The Week in Knit

Just a quick post

2010-08-29T16:26:00.001-07:00

I've finished the second sock to the one I featured last week.

The Week in knit 13: Afterthought heels

2010-08-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

Greetings readers! This week I bring you a review of a technique I tried on my latest pair of socks.
Afterthought heels are great if you are working with a self-striping yarn and don't want to get out of synch when you do your heel.

What you do is knit your socks as normal, but instead of doing a heel flap, you knit half your stitches onto waste yarn, and then knit them again with your regular yarn. This keeps them ready to be picked up later.

When you're done your sock will look like this (except probably right side out. I knit everything inside out).

Very carefully pull out your waste yarn and pick your stitches back up on either DPNs or Circulars, whatever your preference.

Next, work the heel just like a toe, decreasing until you get down to your preferred number of stitches (I did 14). And then kitchener them to close them up.

When you're finished it will look something like this (except less yellow. stupid lighting):

Tada. Finished sock. While I hate doing heel flaps (and love to kirchener) I'm not sure the afterthought heel is much of an improvement over the traditional heel. For one thing, I hate picking up stitches and weaving in ends, and with this technique you have to do more of both! But, it is definitely something to consider for those self striping or self patterning sock yarns. It does make for a nice comfy and attractive finished object though!

Ooh what's that?

Oh hello! That's my new tattoo :) I got him yesterday. Isn't he cute!!

The Week in knit 12: Nana Sadie Rose!

2010-08-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

So, as you may have noticed I took a little bit of a break there. I've decided not to try to blog every single week, but instead to post when I do have something to say. And boy do I today!

Many local (and even not-so-local) knitters are familiar with Nana Sadie Rose. She has always been known for lovely, high quality bags. I received one last year as a wedding/birthday present. (sorry for the bad lighting, it's cloudy here today)

Unfortunately, the bags normally have a one-button closure, which is not Tripsie Proof.

(she wasn't a willing model, she'd just been sprayed with water earlier for trying to eat yarn on the table)

So when I saw this post on Nana Sadie's blog, I was VERY excited.

I left a comment saying how much I love her bags but need the ability to close things more securely (and also how much I loved the fabric). A paypal transaction and a few days later, I have this.

I love it. It's much bigger than I had thought.

I'm used to sock project bags, but this is big enough for a shawl or possibly even a baby blanket or sweater or two smaller projects.

The drawstrings are high quality and as you can see, the inside is lined in a beautiful corresponding color.

So, whether you need drawstring closure or can enjoy other styles, make sure you check out Nana Sadie's Etsy Shop, or her main website where you can basically build your own bag.

Thanks again Nana Sadie!

The Week in knit 11: Knit in Public Day!

2010-06-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

First off, in my last post I mentioned possibly buying the Handknit Heroes t-shirt. Well it arrived, and I love it! I wore it to our knit in public day yesterday.

We went to the brick & mortar location of Uptown Stitches, which is normally an internet yarn store. But on special locations, proprietor Sheila lets people in, and I'm so glad she did!

We had lots of fun knitting out on the sidewalk.

She also arranged for us to dye yarn with Koolaid. Everyone did something different!

Some people soaked their yarn, others just sprayed it.

Then we wrapped it all up in seran wrap and steamed it.

Here it all is hanging to dry.

All in all it was a wonderful day and we all had a blast :) Did you Knit in Public? Leave me a comment and I'll draw a winner to receive this adorable project bag I bought while I was there.

The week in knit 10: Knitting in Comics!

2010-06-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, my husband and I went to HeroesCon, a comic book convention in Charlotte. One of the things I really like about HeroesCon is that it is still truly a comic book convention.

There's a few booths with some Anime or other movies, and some video game action figures,

but apart from that it is still all about the comics.

A little while back, I'd seen a banner ad on Ravelry (I love ads on Ravelry BTW) for a comic book involving knitting. I subscribed, and since I recently got the 3rd issue, I thought I'd review them!

