Archive | Yarn RSS feed for this section

Yarn Flash: New Stash from California Trip!

22 Apr

Much like many others who live the Knitting life (with a capital K), the experience of purchasing yarn is a highly personal, intimate, sensual, tactile and yes – even, emotional – experience.  And when I travel, discovering new yarn stores continues to expand my own awareness of the beautiful fibers, colors and textures that are available.

My trip to California last week gave me the opportunity to visit two local yarn stores (LYS) and, of course, in both I found YARN!

First stop: By Hand Yarn – Sonora, CA.

Yarn find #1: Noro cotton/wool/silk blend in an art yarn-style presentation.

With my recent fascination with art yarns and their construction, my eyes were immediately drawn to this captivating yarn that has colors that tantalize the eye (vivid turquoise nestled amidst bits of lemon, tomato and blueberry).  There appears to be bits of fabric or other fragments incorporated into the yarn, creating visual interest and surprise.

Yarn find #2: Manos del Uruguay – Wool Classica (handspun, hand-dyed wool singles from Uruguay)

If you have been a visitor to BrianKnits.com for a while, you will be familiar with the fact that I have a special attraction to Manos del Uruguay.  I first discovered it a few years ago in New York City at Purl SoHo, and have since purchased more of it there on subsequent visits.  I came across this lovely colorway and couldn’t resist.  A rich navy embracing oranges and burgundies.  This will most surely make something beautiful (and the joy of this yarn is that with its beautiful coloring, there isn’t a high need for complex stitch patterns – this yarn is masterpiece on its own).

Second stop: Monarch Knitting & Quilts – Pacific Grove, CA.

Find: Colinette Yarns, Made in Wales – Wool/Cotton blend in “Dusk” colorway

This was one of those yarns that, as I circled through the different rooms at Monarch Knitting & Quilts, kept getting my attention.  I’m a sucker for deeper, richer shades of green – and add to that a racing stripe effect, some burgundy/purple and grayish blue accents.  This photo doesn’t do the stunning colorway justice, but I was quite pleased with my purchase of these two skeins.

Each time I purchase yarn on my travels, they serve a few purposes:

  1. Yarn as souvenir. They are an anchor of the memories I have visiting a particular yarn store, revisiting an old favorite or discovering someplace new.
  2. Yarn as inspiration. My yarn selections continue to evolve and are inspired by what is catching my attention lately.  My current fascination with art yarn influenced my selections this trip and I’m looking forward to seeing what I can work up in these beautiful fibers.
  3. Yarn as handcrafted gift value-add. I love storytelling.  Stories have the ability to bring things to life, to add strength and equity in a concept or experience, and with knitted handcrafted items, that’s no exception.  Having a unique story to tell the recipient of your knitted gifts about how and where the yarn was procured, where it was produced (and other interesting anecdotes you can unearth about your fiber of choice) creates a sense of value for the item that it may not have if you simply handed it over with a label and tissue.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of the new adds to my yarn stash – what new luscious fibers have you added to your collection lately?

A visit to By Hand Yarn in Sonora, CA.

18 Apr

I should’ve known I’d found a good spot for a fix when I saw the entry walkway to By Hand Yarn in Sonora, California.  Formerly a drug store, the entry to this beautiful, open space literally reads: DRUGS.

Elements of the original drug store are still evident in the beautiful shelving and detail work found throughout this inspiring space.

During my recent trip to Sonora to visit my parents, I found occasion to visit By Hand Yarn twice.  The first was an emergency pit stop, as my wooden Hiya Hiya circulars (the only needles I had packed – what WAS I thinking?) broke.  (Knitting in the back seat of a car being driven over curvy country roads is not recommended.)  As a result, I have discovered the joy of knitting with Addi Turbo and they have become my new favorite pair of circs.

Later in the week, I returned to By Hand Yarn with the intent to browse and discover what they have to offer.  I was very excited to see they carry one of my mainstay favorites in the handspun arena – Manos del Uruguay (4 skeins in basket – check.)  The yarn here is sorted by color family, so it was fun to sort through the greens and the reds and explore the many options of fiber available.

