Back in the Groove!

I know it's been a while, but I have not been idle! Over the course of the past months, I've been working hard, and taking workshops to further my creativity. Also, I added quilting to the my growing list of creative endeavors.  And now, it is that time of year when I plant myself in the workshop and craft the holiday items for my local favorite shop (Tait's Harvest Shop) and for my website.

Additionally, this year I added some new items to the line up: fabric scarves, table runners, fleece scarves and neck warmers, and Christmas stockings.  



Chiffon Scarves





Fleece Scarves - perfect for transition temperatures

 Exciting things for the holidays are brewing.  Here are a few pictures.



A sampler of knitted scarves and neck warmers - great fibers!




New! Hand crafted 'made fabric' stockings




Some of the wonderful fabrics for aprons and spice trivets


In case you're interested in this summer's progress, here are a few things I've been working on:



"Improvisational" Pillow - pieced in 'wonky' blocks




Custom designed, special order for Tait's Harvest Shop to be used in the store




These fun slippers, featuring a clever knot design are a class I am teaching in October at Stitch Your Art Out, Pine Grove Mills, PA




A few of my friends (I love you guys!) and I knitted various versions of this shawl




Cynthia Spencer (pictured) will soon be publishing this pattern of mine in her Really Clear Patterns

This is also a class coming up in December. 

About Fine Fibers & Yarns - Part 1: Mohair

When I was little, I thought yarn came in two general varities: scratchy wool and acrylic which was typically not scratchy. As an adult now wandering through the world of knitting yarns, I've learned about many different varieties of yarns and fibers. There is such a thing as wool that is not rough and scratchy. And there is such a thing as yarn that is so soft and luxurious you want to wrap up in it and never take it off!

One of the most amazing discoveries has been mohair and mohair blended with silk. Of course there are many different yarn companies that produce this wonderful material, which comes from the fine hairs of young angora goats. I recently sold a lovely collar scarf made from Habu silk-mohair http://www.habutextiles.com/. Now I am working on two different pieces from Rowan kidsilk haze http://www.knitrowan.com/ . The yarn is light and fluffy and yields remarkable warmth at the same time. Natural fibers give the benefit of breathing, keeping them drier and warmer. Some knitters claim that they are addicted to this yarn --they can't stop coming up with projects and uses for it!

I am early in the creative process with this oversized scarf pictured above. I couldn't decide on only one color, so I ended up choosing five colors and am working a stripescape that will evolve into color blocks. I will update this posting when I'm finished, so you can see the final result.