Sunday, September 8, 2013
I've Moved!!
Check out my new blog at Spartickes Dyes. It will (hopefully) soon be merging with my regular website, which is www.SpartickesDyes.com Thanks!!!!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
SSK 2013
Leslie sent me an email!!!!!! I am so excited! For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, Leslie and Laura of The Knitgirllls Podcast are putting on a knitting retreat here in Nashville this July. The one here last year pretty much shaped my current career, but there was a really long waiting list (still is), and I was afraid that I wouldn't be allowed to go to the retreat. I pictured myself sitting on the sidewalk just past the entrance longingly waiting for someone to endure the heat and sit and knit with me!!
However, I did indeed make it off the wait-list and onto the wonderful REAL ATTENDANCE list. I'm a "day-passer" which means I won't be staying on campus, but I still get to go to the classes, vendors market, and hang out with all of friends that I met last year and will meet this year.
Want to know why I say that SSK shaped my current career? Well, some of you will remember from watching the podcast that I was also waitlisted last year, and 2 weeks before the event, I got in! At that time, I was teaching math at a local charter middle school. I received my SSK notification on the last day of school. On one hand, it was a hard decision to make because I wasn't going to be getting paid throughout the summer (weirdo charter school!) and we hadn't budgeted for the retreat. On the other hand, the retreat was in NASHVILLE-how could I miss it! So, my wonderful supportive husband didn't even wince (well, I told him over the phone, so I didn't see it anyway!) when I told him that I REALLY REALLY wanted to go. He said we'd figure it out.
Well, I went to SSK and had an amazing time. I met so many wonderful people that I'd known through my computer and that I hadn't known at all. I think the most fantastic part of the weekend was the friendships that formed. One of the nights, I was EXHAUSTED and wanted to get some really good sleep. (I'm sure my exhaustion had nothing to do with going boot scootin the night before.) So, I came home. Before walking into the house, I checked the mail. In the mail, I received a VERY UNEXPECTED letter from my school. It said they were taking the math department in a different direction. (huh? I had excellent reviews and made great improvements with the children--there was no explanation, but that is a post for another day!) I was fired. And, we didn't have any income other than my Sundays at the restaurant.
Determined not to let it ruin my retreat, Josh told me to push it out of my mind (yeah right) and not worry about it until I came home. The next night, I ended up hanging out with some very cool people, one of whom is my hero, Sarah (Ponkie) from Another Crafty Girl. (Go ahead and look at her amazing yarn. I'll still be here. It is absolutely stunning. Breath-taking. Mesmerizing. Set a timer or beeper or something or you WILL be in a trance--unable to move away from the colors.) Ponkie was a vendor at SSK. In fact, she was the only one who's yarn I came home with that day. (another wonderful story for another time) While we hung out, Ponkie explained that she had just started her business in January of the previous year because she wanted to make a career out of something that she was truly passionate about. She explained that she started out playing with Koolaid then worked her way up.
I should point out that I had never really thought about dyeing yarn to sell it. I had bought 2 blank skeins from KnitPicks about 3 months prior to SSK and hadn't even touched it. When I came home, Josh and I talked about what we were going to do for an income. I was determined to get another teaching job. I wasn't happy at the school that canned me anyway. I had been looking for another position anyway, so what was the big deal? I interviewed for so many schools-I can't even tell you the number. I tried to keep my spirits up. I picked up another day at the restaurant (yet another long story--maybe I should blog more often...) and Josh ended up getting a job a CD/Video store that his friend manages. Before all this jobless hulabaloo, Josh was a stay-at-home-dad, and we both loved it that way.
I also played with Koolaid. I was inspired by Ponkie to just jump in and try it. I watched lots of videos and read lots of stuff about it online. I tried it in my crockpot and in the microwave. I even used coffee! I loved it. The stuff I made was so pretty! Josh helped me tremendously and we had a lot of fun playing.
