Fiber Femmes

Book Reviews

2008-11-28T06:55:00.001-08:00

My apologies for not updating sooner but, as you can see from the former post, life has been more than a bit unsettled lately.

There are a plethora of great books available for folks who enjoy handwork; if not for you than for a Christmas or holiday gift. The following books are all from Potter Craft; I dunno...it just worked out that way today but later on this week, other publishes will be featured. As to Potter Craft, sign up for their newsletter and have an opportunity to win free books.

The Expectant Knitter ~ 30 Designs for Baby and Your Growing Family by Marie Connolly. As with so much of what captures our attention, having baby Nora did just that for Ms Connolly. Now, seven years later, Ms Connolly has two babies, another on the way and a Washington, DC yarn shop. From the beginning of pregnancy until the little one toddles, this book showcases lovely knitting designs.

Not so much just a knitting book as a pregnancy book, The Expectant Knitter takes one through the pregnancy in trimesters. The first trimester, "It's Official" shows adorable patterns for receiving blankets...what we used to call those baby blankets that wrapped, or swaddled, the babe for the ride home, a knitted pinwheel quilt and one of the most beautiful Christening gowns you'll ever lay eyes upon.

Weekly planners for each trimester take an amusing look at ways to incorporate, iow, sneak more yarn...fiber into your diet.

Other patterns include first party dress, a cashmere romper...OH MY!...sweaters, leggings, and, so the dog won't feel left out, a dog sweater. Toys, hats and socks round out the offerings.

This book is a delight even for those not expecting but for grands, aunties, uncles and others who have loved ones introducing new folks into the clan.

A little extra for cable fans...on her blog, she has a pumpkin cable pattern from Vogue Knitting.

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Stitched In Time ~ Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share from the Creator of Posie Gets Cozy by Alicia Paulson. If you've never visited Posie Gets Cozy, get thee hence immediately! What a great site, full of fun stuff she's working on, her life, her book AND she has CORGIS!
How cool is that?!

Yeah, I know...too many exclamation points but you either get it or you don't. If you do, then you do and if you don't, then there's, probably, very little hope for you.

Potter Crafts. Again. I do tell you...Potter Crafts does the BEST books. So do other publishers but I truly love Potter Craft books and this is another one to love. Stitched in Time gives a look at the author's studio while showing how to stitch wonderful things like a Family Tree, a mobile for baby using all those delish little welcoming cards, turning a onesie into an adorable wall hanging celebrating baby's birth and a quilt using baby's outgrown clothing.

Handy tip - use cotton batting and when washed, the quilt will pucker, giving an antique feel of well lovedness. At least, I think that's a word.

One of my favorite projects is the Memory Game where pairs of photos are stitched into quilted squares, the tops all the same fabric, and used to stimulate memory. That's probably a great idea for us older folks as well and, lest we oldsters think we've been forgotten...a shoe bag, a photo pillow, a recipe book cover, place mats, laundry bag and a wedding guestbook wall hanging are suitable adult gifts. Especially appropriate this time of year is the Christmas stocking pattern and, when made with wool or flannel, warm twice over.

There are thirty projects in this book, every one sweet and intended to bring a smile, especially the Happy Birthday banner and the photos of darling Clover. Stitched in Time is a book I drag to bed with me...every time the day has been a bit frosty or someone a tad unkind...Stitched in Time reminds me of the good things in life, the warm and cozy things in life; the reason I stitch, knit, spin, felt, weave, quilt, bake, cook...all those things I do in the name of love.

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Knitting Noro ~ The Magic of Knitting with Hand-Dyed Yarns by Jane Ellison. Eisaku Noro designs yarn. Not just any yarn but Noro yarn, the yarn bearing his name. In order to understand yarn, one must first understand wool and the sheep growing the fleece as well as how the wool accepts dye. Mr. Noro does this beautifully and Ms Ellison has designed thirty classic patterns to showcase Noro hand dyed, hand spun yarn. "Machinery is used only when necessary at a slow spinning speed by an expert craftsperson." As with all handspun yarn, Noro yarn is varied in thickness and thinness; you should purchase the same dye lot for each project with maybe an extra skein for safety factor.

Ms Ellison uses basic styles to give variation to her patterns. A tank top knits up into a ribbed vest, striped tunic, v-neck tank, basic and turtleneck tank. A chunky cardigan is knit into a bobble, long, chevron, ribbed and basic chunky cardigan while pullovers...ah yes, remember the old, very old, joke?...are designed into basic, v-neck, striped, tunic, chevron and ribbed v-neck pullover. Five styles for the classic jacket, five styles for the fitted cardigan and wraps carry one through to the end. Wraps include a shawl, chevron top, lace cover-up, scarf and a paneled top.

Every pattern is designed to showcase different Noro yarns including Silk Garden Lite, a silk mohair lambswool blend; Cashmere Island a wool, cashmere nylon blend; Kureyon a one hudnred percent wool. Substitutions are also suggested in cae you already have some Noro in your stash. All patterns are designed to wrap the wearer in beauty and gentleness; a winning combination every time.

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A Fine Fleece ~ Knitting with Handspun Yarns by Lisa Lloyd. Some of my knitter friends simply don't understand why anyone would take away from precious knitting time to spin their own yarn. Other knitter friends believe the project starts with the fleece, not with the yarn.

Ms Lloyd gives us the handspinning world in all its glory as well as the sheep breeds and other fibers used for the patterns in A Fine Fleece. The spinning process is explaned as spinning the right yarn for the job; iow, a handspinner knows what the commercial processor knows...the right fleece for the right yarn for the right job makes, or breaks, the end project.

A Fine Fleece has lush photographs and is a visual masterpiece. An abundant use of cables knit up sweaters, scarves, vests, jackets that are rich in detail and will provide increased warmth. Lacy yarn overs add charm to the Cat's Eye scarf and all patterns have charts and detailed drawings as well as the pattern to aid the knitter. All twenty-six patterns were designed for handspun yarn but millspun yarn may be used as well and substitutions are suggested.

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Shear Spirit ~ Ten Fiber Farms, Twenty Patterns, and Miles of Yarn by Joan Tapper. Two women, Joan Tapper, author and Gale Zucker, photographer have produced a visually breathtaking book on ten people who raise the animals that produce the fiber that knitters use.

Books featuring farmers, more specifically shepherds, rank among my absolute favorites. The ten farmer/shepherds/ranchers featured in this book have an obvious love for their lives and their animals. Folks who have long been associated with shepherding, fiber animals, fiber festivals and the like, will recognize the names of some of the farms.

The photographs are stunning and the fiber glorious with the patterns being icing on the, proverbial, cake. This book has it all...from fleece to finish and everything in between. One of my favorite patterns, Luna Lace Scarf, uses Goat Knoll Farm cashmere that knits into such a wonderful, fluffy piece I would be loath to give it away.

I have a minor dissatifaction...there are no farmers or shepherds featured in the traditional South. I believe that's a disservice to those raising exquisite wool, alpaca, llama and other fine fibers. There are those who maintain fine fibers aren't possible without cold weather; trust me...it's gets plenty cold enough in the Appalachian Mountains and my sheep fleeces are testimony that better quality can't be found anywhere.

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TWEED ~ More than 20 Contemporary Designs to Knit by Nancy J. Thomas is a first ever guide to knitting with tweed yarns. Ms Thomas has edited Vogue Knitting, Family Circle Easy Knitting and Knitter's Magazine and served as Editorial Director of Lion Brand Yarn Company. She is currently Creative Director of Tahki Stacy Charles yarn company.

TWEED showcases more than twenty contemporary designs for what, initially, was yarn used for weaving cloth. Tweed is synonymous with Great Britain and, more specifically, Scotland and Ireland. Ms Thomas gives a clear and consise history of tweed...how it came to be, where it's milled and the rich, centuries old legacy. For those spinners who angst over the proper and correct definitions of woolen vs worsted, Ms Thomas enlightens there as well.

This is a book rich in photographs, history, explanations and the patterns serve to bind it, and us, together. Knitters reading TWEED will realize, some for the first time, why it's so important to have the right wool for the right yarn for the right project. Stitch patterns highlight the nepps, flecks, burrs and colors that make tweed unique and knit patterns include designs for beginners as well as more experienced knitters.

Pattern names bow to Scotland and Ireland - North Sea Hat and Scarf set, Lichen Ribbed Garter Scarf, Kilt Knitting Bag, Highlands Felted Bag and Beret, Gaelic Hat, pullovers called Tweed River and Carrick. The Outer Hebrides Sampler Throw use stitches called double seed stitch, cables, vine leaf and bobbles combined with a leafy border and stitched large enough for a two person snuggle. A Dublin Cabled Vest and Northern Ireland Peplum Sweater have intriguing details that add grace to beauty.

As much as I loved the patterns, I love the history lesson more. I love that women are bound together from beginning to now by the work of their hands. I love that women have gathered together from early days to spin, knit, weave, crochet, sew, cook, bake and love their loved ones. I love it when we put aside our differences and celebrate those things that bring us together, bring joy to our lives, warmth to our homes and, above all, add grace to our days.

As always, God's blessings upon you, yours and the work of your hands and heart.

Mary Crockett Bowen Bricker

2008-11-27T10:00:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Bricker was known to her contemporaries and family as Mary Crock or, more simply, Crock. To her grandchildren and great grandchildren she was known as Brick Brick, her son and daughter called her Mother and she was my mother in law.

In her day, she did a bit of crocheting but was better known for her ability to teach hard science and math at the high school, college and university levels. During the war years, Mrs. B., along with her sister in law and her daughter's future mother in law, comprised the entire math department at Beaver High School in Bluefield, WV.

She earned her Bachelor's degree at Queens College, Charlotte, NC in 1934 and in 2004, Dave and I took her and a classmate to their 70th Queens College, now University, reunion! She earned her Masters at West Virginia University and was all but a dissertation away from her PhD when her parents became ill and needed her care.

She won several fellowships including a General Electric science fellowship and taught at Bluefield College, Bluefield State College, West Virginia University, University of Illinois, Emory University in Atlanta, GA and VA Tech.

She was extremely proud to have been chosen one of the very first cheerleaders at Tazewell High School, Tazewell, VA and would tell tales of those early days to all who would listen.

Mrs. B. supported the efforts of Fiber Femmes and, in past years, paid postage to have fifty or sixty boxes of yarn shipped to The Children's Home in Siberia, Russia.

She was the last of her immediate family and on 19 November 2008 she joined her parents, brothers and sister. In June 2008, we celebrated her 95th birthday and all but seven of the fifty or so guests were family members including children, grand and great grands, niece, nephew, cousins and me.
It was one of those rare, beautiful days...absolutely perfect weather and enough of the "old guard" in attendance to warrant a magical knowledge this was the passing of the torch. We all knew we'd never have this opportunity again and took full advantage of the day to build love and memories. We who were there have that day to hold against the dark nights and frosty world that push against love.

Blessings ~ a life well lived ~ birthdays ~ teachers ~ family ~ friends ~ memories

Contest for your business

2008-11-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

Those of you who have a business might find this opportunity interesting.

Digital Growth Contest

Attention, women entrepreneurs...

Enter our Digital Growth Contest and you could win a free year of high-speed Internet and other prizes from a cable company, and a free one-year membership with Ladies Who Launch.

All you need to do is tell us an inspiring story about your business — and you could be a Digital Growth Contest winner!

It's easy to enter. We invite you, a spouse, friend or colleague to write an essay in 250 words or less, telling us the story of your business — emphasizing the opportunity, the challenges and the rewards of entrepreneurship. Each essay must also include an anecdote that illustrates how your business could benefit from a communications technology upgrade.

The deadline is Thursday, November 13, 2008, 11:59 ET, so don’t procrastinate!

Contests

2008-10-26T02:45:00.001-07:00

Think Outside the Sox -
XRX Publications, most well know for Knitter's Magazine and their fine collection of knitting related books, is sponsoring a sox contest. They have more than $20K US in prize money so there are plenty of chances to win.

Art Quilt Walking -
Stampington & Company is offering several new challenges, one being...take an art quilt and incorporate it into...something else. Absolute deadline for received submissions - 15 Feb 09.

Quilting Arts -
Pokey Bolton, Quilting Arts Editor, always has a Really Good Blog. Check out her free turkey download...just in time for T Day.

Nov 09 Quilt Shows

2008-10-25T19:34:00.000-07:00

McCall's Quick Quilting page has a great listing of upcoming quilt shows; here's their list for November.

November 1 & 2, 2008
SILVER LEGACY 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW
Lodi , California. www.tokaystitchnquilt.org

November 6 - 9, 2008
A QUILTERS' GATHERING
Nashua, New Hampshire. www.aquiltersgathering.com

November 7 & 8, 2008
17TH VARIABLE STAR QUILT SHOW "WHAT'S OLD IS NEW AGAIN"
Souderton, Pennsylvania. www.variablestarquilters.com

November 7 & 8, 2008
PIONEER QUILT SHOW
Roseville, California www.pioneerquiltersguild.org

November 7, 8, & 9, 2008
A CELEBRATION OF QUILTS X Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.YHQG.org

November 8 & 9, 2008
VILLAGE SQUARE QUILTERS QUILT CELEBRATION X
Hartsdale, New York. www.villagesquaresquilters.com

November 9, 10, & 11, 2008
Arise Betsy Ross & Express your Patriotism—You Can Make a Difference! The Armed Forces Foundation has agreed to help spearhead the project.
Shelburne Museum, Vermont. www.HeavenlyPatchwork.com.

November 14 (9-3) & 15 (9-3), 2008
8TH ANNUAL QUILTS AND TEA FESTIVAL
Davenport, Florida www.davenportfl.org

November 14 & 15, 2008
HARVEST OF QUILTS PRESENTED BY HIGH COUNTRY QUILTERS
Palmdale, California. For additional information, contact Wendy Fullmer at dadokate@roadrunner.com

November 14 (4am-9pm) & 15 (9am-5pm, 2008
QUILTS TODAY, TREASURES TOMORROW
Lenexa, Kansas, www.bluevalleyquiltersguild.com

November 15 & 16, 2008
SCRAP HAPPY QUILT SHOW
Perkinston, Mississippi. For additional information, contact Wyvona B. Scarbroug by email clara31050@gmail.com

Fiber Arts News

2008-10-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

The 15th Annual Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair is being held at Chicago's Navy Pier's Festival Hall Nov 7-9, 2008. SOFA bills itself as "The World's Foremost Fairs of Contemporary Decorative Arts & Design" and lives up to it. The opening night preview is 6 November. Dealers from sixteen countries and one hundred galleries will be represented and included in the admission price are lectures and special exhibits.

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Interweave Bead Fest in Santa Fe, NM March 12-15, 2009. Santa Fe Community Convention Center & Hilton.

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Interweave Bead Fest in Portland, OR September 24-27, 2009

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Fiberarts Studio Tour showcases the winners of Interweave Press artist studios. Forty-three artists studios are show...more than enough to cause fiber envy!

Surface Design Auction

2008-08-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

Surface Design Association is accepting donations for their on-line fund raising auction. Bids are accepted 1 - 15 October 2008; please visit their website for more information on donating an item or volunteering.

Donations must fit into one of the following categories: art to wear, sculpture, book arts, whole cloth, home decor and miscellaneous.

Proceeds from the auction will help support SDA's Creative Promise Awards, scholarships, grants and other SDA projects.

Shibori Knits by Gina Wilde

2008-08-25T14:21:00.001-07:00

When I first saw Shibori Knits: The Art of Exquisite Felted Knits, I wasn't sure...no, I wasn't sure at all. I've always had a love/hate, but mostly hate, relationship with knitting then felting my knitting. Oh, I don't mind felting a sweater for a project but there's something rather obscene about knitting and then felting one's knitting. It rankles.

I'm still not sure how I feel about the "plain art" of knitting then felting but I do know Shibori Knits blew me away. Gina Wilde uses three ways of incorporating shibori into knitting that take the finished pieces from designer wear to art wear.

One way she adds shibori to knitting is "resist felting", an effort new to me. She uses marbles and wine corks to give her knitted, then felted, pieces a wide and varied form that gives the eye no purchase yet at the same time, capture the eye as one wonders...how on earth...???