The story revolves around twins Ana and Alex Miller who have superpowers! Soon their mom, Ana's friend Sue and members of Alex's hockey team are introduced, with more superpower hijinks. I will admit it was a little hard to tell what was going on at first (Like when Sue teleports when you don't yet know that she can). But, I have that trouble a lot (combination of ADD and horrible short term memory) so don't blame the writer without checking it out for yourself.

Knitting is featured heavily. Ana and Sue both knit, as well as the twin's mom, who also owns a yarn shop!

Each issue features a pattern in the back of the book, something one of the characters wore or carried.

At $20 a year, it's definitely worth it. 3 issues in and I feel like I've already gotten my money's worth. The comics are very thick and sturdy, they come pre-bagged, and with the patterns included as well I feel they're worth well more than the cover price.

You can purchase your subscription and read more about the creators here at ComicKnits. They also have a shop where you can purchase kits! I really love the t-shirt and think I might pick one up right now!

The week in knit 9 - Retro Video Game Socks!!

2010-06-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

Previously, I've featured one of my favorite sock clubs, the Lord of the Strings done by the Unique Sheep. This week, I'd like to feature another of my favorite sock clubs. They were so good that I re-joined for the second round.

The Retro Video Game sock club by the Serendipitous Ewe (what a mouthful!) has been great for so many reasons. As you can see in my pictures below, the yarns are so fantastic! Each one is a great representation for the video game. And the extras have been so wonderful and creative.

For example, my Raphael Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles yarn (they did 4 colorways, one for each turtle) inclued some pizza shaped & "Toxic Waste" candy!

Sonic The Hedgehog

Donkey Kong - absolutely beautiful!

Not pictured, but shown off beautifully on their blog, was Final Fantasy which was a beautiful light blue.

I'm still so behind in my knitting, so I've only actually worked up one of the club colorways into socks.

My Mario socks!!

I also loved that each package came with a pattern suggestion, of a free pattern available on Ravelry - so you don't feel as much like you have to knit what came with it, and the price of the package isn't inflated for pattern costs. I knit my Mario Socks in something other than the suggested pattern.

I've really enjoyed being in this club, and the forum on Ravelry is so much fun to see people reminisce about old games too :)

The week in knit 8: Sedalia Fiber Festival!

2010-05-16T16:25:00.000-07:00

Every year for the last 3 years I have looked forward to this time of year. Partly because it's my birthday, but mostly because it is time for our local Fiber Festival.

Of course, whenever I say that to my non-knitting friends (or muggles) they joke about eating bran flakes or taking Metamucil, and I have to clarify that I'm referring to the equivalent of a Comic Book Convention, but for people who knit, crochet, spin, weave etc.

The Sedalia Fiber Festival is host to many great exhibitors, authors, and classes. There's alpacas, llamas, sheep, goats, as much yarn or roving anyone could need, and wheels and looms to spare! Raffle prizes are held throughout the day. This year there were also 3 special raffles. One for a new spinning wheel, one for a loom, and one for a drum carder.

The raffle for the Spinning wheel was pretty intense. These are some of the people waiting to hear the number of the winner.

We also had some raffle prizes which helped raise money for Tyler Peterson. Tyler is an awesome little guy who has a benign brain tumor. When he first started going up to UVA for radiation and saw all the other people having to go through it too, he wanted to help! So he's been collecting toys and donations, and his mother is crocheting hats for other radiation and chemo patients.

I'm really looking forward to delivering this box of donated toys and yarn! I think he'll be really excited :)

I'd like to review some of my treasures from yesterday.

My first purchase was this lovely yarn from Wolle's Yarn Creations. As you can see it has a beautiful, looong color change. She had a Citron knit up in it and it was beautiful. I think that's what I'll make with it as well, I have a brown dress it'll look great with!

I also got *sigh* a new bag. I love bags, I think I've mentioned it...

This bag comes from a local designer, Mariah Clark. It's so pretty!!!

And look at this, there's little loops to rest your DPNs in so they don't get all jumbled up inside. No more having a few stitches drop off!

I was very good, that's all I bought for myself!!!

Dianne bought me this awesome little organizer.

