Not among my usual colorways, and I still don’t quite understand its fascination for me, but there you have it. Here is a lovely two ply sport weight yarn of 50/50 merino/tencel blend. A salmony pink with streaks of cotton candy yellow, this yarn has great loft and an airy softness. Perfect for a snuggly cowl or small shawl. Approximately 400 yds. available.
$18/100 yds.
Though I’ve never been a big fan of living in the city (I hear sheep are frowned upon in apartment buildings), I do love to visit! What better accessory for the bright lights than this Deluxe Simple Tote? I may have gotten a little carried away on the pocket count here–there are NINE!–but, you can never have too many pockets, right? This tote has a quilted shell and is fully lined. There are two exterior pockets, one on each end, and seven interior pockets of varying sizes–two have snap closures to keep items secure–as well as an interior divider to make two main sections. The all-over city print is complemented by busy taxi traffic on each end, and by windows that look onto the bag’s busy interior. Great for a special visit, or everyday city life!
Cityscape Deluxe Simple Tote–$100
Available now!
It’s a little chilly here today in southeastern Pennsylvania. What better way to fight the cold than a big dye-pot of bright blue mohair?!
Soon this will be cool enough to spread out next to the woodstove to dry. Then it’ll be time to begin the anti-cat-napping-in-the-wool maneuvers. The fun never ends around here!
This particular fiber came from our own Reuben, an angora goat. He passed on about two years ago, but left a good deal of fabulous fiber behind, as well as some great stories.
Reuben was famous for getting his horns stuck in the stock wire fence for the first several years of his life. It became such a routine for the both of us that he didn’t even bother to bleat about it, but would simply stand patiently and wait for me to notice that he was stuck–again. Not too bright, but very sweet, with a fine fleece. Four oz. packages available for spinners and crafters, dyed, or his natural gray.
4 oz. dyed–$25
4 oz. natural gray–$20
Please inquire about other colors, as well as roving and yarn.
Just about the only thing I could manage to do between bouts of shovel fun was spinning. I recently acquired a new toy–the Ashford E-spinner–which means I can sit by the wood stove, call up the Netflix, and chill/spin from my rocking chair. Soooo nice! (If I could only figure out how to read and spin at the same time…Nirvana!)
This time it was Shuggah’s turn.
Shuggah is a beautiful, five year old, wethered Shetland male, off white to pale gray, with black points. He adores animal crackers and having his head scratched. This yarn is a three ply worsted weight-delightfully squishy and resilient and it takes dye well. Perfect for Aran and Guernsey styles.
$15/100yds
400 yds available now, additional quantities upon request.
So, does anyone know of a caring, compassionate, very cool nurse in need of a new bag? Oh wait–that would be all of them, wouldn’t it? Well, if there is one of these amazing individuals in your life, consider this very simple tote as a way of expressing your appreciation. If you are the nurse, treat yourself–you deserve it! 12.5″ x 5″, it is roomy enough for all of those journals, scrubs, stethoscopes, and other tools of the trade, while still being small enough not to break your arm when it’s full–as it would soon be!
Quilted exterior, fully lined, $60.
Available now.
Sorry all–I know it’s been a while. The lull has chiefly been courtesy of Winter Storm Jonas. While you’d think that being snowed in for four days would be a golden opportunity to create, alas, no. Mostly it was a golden opportunity to weight lift, one shovel at a time.
First, the roof. Those who owned the house before me saw fit to create a wonderful addition–downstairs bedroom, bath, and pantry space. Great! Except for the flat roof part. So, every time it snows more than five inches or so, I shift into panic mode, shoveling off that 15′ by 45′ space each time it accumulates two or three inches. This time that took 22 hours and 15 shovelings.
Next, the boys. Alpacas do love the snow, but maybe not 32 inches all at once. They gave up and went inside at about 2:00 am. (How do I know this? See above: shoveling.) The sheep never came out in the first place, and then they couldn’t. They are Shetlands and only 30 inches tall. Thank heavens for snowshoes! After the storm had subsided we all (three alpacas, two sheep, a goat, and me) trooped around playing follow the leader and making paths through the drifts. (My ancient dog also thinks snowshoes rock, since she can ride on the backs!)
Then, the driveway. Two more days of shoveling and the car was free. I raised a small but heartfelt cheer and went to sleep for a very long time.
Since then I’ve been making up for lost making stuff time–check out the new posts for a great new bag and some yummy handspun yarn on offer!
I have been a lifelong knitter, and, of course, am always searching for the ultimate knitting tote. Big enough? Small enough? Pockets enough? Stands by itself? Folds up? –Take your pick! This new set of designs will satisfy the needs of knitters from novice to advanced, from sock artist to sweater pro. The first is the new Knitter’s Duffle Backpack pictured above–Live, Love, KNIT!!
This bag available now! (more information on our Knitter’s Bag page, under Totes and Bags)
Now and then, it’s good to show your appreciation for those unsung heroes who work so hard to accomplish so much and never expect anything in return. Yes, I’m talking…cats. After all, without Mimsy, think of the endless hours I would squander in pointless, undirected activity, rather than the focused and meaningful filling of food and water bowls, the cleaning of kitty commodes, the dragging of pieces of string across the floor. In recognition of these and many other sacrifices she has made in consenting to improve my unworthy existence–The Throne of Queen Mimsy!
…and in an utterly unexpected move, the offering was accepted!
Yes, the minions seem to be everywhere these days, but when I saw the fabric, I couldn’t resist–they’re so dang adorable! They’re pig-piling (minion-piling?) all over the front and back of this simple tote, and, of course, their favorite bananas are there to keep them focused!
Quilted exterior, fully lined, two interior patch pockets–available now.
So, here’s how it happened. My fabulous friend Jen has this completely crazy yellow lab. She (the dog, not Jen) is nearly inexhaustible and one of the prime objects of any given day is to tire her out. This is not a task for the faint of heart (or the out of shape). Once the mission has been accomplished, she (Jen, not the dog) can relax, and, at least for ten minutes or so until she (the dog, not Jen) gets her second wind, work on one of her (Jen’s, not the dog’s) amazing art objects, furniture, or fiber projects. Or brew some beer. Or maybe even enjoy one herself. These delicious beverages came to be known as “Yellow Dog Beer” in her (the dog’s, not Jen’s) honor. And so, in honor of them both (Jen AND the dog) I designed the Yellow Dog Brewing Co. bottle-six-pack cooler. Cotton fabric exterior and lining, insulated core, zip closure, carry handle on top. Keeps beverages (or lunch) cold for approximately five hours. Contact me to get your own today–many fabrics and custom label designs available!
