tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82109005701236807692024-02-21T07:05:13.383-07:00Maru DesignsCrochet and knit designs by Kim DriggsKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-92181747386949948472015-02-04T20:29:00.000-07:002015-02-04T20:29:05.315-07:00Spinning problem...So I have a spinning problem, which is also not to be confused with my hay problem or my yarn problem or my budding goat problem (I LOVE GOATS). The problem is I'm more efficient at <i>carding </i>wool than I am at spinning it. And you know what's the best part? Wool takes up more space after it was carded than as a raw fleece, so my spinning stash is actually continually expanding in volume without me buying anything new.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8dl3V7iQbWwq-ARS7NBkTCh-_-NupbTA9zm2J7vrd9iLjX4gqYEtnOU4ZfTRzGblJKYuXFy9NjG9enhOk5iNyZkIP0RCY9l_Lsr6BwrlZaeU1-7IWeWVyZBteUhMweGlBscZn1GnaI5X/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8dl3V7iQbWwq-ARS7NBkTCh-_-NupbTA9zm2J7vrd9iLjX4gqYEtnOU4ZfTRzGblJKYuXFy9NjG9enhOk5iNyZkIP0RCY9l_Lsr6BwrlZaeU1-7IWeWVyZBteUhMweGlBscZn1GnaI5X/s1600/025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's so fluffy!</td></tr>
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This is extra suckful because I LOVE buying new spinning fiber.<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-72096180456782995442015-01-21T11:00:00.000-07:002015-01-21T11:00:04.445-07:00Stitch MarkersHi, my name is Kim, and I may have a stitch marker problem. This is not to be confused with my hay problem (yes I have more than my goats will eat in three years, leave me alone), or my yarn problem (it is not too much yarn it fits in it's bins!... all six of them!). No, this is the kind of problem where I have a bazillion stitch markers and cannot for the life of me find the right kind.<br />
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I love split ring markers for crochet, but they get caught on my knitting, or worse, pop off the cable of my circular needle. I have teeny tiny danglies, which are great for socks but won't fit bigger than a US2. I have big giant danglies that always get caught in my yarn. And I have plain metal rings that, well, also always get caught on my yarn. I'm not sure how I manage that but I always do. I even once tried to make stitch markers where a bead covered the tiny gap in the metal ring. Let us just say that beads went everywhere and I didn't end up with very many stitch markers. Which mostly then got broken.<br />
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But today I found these.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9AxeQUSwspNh02VIFTRI-TOjGRgvdjYS69uHRFa4eHdsHOSsX_pjR9LSLYU-9bqwMrtvGFcJGKDkZZ6SgfrCvBT5EILclytOsAVKOf3MtIO4DkQlxQPT9q03NMTMUVWhL3rpPaqzj10W/s1600/stitch+markers+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9AxeQUSwspNh02VIFTRI-TOjGRgvdjYS69uHRFa4eHdsHOSsX_pjR9LSLYU-9bqwMrtvGFcJGKDkZZ6SgfrCvBT5EILclytOsAVKOf3MtIO4DkQlxQPT9q03NMTMUVWhL3rpPaqzj10W/s1600/stitch+markers+005.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ring stitch markers that have a bead over the tiny gap! And look: there's even one with an extra bead on it to be the start of round! It can be done after all! And best of all, they even work up to at least US8 (which is as big as I typically knit). They might even fit on a 9.<br />
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So if any of you know where to find Two Ewes Stitch Markers, please let me know. All I know is that these things are freaking perfect, and they were at my LYS yesterday. I need to know where they are in case the couch eats these ones (like it always does).Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-58652772152476344892015-01-20T16:51:00.000-07:002015-01-21T08:04:19.321-07:00Yarn Review: All for Love of Yarn SeellaYou may have noticed <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEw14/PATTangst.php" target="_blank">something new on Knitty.</a><br />
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I designed those socks! And they are in Knitty, and this is super exciting! (Hi everybody from Knitty!) They also happen to be made out of one of my very favorite yarns, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/allforloveofyarn" target="_blank">All for Love of Yarn</a> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/all-for-love-of-yarn-seella" target="_blank">Seella</a>. "Seella" apparently means "strong" in Russian, and at 75% BFL (strong!) and 25% nylon (strong!), this yarn earns it. I have another pair in this same yarn that I have dried <i>in the dryer,</i> and they come out looking brand new. I can frog it as many times as I like and it has never gotten ratty on me. This is seriously yarn of steel. But it does not feel like steel - it is still luscious and soft on the toes. And of course it comes in Angela's special non-pooling variegated colorways, for added awesome.<br />
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My pattern is socks knit sideways - so the cables run the other way. I love non-standard sock construction, but I won't just do it for fun, I need a good reason (because there are reasons that toe up and cuff down are standard!). I'm really pleased with how these turned out, and the cables were interesting to make. Plus they look awesome with my Sunday shoes. So they are called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socks-of-angst" target="_blank">Socks of Angst</a> but I don't think they caused me any, what do you know.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-17162130001386047862014-10-13T07:43:00.000-06:002014-10-13T07:43:13.007-06:00Yarn Review: Skeindalous Eartha SockSo, this company's logo is really entertaining to me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kZX1JHN-ty_MznEIoipUIeabTIjpB4NW1QnkgVkWVulida6ZhASVxBuddOSvkuL5zYs1CrpJ6TSZEHI5ss9ORJuTzI-64um3XqziRpqd0y7aijVAdjeX3KihrtdXW0WFjFreU18Rlx9S/s1600/blog+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kZX1JHN-ty_MznEIoipUIeabTIjpB4NW1QnkgVkWVulida6ZhASVxBuddOSvkuL5zYs1CrpJ6TSZEHI5ss9ORJuTzI-64um3XqziRpqd0y7aijVAdjeX3KihrtdXW0WFjFreU18Rlx9S/s320/blog+102.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
It comes in really nice colors too, and is super soft. At 65% merino, 35% bamboo, that's not surprising, and it is lovely and shiny too. The thing that surprised me is how well it is standing up to my usual ridiculous amount of frogging. Still knits up just as pretty on the third go! It is however a little on the splitty side, which is not super surprising as the twist is light for a sock yarn. Not terrible - but you have to be careful if you're doing crazy decreases or dropping down to fix something. It would make quite a stunning shawl, as well - nice and durable, but with the softness and drape of a yarn with a less firm twist. It is also on the lighter end of fingering weight - you might want to knit at a slightly smaller gauge than usual.<br />
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Speaking of crazy decreases:<br />