Another style is silk yarn knitted with wool yarn then felted to give added venue. The wool felts, the silk does not and the finished product is, quite simply, inspired. Wilde also will knit in various directions and, when felted, the work shrinks in different directions with swirls, twists, ribbons and ruffles as the end result.

To my mind, one of the best things about this book is a knitter may be at any stage of knitting and can find something to try and like. Beginner and accomplished knitters will find a variety of projects that allow one to build a foundation for further exploration.

Gina Wilde co-founded Alchemy Yarns of Transformation and is no newcomer to the knit scene. Once again, she's proven her spirit for innovation by combining shibori with knitting and taking the sum in a new and exciting direction. The mind reels.

Complete Feltmaking

2008-08-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

Gillian Harris has written 'complete feltmaking easy techniques and 25 great projects' aimed at beginners to experts. There are plenty of easy to follow instructions, beautiful photos as well as a history of feltmaking. Patterns include flat felted pieces, three-d shapes, knitted for felting and needled felted instructions. The equipment list is extensive and gives the beginner a good foundation as well as giving some tidbits of info that expand that foundational knowledge.

The pieces are fun, extremely colorful and offer a wide variety ranging from handmade felt greeting cards, table runners, wall hanging, hair bow, purse, jewelery, hats, tea pot cozy, purses, tooth fairy pouch and lots more. The tooth fairy pouch is adorable and made even more so when you sprinkle a tiny bit of fairy dust glitter around the youngster's bed. In the morning, watch their eyes pop when they spy both pouch and "fairy dust".

It's a great book and you should consider adding it to your public, personal and guild libraries.

Sweater 101 by Cheryl Brunette

2008-07-17T10:44:00.001-07:00

Are you, like me, far, far away from a local yarn shop? Do you gain your knowledge, expertise, tips, help and assistance from the internet or books?

Cheryl Brunette has re-published Sweater 101 - How to Plan Sweaters that Fit...and Organize Your Knitting Life at the Same Time.

First published in 1991, it's now become a classic in the knitting world and for Good Reason. Cheryl has written a knitting book that is...GASP!...easy to read, easier to understand and addresses a world of concerns.

In her introduction, she gives a brief history of knitting and her family and then gives the goals of Sweater 101. How nice! She suggests a few basic tools, other than the "regular" knitting tools that will add better measurement making a more refined finished garment. This book teaches the knitter not only how to design their own garments but also teaches others how to measure themselves.

The spiral bound book lies flat enabling the knitter to knit more easily and quickly and the "recipes" are easy to read, easy to understand, easy to follow. This book comes highly recommended by the knitting world divas including Meg Swansen of Schoolhouse Press and daughter of Elizabeth Zimmerman, Lea-Ann McGregor of Knitting Today, Linda Skolnik founder of Patternworks and others.

There are a lot of how-to knitting books being published today and Sweater 101 gives you a great start. Such a great start you may never buy another how-to knitting book.

Surface Design Association - SDA

2008-06-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Surface Design Association has more than 4,000 members and they are planning an on-line auction to raise money for art scholarships, testing of manufacture products and to promote donating artists. To donate art or to find out more information, please visit their website fabric.

The SDA Online Auction calendar is as follows:Now-July 15: Volunteer to help Make that Art! Donations of artworks from the following categories are requested: Art to Wear - one size fits alls (scarves, hats, gloves, etc.), book arts, sculpture, whole cloth/yardage, home décor (pillows, wall art, etc.), miscellaneous.July 15: Online Auction Submission Form dueAug. 15: Auction item with a CD digital photo dueOct. 1: Online Auction bidding begins - bidding and buying is open to everyone!

From their press release: "The Surface Design Association (SDA), is dedicated to raising the level of excellence in surface design -- the coloring, patterning and structuring of fiber and fabric -- by inspiring creativity and encouraging innovation. The SDA has been a non-profit organization since 1977, and currently has nearly 4000 members."

Fiber Femmes news

2008-05-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Leslie and I have decided to stop Fiber Femmes publication. Our lives have gone in different directions and demands placed upon our time mean something has to give. Unfortunately, that's Fiber Femmes e-zine.

Weekly, I'll try to post reviews about fiber festivals, books, news about Leslie, other fiber femmes or myself and other news of interest. So, while the e-zine may no longer be updated, this blog will be updated.

Please visit Leslie at her Meadows of Dan shop and you can always contact me for a visit to Thistle Cove Farm. My days are now spent, for the most part, tending to my ninty-five year old mother-in-law who is living out her days with us at the farm. Foolishly, I thought I could bring her here and life would go on, uninterrupted but any caregiver knows that's not the case. Your life is given, for a large part, to the task of tending to someone else; your time is no longer your own and, while all days seem the same, the only thing they share is the unexpected.

The good news is...I'm preparing my spring '08 wool clip to be sent to the mill to be woven into blankets. So many have asked when Thistle Cove Farm blankets would be available again and, hopefully, the answer is...in time for Christmas! Please check the Thistle Cove Farm blog for updates or to place a deposit on your 100% virgin wool blanket. Availability is limited and, most years, there are only a dozen blankets for purchase.

To the many who haved wished Fiber Femmes well...you have our utmost gratitude and thanks. We tried to do right by the material and for the reader; I hope you think we succeeded as well.

God's blessings on you, yours and the work of your hands and heart.

Fabric/Fiber Postcards Valentines

2008-01-07T14:18:00.000-08:00

You've got until 15 January to send Fiberarts magazine your fiber arts postcards. They need to be addressed and postage stamped and mailed in an envelope and will require additional postage.

Please check with your local post office for exact postage for your card. Fiberarts will send them out with a special poem and cancellation and
will photograph some in a future issue of their magazine or website.

So...what's so special, other than, possibly, being published in an international magazine? Fiberarts is published in LOVELAND, CO and since 1947 the Loveland post office has been re-mailing Valentines from around the world adds its own special poem and cancellation mark.

Fabric postcards are, and have been, all the rage. Maureen Egan wrote about them in the April/May 2006 issue; please read more.

So...by 15 January 2008, please mail your fabric postcards to:

Fiberarts Valentines, 201 East Fourth Street, Loveland, CO 80537-5655

Free YarnFiber StoreEthnic Knitting*booties

2007-12-01T10:42:00.001-08:00

Kristin Nichols is promoting her new book, Kristin Knits. Sign up on her blog at Getting Stitched on the Farm; while you're there, please sit and visit a while. She and her family live in western Massachusetts with 150 sheep, chickens, pigs, cats and Border Collies.

The Springwater Fiber Shop in Alexandria, VA is closing after twenty-two years of service to the fiber community. They are having a twenty percent discount on merchandise. According to their website, they were attempting to raise money to stay open. The deadline was 28 Nov but there's nothing to say if they made their financial goal; I sure hope so!

Donna, Ethnic Knitting author, posted a note to say she's got a page to show the lovely creations from knitters knitting from her Ethnic Knitting book. If you've knitted something from Donna's book, or you'd just like to see what others have knit, please visit her site.

Saartje knits and blogs from the Netherlands and has a delightful pattern for baby booties. It's a download PDF and looks like they can be knit in an afternoon. Which is a good thing as there have been a slew of babies either born or on the way in the past few months and few months to come. Is it so with you?

Donna Druchunas, Shetland wool, etc.

2007-11-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

Several of you have written me privately to say how much you've enjoyed Donna's blog and intend to purchase her books, especially Ethnic Knitting. Please allow me to urge you to either write Donna a public note, here at Fiber Femmes blog, or to writer her a note via her web site. Donna is very approachable, very friendly and...let's face it...almost every one who has ever written a book enjoys fan mail. Especially those authors who are also Fiber Femmes...they enjoy receiving mail whether it's fan mail or a question regarding pattern clarification. Oh, one might run across a "diva attitude" occasionally but, let me assure you, that's not Donna. So, send her a note...let her know how much you've enjoyed her and her work. And, if you've completed one of her patterns, send her a photo...she'd love to
see a photo!

Jamieson & Smith Shetland Wool Brokers, Ltd. have a knitting design contest. Submissions deadline is January 10, 2008 and the winner receives 250 pounds sterling. While you're visiting their website, take a look at their free knitting patterns, all, of course, using beautiful Shetland wool.

If you know of other contests, please let us know and we'll pass along the information.

Ethnic Knitting: Guest Post by Donna Druchunas

2007-10-22T07:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much for hosting a stop of the Ethnic Knitting Discovery blog tour! I've been having fun so far, talking about the different aspects of design and some different techniques for knitting circular sweaters. Today I'd like to talk a bit about my favorite project in the book, the "For Girls Only" kid's pullover. (There are actually options for making a boy's version in the book as well.)

I'm particularly fond of this design for several reasons. First, it uses both of the interesting Andean knitting techniques that I explain in the book -- knitting circular Stockinette stitch from the inside, purling every stitch. You purl using a technique that has also been used in Turkey and Portugal, by tensioning the yarn around your neck and flicking the yarn around the tip of the needle to make each stitch. It's fast and comes out with a very even tension. (It's interesting to trace the probably movement of this technique from the Middle East, to Spain and Portugal, and then later to the New World.)

The second technique I explain is a simplified version of how to make the scalloped punta-trim at the edges of this sweater. You make that by beginning with a crochet chain, and then picking up stitches and decreasing in a pattern that forms a scalloped edge. It sounds quite complicated, and the true Andean technique is fairly complex, but I've simplified it in a way that I think gives similarly pleasing results with much less work.

I also love the cute cat and dog charts. But I think my favorite thing about the Andean designs is that they work equally well in natural colors of yarn -- especially in the rich natural shades of alpaca -- and in brightly dyed yarns. In the Andes, many knitters today like to work with the very bright colors that are available in commercially spun yarns. Although they will buy yarns (often acrylics) to cut down on the amount of work involved, they still spend time respinning the yarn to make the twist tighter so the yarn is stronger. The colors that you can get with man-made materials are often much brighter and more colorfast than the shades you can get with natural dyes on unbleached wool or alpaca yarns. Natural fibers and organic yarns are very popular in the United States these days, and it's sometimes hard for us to remember that not all knitters have the same huge assortment of yarns available for their use and in many cases these rural knitters could not afford the luxury yarns we take for granted even if they were available to them. (I learned a lot about this while editing Marcia Lewandowski's book, Andean Folk Knits.)

I didn't include a photo of the sweaters in the book for several reasons. One of the main reasons is that I don't want readers to try to copy the sweaters that I designed. The drawings are made to provide general ideas for a starting point, so each knitter can take it from there and come up with their own unique finished product. The sweater on the cover is my friend Debbie O'Neill's interpretation of the child's sweater. Because she was making it for a toddler, the sleeves were too small to fit the large dog or cat motif, so she used simple (and easy to knit) stripes, instead. Debbie made a boat neck for the photos, but later decided to cut the neck into a shallow crew neck shape so the sweater would be easier to get on and off her daughter, without decapitating the dogs on the front of the sweater. You can read a bit about Debbie's design decisions on page 163 of Ethnic Knitting Discovery.

Ethnic Knitting

2007-10-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

Discovery - Ethnic Knitting from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and The Andes is Donna Druchunas latest book from Nomad Press. She has two previous books, including one of my all time favorites, The Knitted Rug: 21 Fantastic Designs and her most recent Arctic Lace: Knitted projects and Stories Inspired by Alaska's Native Knitters.

The current back cover photo shows Donna, seated, with what looks to be size 50, or larger!, knitting needles in hand, busily working on yet another project. Ethnic Knitting has eight master patterns for drop-shoulder pullover sweaters but begins with four simply projects to build the skills necessary to accomplish the master patterns. She uses quick notes, a visual plan or detailed guidelines in worksheets designed to assist knitters to not only knit a sweater but learn how to craft one in the process. For the sample sweaters she explains how the same designed 40-inch sweater will fit -very close- as opposed to a 34-36 inch sweater -loose fit-. I find this quite helpful, ever more so than leaving out the additional guidelines.

All this to say...Donna is a guest blogger for Fiber Femmes on Monday, October 22 and Leslie and I are excited! I've long enjoyed Donna's work as well as "meeting" her the last time she was a Fiber Femme guest blogger. We hope you enjoy her as well and, after buying her book, discover for yourself the pleasures of Ethnic Knitting.

Later in the week, after Donna's blog, we'll go into further discussion of her new book and welcome comments so you all come back soon.

Management Decision

2007-10-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

Due to, mainly, circumstances beyond control we, Leslie and Sandra have decided the next issue of Fiber Femmes will be November December 2007.

In the meantime, both of us are appearing at the National Folk Festival in Richmond, VA this weekend. If you're visiting the festival, please come by and say hello. Leslie will be at the Patrick County booth and I'll be at the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program booth.

On a personal note, many thanks for your prayers and good thoughts. They, and you, are greatly appreciated.

Life and death in the midst of living

2007-09-29T06:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Leslie, this spot has been updated and filled with interesting and informative news. This month has been difficult, full of "challenges" that have consumed both me and my time and I've not updated neither Fiber Femmes nor this blog.

Suffice it to say...illness, both personal and family, the unexpected, very sudden death of a friend, the impending death of a family member and other unavoidable details of life have consumed me. I'm off the farm for a time and will then return home to tend to FF, the farm, etc.

My apologies to Leslie, Fiber Femmes readers and those who are part of this issue. Life will return to 'normal' shortly; until then, please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers.

SpinOff Gets Facelift as it Turns 30

2007-09-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

What’s Old is New Again: Handspinning Takes off among New Generation of Knitters and Crocheters

Loveland, Colo., September 26, 2007: Spin-Off magazine, published by Aspire Media’s Interweave Press, celebrates 30 years of publishing this year with a new look and a new tagline—“It’s About Making Yarn by Hand.” The redesign debuts with the Fall 2007 Special Anniversary Issue, on newsstands and in craft shops nationwide today, retail $7.99.

The new look has a clean and contemporary design, and the shift in content will help make Spin-Off more user-friendly, more accessible to beginners, more inviting to knitters and crocheters, and more satisfying to the publication’s longtime audience.

“These changes to Spin-Off couldn’t come at a better time,” says Editor Amy Clarke Moore. “Spinning is a time-honored craft whose time is coming around again. Knitters and crocheters are taking up spinning at an astounding rate.”

The National NeedleArts Association 2007 consumer survey reports that 29 percent of all knitters and 22 percent of all crocheters would like to try handspinning. The report also indicates that handspinning is the most attractive new craft to knitters and crocheters, running far ahead of quilting and sewing, among others. Furthermore, it’s attracting a younger crowd. Of the respondents to the TNNA consumer survey who ranked spinning as their favorite, 31 percent were under 40 years of age.

“For today’s spinners, it’s all about making great yarn,” says Moore. “The new spinner is passionate, adventurous, and prosperous enough to invest in good equipment and hoard fiber by the bushel. She’s young, or young in spirit, and she’s hooked on all fibers—from cashmere and silk to bamboo, cotton, linen, and good old-fashioned wool.”

The new Spin-Off will appeal to this emerging spinner, while the magazine’s longtime readers will continue to find their favorite articles on techniques and unique projects for making and using handspun yarn. Several new features debut with the Fall 2007 issue:

* Armchair Traveler (page 28): This recurring travel feature profiles wonderful excursions for fiber-philes; the fall issue features travel ideas in Interweave’s backyard: Colorado's Front Range, an area rich with fiber producers, processors, museums, and shops.

* Spinning Tips (page 37): A new how-to section in each issue leads off by tackling the the topic of Tying a 2-Yard Skein.

* Spun 2 Ways (page 64): This new feature will showcase one pattern created with two handspun yarns.

Each issue also will feature conversations between veteran spinners and exciting new movers and shakers, such as the Fall 2007’s Q&A between Paula Simmons Green, co-owner and operator of Patrick Green Carders and Eunny Jang, the new editor of Interweave Knits who is taking up spinning.

These changes to Spin-Off coincide with three special events at Interweave during the month of October: Spin-Off’s 30th Anniversary celebrations, National Spinning and Weaving Week (October 1–7, 2007), and the 25th Anniversary of the Spin-Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR, October 7–14) in Bellaire, Michigan.

“”We’re having a Spin-tober here at Interweave. The entire month of October is an exciting time for the spinning community,” says Moore.

