Elizabeth’s Fiber & Yarn Blog

I am spinning in Sarah Anderson, Designing in Spinning at SOAR 2009.  I am the one on the right.

Click to learn more about SOAR

I knit and felted some more of the projects in the book by Cat Bordhi, A Second Treasury of Magical Knitting.  These baskets, large and small are so helpful around the shop and my home.  No more scratching on my wood furniture and all my little things are neatly out of sight.  I love it when one can decorate and organize.  Plus their durable and can be washed later if need be.
Yarn Used:  Painted brush mohair yarn stranded with Brown Sheep Lambs Pride, Lanaloft or Naturespun.   The four pocket basket I added a bit of Naturally Bella Eyelash.
I also did the knit shoulder strap purse, single strand of Noro Silver Thaw.  It is a Wool Angora blend.  It took twice as long to felt in the washing machine, but the results are stunning.   This style will be helpful when one needs an extra pocket.  Cell phone, Ipod, hankerchief, notepad and pen.   Forgot to get a picture.  Will get this up next time.

When I knit and felt.  I find stranding multiple wool yarns than a single buiky yarn felts faster and better.  My green and white basket is done with a single Lambs Pride Bulky yarn.  This was agitated about 2 hours and this is as hard a felt I could get.  I like to get my projects to the point one can’t see the knit stitches, but it wasn’t going to happen with the bulky yarn used.  It is still felted and firm but I just wanted to make note.  Multiple skinny wool yarns felt better than one big yarn.

Naturally Bella (two baskets on left) stranded with two plies of Naturally 8 ply Alpine.

The basket on the right I used Naturally Kiss, a metallic eyelash yarn with two strands of Brown Sheep Lambs Pride worsted.

Click here to order Patterns and good yarns to use in your next knit and felt project.

For those that enjoy “Free”  who doesn’t?  Check out the Cascade Yarn website.  They have a large selection of ideas and patterns without all the annoying popups on other Free Type of websites.

Don’t get all caught up in the Free idea.  We still need to support pattern designer’s and we do this with our dollars.  But once in while the “Free” offerings from yarn companies is a great way to help encourage us to start another new project.   With the hope one will also purchase that yarn the company is offering.

You can order from the full line at Cascade Yarn from Elizabeth’s if ordered in full bag or manufacturer put up.  Details here  Or use your existing stash, but make sure your yarn meets the gauge for the pattern.

I have just went through the commercial spun yarns and put further reductions on the Sale Yarns.  Which is most of the yarn currently in stock.

Click here to see what is on Sale  I have the yarn organized by gauge.  You can also shop by yarn brand here

Prices slashed, or I should say at my cost and less.  Getting ready to count inventory and reassessing what yarns I will stock going forward.  Me thinks I should stock more Brown Sheep yarns.  They a have large selection of basic yarns.  In all weights and put ups.  Including money saving cone yarn.  The wool and mohair fibers used in their product is grown locally.  Plus their just about the only commercial mill left in the U.S.    Wouldn’t it be wise to support local farmers and workers?  Decrease the global footprint?  Plus they will sell their yarns in any put up and amounts.  So if I don’t have exactly what you want in stock, it can be ordered.  Let me know what you think.
Of course I will continue to spin my own fibers offering handspun and encourage new spinners to spin their own yarn.  You can still special order yarns from Austerman, Brown Sheep, Cascade, Galler, Henry’s Attic, Naturally, Schoeller Stahl, Schoppel Wolle, Schulana, Skacel and Zitron.

This year I had a felting obsession.  Here are some of my latest creations.
If you have never made felted slippers or clogs.  Their easy, fun and rewarding.  Be sure you select a good felting wool yarn.  My favorite: Brown Sheep Lambs Pride, Lanaloft, Naturally Natural wool or Perendale.  You can strand colorful fuzzy brushed mohair with the wool yarn.   The felting work is done in your washing machine.  See patterns and details for knit and felt projects.  Shop for good yarns for felting.

Click Here for Details and Ordering

If you prefer a wood needle.  Something a bit less slick.  Ideal when knitting with silk and other slick yarns.  Light color helps when knitting black or dark yarns to see your stitches.  Skacel needles include Lifetime Warranty.  Made in Germany.
Sizes 16″, 24″ 32″ and 40″ Length.  Limited to stock on Hand

Kit for Felted House Booties includes pattern and a 200 gram hank of Handpainted Montage 100% New Zealand Wool in 10ply (worsted) weight.   Instructions for adjusting length and width to fit a wide range of women’s sizes.  Quick to knit these felt booties have special instep shaping so that the go on easy, but will still stay on your feet.   Click here for details and ordering

These took me two evenings while watching TV to complete.  Felted and on my feet.  I made an extra pair for my son.  Used a needle one size larger and same numbe of stitches and knit to length for his foot.   His feet are on the small size for a man.  Their snug, but will adjust to fit his foot perfectly.   I love making practical fun things!   I will have to suggest that Bev at Fiber Trends come up with calculations for large men’s feet. 

New yarn and pattern kits from Fiber Trends.
Painted Pocketbook Purse  Handpainted Montage 100% New Zealand Wool in 10ply (worsted) weight - 200 gram hank.

Easy and quick to knit this shaped purse pattern included special felting instructions to keep the handpainted colors bright.  Finish with I-cord or purchased handles.

Click Here for more Details and ordering

Furry Flats  I love anything Mohair.   Uses a strand of hand dyed mohair yarn stranded with wool yarn.  Felt and Enjoy.  Easy first felted slipper pattern.  Or if you need a quick gift.   Click here to order

New for 2010.  Start shipping in January.  Pre order today to get yours first!  A finely tuned modern wheel that is reasonably priced and meets all the needs of spinners  - beginners, those seeking a modern look, Kromski spinners seeking a 2nd or 3rd wheel and those that want the latest innovations that make spinning easy.

Click Here to for complete details and ordering.