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The next pattern in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/home-state-botany-colorado" target="_blank">Home State Botany: Colorado</a> - <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/columbine-6" target="_blank">Columbine </a>- is currently <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-testing-pool/topics/3045491" target="_blank">in testing</a>, and came out <i>really </i>nicely. It is also in preorder, and the final pattern should be ready early November!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-33338814003812107842014-08-21T12:23:00.000-06:002014-08-21T12:23:06.530-06:00Yarn Review: Your Mom Knits Lolo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The next pattern in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/home-state-botany-colorado" target="_blank">Homestate Botany: Colorado</a> - <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/indian-paintbrush" target="_blank">Indian Paintbrush</a> - is actually already finished. And even out of testing. Slowly but surely, I will catch up on all my stuffs. For this one I used this super awesome yarn:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN3G1HsakKVuA17x1oWnFftsb6zksyXHFVWILPIfVat5mNGUlta6Iuupx1M6VSa1K2STsfgvZKVig3pfnj_5C4xSyXhHdXP0ROzw0gai-jCLuou61lfu_kkJJ__jgSJsCVGuE7EQkUr-k/s1600/blog+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvN3G1HsakKVuA17x1oWnFftsb6zksyXHFVWILPIfVat5mNGUlta6Iuupx1M6VSa1K2STsfgvZKVig3pfnj_5C4xSyXhHdXP0ROzw0gai-jCLuou61lfu_kkJJ__jgSJsCVGuE7EQkUr-k/s320/blog+099.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Oh wait that was just the packaging. Isn't it *cute?* It was like Christmas in my mailbox! I love it when yarnies add these extra little touches. Also, it came with a super cute "Your Mom Knits" button:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAQc3pwz85cypIpzzhR-M9TPvA9_JodV_SZu9laOicmIeYy6Mq9-9qjIt7LG8USZuEd-aEeaQztxuJ7Br89NBVmFU8pswbMDvkl_bty0W6x8Tu49pYUebKS0EoIjXKHnkDAdAFfUXMYS6/s1600/blog+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAQc3pwz85cypIpzzhR-M9TPvA9_JodV_SZu9laOicmIeYy6Mq9-9qjIt7LG8USZuEd-aEeaQztxuJ7Br89NBVmFU8pswbMDvkl_bty0W6x8Tu49pYUebKS0EoIjXKHnkDAdAFfUXMYS6/s320/blog+104.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Cute button is cute! I freely admit I have no use whatsoever for little buttons like this, but I still like it, and it is currently displayed on my <a href="http://marudesigns.blogspot.com/2013/09/yarn-along-rockies-part-4-and-part-5.html" target="_blank">Yarn Along the Rockies</a> tote with all my other useless buttons that I like. And of course the yarn is really pretty, too:<br />
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This yarn is actually a little more variegated than it looks in the skein, which scared me at first - I have been burned trying to design in variegated yarn before - but this turned out really pretty. You can still see the stitchwork, but the yarn is super fun all by itself, too.<br />
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My one issue is that this yarn did not take frogging so well. That being said, I did frog it A LOT. Seriously, I restarted that first sock literally four times, and one of those was from after the heel turn. Those first few yards got a little thingy.<br />
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All in all though, I would use it again in a heartbeat. It is super pretty, the finished fabric is really nice, and the customer service really takes the cake. You just might want to be a better (or at least less error-prone) knitter than I am.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-50332259808037633102014-08-07T10:17:00.000-06:002014-08-07T10:17:45.042-06:00Playing Catch UpI swear I am still alive and mostly unwounded, even. I have however been very busy. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aspen-16" target="_blank">Aspen </a>is out of testing, and turned out very nicely. Thanks again to all the wonderful peeps who helped me out! I have also released the second sock, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/indian-paintbrush" target="_blank">Indian Paintbrush</a>:<br />
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Again, yay testers - I couldn't do this without you! I also owe y'all a review of the yarn I used, Your Mom Knits Lolo. Short version: super scrumptious. The third and final pattern in this book - Columbine - is coming along, albeit more slowly than I would like. Which brings us to why I'm only <i>mostly </i>unwounded. I'll spare you the details, but my right hand had a bit of an accident with a steak knife, so knitting is quite painful right now. Fortunately <i>typing </i>is not a problem, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up on the computer side of my work.<br />
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Also,<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bamboo-princess-baby-blanket-and-hat" target="_blank"> this came out this month</a>:<br />
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I may be slow, but I'm also in Interweave, baby!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-14271307983524980382014-05-19T19:41:00.000-06:002014-05-20T19:59:04.250-06:00Yarn Review: Sheared Bliss Fibers Superwash Merino Sock YarnIt's superwash. It's merino. And it is hand dyed in Colorado, using natural plant dyes.<br />
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This particular ball was dyed with indigo and onion skins, in a two step process. This yarn totally geeks me out - local, hand dyed, AND plant dyed? Sign me up! It is super soft, but still holds up to all my ridiculous frogging, which is always a good sign. It's nice and round, with a tight twist, which is great for stitch definition. Look at those cables pop!<br />
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The one downside I found is that it turned my hands blue, and made my tension hand itch. That being said, I've used lots of other colorways of this stuff, and this is the first that has bled or made me itch, so I really think that both are just the indigo. That being said, the finished socks didn't bleed in the blocking bath, and when I wear them they don't turn my feet blue, so the bleeding is not horrible, and again... if it bothers you pick an indigo free color. On a related note, I may be allergic to indigo, and that pisses me off.<br />
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These socks (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aspen-16" target="_blank">Aspen</a>) are currently available for preorder in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/maru-designs-on-ravelry" target="_blank">Ravelry store</a>! They are also included in my new ebook, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/home-state-botany-colorado" target="_blank">Home State Botany: Colorado</a>.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-91931366478632857152014-05-17T19:32:00.003-06:002014-05-17T19:34:20.521-06:00I am filled with good news.As you may know, in December I had to suddenly move to Virginia. This was terrible because Colorado and Virginia are far apart, we only had three weeks notice, and we don't know anybody in Western Virginia. But it is wonderful because of this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9dRmi7j7A6F_k8dPzLQLa9Qsb_sAt5BoXvj62n1X8cYcxigi2-1A72YoZ-R59wHNYxW-BcJN3360TFon12venCEsMKzEBzeGvtraYIcfqsJuJbM-HalhuxNZ5twm19A0EI9RdWwd7UVr/s1600/phone+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9dRmi7j7A6F_k8dPzLQLa9Qsb_sAt5BoXvj62n1X8cYcxigi2-1A72YoZ-R59wHNYxW-BcJN3360TFon12venCEsMKzEBzeGvtraYIcfqsJuJbM-HalhuxNZ5twm19A0EI9RdWwd7UVr/s1600/phone+021.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
That would be my 100 year old farm house, with my pasture and my barn behind it. You can't see the coop, but it's there, as well as more pasture in the front. And we have a creek. So totally worth it, because I love living here!<br />