It unfolds, and has a space to put your interchangeable needle points, a zipper pouch for all your notions, and 4 little pockets. It came from Lawre's Laine's booth. Check out those cats!
Dana insisted on buying me something too, even though Dianne had told me the organizer was from both of them. So, she dragged me over to Studio 43's booth and had me select a circular piece that I could use to enhance my shawl pin. I picked one out that looks great with my Traveling Woman shawl.

I had an absolute blast, even if I nearly passed out on the way home. Next year we need to make sure to get the weather to be a little cooler ;)

The week in knit 7: You got your pop culture in my knitting! part 2 of 2.

2010-05-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about knitting (and crocheting, though I can't seem to get it) is that the craft is so versatile, you can fly your geek flag in many different ways and show off all kinds of nerdity.

One of my latest favorites, is Crafty Carla's Amigurumi Pea-shooter from Plants Vs Zombies.

On Etsy you can find all kinds of Amigurumi patterns to make all sorts of stuff.
Chairy from Pee-Wee's Playhouse, a T.A.R.D.I.S from Dr Who, or even a Moogle!

With colorwork, knitting play along too. I think one of the best geeky knitted items ever is the Mario Scarf. I really hope Cass finishes it one day!

I've even gotten in on the action, with my Hermoine hat.

Hers:

mine

The pattern was written by a HUGE Harry Potter fan before the movie even came out. She did an awesome job for basing it off of just a publicity still!
What geeky craft have you made?

The week in knit 6: You got my knitting in your pop culture!! 1 of 2

2010-05-02T09:23:00.001-07:00

Lately, I've been seeing knitting referenced EVERYWHERE.
It all started with my friends featuring this picture of a actress from the show Legend of the Seeker knitting during a break. I might have to have some words with Brian about knitting being "motherly" but that's besides the point ;)

Then, while watching Destination Truth, Ryder saw a huge flock of sheep, and decided she could chase one down and knit sweaters for the whole crew. She wasn't able to catch one, so I guess we'll never know if she can actually knit or not.

This week's episode of Community featured Britta knitting an eye-patch for her new cat. She even defends her hobby to a bunch of high school bullies by saying "Knitting is hip, Wynona Rider knits!"

Is knitting becoming so popular that TV shows will start using it more?
Tune in next week when we flip the tables and look at pop-culture in knitting!

No post this week

2010-04-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

Due to being out of town last week and then getting caught up with work, I just haven't been able to get a post together.

But if you check out my usual blog, http://www.jadielady.com I posted about my trip last weekend and the Sedalia Celtic Festival where we were today.

See you next week!

The Week in Knit 5: Unique Sheep - Painty!

2010-04-17T18:48:00.001-07:00

This week I am featuring one of my favorite dyers. Painty is one of the two members of the Unique Sheep

She was kind enough to answer a few questions for me. I'm also showing off some of their beautiful yarns and projects I've knit with them.

Q: I absolutely loved the Lord of the (St)rings yarn club. You come up with some very unique club ideas, from the Seven Deadly Sins to the 7 wonders of the world. Where does your inspiration come from?

A: Our inspiration comes from all over the place. Because we love what we do, we are always talking about it to friends, family, pretty much anyone who will listen. And often these conversations lead to inspiration. Coming up with ideas is fun and easy- narrowing them down to just a few with the most potential and then doing the legwork to make them happen is more challenging!

Q: You and your business partner are in different cities. How do you keep up with customer orders and shipping etc?

A: Kelly and I (Laura) live about an hour or so apart and only see each other about once a month. We have “business meetings” over the phone and do most of our communication through email. This allows us to work from our homes and on our own schedules which we both love. Kelly and I each have our own colors so when an order comes in for one of Kelly’s colors she dyes it and ships it directly to the customer. Sometimes a customer will order one of Kelly’s colors and one of mine, in those cases the customer ends up getting two different packages of yarn since we each ship our parts of the order separately. It is a little bit more expensive for us to ship this way but doesn’t affect the cost for the customer since we offer flat rate shipping and most orders ship for free since we offer free shipping on domestic orders over $40.

Q: What made you decide to broadcast your dying sessions on Ustream?

