Well, more babies on the way! I know, I know, I still haven't finished the girl blanket (so close, I swear!), but now I find out there's a baby shower for a co-worker on June 11th! I'm sure I can whip up something between trying to create more patterns and finishing up the girl blanket. I'll of course keep you posted :-)
I don't know why I'm so fascinated by the different animals involved with yarn production, but the latest thing I've learned is that really thin wool used for making lace comes from Shetland sheep that trace back at least 5,000 years in Shetland, an archipelago off mainland Scotland. These sheep have a naturally colorful fleece that yields a really light wool. Because Norse settlements sprang up on the Shetland Islands around 800 C.E., you can see their influence on the knitting styles that come from that area: detailed lace patterns as well as intricate colorwork.
Today's Thought: Check out my recently published content on http://www.associatedcontent.com/: The Five Financial Mistakes Never to Make.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
A Sale!
I'm so excited, I just sold one of my crochet patterns yesterday! It's for a crocheted yoga mat bag and can be found here at www.manycreativegifts.etsy.com I have to say, it's really a rewarding feeling to have someone pick out your design and want to make it for herself. As much as I love making custom orders for people, I'm thinking I might concentrate on designing items and making patterns for a while. Well, we'll see what happens...
Other than that, here's an update on the twins. They're scheduled to arrive on June 4th. The girl blanket is almost finished (talk about getting down to the wire!) and, of course, pictures will be posted.
Today's Thought: There's a website, www.associatedcontent.com, on which original content is published. You can find all sorts of articles on there and even take a crack at publishing something yourself!
Other than that, here's an update on the twins. They're scheduled to arrive on June 4th. The girl blanket is almost finished (talk about getting down to the wire!) and, of course, pictures will be posted.
Today's Thought: There's a website, www.associatedcontent.com, on which original content is published. You can find all sorts of articles on there and even take a crack at publishing something yourself!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
So, I'm back from NYC. Wish I could give you an update on the yarn shop scene there, but the weather was awful and I was there for only 3 days, so no chance to go yarn shopping :-(
Instead, I'll tell you about angora goats. In addition to angora from rabbits, it turns out that angora goats produce mohair that is known for its sheen, durability, and warmth. It is thought that Angora goats data back to biblical times when goats were raised in the Angora district of Asia Minor. In the 19th century, goat exportation became common and goat farms sprang up all around Europe and South Africa, so mohair became quite a valuable commodity. When goats are clipped, twice a year, their light inner hair is separated from coarse guard hairs.
Today's Thought: It is so important to use a good soap on your skin. Skin, like another other organ, is susceptible to chemicals and other toxins, which unfortunately seem to be prevalent in most commercial soaps (come on, can you pronounce half the ingredients listed on the wrapper?!) I recently attended a class on soap making given by the Soap Fairy, and believe me, the almond oatmeal soap I ended up buying is probably the best stuff I've ever tried! Take a look at all the offerings at http://www.soapfairy.com/
Instead, I'll tell you about angora goats. In addition to angora from rabbits, it turns out that angora goats produce mohair that is known for its sheen, durability, and warmth. It is thought that Angora goats data back to biblical times when goats were raised in the Angora district of Asia Minor. In the 19th century, goat exportation became common and goat farms sprang up all around Europe and South Africa, so mohair became quite a valuable commodity. When goats are clipped, twice a year, their light inner hair is separated from coarse guard hairs.
Today's Thought: It is so important to use a good soap on your skin. Skin, like another other organ, is susceptible to chemicals and other toxins, which unfortunately seem to be prevalent in most commercial soaps (come on, can you pronounce half the ingredients listed on the wrapper?!) I recently attended a class on soap making given by the Soap Fairy, and believe me, the almond oatmeal soap I ended up buying is probably the best stuff I've ever tried! Take a look at all the offerings at http://www.soapfairy.com/
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Yarn Label Reading
I came across a great guide to reading yarn labels in one of those Page-A-Day calendars for knitters (http://www.pageaday.com/). Yarn labels really do reveal a lot about the fiber, how it will act while we work it up, and how we should treat it once our item is done. This guide helps you figure out if you should wash and/or dry the yarn:
This little water icon means that your yarn is machine washable up to the temperature in the middle of the symbol. In this example, do not go above lukewarm water.
This yarn, however, is not machine washable.
Your item made with this yarn can go into the dryer when you see this symbol.
But when you see this symbol, you must lay your item flat to dry.
This little water icon means that your yarn is machine washable up to the temperature in the middle of the symbol. In this example, do not go above lukewarm water. 
This yarn, however, is not machine washable. 
Your item made with this yarn can go into the dryer when you see this symbol. 
But when you see this symbol, you must lay your item flat to dry. Pretty cool, huh?! Sometimes looking at some of those labels is like trying to decipher hieroglyphics!
Today's Thought: Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Baaaaaaa!
Dah, why is it that weeks can go by with no fun activities, etc., then all of a sudden, everything you want to do happens at the same time?! This weekend was the 34th annual Maryland fiber festival. It is the largest in the United States, held during the first weekend of May, at the Howard County Fairgrounds. I hear they have more than 30 breeds of sheep and other fleece-producing animals and over 300 venders selling hand-crafted yarns and products. Competitions in everything from “sheep to shawl” take place, as well as workshops in spinning, weaving, knitting, sheepshearing, and even sheepherding. And I've missed it yet once again :-( Well, hopefully next year!
For more information about the festival, go to www.sheepandwool.org
Today's Thought: FilmfestDC is about to come to a close. Each year, there are 11 days of award-winning foreign and U.S. independent films showcased in different venues across the city. Please support the independent arts!
For more information about the festival, go to www.sheepandwool.org
Today's Thought: FilmfestDC is about to come to a close. Each year, there are 11 days of award-winning foreign and U.S. independent films showcased in different venues across the city. Please support the independent arts!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Rayon
Who knew?! Rayon is actually a natural fiber! In the 1920s, Rayon, or “artificial silk,” was used to make those swing dresses that you associate with that period. Rayon fibers are actually made from the cellulose of trees, so although it’s a man-made fiber, it’s also natural!
Today's Thought: Only 10 days til Mother's Day, so get that card now before you forget!!
Today's Thought: Only 10 days til Mother's Day, so get that card now before you forget!!
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