ABOUT SPIN-OFF MAGAZINE

Published four times a year, Spin-Off features articles about the thriving crafts of spinning and dyeing yarns. From spinning tips for beginners to in-depth articles that satisfy the longtime spinner, readers will be inspired by the work of dedicated technicians and gifted amateurs. Every issue offers the newest information on fibers, tools, books, and wool events, and the coolest knitting, crochet, and other fiber arts projects you can make with handspun.

PieceWork Magazine Presents The Excellence in Needle Arts Awards 2008—Pincushions

2007-09-20T09:18:00.001-07:00

Calling All Crafters: Design a Pincushion and You Could Win $500!

PieceWork Magazine Presents The Excellence in Needle Arts Awards 2008—Pincushions

Loveland, Colo., September 20, 2007: The semiannual Excellence in Needle Arts Awards, presented by Interweave Press’s PieceWork magazine, announced today an exciting new theme for next year’s awards: the pincushion. Pincushions have become a huge phenomenon and are experiencing resurgence in crafting circles because they are the perfect vehicle to showcase creative design ideas and innovative needle-arts techniques. From imaginative and playful to downright wacky, pincushions are great projects for crafters of all experience levels and techniques, and are especially popular because of their small size and portability.

In today’s craft world, the pincushion represents the historical aspects of needle arts, which is the focus of PieceWork magazine.

“The pincushion is the perfect needle-arts project to encompass great work and little time,” says PieceWork Editor Jeane Hutchins. “We want all great needle workers out there to consider entering this contest. The pincushion is a great way to show off your artistic talents without having to break your budget or consider huge time constraints.”

Pincushion entries must incorporate at least one of the following techniques: cross-stitch, needlepoint, crochet, knitting, lacemaking, tatting, quilting, or embroidery. PieceWork is also excited to announce a new category: “Next Generation Embroider,” which is open to stitchers who are between the ages of 15 and 25; entries in this category must incorporate embroidery.
The Excellence in Needle Arts grand-prize recipient, which will be awarded to the pincushion entry that best shows originality and needle-arts mastery, will receive $500 cash from The National Needle Arts Association (TNNA), the grand-prize sponsor, as well as have his/her work displayed at the June TNNA trade show in Columbus, Ohio.

Sponsorship of the Excellence in Needle Arts Awards is at an all-time high with this year’s event. Sponsors of first-place recipients include: The Caron Collection, embroidery; DMC, cross-stitch; Plymouth Yarn Company Inc., knitting/crochet; Presencia Hilaturas USA, tatting/lacemaking; Quilting Arts magazine, quilting; Zweigart, needlepoint; and first-time sponsor Sublime Stitching, Next Generation Embroiderer. Each first-place winner of each category will receive $200 worth of product from the category’s sponsor. First-place winning pincushions will also be at display at the June TNNA trade show in Columbus, Ohio.

The Excellence in Needle Arts Awards is open to all United States citizens, with international exceptions granted, by calling (970) 613-4638. For more information, rules, and entry forms, please visit pieceworkmagazine.com. Entries must be received by March 1, 2008.

Knitting Daily and Beading Daily Announce Monthly Popularity Index

2007-09-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

Loveland, Colo., September 6, 2007: Knitting Daily and Beading Daily
released today their monthly popularity index of the top five most-
downloaded patterns on their websites for August 2007. Knitting Daily
and Beading Daily are Interweave Press’s new online communities for
knitting and beading enthusiasts, offering hundreds of free patterns
and projects in their exclusive design libraries.

The Top 5 Free Beading Daily Projects for the month of August, in
order of popularity, are:

Harlequin Bracelet — designed by Carol Huber Cypher, this exclusive
BeadingDaily.com excerpt from the new book Mastering Beadwork, is a
seed-bead bracelet using the African helix-, ladder-, and peyote-
stitch techniques.

Tide Pool — designed by Marcella Austenfeld, this wire jewelry project
is a single strand bracelet featuring keishi pearls that link wired
crystals, crystal dangles on chain, strung glass rondelles, and silver
spacers.

Filigree Drops Earrings — designed by Jamie Hogsett, these elegant
earrings are an exclusive BeadingDaily.com excerpt from the new book
Create Jewelry: Crystals, using a custom crystal mix called Aquadesiac

Champagne Necklace — designed by Jamie Hogsett, this exclusive
BeadingDaily.com excerpt from the new book Create Jewelry: Pearls is a
bib-style necklace with six tiers of subtly colored pearls, wrapped
with wire to sparkling ribbon.

Red Current Lariat — designed by Anne Merrow, this beautiful lariat,
created with tubular herringbone stitch, features numerous wirewrapped
dangles at the ends. This project was part of the July 2007 Beading
Daily Challenge.

The Top 5 Free Knitting Daily Patterns for the month of August, in
order of popularity, are:

Knitted Cuddlies — designed by Louisa Harding for Natural Knits for
Babies and Moms in Green Mountain Spinnery Cotton Comfort (cat), Blue
Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton (rabbit), and Vreseis Fox Fibre Chenille
(teddy bear), this exclusive KnittingDaily.com book excerpt offers one
of the easiest patterns ever written for a knitted toy animal.

Corset Pullover — designed by Robin Melanson in Filatura di Crosa
Elena (100% mercerized Mako Egyptian cotton), this feminine top
combines lace, stockinette stitch, and twisted ribbing. The bodice is
shaped with short rows and fitted with cinch straps, just like the
corsets that Robin’s grandmother wore.

Ambrosia Socks — designed by Ann Budd in Knit One, Crochet Too
Ambrosia (70% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 10% cashmere), this twisted-
stitch pattern called “Butterfly Rib” turns out like little faux
cables.

Bella Blouse — designed by Norah Gaughan in Berroco Cotton Twist (70%
mercerized cotton, 30% rayon), this flared top with short cap sleeves
uses a trailing-bud pattern framed by faggot stitches as the lace
border.

Summer Wheat Tank — designed by Lisa Shroyer in Madil Eden yarn (100%
bamboo), this is an unusual version of a wrapped top, with a bobble-
studded lace pattern for a separate panel that ties over a
stockinette-stitch tank.

Hundreds of thousands of knitters and beaders across the globe are
browsing the Knitting Daily and Beading Daily pattern libraries
archives or using the search tool to find patterns by publication
date, name of pattern, designer, or skill level (beginner, easy,
intermediate, or experienced). New patterns are added to the websites
each week.

National Sewing Month

2007-09-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

On September 27, 1985, Ronald Reagan proclaimed September as National Sewing Month.

Stitch Markers & Dye Day

2007-08-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

I've been enjoying making stitch markers and have quite a few to show for my efforts. Some have been given as gifts and others are for sale.

Last week was dye day at Thistle Cove Farm. I dyed seven skeins of 100+ yards, about ten skeins of 200+ yards and one skein of wool/mohair that's about 40+ yards. It's lots of fun but also lots of work and, toward the end of the day, I was racing against the storm. I didn't care if the yarn was rained upon but I didn't feel like getting wet. I left the skeins of yarn on the line and the next morning they were **tangled**...not a mistake I'll, likely, make again! The wind took them and mingled them like cooked spaghetti; they are a pain to get un-tangled and then wound into balls.

All in all, a good weeks work with more to show for it than what's been talked about here. What's going on in your world?

Interweave Knits Fall 2007- Going Green

2007-08-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Loveland, Colo., August 17, 2007: The Fall 2007 issue of Interweave Knits, the first issue under new editor Eunny Jang, guides knitters through the rapidly growing world of organic options and explores how one basic element—such as knitted cables—can be integrated into your knitting in many wonderful and subtle ways. The issue hits newsstands and craft shops nationwide this week and retails for $6.99. With this issue Jang begins her new blog at www.interweaveknits.com/eunnyknits, where she further explores the cool patterns, techniques, stitches, themes, and fibers from each issue and gives the behind-the-scenes on her new editorship.

TaDah!

2007-08-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the following winners for the latest Fiber Femmes newsletter contest:

Cynthia Acheson, BC, wins the beautiful shawl pin by Leslie Wind! This is a wonderful piece of hand crafted jewelry in gold, sterling silver or bronze and, when used to clasp *your* hand crafted shawl, makes a Statement!

Connie McGue, CA, wins the The Weavers Draft Book and Clothiers Assistant - A Facsimile Reproduction of the Original Edition 1792. Piper Publishing LLC. Piper Publishing LLC has produced this book for the American Antiquarian Society. Rita J. Adrosko, Curator Emerita Textiles Collection for the National Museum of American History, contributed the Hargrove's Patterns in Contemporary Context. Ms. Adrosko also wrote Natural Dyes and Home Dyeing - A Practical Guide with Over 150 Recipes, now out of print (I think). The Weavers Draft Book is a delightful look into clothing production of by-gone days and a nice addition to any fiber library.

Cathy Robinson, NC, wins the Susan Bates Vintage Circular Knitting Needles, size 7, 36-inch soft blue. These beauties were popular in the 1960's and 1970's and can be carried on an airplane with nary a thought of "are they legal?" I've flown with my circs all over the world and the only thing I've heard is, "Gosh! Those are beautiful! Are they vintage?" The package has NEVER been opened and the original price of $1.50 is still front and center! From the package, "Circlon Whisper Smooth Nylon Circular Knitting Needle, Virtually Indestructible, Susan Bates, The Standard of Perfection" and "If needle curls, soak in hot water"...it doesn't get any better!

Leslie Wind is mailing her shawl pin and Sandra will mail the book and knitting needles; let us know when you've received them, please and thanks.

Congratulations Femmes; enjoy in good health!

Fiber News

2007-08-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Knitty Calendar Contest deadline is August 17, 2007.

Louet North America has become the official distributor for South West Trading Company fibers.

Kaffe Fassett is coming to the USA in support of his new book Kaffe Knits Again, Potter Craft, Publisher and his new Westminster Fibers sock-yarn line. Visit his website for more information and dates.

Interweave Press Unveils BeadingDaily.com

2007-08-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

Loveland, Colo.: Interweave Press today officially unveiled BeadingDaily.com, a new online beading community, library of free beading and jewelry-making projects, daily blog, and e-newsletter from the publisher of Beadwork, Step by Step Beads, Step by Step Wire Jewelry, and Stringing magazines.

Following on the heels of Interweave's KnittingDaily.com launch earlier this summer, BeadingDaily.com will offer a new interactive experience combining the best content from the creative and trusted world of Interweave Press beading and jewelry-making books and magazines with original content and patterns exclusive to Beading Daily.

"These two new online platforms—KnittingDaily.com and BeadingDaily.com—have created exciting new opportunities for cross-media content and will significantly increase our ability to connect to craft enthusiasts with our trusted brands," says CEO Clay Hall.

"Beading Daily is for anyone passionate about beads," says editor Michelle Mach, who has contributed her designs to Stringing, Simply Beads, and Beadwork magazines. "Whether you're just getting started or already live to bead, there's a place for you at Beading Daily."

Quilting, a film shoot & Fiber Femmes

2007-07-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

Dave's quilt is finished! This is the second quilt I've ever made but the first one was very similar to this one. The first quilt doesn't have the large, hand quilted border but, in all other respects, it's the same quilt. The same fabric is used for the squares but not placed in the same sequence. At any rate, Dave's quilt is beautiful, nice and heavy and provides warmth against the chill. He's already used it for napping and proclaimed it "perfect!"...words that warm my heart .

Last week we hosted a film crew at Thistle Cove Farm. They were filming for the 'Round the Mountain video which will be used to promote the Artisans Center (to be built in 2009 in Abingdon, VA), 'Round the Mountain and crafts in southwest Virginia. It was a good day both in terms of beauty and in a good shoot. I'm hopeful they have some footage they can use of me at the spinning wheel; I'm supportive of 'Round the Mountain and the good work they are doing in southwest Virginia.

The Thistle Cove Farm blog has been updated with photos of my new studio, aka Sandra's Playhouse. It's a room where I can spin, knit, weave, sew, craft to my hearts' content! It's not quite finished but close enough that I've managed to fill several days with useful. pleasant work and quite a few hours of contemplation.

Fiber Femmes is almost ready to go on-line. Yes, Leslie and I are both aware it's a bit late this issue. As everyone knows, sometimes life gets in the way of living and plans are put on hold. Please do forgive us for the lateness of this, our first anniversary issue. It's well worth the wait and we're both pleased with the outcome. Let us know what you think!

Fiber Femmes July/August 2007

2007-07-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

is ALMOST ready! Just a couple of loose ends that still need to be tucked in!

One of our own needs us...

2007-07-02T18:12:00.000-07:00

Just remember, "When it's dark enough, you can see the stars."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (from Annie's blog)

Annie Modesitt and her family are facing a health crises. Gerry, her husband, has Multiple Myeloma, a quite painful blood cancer that manifests itself in the bone marrow. Gerry is scheduled for a Mayo Clinic stem cell transplant in August.

How can you help?

~pray, think good thoughts and send positive energy
~buy a pattern
~send a card

Gerry’s happy to receive cards at

Annie Modesitt / Landy

1043 Grand Ave

PO Box 117

St. Paul, MN 55105

Blessings ~

~the world wide Fiber Family!

~Annie and her family

~people who care in whatever way they can

~the Mayo Clinic

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

~prayer

KnittingDaily.com Blog Tour Kicks Off This Week

2007-07-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

July 2, 2007: Knitting Daily editor Sandi Wiseheart will be hitting the Internet Highway this week on a Blog Tour Journey as she chats with some of the Web's favorite knitting bloggers and celebrates Knitting Daily's first month of activity. Starting today, she'll sit down for a virtual visit with a different blogger each day (and one knit show podcaster) to talk about the launch of the site, the ins and outs of her job as editor, the emotional responses from readers about her post on "knitting for your real self and not for your imaginary self," that ubiquitous "Tomato" pattern, and more. And of course she can't chat with Crazy Aunt Purl or Dogged without mentioning her four cats and her three-legged Australian shepherd Buddy.

Bookmark these sites and check back every day for new Q&A and lively discussion with Sandi Wiseheart.

KNITTING DAILY BLOG TOUR JOURNEY JULY 2007

Monday, July 2
Ready, Set, Knit! podcast – available online or by subscription at iTunes http://yarn.com/s/podcast.html

Tuesday, July 3
Crazy Aunt Purl
http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/

Wednesday, July 4
Lolly Knitting Around
http://lollygirl.com/blog

Thursday, July 5
Dogged
http://doggedknits.com/

Friday, July 6
CRAFT Blog and Pattern Podcast
http://craftzine.com/blog/

2007-06-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

Loveland, Colo., June 20, 2007: Interweave Press today officially unveiled KnittingDaily.com, a new online knitting community, library of free knitting, felting and crochet patterns, daily blog, and e-newsletter for knitting and fiber enthusiasts from the publisher of Interweave Knits, Spin-Off, Knitscene, and Interweave Crochet magazines, and many best selling knitting books by the industry's most popular and talented designers. This new interactive experience combines the best content from the creative and trusted world of Interweave Press fiber books and magazines with original content and patterns exclusive to KnittingDaily.com.

Features on Knitting Daily include:*Free Knitting, Felting, and Crochet Patterns: Users can search for patterns by publication date, name of pattern or designer, and skill level (beginner, easy, intermediate, or experienced). Members also can browse patterns by style or intended recipient. The site offer patterns for the entire family—from babies and children to men and women, and it presents collections in every design category imaginable: shawls and stoles, gloves and mittens, scarves, afghans and blankets, wedding knits, handbags, home décor, gifts, and more. Patterns are by some of the most accomplished designers in the industry, such as Ann Budd, Annie Modesitt, Debbie Bliss, Judith Swartz, Kate Gilbert, Kathy Zimmerman, Kristin Nicholas, Leigh Radford, Lily Chin, Mari Lynn Patrick, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts, Teva Durham, Véronik Avery, and Vicki Square.

*Daily Blog: Wiseheart combines her love of knitting with a natural enthusiasm for life to provide readers a unique perspective on all things knitting. A free weekly pattern—some exclusive to the site—kicks off the blog each week and is expected to draw as many downloads as comments.

*Daily e-newsletters: Knitters have something to look forward to each day—the blog posts and a download link for the free weekly pattern are sent to subscribers along with a sprinkling of product and event news.