A: I have been a long time watcher of the Lamb-Cam (www.fiberfarm.com) and thought it might be fun to do something similar but with dyeing. The idea started floating around in my mind months ago and when I discovered U-stream I decided to give it a try. I haven’t worked out all the kinks yet- I am still getting use to using the microphone/headset and sometimes put the microphone too close to my mouth resulting in “dragon breath” (thanks to my mom for that description) and I could use a better quality camera, but it’s a fun way to interact more with customers. It’s great for me since I spend most of the day in the studio by myself and customers seem to enjoy being able to see the “birth” of their yarn!

Q: Some of your gradience dying techniques are very unique. Were you afraid someone else could steal them after seeing them on the video? Will you stream more dyeing sessions? they were so fun to watch!

A: Kelly and I used to worry that another dyer would try to imitate our Gradiance dyeing technique. We have come to realize that there isn’t much of a risk of it happening because Gradiance dyeing is SO much more time consuming than regular dyeing. It easily takes four to six times as long to dye the same amount of yarn but obviously we can’t charge even double or normal prices—no one would be able to afford it! Even if another dyer experimented with Gradiance dyeing, I don’t think that they would adopt it to the degree that we have. It would be much easier for them to just come up with their own unique technique!

Q: Some people consider gadgets to all be electronic, but not always! Tell us about your waterproof paper.

A: I keep a notebook filled with all my colorway recipes. I used to just use a regular notebook until the day that I knocked over a bottle of dye and ruined the entire thing. That’s when I discovered the Rite in the Rain line of notebooks/papers. Designed for outdoors people they look and feel almost just like regular paper but as long as you use waterproof ink they don’t blur, smear or fall apart when you dump a cup full of dye on them! www.riteintherain.com

Q: I went to the oldest blog post I could find to see where the Unique Sheep had its beginnings and saw it was previously the Handpainted Sheep. When did you start dyeing yarn?

A: I started dyeing yarn for myself and friends when I was in college in about 2005. As graduation neared I realized it was time to decide on a career and my degree in Anthropology & Gender Studies wasn’t terribly practical! I had this crazy idea to start a hand dyed yarn company and originally called it the Handpainted Sheep. I soon discovered that another dyer was using that name, so I switched to The Unique Sheep. At the same time as I made the name change, Kelly joined me as a business partner so it seemed very fitting that The Unique Sheep officially began with both of us on board!

Thank you again Painty for the interview!

The Week in Knit 4: More iPhone/touch/pad Apps!

2010-04-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

With the iPad's release earlier this week, I thought it might be a good time to review some more knitting related applications available on the ITunes store.

This week I will focus on several free apps.

First off, is "Needles" I like the icon! It's the one with the skull and needles :)

It's basically a way to catalog all your needles. You can enter circulars, straights, and DPN's. Then choose the material, size, and length. I can see how this would be handy if you're out at a yarn shop, and you want to buy all your materials for a project, you can see if you already have suitable needles.

There's also a store locator, but all that really does is open a google map and search for "knitting"

The map doesn't seem to be very accurate ;)

The next one I'll mention is "Row Counter"

It looks pretty neat, just like a real row counter sitting on your needle. To "turn it" you click the little button that red arrow is pointing to. Unfortunately.. I haven't figured out how to make it reset to zero. Also, if you look back at the iPhone screen you can see it shows the number of rows there... which I find annoying.

I like Knit Counter Lite better

It doesn't look quite as neat, but you can hold down the frog button to turn the counter backwards if you need to. Also, I think the paid version lets you have multiple counters.

The Info tab lets you input information about the project
So that part is kind of like the information you would put on your project info page on Ravelry.

Finally, I have Knit Minder lite

This is also similar to the project, stash, and que functions of Ravelry.

I think that aside from the row counters, these applications would be better for people with the iTouch vs. the iPhone. With my phone I can make a shortcut to Ravelry and just get access to my needle, yarn, and project information there on the go.

Please let me know if you have anything you would like me to cover, or would like to be featured in an upcoming issue of TWIK.