Then summer was coming to a close (Nashville started a modified year-round school, so they started really early), and I didn't have a job. I wanted to play with colors more, but I didn't have any more "naked" yarn to play with. (Thank you, Joanna!) I felt guilty buying it just for myself, but I was compelled to make more pretty colors! Once I had dyed up a few more skeins, I decided that the FIBER GODS were calling me. I wasn't supposed to teach (duh! I couldn't), I was supposed to dye (and sew!!).
On August 4, 2012, Spartickes Dyes was born! It's not always as profitable as I'd like, and I'm still not ready to give up the security of the restaurant (well, I AM ready, but the budget is not! ha!!), I am absolutely loving this new career.
The inspiration of Spartickes Dyes is totally from SSK 2012. I met so many awesome people. I fell even more in love with the amazing knitting community that we have. I wanted to live it 24/7. Ponkie inspired me, but the people that I met at my first retreat, and through Plurk, and through Ravelry, and through this podcast, and in real life knitting groups actually sealed the deal so to speak. I'm so excited that this is my life!!
All this to say, I'm super excited about SSK 2013 and can't wait to see what wonderful things will come from it!
And, in order to raise the money to pay for SSK 2013, I am having a sale! Enter code SSK2013 at www.SpartickesDyes.etsy.com in order to receive a 13% discount off anything in the store. The sale will continue until I've raised enough to cover my costs, restock, and pay for my ticket.
Thank you so much for your support and friendship. It has helped make me who I am.
However, I did indeed make it off the wait-list and onto the wonderful REAL ATTENDANCE list. I'm a "day-passer" which means I won't be staying on campus, but I still get to go to the classes, vendors market, and hang out with all of friends that I met last year and will meet this year.
Want to know why I say that SSK shaped my current career? Well, some of you will remember from watching the podcast that I was also waitlisted last year, and 2 weeks before the event, I got in! At that time, I was teaching math at a local charter middle school. I received my SSK notification on the last day of school. On one hand, it was a hard decision to make because I wasn't going to be getting paid throughout the summer (weirdo charter school!) and we hadn't budgeted for the retreat. On the other hand, the retreat was in NASHVILLE-how could I miss it! So, my wonderful supportive husband didn't even wince (well, I told him over the phone, so I didn't see it anyway!) when I told him that I REALLY REALLY wanted to go. He said we'd figure it out.
Well, I went to SSK and had an amazing time. I met so many wonderful people that I'd known through my computer and that I hadn't known at all. I think the most fantastic part of the weekend was the friendships that formed. One of the nights, I was EXHAUSTED and wanted to get some really good sleep. (I'm sure my exhaustion had nothing to do with going boot scootin the night before.) So, I came home. Before walking into the house, I checked the mail. In the mail, I received a VERY UNEXPECTED letter from my school. It said they were taking the math department in a different direction. (huh? I had excellent reviews and made great improvements with the children--there was no explanation, but that is a post for another day!) I was fired. And, we didn't have any income other than my Sundays at the restaurant.
Determined not to let it ruin my retreat, Josh told me to push it out of my mind (yeah right) and not worry about it until I came home. The next night, I ended up hanging out with some very cool people, one of whom is my hero, Sarah (Ponkie) from Another Crafty Girl. (Go ahead and look at her amazing yarn. I'll still be here. It is absolutely stunning. Breath-taking. Mesmerizing. Set a timer or beeper or something or you WILL be in a trance--unable to move away from the colors.) Ponkie was a vendor at SSK. In fact, she was the only one who's yarn I came home with that day. (another wonderful story for another time) While we hung out, Ponkie explained that she had just started her business in January of the previous year because she wanted to make a career out of something that she was truly passionate about. She explained that she started out playing with Koolaid then worked her way up.
I should point out that I had never really thought about dyeing yarn to sell it. I had bought 2 blank skeins from KnitPicks about 3 months prior to SSK and hadn't even touched it. When I came home, Josh and I talked about what we were going to do for an income. I was determined to get another teaching job. I wasn't happy at the school that canned me anyway. I had been looking for another position anyway, so what was the big deal? I interviewed for so many schools-I can't even tell you the number. I tried to keep my spirits up. I picked up another day at the restaurant (yet another long story--maybe I should blog more often...) and Josh ended up getting a job a CD/Video store that his friend manages. Before all this jobless hulabaloo, Josh was a stay-at-home-dad, and we both loved it that way.
