn from several rows together to create a single oversized knit stitch?  So cool!

Assateague pattern by Emily Connell

Here’s another beautiful choice for when it starts to cool down.  Yoked sweaters are still so trendy but this design turns that on its head by breaking away from the usual stranded colourwork and going for a bold, graphic look.  Designed in two colours of fingering weight, I think it would look even more eye-catching in a semi-solid pair with a contrasting set of Mini-Skeins to bring a stunning gradient flow into the mix, don’t you?

images © the respective designers, used with permission

Today we’re packing up a bunch awesome club parcels and orders, so I’d better finish my tea and get to work.  I hope this little update of fun fiber news has gotten your day off to a great start and, until next time, all my best!

 

This week, I got a classic lesson in the importance of swatching.  Uh oh…  (I almost heard you say it!).  But really, I shouldn’t have needed it…  Actually, when I think about it, perhaps it’s more of a lesson in the importance of holding onto your skeins’ labels.  Either way, it was a lesson and I learnt it.  Let me explain.

(The first hat. I hadn’t finished off the live stitches at this point, so they’re held on that stitchmarker)

A few weeks ago, I had an idea for a hat — a sweet little thing with a rolled brim and a simple wave pattern — so I grabbed an old skein of Lyra and cast on.  It was already caked (I have a lot of yarns sitting around that I caked for one thing and then got distracted by another) and the tag tucked into the center confirmed it was Lyra in a one-of-a-kind colourway.  I whipped out that hat in a couple of days and it’s lovely, but I decided I wanted to knit it again with a little more slouch.

So I grabbed another skein — again, already caked up but this time the tag was lost.  No matter, I knew this was Lyra too, in an experimental colourway that’s a little like Breeze but with a lot more green.  I did some math, increased the cast-on stitches just slightly, and away I went.  Knit knit knit, finish off and… Woah! It was slouchy.  In fact, it was a lot more than slouchy — it was really loose.  What?  I’d increased by only a few stitches…  it didn’t make sense!

So I cast on again, this time decreasing from the original by about the same number of stitches and using an absolutely gorgeous colourway from a few years ago, all blues and purples and browns.  Again, it was already caked and, fatally, again I’d lost the tag.  When I was finished and tried it on…  it was nearly as loose as the second hat!  Not as bad (it did have fewer stitches) but still nothing like the first one.  What the heck?!?

(ill-fated: the second hat is on the left, the third hat is on the right)

It wasn’t until I’d faced these two little catastrophes that I finally decided to pull out my tape measure and check my gauge.  The first hat measured 18st over 4″, and the second and third both came to 21st over 4″…   and that difference added a full 3-4″ to the cast-on brim!  It turns out that, without the tags with only my (spacecadet!) memory to guide me, I’d chosen two skeins of Vega, our worsted yarn, for the second and third hats — not Lyra, which is a sport weight!  No wonder they were coming out so crazy!

Swatching first would have told me there was a problem.  Keeping the tags would’ve helped a lot too.  Either way, I’ve learned a useful lesson.  And I do have three really lovely hats — one of which fits me perfectly and two others which will go to someone with curly hair that doesn’t like to be crushed.  And now that I know what the problem is, I’m going to go find a skein of actual Lyra and cast on… the slouchy version of a hat I’ve knit three times now!

But before I do, I’ve got a ton of fun stuff to share with you.  So grab a comfy spot to sit and something nice to drink and let’s dive right in!…

We’ve discussed before the value of knitting and crochet as educational tools so I really really enjoyed this article by Sara Jensen, an assistant professor of mathematics at Carthage College.  She says, “The subjects discussed here – abstract algebra and topology – are typically reserved for math majors in their junior and senior years of college. Yet the philosophies of these subjects are very accessible, given the right mediums.”  Interesting read!

Needle-felting is like a kind of magic (the kind of magic you have to do very carefully so you don’t stab yourself but, still…) and, every time I try it, I’m amazed at how good the results are.  But these needle-felted cats are so incredibly realistic they’re downright mind blowing.

Craftsy is becoming Bluprint and I’m not sure what changes that will bring in the future, so I’ve been being a little more conscious of watching the classes I meant to get around to but never did!  Next up for me is The Ins & Outs of Grafting, a free hour(ish) long class about mastering Kitchener stitch (because I still have to sit and think it out every. single. time!)

