Workshop Wednesdays: Spinning for Colorwork

This is another great class by Deb Accuardi! After teaching her classes last year she approached me with the idea of teaching a Spinning for Colorwork class. I thought it was a great idea! I actually have read up on the subject and it is really interesting. Apparently just the difference between 2 ply and 3 ply can make a tremendous difference in how your final colorwork pattern turns out.

This class also covers how to spin different colored rovings in different ways to achieve the finished yarn you are looking for. I think this will be an amazing class, chocked full of great information. You will leave this class feeling confidant about using your handspun yarn for colorwork.

For more information check out: http://cgff.lavendersheep.com/workshops/spin-colorwork.html

New 2013 Colorways!

I thought I would put together a little collage of all of my new colorways for this year! I had a lot of fun puttering in the studio making new colors!

All of them are listed in the shop with different bases. Also, if you would like to see them in person I will be part of the Rose City Yarn Crawl on Friday, March 1st, from 12 - 6pm at For Yarn's Sake in Beaverton! I hope to see you there!

Photo Friday: Pink

Workshop Wednesdays: Troubleshoot Spinning

Do you have a problem with your spinning? Would you like to learn how to spin more consistently? How about learning how to spin enough yarn for an entire project? Then Troubleshoot Spinning is the class for you! Come with questions and Deb Accuardi will help you find the answers.

Deb is an amazing instructor with a big fiber background. She has raised goats and rabbits up on her farm on Mt Hood. She was part owner for Pico Accuardi Dyeworks. Currently she works for Blue Moon Fiber Arts. So definitely knows her way around fiber and dye! She has taught several classes on starting from a raw fleece and turning it into a finished garment. So if you want to learn about getting the most out of your spinning then she is the person to go to! Make sure to check out her class.

For more details check out here: http://cgff.lavendersheep.com/workshops/spin-troubleshoot.html

New! Carded Batts

I took a little break from dyeing to card up some batts. Aren't they lovely?

I know I love them!  From left to right, top to bottom:

Chocolate Cherry - Alpaca / Wool

Bejeweled - Wool

Purple Woodland - Wool

Princess - Wool

Fairy - Alpaca / Shetland Wool

Forest - Wool

Check them all out together here: http://www.lavendersheep.com/shop/roving/batts.html

Photo Friday: Couch

Workshop Wednesday: Knitting Behind the Wheel

What can I say? I am totally crazy about color! 

I actually first heard about the Knitting Behind the Wheel class on Mary Scott Huff's blog. You can read her words about it here. I love color theory. I love how mixing different colors together makes each color do something different than when it is standing by itself. It is simply amazing. 

In this class Mary Scott Huff will guide you through the tricks and tips of mixing and matching colors together. She will start by playing by the rules and then break them. She provides all the yarn (shown above) to make this amazing bag. Of course each bag will come out a little different as you learn how to pick your colors and how they work together. You will be amazed at how your finished product will be different from the person next to you, but yet will still work!

The class goes all day with a one hour break for lunch in the middle. I can't imagine anything more fun than spending the day with Mary Scott Huff knitting and playing with color! Make sure to check out this class!

For more information check out here: http://cgff.lavendersheep.com/workshops/colortheory.html

Moss Bolero

And the winner is: Mokihana, she said...

I didn't get to go last year, but am looking forward to going this year. I always look forward to the drive up the Gorge, and then being able to be with other fiber artists, spinners, knitters, and friends tops it off. I'm looking forward to seeing all the vendors, too... and yes, congrats on being in the book!!

Congratulations! You should see an email from me soon and I'll get the book right out to you!

My first project for 2013 is off the needles!

I finally finished this bolero (rav link) out of my Superwash Bulky yarn in Moss! It took just over 3 skeins for the 38" size. I love this yarn so much! It's so soft and fluffy! I love the Moss colorway too, definitely one of my favorites! I needed this bolero to go with a sun dress my parents got me the last time they went to Hawaii. I think it will be great once the weather is just a tad warmer and sunnier. In the mean time Maud can model it outside!