I also played with Koolaid. I was inspired by Ponkie to just jump in and try it. I watched lots of videos and read lots of stuff about it online. I tried it in my crockpot and in the microwave. I even used coffee! I loved it. The stuff I made was so pretty! Josh helped me tremendously and we had a lot of fun playing.
Then summer was coming to a close (Nashville started a modified year-round school, so they started really early), and I didn't have a job. I wanted to play with colors more, but I didn't have any more "naked" yarn to play with. (Thank you, Joanna!) I felt guilty buying it just for myself, but I was compelled to make more pretty colors! Once I had dyed up a few more skeins, I decided that the FIBER GODS were calling me. I wasn't supposed to teach (duh! I couldn't), I was supposed to dye (and sew!!).
On August 4, 2012, Spartickes Dyes was born! It's not always as profitable as I'd like, and I'm still not ready to give up the security of the restaurant (well, I AM ready, but the budget is not! ha!!), I am absolutely loving this new career.
The inspiration of Spartickes Dyes is totally from SSK 2012. I met so many awesome people. I fell even more in love with the amazing knitting community that we have. I wanted to live it 24/7. Ponkie inspired me, but the people that I met at my first retreat, and through Plurk, and through Ravelry, and through this podcast, and in real life knitting groups actually sealed the deal so to speak. I'm so excited that this is my life!!
All this to say, I'm super excited about SSK 2013 and can't wait to see what wonderful things will come from it!
And, in order to raise the money to pay for SSK 2013, I am having a sale! Enter code SSK2013 at www.SpartickesDyes.etsy.com in order to receive a 13% discount off anything in the store. The sale will continue until I've raised enough to cover my costs, restock, and pay for my ticket.
Thank you so much for your support and friendship. It has helped make me who I am.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Episode 36 "How Old am I?"
Graphic Infection Shawl by Josh Ryks (Geoknittrix Designs) made with Spartickes Dyes' Liberace Sock Josh's Podcast: Sword of a Knitter
Keira's Tube Socks--no pattern, don't know the name of the yarn! Toe up socks, I'm going to knit only in the theater or during knit nights until they are done or Keira makes me stop!
Tardis Socks by Amelie BJ on Woolmeise, a gift from Helen and Peter, in my Girl Cave Bags bag. Helen's Podcast: Knitting 365
My Eeyore Hat (Donnie's Hat) by Tracey Grzegorczyk made with Spartickes Dyes' Joss Whedon Worsted Base
Wave Capelet by Jennifer Kortfelt made with Spartickes Dyes' Will and Grace Base A personal KAL with Melissa (awesome pattern designer, by the way!!) Melissa's Podcast: Meltran Designs Knitting Corner
Final Exam/Finished Object
My Favorite Scarf Ever by Lisa Bruce made with Socks that Rock
Souveniers/Stash Enhancement
Jasper from Storied Yarns
Jess is putting on a retreat, and I'll be there! It is April 26-28, 2013, and it is ONLY $100!!! Yay!!! Go to her blog for more information.
Acid Wash from Fiber Addiction
Emily's indiegogo campaign. Please help her out. She has some awesome rewards!!
**** Contest***** Emily also gave me some goodies to give away!! I have both yarn and fiber, so two of y'all are going to be winners!
1. Go to her Etsy shop and pick out something that you love.
2. Go to her Ravelry group and tell us what you picked out!
I will use a RNG to pick out 2 lucky winners.
Phone Call Home/Stuff I'm Lusting Over
Celestarium by Audry Nicklin Join Kiki's Knitalong!!
Dreambird Kal by Nadita Swings
Bryndis by Corrina Ferguson (picnicknits)
Corrina is also doing a mystery knitalong, starting tomorrow!! Get the pattern and knit with me!!
Lemonade Stand/Spartickes Dyes
New bases and colorways! www.SpartickesDyes.etsy.com
Also, sign up for our yarn club here!