*Techniques: Knitting Daily's mission is to help knitters knit, so technique tips and a stitch glossary represent an ever-growing section of the site.

Knitting Daily will continue to evolve throughout the year with the addition of an online store, a shopping directory, and personalization and social networking features such as community forums and expanded reader image galleries. These features will further expand the site from a resource to a portal and meeting place for the knitting community. By the year's end the site will offer greater opportunities for advertisers to digitally connect with knitting enthusiasts.

The Life-Size Fairy Tale House

2007-06-19T05:04:00.000-07:00

"A unique knitted wonder-house will go on show for the first time with the aim of raising thousands of pounds for charity.

The millions of stitches in the multi-coloured woollen 140 square foot dwelling have been knitted by hundreds of women across the world over thousands of hours.

The Gingerbread House is the brainchild of 45-year-old knitting enthusiast Alison Murray from Bideford, north Devon. "

Click here for the story. Thanks, Robin, for the link!

World Fiber News

2007-06-13T17:49:00.000-07:00

The 9th Annual Stitched Up Textile Festival takes place 23 June through 15 July 2007 in Wangaratta, Australia. Additionally, they are knitting the Guinness Book of Records Longest Scarf attempt to break the world record. When the new record of 53 kilometres is broken, the scarf will be made into blankets for charity.

If you want to join in, use 8 ply wool on 4 mm needles; CO 66 stitches and K in garter stitch. Lengths of 1 metre are easiest to manage and please send to:

Worlds Longest Scarf WTAAPO Box 398 Wangaratta VIC 3676

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Catherine Hollingsworth has another wonderful knitting article in the Anchorage Daily News; this time it's "men knitters".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nick Thomas has split a major fashion prize Gold Award of £20,000 (that's $40,000 US) with Jasper Chadprajong from Ravensbourne College. Thomas is a Kingswood student and studied at the University of the West of England. The Gold Award Prize is top prize at River Island Graduate Fashion Week.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

News Tidbits

2007-06-12T20:50:00.000-07:00

The above photo taken at Thistle Cove Farm where critters, beasts and varmints share the peaceable kingdom.

The July August 2007 issue of Fiber Femmes will have several contests including aprons, quilts and fashion.

We've got some great books for review including Lion Brand "Just" books, a terrific French quilting book and a lovely book on shepherding, sheepdogs and England.

Fiber Femmes is working on our next contest and we have some *fabulous* prizes lined up. Only newsletter subscribers may enter and win so if you're not signed up, go to the website and sign up now for the Fiber Femmes newsletter.

Planning a fiber trip this year that includes air travel? The USA TSA (Travel Safety Administration) has decided knitting needles are permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage. However, knitting needles
could be perceived as a weapon and individual security officers has the authority to prevent them as a carry-on item. Knit it safe and use only bamboo or plastic needles; the Circlon needles from the 1960's and
1970's are *perfect* for airline travel projects.

Knit Simple has a new editor, Carla Scott. She wants to keep the simplicity but make it a bit more fashionable and maintain the family focus.

Vogue Knitting has a new editor, Adina Klein; she makes her debut with the 25th anniversary edition.

Fiber Happy, all!

Sidna Farley dies

2007-06-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

Sidna Farley died Memorial Day, 28 May 2007 at age 66, of the effects of Parkinson's Disease. She was born Sidna Ann Hazen, 26 January 1941 in Lincoln, Nebraska and met her future husband, Dick Farley, at Irving Junion High School when both were students. Since 1977 they resided in Denver, Colorado.

She was an extraordinary knitwear designer and teacher who was also a weaver and shared her skills, knowledge and enthusiam to hundreds. She ran an annual knitting camp, COlorado Knit Camp or CONK, for many years; taught classes at Skyloom Fibers in Denver and wrote Sweaters the Easy Way.

To pay your respects and/or to sign the guest book, please visit
http://www.legacy.com/Denver/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=88589855

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Deborah Pulliam dies

2007-05-31T18:22:00.000-07:00

Deborah Pulliam died of cancer 22 May 07 at her home in Castine, Maine; she was 54. She earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA in 1974 and, for a time, she was an interpreter crafter at Colonial Williamsburg and specialized in traditional basketweaving.

She was a regular contributor to several Interweave Press publications, including Spin-Off and Piecework, and well known as a textile historian and contributor in the fiber and textile world.

I wish her family and friends peace during the dark days ahead.

I Want a Book Winner Number 3

2007-05-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

The third winner for the I Want a Book Contest is

Angela - aumurphy@_________

and she wins Big Girl Knits

Angela, please e-mail us with your snail mail address as soon as possible.

NOTE: Deneen has e-mailed us for Hit By A Farm but we're still waiting on Bridget.

Felting, Happy Birthday, Baseball & Congrats

2007-05-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

From Interweave Press, on sale July 17, 2007, Interweave Felt magazine will offer felted projects...everything from knitting then felting to felting using roving or fleece. Of course they will include needle felting as well as all the accessories and embellishments, tips, techniques and lots more.

Spin-Off magazine turns 30 this year...HAPPY BIRTHDAY Spin-Off!

Devastating Barn Fire in Whitingham, Vermont

2007-05-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Many people in this world are having a difficult time right now, and we've just heard of another heavy loss to a Fiber Femme in Whitingham, Vermont. A fire caused by lightning destroyed the barn where much of her equipment was kept, and the financial situation makes it difficult for her to replace any of the lost items critical to her farm operation.

She writes:

"hi all,
the barn that is stored my farm tractor / trailer, electranet sheep
fencing, 50 gal galv. water tubs, 2 kayaks , paddles, life jackets,
cart for kayak, set of rims and winter tires for 2000 toyota siena and
non repacable antiques were all turned to ash and scrap when lighting
caused barn to burn to ground. I didn't have renters ins. and need
items for my sheep farm... I also would like replacement of rims/and
kayaks if you have any of this stuff not being used please contact me
at bunnyshephard@yahoo.com I am retired on SS and dont have savings
to replace this stuff... I am so broken by all this, the good news is
no people or critters were hurt. ( just tired out firemen from 3
towns).
this occured this past wed at 6am .whitingham vt
thanks in advance
bunny"

Rebuilding Greensburg- Block by Block

2007-05-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Rebuilding Greensburg-Block by Block

The wonderful fiber family is at it again, this time donating hours of work, love and time to help comfort the families of Greensburg, Kansas, a town of 1400 people devastated recently by shattering tornados. Click the link above to find out how you can help!

Special thanks and recognition to Laura of Sugar Bunny Boulevard, who is spearheading this effort on behalf of her neighbors. It is a tremendous amount of work to coordinate something like this, and Laura will be blessed for her wonderful kindness! Be sure when you visit to say "Thanks" to her for this wonderful idea!

Number Two Winnah!

2007-05-17T17:11:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure folks are reading this blog...therefore aren't sure folks know they have won...?

Our second book winner wants Hit By a Farm and it's TaDA!

Deneen @ www.yarnsandmusings.com

Same thing, Deneen...e-mail your snail mail address and this delightful book will come to you as soon as USPS can deliver!

Denne --- COME ON DOWN!

The third winner will be announced in a day or three, stay tuned.

I Want a Book winner

2007-05-15T10:57:00.000-07:00

TaDA!

The first person to e-mail me who said, "I Want a Book" and gave me the name of the book she wanted was a colleen named

Bridget Clancy

and she wants Morehouse Farm Merino Knits. Excellent choice, Bridget, I've spent some pleasurable time reading this book published by Potter Craft. It's not only a great knitting book, it has beautiful photographs and Margrit tells the story and history of Morehouse Farm.

You'll have to write a review for this blog, letting us know how you like the book, please and thanks.

Please do two things for me...comment to this note so I know you've seen your name in lights...then... please e-mail your snail mail address so Morehouse Farm Merino Knits can be sent to you.

Stay tuned, all, there are two more winners to be announced!

One of these sheep feeding at the hay bale are Merinos and have mahlavous fleeces.

Speaking of sheep...we're shearing tomorow...those few who missed being sheared last month. Sheep are in the barn, dry, and unhappy but this time tomorrow they will be nekkid and happy, happy, happy!

As will I.

Book Winners!

2007-05-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

O Come On.

Surely you didn't think I'd give it away this quickly...did you really???

Leslie and I have had a lot of fun with the book contest and yes, we do have three winners. We're giving away Morehouse Farm, Hit by a Farm and Big Girl Knits...great books all! I've read 'em all and can attest to their ability to amuse, enlighten, entertain and teach.

First you have to look at more photos of Maryland Sheep and Wool. You know you want to...especially those of you who weren't there!

Isn't this roving beautiful? Looks like cotton candy...YummO!

She made it AND she looks great!

Pine Tree Yarn was COLD on Sunday morning but looking good!

This photo (right) reminds me of Sherri Lewis and Lambchop...remember?

Okay...enough for tonight. I'm tired and it's an early day tomorrow and, already, overflowing with chores. There are *more* books to review and give away, there are *more* sheep to be shorn, there are *more* curtains to hang, there are *more* winners...

Fiddle-de-dee. I've still gotta let you know the first three winners, don't I?

All in good time, Femmes, all in good time.

May News

2007-05-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

International Freeform Fiber Arts. Very interesting site for free form expression but sometimes flows over its "traffic quota".

2007-05-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

Leslie and Sandra are beavering away on the May/June 2007 issue of Fiber Femmes and it should be on-line in a few days. April has been an incredibly busy month and along with being Publisher and Editor of Fiber Femmes, we also operate our own businesses, Greenberry House and Thistle Cove Farm.

Just a few bits of noteworthy news...

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, the oldest and largest in the world, is this week and weekend. Sandra is teaching a portion of her university course, Increasing Small Farm Income, and people will leave with a press release in hand to go home and promote their small business or farm.

The Fiber Femmes newsletter is giving away prizes to subscribers. Each month, two lucky people will have their names drawn from the more than one thousand subscribers and will have one month to claim their prize. First come, first serve so subscribe now!

Sheep Shearing Day @ Thistle Cove Farm is almost completed and, hopefully, sheep will be nekkid by next week's end. The fleeces are lovely and will be available for sale or will be used for roving, blankets or yarn. Whichever seems right at the time! Please read Leslie's 22 April blog entry for more information and fun day photos. The photo below is of the great Fiber Femmes who shared the day, the fun and the food.

Please forgive the brag...but...along with five others, Sandra won Liz Curtis Higgs Lowlands Artwork Contest and will receive an original pen-and-ink drawing by well known and gifted Lowland artist Simon Dawdry. Simon is the illustrator of My Heart's in the Lowlands by Ms Higgs and four dozen of his sketches adorn the book set in Galloway, Scotland. Visit Liz's website and click on the book just under the yellow tulip, center page.

Sheep Shearing Day at Thistle Cove Farm

2007-04-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

After the Shearing

The third Saturday in April is always Sheep Shearing Day at Thistle Cove Farm, and we had another wonderful time with shearing, music and lots and lots of wonderful wool! It was truly a day of friendship and Fiber Femmes greatness!

I've been updating the Fiber Femmes Festival Calendar and it looks like there is a lot to do all over the country, and the world, this summer if you're into fiber! Sandra is busy getting together new articles for the May/June issue of Fiber Femmes, watch out for your newsletter!

Fiber Femmes & estate planning

2007-04-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

In the Mar/Apr 07 issue of Fiber Femmes, Catherine Hollingsworth wrote an article about estate planning and the need for fiber femmes and folks to plan for their/our, eventual, demise. Sandra speaking here...I know I've got a bundle of fiber "stuff" that would make someone or some guild very, very happy. I've been collecting books, yarn, needles, hooks, wheels, magazines, tools and equipment for more than a couple of decades...YIKES!!!...and, at this point in time, the stash is quite impressive.

Leslie and I are giving away some things to Fiber Femmes newsletter subscribers but there still remains a lot of fiber "stuff" to be considered. I don't have a last will and testament but do have a written trust and it's there I've begun a list of what I want to go where...so to speak.

A lot of fiber folks are also quilters, paper/book/doll and other hand crafters. It's not only yarn and knitting needles or crochet hooks we must, eventually, find homes for, it's fabric, supplies, tools and other equipment.

Fortunately, there are a lot of guilds across the country and world and a mere listing makes it easier for those tending to my affairs to have a starting point to give and place items. Some guilds might choose to keep books and magazines for their library while others might choose to allow members to purchase things and the money used to fund Guild activities.

One way to let others know of your largess, should you choose, is to use book plates for donated books, magazines and patterns. I know I've often wondered at the history of my Haldane wheel and every time I wear the little crochet slippers "Doris" made, I wonder about her and her life. Those little slippers cost me seventy-five cents in a thrift store and have brought me untold hours of use and enjoyment. They are my travel slippers and are constantly with me in my carry on bag, tucked in with my knitting and my reading material.

Another idea is to establish a scholarship and SOAR comes to mind. Interweave Press has, for decades, funded scholarships to SOAR. Only last year a scholarship was established for a beloved member of the fiber community who passed away in 2006. It's a dream of both Leslie and I to establish a Fiber Femmes scholarship to SOAR and, with each issue, we're getting closer to having our dream realized!

It's never too early to plan for a future home for your lovely fiber and fiber equipment and tools. How about it? What are you doing to ensure others will have the same enjoyment and pleasure from your stash and equipment as do you? Think about it and let us know then...write about it on your blogs. This is an important issue and the best time to plan is now!

Sheepless Yarn Swap Launches from Interweave

2007-04-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Announcing the First Sheepless Yarn Swap from Interweave Press

Just in time for summer knitting, Interweave Press is celebrating the launch of Amy R. Singer's No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights by organizing the first Sheepless Yarn Swap.

Registration is open until May 1 online at: http://www.interweave.com/knit/books/No_Sheep/swap/nosheepsignup.asp

Perhaps you are allergic to wool, don't like how it feels against your skin, or just don't wish to use anything that came from an animal? Or maybe you prefer knitting with cooler plant-fiber yarns for hotter weather? Do you want to meet other fiber fans who feel the same way?

Participants in the No Sheep for You Secret Pals Skein Swap will receive two skeins of nonwool yarn—one in June and one in July 2007—from their anonymous secret pal; they also mail two nonwool skeins in two months to their assigned pal.

What qualifies as a nonwool skein for this swap? Thankfully there are tons of options now in the wide world of fibers: hemp, linen, cotton, silk, rayon, bamboo, corn, Lyocall, Modal, Seacell, soy fiber yarn, or skeins with any combinations of the above. As long as it is 100 percent nonwool, it qualifies.

Interweave is asking participants to send *new* yarns to their pals and show a little love to their local yarns shops and craft stores this summer.

For ideas on what to knit with those yarns or how to make yarn substitutions to achieve similar effects in wool, don't forget to check out Amy's great new book.

Excellence in Needle Arts Awards Announced

2007-03-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

PieceWork Magazine Announces Excellence in Needle Arts Award Winners in March/April 2007 Issue

Awards showcase winners in quilting, embroidery, tatting/lacemaking, needlepoint, counted thread, knitting, and crochet

Loveland, Colo., March 26, 2007: The Excellence in Needle Arts Awards winners are featured in the March/April 2007 issue of PieceWork magazine, on newsstands nationwide now through May 8 ($5.99). Each year the awards, an annual cooperative effort between PieceWork magazine, industry sponsors, and needlework, quilt, and yarn shops across the country, showcase the best work of needlecrafters in quilting, embroidery, tatting/lacemaking, needlepoint, counted thread, knitting, and crochet.

The Grand Prize winner, receiving a $500 cash prize from TNNA, is Suzanne K. Vinmans of Albany, Wis., for her "Gnossienes" (after Erik Satie's compositions for piano), a hand-embroidered tapestry, freehand-drawn design embroidered with cotton embroidery floss on ivory satin, with a burgundy velvet border and burgundy satin ribbon tabs for hanging, backed with interfacing, curtain linen. Vinmans was nominated by Lynn's Craft Shop of Madison, Wis., who received a $500 prize voucher to attend a TNNA show.

First-place winners and the shops that nominated them each received $200 in prizes from the awards' first-place sponsors: Sunflower Pattern Co-Operative, The Caron Collection, Presencia Hilaturas USA, Zweigart, DMC, and Plymouth Yarn Company Inc.

