Tuesday, March 27, 2012

fibres west road trip.

Tara and I recently attended "Fibres West", BC's largest fiber trade show which took place March 16-17, 2012 in Abbotsford, BC.


We had a great time and enjoyed being in the same room with all the friendly, fiber minded people and as you can see from the picture above there was loads of yarn candy.


The most amusing part of the trip for me, however, was seeing how my techie, crocheting friend and business partner travels...





kim.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

sneak peek.

a little something for spring...




The crochet pattern for this sweet little Robin's Nest will be ready for release any day now!



kim.

Friday, March 16, 2012

felting gone awry.

Over the past 4 years I have done countless felting projects and although I usually get consistent results felting is always a bit of a wild card, and sometimes there are surprises! For example, I was recently working on a crochet bowl (prototype #1) for an upcoming pattern.  I made about 6 increase rounds, and 3 plain rounds holding two strands of Patons Classic Wool. I was excited to see how the felting process would transform the bowl, but I was in for a bit of a shock. My nicely shaped bowl turned out not to be bowl shaped at all, but rather it was as flat as a pancake.

Yep, that's my bowl...


...not very pretty, but I figured that this would be a good opportunity to talk about some ways to recover a felting project that has gone awry. My first thought was to needle felt on a funky design and use it as a hot pad for my pots, but I was curious as to how much I could reshape it. While it was still wet I placed the felted wool over an upside down bowl and I gently stretched the fabric into shape.


Much to my delight I was able to reshape the fabric back into a bowl and once the wool is dry it will hold it's shape.


What do you do, though, if your project is impossible to reshape into a useful object? Well, I recently came across Jan Howel, a designer that sells sewing patterns that utilize the wool from recycled sweaters. You can view her lovely creations here. I haven't tried it yet, but I plan on saving all of my felting mishaps and I look forward to transforming them into something new and wonderful!


You may also be interested in:





kim.


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

new crochet pattern - donkey mitts by tara schreyer.





"Eeeeee!!! DONKEYS!! They are so funny!" This was the reaction of a precious little 4-year-old when she saw this crochet design. She has only seen a picture but with that reaction, she will be getting her very own pair, for sure!!!

These will provide tons of smiles for your little ones while keeping their little digits warm in the cold months. They can use their imagination while making them "come to life". And for those that are "a kid at heart" the pattern includes instructions for adults as well.







This crochet pattern includes instructions for the following sizes:

Small (toddler to child) - 3” wide x 7” long
Medium (child to pre-teen) - 3.5" wide x 8.25” long
Large (teen to adult) - 4” wide x 9.5” long
Finished width measurements are taken across the palm and length measurements are taken from tip to bottom of cuff.

*The small and medium sizes are pictured in the photos.

Of course, you can switch up the colors and create any animal you wish or you can omit the extras all together and you will be left with a modern and stylish mitten pattern for the entire family.







tara.

Monday, March 12, 2012

finished project.

It's pretty much impossible to find a contemporary footstool that is low enough to slide under a chair so I was thrilled when Tara came out with her latest design for the the "Pinwheel Pouf".  Tara's always had a good eye for home decor and whenever I want to know what the hot new trend or colour is I just ask Tara.




To create the footstool that you see pictured I just eliminated a few increased rounds as well as some plain rounds from Tara's pattern for the Pinwheel Pouf. I then stuffed my pouf with thick foam topped with a layer of quilt batting. Thanks Tara for another great crochet design!



kim.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

sneak peek.

My sister has a pair of donkey mitts and her ability to make them "come to life" and give them their own personality makes me chuckle.  I don't feel that can get away with wearing my own pair (considering the 10 year age difference) but I just love those mitts. After so much use, they are all tattered and worn, and although they are in no shape to wear no one is ready to part with them. Although these will never replace the originals, I have come up with a design that I'm sure will come in at a close second!!



Just finishing up the final details on the pattern now and it will be made available to everyone interested in the next few days.  Hope they make you smile as much as they do me!



tara.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

new crochet pattern - pinwheel pouf by tara schreyer.





Poufs are very popular in home decor. They are everywhere!! Some of them can cost you a pretty penny but now you can have one or several for very little cost.

The pattern requires a knowledge of the front post double crochet stitch and calls for three 400 gram balls of Bernat Handicrafter 100% Cotton.

Pouf finished size: Approx: 26” diameter x 12” high. Size will be affected by your choice and amount of filling. Any width or height of pouf can be created by simply switching up the number of increase rounds and/or plain rounds.

It can be a decorative pillow, floor pillow, footstool, seat, or even just something for the kids to tumble on…you decide…the possibilities are endless!!







tara.

Friday, March 2, 2012

sneak peek.

 Just sharing a peek at the next pattern that I have in the works that should be ready any day...
 



Poufs are very popular in home decor. This is my take on it! 




 
tara.