I also found some Noro cotton/silk/wool blend in a vibrant yarn that is almost an art yarn – infused with bits of fabric and little surprises along the way.  (4 skeins in basket – check.)  It’s a different type of yarn than I normally would gravitate toward, but as I have been exploring the exciting realm of art yarns lately, I was more intrigued by this.  (And when the box in which I had to ship my purchases arrives later this week, I will be able to experiment and share those findings here!)

I must also say that the staff at By Hand is very friendly.  I had an engaging conversation about the shop, about knitting, and sock knitting in particular with Eric, who has worked at the shop for a number of years and who also born and raised in Sonora.  His uncle taught him how to knit socks (which he does with DPNs).  I left in awe of his courage (noting sock knitting being my personal nemesis of late).

If you find yourself in the beautiful Mother Lode country of Northern California, be sure to take the opportunity to experience the wonderful array of fibers at By Hand Yarn – you won’t be disappointed.

Happy Knitting!

Organizing your stash

28 Mar

Recently, over a brunch with friends, I had the opportunity to meet Beth Patkoske, a professional organizer from Cape Cod.  As she talked about some of her more arduous organizing feats, I thought about a pervasive challenge that affects many Yarncrafters at one time or another: organizing your stash.

Here are a few of my personal suggestions, many of which I have used myself as my stash has begun to grow and, I do believe, reproduce on its own.

Yarn goes better with bins

With one trip to a big box craft or retail store, it is easy to find plastic bins of all shapes and sizes.  Larger bins, however, create a problem if you are lacking storage space.  Long, narrow bins that fit nicely under the bed keep yarn safe and out of sight to prevent clutter.  The bins hold a surprisingly large amount of yarn that can be sorted by fiber content or color families.

Freezer bags keep the critters away

If you have more yarn than will comfortably fit in a large bin, or you don’t have the space for bins in your living space, then you might consider giving plastic freezer bags a try.  When you push the air out of them as you are sealing them, they are easily pushed into open, empty spaces in closets or cabinets, and they also keep moths, roaches and other critters from creating their own suburb in your stash.

Plastic drawers help you find it fast

If you do have the space, or are fortunate enough to have a craft room in your home, you have the option of using plastic drawer units that are also commonly found in craft, large retail or office supply stores.  You can sort yarn by fiber content and label each drawer so when you need to find that dishcloth cotton in a hurry, you know exactly where to go.  You can also sort by color families if you typically seek out yarn by its color.

Take time for annual inventory

Another challenge I face is that I buy beautiful yarns and once they are stored safely in bags and bins, I forget I have them.  What I’ve learned is to keep a list or inventory of the yarns I have in my stash.  This helps prevent accumulating an (unintentional) surplus of the same yarn and also may jog one’s memory when seeking beautiful fiber for a new project.  I know I have accumulated a great deal of white cotton yarn simply because I keep buying it and forget that I have enough to knit place mats for a banquet.

Collecting anything, be it yarn, shoes or figurines, carries its own unique organizing challenges.  The great news is that, regardless of your space constraints, there are some quick and easy ways to gain control of your stash and maximize the beautiful fibers you have collected over the years.

Happy Knitting!

What “Alice in Wonderland” can teach you about knitting

17 Mar

After seeing the new Tim Burton version of “Alice in Wonderland” this past weekend, it got me thinking about knitting and the lessons and connections that could be drawn between the film and the craft.  Here’s what I came up with:

Be wary of big parties.

Being an introvert, I always enjoy smaller gatherings of close friends or knitterly folk to work on our craft and share tribal knowledge with each other.  If you arrive and there’s more than 100 people, many of whom you don’t know, take your craft bag and get the heck out of there!

An unfamiliar space can take you on a great adventure.

Knitting along on a project, discovering a hole in your knitted fabric can bring on the myriad emotions Alice may have felt as she fell through the space in the tree.  It is extremely frightening.  It is mysterious, as you try to figure out what has happened.  It is disturbing, as you begin to realize the only solution is to take your project OFF THE NEEDLES (YIKES!) and frog a few rows.  It is confidence building, for when you’ve done what you need to do, you close up the space and carry on with your journey.

Caterpillars and other creatures are bad news.

Just as I wouldn’t begin to trust Absalom, an opium-smoking purple caterpillar, so too should you not trust any creature with wings or legs near your yarn or beautiful items made of yarn.  I get ill just reading the section in yarn guides about moths, roaches and other mean creatures who munch on your merino or start a suburb in your silk/wool blend.  Should you come across one, especially with an opium-exuding bong, it might be time for a sedative after all.