Also, I want to give a "shout out" to Knit one Smock Two, a wonderful LYS in Winston Salem North Carolina!! My mom and I were there last week and they were very helpful and nice. I recommend stopping in if you like knitting or sewing, as they have everything you'd need for both.

The week in knit 3. BAGS!

2010-04-02T09:23:00.001-07:00

I love bags. Bags bags bags! All kinds of bags!
So, when my friend Jennifer signed up as a My Thirtyone consultant I knew I was in trouble ;)

Since this month's customer special is to get free shipping to your own house, I figured it was the perfect time to share some of their awesome bags with all my online friends!

First up:
I have a sweater-in-progress and all the yarn needed in this bag.
It has a side pocket perfect for the pattern and any other tools you need.
The All-in-one Organizer sells for $19.50 and comes in 6 different patterns.

In this pretty totebag, I've got a huge blanket project. There's also an inside zippered pocket and a cell phone pocket.

The bag has drawstrings with cinchers on each side!
The Boardwalk Bag sells for $39.50, and comes in 3 different patterns.

The Mini Zipper pouch makes a great little notions bag, is only $10 and comes in 8 different colors/patterns so you can coordinate!

This is one of my favorites. I used it last weekend. The Fold and Go organizer is just $20. As you can see, it has 3 panels. One has a big roomy pouch, one has 2 elastic securing bands, and one is a big pocket. I've got yarn in the pouch, my pattern in the middle, and my entire set of DPN's and a ruler in the pocket.

It ties up all pretty with a bow, and can easily fit in my purse!

Speaking of purses... I LOVE MY PURSE.

As you can see, it's quite roomy (that's the hard case wallet inside) and has a inside zippered pocket and cell phone pocket too. But the best part, is the versatility.

Pretty bright springy pink purse!
But sometimes, maybe I want something a little more subdued?

I undo the snaps along the top, and the pink part (skirt) comes off!

I can switch to a different look without taking everything out of the purse. The Skirt Purse sells for $42 either black or brown, and comes with one skirt. Each additional skirt is $15 and there's 9 of them!

On top of the beautiful patterns everything comes in, most items can be embroidered with your name, initials or whatever you want so you can personalize things to be just for you!

So, please check out Jennifer's website, and if you see anything you like you can place an order. I'm Jessi the first online party on her list :)

Shipping is free for orders over $50.

The Week in Knit 2! - Soak!

2010-03-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

This week's feature is Soak!
Soak is a rinse-free care product for fibers and delicate (or not so delicate) clothing!

Here's how to use it:

1. Step one. Dirty up your favorite pair of socks. I wore these yesterday at work, and then slept in them too :)

2. Step two. Put garment in cool water. Pour 1 teaspoon of soak per gallon of water. Since I just use my sink, I just drizzle a bit in. Make sure your garments are completely submerged.

3. Step three. Wait 15 minutes. Watch TV, knit, play with your cat. Whatever you want!

4. Step four - gently squeeze out the excess water. Take pride in your icky water! That's all the dirt you got out!

5. Step Five. You can lay flat to dry, though I prefer to hang my socks on sock blockers to help them keep their shape (and I think they dry faster that way too).

Jacqueline, the founder of Soak, was kind enough to answer a few questions about it!

Is there anything you can't use Soak for?

You can use Soak to clean any delicate fibers that you aren't afraid to get wet. For example, we often get calls about historical and vintage textiles. Our general rule is that if you are comfortable putting the textile/ garment in water, then you can clean it gently with Soak. If you aren't going to get it wet (for example, we had a call about a Confederate Flag), don't wash it in Soak, or anything else. In addition, Soak isn't designed to get out rough and tough stains like grass stains. It is a gentle, premium formulation designed for delicate fibers.

Don't forget you CAN use Soak in your HE washing machine on the delicate cycle. Follow your machine's instructions. At my house, anything that doesn't go in the dryer, gets washed on the delicate cycle with Soak.

Your first blog post is from November of 2008. When did you start Soak and how did it start out?