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That does mean, however, that I have something of a backlog, especially in blogging. First news: I started a new ebook! This time I'm doing knitted socks. It's a little bittersweet to now be publishing <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/home-state-botany-colorado" target="_blank">Home State Botany: Colorado</a>, a collection of patterns in Colorado dyed yarn, inspired by Colorado dyed plants. The first patter, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aspen-16" target="_blank">Aspen</a>, is in testing right now and is available for preorder. As you know when I have a new pattern I like to do a review of the yarn I used, so those will be coming up soon, too. First I need to go feed my ducks.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-82105309836579448192014-01-22T05:47:00.000-07:002014-01-22T05:48:12.800-07:00How I pack to move.Step one goes without saying: Find out I have less than a month to move. Panic.<br />
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Step two: round up every WIP I've worked on in the last three months or so, and put them in a basket. Do not attempt to move basket, or it will over flow all over the floor. It will over flow about three times anyway.<br />
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Step three: round up all work yarn. Worry that it isn't enough yarn.<br />
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Step four: decide that my WIP basket will clearly not be enough to keep me in projects until I get my stash back. Since socks are a perfect on the go project, select about six balls of my favorite sock yarn. Then decide that that's not enough and grab a couple balls of laceweight, just to be safe. Put in a basket. The stack leans against the pile in the WIP basket, so it doesn't spill all over the floor. Feel confident that this is <i>definitely not</i> too much yarn.<br />
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Step five: tape shut stash bins. Panic. Buy yarn.<br />
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Step six: realize that in Virginia they have clothes moths. Panic again, because while the stash bins are reasonably beetle-proof, moths <i>fly. </i> Apply more tape to stash bins.<br />
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Step seven: Pack all the clothes, toiletries, etc. we'll need while in transit. This takes like three hours. Obsess about yarn selections again.<br />
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Step eight: decide to participate in a CAL. Realize the yarn I want for it is in a taped bin. Attempt to open bin. Realize that even if it is not moth proof, it is human proof. Weep.<br />
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Step nine: get ready to load the car. Realize that the whole towering piles in baskets thing is not going to work. Throw everything into a giant rubbermaid bin. Yarn bin ends up having to go in my dad's truck to get to my family's house, since the children have to fit in the car.<br />
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Step ten: arrive at family's house for Christmas. Realize that I didn't pack my ballwinder and swift, yet have a giant number of skeins that need winding if I'm going to use them. Panic some more. Realize I'm at my mom's house. Borrow her ballwinder and swift.<br />
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Step eleven: realize that I'm going to have to get all this stuff into my van. Plus Christmas stuff. Put all yarn in gallon size zip top bags. Christmas yarn takes up two bags (my family clearly knows me). Cram bags of yarn into small nooks and crannies around the suitcases. Drive to Virginia.<br />
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Step twelve: moving truck arrives in Virginia. Decide I need my stash and bring it to our temporary housing. Requires two trips.<br />
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Time without stash: six weeks.<br />
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Unused yarn that I packed in the car: one less than half finished sweater, two balls lace weight, seven balls sock yarn, the Christmas yarn, two gallon bags of spinning fiber, and a (now broken) spindle.<br />
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Conclusion: I am either insane or think I knit/crochet a lot faster than I actually do. Possibly both.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-25819488744390180552013-12-01T17:07:00.000-07:002013-12-01T17:07:16.070-07:00Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Sweater<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chocolate-sweater" target="_blank">Chocolate Sweater!</a> This is the last pattern in my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/cake-because-it-has-layers" target="_blank">ebook</a>, except for a super special surprise just for ebook customers. Chocolate is about my favorite thing ever, because to me, chocolate means comfort. This sweater is worked in a super stretchy ribbed pattern with fancy cabling at the hem and cuffs. Tunic length with kimono sleeves, the arm shaping is generous to accommodate sleeves underneath. Sweater is worked in one piece sideways from the center back. Sleeves are worked join as you go sideways from the center underarm. Cabled collar is added join as you go, as well, for a bare minimum of seaming.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoXzkki26p0PiZXDnPCsRCtCCSAaN6F-tiF08Patx_pammlommJthI8kCZ_XbRSxOXLl5boA3gQCb1FayNoc3rcBfQRl1T_1mymijduKM_B4_TkZYFBZVNDFSbi9g1cfEEfNhJD3HyPYt/s1600/cake+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoXzkki26p0PiZXDnPCsRCtCCSAaN6F-tiF08Patx_pammlommJthI8kCZ_XbRSxOXLl5boA3gQCb1FayNoc3rcBfQRl1T_1mymijduKM_B4_TkZYFBZVNDFSbi9g1cfEEfNhJD3HyPYt/s320/cake+017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /> This one is going to be a little bit different from usual, because my tech editor Carmel is awesome. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chocolate-sweater" target="_blank">Pattern is available at the discounted price of $3.99 for the first week (until 12/7).</a> At that time, the price will revert to $4.99.</div>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-35090788784527076842013-11-20T21:35:00.000-07:002013-11-20T21:48:22.076-07:00Review: ThermoMorphSo something magical happened. A company contacted <i>me</i> about reviewing their product. Usually it's the other way around. So here it is: <a href="http://www.thermomorph.net/" target="_blank">ThermoMorph!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc5XvLkBg8CJuFHANdKTNGMsHMCW9TkEG5Wl9r4Nhn1LZI0_FfaeYRPRpIQkvijYP8IYB4KqQuZdtaU_JgJpwGP5CqN3QEiB8nqiQILSeow_F7V6HGYwJoj_ADaDZcjh6IYMnKiyLFpCO/s1600/blog+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc5XvLkBg8CJuFHANdKTNGMsHMCW9TkEG5Wl9r4Nhn1LZI0_FfaeYRPRpIQkvijYP8IYB4KqQuZdtaU_JgJpwGP5CqN3QEiB8nqiQILSeow_F7V6HGYwJoj_ADaDZcjh6IYMnKiyLFpCO/s320/blog+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It is apparently made out of polymorph granules and is available on <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/ThermoMorph-Polymorph-Shapelock-Plastimake-InstaMorph/dp/B00D3LAZ9O" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, for $19.95 per 500g. Basically, it is a bottle of little plastic beads that melt in hot water. They are about this big:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI97sUYUu-sYzjHuaEkJLRRhmb02224U8GuzenAmOOTzyAXWiQJ4QNu0kA23BoRzPMvR6BZ31_iJkUMd-OOtTX38vTzenKClEjzU2FI9tCKMk1RgHQY-dazxOa4tbGZH2H1ASgX9BHD9P/s1600/blog+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI97sUYUu-sYzjHuaEkJLRRhmb02224U8GuzenAmOOTzyAXWiQJ4QNu0kA23BoRzPMvR6BZ31_iJkUMd-OOtTX38vTzenKClEjzU2FI9tCKMk1RgHQY-dazxOa4tbGZH2H1ASgX9BHD9P/s320/blog+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
