Handwerkstextiles's Blog

TNNA, winter show in Phoenix

handwerkstextiles — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:14:15 +0000

TNNA has been an amazing exhausting whirlwind experience. This is the second TNNA I’ve been to and I keep learning new things about the yarn industry. It’s so interesting to see the new trends (think sparkle, ruffles, cotton blends and the 1970′s) as well as meet young designers and other indie dyers. I’ve picked up some new ideas for rigid heddle weaving and knitting classes and ways to improve my business. I’m really excited about teaching weaving and hopI’ll be able to inspire a few fellow knitters to expand their repretoire . I’ve crafted with yarn most of my life, and now working in the business has given me a new perspective. I’m still sorting out how I fit in and what my goals are. In the meantime it’s fun to be with liked minded people and imagine the possibilities.

Finding inspiration

handwerkstextiles — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:22:23 +0000

Where do you find inspiration? I’ve been dyeing a lot of yarn lately, restocking favorite colors as well as looking for new sources of inspiration. I saw this incredible cauliflower at the farmer’s market. I had to buy it because of the color. Instead of cooking it for dinner I spent time arranging it with various things in my kitchen. Then I began to see the bag of tangerines in a whole new light too. I love the way they look against the green/blue of the bowl. I had so much fun playing with the fruits and veggies I sent my husband out for take-out.

Finding time to finish projects.

handwerkstextiles — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:34:19 +0000

I’m listening to audiobooks (Steve Jobs) and finishing up projects this weekend. I’m enjoying the book and the discussion of design and art. I can appreciate many of the ideas and it is reminding me of my perennial New Year’s resolution to “do less and do it better”. Over the past couple of years I have collected a big pile of handwoven towels that just need hemming. I used to be so good at focusing on a single project and completing it before moving on to the next. I have so many projects now, and I’m going from one to the next and not really focusing on enjoying them. After I finish hemming this big pile of towels I really am going to start doing less and doing it better.

Yards of waffle weave, pointed twills, taquete on summer and winter… soon to be kitchen towels!

2012 Yarn Club

handwerkstextiles — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:02:02 +0000

It amazes me that it is already 2012. The older I get the faster time seems to fly by. I know that is so cliché — but true. I’m still thinking about how exciting it was to reach the millennium with all the hype surrounding that event. Can it really be 12 years ago?? Some things have stayed the same and some things have certainly changed. I always like to try something different and branch out in new directions. With that in mind, Jocelyn and I have tweaked the Handwerks Yarn Club to include a variety of yarns and projects. Not just socks this year. 2012 is the year for us to explore new territory and expand. We have lots of new ideas, to do lists and goals for the year. I’m crossing my fingers we will accomplish at least half of our list this year! (more to come on that subject )

There is still time to sign up for the 2012 One Skein Project club. 4 shipments, 4 one skein project patterns, 4 different yarns and 4 destination themes. This is a fun way to try new yarns and a variety of projects. Exclusive patterns from Fiberdev. Yarns will vary from sock weight to DK weight. Come join the fun with us.

Happy New Year.

Designer Interview with Fiberdev

handwerkstextiles — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:17:04 +0000

With 2012 right around the corner and plans for the One Skein Club in the works I thought it would be fun to get to know the designer behind the patterns. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jocelyn Blair, a prolific knitter and designer, over the past couple of years. Here in her own words:

Did you like crafts as a kid? What was your favorite toy?

Yes! I loved the gadgets. I learned to tat with shuttles. I adored my little plastic sewing machine. I made tons of potholders using those loops and I had a Barbie knitting machine (maybe that’s why I like sock machines so much).

How did you get started as a designer?

Well it was mostly an accident, but I suppose it really was a natural transition from knitting other designs. I was always intrigued at how things came together. I have quite a collection of stitch pattern books and always want to try some stitch patterns out on socks. Socks are the most satisfying things to try out stitch patterns. I love knitting socks!

Do you do other crafts/arts besides knitting?

I can sew, my Mom was a seamstress so I learned that first. I’ve made some quilts and I’ve done embroidery, I still have a sampler to complete from when I first got married! I learned to spin and weave after I learned to knit. And then there’s the sock and flatbed machines.

Are you ever surprised at what you are doing now?

I’m always surprise at what I’m doing! Especially when I actually finish a project!

Do you have a favorite pattern/design? Why is it your favorite? What is your favorite item to design?

The last one, which was Mesquite Flat, but it’s always the most recent. My most favorite item to design would probably be socks, but a close second is triangle shawlettes – I want to do more of those!!!

What is your approach to design? What comes first: pattern stitch, idea of an item,…?

A theme. I find you have to limit your stimulus. Kinda like having a big box of crayons, if you have too many options it’s harder to settle on something. For the club I usually wait until I know the yarn, the color and the destination. For the 2012 club I’ll have to decide the item first and that’s going to depend a lot on the yarn itself.