Follow your instinct.

One of the biggest lessons Alice learns is to trust herself, to believe that she can, in fact, battle the Jabberwocky, and even the demons she faces in “the real world.”  The greatest challenge to learning how to knit is going into it with the belief that you can’t do it.  Have confidence and believe in yourself and your abilities – millions of people have learned how to knit over the centuries, which should tell you there’s absolutely no reason why you wouldn’t be able to figure it out as well!

With these lessons in mind, I wish you Happy Knitting!

First yield from my spindle

15 Mar

I’ve been having a love affair with yarn since October 2008.  That’s when I first taught myself how to knit and when I first discovered local yarn stores and the beautiful designer yarns they sell.  My affair has taken me to yarn stores in the cities to which I’ve traveled, and has subsequently teased me into the curiosity of how yarn is constructed.

You may recall a while back, I posted about my purchase of a wonderful book, “Respect the Spindle,” some Wensleydale fiber, and a drop spindle from The Woolery.  Since then, my interest in spinning has blossomed, and was fueled even more by my recent chance visit to Picasso’s Moon in Sarasota, where Debra Lambert spins amazing art yarns!  I didn’t know the possibilities until I saw what Debra offers at her store.

So, recently, I’ve spent more time with my spindle and am really beginning to get the hang of spinning yarn – understanding twist, how much to insert, how to feed fiber to the twist, and how to “park and draft.”  The picture you’ll see in this post features my very first ball of yarn, spun from merino wool that Jody Siegel from my knitting/crochet group at work gave me when she taught me how to spin on a drop spindle.  The ball is the entire bag of roving Jody gave me.

What is in progress on the spindle itself is Ashland Bay Wensleydale top fiber.  The longer staple takes a little getting used to but it is really a wonderfully soft wool.  Now that I have a little more practice, I find I’m making the yarn a bit more even, with a few thicker portions for interest.

I’m also enjoying the process more and just as I sit in my chair knitting, I can easily sit and spin in my chair, too.  With Coffee House playing on SIRIUS radio and a cup of robust freshly brewed coffee by my side, spinning is also giving me a new and different way to relax, to play with yarn and fiber, and add another skill to my portfolio as a fiber artist.

Inspiration overload

6 Mar

In my obsession with knitting and all things fiber, I have discovered myriad sources for ideas and inspiration.  From books and video segments to different yarns that conjure knitted possibilities, I have no shortage of ideas but have arrived recently at a point of inspiration overload – too many ideas that need to be narrowed down and prioritized so I can proceed with a project.  I’ve started and stopped a few different projects before landing on one that is exciting and inspiring to me at this moment.

I recently did a test swatch in moss stitch and really liked it, so I have combined that with a unique camouflage-style colorway in 100 percent super fine alpaca fiber, and that is evolving into a scarf with a great deal of visual interest.  I’m very excited – not only because of how the piece is evolving, but also because this overload has, at minimum, not caused creative paralysis.

I get very excited about this passion of mine, and in the last week or so have found a great deal of inspiration from places like:

  • A knit/crochet group that I meet up with in my office building
  • Yarn Store visits (such as my discovery of Picasso’s Moon Yarn in Sarasota, Florida, and the beautiful Art Yarn they hand spin there)
  • My recent visit to Woodfield Ranch in Eustis, Florida, where we experienced alpacas and llamas up close
  • Various segments on “Knitting Daily TV” which I have the first two seasons on DVD…segments on combining colors, using YO/K2tog combinations to use small amounts of yarn to make a larger item, and knitting oversized items using large needles and chunky/bulky yarns

I think I realized today that I need to start an idea folder and an inspiration folder so these ideas don’t slip away, and by collecting them, they become a checklist of future projects, inspired by the fascinating world of fiber and fueled by the pursuit of artistry to which I aspire.

I can also see value in taking that one step further to create a scrapbook with plastic sleeves that can be filled with collage of  swatches, snips of yarn and photographs accompanied by jotted notes, patterns and websites – and based on my current state of creative mind, there’s no better time to begin such as project than right now!

How do you keep track of your ideas and collect what inspires you?

