Category: Fiber

Fiber · knitting

Yarn & Fibre Diet

NyknitsLeave a comment

Yesterday on my Instagram TV channel, I officially announced that I was going on a yarn diet. Saying it out loud keeps me mindful and (I hope) will hold me accountable. From now until at least December, I am only knitting from my stash and trying to knit mostly for others. I don’t like having too much of anything. I feel its wasteful, disrespectful and unappreciative. In the world of essential oils we are taught to respect how much work it takes to get one drop of oil from a plant. Because of that, we are mindful in the use of it. I don’t buy a ton of oil that may sit and rancid. I don’t run my diffuser for hours on end, so I don’t even smell it anymore. Thirty minutes at a time is sufficient to get the effects of the oil(s). I don’t want yarn to just sit and look pretty. I want to use it, appreciate it and share it with someone. I will be sharing photos along the journey here and on Instagram as Nyknits.

Is anyone else feeling the need to downsize? To not have too much of anything? Tell me about it. How are you doing it?

Until next time…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiber · knitting

Yarn Dyeing Resources

Nyknits1 Comment
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I love how Looliemom’s hair matches her yarn.

 

My interest in dyeing my own yarn is steadily growing. It began with my annual visit to the Long Island Fleece and Fiber Fair. I was attracted to the bright colors in the Groovy Hues Fiber display. In addition to her beautiful locally dyed yarns, she had a dye your own kit. It included a bare yarn and several kool aid packets. Suzanne gave me a quick lesson on dyeing with kool aid and referred me to a website for additional information. That website is http://www.dyeyourownyarn.com

This is a short post to share the information I have so far. Groovy Hues Fiber and Looliemom are two local dyers that I have purchased yarn from.  They both had gorgeous, colorful yarn. I’m partial to sock yarn and both of them offered a good selection.

http://www.groovyhues.etsy.com

http://www.lolliemomfiberarts.com

I divided a 100 gr. hank into 5 mini skeins so I could try different techniques.

 

Groovy Hues Fiber

YouTube has been my friend. Chemknits and Hue Loco are the channels I studied. Chemknits in particular teaches so many different techniques. I learned the space dyeing, gradient and self stripeing methods from her.

http://www.chemknits.com

http://www.hueloco.com

And lastly, Instagram is my place for inspiration. Enter a hashtag and what you’re interested in seeing and the whole world opens up. #knittersofinstagram #knitallthesocks and #dyersofinstagram are some of my favorites.

I hope you check then out. Enjoy your week!

 

Long Island Livestock’s 4th Annual Wool Party
Fiber · Hand knit socks · knitting

Long Island Livestock’s 4th Annual Wool Party

Nyknits3 Comments
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Hello gorgeous!

 

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Lol

 

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Stitch markers

 

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I didn’t get the discount advertised, but I’ll still get some gorgeous socks out of this llama and silk yarn.

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Fleece & fiber

 

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Smooches

imageLong Island Livestock is always a good time. The animals are always in a good mood, people are friendly and the goods are, of course, to die for. Tabbethia offers raw fiber, beautiful yarn, body butters, pillows, bags, stitch markers…so, so much.

She holds several Open House days throughout the year. Follow Long Island Livestock on Facebook and Instagram so as not to miss the next one.

 

Fiber · knitting

The Long Island Fleece and Fiber Fair

Nyknits3 Comments

This year the Long Island Fleece and Fiber Fair will be on May 14th & 15th. It is held at the Hallockville Museum and Farm in Riverhead N.Y. They have something for everyone who is interested in any fiber related art.

There will be carding and spinning demonstrations, also knitting, sheep shearing and the llama obstacle course. The llamas and alpacas are my favorites. Apart, of course, from the yarn. The Yarn. The main reason I go. This year’s vendors as of today are:

Angora Online
Bay Haven Short Tails
Blind Buck Farm
Bumble Bee Primitives
Cozy Rabbit Farm
Dan Tracy Designs
Groovy Hues Fibers
Hampton Artistic Yarns
Hamptons Yarn
Long Island Livestock Company
Joy Muller-McCoola/ Sandpiper Yarns
Nuna Knits
The Paisley Studio
Nancy Pearl
Rebecky’s Boutique
Barbara Ringewald, Handweaver
Temptress Yarn
Utopia Bath

FOOD VENDORS

Pizza Rita
Nice Buns Food Truck

I  love this fair. It’s close to home and I never tire of seeing where and how the yarn I use comes to be. If you decide to attend the fair, don’t forget you’re also in wine country. Go visit a vineyard or two.

Anyone coming from New York City can take advantage of this organized bus trip.

BUS TRIP FROM NYC! (Saturday, May 14, 2016 only)

Sit back,  relax and work on your craft project while traveling to the North Fork on a luxury coach bus. The bus will depart Manhattan approximately 8:30am,  and arrive to the LI Fleece and Fiber Fair at approximately 11am. A full schedule of activities, demonstrations and shopping opportunities await you at the Fair.

Tickets include:

  • Round-trip transportation to the North Fork on private coach,
  • Fair admission for one adult; Fair includes a full day of demonstrations, hands-on craft opportunities, fiber vendors with a variety of yarns, supplies and finished products, historic museum tours, and the option for local wine tasting. Local food vendors will have lunch items available for purchase.
  • Gift Bag with freebies, wine tasting, coupons and discounts from Gift Bag Sponsors(to be announced soon) and vendors at the Fair.
  • Pickup up from 40th Street @ 3rd Avenue, Manhattan.
  • Group rate: Call Beth at 631-298-5292 for special pricing for your group of 5 or more.
  • Please note: a minimum number of seats need to be sold in order to cover the cost of chartering the bus. If the minimum number of seats are not sold, the trip will be cancelled and refunds will be issued to purchasers.

Visit the Hallockville Farm and Museum website http://www.Hallockville.com