Soak evolved over time from 2004-2006 when it launched at TNNA, the Needle Arts trade show. Soak was originally designed as a wool wash for my previous company, Jacqs-Hats. (www.jacqs-hats.com) We were selling upscale knits with fine fibers and didn't find that any of the products on the market were good enough quality for the knits we were producing. Soak was supposed to just be a secondary product to go along side the knits. Then, we realized that the quilter's needed a better wash, and then later on, that the lingerie and swimwear markets could also benefit from Soak.

How did Ravelry and the explosion of online knitting shops impact Soak?

While the growth of the on line knitting shop was certainly helpful to our brand, we launched long before with traditional retail shops. For us, the greatest impact is from a new customer actually trying Soak. Once you try Soak, you won't go back to your old wash, be it a wool wash, or a lingerie wash. So, while the Internet did allow for greater reach geographically, Soak samples have been spreading through the community for several years now. There's also a standard adoption rate with products. People (consumers, shop owners) need to see a product around for awhile before they are willing to try it, invest in it, switch to it. Combine that with the fact that we launched a new brand from nothing to international in a few short years, and we're quite pleased with our reach.

Working with Ravelry to design Unleash and the Creative Juices yarn collection was indeed fun. It's great to collaborate within the community to raise the standard on product design, graphic design and innovation.

Do you have anything else you'd like to mention?
We've launched a new travel kit, Seven mini-soaks in a pack- one for each day of the week, plus Carrie + Phil, our new wash basins for hand-washing. You can also check out the blog for more uses for Soak

Thanks again Jacqueline for the information!

Very first feature!

2010-03-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Week in Knit!! This will be a weekly blog, featuring gadgets, tools, tips and tricks to help with your knitting. I will also feature interviews with various folks in the knitting world. If you would like to be interviewed, or know someone who would, email me at Jadielady at gmail dot com. You can also follow me on twitter or Plurk @Jadielady

My first gadget review is Evernote. Evernote is a website and mobile application which many people use to store notes, ideas, pictures etc. You can make lists, take pictures, all kinds of stuff to store for later.

Something I had never thought of, which MissViolet had pointed out on one of the episodes of Lime n Violet, is it is BRILLIANT for giving you mobile access to your knitting patterns.

Many designers release their patterns in PDF format. What you do, is save it to your hard drive, then upload it to your evernote account. You can also keep notes of your own - Most knitters make their own little alterations while knitting projects, and this helps you keep track!

Here is my folder full of Pattern PDF Files.

Here they are on the evernote site.

To upload a new file, I go to the listing of my notes and go to the folder where I want to put the file.

Then click New and Attach File

Here's the view of my patterns on my phone.

What it looks like when I first go to the pattern. (knitty patterns are free and I'm not showing enough for you to be able to knit the project without going to their site, so hopefully no one will mind)

You can zoom in to see detailed instructions.

Because only you have access to your files, you aren't violating the copyright of the pattern, or distributing it illegally. Once the file is on your evernote account, you can access it from any computer OR your mobile phone (It's currently supported on Iphone, Ipod Touch, Android, Blackberry, PalmPre, Pixi, and Windows Mobile, )

My first interview is with two very good friends of mine, Dana and Dianne. They organize and run two of my favorite local festivals, the Sedalia Celtic Festival and the Sedalia Fiber Festival. Since this is a knitting site, we'll focus on the Fiber festival. They each answered the questions, so I will put Dana's responses in Blue and Dianne's in green.

I know you haven't always been responsible for the Sedalia Fiber Fest. When did you take over and why?

Dana: My friends, Dianne Nichols, Linda Willis, Lara Smoot and Nikki Hedrick, and I "adopted" the festival in the Spring 2007.

The festival was originally founded in 2005 by Marty Leist and Sheila Mahone. Marty carried the festival into its second year, but she was unable to continue further due to family and business obligations. Not wanting the festival to end after only two years, we volunteered to organize it for The Sedalia Center. It was a great leap of faith on Sedalia's part; we were novices.

Dianne: Actually, Dana rescued the festival...she saw it wasn't listed on The Sedalia site and she got involved to see why..she then posted on Rav(elry)..trying to get the feel of the general Rav. public and if they wanted to continue etc..So..if Dana had not stepped up to the plate..Sedalia probably would have ..'been put to rest'.. I signed on to help her because I could never let a friend go into something this 'huge' alone..and I didn't want to see it fall by the wayside, even though I was a beginner knitter..I felt the need for this was so very strong.