View the winners at:
http://www.interweave.com/needle/NWOY/pastwinners/winners_2006.asp

News from Greenberry House

2007-03-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

Yarns from small producers

It has been a gorgeous week, and I've enjoyed working with some fellow Fiber Femmes to put together a shop up here in Meadows of Dan that will showcase fiber and yarn from small producers, mostly in Virginia and North Carolina. Wild Iris Wool, Fiber on the Mountain and Thistle Cove Farm are well represented with beautiful hand spun, hand dyed and farm raised fiber and yarn. I'm still working on the rest of the shop but I almost have it ready to open this weekend. And of course, cold weather is predicted!

Fiber News & Mar/Apr 07 FF update

2007-03-07T11:43:00.000-08:00

Tricia Cribbs, FF Focus for Mar/Apr 07 issue, sent me an e-mail stating my explanation of "Fat Quarter" isn't quite correct. Ugh! There's always a mistake or two in any issue and I hate it was in Tricia's FF Focus...especially as I "lifted" that explanation directly off another quilting website! Seems there's disagreement even in the quilting world but I trust Tricia and here's her explanation:

"This is of little importance, but I want to tell you so that you will understand what a ‘fat quarter’ actually is. It is a piece of fabric that measures 18” x 22”. To cut fat quarters - you cut a half yard piece of fabric from a 45” wide bolt of fabric - you then cut that half yard in half at the fold line. When the selvages are cut away you are left with 2 fat quarters. So actually, in total it takes 5 yards of fabric (20 fat quarters) to make a Turning Twenty quilt. Okay, lesson for today is over. Now, can you teach me to knit in only one paragraph???"

Great explanation, Tricia, and THANKS! Hmmm...can I teach you to knit in only paragraph? Yes, but it's going to be a much longer paragraph!

The photo, right, is of a bundle of Fat Quarters, pre-packaged and ready for quilting. Be advised, when pre-packaged, just like other value added products, it's a bit more expensive than cutting your own fabric.

More news -

Ashley Martineau has written a great tutorial on how to unravel a sweater. For everyone who is pinching pennies or for those who want a new fiber adventure, consider buying wool sweaters at thrift stores, tag sales, etc. and unraveling them. Ashley gives great directions, with photos, and you may even remember her article in Interweave Knits Spring 2005 issue.

Does this ever sound like FUN and you have a chance to win FREE tickets! Sewing for Pleasure and Hobby Crafts will feature The Knitted Garden, costumes from Holiday on Ice and other fabulous displays. Go to their website and enter to win free tickets but if you do win...you have to let Fiber Femmes know in the form of a review, please and thanks.

The TribStar has an interesting article on knitting and talks about the first knitting guild - France in 1525 and male dominated.

And, in a strange twist of knitting...women at the Bainbridge Island Senior Center are knitting for bottle nosed dolphins. Yep, you read correctly. It seems there's a Navy plan to use warm-water bottlenose dolphins on Homeland Security patrol. For the whole weird story read "Knitting women unite to keep Navy dolphins warm".

The March/April 2007 issue of Fiber Femmes is on-line and Leslie has done a fabulous job presenting this issue. Please visit now and let us know what you think. We've branched out a bit with quilting and will continue to expand our horizons. If you'd like to see your article, review or photo in print, please let us know...we love celebrating, encouraging, promoting and supporting Fiber Femmes and Fellows the world over!

One Skein Wins ACE Award

2007-02-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

Interweave Press's One Skein Wins Craftrends ACE Award for Best Knitting & Crochet Book

Loveland, Colo., February 12, 2007: Interweave Press's One Skein: 30 Quick Projects to Knit & Crochet by Leigh Radford is the winner of the 2006 Craftrends' Award of Creative Excellence (ACE) for best Knitting & Crochet book. Trophies were awarded last month at the Craft and Hobby Association Winter Show in Anaheim, California.

One Skein, a treasury of quick-to-knit designs requiring only a single skein of yarn, is the fastest-selling title in Interweave's history, having sold more than 58,000 copies since its publication in April 2006 and currently on its fifth printing. One Skein features more than 30 knitting and crochet projects that range in size, time commitment, and experience level, providing both beginning and experienced knitters a variety of projects from which to choose.

This is the 15th year for the annual ACE Awards, formerly known as the Awards of Excellence. Entries were judged on overall quality, originality, attractiveness, clarity of instructions and ease of use, retail support, advertising/marketing support, and whether the products and books met consumer needs. Information on the other Craftrends winners is available online at: http://www.craftrends.com/news/index.cfm.

Source: Interweave Press LLC

Fiber Geek Questionnaire

2007-02-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

1. Do you raise fiber, animals or plant, or are a fiber user only? If you raise animals/plants...what do you raise?
Rare, primitive Shetland and Romney, Merino and crossbred sheep. I knit with natural fibers and with acrylic but only spin natural animal fibers. I've never spun plant fibers.

2. What's your favorite fiber & why? Which fiber do you like the least & why?
Wool because that's what I raise; specifically Romney because it has a lovely luster and long staple. The Shetland is great as well and I especially enjoy the Merino Shetland fleece I raise. It has a much shorter staple length but the softness makes up for length.
I'm not fond of harsh fibers, either natural or acrylic.

3. What's your worst habit relating to your fiber?
Spending too much time writing about it and not enough time spinning. I do knit almost every day and that brings a great deal of pleasure. Most of what I knit I give away.

4. In what ways does your fiber habit make you a better person?
It centers me, especially tending to the animals. It brings a nice circularity to my life and allows me to focus on what's truly important. I spend time on a daily basis with my animals and, when it's good weather, I take my knitting or spinning wheel to the pasture and enjoy their company while I'm engaged in fiber pursuits. When I take time to knit, I enjoy the time to pray for the recipient, to remember their needs and the way they fit into my life. If it's someone I don't know, charity knitting, I pray for what I imagine their needs to be.

5. How would your life be different if you had to give up fiber?
More stress, definitely more stress. I would have to quilt more because I have to keep busy. Idle hands are the devil's workshop as the old saying goes. I'd rather be too busy than not busy enough; boredom is so totally unnecessary and unwanted in life!

6. What tools, yarns, books or gadgets can't you live without?
The books I most use are the stitch pattern books but the books I most enjoy looking at are pattern books. Morehouse Farm Merino, Mason Dixon Knitting, Stitch n Bitch, any of Melanie Falack's books, Interweave Knits, Spin-Off, Easy Knits and Creative Knitting are fun magazines. My spinning wheels are a joy both to look at and to use.

7. What was your first fiber project?
First fiber project was a knitting project...a simple basket design scarf. The first spinning project was a wild hat, spun tightly with bits of mohair sticking out and then knit into a hat. Very fun project!

8. Do you have any fiber mentors? Who are they and why?
Jane Fournier is the only spinning class I've ever taken and she's a lovely person. She's a great teacher...very knowledgeable and fun to be around with a great sense of humor. Most of my "fiber mentors" are authors who have written great books...Rachel Brown is one. Merike Saarnit is another person whom I admire and would love to have taken one of her classes.

9. Are you a member of any guilds? If so, which one(s)?
I used to be a guild member but it's 200 miles round trip and just too far to go to meetings. I really enjoyed the guild, enjoyed learning about fiber, making friends with women who had similar interests but the drive is just too onerous these days.

10. What's the most exciting fiber project you've undertaken?
Spinning enough fiber to make a shawl...still haven't finished.

11. How many people have you mentored? In which fiber arts?
I've taught dozens of people to knit and spin. When people come to the farm for tours, the interested ones all get a lesson in spinning and then knitting. Sometimes they carry their interest further but sometimes not.

12. Do you consider fiber crafts to be functional or artistic?
Both but I'm interested in the functionality of the craft. I'm Appalachian through and through and, first, last and foremost, want people to be warm and clothed. Maslow said, "food, shelter and clothing are the basic needs in life; all else are wants" so I focus on the needs of clothing and food. It's important to me that people have a hat to warm their heads and food to warm their stomachs. In the USA we live better than 70% of the world's population, it's important to me to give back in the ways I'm able.

13. What, mainly, do you make? Do you keep, or give away, most of your projects?
Hats, scarves, shawls and blankets; most of which I give away. I do a lot of charity knitting but also knit for family and friends.

14. Are fiber crafts an avocation or vocation for you?
Vocation. I'm an eighth generation Appalachian shepherd and farmer and feel, quite strongly, this is what I'm meant to do in life. I love living at Thistle Cove Farm and teaching about spinning, knitting, weaving, fiber arts, sheep, horses, gardening. I love teaching people about the wonderfulness of being an Appalachian American and have traveled all over the world with my message. There's no place I'd rather be or rather be doing than right here, right now. God has given me the desire of my heart, here at Thistle Cove Farm and I intend to live my days and live out my days here, doing the work of my hands and heart.

15. How many people are you committed to being a mentor for in 2007?
As many as will sit still, listen and learn!

PRIZES!

2007-02-01T15:59:00.000-08:00

Fiber Femmes is giving away more prizes!

If you're already a subscriber to Fiber Femmes newletter, you're already entered. If you're not a subscriber, head over to Fiber Femmes e-zine and sign up for our free newsletter.

Newsletter subscribers number almost 1,000 and the 1,000th subscriber will win a beautiful periwinkle Rolodex business card holder. What better way to keep in one safe place all those fiber business cards, eh?

BUT...on alternate months from the FF zine, we're going to share the bounty. We'll draw a name at random and that person will win "something fibery"...a book, magazine, etc. We'll post the winning name here, on the FF blog, and the winner will have 30 days to claim their prize. After 30 days, unclaimed prizes will go back into the pot and we'll start over on the next bi-monthly drawing.

The first winner will claim Big Girl Knits by Jillian Moreno and Amy R. Singer. This book has "25 Big, Bold Projects Shaped for Real Women with Real Curves. Celebrate your curves with sassy, stylish knitwear. Part knitting instruction, part fashion guide, Big Girl Knits is paced with expert advice to help you make the most of your three Bs: Boobs, Belly, and Butt."

So says the book cover and this is one great book! If you don't know, Amy Singer is Editor of Knitty and the book covers big girls from head to toe with beautifully designed knitting that serves to highlight the nice bits and downplay the less than spectacular bits.

So...if you're subscribed, you're already entered; if you're not subscribed, get thee to FiberFemmes ASAP and sign up for the newsletter. Then...say your prayers, keep your fingers crossed, think wonderful thoughts and hope to win...if not this time, then next.

Cold Weather!

2007-01-28T13:03:00.000-08:00

Tennessee Hills

It's settling in for winter again, looks like, with sub-freezing temperatures and cold winds blowing. In between hauling water to the rabbits, I've been spinning for special orders and taking breaks to crochet myself a hat and scarf set made from some gorgeous Yarn Swap yarn. I have to admit, wonderful soft stuff like this really makes me glad I'm a Yarn Snob (name of the swap), especially when the wild winds are blowing!

Knitting, Crochet & Tatting News

2007-01-24T16:53:00.000-08:00

In India, the Chetna Craft Centre at Kala Ghoda, currently has an exhibition of crochet work. "Crochet in Style" includes saris, dupattas, tunics, Western type wear, linens, bags and more. Pali Waraich, designer, uses crochet to empower poor women to make a living. Her group started with about twenty women and has grown to more than two hundred women.

For the rest of this fascinating story, please visit:
http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=xtras&subsection=womensextra&xfile=January2007_extraspecial_standard809&child=extraspecial

In Alaska, Catherine Hollingsworth shares a lovely knitted scarf at http://www.adn.com/life/knitting/story/8566486p-8460075c.html. Color and lots of texture ensure a bit of light during the dark days of winter.

On April 14, the Salvation Army has its 19th Annual Fabric Fair, sponsored by The Salvation Army's Greater Pittsburgh Women's Auxiliary. Items for sewers, crafters, knitters, crocheters will be sold; for more information:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070116/cltu018.html?.v=76

Near Joshua Tree National Park, Shari Elf has opened "TheWorld Famous Crochet Museum". Crochet Grandmothers everywhere would be proud to be showcased in this lime green "Fotomat" tiny museum.

She's an example of find what you love and then do it; GO SHARI! And you go to http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_crochet12.3621f62.html
for the rest of the story.

Boise running back Ian Johnson knits *and* is a romantic. Now there's a man you can take home to Mother!
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=18&entry_id=12215

It used to be called "egg money" but Loretta Ost makes and sells tatting and other needlework to pay taxes on her home. Pssst...she takes custom orders and it's all to keep a roof over Miss Loretta's head.
http://www.paysonroundup.com/section/frontpage_lead/story/26764

"Africa is Life Changing" co-founder Gloria Terry takes crochet hooks and scissors and changes lives in Africa.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=763143 for the story and to donate yarn and other supplies to Kenyan women and girls visit http://www.africaislifechanging.org/
Oh...the best part of donating...everything donated goes to the women and girls of Kenya; Africa is Life Changing is an all volunteer organization.

Do you have fiber news? Let us know, we're all part of the network.

I Love Frou-Frou!

2007-01-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

Frou-Frou, from The Happy Hooker Crochet Book

I spent the weekend in Charleston, watching over the tables at a Civil War Show. Since I don't know much about the merchandise, I let my partner handle the sales and I worked up this lovely sweater from a book I reviewed a couple of issues ago for Fiber Femmes. I have a couple of special order spinning projects I'm working on, but I couldn't take the spinning wheels and I wanted something that would fill up a lot of hours while we were at the show.

Frou-frou is a terrific pattern that resulted in an interesting sweater that is light, flirty and feminine. I used yarn I had spun by Still River Mill from my angora and Sandra's merino that I hand dyed with acid dyes. As you can see from the photo, I made a tiny mistake when dyeing. I forgot to loosen the tyes on the skeins and I wound up with a pound of yarn with white spots. Although I didn't want to sell it, it turned out that the white flashes made an excellent sweater, relieving the plain blue and giving it some punch. The pattern stitch suited the yarn perfectly, creating a nice fabric that drapes just right. This is a really bad picture, I know!

Spinning in Public

And thanks to a couple of our writers in this last issue of Fiber Femmes, I pulled out one of my drop spindles and am making a determined effort to learn how to spin with it. So far it's going better than I would have hoped, and I walked along a Charleston street spinning a nice silk/merino roving!

Fiber News...

2007-01-11T12:51:00.000-08:00

On 2 January 2007, Quilting Arts LLC joined forces with Interweave Press.

Quilting Arts LLC publishes Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors. Pokey Bolton will remain as Editor-in-Chief and John, her husband, remains as Publisher which will also encompass being Group Publisher for Interweave's Quilting and Paper Division. Homequarters will main Stowe, MA.

In 2007, both LLC publications will begin publishing six times a year.

Interweave also purchased Needle Arts Studio, a PBS program, a step into television.

Sewing Machines & Quilting

2007-01-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

My Quilting Bee group, graciously, allowed me to bring home one of their sewing machines to sew my quilt squares. I'm working on two "Turning Twenty" quilts, already have them cut out and need to sew the squares so I can piece the quilts together.

It's been decades since I've touched a sewing machine and my sewing machine is a black Singer model that sews a straight line but it can do it in reverse as well. I've been trying to finish a camera lens holder (for Deborah and I'm only a few months behind schedule...but that's a whole 'nother story) but can't figure out how to make the machine work. By that I mean, I can't figure out (neither can Dave) how to get the back off it so I can thread the needle. Apparently, this newer model (newer than my fifty year old machine) has to be threaded "inside" the body, over the needle. Therein lies the problem...how to get the cover off so I can thread the needle.

sigh.

I'm going to have to go to Quilting Bee tonight with NO sewn squares! I told Dave, "you know what this means...I'm either getting my sewing machine repaired OR I'm buying a new one!"

Anyone have comments on what kind of sewing machine to buy? I'm convinced that any machine made in the last twenty years is going to be smarter than I.

Why oh why did I tell my family they were getting quilts for Christmas this year!?

2007 January

2007-01-08T15:40:00.000-08:00

I've read that what one does on New Year's day is what one will do, primarily, the year through. If that's the case, 2007 will find me knitting, mucking barns/lots, caring for the sheep and horses, spinning and reading. I didn't do any housework, didn't want to waste my time, and, for the most part, spent the day doing exactly what I wanted, when I wanted. Having reached the "mentalpause" age, I'm not sure but I think I might have even had a nap. At any rate, Thistle Cove Farm is where my heart lies and it's all joy to be the steward here, if only for a short time.

