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sock blank with class included

Have you always wanted to learn how to knit socks 2 at a time (2AAT)? It is my preferred way to knit socks. Why? Because they will be the same size. Row for row. I don’t really need to count. I do measure them, but I don’t have to count to make sure there are the same number of rows. I like this way because there isn’t any second sock syndrome. When you are done with one sock you are done with both.

And what about sock blanks? How do they work? Well these are knitted rectangles that contain the same amount of yarn as our usual fingering weight yarns… approximately 400 yards. They are knit double, so they are perfect for 2AAT socks. The yarn doesn’t get as tangled as when working with 2 balls of yarn.

I’m going to do a series of classes to teach you how to knit socks 2AAT from a sock blank. These classes are free with purchase of a sock blank. There will be 4 classes: casting on and getting started, how to turn the heels, how to pick up the gusset and how to finish your socks. Classes will start July 25th. They are self study, so you can access them when it is convenient for you. Click here to get a sock blank and access to the class.

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farm to needle yarn

I’ve been thinking a lot about farm yarn. One of my big 4 goals this year was to widen out my line of FGF yarns. I want to have an offering at every standard weight of yarn. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Watch this video that I recorded this week for my #farmchickslive #ThursdayThreads.

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Here are some of the farm yarns that are already in our line.

Trasna Dkish yarn Find it here.
LiViLy Worsted wt yarn. Find it here.
Synergy Merino Dkish wt yarn. Find it here.
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Tour de Fleece Team forming

Flying Goat Farm Tour de Fleece Team

Okay it’s a really weird year.  The Tour de France is postponed until the end of August….will it happen then?? I’m not sure, so I decided to do my tour during the original dates: June 27- July 19.

 What do you do on Tour de Fleece? Well you spin everyday. Even if it is just 10 minutes a day. Just sit at your wheel or walk with your spindle. This is the single best way to improve your spinning technique. In years past, I have made a goal for myself. Last year, it was to finish spinning a 3ply worsted weight yarn out of a lamb’s fleece. I did that. I have enough to make myself a sweater.

My goal this year? I’m really not sure. I am so far out of practice.  I don’t think I’ve spun A THING since last year’s TdF. Really?  It’s pitiful. But I’m excited to get back to the wheel. I know I want to do some great colorful spinning. I know I want to practice preparing my cashmere for spinning. And I want to get better at documenting my spinning.

I made bingo board so that we can stretch our skills. And the prizes will be based on that board. More to come about that later.

Really early FGF dyeing

Members of my team will connect on Ravelry and Facebook too.  And in this age of social distancing, we’ll have a zoom spin-in or two. We can check in with each other and talk about spinning or our lives or something like that. 

The Fiber Art Studio group is going to have a special Tour de Fleece day on July 11th, too. We’re putting together what that will look like.

So if you are going to join me my team, just drop a line here on Ravelry.

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an elegant scarf made with oh so soft Zephyrette

Diamond and Cable scarf

This scarf is made with 2 skeins of Zephyrette. It is a fun knit that combines a lace block in the shape of a diamond, cables running up the side and a lace border. ** Free pattern with purchase of 2 skeins of Zephyrette. No Coupon needed***

Diamond and Cables Scarf in Bluebell Colorway

The borders are knit first and one is set aside on scrap yarn while the other is used to make the rest of the scarf. When you get to the end of the scarf you merely knit the scarf and 2nd border together. And Voila! You have a beautiful, elegant scarf.

**Free pattern with purchase of 2 skeins of Zephyrette. No coupon needed! ***

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Quick video to show off some shawl yarn sets

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I love knitting shawls. They are so diverse. And today we have choices for a 2 skein shawl. Hug Shots, designed by Casapinka, is just one of those awesome shawls. But first I should you my shawl triads. These are one of a kind curated skeins that will work great in a shawl. There are literally thousands of shawl patterns for these triads. Just go to Ravelry and look for 1200 yard skein shawls in fingering weight. Oh and these shawl triads are on sale (15% off)!!