You dump them in hot water (I poured water from the kettle in a bowl, and dumped the beads in), and they quickly go clear and start to stick together, like so:<br />
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It's also quite sticky when you first pull it out, which solves the first worry I had about it, that it would be hard to get out of the boiling hot water. It says on the bottle that it takes two minutes, but it never took that long for me. It cools down pretty quickly to just pleasantly warm, but is really hot when it first comes out. It is then surprisingly pliable:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnP343BwnSoLUX8E3_bdyaQ36WtF8SZlEQRb7Hh9okgnP2k5fNlv0zZkNVYmvQqC6NSM0zVGoBdWUgAu25Kmxc-tpSgcEq4_BXj7HWJ0T00dk9Hlcbg7anaAL7TY2dKPouUd6JL_moJG7/s1600/blog+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnP343BwnSoLUX8E3_bdyaQ36WtF8SZlEQRb7Hh9okgnP2k5fNlv0zZkNVYmvQqC6NSM0zVGoBdWUgAu25Kmxc-tpSgcEq4_BXj7HWJ0T00dk9Hlcbg7anaAL7TY2dKPouUd6JL_moJG7/s320/blog+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My camera isn't good enough to pick it up, but when it's nice and hot, you can actually get a fingerprint in this stuff, which is cool. The bottle says you can color it, which turned out ok, but don't be a dummy like me and use liquid food coloring, because it makes a big mess and is almost impossible to get evenly distributed. I think a powder would work better. Here is my best effort, at any rate:<br />
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That's going to be the handle of a beading tool, eventually. It adheres to the wire really nicely. It also adheres nicely to my crochet hook, that I made a nice ergonomic handle for:<br />
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You can also see how very badly I stained my hands making that beader handle pink. It was everywhere, I tell you! We also tried to make some buttons:<br />
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But I got super frustrated trying to get them all the same size and gave up. The stuff is definitely hard enough to drill though, and should take paint well. I don't keep any paint other than water colors on hand though, so I haven't tried that yet.<br />
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The one downside of this stuff is part of the whole reusable thing... once it's in a lump, it takes forever to warm back up again enough to be pliable. We did get some interesting flower shapes, working with pieces that were warm and bendy on the outside and hard in the middle. But, if you have leftover pieces, and you want to use them again later, I highly suggest rolling them out into a thin piece, and maybe snipping it into little bits before putting it back in the jar. Also, a thing to keep in mind is that it's kind of boingy. It springs back when you press on it, know what I mean? But it is really neat, over all, and I'm looking forward to playing with it some more.<br />
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<i>Full disclosure: I did get some free ThermoMorph to play with. I was not however compensated in any other way for this review.</i><br />
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Just a reminder that my moving sale is still going on. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kim-driggs" target="_blank">Get 20% off all the patterns in my Ravelry Store!</a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-22466193977892592802013-11-13T22:41:00.000-07:002013-11-13T22:48:32.554-07:00Yarn Review: Mountain Colors Weaver's WoolIf I have been quiet, and continue to be, I apologize, but Casa Driggs in in the midst of major upheaval. We are quite suddenly moving to Virginia! It is a move for the best of reasons (hello, shiny new job for my husband!), but as moves are expensive at best, I am having a big sale to try and raise some extra money. All patterns in my Ravelry store are 20% off until we land, or January 15, whichever is later!<br />
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But the thing I'm really falling behind on is reviewing yarn and giving you cool previews of the next pattern in my book. It will be a Chocolate Sweater, worked in this lovely yarn:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TF2pcOmqLwvoSNVeiiUb9gn8pEYn28r0sKCPnJaocCsM_ogHewIyJ9CPu0-r4a98SkdUGNa8oaHqClKGgA8koUWq6Fg58i1mOJd5pP0SnVzAfGNTiJ0MQgxKU_wo386kxGXDWghINebb/s1600/blog+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TF2pcOmqLwvoSNVeiiUb9gn8pEYn28r0sKCPnJaocCsM_ogHewIyJ9CPu0-r4a98SkdUGNa8oaHqClKGgA8koUWq6Fg58i1mOJd5pP0SnVzAfGNTiJ0MQgxKU_wo386kxGXDWghINebb/s320/blog+106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.mountaincolors.com/" target="_blank">Mountain Colors Weaver's Wool</a>. This stuff actually comes in two put ups, a one pound skein, and Weavers Wool Quarters, which as the name implies is a mere quarter pound (4 oz). <a href="http://marudesigns.blogspot.com/2013/06/16-oz-of-yarn-is-lot-of-yarn.html" target="_blank">I got the big skein,</a> if you will remember, which was really cool because I geeked out on the idea of making a sweater without ever having to join a new piece of yarn. But it was really NOT COOL because, even with extreme modifications, my ball winder won't hold nearly that much yarn. If you also remember the cocoon-shaped, paper towel tube centered monstrosity of a ball I got that first skein into, let me tell you, it is not fun to work with. Seriously, yarn popping off all over the place! So in all honesty, if you get the big put up, just cut the dang yarn. If I was really careful I could get half of a skein onto my ball winder at a time, and that isn't bad at all. Or just buy the smaller put up. The cost seems to be about the same per yard.<br />
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Weaver's Wool is, as the name implies, 100% wool, at about a DK weight. It is the same as <a href="http://marudesigns.blogspot.com/2010/11/yarn-review-mountain-colors-48s-wool.html" target="_blank">Mountain Colors 4/8's Wool</a>, but a lighter weight. It is smooth, round, and easy to work with (no splitting here!). Of course, as with most small company yarn, the real draw is the colors, which are all beautiful. Most LYS around here carry at least some Mountain Colors yarn, and I've yet to see a colorway that I didn't like.<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-77083835885213288332013-10-14T21:04:00.001-06:002013-10-25T11:08:27.921-06:00Yarn Review - Knit Picks Comfy SportSuddenly I realize I've been neglecting to blog, for which I kick myself, but only a little bit. I have been very busy, with all kinds of things. But at any rate, I owe you a review of this lovely stuff:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B6yo3tEf17K6VkdE9UpCE3aQvkvqztwBJEV3DybueATh5imctsJuSkiBGW3u3Bo2O6PYpBw5L5YF3yQujZnjxof2plkI7q0AZdtLFL-p5NYSj7nZFpUT-W7YBnRXcrL8W6zfxp9w2yl9/s1600/cake+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1B6yo3tEf17K6VkdE9UpCE3aQvkvqztwBJEV3DybueATh5imctsJuSkiBGW3u3Bo2O6PYpBw5L5YF3yQujZnjxof2plkI7q0AZdtLFL-p5NYSj7nZFpUT-W7YBnRXcrL8W6zfxp9w2yl9/s320/cake+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Which I have been using to make this lovely thing:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadcrDu7sW27AyJcHYOdnUN82J608bp5a60_6heH9fJjD9y3jNkPA6GCi0uelFcBRJTveLcpANCZhTosFdAFPlegFTK9zZy3vCaQFqZ9GoAlMerECqisbeRadH0eSaGVrXjRSHDE0WLjym/s1600/cake+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadcrDu7sW27AyJcHYOdnUN82J608bp5a60_6heH9fJjD9y3jNkPA6GCi0uelFcBRJTveLcpANCZhTosFdAFPlegFTK9zZy3vCaQFqZ9GoAlMerECqisbeRadH0eSaGVrXjRSHDE0WLjym/s320/cake+037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Which is in fact <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/whipped-up-shell" target="_blank">available for preorder right here.