Let yarn do the work

2 Mar

There’s nothing like browsing your favorite knitting magazine and finding a beautiful garment that looks incredibly complicated – and when you read the pattern, you realize that, too, is complicated and, perhaps, beyond your current skill level.

I’m all for taking on ambitious projects, but now and then I like to create something beautiful that doesn’t tax the brain.

One of the many reasons I love yarn is that, in many cases, when combined with a fairly simple stitch pattern, it can create a really beautiful design (without all the headaches).

This is a simple four-row pattern consisting of nothing more than knits and purls – no fancy maneuvers here.  The end result?  A beautiful, subtle tweed pattern – but the miracle occurs here with Lion Brand’s “Amazing” yarn (seen here in the Rainforest colorway).  The yarn automatically transitions from deep greens to vivid sienna and soothing chocolate.  With every pull of the skein, surprises abound – and when all is said and done, a beautiful item emerges without special stitches or techniques.

Even simpler is this 2×2 rib – every row is the same pattern.  Yet, this handspun, kettle-dyed wool by Manos del Uruguay brings in shades of green, brown and a hint of lemon chiffon to appear like complicated color work (a la Fair Isle) without doing anything more than knitting and purling!

If you are a new knitter still strengthening your knitting and purling skills, do not be fooled into thinking beauty only comes with more time and practice (though in some cases it does).  With the two basic stitches – and the right yarn – you can create a really unique item to be cherished through the ages.

And if you are among the skilled Knitterly folk and have a few extra techniques to your credit, imagine the possibilities when your talents are matched with a delicious yarn in a captivating colorway!

Today, I ask my readers: What yarns have you savored for the beauty they helped you create with minimal effort and simple pattern?

A Luxury Yarn Oasis in Sarasota, FL.

21 Feb

On an overnight get-away to Sarasota last Friday, and driving around town in search of a Starbucks (they aren’t found as frequently there as in other cities), one word struck my partner and I as we were turning down random streets, passing time until our hotel room was ready: YARN!  An immediate U-turn was in order, and upon walking in, we were met by Debra Lambert, the friendly and passionate owner of Picasso’s Moon Yarn, nestled in a charming antique district of the downtown area.

Despite the fact they recently moved a few doors down from their previous location, the space looks comfortable, cozy and lived-in.  As you enter the front door, you are immersed in amazing yarns, many handspun and/or hand-dyed.  The heart of the shop is a circular gathering of eclectic armchairs, a knitter’s Stonehenge, a place for spiritual connection to the fiber arts.

One of the other offerings in this store that really sparked my imagination was that they have recently developed a passion for yarn spinning.  Debra talked of adventures she’d taken to fiber festivals and her myriad test drives of spinning wheels.  She eventually landed on the Louet Victoria, a beautiful wheel that folds up and is easily stored in a bag that, as Debra points out, “fits in an airplane overhead compartment!”

What comes out of her time at the wheel, as well as those of other local artisans, is amazing Art Yarn, into which are incorporated incredible, vibrant colors, beads, ribbons and other objects, that emerge into a chunky yarn.  There were a number of hand-knit shawls and throws that had been created from these dazzling handspun yarns, and since Friday, I’ve been thinking about when to plan a day trip back to Sarasota to learn to spin on the wheel and knit with the kind folks at Picasso’s Moon Yarn!

Handspun art yarn skein drying

Surrounded by so many beautiful luxury fibers, and as our time at Picasso’s Moon this visit was coming to an end, I found myself incredibly drawn to 3 skeins of 100 percent Alpaca in a unique colorway called “Camo.”  It called my name and I walked away, already thinking about what would be really cool to knit up in this exciting and luxuriously soft, warm fiber.

In just under an hour, I discovered:

  • Beautiful hand-dyed 100 percent Alpaca
  • The concept of Art Yarn and the creative possibilities that evokes
  • The Louet Victoria spinning wheel
  • A really comfortable space with really good energy for fiber artists to gather!

Never underestimate the significance of a wrong turn…they can be exciting, inspiring and even life-changing!