When I’m working in the studio, I often listen to podcasts while I work, usually about current events or TED talks.  I recently came across this talk by Magda Sayeg about how she started the yarn bombing trend a decade ago.  I’ve never yarn bombed anything…  have you?  What was it?  And how long did it last?

Our Upcoming Shows

• Shanendoah Valley Fiber Festival, Berryville VA — Sept 29-30
• Indie Untangled Rhinebeck Trunk Show, Saugerties, NY — Oct 19
• Indie Knit & Spin, Pittsburgh PA — Nov 11

Check out the Latest Yarn Alliance Parcel!

A few weeks ago, we sent out the latest colourway to the members of the InterStellar Yarn Alliance and it’s so summery and fresh that I just have to share it with you.  To be honest, I sometimes find it hard to dye a yarn that feels right at the height of summer. I want colours that are as bold as the days are hot without feeling oppressive.  It can be tricky.  But when I showed this to my assistant, she said immediately, “Oh, it’s like the Summer of Love!”

It has a coordinating colourway as well, called “Peace and Love”, and the gift was a fabulous shawl pin from my friend Michelle at Craftyflutterby.  The Yarn Alliance is closed to new members right now, but opens again on Sept 7th, and I give first dibs to folks on the waiting list.  Click here to get on it!

Double Dipper by Lisa K. Ross

If you like working with gradient yarns, then this design gives you double the fun!  Worked with two gradients running in opposite directions, it combines squishy garter with simple geometric lace for intriguing (but not overwhelming) knitting.  If you’ve got a stash from our Mini-Skein Club, try pairing the spicy reds of your latest bundlSe with the burnished gold-greens from a few months previous.  Bonus for Mini-Skein Club Members: to celebrate the awesome use of Minis in Double Dipper, Lisa is created a 50% off code for any of her patterns, exclusively for the current members of the club.  If you’re on the list for the July or August parcels, check your inbox!

Loro pattern by Lesley Anne Robinson

Brioche is all the rage right now and I love the way this shawl takes that technique and innovates on it to create a really intriguing texture.  Using chevrons to offset the brioche’s vertical stripes and garter stitch to match it’s squishiness, the result is something with the visual impact of lace but a lot more warmth.  Designed it fingering, it would look fabulous in our Mini-Skeins combined with a semi-solid for contrast.

Slow Curves pattern by Joji Locatelli

It doesn’t necessarily take Mini-Skeins to create a gradient — full skeins can be just as effective!  Joji’s Slow Curves uses four skeins of fingering knit in short-row wedges and employing clever use of colour to create this stunning shawl.  Its gentle curve and sweet eyelets set the colours off perfectly.   If you picked up a set of our Faded Collection, this may be the project you’ve been waiting for!

images © the respective designers, used with permission

Today I’m starting out by photographing some club yarns before the sun gets too high in the sky, and then I’m heading down to the studio to dye  some lovely yarn for a few orders.  Then, I’m going to come home and…  cast on that fourth hat!  I hope your day is full and productive and, until next time, all my best!

A few weeks ago, I asked whether it’s true that Millennials are more attracted to crochet than knitting, and such interesting responses!   Tara shared that she has sometimes felt perhaps less welcome in her crafting community and that a lot of knitters have been dismissive of the results that crochet can create (check out my third pattern pick today to put paid to that notion!).  But she points out that crochet is quicker than knitting, it sits flat and doesn’t need blocking, and she compared it to quilting, which once had an aura of old-fashioned-ness but, in recent years, has reinvented itself as a thoroughly modern art form.

Cisela both knits and crochets and so finds it surprising when friends ask her teach them but think they have to choose one or the other.  Perhaps there’s a general perception that you can’t do both?  Cassandra asked me to include more crochet options in my pattern picks (I do whenever one catches my eye, but I’ll definitely try to be more conscious of it).  And I also heard from an organiser of regional craft/yarn shows who told me that, while there seems to be a definite trend towards the growth of crochet, there doesn’t seem to be as much demand for crochet classes and events as for their knitting counterparts  — they just don’t sell as well — which makes it tricky to put together a show that offers as warm a welcome to crocheters as it does to knitters.  I can certainly see the dilemma!

Oh and Michelle let me in on a craft her family is into: painted rocks. Who knew that was a thing? I certainly didn’t! And while I admit it sounds kind of weird, it sounds kind of awesome too.  I’m going to have to look it up.  Maybe a painted rock needs a little knitted or crocheted bag to live in?

