Well I did it. I finished my second fingerless hand warmer since Wednesday. Now both smashed up lefty and righty are toasty warm when the office AC kicks on in the middle of a snow squall.
I had some left over yarn from that ball so I decided to knit up an ear warmer for myself too. I’m just a few rows shy of fishing it and then I’ll sew the 2 ends together.
Lastly I’d like to introduce you to my new pony! Ok Horse. Her name is Tyja and she’s a Friesian. Isn’t she purdy?
Hey Fibery Fans!
So economy wise everything went to hell back in 2008-ish but this is the first year I’m actually feeling it. When things crashed people cut back and shopped locally and vacationed locally so my business actually picked up. Last year I felt a bit of a dip but this year has been an out right drought!
Usually for craft shows I’ll stock up on all the usual alpaca goodies like hats, mittens, gloves, scarfs, socks etc and will be practically sold out by now. This year I haven’t even made 1 reorder of any of the staples and can’t even sell the left overs from last year. The shows that I’ve gone to that usually put me in the black have ended up costing me because I couldn’t sell enough to cover the cost of the booth, travel, inventory etc. My hubby keeps telling me we’ll pull out of this funk in 2012 so I’m not going to totally freak out just yet.
Since I’ve been sick like a dog this week I really don’t have much to share fiber arts wise. Sniffling, sneezing, coughing and crocheting really doesn’t mix well. I prefer not to germ up anything I will potentially sell to a customer. Which means the only fiber project I currently have been tending to is an alpaca hide I’m drying. The weather has been so darn wet and crappy this month that the thing just won’t dry. Usually I salt them out in the barn but the salt has been sucking up all the humidity from the air and bringing it to the hide instead of taking it away. So, at the moment the salted hide is drying in my basement next to a dehumidifier. In another week it should be dry and ready to send off to Sivko Furs for tanning and to be made into a blanket. For more information on how to preserve an alpaca hide read this post.
Hello everyone! Welcome back to Fiber Arts Friday.
Today I have a little tutorial for you to make these little skein Christmas Ornaments. When complete they are about 4″ long and come with their very own hanging loop.
If you want any close ups, just click on the photos. So here we go!
Step 1: Using worsted weight yarn pick 2 colors you like and tie a knot at the end, trim up any dangles .
Step 2: Tie a slip knot right up close to your previous knot.
Step 3: Place the slip knot over a book or magazine and wrap an additional 5 time ending on the end where the slip knot is
Step 4: Cut a long 8-10 inch tail of yarn and tie a knot securing all loops of yarn
Step 5: Twisting the tail into a cord. Following the twist of the yarn continue twisting each strand between your fingers separately and then counter twist them together to create a cord
Step 6: Create a loop with the cord tying the loos end around all strands of yarn and secure with a few knots.
Step 7: Remove yarn from your magazine.
Step 8: Using hemostats on non tail end twist the yarn like you normally would to create a skein.
Step 9: Grab the cord with the hemostat and pull through to create your skein.
Step 10: Snip off any loose strands.
Step 11: You’re done!
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One last thing! A friend of mine is having a drawing for anyone who “likes” her farm Seven Spirits Farm on Facebook. Check her out! The drawing will be picked today so get there quick!
The drawing will be for a 4-5oz. art batt (your choice of batt), and for the people that dont spin or felt i will spin it up for them into yarn :O) I will also be throwing in a lil surprise…..Just share the drawing with others and post here that you shared and you will be randomly picked! Friday night i will post who won.
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Happy FAF and Happy Anniversary to my hubby! Together for 10, married for 5. Little did the poor guy know in that short time we’d own a farm, raise horses and alpacas and I’d turn into a fiber nut like his mother. Shhhh I didn’t say that last part.
This weekend the weather is supposed to be totally awesome and I haven’t scheduled any vendor shows so this weekend is all free! (kind of) Tomorrow is the 83rd running of the Genesee Valley Hunt Races.
I’ve either volunteered or vended at this races for the past 5 years so this time I’m going to enjoy it. Best part this year is the NYFB got involved this year and has incorporated a lot of farming aspects to the event. They will even have a fiber area where you can learn about fiber animals, processing of fiber and spinning into yarn and garments. I think I’ll stop over and check it out. Especially because the lady running it just bought 2 alpacas from me! Fontina and Parcella D’oro will be going to their new home on Sunday!
Because I choose not to pedal my goods at the Races this year I have to make it up in other shows. Instead I’ll be attending the PTSA Arts and Craft Shows for both the Victor and Nazareth Schools. Which means I need more inventory!
I’ve set a pretty strict spinning schedule for myself to get 8 skeins spun and dyed before next Saturday. So far I have 5 done. I haven’t done any more since Wednesday (slacker) but in my defense I’ve been teasing and breeding alpacas. Good news, my breeding between Albina and Phoenix took! Gosh I can’t wait for that cria, the genetics cost me small fortune, even in this alpaca economy, I’m actually hoping for a light colored male in hopes of a new stud for us.
Well that sums it up for me.
Hi y’all!
I got my new toy in the mail yesterday. The Addi Express King Size from Paradise Fibers. I wanted something where I could crank out some hats, scarfs and blankets to sell at shows. Folks like the stuff from Co-ops and Fiber Pools but always want items that are made from our own alpacas and by me.
Of course hand made goodies cost $$$ because of the time that goes into them. This is where the Addi comes in. I can now crank out a hat in about a half hour. The thing does have a learning curve to it though. I spent a while trying to get it so the darn thing doesn’t drop stitches but after figuring out the right speed and tension I managed to do a lot.
Here’s a few photos of the Addi, 2 hats I made and a close up of a panel to a baby blanket I’m working on.
Be sure to stop by and say hi to all the other Fiber Arts Friday folks!
