Custom Yarns Blog

An online community linking knitting and fiber arts enthusiasts world-wide!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Who Taught You To Knit?


I can't remember when yarns and knitting weren't a part of my life and tried to think who was it who taught me to knit. I honestly can't remember, but I'm pretty sure it was my mother.

I find that newer knitters today learn from friends, knitting groups, online and Stitch 'N Bitches. Newer knitters want quick projects like socks and scarves. My contemporaries knitted sweaters, but I find if someone is knitting a sweater today it is for a baby.

When I first learned the yarn everyone used was a DK navy blue wool. How far the industry has come....... Now Great Adirondack, Berroco, Trendsetter, etc. produce the most unbelievable yarns in fibers such as alpaca, mohair, cashmere, ribbon, merino and cotton.

Who could have predicted that sequins, beads and something called eyelash would one day be a component with yarn? Who would know when I learned to knit that there are more stitches than just garter and stockinette? What would my mom say about freeform knitting? I think she'd be amazed!

Mirror, mirror on the wall I am my mother after all!

So, I'm curious to know - who taught you to knit and how have things changed?

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

An Adventure With Freeform Knitting



One day, in an adventurous mood, I grabbed a crochet hook and just began working the yarn in no particular shape. Once I had this piece, I attached another yarn and crocheted around this odd shaped piece. I liked the way it looked, so soon another yarn was stitched around the piece in uneven stitches. I liked that too. Before I knew it, this irregular shape was the size of my hand.

I put is aside and began the process again. I loved this new way of working with yarn. I love the freedom of not following a pattern, not using a gauge, and doing whatever I felt like doing.

Before I could totally comprehend what this was all about I had several pieces that were knitted, crocheted, knitted and crocheted using all different yarns in varying colors, stitches and textures. I knitted two yarns together, and couldn't get over how well everything blended together.

Eventually, I sewed the pieces together, and before I knew it, I had a one of a kind pillow. The freedom of freeform, as this style is known, let's one explore their creative style with imagination and a curiosity for the unknown. It has become an insatiable obsession with yarn as I can't wait to see where the needles will take me. I've even used different sized needles and knitted and crochet on the same piece. It's amazing how forgiving the yarn is, and what a change it is not following the discipline of a pattern.

So, here's a finished result ..........

Monday, May 19, 2008

Yarn Harlot Brings Sunshine To A Rainy Day


Yesterday I had the pleasure of hearing The Yarn Harlot speak in Philadephia for the Free Library's Book Fair event. It rained........ oh, how it rained. Doesn't matter, I would have gone to hear Stephanie Pearl- McPhee if there were 6 inches of snow on the ground!


She is so delightful, funny, compassionate, charming and dedicated to her craft. I purchased her newest book " Things I learned From Knitting...whether I wanted to or not" and can't wait to get started.


Of course the room was filled with knitters and crocheters, that goes without saying. What surprised me was how many people were knitting socks. Maybe because sock knitting is so portable. Second to sock knitting was lace knitting. The shawls that I saw in progress were beautiful beyond description.


I've never been into sock knitting and let that get in the way of offering sock yarns for my customers. After so many requests, I finally ordered Soxie and Silky Socks from Great Adirondack Yarns. When I opened the box and saw these hand dyed beauties, I asked myself " where have you been all my life"! My customers just love them.


Then I discovered Oasis yarns ( http://www.oasisyarns.com/) and began offering their sock yarn. Wow! Are they popular! One yarn in particular, " Faded Valentine" seems to be one we can't keep in stock. Great for lace knitting and sock knitting. The color, the textures......... see if you don't agree!