Purple Mountain Majesty Shawl Triad se
Double Blooms
Double Blooms
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you asked for it

Hey spinners, I heard from a couple of people that they wanted my viral colorways on roving. So I did it. I have the full set on Polwarth Silk Roving. Each portion is 3oz. I love spinning with this fiber. It is so luxurious. The polwarth is a fine wool breed. So the top is really soft. And the silk is so lustrous. It makes an absolutely lovely yarn. It would also be great for felting. I can see these as a nuno scarf.

If you aren’t familiar with my colorway, the Corona colorway is based on the electron microscopic image that we are seeing everywhere.

The Vaccine colorway was invented because vaccines are made of parts the the virus. So I used deeper, richer colors in the same family.

Finally Antibody is what your body makes to fight the virus. So I used the complementary colors to the virus. I’m expressing my colorful, biology nerd self out here. I hope you like them. You can grab them here.

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9 days until the Fiber Art Studio Virtual Tour

June 6th will make our 4th annual FAST tour. This is our first year as a virtual show. So what does it mean to be virtual? Well, we are having a “show” on Facebook in our group. Click here to join. During the show hours we will be posting live videos from each vendor. It will be like going from booth to booth in real life, only you get to be in your PJ’s, sitting on your couch, drinking your prefered beverage. You don’t have to carry anything around. You can sit back and have the packages delivered by your friendly USPS carrier.

Just as in years passed, we will have a featured shawl and you can collect mini’s for it. The shawl will take ten 100yd skeins. So we asked each vendor to have sets of 5 minis. So you can buy from more than one vendor, just like before to have a souvenir type shawl, but not get hit with a lot of shipping fees.

The shawl is called “Ticket to Anywhere”. I don’t know about you, but I really want to get a ticket to somewhere, right? The color theme this year was **Neutrals with a pop of color**. So I made a gradient of 4 grayish, brownish spreckled minis. I made 5 different “pops”. So there is *Greek Isles (blue), *Mexico (gold), *Morocco (magenta), *Juneau (salmon) and *Caribbean (turquoise). My wanderlust got the better of me when thinking about the names and colors of these pops. I decided to give you another choice too. You can choose a pop in Sparkly or a pop in the Corrie Sock base. When you purchase a set of minis you will receive a discount code for the pattern. You can get these here. I will be dyeing these to order, fresh yarn just for you.

And just like in years passed, there will be prizes given out throughout the day. So I hope you join our group and visit with us in 9 days.

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are you cooking or taking out?

I am a little sick of cooking 2-3 meals a day. How about you?

I wanted to share with you some favorite meals that I’ve made the last few weeks.

salmon cake on a mesclun salad and roasted beets
Mother’s Day Brunch of sweet potato hash poached eggs with hollandaise and sugar glazed bacon
Chili cheddar frittata with hash brown crust and mesclun salad with avocado and artichoke hearts

In this time, I am wanting to keep up my healthy eating habits, but it’s hard. I’ve always used food as a reward and I feel like I need a reward, for sure!! And let’s face it, there isn’t much else to reward us with, like a massage or a pedicure. Of course there is always online shopping as a reward, right? If you feel like you need a non-food reward, click here to pick up a skein, some roving or a kit or a set of napkins or tea towels.

Polwarth Silk Roving
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Fun idea for shawl complete with shawl pin

I’ve been going through my newer yarns and curating more Shawl Triads. I know many of you love to have a set of curated yarn that will match and be exciting for a shawl or even for a knitted tank top. Here is my latest set (sh13). It’s all Sparkly yarn. The colors are (left to right): Moody Blues, Four Corners and Azure.

Sparkly Shawl Triads sh13

And while preparing for the next Fiber Art Studio Tour which will be virtual. I’ve been talking to Anne Paynter Hill. I love her fused glass buttons, earrings and shawl pins. I have to tell you, I’ve invested a lot into her really unique items. They are so colorful and sparkly and make me so happy. Look at this Shawl Pin. Wouldn’t it look great with a shawl made with these 3 skeins? I totally think so. You can find this pin here. Her shawl pins are magnetic, so they don’t injure your shawl.

Let me know what you think!!