What is your biggest challenge?

Once I have the item then I try to find a pattern stitch – that’s the hardest part I think. For socks it’s a matter of working the stitch into the sock. The same is true for non-sock patterns as well. But some things will be more important than others . Repeatability is very important for socks both in row count and stitch count. For cowls, scarves and shawls you have to figure in the shape and which way the pattern will repeat.

What is next for you and your work?

Handwerks 2012 One Skein Yarn Travel Club!

Do you have any advice for new designers?

Go for it. You’ll be amazed at what you can come up with. It really helps you become a better knitter and observer of all things.

Where can we find more of your designs and hear about what you do?

Ravelry is the best place to find all my designs. My RavID is “fiberdev” you can also get to my blog from my profile.

Cashmere Give-Away in honor of Knitcircus Podcast

handwerkstextiles — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:54:36 +0000

You can’t imagine how pleased I was to learn that Jaala Spiro and Amy Detjen reviewed Handwerks Luxury Sock on their recent Knitcircus Podcast (episode 5). I had actually forgotten that I had sent Jaala a skein of the Luxury Sock several months ago. At this time of year, so many parcels of yarn are coming and going I lose track of what was sent when and where. I really do keep records – both online and in my vertical, chronological filing pile in a Rubbermaid box in the corner by my desk! My records are really complete, waiting for tax time but once I’ve sent something out I move on to the next shipment waiting for me.

Luxury Sock was a limited edition 100% cashmere, fingering weight yarn. I bought all that I could but unfortunately like many yarns recently, it is no longer available. As you may or may not know I have a serious cashmere addiction. I’ve loved cashmere for what seems like my entire life. I’ve taken classes about it, read every article I could about it, learned to spin it, carded it, tried dehairing it, dyed it , woven with it, knit with it, stashed it, worn it, sold it and now I’m giving it away!

Two – 50 gram skeins of a nice soft grey are waiting for a new home.

To enter the Give-Away, please leave a comment telling me why you like cashmere by midnight (PST) Wed, Dec 21 . Please make sure to let me know your Ravelry/Twitter and/or email so I can let you know if you win! The winner will be drawn at random and posted Thursday, December 22.

If you don’t win and still want some of this lovely yarn, contact one of these Handwerks retailers: Uncommon Threads, The Golden Fleece or Piedmont Yarn & Apparel , they might have a bit left!

Ready for new colors?

handwerkstextiles — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:51:21 +0000

Pantone has released its new 2012 color report. And the winner is……………. Tangerine Tango! I had never heard of this color before but when I followed the links and saw what they were talking about I instantly recognized this as a red orange that has been slowly creeping into fashion this Fall. It’s a color I like and have been seeing in the bright red/orange tree leaves around town. Its bright but not flourescent, more red than yellow and warm but not dull or muted. It feels more vibrant than most of the traditional Fall colors and I can see how it might be nice in the Spring or Summer too. Can you picture wearing it? I’m warming up to it!

Winter Mittens

handwerkstextiles — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 21:53:31 +0000

Here is another lovely pattern from Twist Collective, Perianth, designed by Barbara Gregory. Two skeins of So-Soft Sock, Night and Lavender, is enough for a pair for you and for a gift. I’m excited about cold weather!

2011 year of socks

handwerkstextiles — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:09:02 +0000

I’ve just mailed out the last of the 2011 sock yarn travel club mailings. I’ve enjoyed the club for so many reasons. Its given me the chance to continue to work with the talented designer, Jocelyn Blair (aka Fiberdev on Ravelry) as well as explore new colorways. I love being able to play with themes and focus on a select group of skeins; mixing dyes, shifting colors, getting everything just right, watching the dyes strike and forever change the white yarns. Sometimes the themes came first, giving me ideas for possible colorways, other times I started dyeing and the colors inspired the theme. I’m influenced by my surrounds and have taken in the colors of the landscape without even noticing until… there, they show up in my dye pot!

Hope you enjoyed it.

Laura

and the yarns

Ready for a roadtrip?

handwerkstextiles — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:30:50 +0000

Knit Together, a new yarn and fiber shop has just opened in Exeter, California. It caters to knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers alike. They have a wonderful selection of yarns from both big companies and small indie dyers (yes, me! ). The spinning corner looks so inviting with its baskets of fiber and large mural tree. I’m torn between wanting to sit under its “shade” and spend an afternoon with the rovings or plan my next warp in front of the beautiful cones of weaving yarns on the wall. The owner has included something for all my favorite crafts in her new shop. I’m so glad I found Knit Together and thrilled she found Handwerks yarns!

I’m ready for a roadtrip!