Intro to Film/Movies I've Seen
Side Effects: LOVED IT!! Want to watch it again and again.
Identity Thief: Liked it a lot. I thought it was clever. And, I want to marry Melissa McCarthy. It's okay, though, because my husband wants to marry Jason Bateman.
Warm Bodies: Much better than expected. I now realize that I was getting two movies mixed up in my little review. I was actually referring to Beautiful Creatures when I compared it to Twilight. I knew there was another movie I saw! I liked both movies. Both movies have to do with teenage romance and mystical type things, so you really can't blame me... :)
Oh, yeah--and ENID is the winner of the Name the Mascot give-away! Let me know what you want, girl!
Monday, March 4, 2013
A New Yarn Club!
Hilary (ie Hippie Penguin) and I are teaming up to bring y'all a new yarn club! I'm super excited about the theme: County Fair
Who doesn't love the fair?! You know we've been brainstorming colorways, so we came up with a lot of FOOD as inspiration! Salt Water Taffy, Candy Apples, even Chocolate Covered BACON.
Please check out my Ravelry group for more information and to sign up!
Who doesn't love the fair?! You know we've been brainstorming colorways, so we came up with a lot of FOOD as inspiration! Salt Water Taffy, Candy Apples, even Chocolate Covered BACON.
Please check out my Ravelry group for more information and to sign up!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Episode 35 "Never Put Off for Tomorrow..."
Lessons I'm Learning
Plain Tube Socks for Kiera
Tardis Socks by Amelie BJ in WOLLMEISE for Darkwing
Final Exam
Proper Etiquette Socks by Laura Nelkin in "Munchkinland Welcome Wagon" by Spartickes Dyes
Souvenirs
December Tea and Stripes Yarn Club "Morning Dew" by Yarn vs Zombies
Lemonade Stand
Contest until next Tuesday, February 5th, 2013. Enter on Facebook, here on the blog, or in the Ravelry group to win a free skein or bag from the shop: your choice!
Keira's Yarn: "Tonight Tonight"
Zombie Shawl Kits: "Braaaaaiiiiinnnnssss"
"Knit of the Living Dead"
Unknown Title/Movie Section
Broken City: Excellent Movie
Zero Dark Thirty: Good Movie
Mama: Very Good Movie, but scary-don't see it alone in the theater!
Hansel and Gretel: Very Good Movie
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Name that Mascot CONTEST
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Episode 34
Lessons I'm Learning
Proper Etiquette by Laura Nelkin (a gift from Lizandjuan) in Munchinland Welcome Wagon from Spartickes Dyes
Baby Mittens by Malin Nillson
Final Exam
Slightly Twisted Baby Hat by Lara Neel
PeePee Tee Pee by Jocelyn Kinnear
Lemonade Stand
www.SpartickesDyes.etsy.com
This week's update will be at 11:00 Wednesday, January 16, 2013.
Following weeks the update will be Wednesdays for bags and Thursdays for yarn/fiber. Please check my facebook page or the Spartickes Dyes Ravelry Group for specific times.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Episode 33
Discombobulated Shownotes:
The kickstarter is running until December 11, 2012, which is my 36th birthday.
I'll be updating my etsy store on Tuesday, December 6th at 10:00am CST.
Kittin in the Mitten enabling:
Awesome fiber was from Jenna. and the awesome yarn was from Emily.
I can't find the specific video I used for the swirly scarf. I will link it when I do because I feel it is better than the others!
Podcasts I mentioned: Whatcha Swatchin, Hollywood Knitter, Dragonfly Soars (didn't mention but should have!), Knitting Blooms, Happy Camper Fibers, Hippie Penguin. Whew. That's a lot. Let me know if I forgot someone. I love podcasts. :)
I can't remember what else I talked about... Please let me know if there is anything else that I said I'd link and I haven't!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Kickstarter Project
Sorry I've been kind of quiet as of late. It seems like time has started moving faster. I know that sounds cliche, but it is true--I never feel like I have enough time any more. There are less hours in the day now or something.