This is the view coming in from Rt 19 at Wardell...

I'm still knitting on a purple woolen tri-shawl and enjoying the process. It's the basic dishcloth pattern but I'm playing with it a bit, doozing it up a bit and it's looking very nice.

The Jan/Feb issue of Fiber Femmes is on-line and full of interesting, informative, how-to articles and, Michael Cook, keeper of The Tiny Masters, is our first FF Fellow of the Year. Leslie made some great changes, making it easier to navigate and there's a "leave a comment" at the bottom of most articles. Please DO give your comments, let the authors know what you think of their articles.

Happy New Year...may the worst of 2007 be from the best of 2006!

Fiber Femmes January/February 2007

2007-01-02T12:55:00.000-08:00

I keep having trouble realizing that 2007 has arrived already! Today I finally posted the new issue of Fiber Femmes to the web site, and a smashing issue it is! It's fun to learn so many new things from all these splendid writers; I can't wait to try Abby's plying techniques and see how Suzetta's crocheted ruffled scarf compares with mine! Hope y'all have fun with the new issue!

Rainy Day At Work

2006-12-31T09:30:00.000-08:00

Recent Hand Spinning

This morning I plodded through the rain and mud to tend to the rabbits. After walking the dogs I was a bit chilly because of the wet, and it was nice to get inside the cozy old barn and dole out rations of sweet smelling hay and carrots. The rain clattered on the tin of the roof as I paused, as always, to watch the rabbits nibble on their goodies. Some like to play with the carrots, tossing them around before settling down to eat.

My last official open day was Christmas Eve, but I decided to open the shop yesterday because the sun was shining and the temperatures were climbing. The sun didn't last long, but the rain held off until this morning, and lots of people were wandering around in town and came in to talk and shop. I had a pleasant visit with friends from San Francisco, and an invitation to come out when I can. It would be a lovely trip!

Recent spinning with the Reeves wheel has involved different colors of silk caps and wool, spun into individual singles and then plied together. Fun projects! Now I'm spinning soft merino with my even softer white angora, for a special order shawl for a lovely lady in Lousiana.

And I'm busy putting together the January/February issue of Fiber Femmes and hope to have it online by Tuesday at the latest. Some nice articles and patterns that Sandra has collected for us!

Crochet and Knitting News

2006-12-29T10:53:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Florence Women's Club, KY, for sponsoring visual arts, crafts and creative writing contests for students, grades nine through 12, in all Boone County Schools. Deadline is Jan 5 and categories are visual arts, writing and crafts including crocheting, knitting and weaving. Cash prizes will be awarded at the local and state levels.
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1998 Swedish champion in free skiing, Sverre Liliequist, whips out his crochet hook and yarn between sets on the slope. In 2002, and his friend and skiing buddy Kaj Zackrisson, began selling their hats commercially and now their hats are sold in ten countries.
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Knitting Graffitti - Erika at Redshirt Knitting blog, made knitting history with her "tree sweater".
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An article in Zaman Online, a Turkish newspaper, "...from the U.S. Craft Thread Council, the number of women between 25-34 years of age who knit with a regular needle or a hooked needle has increased by 150 percent since 2002. The number of teenager girls under 18 who knit is 5.7 million. John Laurie, chairman of the Directors Board at Craft Thread, said that the consumer group who demanded thread for knitting was rapidly getting younger. The research also reveals that 36 percent (over 50 million) of all women in America know how to knit....>>>
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<<<...Nancy Seabrooke is the world's longest-serving understudy - for 6,240 performances over 15 years. She would sit in the wings patiently doing embroidery and crochet....>>>
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Fiber Femmes Newsletter

2006-12-07T06:23:00.000-08:00

We've run into some technical problems with the newsletter notification list; I'm trying to repair it right now and hope to have it out by the weekend. Sorry for the delay!

Dye Day @ Thistle Cove Farm

2006-12-06T17:26:00.000-08:00

Frankly, it's much too cold to be dyeing but we did it anyway. Linda, my Traditional Appalachian Fiber Arts apprentice, through the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities Folklife Program, came over and we dyed. We also just about froze to death but we suffered for arts sake...or something like that. We used natural dyes - walnuts, Osage orange and madder roof on yarn and fleece that was soak in water with vinegar or ammonia added as a mordant. A mordant allows the yarn to take the dye and steaming, as the final step, sets the dye.

Madder roots, depending upon the mordant, will give pink or red with all hues in between. In times past, a chamber pot was kept in the cabin or house and used for urination on cold winter nights. More solid matter meant a trip to the outhouse, no matter the temps.

I've heard it said the outhouse was always 200 yards too close in the summer and 200 yards too far in the winter. At any rate, turkey red was obtained by using madder root and urine as a mordant. For our purposes, we used alum and ammonia. Thank God we live in a time of indoor plumbing and central heat! The madder was put on to soak and then boiled to obtain color and, when we're finished, water will be added to the pot and more dye soaked from the roots.

Osage orange is also known as Bois d'arc or hedgeapple and doesn't need a mordant. Sawdust, wood chips or bark may be used and we used saw dust from an accommodating wood worker. The sawdust was placed into panty hose and boiled in water until the color began to release and then soaked.

Walnuts were hand torn to open up the outer, green husk. We used two dye baths of walnuts...one bucket of walnuts had soaked for six weeks and another for two weeks. There's a discernable difference in the two and, naturally, the six week old bucket, in this photo, gave the darkest dye.

For fun, I also mixed up some Jacquard dyes, an acid dye that's safe to use both for humans, animals and the environment.

TC, one of the house cats, doesn't enjoy dye day. She'd much rather the humans be seated because it's only when we're seated is she able to have a warm lap. Dyeing takes place in the kitchen and on the back porch. I have a big ole country stove with seven burners but find the huge pots take up so much room, it's best to use the gas grill outside. Plus, when those spill accidents happen, it's best they happen on the back porch; keeps peace in the family, doncha know?

This pot has fleece soaking in Osage Orange water, a lovely, golden warm color.

These skeins of yarn are soaking in madder root

and these are soaking in Jacquard sapphire blue dye.

The final two pots are walnut, soaked for two weeks and the yarn looks almost coffee or tea stained. Whereas the bottom pot of walnuts soaked for about six weeks and the difference is remarkable. The longer the walnuts soak, the darker and richer the color and walnuts have a natural mordant so, really, no additional mordant is needed. But, if alum or cream of tartar or ammonia mordant is used, the yarn will become a dark, rich, roasted coffee bean brown because it soaks up more of the dye. Needless to say, I prefer using additional mordant as I prefer the deeper, darker browns.

Photos of the finished dyed yarn will have to wait...the yarn is still drip drying as some of it has been soaking in the dye water for a couple of days. You'll have to trust me when I say the colors are lovely...at least until the next day or two when I can take photos.

Dye day was loads of fun, Linda is a great apprentice and we laughed and worked the day away. We've still got to gather sumac berries/fruit to use on our next dye day. That will *have* to be done outdoors as the sumac fruit can cause horrible allergic reactions and, as winter is coming on, it will have to be done when there's a window of warmth...when the temps are above freezing. I've also got some fungi so the next dye day will be weird day as well.

Working Along

2006-11-23T09:20:00.000-08:00

Pure Angora Handspun Yarn

Busy with special orders for the holiday season; I finished plying this on Tuesday and set the twist yesterday. Two hats are ready and my list of things to do is finally getting shorter.

Hand Spun Singles

Thanks to all the demonstrations I've been doing this fall, I have a basket plus six balls of Corriedale singles to ply shortly. With one more craft show scheduled this season, one in Hillsville that came up just recently, I really need some yarn. It has been a good season at the store and my stocks are dwindling!

Moo Mini Flickr Cards

I ordered these after seeing them on my cousin's blog; they are fantastic little cards made from the photos that I have on Flickr.com. I'm using them as business cards for the shop and the customers love them. Each one is different and I picked out fiber pictures as well as flowers, dogs and rabbits. They even feel nice!

The Source of Qiviet

2006-11-10T11:30:00.000-08:00

Arctic Lace is the story of the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers'
Co-operative, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska and with members around the entire state, and the Musk Ox Farm in Palmer, a 50 minute drive from Anchorage. During my research for Arctic Lace, I wanted to learn about both parts of this unique partnership.

I've spent quite a bit of time talking about the knitters of Oomingmak and
the knitting of the co-op on this blog tour, but I haven't spent much time talking about the Musk Ox Farm. I'd like to do that today.

I visited Alaska in April of 2004. I couldn't visit during the tourist season, because no-one would have had time to talk to me or help me with my research. So I went at the end of winter, when I arrived piles of snow were everywhere, and by the time I left they had mostly been replaced by mud and puddles. One of the first things I did on my trip -- after visiting the Oomingmak Co-op shop -- was to take a drive up to the Musk Ox Farm. (I visited again at the end of my trip to get more photos, which is why these pictures do not show any snow!)

Because it was not tourist season, I had to make a special appointment
for a private tour. Sandy, the farm manager, and Rick, one of the tour
guides, took me around the fields where the animals live and inside the
museum that was closed for the season. They even let me put my hand
inside the qiviut on the back of one of the tamer animals. Even though it was April, the weather was quite chilly. But putting my hand inside the coat of the musk ox was like snuggling under an electric blanket when the heat is turned down. These animals are so well insulated, that if they are caught sleeping in a heavy ice storm, they could be frozen to the ground and die because no heat escapes through their heavy coat to melt the ice.

The only parts of the body that is not covered in qiviut are the nose, lips, eyes, and hooves. The long guard hairs and fluffy qiviut often hide the animals’ tails and ears, making them look like huge boulders from a distance. Their short legs are almost invisible when the guard hair, reaching almost 2 feet in length, extends almost to the ground. Under the guard hair, adult animals may have as much as 6 inches of qiviut. The downy qiviut sheds in spring, but the guard hairs do not shed and continue to grow for the animal's entire life.

Qiviut fiber is so fine that the individual hairs are almost transparent and it is difficult to see the single hairs without using a magnifying glass (or maybe that's just because my eyes are getting to old!). The fibers are usually between 11 and 20 microns, depending on the age and health of the animals and whether they are raised in captivity or are wild. This is about the same range as cashmere, and finer than any breed of sheep's wool. In addition, qiviut has much flatter scales than wool, so it will not felt.

An adult musk oxen weighs anywhere from 450 to 900 pounds (200 to 400 kg) and sheds up to 5 to 6 pounds (2.3 to 2.7 kg) of qiviut each year.
Although they seem to be gigantic animals, musk oxen look larger than
their bodies are, just as unshorn sheep or long-haired cats do. They are about five feet tall at the shoulder. The animals that are raised by hand are somewhat docile and will come up to familiar people to beg for treats. At the musk ox farm, they normally bring all of the animals into the barn to weigh them once a week, so when spring time comes and they are shedding, they will not be spooked when they are brought indoors to have their qiviut combed out.

Musk oxen were driven to extinction in Alaska and the animals that are
there today are all descendants of a small group that was translated from Greenland in the 1930s. The animals were kept at the University in
Fairbanks for a short time for research, and then released on Nunivak
Island. As the population of the herd grew and the island could no longer support the population, animals were transplanted first to Nelson Island and later to other places around the state of Alaska.

Today there are a lot of wild musk oxen near the gold-rush town of Nome, where a new eco-tourism plan for promoting musk ox viewing is under development. For those who might be visiting Fairbanks, you can also see captive musk oxen during the tourist season at the Large Animal Research Station at the University.

I didn't get to see any wild musk oxen on my trip, but I hope to be able to go back again (and again) and to see these ancient creatures in the wild.

Donna Druchunas
Sheep to Shawl

Julia Roberts & Knitting & Crochet News

2006-11-07T07:47:00.000-08:00

The buzz in recent news articles says actress Julia Roberts has signed as both star and producer for the film, "The Friday Night Knitting Club". Her production company, Red Om will tell the Kate Jacobs story of a single mother who raises a teenage daughter while running a Manhattan knitting shop.

"New School Knitting: The Influence of Elizabeth Zimmerman and Schoolhouse Press" and other knitters of renown will be at the U. of Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology's Gallery of Designs. Molly Greenfield's exhibit also chronicles women's history, the women's movement as well as the history and design of knitting in the USA.

In Canada this month, a biotech enzyme fiber process has been developed by Naturally Advanced Technologies. NAT provides sustainable, environmentally friendly fibers and fabrics and has developed CRAILAR and will launch it in 2007. CRAILAR was developed as an alternative fiber to fiberglass and cotton and is designed "to unlock the economic potential of industrial hemp".

United Kingdom fiber news - Rachael Matthews has a new book, Garden of Eden, with design items including candle stick holder w/candle, fruit, tea cup, saucer and spoon...all made in wool yarn.The Wool Clip is located in Caldbeck, UK and is a group of 15 women including farmers, spinners, dyers, knitters, crocheters and other fiber artists.

In Hassocks, a new shop has opened: Catchpenny's Wool and Gift Shop and offers classes; among them "the Happy Hassocks Hookers workshops - sounds like Fiber Femmes FUN!

Do you have knitting, crochet, dyeing, spinning, weaving or other fiber arts news articles? Let us know and we'll share the news.

Fiber Femmes e-zine

2006-11-04T13:02:00.000-08:00

The November-December 2006 issue of Fiber Femmes is now on-line and Fiber Femmes just keeps getting better and better!

This issues begins with the adorable front page photograph of a doe and her kid and has inside festival reviews of Taos Wool Festival and Festival of Sheep & Wool in Ireland; a yarn store review; an incredible story of a Connecticut woman going to Spain and teaching village women the fiber arts and so much more...games, puzzles, news articles, SAFF photos, Babydoll Southdown sheep (I WANT some!) and, please vote for your Favorite Fiber Fellow. Like they say in southwest Virginia...vote early and vote often!

Did I mention the great photo of the pumpkin, on the front page alongside the doe and her kid or 12 Steps of YA (Yarnaholics Anonymous), or tending the Flock at Holy Myrrh Bearers?

We didn't have a guild review this month and that's a shame; anyone want to wax poetic about their guild? Let us know and we'll give you some room in the Jan/Feb issue.

Lots of wonderful patterns (I believe all knitting; you crocheters need to, please, submit some of your patterns), FF Charities and there's a FF web ring button to steal.

So much more in this issue of Fiber Femmes but I'll stop typing so you can stop reading and head on over to Fiber Femmes. You'll be glad you did!

Busy-ness

2006-10-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Yarns from Fiber Friends

I packed up all my yarn and fiber to head to the National Folk Festival this weekend, but there's still some here. Sandra from Thistle Cove Farm sent some gorgeous yarns home with me, some hand dyed in beautiful colors, for the shop. And before I went to McLean another Sandra, from Atlantic Breeze Alpacas, brought over some amazing natural colored alpaca blend yarns and alpaca fleece. Another local shepherd brought yarn from her flock and a lovely fleece that has sold right out.

I couldn't resist the cat face on the little pumpkin, hand painted by a local artist! I'm not much for decorating for holidays but I do like Halloween. Time is flying so fast, though; it's hard to believe that Halloween is already here!

This is the busy time of year for us here on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as the leaves start changing and the cooler weather brings out folks from all over. I talked to two couples from Louisiana this week, and people from Texas to New York have been by lately. Lots of fun to see their reactions to how beautiful it is here! The sun is shining bright today and a brisk breeze is blowing.

Appalachian Autum & Romania

2006-10-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

Life on a farm is hectic most days but especially, or so it seems, during the autumn months. Getting everything ready for the snow, wind, rain, cold; making sure the animals have shelter, getting the last of the hay put up. All this and more take up time, lots and lots of time, and still everyday living has to be scrunched in there as well.

The barns are almost finished being re-sided and they look great. The stables dates to before the War Between the States while some of the other buildings are a bit newer.

Leslie and I traveled to McLean, VA for a small festival last weekend and it would have been a much nicer venue had the weather cooperated. We had cold, wind and rain and the turnout was quite small; probably fewer than 500 people...much fewer.

