It’s been a long cold white slog through winter, so I needed some cheerfulness. Did you know that citrus fruit can be a natural anti-depressant?
Citrus Splash on Falkland….
Falkland is an interesting wool. As it came to me, it reminded me of Wensleydale….long stapled, smooth. But after dyeing, it poofed up nice and lovely like corriedale…..which I suppose makes sense….the sheep on the Falkland Islands are merino crosses.
The sock yarn this month is Panda….. a merino/bamboo/nylon blend. It’s a long repeat, so would look fabulous in any modular type pattern, or enjoy the swirling and pooling. The Knit.Sock.Love KAL on Rav is doing Monkeys next, it would be great for that.
And thank you, KnitWit, for the progress picture!
Not in the club? I have a spot just for you! Sign upfor February’s Club from now until Feb. 15th.
Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on January Tiger Club Reveal
I know the country has been hard hit by snow and cold this year, including places that rarely see that kind of weather. We’ve actually not had much snow here in Eastern Iowa, but that is supposed to change this week. Predictions are wild, but start at 3-5 inches on Monday, with a possible 9-15 inches more by Wednesday. I’m sure it will be pretty, and we’ll have fun sledding down the hill and enjoying hot chocolate on our snow day(s). But…..shhhhhh…..I’m seriously over winter.
Until spring, the best I can do is distraction. Yesterday I pulled out my little weaving project…..it’s some Peaches & Cream plus some Sugar & Cream to make some tropical stripes….ultimately to become a bag. Yes, I warped it over the summer, and then let it languish. In the meantime, I lent it to the local school as an educational prop…..and the ratchets came undone.
So, I have tried a warping rescue, and so far….not bad. There’s a thread or two that isn’t quite right for tension, so I’m experimenting with tucking things under it on the warp beam.
I found a little table just right for setting at my comfy chair in the living room, and I’ve been weaving off and on while watching The Sound of Music with my family. I love that musical…..something for everyone in it, and more layers to unpeel and discover as you enter different stages of life.
We also watched tonight’s episode of Extreme Home Makeover. If you have a teen attached to their cell phone, I suggest you get online and watch it together.
The group on Ravelry has been busy lately, and ladies are posting their amazing projects! Do stop by and see some Hedera socks knit for the Knit.Sock.Love KAL. There’s a lovely shawl that was spun and knit from November’s Tiger Club fiber, and another has even started spinning her January fiber!
On the home front, I’m slowly taking inventory, and assessing what lines are staying or going, and what I need to fill out. At the moment, I’m dyeing the remainders of my stock of Corrie Cross, a lovely fiber for thicker yarns and for felting. I’m alternating between some cool wintery colors and refreshing spring colors. I’ve also been working on some Merino/Cashmere/Nylon (MCN) sock yarn. You can watch for new things on the site likely next weekend.
If snow is coming to your area….stay safe, and don’t shovel more than you can handle. And enjoy some hot chocolate and cuddly knitting or spinning…..I know that’s on my agenda!
Posted inLife, Weaving|Comments Off on Snowpocalypse
These Blue Face Leicester tops just jumped into the shop, please stop by and take a look! Of special note are the gradients….fun to make and fun to spin!
December is a crazy month for everyone, so I naturally wanted to go simple but beautiful and decadent as a perfect after-the-Holidays treat for my clubbers. Turns out ‘simple’ went lovely and complex all by itself! I LOVE dyeing!!
December Club is entitled ‘Epiphany’, and whether you take that to mean a visit of 3 royals, or the striking of a really good idea….what resulted is a stunning blend of purples.
The sock yarn of choice is a blend of Merino, Cashmere, and Nylon. You can look for this in the shop in a week or so, this is a decadent combination that is sturdy enough for socks, but equally great in scarflets and shawls and sweaters and…..well, however you’d like to treat yourself to some cashmere!!
Well, after that yarn, I certainly couldn’t slouch on the fiber! Keeping with the initials theme, I picked up a blend of Merino, Bamboo, and Tussah Silk. Ooooooo La La!! The picture here doesn’t even begin to pick up the subtleties of color and the luscious shine!