I've been working on a little project, which combined with keeping up with Spartickes Dyes and trying to get ready for another (hopefully more successful) craft fair, I hardly have time to breathe. I'm very excited about the project, though, so here goes: About a month ago, I looked into taking Spartickes Dyes to The Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival in Dickson, TN, which is at the end of May in Dickson, TN. This is the first fiber festival that I ever attended. I have fantastic memories of walking into one of the barns and seeing "my people."
The thought of being able to sell at any fiber festival, let alone this one is uber exciting to me. The rental fee is quite reasonable, so I told Josh (handsome husband) that I would like to vend there. He is so supportive. But then he asked me how I was going to be able to buy enough yarn up front in order to stock a booth. (Why does he have to be so logical?)
I'm confident that I would be successful selling my wares. (Does that sound pompous? I don't mean for it to sound too boastful, but I really like my yarn and bags.) However, much of the profit from my current sales goes back into buying more product to sell, and I have a hard enough time keeping the etsy shop stocked, let alone stocking a whole booth.
So, Josh and I talked about how we could make it happen, and we came up with the idea of doing a Kickstarter project. Kickstarter is website that connects people with creative ideas to people who would like to back those ideas monetarily. In return, the people who pledge money get various rewards if the project is fully funded by the end date. If the project is not funded, nobody pays anything, and the people who pledge do not receive anything.
My original idea of getting funding to go to my first fiber festival was initially denied by Kickstarter. They said that I needed to fund a project with a specified ending rather than an ongoing project. They said an example of an ending project would be developing a new clothing line. I don't quite understand why a new line of clothing IS a project and going to a fiber festival IS NOT, but who am I to argue?!
I was planning on introducing two new series of yarns anyway, so I tweaked my project idea, and here it is: Kickstarter Project
I'm so excited to start my first yarn/bag club!! I was so excited that I decided I needed to do two--I couldn't pick which one I like best. Winnie the Pooh has so many fun colors and Firefly has so many cool and quirky things to reference!!
The Kickstarter's end date is on my 36th birthday, December 11, 2012. I would be honored if you would consider helping to back this project. I promise not to disappoint!
I've been working on a little project, which combined with keeping up with Spartickes Dyes and trying to get ready for another (hopefully more successful) craft fair, I hardly have time to breathe. I'm very excited about the project, though, so here goes: About a month ago, I looked into taking Spartickes Dyes to The Middle Tennessee Fiber Festival in Dickson, TN, which is at the end of May in Dickson, TN. This is the first fiber festival that I ever attended. I have fantastic memories of walking into one of the barns and seeing "my people."
The thought of being able to sell at any fiber festival, let alone this one is uber exciting to me. The rental fee is quite reasonable, so I told Josh (handsome husband) that I would like to vend there. He is so supportive. But then he asked me how I was going to be able to buy enough yarn up front in order to stock a booth. (Why does he have to be so logical?)
I'm confident that I would be successful selling my wares. (Does that sound pompous? I don't mean for it to sound too boastful, but I really like my yarn and bags.) However, much of the profit from my current sales goes back into buying more product to sell, and I have a hard enough time keeping the etsy shop stocked, let alone stocking a whole booth.
So, Josh and I talked about how we could make it happen, and we came up with the idea of doing a Kickstarter project. Kickstarter is website that connects people with creative ideas to people who would like to back those ideas monetarily. In return, the people who pledge money get various rewards if the project is fully funded by the end date. If the project is not funded, nobody pays anything, and the people who pledge do not receive anything.
My original idea of getting funding to go to my first fiber festival was initially denied by Kickstarter. They said that I needed to fund a project with a specified ending rather than an ongoing project. They said an example of an ending project would be developing a new clothing line. I don't quite understand why a new line of clothing IS a project and going to a fiber festival IS NOT, but who am I to argue?!
I was planning on introducing two new series of yarns anyway, so I tweaked my project idea, and here it is: Kickstarter Project
I'm so excited to start my first yarn/bag club!! I was so excited that I decided I needed to do two--I couldn't pick which one I like best. Winnie the Pooh has so many fun colors and Firefly has so many cool and quirky things to reference!!