</a> But at back to the yarn: <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Comfy_Sport_Yarn__D5420179.html" target="_blank">Knit Picks Comfy Sport.</a> I've talked about the <a href="http://marudesigns.blogspot.com/2010/11/old-reliable-knitpicks-stroll.html" target="_blank">mixed feelings </a>much of the knitting world has for Knit Picks in another post, and won't get into it again. This one is 75% Pima cotton, 25% acrylic, and actually also comes in <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Comfy_Fingering_Yarn__D5420197.html" target="_blank">fingering</a> and <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Comfy_Worsted_Yarn__D5420171.html" target="_blank">worsted</a> weights, which is super convenient. Also, six bazillion solid colors, so there's at least one color for everyone. Also? Soft and fluffy like a cloud. All this combines to make Comfy my first pick for a workhorse cotton yarn.<br />
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Downsides? You do have to remember that it is cotton, and it behaves like cotton (although the acrylic content does mitigate it a bit). If you expect it to behave like a wool yarn, you will be disappointed. Also, when I frog it, it tends to send tiny cotton fibers into the air, which makes me sneeze. The yarn is none worse for the wear though, so I'll take it. Most fluffy soft cotton yarns pill like a monster, especially if you frog them, and this does not.<br />
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So really, I'll probably keep using this stuff as long as Knit Picks makes it. It's nice, and the price is right. Can't argue with that.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-13329705386007443232013-09-29T18:57:00.000-06:002013-09-29T18:57:48.896-06:00Yarn Along the Rockies, Part 4 and Part 5This week I have learned that there is in fact such a thing as too many yarn stores. We did three on Friday, and three on Saturday, which was nearly too much because a) they were the far away stores, and b) we had to work around me and the kids' belt tests. I have completely lost track of what I got on those days, however here is a picture of all the swag:<br />
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I think I lost something, but can't figure what. Here's a picture of all the things I bought:<br />
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There was also actually a shawl pin, but I discovered this morning that I could also use it to pin up my hair, and forgot that it was attached to my head when I was taking pictures. So, yarn stores visited on Friday:<br />
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Knit Knook: I got the shawl pin here. Another yarn store with a little coffee shop inside, except this one actually has muffins and stuff, not just drinks, which was a nice surprise. Nice big open space in the middle to sit and knit in too. They also have a restroom, which turned out to be very important to my cute little girls.<br />
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Yarn West: They have a yarn bombed bicycle in front! This one is kind of hidden in a shopping center - you have to walk down a little path from the parking lot.<br />
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The Recycled Lamb: Happy thirtieth anniversary, Recycled Lamb! Nice shop, I can see why they would be able to stick around so long. They were having a yarn tasting that evening that we couldn't stay for, but it looked really cool. Also, they have coned yarn for weaving.<br />
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And on Saturday, we went up to Boulder:<br />
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Mew Mew's Yarn Shop: Cute little shop. Oldest girl found something called "dragon scales," which are basically aluminum scales you can work into your knitting. They look extremely cool.<br />
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Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins: This is another one you have to walk down a bath through the shopping center to find, at least the way my cell phone told us to go to get there. This is a BIG shop, which has an adjoining store that is basically all weaving stuff. So if you weave, go here. I also found a really clever DPN holder, that I can use over my needles when there's a project on them, which I'll probably talk about some more once I've tried it out.<br />
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Gypsy Wools: These guys dye most of the yarn in their shop, it seems. And it is very nice stuff! They also carry a wide selection of hand dyed embroidery thread, of which oldest girl got some for her tatting (it's linen!). Be careful parking around here, most of the roads are one way and it was quite possibly more confusing than down town Denver. There were fewer places to park, least ways.<br />
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So that was the yarn crawl, all twenty and three yarn stores, from Colorado Springs in the South to Boulder in the North. If I had it to do again, I would figure out how to do in fewer days, because honestly, by the end I was ready to be DONE. But we pulled it off with an assortment of small children in tow, so I think we did well enough!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-7000302573134222972013-09-25T14:47:00.000-06:002013-09-25T14:47:14.209-06:00Yarn Along the Rockies, part 3Yarn Along the Rockies! We went to five yarn stores yesterday, and had lots of fun. Also got lost. But fun! So, acquired:<br />
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Swag: just buttons for my bag.<br />
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Purchased: 1 skein Dizzy Blond Superwash Sock (it comes with a stitch marker!), 1 skein Skeindalous Eartha Sock<br />
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Stores visited:<br />
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Bags by CAB: If you want to go here, make sure you have the right address, then google map the *address.* If you just search for the store name, it will take you to a place that was, apparently, two locations ago. We ended up at the two locations ago place first, which was annoying, but not the store's fault. There was however a nice restaurant there, so we had snazzy lunch. When we finally got there, the store is at least half bag store. But what yarn they do carry is nice.<br />
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Wild Yarns: I like this store. :) They specialize in local hand dyed yarns, which is about my favorite thing ever, and have their shelves labeled as "dyed in (place)." They also have other nifty local hand made things. Easy to find, to boot, which was nice after the fiasco with the first store. I wish they were closer to my house! This is where I got the Dizzy Blond (dyed in California).<br />
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Lamb Shoppe: Big yarn store! They also have a little cafe inside that has coffee and tea and stuff. Also, a corner with toys for the kiddos, which I always appreciate. We didn't get to linger here because the children were getting hungry again, but there is a place next door that has super tasty frozen custard treats.<br />
