A blog about knitting, spinning, weaving, and the fiber arts scene in New York's Greater Capital District.
June 21, 2011
A long time ago before I became a regular on the Times Union Fiber Arts blog, I did a guest post about my first spinning wheel. I commented that the words made me think of a brightly colored plastic toy with the words Fisher-Price on it.
Well, Fisher Price didn’t make one, but in the late 50’s and early 60’s a toy company out of New Jersey called Remco made this little gem.
The Little Red Spinning Wheel
April 12, 2011
Back in February at the Anne Hanson Sweater Fitness workshop, I met a woman who was showing off the beautiful interchangeable needle set she had just bought. Those needles were the Darn Pretty™ Interchangables from DyakCraft in Vermont, and they sure were darn pretty! A few weekends ago on a trip into Vermont, I got the opportunity to catch up with Tom and Linda of DyakCraft, and learn more about these beautiful needles that are becoming wildly popular among knitters, and also place my own order.
The interchangeable needles, just like the straight needles, DPN’s, crochet hooks, spindles, and shawl pins that DyakCraft manufactures are made from Dymondwood. Dymondwood is an engineered wood composite where hardwood veneers are dyed, layered, injected with a resin compound, and compressed to form a product that is incredibly strong, durable and moisture resistant. It can be cut to expose the colored layers many different ways, including across the grains, without compromising the structural integrity of the wood.
July 20, 2010
Fair season kicks off in the Capital Region pretty early with The Saratoga County Fair which starts today. It’s followed by The Altamont Fair The Washington County Fair, The Columbia County Fair here locally, then of course there’s the New York State Fair.
Ahh the fair. I immediately think of midway games, rides, and all the fried bread dough I can eat. But county and state fairs have long history of being a showcase for the finest examples of all aspects of agriculture, fiber arts and other hand crafts from local communities.
June 15 2010
Every once in a while I get the urge to do what you’re not supposed to do with your knitted wool. Throw it in the washing machine! A magical thing happens when your knitted wool meets soapy water and agitation. The tiny little scales that make up the surface of each individual fiber begin to interlock and all those beautiful stitches disappear, matting up into something thicker, sturdier, and yes, smaller!
Next Thursday morning I head off to the Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat. I’ve already made my checklist of things I need to bring. Most of it reads like any checklist for any vacation. In addition to the clothes and personal items I need to pack, I need to bring my spinning wheel and folding chair, spinning fiber, yarn, a project or two to work on, and a finished project or two for show and tell.
Continue reading “Apply some pressure, relieve some pressure “
Socks can be made from practically any yarn. Obviously there are many novelty yarns that wouldn’t be very easy to make socks from, or make very attractive or comfortable socks. That dreaded fun-fur stuff is the first thing that comes to mind and yes, Lion Brand does have a free pattern for a sock with a fur cuff that looks fun and funky. At least it’s just a cuff and not a whole sock!
Here’s another of my posts from 2009. Socks are still a favorite project, and I always have a pair in progress. Enjoy
We seem to be on the subject of socks so much lately. Well, how many of you have been asked the following question?
“Why would you put all that work into knitting something when it is easier (and often cheaper) to just go out and buy it?”
I’ve been asked this question most in regards to knitted socks and not just from the non-knitters. I’ve heard the same question from a few knitters too!
(I think I can hear some of you gasping in disbelief!) Continue reading “Sock it to me”
This is one of my first posts on the TU Fiber Arts blog after I was brought on as a contributor in 2010, and one that I’m still quite proud of. Not much has changed. I still love knitting lace, and I still hate nupps. Enjoy!
In yoga we’re encouraged to acknowledge the poses that we find challenging and to safely explore ways to overcome those challenges. The best way to do that is with practice. We revisit and embrace that which challenges us, even if each embrace is momentary, until one day we just sort of connect with it and then we feel like old friends.
This is great advice and I apply it to many parts of my life, including my knitting. Continue reading “The Yang and Yin of Lace”