The Kickstarter's end date is on my 36th birthday, December 11, 2012. I would be honored if you would consider helping to back this project. I promise not to disappoint!
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Happy November!
No video podcast this week. No etsy update this week. I'm trying to get as much done for MY VERY FIRST CRAFT FAIR ever on Saturday. I do have a cool finished object to show y'all. I'll talk more about it next week when I podcast.
It is called The Hand Warming Cup Cozy by Nicole Woltman, and I am in love.
Here is the Ravelry link for the free pattern download.
Won't these be perfect for sitting on the football field?!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Episode 30 "Pinktober"
Lessons I'm Learning:
My Halloween Socks-Faux Heel Flap by Liat Gat in The Lock, Shock, and Barrel colorway, dyed by ME.
Slightly Twisted Baby Hat by Lara Neel
Scarf with no Name by Samantha Edgerly for my Mother in Law in the Sue Ickes colorway, dyed by ME.
Lemonade Stand:
My Yarn and Bag Shop
I'm trying to raise money for the Nashville chapter of Susan G Koman. 10% of the sale (or at least $1) of Pinktober items will go to raise money for cancer research.
My Cozy Shop
My Halloween Socks-Faux Heel Flap by Liat Gat in The Lock, Shock, and Barrel colorway, dyed by ME.
Slightly Twisted Baby Hat by Lara Neel
Scarf with no Name by Samantha Edgerly for my Mother in Law in the Sue Ickes colorway, dyed by ME.
Lemonade Stand:
My Yarn and Bag Shop
I'm trying to raise money for the Nashville chapter of Susan G Koman. 10% of the sale (or at least $1) of Pinktober items will go to raise money for cancer research.
My Cozy Shop
Friday, October 5, 2012
Kickin' Cancer to the Curb
I haven't had a chance to do a proper video podcast, but I have an important promotion running in my shop right now that I wanted y'all to know about.
October is breast cancer awareness month, otherwise known as pinktober. I have dyed up six very special colorways in honor of pinktober. They are available on 3 different bases-80/20 superwash merino, 80/10/10 (cashmere blend), and the sparkly liberace base. 10% of the sale price of these skeins will be donated to my Nashville Susan G Koman chapter.
I also have some pink project bags and notions bags that I've been sewing up for this occasion.
I don't know if you remember last year when I knit purple ribbon socks for my mother in law. My mother in law is a breast cancer and lung cancer (purple) survivor, and this cause is near and dear to my family. I named a colorway after her-Sue Ickes because she is one of the strongest women I know.
Please visit my etsy shop Spartickes Dyes and help me show my mother in law how important she is to me! If you'd rather just donate, you can donate using the the "donate" button on this site and tell me it is for Susan G Koman.
Thank you!
Talk to y'all soon on a podcast hopefully!
October is breast cancer awareness month, otherwise known as pinktober. I have dyed up six very special colorways in honor of pinktober. They are available on 3 different bases-80/20 superwash merino, 80/10/10 (cashmere blend), and the sparkly liberace base. 10% of the sale price of these skeins will be donated to my Nashville Susan G Koman chapter.
I also have some pink project bags and notions bags that I've been sewing up for this occasion.
I don't know if you remember last year when I knit purple ribbon socks for my mother in law. My mother in law is a breast cancer and lung cancer (purple) survivor, and this cause is near and dear to my family. I named a colorway after her-Sue Ickes because she is one of the strongest women I know.
Please visit my etsy shop Spartickes Dyes and help me show my mother in law how important she is to me! If you'd rather just donate, you can donate using the the "donate" button on this site and tell me it is for Susan G Koman.
Thank you!
Talk to y'all soon on a podcast hopefully!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Works In Progress Wednesday
I'm super late to the party. It is 11:48pm, so technically, this CAN be a Wednesday post!!
Tami hosts Works in Progress Wednesdays. Stop by her blog and take a look at some wonderful knitting projects. I want to cast on EVERYTHING!!