Do you find it is easier to attract visitors now with Ravelry and Facebook? How did you get the word out before?

Dana: We were fortunate that Ravelry was created in 2006-2007. It played in integral part in getting the word out when we began to organize the festival. Facebook is an incredible social venue and it, too, has helped us inform the public about the fiber festival, as well as Sedalia's other endeavors. I considered us blessed that never had to publicize this event without one or both of these mediums.

Dianne: The first year we used Rav..but not too the degree we use it now..and then there's Facebook which is also most helpful..but then again..if Dana were not so computer savvy, with the website and all of her other ideas of how to best advertise..we'd be sending morse code or..actually licking stamps and envelopes and sending them out..She is so amazing with the skills she has and how she has promoted this festival...She's tireless in promoting this!

There's a few new events this year, such as a visit by an Author and a Dye contest. How did those come about?

Dana: Marty and Sheila were the first to have a guest author, the incredibly talented Margaret Radcliffe. Luckily for us, Dianne is a personal friend of Ann McCauley, a Bedford County native. Barbara Hurd is also a Virginia resident and when approached by Dianne, they kindly agreed to come. We are extremely excited to have them at our festival.

"Do or Dye" was also Dianne's idea. Late last year, she took part in the Sock Summit organized by Blue Moon Fiber and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

One of their featured events was a dyed skein contest and the results were lovely. Our friend and vendor, Angela McNamara of Serendipitous Ewe took home two awards from the Summit. Unabashedly, I admit that we swiped the idea. There are a lot of gifted independent dyers in our area (yourself included) and as organizers, we want to promote as many aspects of the fiber art world as possible.

Dianne:This is really a fun part..because Ann and I went to High School together, I was a year ahead of her but we knew each other..she graduated and moved away..I graduated and stayed..After I had been knitting a while I saw she was going to be doing a book signing at Yarn Theory..well..I was probably still knitting with Acrylic, and I didn't go..I looked her up a few times and thought about saying..'hi..I knit too'..lol..But one day in the last year..she was scoping out some sites and she found Dana..and via Dana..she saw me..and my age..and location and sent me a message via Rav..I was ecstatic..of course I knew who she was but she had NO clue who I was..until later in the conversation and she realized I was 'Cricket'...my nickname from high school and we've since communicated on a regular basis..and I can't wait to see her again..it's been over 40 years..from looking at her pix..she hasn't changed one iota...so I know I will recognize her..I still don't own her books, but I will!

I found Barb Hurd via checking out people that had joined our group and saw she was an author..so yes, I'm bold enough to write her and ask if she' s busy on May 15th....Fortunately she put us on her calendar..a very busy one from what I understand, so I feel so fortunate that she has agreed to come and sign her book..I can't wait for a copy.

The Dyeing Contest...funny you should ask...even though this was a huge part of Sock Summit...for some reason it woke me up during the night Fri..that WHY don't we have our version of a Dyeing Contest..and Dana and I had a playdate on Sat..and I suggested...she liked and here we are..We even have an awesome sponsor for the prizes..it shows how the fiber community is really a 'common thread

WHAT IS FANTASIA?!?!?!

Dana: It's our newest raffle prize and Kromski's latest spinning wheel. It's a beauty and

it's going to make someone very, very happy on May 15.

Dianne:I can't comment here because I am still giddy!...but YES Virginia..there is a Santa Claus!! We do have a brand new Kromski Fantasia for the raffle...Who would have ever 'thunk' we could do it.

Watch This Space

2010-03-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking for a while that I would do a separate blog just for featuring Geeky and Nerdy Knitting things, and I've decided to bite the bullet and just DO EET!

I plan to do a weekly feature of new things in technology which help us to improve our craft or make things easier, as well as new patterns and geeky finished objects or projects.

I'd love to interview people in the fiber world using technology in new and innovative ways so if that's you email me at jadielady at gmail dot com!

More to come!