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Fabric Bliss: This was my favorite yarn store until I went to Stash this weekend, and it is still a close second. They carry nice quilting stuff as well as yarn, and it is nice yarn! This is where I got the Skeindalous - it is a special limited edition colorway for the yarn crawl. They do that every year. Last year the special yarn was from Pigeonroof Studios, one of my favorite dyers. I wish they were closer to my house too!<br />
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Knit Knack: These guys are all the way in Arvada! That is much further away than I initially believed! They are a nice store though, right in the downtown. They have a little cafe with drinks in the yarn store, too, which I always like. Little girl tried to take some yarn home from here, so I had to take her back. She had to give it a good-bye hug, which was very cute.<br />
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We're taking a break until Friday, when we are going to do the rest of the Denver area stores (what we have been calling the "outer loop"), then on Saturday we will go up to Boulder for the last three stores. We are almost done!<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-75632130796664532852013-09-23T20:23:00.003-06:002013-09-23T20:23:38.481-06:00Yarn Along the Rockies, Part 2Still doing <a href="http://www.yarnalongtherockies.com/" target="_blank">Yarn Along the Rockies.</a> Today's conclusion: seven yarn stores may be too many for one day, especially if you have three small children with you. They were very good girls. Just holy CRAP are we tired now! So today:<br />
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Swag: another Eucalan sample, several coupons, buttons to go on my bag.<br />
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Purchased: 1 ball Koigu KPPPM (this color looks like sprinkles!).<br />
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The swag is a lot less here in the heart of the yarn crawl. I wonder if it will get more again as I move back toward outlying regions. Also, towards yarn stores that are NOT going out of business. But anyway, stores visited today were:<br />
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Zen Knitting: These guys are closing. Their normal location is actually already closed, and their remaining stock is being sold at screaming deals from another store. Kinda lame, and inconvenient because this was the yarn store closest to my house.<br />
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Knitty Cat: Also closing. They still have a fair amount of yarn, and TONS of books, and some fabric, for screaming deals, but from what I hear after the yarn crawl they are no more. This was the second closest yarn store to my house. GAH!<br />
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Colorful Yarns: Still plans on being in business next week! Yay! I really like this store for browsing, I've found all kinds of interesting things there. They also have monthly sales that are awesome, so if you live in the area, get on their email newsletter. Also: they had lots of snacks for yarn crawlers.<br />
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A Knitted Peace: I've actually never been to this one before, which was cool. They have the largest selection of non-wool yarns I've ever seen - cotton and linen and hemp and all kinds of stuff. They also have a toy bin under the window for kids, which was awesome, because little girl wanted me to stand next to her while she admired herself in the full length mirror in one corner. BORING. Also. made me wish I had bought that mink yarn yesterday, because it was significantly more expensive here.<br />
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Blazing Star Ranch: This yarn store is actually inside a vacuum cleaner store. Selection is limited, but almost all from local ranchers and dyers, which is cool. They also have tons of spinning supplies, like wheels and stuff. The children wanted to use the wheels as bicycles, so we had to hustle out of there.<br />
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Fancy Tiger Crafts: If you are into any craft involving yarn, thread, fabric, or paper, you will love this store. If you are into multiple such crafts, you may have a hard time ever leaving. Also, the road they are on is both four lanes wide and one way. Down town Denver is an odd place.<br />
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I Love Knitting: When I visited these guys last year, my first thought was "man these guys need to get organized," because there was basically yarn everywhere. They are looking MUCH better now! They are also within reasonable driving distance of my house, which is a relief after the first two stops today. This is where I bought the Koigu. They are also right next to an awesome French bakery, which is unfortunately closed on Mondays. GAH!<br />
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We're going to go again tomorrow, and then rest until Friday. We are definitely on track to go to ALL the yarn stores. Fun!<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-14193124595405685912013-09-22T21:13:00.000-06:002013-09-26T14:31:05.099-06:00Yarn Along the Rockies, Part 1So me and my mom are participating in the <a href="http://www.yarnalongtherockies.com/" target="_blank">Yarn Along the Rockies</a> yarn crawl this year. Nine days! Twenty three yarn stores! MADNESS! So I thought I'd give a report on all these yarn stores. Yesterday we went to five, and received:<br />
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Swag: 3 bottles Kookaburra Wash, 1 bottle Kookaburra Delicate (it smells like flowers!), 1 pen, 1 sample Eucalan, 1 nail file with llamas on it, 1 tube chapstick, 1 felted bag pattern.<br />
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Purchased: Official yarn crawl tote bag (also received: one pin for each yarn store visited, except one), a bunch of tatting stuff for the big girl's birthday, a 5.5 mm crochet hook (to replace one I lost), 1 ball Kiwi lace weight (it has possums in it!), 1 tiny felted purse.<br />
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The stores we visited were:<br />
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Green Valley Weavers and Knitters: I like this store. They have just about everything, but you have to ask to find anything. This is where most of the tatting stuff came from. Also, they had a super cute tortie kitten frolicking by the register.<br />
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Wooly Works: If you like tatting, or thread crochet, or just like thread size #10 or smaller, go to this store. They have about six MILLION colors. This is where the rest of the tatting stuff (ie, the thread) came from. Was suddenly glad I didn't buy thread at Green Valley, there was a better selection here! These guys didn't have the button to go on my bag, though. Super annoyed!<br />
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Needleworks by Holly Berry: This is one of those yarn stores that is actually mostly a random rick rack store. I got lost in their embroidery and needlework thread section. One of the employees was really grumpy, but I don't blame her because it was SUPER crowded!<br />
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Table Rock Llamas: I actually go to this yarn store all the time, because they are kinda right by my mom's house. We are super excited because they didn't get burned down this summer! Remember to go to the back building - that's where all the cool spinning/dying/SALE stuff is.<br />