I'm just going to post two pictures today. I'm working on my Tina's Skirt that I showed y'all last week, but since the pattern repeats the length of the skirt, it is hard to tell there is much progress, so I'll wait until I have a "wow" moment to show! My Halloween socks are coming along quite nicely! I've decided to switch patterns-Liat has a new faux short row heel pattern and a knit-a-long going on through her blog, so I'm participating with that-as well as the other two KALS I mentioned last week: Just One More Row and Knitabulls podcasts.
I started a new project too. One of my friends asked me to make a baby hat for a baby shower she will be attending. The due date isn't until February, but I was itching to cast it on! Slightly Twisted Baby Hat by Lara Neel has a unique cuff. It is has a twisted garter edge before you do the ribbing. Knit 5 rows of garter (or is that 2 and a half??) then twist every 4 stitches around the 5 rows as you are knitting a stockinette row. I'm not explaining it very well, but you can check out the tutorial here. (click to download the pdf--the audio of Math4Knitters is an oldie but goodie as well!) It is kind of fun, now that I understand what I was doing!
Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to read your comments. :)
I'm just going to post two pictures today. I'm working on my Tina's Skirt that I showed y'all last week, but since the pattern repeats the length of the skirt, it is hard to tell there is much progress, so I'll wait until I have a "wow" moment to show! My Halloween socks are coming along quite nicely! I've decided to switch patterns-Liat has a new faux short row heel pattern and a knit-a-long going on through her blog, so I'm participating with that-as well as the other two KALS I mentioned last week: Just One More Row and Knitabulls podcasts.
I started a new project too. One of my friends asked me to make a baby hat for a baby shower she will be attending. The due date isn't until February, but I was itching to cast it on! Slightly Twisted Baby Hat by Lara Neel has a unique cuff. It is has a twisted garter edge before you do the ribbing. Knit 5 rows of garter (or is that 2 and a half??) then twist every 4 stitches around the 5 rows as you are knitting a stockinette row. I'm not explaining it very well, but you can check out the tutorial here. (click to download the pdf--the audio of Math4Knitters is an oldie but goodie as well!) It is kind of fun, now that I understand what I was doing!
Thanks for stopping by! I'd love to read your comments. :)
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Episode 29
Lessons I'm Learning/WIPs
My Halloween Socks- Faux Heel Flap by liatmgat. I dyed the yarn, which I called Lock, Shock, and Barrel. I have not put it up for sale (yet?) but if you would like some, just let me know--I'd love to dye some up for you!
*Just One More Row podcast
*Knitabulls podcast
*Traveling Sock Knitter podcast
*Knitfreedom Ravelry group
My Tina Skirt by Tina Marrin. Yarn is Plymouth Yarn's Baby Bunny
Final Exam/FOs
random little scarves and hats for my new etsy shop: www.spartickesdrinks.etsy.com, George Sock Monkey pattern by Alejandra Quiroz
Lemonade Stand/stuff from my shop!
Lock, Shock, and Barrel spinning fiber from The Nightmare Before Christmas Series, 100% superwash merino
Sally spinning fiber from The Nightmare Before Christmas Series, 100% superwash merino
Chicken small project bag
*KnittinWolfe from Wolfe Farms Podcast
Journal Entries/All about Me
Zeah killed me with Moss Rock Socks by Debbie O'Neill with Artist's Palette Yarns Smoothie Sock
New Friends/Podcasts of Interest
As We Knit by Rebecca Jones
and Just Another Bay Area Knitting Podcast (Jabak) by TopHat
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
WIPs Wednesdays-Talk like a Pirate Day
It has been a long time since I've participated, but I love admiring all of the beautiful projects, so here's my contribution to Works in Progress Wednesdays. If you want to join in, just post your link to Tami's website. Or, if you just want to put a picture in my comments--that'd be fun too!
Here goes:
My Halloween Socks: Plain Toe Up, Two at a Time Socks on Magic Loop-pattern from Liat. Yarn is called Lock, Shock, and Barrell Stripes by Spartickes Dyes.(that's me!!) It is a double dipper KAL from Diane of the Knitabulls Podcast and Brittany & Dana.of the Just One More Row Podcast.