The knitting/crochet discussion is one that continues (and I look forward to more of your thoughts if you’ve got them to share!) but, in the meantime, I’ve got a bunch of exciting fiber-world news for you so grab a nice cuppa and your project (I’m working on a hat — I’ll show you it next week) and let’s dive in…

When you buy a knitting pattern, you are supporting so much more than just the designer.  I absolutely loved (loved loved) this post from Hunter Hammersen (that’s her design Permutation, above) detailing exactly what that means and how the price of one pattern supports a whole chain of industry professionals.  It’s an eye-opening read!

One of the things I love most about summer is all the flowers everywhere and one thing I like about winter least is the lack of them.  But knitted flowers, while they aren’t a worthy substitute for the real thing, are fun and simple to make.  I like this tutorial for a great way to add a little summery embellishment while using up your scrap yarn.  Win-win!

When I heard the news about scientists finding twelve new moons orbiting Jupiter, including one that travels in the opposite direction to all the others, I couldn’t help but smile.  Most of the time, I feel like I’m travelling in the opposite direction to everyone else as well.  And if you crochet on bus on the way to work, if you knit at the baseball stadium, or you sit at the bar on a Saturday night thinking, “Mmm…  I think it’d be ok to pull out my project bag…”, then you’re on the same orbit too.  Little Moon, we see you!

I been seeing ads for something called “Bluprint” in my Instagram feed for a while but just discovered that it’s the new name for Craftsy, which was purchased by NBCUniversal last year and is currently undergoing a rebranding.  From what I read, that includes expanding its classes from crafting to “areas such as music, writing, dance, yoga, fitness, home décor, entertaining, and kids and family.”   And Bluprint will also produce original entertainment series featuring creative experts.  Interesting…  I’m not sure if it sounds like more fun or like more of same stuff I can find elsewhere.  Time will tell.

Our July Mini-Skeins went out to our club members a few weeks ago and, when I saw them caked up, I knew I had to share them with you.  This month, the Ombre & Gradient mix was inspired by paprika and moved into warm, spicy reds with a tinge of brown.  I absolutely love how they turned out!

Mmmmm…  spicy!

But how do these warm and spicy shades work with the previous months’ colours? Even though June and May’s colours were considerably cooler (starting off at blue-green, even!), the flow is smooth — and so beautiful! I absolutely love the idea of a larger project that pulls all three months together. Don’t you think it would look amazing?

aren’t they adorable?  I can’t stop taking pictures of them!

Each month for our Mini-Skein Club, we dye an Ombre & Gradient Mix that flows from last month’s colours into the next month’s colours (and into the next…), to create a Never Ending Gradient. It’s seriously so cool! To find out more, click here.⠀⠀

Summer Dunes by Laura Aylor

Everything about this pattern feels wonderful and relaxed and chill, from the colours to the easily memorized shaping (and even to the beach in the background).  It’s specially designed to make the most of the variegated yarns you have in your stash that you feel head-over-heels for but then weren’t quite sure what to make with.  Pair it with a two skeins coordinating semi-solid that gives enough contrast and you’re all set!  (I’d try it in Oriana in Time Traveller as the variegated and Drizzle for the semi-solid — they look gorgeous together).  Bonus: Summer Dunes is 25% off between now and August 5.

Gradients A Deux pattern by Debra Gerhard

Want a pattern with maximum visual impact to show off your gradient yarn?  I think this might just be the one!  And despite being the kind of design to stop folks in their tracks, it’s actually not nearly as complicated as it looks, combining simple lace with garter and stockinette to show off colour to its absolute best!  This uses two sets of gradients but more yardage of each than in in a single bundle from our Mini-Skein Club so it’s a perfect opportunity to dive into your stash and start mixing-and-matching, including your Mulicolour skeins.  If you knit it, send me a picture and show off your colour mix — I’d love to see it!

Taw by Rebecca Velasquez

If crochet makes you think of heavy things in stiff acrylic yarns (those big chevron afghans or granny square pot holders), let this lovely shawl shed a little light on how amazing (and modern!) crochet can be.  And when I say “shed a little light”, I mean it literally: look at the lovely lacy effect those simple stitches create!   It’s the perfect summer pattern — both for the crocheter who wants an easy summer vacation project and the knitter who wants to learn a new fiber skill while acheiving a gorgeous result.  Try it in SpaceCadet Celeste or Maia for the lightest, drapiest of fabrics!

images © the respective designers, used with permission

Ok, I’ve got a ton of dyeing to do today (in a secret colourway I’m super excited to work on!), so I’d better finish my tea and get to the studio.  I hope you have something super-exciting planned too (and if not, just go cast on a variegated yarn — that’ll liven things up…).  And until next time, all my best!