Since I was outside anyway, I thought it would be a great time to get some action photos of the new Felt Knitting Bags that are now back in stock! Aren't they pretty? They are all made by a women's cooperative in Nepal and are fair trade. I love them so much. Now I just need to pick which one will go best with my outfit when I am out and about this summer!

Photo Friday: Pants & Sock

Workshop Wednesdays: Crochet

 Last Fall I was contacted by the very talented Darla J Fanton, who wanted to know if I would like to add crochet classes to the CGFF schedule! It was actually perfect timing because I had thought about adding crochet classes, but didn't have anyone in mind to teach them! Darla came with a very impressive resume too! She has been an instructor at several of the larger shows all over the country including several of the Knit & Crochet Shows put on by XRX Books.

The two classes I chose look pretty impressive, but actually require no previous crochet experience! If you already know how to crochet then these classes will expand your crochet knowledge!

The first is the Double Helix Crochet Beaded Necklace and Bracelet Class. In this class you will learn how to crochet with beads. If you haven't crocheted before then the bracelet is the perfect size for you to finish in class. If you have previous experience then you should be able to finish the necklace. Darla pre-strings all the beads for you and provides all the materials necessary for you to complete both the bracelet and the necklace!

The second class is on Tunisian Crochet. I actually have done a bit of this myself and it is really fun. I like to think of it as a hybrid between knitting and crochet. It uses what looks like a knitting needle with a crochet hook on the end. I only learned the basic stitch, so I was happy to hear that this class goes into so much more! I was amazed with just how many things you can do with Tunisian Crochet. No previous experience required. No crochet or knitting experience required either. Darla provides you with the hook and a color booklet to take home with you. All you need to do is bring yourself and some yarn!

For More Information about the Double Helix Beaded Crochet Necklace and Bracelet class check out here: http://cgff.lavendersheep.com/workshops/crochetbeadnecklace.html

For More Information about the Tunisian Crochet Class check out here: http://cgff.lavendersheep.com/workshops/tunisiancrochet.html

Indie Socks! A Giveaway!

 I am so excited, in so many ways about Chrissy Gardiner's new book Indie Socks!

First off, I'm in it! My yarn is in it, you can see it in the upper right hand corner. It has a great interview with me talking about the colorway I designed for the book. Written by my good friend Donna Arney. The colorway is Owen in Tencel Sock, which is the blue yarn! Then Chrissy wanted to do a second pair in my signature colorway Mountain Sunset (pink). So, two colorways!

Second, I talked to Chrissy and she has agreed to have her book be the centerpiece for the 2013 Treasure Hunt at the Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival! I am really excited because so many of the dyers in this book will be at the show! That includes myself, Knitted Wit, Alpha B, Stitchjones, and more! So many of my favorite dyers and people!

Lastly, when Chrissy gave me my copy of the book she also gave me an extra signed copy to give away! I thought it would tie in well with the Treasure Hunt for the CGFF! So, if you would like a signed copy to give you a little head start on the treasure hunt leave a comment on this post by Sunday, February 10th with your favorite thing about the CGFF. If you haven't been, but plan on going this year, what sort of things you are looking forward to? Make sure to leave some way of contacting you so I can get the book to you, either an email address or your Ravelry name would be good thanks!

Photo Friday: Intellijoy

This is Kids Number and Math by Intellijoy. Let me just say that this company does a stellar job producing educational apps. So far I have loved introducing each one to my toddler (almost 3). With this game in particular he plays matching numbers hidden under the clouds. Thunder goes off when he gets it right. Other mini games included is one which has apples and you subtract the bitten apples. My son actually got the answer right more times than I thought possible for a toddler. Mostly he is just having fun and playing which is why I love these apps so much. I also love that there is a free lite version of each one to try out before purchasing the full version. I can also say that the Dot to dot and Alphabet games have been a huge success as well.