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I'm also working on my Tina's Skirt for the The Lemknitcrochet Podcast. She has a FATT (finish all the things) KALCAL going on right now. I started this skirt August 4, 2011. It is from Plymouth Yarn's Baby Bunny, color 204.
My Favorite Scarf Ever is also from the FATT KALCAL. I started it June 15, 2011. It is made from Socks that Rock, but I don't remember the colorway.
And finally, what should actually be first is last for some odd reason. I'm doing Sock Sniper, which started September 1, 2012. I love the pattern and the yarn. I'm not sure why they are taking me so long to finish!! The pattern is Struttin in Searsucker and the yarn is Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love, also by Spartickes Dyes. They are toe up with a short row heel. This pattern offers Toe Up or Top Down as well as Gussett or Short Row Heels. How cool is that?!
Here goes:
My Halloween Socks: Plain Toe Up, Two at a Time Socks on Magic Loop-pattern from Liat. Yarn is called Lock, Shock, and Barrell Stripes by Spartickes Dyes.(that's me!!) It is a double dipper KAL from Diane of the Knitabulls Podcast and Brittany & Dana.of the Just One More Row Podcast.
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| Halloween Stripes |
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| Mari's Tina's Skirt |
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| My Scarf that Rocks |
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| Sniper Socks |
Thanks for stopping by! I'll do a proper podcast on Friday-sorry I missed this past week. I'd say I was working on my Sniper Socks, but then they'd be done by now if that were true!!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Episode 28 (not 27) Rock Band
This episode is a little bit different! I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it! Check out Another Crafty Girl to see the amazing Elmo colorway that I giveaway this episode-as well as her beautiful Portal colorways!
Please visit my shop: Spartickes Dyes and my Ravelry Group: Exchange Student in Fiberland!
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Episode 27 The Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Shownotes:
Lessons I'm Learning/Works in Progress
KnitFreedom Fair Isle Knitting e-book. I'm making the bag into a basket!
The Sock Sniper socks are made out of my own hand-dyed 100% merino, which is not available for purchase, but I do have other hand-dyed yarn available at SpartickesDyes. The pattern is called Struttin in Seersucker by SarahBess. It is a great pattern that is available in toe up or cuff down and heel flap or short row, which is super cool! SarahBess is the coordinator of Sock Sniper, which is a knitting competition to raise money for Doctors without Borders.
Final Exam/Finished Object
Spring Buds Fingerless Mitts by Robin Currier. It is also made with my own hand-dyed yarn, which is not available for purchase--I know, mean, right?
Contest
Make sure you enter to win a beautiful skein of yarn from AnotherCraftyGirl. She has such amazing yarn. I love it all so much!
Souvenirs/Enabling
Tickle by Tempted is 100% merino in her Sly Grrl base. I can't wait to use it!!!
Pirates of the Carrot Penis by Etherial Fibers. Friend her on plurk so you can get her update previews!!
Lemonade Stand/Spartickes Dyes
Today, I showed off some project bags and a cool zippered notions bag from Spartickes Dyes. I'm happy to do custom orders (bags and yarn), so just let me know!
I hope I didn't miss anything. I left the paper version of my shownotes upstairs, and I can't be wasting time by running up to get them. I've got socks to knit! If I did, just contact me, and I'll fill you in on the details!
Thanks for watching!!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Episode 26 "That's Not Really Purple Hair"
Lessons I'm Learning/WIPS:
Spring Bud Fingerless Mitts by Robin CurrierFavorite Scarf Ever by Lisa Bruce
Final Exam/FO:
Brioche samples by liatmgat
Giveaway!!
Go to the Ravelry Group for a chance to win some of the most awesome yarn ever. Please tell us about your favorite commercial or ad!
Lemonade Stand/My Shop:
Chewie in the Liberace Base from the Star Wars Series
Sparkly Pink Ladies from the Grease Series
Journal Entries/All About Me:
Please help me promote my Etsy shop by following my facebook page!
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