New Yarn

Stephanie wrote:

My Fiddlehead Sock (Ravelry link) is done. While it feels good to finish and cross this off of my to do list (I have a rather long list), I miss knitting with beads.

Even the back of this sock has bead work. Beautiful, glistening globes nestled among colorful stitches.

To top it all off a beaded picot bind off. There is a bit of counting with this bind off if you want the beads to be evenly spaced. Who knew counting to 8 could be so challenging.

To fill the void left by the beads I have the good fortune of sampling a new yarn. This is our Bunny Sox. Sorry there's no link - it's so new it's not even on our website yet.

This yarn is truly luxurious - soft as only angora can be. We've had this custom spun for Dye Dreams at a small, family owned and operated mill. The blend is 60% superwash merino, 25% angora and 15% nylon.

We've been dyeing Bunny Sox in a range of colors for its debut at Sock Summit. And I'm getting ready to cast on with it for a sample garment.

I'll have more to report as I make progress on the sample. And there's more yarn news, too. Be sure to check back.

I try to keep tabs on knitting for various causes. Someone just brought Mother Bear Project to my attention. Take a moment or two to click and read. This seems like another worthwhile effort where knitters can make a difference.

Fiddlehead Fun

Stephanie wrote:

I seem to be going in many different directions these days. At times I feel my life is an exercise in extreme multi tasking.

For a while I was on a roll with finished projects. While I don't have a finished object to show today, I have made great progress on my Fiddlehead Sock (Ravelry link).

I'm marching right up the sock leg and plan to finish it in the next day or so. This sock is destined to fly solo as a booth sample. But I plan to make my very own pair as soon as time permits.

It's been a while since I've worked with beads, and I'm really enjoying it. This sock also has beads throughout the back of the leg. Now that I've gotten into a rhythm with the beads, I don't want to give them up.

As luck would have it, today more beads arrived in the mail. We have another project in the wings that also requires beads. New beads, new project . . . it should be a fun weekend.

Back from the Frolic

Stephanie wrote:

A week ago today we left for Fiber Frolic.  Where does the time go?  

Last weekend was loads of fun.  The weekend in pictures . . . 

The weather was beautiful all weekend long.  Outside vendors were able to enjoy it the most.

This kid goat was for sale along with a couple of others.  I wonder if this one found a new home.

These alpacas were so friendly and docile - very popular with the little kids.

And the parade was not to be missed.  Animals in costumes, kids marching along making music - it was a colorful, lively affair.

Half the fun of these events is the people we get to meet.  We met several people who know our yarn through Sheri at The Loopy Ewe.  Friends from around New England who made the trip to the Frolic stopped by to chat.  It was a very social weekend.

I always come away from these weekends with new ideas and information.  For instance I learned that Hatchtown Farm is now offering a fiber CSA.  A fiber CSA allows individuals to purchase shares of fiber.  The share money goes toward maintaining the animals.  In return shareholders receive fiber (or yarn) after shearing.

I've been involved with a farm CSA for produce, so it's exciting to see this same model transferred to fiber farms.  The fiber CSA is an innovative way to supply farmers with working capital and to receive fiber in return.  It's encouraging to see more and more fiber CSAs popping up.

Work is progressing on my Fiddlehead Socks (Ravelry link).  I'm making my way through the gusset increases.  Pictures will have to wait for better lighting conditions and an extra pair of hands.