Not in the Tiger Club? I do hope you’ll drop by the shop and check it out! There’s a few days left to sign up for the January Club (it closes after the 15th). Sock Club is $24, and Fiber starts at $18. Hope to be dyeing for YOU!
Posted inClubs|Taggedtiger club|Comments Off on December Tiger Club Reveal
I’ve been feeling lately like I haven’t done anything for awhile, so tonight I have a date with this here stuff……
The batts are ones I’ve recarded (with my Big Tom carder) from my misc. box of Brown Sheep mill ends. I got rather a lot of this red/black combo. Not my favorite color, but I’m sure I can perform some overdye magic on it later to make it useful.
The ‘three bobbins full’ were spun using the ‘plying’ head of my Lendrum on the lowest possible ratio (I disremember what it is atm, sorry), tearing a strip from the batt and doing a bit of a backward draw with it. Not quite long draw, as it isn’t quite prepared for that (one carder pass, and there’s a lot of slippery mohair in there), but still a quick and easy spin. But tonight I’m not using the Lendrum because……
Yup, the best seat in the house is occupied by Mr. Tiger’s kitty. This animal does not like me for some reason. Not overt hatred, he minds his manners, but he would rather I not even look at him. Anyway, I’m too kind to move him from his woolly bed, so the project is being transferred to the Pocket Wheel. This project should be just right for the PW’s low ratios, and I can lounge in my recliner and watch mindless TV while I do easy mindless spinning. Sounds just right for a cold and gloomy winter evening.
It’s the dawning of a new year at our little retreat in the woods, and time to think of what 2011 might have in store for me. You may ask….why year of the Lion? Well, take a look at my first FO of the new year:
Charming fellow, isn’t he? Why did I decide to suddenly crochet a little lion? Well….Mr. Tiger is an elementary music teacher (a very good one), and there’s a little song they do in one of the grades. “If you search for lions with a wary eye, you will find that lions are easier to spy.” The lion is hidden, and the students sing the song to play a ‘hot – cold’ game….louder near the lion, softer as the seeker moves away, the point of the lesson is to teach dynamics. We did some store searching and the lions we found were either too small or too large. So I did what any self-respecting crafter would do…..I made one.
You may ask what pattern I used, and I will tell you that I did indeed look for a free crochet pattern. I started it three times, and gave up. I’m hopeless at patterns, I could tell that the pattern was going to be way too large. So, I made a chain of 20, and started spiraling, then did some decreases for a neck, some increases for a head, put on a snout and ears, and made some appendages. Basically, I crocheted until it looked like a lion. Check out that rock star mane!
I really love that this project came first this year. I used to make things like this all the time when I was a kid/teen….get an idea and just make it happen. It is freeing, and the most fun creatively. It also reminded me of this song:
Let The Lion Run Free by 4Him
I can dream the dream
The dreamer lives inside of me
It’s just that way
And I can only reach
What I believe ‘cause I can’t reach
Beyond my faith
No, I’m not limited
By what has always been
It’s time to break this status quo
And take a leap and jump out of my skinCHORUS
Break these chains
Open this cage
Let the lion run free
Destiny awaits
Beyond these gates
Let the lion run free
Let the lion run free
Oh, to face the jungle
Of impossibilities
And have no doubt
To trust what I can’t see
And know the lion that’s in me
will lead me out
Oh I’ll take the challenge
go into the great unknown
It’s time to wake this giant that’s in me
let my inhibitions go
REPEAT CHORUS
So for 2011, I plan to break the chains of expectations and inhibitions. I’m going to make stuff, and bravely do it the way I want to. I will stop procrastinating on things that look complicated (like that 8 shaft loom). I will ignore the voices in my head that say ‘this has that dorky homemade look’ and enjoy what I make for what it is, and for the journey toward mastery of a new craft.
It’s that blessed time of year again, and I wish you peace and fiber time amongst the fun and chaos! My secret projects for gifting are coming together, and I’ll share them with you next week.