Yarn changes lives

20 Jan

I recently moved my office into the headquarter building of my company, a sprawling 4 level building that, from the outside, appears much like a cruise ship or a nuclear reactor (depending on the mood of the day).  I recently learned that there is a “Stitches with Heart” crochet/knitting group that meets weekly for a brown bag on Wednesdays!  Today, my friend Paul, a crocheter, who also works in the building, and I went to the group (which meets just two floors above where my office is) and what a great time it was!

I walked in and there was someone with whom I had worked years ago, so it was nice to see a familiar face.  The others were very nice, and made Paul and I feel right at home.  Being the only knitter in the room, others in the group inquired about my wooden needles, my hand spun, kettle dyed Manos del Uruguay yarn, and my technique.  I also admired the work of others, including a set of placemats-in-progress.

I also learned this particular group has, in the past, knit caps for soldiers, babies and for cancer patients in great numbers, and I am so thrilled to have discovered this wonderful weekly diversion.  On my recent “Turning 40″ list, I mentioned I wanted to knit something for charity – and this group will give me the opportunity to do that.  (They also maintain a bank of donated yarn we can use when knitting charity projects.)

The other joy that came from today’s knit-up was that I learned of a woman (who also works in my building) who is a spinner and dyer of yarn!  You may also recall that on my “Turning 40″ list, I mentioned my desire to learn how to spin yarn.  I was able to reach her by e-mail today and she’s going to give me a spindle spinning lesson on 1/27, next week’s gathering.

I also sat there today and thought of the benefits of taking time during the workday to (a) meet new people, (b) get away from ringing phones and urgently marked e-mails, and (c) pursuing one’s artistic passions.  I also sat in the wonder that fiber arts holds in its ability to bring people of different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives together – and almost immediately today, we 6 who gathered in a conference room with yarn in hand shared stories of our lives and families, laughed about our occasional fiber-related do-overs, and ultimately, enjoyed one of the quickest passing hours I’ve spent in a long time.

Today really made me appreciate the value of gathering with other fiber fans.  Certainly, knitting or crochet are solitary pursuits, and quite convenient diversions when there is no one or no thing around to entertain you.  But the benefits of pursuing your art in the company of other like-minded artisans makes one’s experience even richer.  We learn.  We laugh.  We become better people because our paths crossed.

Today taught me that, ultimately, yarn has the power changes lives.

I’d love to hear how following your passion involving yarn has enriched your life – please take a moment to share!

Home from NYC/Stash Update

18 Jan

It was the weekend to beat all weekends.  A long weekend in New York City to celebrate my 40th birthday was the most incredible of all birthdays.  This week I’ll be writing about a few of my adventures, and sharing some photographs – but I wanted to take a moment to share a quick update on my wonderful yarn finds from the weekend.

I visited three yarn stores: School Products, Purl SoHo and Lion Brand Yarn Studio.

At School Products, the oldest yarn store in Manhattan, I found 4 skeins of a beautiful blue/black/white merino wool made in Italy (Kirabella).

At Purl SoHo, I picked up 3 skeins each of 2 colorways of Manos del Uruguay Classica.  One a mixture of blacks and grays, another a mixture of brilliant turquoise and browns.

At Lion Brand Yarn Studio, I picked up 2 skeins each of 2 colorways of recycled cotton, and 3 skeins of “Rainforest,” a wool/acrylic blend that takes on the look of hand-dyed called “Amazing.”

Another thing (among many) that I enjoyed on this trip was that, with it being cold in NYC, many people were sporting scarves.  I was an active observer, taking note of knitted neckwear at the theater, in shops or on the subway to get ideas about patterns, colors and yarn.  The yarn stores I visited had a lot of nice knitted projects on display that gave me a great deal of inspiration for exciting projects to complete this year.  My “Turning 40 List” also includes a few specific projects I will work into the knitting portfolio – and will certainly write about my knitterly adventures and learning along the way.

I finished the meandering rib scarf for myself just prior to my trip – and it served its purpose well during the course of the weekend!  I have a cashmere/angora scarf that’s 2/3 complete and then the sky is the limit – and with all of the new yarn I have to play with, my only quandary is to figure out what project to start next!

I’d love to get your ideas or suggestions on how to use my new yarns – let me know what you think!

I also received some wonderful birthday notes from readers during the weekend, and I appreciate hearing from you!  Thanks for joining in on the celebration.

It’s good to be home.  Happy Knitting!

Newer Entries →

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 30 other followers