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, I asked for a little help with planning for SVFF, a new show we’re going to in a few months, and I just have to tell you: the response was awesome.  Thank you so much to everyone who emailed — not only have your photos and descriptions made me feel a lot more informed about the show but I’m also looking forward to meeting  you guys in person while we’re there.  A show is always more fun when you know there will friendly faces there!

And we got some fantastic emails in answer to my questions about millennials and crochet — and those turned into great conversations in the studio.  I loved reading them and having the discussion because I think crochet does amazing things with hand-dyed yarn, and I think it’s fascinating how the craft is changing and evolving as new generations discover it.  Thank you to you guys for writing in!

Speaking of doing amazing things with hand-dyed yarn, did you see these little coffee-cup cosies my assistant Jade made with her gauge swatches?  I love them as a solution for what to do with that ever-growing pile of swatches that’s always hanging around.  These two made from two of our latest Ombre&Gradient Mini-Skein bundles (that’s June’s colours on the left and April’s on the right), and I’m using one of them on my coffee right now.

If you’ve got your coffee too, I’ve got some great fiber-world news to share with you!  So pull up a comfy chair and here we go…

The stitches don’t lie: when Staci Perry of Very Pink knit two scarves that reflected the daily temperatures for the years 1900 and 2017, they showed a remarkable difference.  Though the colours are beautiful, one year was alarmingly hotter than the other.

If the word “crochet” conjures up thoughts of small things like granny squares or amigurumi animals, allow me to blow your mind.  First with this amazing 65-foot tree “growing” in Zurich’s main train station (watch the video to get a real sense of how amazing it is).  And then with these stunning crocheted doilies, some as wide as 15-feet, that stretch along ceilings and walls to create intricate canopies that are incredibly beautiful.  It makes me think of crochet on, well, a whole new scale!

Ever wondered about the difference between test knitting and tech editing?  I think this article explains it really well, and helps give an appreciation for the amount of work that goes into a well-written pattern.  Speaking of which, the SpaceCadet crew has been working on new design ideas and may need some good test knitters in the near future.  If you’re interested, click here and put your name on the list.

You don’t need this article in the New York Times on “How to Start Knitting”, but someone you know might, right?  I’m including it here so it’s easy to hit the link and forward it on to them.  And also because I just love when I’m eating my breakfast and just randomly come across articles that support this awesome industry!

It has been so hot lately that I find myself gravitating to any pattern that gives off a light and airy summer vibe.  And this week, these three designs from Mindy Ross caught my eye.

Dangling Conversation by Mindy Ross

This is the first of Mindy’s designs that I spotted, mostly because of the colours and then because the simple stitchwork is almost made for using up Mini-Skeins.  Simply change colours before (or after) each eyelet row and you’ve got an amazing gradient effect in a easy, zoned-out summertime knit!  Click through and look at the second pattern image to see and example of what I mean — it’s lovely!

Early Morning Rain by Mindy Ross

Ok, this one is more complex (but not crazy complex) and the effect is fabulous.  Lots more eyelet rows this time, to create an airy fabric that just exudes summer, and the fabulous addition of a fringe and some light beading.  The result is incredibly eye-catching and perfect for either a set of our Ombre & Gradient Mini-Skeins or a very very gently variegated yarn, like SpaceCadet Oriana in Time Traveller.

Giggle With A Jiggle by Mindy Ross

Full-on boho chic!  It’s that same eyelet motif but with the fringe and beading turned up to 11, the effect is amazing!  Look carefully and you’ll spot that even the fringe itself is beaded.  The entire effect is gorgeously and summer-y and has me just itching to cast on.

images © Mindy Ross, used with permission

Ok, my coffee is gone and so it’s time I got going too.   Today we’re packing a bunch of orders and then I’ve got some club colourways to think through — and that part is so fun!  I hope you’ve got a great day planned as well so, until next time, all my best!

 

 

Before I say anything else, I want to tell you how excited I am!  The SpaceMonster Club closed on Sunday and I was so filled with delight because we had such an amazing response and so many new joiners.  Welcome to all of you, new and renewing — we’re going to have a great season!  If you haven’t already, please come over to our Welcome thread and say hello.  I’d love to get to know you!