One not-so-secret project is the ritual year end cleaning. I’ll be taking advantage of my husband being on winter break to get the studio cleaned out and ready for another year. You can make it easier for me! From now until December 30 you will find discounts throughout theshop on yarn and fiber, and they will get better as the week goes on. I hope you take some time to stop by and treat yourself….after all, this winter has been long already, and it would be so much nicer with woolly things!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Posted inBusiness Stuff|Taggedsale|Comments Off on Merry Christmas – oh, and a Sale
As of 2011, I no longer make these scarves. Sorry!
I’m firmly entrenched in scarf season, and thought I would share a few with you. This first scarf was a special order (I do offer colors other than what are listed in the shop, just ask!) Pretty-n-Pink and Sky Blue are the colors, and indeed, it turned out very pretty. The size is BIG, with 7 inch fringe.
Brand new for 2010 is the Extra Long Scarf. Shown below in Black and Charcoal, it adds 4 more stripes to the Long scarf, which brings it to about 96 inches (8 feet).
I’ve been making quite a few Gryffindor and Hufflepuff style scarves from Harry Potter, plus scarves for teams such as Michigan, Florida (go Gators!), Iowa, Iowa State, the Bears, the Saints, and the Vikings. I’ve also made a few red and white ‘candy cane’ scarves for a family to wear in their Christmas photos.
My custom knit striped scarves are warmly received gifts for Christmas, Birthdays, Graduation, or Just Because. Or treat yourself and have the perfect scarf to match your coat and personality.
As of 2011, I no longer make these scarves. Sorry!
Ok, ok, don’t faint. I did indeed do a sock yarn update! It has been a long time coming due to changing over dye systems. Well I’m now ready to roll out the new and improved rich, deep, and bright colors of The Painted Tiger. I think you’ll agree that these were worth the wait!
These are all on Tiger Twist, which is a high twist two ply pure Merino wool yarn. It makes great socks that are soft, boingy, yet durable. There’s also a few skeins that have a slight slub problem that I’m selling at a discount, so pop by and see if you can get a deal!
Hope you like these latest editions! I’ve really enjoyed playing with the new colors!
Last week was a pile of work, RiverChor had their first concert, which meant practice, practice, practice, stress about dresses being in, and getting ties and scarves ready to hand out. It was also starting to get cold and dreary, and well…..retail therapy just popped up and said ‘Do it!!!’.
It all started with this lovely green and brown batt…..it is Merino/Alpaca/Tencel titled ‘Pining Away’ made by Abby Franquemont, and purchased from Spunky Eclectic. You may ask why I purchased batts when I can make my own…..I’ve gotta be honest, there’s tremendous pressure to not screw up your own fiber. So I do occasionally like to sample other people’s cooking.
And well…..I could hardly spin an Abby Batt on my Lendrum. One, it’s too slow, and well…..I needed an excuse to buy a Golding Ring Spindle. This lovely is of Lignum Vitae on a Walnut shaft and weighs 0.65 oz. We got a serious kick out the shoe box sized package it came from….big box, tons of packing peanuts….itty bitty spindle. It is beautiful and spins like a champ. I’m going to have no trouble making miles and miles of lace yarn from my 3 (gulp) batts. It is going to be a lovely shawl when I am done. Someday!
I’m going to be honest and say that I hadn’t planned on this next purchase quite so soon. I’ve been doing quite a bit of research into looms since Wisconsin Sheep and Wool. I really enjoyed the fun and creative things being made in the SAORI booth, but $2000 for a 4 shaft loom is just not in the budget. SAORI is more about the fun of weaving rather than the equipment, and I know I’d want to do more traditional weaving as well, so I looked for a good small and portable (to use upstairs and down) and quiet option. The Louet Kombo 70 fit all those qualifications, plus 8 shafts, and has a treadle option, making it a floor loom as well. It looked like a good compromise between space and functionality. So on a whim, I posted an ISO listing on Craigslist. Look what came home with me today!!
I’ve got 5 or so projects already thought up for this lovely loom, now just to have time to warp it up and get going. It may have to wait some, Cyber Monday is really close, and I know I’ll be knitting scarves like crazy.
I’m going to do my best to get a yarn update done this weekend. I’ve got new improved dyes, and WOW, the colors are really amazing. I hope you’ll love them as much as I do.
