Dew Drops Cowl in Orange

March 3, 2013 | Verónica

Ever since the new year, like many of my fellow knitters, I’ve wanted to reduce the size of my stash. I purchased this lovely orange skein at a fiber festival a couple of years ago because I was intrigued by the color. It’s from Brooks Farm Yarn in Lancaster, Texas. “Ellie” was marked down in the widows and orphans bin – the place where leftover skeins go to retire. It’s 4 ounces, 400 yards of a lustrous 50% Fine Wool, 50% Silk Slub.

I used the Dew Drop Cowl pattern which is available as a free Ravelry download. Here it is blocking.

Down here in Texas, it gets cold and occasionally freezes but not for long. I wanted a cowl that would keep me warm without burning me up. This airy pattern was just right. Bear is back to model the cowl for us.

Here is a close-up. I like that the yarn was spun to have thick and thin sections. It gives the cowl an interesting texture.

Bear is keeping watch over my work in progress, a large knit blanket. I keep it tucked away in this large tote from 31 Gifts. The tote bag was only $5 with my other purchases! I love those big grommets. I pull my needles through them to keep my stitches from falling off.

It’s been a bit chilly here in Texas. Perfect weather for my orange cowl. Now, back to that blanket.

My very own Scandinavian yarn crawl

January 10, 2013May 10, 2016 | Verónica

Before our trip to Copenhagen, I dreamt of yarn stores on every corner. I compiled a list of stores to visit determined to find yarn that was “Made in Denmark.” Here is a recap of my very own Scandinavian yarn crawl.

Ulstedet, Vendersgade 3: The website for this yarn store beckoned with knit and crochet shawl kits, yarn and notions. When we showed up at the address, it simply wasn’t there. Strike 1.

Strikkeboden, Krystalgade 16: We found this yarn store on a pretty corner very close to the Round Tower, a 17th century astronomical observatory. It’s quite tiny but full of yarn in cubbies on the wall, in baskets and in window displays. Unfortunately, I was greeted by a very surly woman who seemed disturbed that a customer would actually enter the store. She practically barked, “can I help you.” I scanned the store, turned around and left. Strike 2.

Sommerfuglen, Vandkunsten 3: Sommerfuglen is located close to city hall and is bursting with yarn from floor to ceiling. It was a busy morning with many customers coming and going. The sales ladies were busy but very helpful. One sales lady explained that most of the fibers are imported since Denmark does not itself have many fiber-producing animals but some yarns are either spun or dyed or both in Denmark. I picked up this nice wool/silk blend. I thought it fitting to take a photo of it in Denmark. Home run!

Bette Design, Klosterstræde 20: I read about this yarn store on several blogs and set out to find it. It was very close to the Church of the Holy Spirit off Strøget, a wide pedestrian shopping street. We found the location, it even had a pretty sign hanging over the entrance, but the store was empty. By the ladder and bare walls, it may have been unoccupied recently. Strike 3.

Our next yarn forage took us to Malmö, Sweden. We rode a train over the 10 mile Øresund bridge connecting Copenhagen to Sweden’s third largest city.

Garn David Hall, Jörgen Ankersgatan 12: We found this store tucked away on a side street near the center of Malmö. Alas, it was closed. All I could do was stare at the fluffy yarn through the window. Strike 1.

Princess Garn, Lundbergsgatan 4: We walked a long way in search of Princess Yarn but it was not to be. We found the address but there was no yarn and no store. Strike 2.

Irmas Hus, Kalendegatan 21: Third time’s the charm. Irmas Hus is not a yarn store. It seems that it used to be and also carried fine fabrics. They had a wall full of little boxes filled with buttons. They now specialize in clothes but in the middle of a sale table, sitting in a couple of bins, I spotted yarn. These giant hanks are hand-dyed by a woman who lives outside of Malmö. And to make it even sweeter, the sale was a two for one! I picked up these two hanks of hand-dyed merino wool. Another home run!

Here’s a street band in Malmö celebrating my yarn find.

Do you know of any Scandinavian yarn stores we should have tried?

My First Handspun Yarn!

April 26, 2012November 10, 2012 | Verónica

I finally took the plunge. I pulled a lovely white 100% Merino Wool from my fiber stash and started spinning. First, I took the wool and pulled it apart into long thin strips. Then I gently drafted the fibers.

They ended up looking like big cinnamon rolls.

I took out my brand new turkish spindle, attached a leader, and started pulling on the fiber as I turned the spindle clockwise.

My first batch is a bit thick but I’ve read that this is standard for first-time spinners. As I kept spinning, I found I could produce a thinner yarn.

I just have to practice.

This was my first hank! It’s sort of a mini-hank but I am so pleased!

I only had 4 oz. of wool and was able to spin three mini-hanks for a total of 82 yards. I think my yield will be better as my spinning skills improve.

Now I just have to dye it!

My takeaways:

(1) Spinning is way cool.

(2) I must get more fiber.

(3) I need a spinning wheel.

WIP – Adrift in Green

February 22, 2012April 29, 2012 | Verónica

This is one of my WIPs (works in progress). I love how the cabling gives it depth while the stockinette stitch gives it smoothness. I am using drift by Rowan, a super bulky wool in a deep green color with blue highlights (#905). It reminds me of soft rolling waves in a warm sea.

I still have a couple of balls of yarn to go before it’s finished. Stay tuned for the finished product.

Kid’N Ewe Fiber Festival

February 6, 2012November 10, 2012 | Verónica

Besides the absolutely adorable animals, the highlight of the Kid’N Ewe Fiber Festival was the fibers! From raw fibers, natural and dyed, combed and carded, there were fibers aplenty. I started a very healthy fiber stash to complement my yarn stash. My first visit was with Mary Berry, proprietress of Fancy Fiber Farms. Mary runs a family farm with her husband where she raises her own animals. Her booth was interesting because it allowed you to see the fibers from their sources (she had pictures of her animals).

Mohair locks from Blossom, Cherry and Flower, kid goats from Mary’s farm.

DSC_2813 COPY 2 — Wool roving alongside a picture of their makers.

DSC_2813 COPY — Brightly dyed sheep’s wool.

I then stopped by the South Texas Angora Goats booth. Their carded Angora wool was soft and crisp white. I highly recommend visiting their website. They have great pictures of their animals especially their Racka sheep with their spiral horns.

Natural Angora from South Texas Angora Goats.

I loved the combination of the purples and reds in this dyed fiber from the Weavery at Indian Meridian.

2 oz. each fine wool imported from the U.K.

Another fiber booth.

Like letting kids loose in a candy store.

My last stop was at the Wooden Spinner. Proprietors Mike and Brenda Harrower offer high quality, hand-processed fibers. They specialize in creating natural plant dyes for their fibers. The resulting fibers are cast in soft, soothing colors.