Last week I dyed some of the Romney Shetland blended yarn, some Romney Shetland Mohair yarn and some plain, as in down breed, yarn. The natural colored brownish gray Romney Shetland blend had the richest depth of color. The brown, gray and black blend from both the Romney and the Shetland sheep had such a sheen and lustre and the light virtually dances across the yarn. For most of it I used Jacquard dyes but for two skeins I used walnut with an alum mordant. That result was simply beautiful! There's a dance going on with the various browns that leads the eye on a merry chase.

I'm in process of gathering more walnuts which are abundant around here. There are several trees within a mile and all I have to do is take a bag and gather the nuts before the squirrels get to them.

A closing teaser for you...the photo of the Granny spinning from a distaff on a drop spindle was taken in August 2006 when I took a fiber trip to Romania. I'm working on an exhibit of historical fiber artifacts such as antique drop spindles, shepherd's vests, distaffs and other items with photographs to travel across the USA. Stay tuned for more photos and a travelogue on Romanian Fiber Femmes and, if you're interested in taking such a trip to see a quickly vanishing way of life, let us know. We're in process of putting together an intimate Romanian Ukrainian Fiber and Craft Tour for August 2007.

Please visit the September October 2006 issue of
Fiber Femmes. While you're there, sign up for our FF Newsletter and talk about Fiber Femmes on your blogs.

It's Fall! So Soon?

2006-09-22T07:23:00.000-07:00

Hand Painted Shetland Roving

Time is flying by, and I've been busy trying to get things ready for our next craft show, in McLean, Virginia, at the end of the month. Two nice rabbits are going to new homes, and I need to have lots of dyed roving and other items ready for the show. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday dyeing, in between bunny delivery trips and working at the store. I caught a cold somewhere and didn't feel like doing what I did. But you've got to go on when you are the only one to do it all!

Dyed Pure Angora Seconds

When I pulled out the dye pots I had some goals in mind. A customer wants a vest crocheted in angora blend yarn that is "Carolina Blue" so I wanted to see if I could come up with the color. The dyed anogra above is pretty close; the picture makes it appear darker, at least on my monitor.

Dyed Pure Angora

I've also been thinking that a soft peach colored angora yarn would be very pretty. This lot is still wet, but I think that it might come close to what I had in mind when it is spun. It would also make a pretty felted scarf.

I've also been shearing rabbits, spinning, and plying yarn. I finished the red/purple/orange fine wool and mohair roving from The Barefoot Spinner this week; the twist has been set and I have to skein and measure it for sale. Now I have a nice pencil roving from Chester Farms that I'm spinning up for a special order for hats.

Fall Decorations

I started decorating the shop for fall, with some corn stalks from the corn maze field and some Indian corn. I think I need more stalks, and some pumpkins to go with them. The shop is taking on a life of its own now; I'm beginning to think it may wind up being a yarn and book store instead of an antique shop. We'll see!

Working on September/October Fiber Femmes

2006-08-31T05:55:00.000-07:00

Putting together the new issue and there are some fabulous articles! Great new patterns (I made one of them) and some neat submissions in the fun stuff. Look for our new Fiber Femmes web ring and sign up!

The new issue should be up during the day on September 1; hope you all enjoy it!

Greenberry House News

2006-08-21T06:16:00.000-07:00

Spinning girls and their flocks, on a shop shelf

Things have been busy here 'on the mountain' with settling into the new shop and lots of computer work. I finally managed to get the book inventory finished and have started adding some new pieces to the book catalog. Some interesting stereoviews are next on my list.

Wool/mohair singles

And of course I've been spinning, working on fine singles for a customer's special order. The smaller balls look green, but the singles are lovely multi-colors and I enjoyed spinning them, if I do say so myself as the dye job was mine. I think they will be lovely plied back on themselves. And the vivid colors from The Barefoot Spinner will also be great, I think, when they are plied.

Shetland/Mohair Fine Singles

Although I've done several runs of roving and yarn in this color, I've never spun it before and I'm really enjoying it. Blackberry vine is what I call it; really it's closer to the color of the lilacs that blooms so beautifully earlier this year.

More busy days ahead, getting the next issue of Fiber Femmes put together from all the great articles that Sandra has collected during the past couple of months. I've heard from Sandra througout her trip; it sounds like she has been having a wonderful experience. I'm sure she'll be posting here soon, after she recovers! Be sure to submit your fiber firsts, your tombstone epitaphs and something for the photo contest; it's not too late!

Catching Up, Again...

2006-08-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

Thistle Cove Farm and Greenberry House, in Abington

I'm really distressed when I let a lot of time pass between blog entries; too many choices as to what to say and what to leave out, and it's hard to remember everything I might have wanted to say. But I was off-line for awhile due to some moving changes here at Greenberry House, and lots of work piled up while I was busy elsewhere!

Sandra and I went to Abington for a Fiber Arts Show in conjunction with the long running Virginia Highlands Festival. We had a wonderful day together on Saturday, spinning along and comparing notes, talking all day just like always. Sandra couldn't be there on Sunday, but I had a nice time visiting with my neighbors and talking about yarn and fiber to customers. I was surprised to sell out of almost all of my fiber and some of the yarn; I didn't really expect that in this venue. Quite nice!

Sandra and I did a lot of spinning for demonstration in Abington, and this is what Sandra finished on Saturday. I love the variegated yarn in the ball; I think she said she was going to make fingerless mittens with it. The bulky yarns are great, too, and I'm trying to convince Sandra to let me display them here for sale in the shop. I got a lot of spinning done, but pictures will have to come later; the camera battery needs recharging!

Jagasaurus Crocheted Toe-Up Socks on a visit

My cousin JAG was here for a week awhile back, and we were able to get together one evening. She brought along the socks that Cathy made for her. Cathy generously allowed us to run her wonderful pattern in the July/August issue of Fiber Femmes. The socks are even better in person than in the photos; soft and the shell pattern is beautiful! Cathy added a special embellishment, just for JAG.

Greenberry House, Meadows of Dan, Virginia

I'm sitting here blogging from my new shop. I opened yesterday and there has already been a good response. It will take time for people to get in the habit of coming down this direction, but already folks are glad to have a bookshop in the area again. Right now the books and yarn are getting the most attention; we also have some collectibles and a tiny bit of furniture. We're still planning on the shop building on the farm, but it seems like that one is going to take a good bit of time. In the meantime, perhaps we can move some of this stuff out!

Highlands Festival in Abingdon, VA

2006-07-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the 58th Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon, VA. The first festival was held in 1948 on the "Marthas' " (Martha Washington Inn) front porch in conjunction with the Barter Theatre (State Theatre of VA) founding. Robert Porterfield wanted to celebrate the cultural heritage of Abingdon while, at the same time, preserve the cultural heritage.

The Highlands Festival has grown into a regional festival and is touted as one of the top 100 festivals in the USA. Throughout the year, more than 100 volunteers beaver away making this Festival one of the finest in the country.

The Fiber Arts & Quilt Show is one weekend only on July 29-30 and
Leslie Shelor and I will be in the Grand Hall at the Virginia Higher Education Center.

This is a fabulous festival, run by dedicated volunteers, and is always a great time; come on out and visit us at the Higher Ed Center and then go to downtown Abingdon to see the rest of the festival. You'll be glad you did!

Martha Stewart Living

2006-07-26T09:04:00.000-07:00

There's an interesting photo in the July 2006 issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine. On page 124, Manchester, NH mill workers are standing in front of a two hundred pound Old Glory that's hanging from the windows of the mill and the flag spans more than four stories. The mill workers wove and assembled the flag that measures ninety-five by fifty feet. Each of the stars is one yard across.

It's a beautiful photo and young and old, female and male workers are seen standing in front of the flag as well as hanging out of the building's windows. For the most part, the men all wear ties and both men and women wear aprons in this 1914 photograph.

The article, Celebrate the Stars and Stripes, is full of interesting information about the Stars and Stripes and shows many examples. A flag memorializes Abraham Lincoln's funeral procession and another a suffrage parade on June 30, 1914. There are federal laws including guidelines for respectful display and handling of the flag, the way it should be made, the dyes and fibers used.

But it always comes back to those men and women who had a hand in the making of the flag. As Maslow said in his Hierarchy of Needs, "food, shelter and clothing are needs; all else are wants."

Women's work has, traditionally, been the preparation of food and clothing. Much of what we do is fleeting; we eat this meal or wear those clothes for a season and then...POOF! It's gone with the possible exception of a photograph or two or in someone's memory.

The next time you pick up your fiber tools...whether they be shears to cut the fleece, cards to prepare it into roving, a wheel or spindle to spin the yarn, needles or hooks to knit or crochet, fiber to felt or a loom to weave...remember those women and men who have gone on before. Raise a fiber tool in honor of those who have paved the way for us to have the privilege to pursue what was to them a necessity and what is now a leisure pursuit.

There's Always Something Happening...

2006-07-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

down on the farm. We've been in process of re-siding our barns and the fellows found some blasting caps...some ready to fire, be Very Careful, copper gone to green Blasting Caps. Which means...they could go off at any given moment but didn't - Thank God.

So, we called in the State Police Demolitions Expert and he came to the farm to detonate the caps. It was a frightening and lonely job for only he could actually handle the caps, carrying them to the upper pasture and then prepare them for detonation. So...I did what I usually do...take pictures and pray.
He carried the caps to the upper pasture, prepared them for detonation while we took shelter, a couple of hundred feet away, behind a concrete building. And then BOOM! Horses, sheep, dogs, cats and humans were all startled at the sound, much more than the sight of black smoke. The rush of displaced air caused us to stumble back but Officer Joe D. was a pro, doing a pro's job and the detonation was successful; no one - human or animal - was injured in the process. The side of the concrete building prevented me from getting a full photo but better safe than sorry. I like my pieces and parts attached as their Maker intended.

So...what's this to do with fiber? Well...it's only one example of how a farmer or shepherd's day is completely given over to something other than what was scheduled.

I've read if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. I expect He gets much amusement out of my life, my schedule, my plans. It seems, on a daily basis, I get up in the morning with fiber on my plate but by day's end I've only managed to knit or weave or spin when what I wanted to do was Dye Something! So, I think after finishing my to-do list for today, I'll prepare a dye pot or two. It's only 90+ in the shade, what's a little more heat and humidity on an already hot day?

Meanwhile, at Greenberry House...

2006-07-08T08:24:00.000-07:00

I've been dyeing....

...and spinning (not all of this just lately, of course, but quite a bit)....

...and planning....

...thinking about more spinning...

...and dyeing some more!

The millspun yarn came back from Still River Mill, spun from Greenberry House Angora and Thistle Cove Farm merino in a 50/50 blend. The yarn is marvelous, a light worsted weight, I'd say, and it takes color beautifully! I just hung out the blues this morning from a hand painting session yesterday afternoon, and I'm pleased with the softness of the yarn and the quality of the spinning. I'm very happy with Still River Mill, and I'm planning some more dyepots this coming week or so.

The pink, purple and gray roving at the top of the post is the last of the Shetland/mohair that I bought from Friendship Farm. I suppose the colors could be in honor of Fiber Femmes! And the big purple/blue ball of roving was given to me by a friend here in town; someone gave about eight pounds of this roving to a Goodwill! We don't know the wool but it looks like it will be fun to spin!

I've been working on my Greenberry House web site, and decided to try the etsy.com site behind mine to see if it would make keeping track of the fiber and yarn a little easier. So I now have an etsy store that links to my main business web site. I'll be interested in seeing how it works. I've tried sites like this before, with the books and collectibles. Some of them work well and some don't, depending on the cost. I'm cautiously optimistic about this move; we'll see!

Another ongoing project has been keeping up with the newsletter subscriber list for the Fiber Femmes magazine. This has been quite a challenge, since lots of people are interested in the newsletter! It has been fun, though; I amuse myself by noticing the interesting email addresses. We have a nice cross-section of the fiber community joining Fiber Femmes, and I'm admiring the creativity in the unique and often fibery email sobriquets!

July/August Issue Is UP!

2006-07-06T05:26:00.000-07:00

The premiere issue of Fiber Femmes has been posted! Response has been terrific; we appreciate the support of so much of the fiber community! We particularly thank our advertisers; please make sure you stop by and visit them from Enhance Your Stash!

Wet Wool

2006-06-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

Ever since we sheared, almost three weeks ago, there have been several fleeces resting atop the picnic tables. There's also a huge pile of skirted fleece lying on the ground and looks for the world like a big shaggy mess.

Mother Nature is helping out. We've had rain, rain and more rain and are expecting rain so I figured...why waste all that water? The rain has washed a lot of the veggie matter and lanolin out of the fleeces and if they every dry out, will be ready for a quick flicking and then spinning.

One of our barns was built before The War of Northern Aggression and time has come for it to be re-sided. We managed to get some hemlock rough cut lumber and we're having board and batten put up. This photo shows the back side of the barn with the old clapboard pulled off and the new hemlock lumber being attached to the upper tier.

The next photo shows the front of the barn with the old clapboard in all its sodden messy glory. The old barn is a beauty and the limestone foundation has withstood generations and decades. The guys working on the barn are even going to fix my pulley system in the loft so it can be used to throw down bales of hay. This is no small feat as the barn loft is about thirty feet and the pulley system in the direct center of the barn.

The lower end of the barn has a tack room and stables and the upper end stores our tractor.
The doors at the very top is where the pulley system is attached to the ceiling. Men would back a wagon load of hay underneath that little roof and then lower a hook to take the hay into the loft.

The windows to the right are for ventilation and the small center door is to throw out bales of hay onto the ground or waiting vehicle.

Barns are wonderful and each of ours tells a different story. We hope to get them all re-sided and will leave the hemlock unpainted so it may weather naturally.

It's going to look great!

Week's Work

2006-06-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

Left to right: natural pure black angora two ply, Corriedale natural moorit two ply; pure angora two ply with white, dyed green and pink that were hand carded blend, Rambouilet/Mohair two ply from hand painted roving, pure angora two ply with white, dyed green and pink that were hand carded blend, natural pure black angora two ply (hard to see) and two skeins Corriedale natural moorit two ply.

It's been a pretty busy week, with some traveling, some web page work, a meeting or two, and just running. Yesterday I settled down here at Greenberry House and was happy to get some things done. Cage trays needed emptying and young bunnies needed to be played with. The dogs romped across the newly mowed fields in the sunshine, enjoying the cool breezes while I worked.

I finished plying a bunch of singles and was able to get them washed to set the twist. The lighter pure angora, with the green and hints of pink, was spun from hand carded rolags that I made for demonstrating for the Round the Mountain/Crooked Road conference. I have two skeins of this, and it turned out nice. So soft! The Corriedale was from roving from Rising Meadow Farm, that I spun at the Covered Bridge Festival here in Patrick County. The rest was from singles that have just been here; when I organized my stash I found these and decided to ply them. I need some yarn around here.

But more yarn is coming! I heard from Still River Mill a week or so ago and seven pounds of my merino/angora blend yarn is on the way! The merino was a fleece from Sandra, and I'm really looking forward seeing the yarn and working with it!

I'm working on a new way to display yarn and reworking the booth a little, thanks to a generous cousin who gave me a screen door to use for display. A clever idea using velcro may save some of my displays from summer winds, when the weather gets nicer and we can get back out to the craft tent. Next week is Crafts in the Meadows and then the season should really get busy!

Knitting Changed to Crocheting Questionnaire

2006-06-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? I mostly work with natural fibers, but if there's a color in a synthetic that I really like, or a project that requires washing (charity knits, children'a apparel) I'll use what's appropriate.

2. Do you spin? Crochet? Crochet, I'm knitting challenged! I do spin.

3. Do you have any allergies? Biggest allergy is to mold!

4. How long have you been knitting? About 12 hours total over the last twenty years; crocheting for about 35 years.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? I have an Amazon wish list, but I don't really expect anyone to buy from it. Mostly it's to remind me of stuff I liked!

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Lavender

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Several, seems like.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? dyeing, spinning, crocheting; I hand paint porcelain but don't like it much.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? Oldies that were new when I was younger, a bit of bluegrass. The computer can play MP3s but I don't download them.