Speaking of getting to know you, we’re going to two new-to-us shows this autumn that I’m super excited about too: Shanendoah Valley Fiber Festival (SVFF) in September and Indie Untangled (near Rhinebeck) in October.  I find the most daunting thing about going to a new show is knowing how to plan the booth sight unseen (or in this case, site unseen) — especially for SVFF because it’s our first outdoor booth.  So I have a special favour to ask: if you’ve been to SVFF before and have any photos on your phone of the outdoor booths that you’d be happy to share, please could you email them to me?  It’d be so handy to have a visual for guidence.  And if you’re planning to go to either of those shows this autumn, let me know — I’d love to see you there!

Ok, but enough of that — the weather is perfect, I’m going to drink my tea on the porch and watch the day get started, and let’s share this week’s fiber news!  Ready?  Here we go…

In a recent issue of Yarn Market News (the yarn industry magazine), there was an article asking if Millennials are more attracted crochet than knitting (I admit I never got a chance to read it…  must go back and do that).  And then I spotted this article in Forbes magazine asking if the crafting industries are ready for the wave of Millennial crafters.   It’s all quite intriguing, and I’d love some feedback.  If you’re a Millennial, what crafts do you gravitate toward?  And do you feel like your generation is welcome in the crafting community?  Hit “reply” and let me know.

This video brought tears to my eyes.  The Magic Yarn Project creates stunning yarn wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy that are designed to draw them back into the world of play and imagination.  Every wig costs $50 to make but is entirely free to the family who receives it and the Magic Yarn Project works with at-risk youth and their local women’s correctional facility to make the wigs.  It’s a truly inspirational use of fiber arts skills.

Yarn bombing on a tiny scale looks… well, amazing.  Artist Ester Traugot crochets textile “skins” (on what appears to be an incredibly tiny hook) to wrap around seed pods, tree trunks, eggs, and other natural objects.  The result is beautiful… somehow so calming… but also a little odd.  What do you think?

The owner of an LYS was once meeting me in a Pittsburgh coffee shop to discuss a collaboration when she got hopelessly lost.  And, when I realised where she was, I couldn’t think of any good way to explain how to get where she wanted to go.  This city’s layout is so complicated that if you ask for directions, it’s not uncommon to hear the reply, “Yinz can’t there from here,” and this awesome print of Pittsburgh’s intersections makes it clear why — and made me laugh out loud!  With three rivers and more bridges than any other city in the world, it’s really not for the faint of heart.  Is your city listed?

 

Break Out Your Mini-Skeins!

I just have to share these photos of April, May, and June’s Ombre & Gradient Mini-Skeins!  The thing is, I know our minis look adorable in their bundles, all perfectly twisted and tied together, but you just don’t know how fabulous they are until they come out of their sets and get to really shine.  And even better, breaking them out of their bundles lets them show off how fantastic they look with the Ombre & Gradient bundles that came before and after them.  Look what I mean…

Aren’t they sweet?!?  You can see why I couldn’t stop taking photos!  And look how amazing these three months look when they’re broken out of their bundles and allowed to mingle.  It’s so inspirational!

Each month for our Mini-Skein Club, we dye an Ombre & Gradient Mix that flows from last month’s colours into the next month’s colours and into the next, to create a Never Ending Gradient.  And I’m so excited about where the colour is going in the coming months — I’ll be sure to share more photos!

 

Novel-T by Laura Nelkin

I spotted this pattern one afternoon sitting on my porch in the summer heat and my first thought was, “Hey, Laura designed a top with air conditioning!”  But more seriously, those lace panels add such punch of style to a simple tee and the side-to-side construction lends interest.  Looks like a fun summer knit!

winterbird by Emily Connell

Speaking of air conditioning, this great crocheted shawl lets a little breeze flow through with those sweet circles and openwork sections. Work it in a super light fingering, like Celeste or Maia, to keep it feeling summery.

Sleepy Sheep Socks by The Chilly Dog

Did you smile as soon as you saw these sweet socks?  Ellen and I met at TNNA (trying to get coffee from a Starbucks that closed at noon! What?!?) and she was such a pleasure to chat with that I just had to check out her designs.  These socks put a grin on my face as soon as I saw them.  Try them in SpaceCadet Oriana — it’s a great sock yarn — in Sliver and Dark Skies.

images © the respective designers, used with permission

Ok, it’s time for me to head down to the studio — we did some super fun dyeing yesterday and I can’t wait to see how it looks once it’s spun out and starting to dry.  I hope you’ve got something exciting planned too and, until next time, all my best!