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Stash: This is my new favorite yarn store, despite them being twenty minutes from my mom's house and nearly forty minutes from mine. They have tons of super nerdy stuff, like this hat:<br />
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As well as super rare yarns - like 100% mink, or 100% Tibetan yak - for super reasonable prices. This is where I got the tiny felted purse. It clips onto the belt loops on my pants!<br />
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Tomorrow we are planning on going to five more yarn stores, so I will try to keep you posted. We're doing our best to go to them all this year!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-72075202041511603112013-09-18T13:11:00.000-06:002013-09-18T13:11:24.129-06:00Housekeeping, and a surprise!First of all, my Tea Party Stole is finished and out of preorder:<br />
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It is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tea-party-stole" target="_blank">available for purchase</a> on Ravelry for $4.99.<br />
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Also, the next pattern in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/cake-because-it-has-layers" target="_blank">my book</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nuts-and-spice-shrug" target="_blank">Nuts and Spice Shrug</a>, is now in the testing. It is also available for preorder for $3.99. I think it turned out really nicely!<br />
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There, done housekeeping! Now, if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you know that I'm actually slightly ahead of schedule, which will allow me to give you a surprise. My book is a collection of layering pieces - shrugs, wraps, and so on - but it has really bothered me that there isn't a shell included. There was supposed to be, but between one thing and another, it seemed it wasn't to be.</div>
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UNTIL NOW!</div>
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I will be adding one more pattern, the Whipped Up Shell (in Knit Picks Comfy Sport) to my book. This will necessitate me raising the price on the book to $18. However, anybody who has already bought the book when I raise the price will get the additional pattern for FREE. Surprise! The price change will happen as soon as the shell goes into testing - hopefully in about two weeks. I will set a date for it once I get a little closer to completing the pattern, however I wanted to let you know that if you want to get the lower price, you should go ahead and order now!</div>
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-65605559972676828632013-08-18T14:01:00.001-06:002013-08-18T14:01:54.903-06:00Yarn Review: Pigeonroof Studios 80/10/10 sw corriedale/tencel/nylonOne of the super hard things about designing is coming up with a name for your pattern that doesn't sound like you used those poetry magnets. I assume the same is true of naming your yarn bases when you are a dyer, so I have to respect someone who just completely opts out of that whole mess, even if it makes her yarn name take a million years to type. That being said, I would buy this yarn no matter what it was called, because of this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmPjDbtVbVMlmARGMBBi2GI_1vOMiOb_AfvS1jTGPVRze-aS3Z6dwLXwIyVDpI4mvd9PHU34kMRKCPEYhyPXUf6WAjhPsWN7IqS1R1kFX8JxRCcWim1znx4_5TC3Wsy6DXzygehjE8tf-/s1600/blog+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmPjDbtVbVMlmARGMBBi2GI_1vOMiOb_AfvS1jTGPVRze-aS3Z6dwLXwIyVDpI4mvd9PHU34kMRKCPEYhyPXUf6WAjhPsWN7IqS1R1kFX8JxRCcWim1znx4_5TC3Wsy6DXzygehjE8tf-/s320/blog+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Do you see those colors? Gorgeous! Stunning! There is a reason my LYS can't seem to keep this stuff in stock. Enough variegation to be interesting, but solid enough that it doesn't hide your stitch work, which is exactly what I'm always looking for in hand dyed, or in fact any, yarn. It says <a href="http://www.pigeonroofstudios.com/" target="_blank">on the website</a> that she gets this lovely depth of color by applying the dye in layers. I basically love every color I've ever seen this stuff in, which is saying something.<br />
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The yarn base itself feels kind of stringy in the skein - a bit stiff, you might say - but it softens beautifully on washing, without puffing up too much. Sometimes you want your yarn to bloom, but if you don't, this yarn is perfect. It's fabulous for lace, as the lack of fluff and smooth texture make the holes stay nice and crisp, even without aggressive blocking. The tencel gives it a lovely sheen. Also: wears like iron. Corriedale wool has a longer staple (read: each hair is longer) than merino, which means it has fewer ends, making the yarn less prone to breakage and pilling. It is also a four ply yarn (most yarn is two or three ply), which again adds durability. This is definitely a light fingering weight - I wouldn't call it lace weight, but if I were making socks or something that needed a tight gauge, I would definitely go down a needle size or two. Conversely, if you want a light and airy fabric, this yarn may be perfect for your project.<br />
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And now you get a preview of the next pattern in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/cake-because-it-has-layers" target="_blank">my book</a>, Nuts and Spice Shrug:<br />
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Yes, you only get half of a swatch. The other half of that swatch is messed up. Remember when I said this stuff wears like iron? Yeah, been doing a lot of frogging to get this stitch pattern just right. But worth it!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-71095399227550436042013-08-15T21:20:00.000-06:002013-08-15T21:20:36.669-06:00New in Preorder: Tea Party StoleLike so many tea parties, this crochet stole/scarf (instructions are included for both a large stole version and a small scarf version) is fairly demure to start, but goes out with a bang! The center panel is a delicate star stitch pattern, which morphs into an interlocking blossom lace pattern (a variant on cone stitch), and ends in a shell stitch ruffle.<br />
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<br />Finished pattern will be available from September 15. Available for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tea-party-stole" target="_blank">preorder here.</a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-33557572391385792572013-08-10T12:01:00.001-06:002013-08-10T12:01:34.409-06:00Winners!I even picked on time! ;) Hayley and Lauren won a copy of my Blueberry Torte Capelette pattern, and Monica won the pattern and the yarn! I will be contacting y'all shortly with the contact information you left me. Thanks for playing, everybody!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-64201170304704825362013-08-02T09:51:00.001-06:002013-08-02T12:28:35.705-06:00Contest: Curio and Blueberry Torte CapeletteIf designing has taught me one thing, it is that I am occasionally epically wrong in my estimated yardage for a project. In this particular case, I thought that my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blueberry-torte-capelette" target="_blank">Blueberry Torte Capelette</a> was going to take two balls of <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarn-fiber/product-16557.html" target="_blank">Curio</a>. It actually only took one (with some left over, even!). This left me with the problem of what to do with the extra ball of thread. Of course my first impulse was to squirrel it away in my stash, but anyone who has ever been to my house knows that I have something of a stash containment problem, so that wouldn't be a good idea. Then it occurred to me: I can give it away!<br />