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? PURPLE!!!! for the favorite and sickly greens I can't stand.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Single with Dad living here, two dogs, three cats, a cockatiel and a changing number of rabbits in the barn, usually around 20.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know) To live quietly on a small farm in Southwestern Virginia, in the old homeplace, and create things (sound familiar?)

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? I have quite a few; Brooks Farm Four Play in gorgeous colors, Shetland yarn that I've hand spun from Sandra's fleece...I'm looking forward to trying a 50/50 merino/angora blend machine spun from my own angora and Sandra's merino that should be arriving soon.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I'm not crazy about spinning with cotton, although I like working with it in a yarn. Otherwise I'm OK with most things.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Crocheting small purses with the slip-stitch crochet technique.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Crocheted shawls

17. What are you knitting right now? A scarf I started in February or so; the dog ate one of the needles and I need to bind off! Crochet projects are the small purses, a scarf; mostly I'm spinning these days.

18. What do you think about ponchos? Since I grew up in the poncho years, I sorta like 'em.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? uh.....see knitting challenged

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I like wood for crochet hooks

21. Are you a sock knitter? Nope, and probably won't be! Maybe crocheted socks; we'll see!

22. How did you learn to knit? See Number 19.

23. How old is your oldest UFO? About 4 months.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? Pinky and the Brain

25. What is your favorite holiday? Halloween, I guess, although I'm not big on holidays.

26. Is there anything that you collect? Fiber

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None for knitting or crochet, Spin-Off for spinning

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on? Can't think of any.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another?? I don't do much with patterns....

Knitting Questionnaire...

2006-06-19T19:27:00.001-07:00

I found this questionnaire and thought it'd be fun to answer on the FF blog...Leslie, you're next...but please don't ask where I found it...sniffing here...I can't remember!

SP6 Questionnaire:

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you? Natural fibers first but ACKrylic is perfect for lots of projects. I made a shawl out of Red Heart and it was rough knitting on my hands but once the shawl was washed, it softened quite a bit. Now, it's a favorite shawl to wear and cuddle around me.

2. Do you spin? Crochet? I spin, weave, knit, crochet a little, dye, felt and raise fiber - sheep & American Curly horses.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.) Some medical allergies but not animal allergies...thank God!

4. How long have you been knitting? Going on a couple of decades now. (Tempus Fugit!)

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? No, what's an on-line wish list?

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.) Crisp scents like bergamot, citrus, basil, sometimes lavender.

7. Do you have a sweet tooth? Yep, do I gain or lose points now? I like *food*...sweet, salty, crunchy, smooth, ooey-gooey...

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? I enjoy baking and cooking, photographing, writing and traveling.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? I like everything except hip-hop and rap; don't know about the computer MP3 question...too low tech to know what that means .

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand? I like green, purple, orange, red, yellow and love the jewel tones. Pastels aren't my favorite, I like colors with *punch*!

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets? Happily and contentedly married to Dave; his 93 year old mother lives with us. At Thistle Cove Farm we have 3 dogs, 4 cats, 10 horses and 37 sheep. Then there are the folks who "adopt" us because we set a great table and love to have company.

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know) Life dreams...living every one of 'em and having a great life.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? My own farm and hand spun wool and wool blend yarns; Manos something...can't remember. Leslie Shelor's angora (to dye...errr....I mean to DIE for!).

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? I like 'em all; every fiber has it's place.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s? Shawls, hats and (hope springs eternal) socks.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit? Shawls, hats and (hope springs eternal) socks.

17. What are you knitting right now? Shawl, hats, baby bibs, scarves and want to start a sweater for ME.

18. What do you think about ponchos? I haven't found one I'd like to wear.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? yep! (like 'em all)

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? I'd rather knit with plastic or bamboo or those kind made from cow's milk. We live in an old farmhouse and in the winter, knitting with metal causes pain in my hands.

21. Are you a sock knitter? Not yet.

22. How did you learn to knit? I snail mailed a NC yarn company and asked for directions; they sent me a book, I bought some yarn and needles at Ben Franklin and taught myself to knit. After I'd been knitting for a while I found out there was a yarn store in Richmond, VA and began visiting them. A few years later, moved to a farm and began raising my own fiber animals.

23. How old is your oldest UFO? I haven't a clue.

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird? The walking bunnies at www.fiberfemmes.blogspot.com!

25. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and then my birthday (don't spoil the surprise...I don't want to know if my birthday isn't a holiday because that's the way I've always celebrated ).

26. Is there anything that you collect? Darning sock eggs for darning, pens & cards/stationery

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? Interweave Knits, Creative Knitting

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on? Can't think of any but I'm sure there are dozens.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another?? No, can't think of any but it's been *months and months* since I've been in a yarn store. I'm having withdrawal pains even as I type....

Conferences and Networking

2006-06-14T05:59:00.000-07:00

Pure Angora singles

Monday I headed out again, this time to Abington for a joint conference with Round the Mountain and The Crooked Road projects. My sister-in-law, a gourd artist, and I set up as demonstrators, along with quilters, carvers, a blacksmith, a broom maker, and several musical instrument makers. Most of the people there were folks that had been working with the steering committees for the projects, but it was a nice opportunity for more casual interaction with the group. I had a lovely time talking to a member of the quilters' guild, and Dave from Ripples, who is now Executive Director of the Jacksonville Center, stopped by with his lovely wife. Dave has posted an entry about the purposes and results of the meetings on his blog. The fact that Sue and I were included was entirely due to Sandra's efforts on our behalf, and we appreciated the opportunity!

Because I usually demonstrate outside, I rarely have the opportunity to work in public with my own lovely Angora wool. So for this presentation I hand carded some dyed pink and light green Angora with pure white so that I could spin it and talk about the rabbits. I must be getting better as a spinner, because there was a time that it took much more concentration to spin Angora. I had no problem spinning away and talking to everyone, even though I'm sure there are some irregularities in my singles! The picture above is the resulting center pull ball from about two ounces of Angora. The colors did not reproduce well; the yarn is really light pink, green and white, not orange! I oiled and polished up the Reeves wheel, and everyone was impressed with how beautiful it is. It's so easy to spin with this wheel, effortless, really. I think I'll even be on TV, or at least the wheel will be. The Blue Ridge Public TV interviewed the Chairman of Round the Mountain, and I was right behind him.

Yesterday I spent the day catching up, and sheared a lovely doe, Woolybuns Crystal. We bred Crystal to Harvey while Chris was here and she may produce a litter. It was the first time I ever sheared a doe that I thought might be pregnant, and I was probably over-cautious in my handling of her. She got disgusted with me before I finished and was a bit fussy!

Another litter was born here on Thursday, to a first time doe, Greenberry's Bina Wade. This was the first doe I've had here in a long time that decided she was NOT going to use the nest box. I came in Thursday morning to find her building a nest in a corner, so I moved the nest box over. This usually works, but not this time. It was warm and I kept an eye on her, so the nine bunnies she delivered didn't chill before I put them in the nest box. I had to be out of town for a couple of days, though; bad timing. When I got back there were only two bunnies left in the litter. I'm not quite sure what happened, but suspect that the doe was annoyed with my interference, or that the bunnies didn't stay together in the nest. She had pulled a ton more wool while I was gone and there were two bunches of bunnies in two clumps of wool. The two that survived were in the front of the nest box in a smaller wad of Angora and hay. Sad but part of the facts of life when raising animals.

Painted China

These little china pieces are fairly popular with the visitors to my booth, so I usually try to have some for the craft tent and festivals. A small disaster with some wind awhile back cut my inventory; most of my work isn't breakable! I painted up a few pieces yesterday, and if it's sunny in the morning I may try to do a few more. The 'nature' pieces sell best; there are images of wild carrot, yarrow, Queen Anne's lace, and grass.

Beginnings!

2006-06-12T02:02:00.000-07:00

Foundation Work

At long last a block man came to start the foundation of the shop that we're putting up here at Greenberry House. Not the original block man; this one is my step-father. He put the corners together and got the measurements right so that our less experienced workers could finish the rest. Then he found another block man; which is going to be much easier for all concerned. We may not manage to open this year, after all the delays, but at least we have a start!

Hand painted Shetland/mohair roving
Click on photo to enlarge

During the week I managed to get one dye run done. I liked how this turned out, painted in my crock pot. I've been experimenting with how to keep everything from going green when I use blues and reds together, and this one turned out pretty much the way I wanted it to. Nice when that happens!

Dyed pure Angora

This angora is a light green, with several variations in tone. Last night I carded a bunch of little rolags to spin today, blending this with white and some dyed pink angora. I'm doing a demonstration for the Round the Mountain conference today and wanted to spin with Angora this time. Usually I'm outside and it's tough to spin Angora when there's a breeze!

Just came back from a Civil War collectibles show in Savannah, which went well. We had to make a flying trip so I didn't get to see much of the city. There may be another show in November and I hope we can spend more time. We came back yesterday to find the rabbits doing well and bunnies growing fast. Then I loaded the truck to head out today for the RTM conference. My sister-in-law is going with me. Sandra was going to be there, too, but the shearer can come today and she has to take advantage of his time.

down on Thistle Cove Farm

2006-06-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

Days are hot but nights are still cool at Thistle Cove Farm. I'm still sleeping under a TCF wool blanket and awaken to a hoar frost a couple of times a week. We started shearing sheep on April 15 but couldn't finish. The shearer had ninety sets of triplets in March and he hadn't finished counting by 4/15. He was able to shear six of mine before having to head back to his lambing barn.

Tomorrow we'll shear the rest and I've got a catcher lined up. James will be here in the early morning and we'll proceed to ready everything for Clinton, the shearer. I've got a couple of skirting tables lined up but probably won't be able to keep up with Clinton. He's shearing more quickly tomorrow than he would in April; it's simply too hot to stand the sheep on their rear ends for very long. We'll get started early, while it's still cool, but a lot of my flock is elderly and we treat them gently.

Thistle Cove Farm is a no-kill farm and nothing has to worry about ending up at market or on a dinner plate. I'd rather have the joy of keeping them as companion animals, caring for them humanely and naturally than send them to slaughter. This isn't an indictment against those who do sell animals for meat; different choices for different shepherds. Keeping them for life means I have to tend to them in death as well. Such was the case twice last week. Two of my overweight senior citizens (wethers) passed away and needed to be buried. I sheared them with sewing scissors and then took them to their final resting place on the mountain. My sheep live better lives than do 75% of the world's population...happy, happy sheep but a sad statement about the ills of a, sometimes, frosty world.

Zach and Harvey's fleeces have been on the picnic table all week and have been rained upon a couple of times. I find when I let Mother Nature do her job, it makes my job easier. When I do begin to process the fleeces, they will wash up more quickly, letting me get to the job of spinning. I've got a carder but find I don't have to card my fleeces except to blend wool with other fibers. I can usually flick open the fleeces or give a quick brush with hand carders to open the fleece in preparation for spinning. I like to dye after the yarn has been spun and plied into a two-ply yarn...sometimes worsted weight and sometimes WILD!

A lot of my time this week has been dedicated to Fiber Femmes.com, our new on-line magazine. I'm very excited about FF and hope to cross a lot of lines in the fiber industry. Leslie and I want to promote, publicize and showcase women all over the world in the fiber industry...from the women who breed and/or raise the animals and the fiber to the end user and every one in between. For so long there's been a huge gap and people haven't known the process from beginning to end. It's a fascinating process and I'm hopeful we can all learn, share, experience new things, have our minds opened and our horizons enlarged.

Here at Thistle Cove Farm we are home to Romney, Shetland and Merino wool sheep. We also have hypo-allergenic American Curly horses and sometimes the fiber from the horses is blended with the wool to make an interesting mix. In the days ahead I plan to write and photograph dyeing using mushrooms, fungi, black walnuts, Osage orange, madder and acid dyes.

It promises to be an interesting summer at Thistle Cove Farm and an exciting one as well at Fiber Femmes.

Come back soon, ya hear...

The Latest News at Greenberry House

2006-06-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

Storybook Dreams Alm Uncle

It's been a busy few weeks, with finishing some older projects, working on on-going things, and with new beginnings. There are bunnies out of the nest box playing around and driving their mamas crazy; two litters, one with some chocolates and one pure German that looks very nice. The mother of the pure litter of seven is Mary, an excellent mother and good tempered doe that I bred to the handsome fellow above. The Alm Uncle is a nice buck, with a gorgeous dense fleece and an excellent temperament. He's a little on the small side, but with Mary being such a big girl, I'm hoping her size will make up for his. This buck is for sale; I'll be putting the details up on my web page at Greenberry House later today.

Greenberry's Bina Wade is due tomorrow to kindle with a litter, and I have three more does that should deliver some very nice litters late this month. Right now I'm doing a lot of shearing; although it is cool today warm weather is moving in. I've tried to time all the 90 day shearings to coincide with our hottest weather. And, as usual, the bunny house needs to be cleaned. There are always some chores to work on around here!

Small cotton/wool slip-stitch crochet purse

Yesterday at the craft tent I finished spinning all the white Coopworth wool I had processed at Wooly Knob Fiber Mill. I'll try to ply it this week and then dye it. I need some yarn for the next shows and I'm really low! In between spinning sessions I've been working on slip-stitch crocheted purses. I really like the way these little bags are turning out. The one above is a small one, only about four inches tall, with some buttons and beads to embellish it.

Wool/mohair slip-stitch crocheted bag

The yellow and green bag, with flower buttons and a daisy pin, is a little bigger, about six inches tall or more. It's a draw string and I experimented with changing colors with this technique by changing the stitch with the colors. I liked the effect.

100% Wool slip-stitch crochet purse

This bag is even a little larger, made with a knobby wool, tightly spun yarn. This yarn worked very well for slip-stitch crochet, creating a firm fabric. The embellishments are an old buckle and some buttons, with beads from a vintage necklace to match.

Today I'll be shearing one of my favorite does, a fawn with wonderful color called Amber. Since it's cool I'll also be working on cleaning the bunny house, with some breaks for plying yarn along the way.

Welcome to Fiber Femmes!

2006-06-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

Sandra Bennett of Thistle Cove Farm and Leslie Shelor of Greenberry House are neighbors, in spirit even more than in location. Although they both live in Virginia, Sandra lives with her husband, Dave, on their beautiful 30 acre farm in the Cove section of Tazewell County. Leslie owns the old house that has been in her family for two generations, near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Patrick County. Sandra and Leslie share a common Appalachian heritage, compatible business goals and a love of creation that involved fiber and animals.

In 1995, Sandra and Dave moved to the beautiful Appalachian mountains where their kith and kin settled in the mid-1700's. As a birthday gift, Sandra received a pair of Angora does who promptly became The Incredible Goatini Sisters, Agatha and Esmeralda. Her fiber flock began with those two characters but she very quickly added rare, hypoallergenic American Curly horses along with Romney, Shetland and Merino sheep who were added specifically for their incredible fleeces. The wool from her hand spinner's flock is sometimes blended with the American Curly horse fiber or with other luxe fibers (such as Leslie's Angora!) and hand spun into "Artisan Yarn from the Shepherd". A mill spun worsted weight yarn of Romney and Shetland is produced in creamy white or heathery brown; both are handfuls of joy. Leslie recently taught Sandra dyeing with acid dyes and that has opened up an exciting dimension to "Appalachian Wool Works".

Leslie has been raising German Angora rabbits since 1999. Her business, Greenberry House, grew with the demand for the lush Angora fiber produced by the rabbits. She spins Angora and wool to create unique yarns and hand dyes and hand paints yarn, raw fiber and roving in a variety of colors. Her first love is the natural colors produced by the animals, and the pewter tones of Angora blended with bursts of colored silk is her favorite hand spun product. She also produces a line of mill spun yarn that is a blend of Greenberry House Angora and fine wool from local farms, including merino from Thistle Cove Farm. Leslie demonstrates and sells at several shows through the year, often sharing a booth with Sandra.

Over the years Sandra and Leslie have formed a comfortable working relationship and friendship, and Fiber Femmes is the result of that relationship. We'll blog about what's happening in Tazewell and in Meadows of Dan; about animals, dyeing, spinning, crocheting, knitting; all the things we enjoy doing. Comparing notes, discussing, being supportive and sharing, that's Fiber Femmes! Hope you visit us often.

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