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There will be three winners: two first prize winners will get a copy of the pattern, and one grand prize winner will get a copy of the pattern, and this lovely ball of Curio #10 crochet thread in Bluebell (plenty to work the pattern):<br />
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You also get three ways to enter. First is your gimme entry: just comment on this post. You don't have to answer any questions or anything, just leave me a way to get a hold of you if you win. Second, if you like my page on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/marudesigns" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, and leave a second comment on this blog post, you will get another entry. Third, you can follow this blog, and leave a separate comment on this blog post, for yet another entry. The winners will be chosen by random number generator on August 10 (by which point the finished pattern will almost certainly be published). Good luck everybody!<br />
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ETA: Gah I forgot all about Twitter... if you tweet my contest, and comment here, you can have ANOTHER entry. :)Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-78554981680190120612013-07-22T15:59:00.001-06:002013-07-22T15:59:47.771-06:00Yarn Review: All For Love of Yarn Luminosity Fingering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33IECwR89018Z2KurpgbXzD56NhNbZi2ZmcQOrdkZdQ-dXA-F-zPa7fm7rmidl7OUqjerB62ZV0l1QaalMrUYf3r4GMRIwtdEOQ9EnC_6yR2l3rhWdAfKh29e-G3W-TH_Td9tLc0AyRe4/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33IECwR89018Z2KurpgbXzD56NhNbZi2ZmcQOrdkZdQ-dXA-F-zPa7fm7rmidl7OUqjerB62ZV0l1QaalMrUYf3r4GMRIwtdEOQ9EnC_6yR2l3rhWdAfKh29e-G3W-TH_Td9tLc0AyRe4/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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First of all, can I express my amazement that Angela has managed to get pink, blue, purple, and green into one ball of yarn, and have it be such a lovely tonal? Everything from <a href="https://www.allforloveofyarn.com/" target="_blank">All For Love of Yarn</a> comes in these special limited pooling colorways, and they are a delight to work with. You can have festive yarn and festive stitches, and be able to see both at the same time!</div>
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This specific yarn (<a href="https://www.allforloveofyarn.com/products-page/luminosity/" target="_blank">Luminosity</a>) is 70% superwash merino, 20% bamboo rayon, and 10% nylon. It has great drape and a lovely sheen to it (so great stitch definition!), and is holding up to all my frogging beautifully. It would make a really luscious pair of socks. One thing to remember about it is that bamboo rayon is still rayon, so it tends to squeak a bit on plastic needles/hooks. If that's the sort of thing that bothers you, you should use tools in a different material.</div>
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Also, that's the swatch for my upcoming Tea Party Stole, which is<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/cake-because-it-has-layers" target="_blank"> included in my book</a>. It's turning out really pretty, isn't it? I love star stitch for showing off nice yarn.</div>
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Suddenly I'm glad I didn't tell you about this last night like I was going to (instead choosing to veg out in front of junk tv). I just found out that tomorrow is Angela's birthday, and so you can get 38% off any in stock purchase with the code BDAY38. Tomorrow only! Buy yarn! (I'm probably going to!)</div>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-8004880281045776472013-07-13T22:49:00.000-06:002013-07-13T22:49:28.622-06:00Now in Preorder: Blueberry Torte Capelette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9AdbaUAxP6it9Xulx27nKXFGhEqIocqV8GQ-GOaHWZSoS9Nrhw2ENZVcPv-UT2PBk81_Ztea8txoac92FKPRy4l8H_SO7I2aU4Q9BwSMsc_bWqskMoeAyHfiE2F9eeMCMWW7AW6Sy6yQ/s1600/cake+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9AdbaUAxP6it9Xulx27nKXFGhEqIocqV8GQ-GOaHWZSoS9Nrhw2ENZVcPv-UT2PBk81_Ztea8txoac92FKPRy4l8H_SO7I2aU4Q9BwSMsc_bWqskMoeAyHfiE2F9eeMCMWW7AW6Sy6yQ/s320/cake+029.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I think it turned out pretty nicely. Available for <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/blueberry-torte-capelette" target="_blank">preorder</a> for $3.99. The finished pattern is expected about the ninth of August, at which point it will be available for $4.99. This is the second pattern in my ebook, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/cake-because-it-has-layers" target="_blank">Cake (Because It Has Layers)</a>.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8210900570123680769.post-24027387940366243092013-06-25T09:36:00.001-06:002013-06-25T09:36:14.952-06:00Yarn Review: CurioOne of the awesome things about being a designer is that sometimes you can get yarn support in yarns that are not available to the public yet. That is also one of the not so awesome things about being a designer - you have to keep it a secret until the yarn is released. Case in point: <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarn-fiber/product-16557.html" target="_blank">Knit Picks Curio</a>. I have been wanting to talk about this stuff for like two weeks now, but it is finally released, hooray!<br />
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Curio is a #10 crochet thread, in 100% cotton. For you knitters out there, that is a lace weight. I would bet my last biscuit it is mercerized cotton (because it is so smooth and shiny), but the label doesn't say it is. It is smooth, shiny, and has a very tight twist, as crochet thread should so that it doesn't split on itty bitty hooks. It feels a little bit stiff in the ball, but softens beautifully on washing.<br />
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All that, however, is fairly standard for good quality crochet cotton. The thing that makes Curio stand out is the colors:<br />
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Seriously, they are even better in person. I have always kind of had a thing for colored crochet thread, but it is often difficult to find it in any colors other than white, ecru, baby pink and blue, and Christmas colors. Curio comes in a nicely varied palette. I'm particularly drawn to some of those softer colors in particular.<br />
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And now on a related note, a preview for my book:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1cGg4THo-DbYnEVaXjFmlkGbLz6hRmOm5C6Xe91OgDBJucz6qeC196shFE70zaRjd6tURJcy_5ifEMFoP5ldY1TSLJBPsMlsHUpYtfrsYuwtzuAYYcjuSxjvec9xPB3wZTFzwHla_yRY/s1600/cake+book+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1cGg4THo-DbYnEVaXjFmlkGbLz6hRmOm5C6Xe91OgDBJucz6qeC196shFE70zaRjd6tURJcy_5ifEMFoP5ldY1TSLJBPsMlsHUpYtfrsYuwtzuAYYcjuSxjvec9xPB3wZTFzwHla_yRY/s320/cake+book+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The next pattern, Blueberry Torte Capelette, is in Curio, in Bluebell. So if any of you were wondering why I hadn't put a planned yarn next to this one, when I have one for all the other patterns, now you know. I am good at keeping secrets. I just don't like it.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642909282802201414noreply@blogger.com3