This tip of the day is about how to choose the perfect needle for your project. This is especially true if you are using one of our farm yarns or if you have lost the label and have no idea what to choose. This is a new tip for me. I always thought that you looked at the diameter of the yarn and tried to match that to the needle. Let me know if this tip helps you to find the right yarn for the right project.
Spring is about to burst forth here in the East. The Witch Hazel is just about finished as it is a late Winter bloomer here. The forsythia is budding bright yellow. The daffodils and crocuses are up and opening too. I have new Springtime colorways to share with you. They were inspired by photographs. Find them here
Here’s what I was inspired to make:
And of course I have some semi-solids to go with these great variegated skeins:
Wow! The new colorways sold out in a matter of minutes yesterday.
Don’t worry! I will be dyeing more today and everyday until you all get the yarn that thrills you!
So when you see this yarn or colorway is “on backorder”. Know that means that I’ll be dyeing your order especially for you.
How long will it take? Not long at all. Typically if I have the yarn on the shelf, I can get your order out in priority mail within 24 hours of your purchase, exceptions being Sundays or postal holidays. If I’m dyeing to order, your yarn will be in the mail within 72 hours of your order. And many times if the weather is good, it will be sooner, as the yarn needs to be totally dry before it goes in the mail.
Last week was momentous in our country. And I have to say that I was inspired by several things. The moving memorial to those who have succumbed to Covid. Washington’s sky deepening into night with the Washington Monument going from white marble to gold stone.
This is on Chinook Yarn: Super Wash Merino, Cashmere and Nylon. It is fingering weight with 414 yards per skein
The next day I loved the array of colors from all the women who attended the inauguration. From Michelle Obama’s burgundy pantsuit and long coat to the pastel coats of the Biden girls. And of course Dr. Biden in her blue sparkly ensemble. I just loved the power of the color. The statements that women will not be overlooked.
Sparkly Yarn is super wash Merino with Lurex. It is fingering weight with 400 yards per skein
Well the knitting is done. Now on to the blocking and then the steeking. I will block this afternoon and it will take some time to dry. It’s a pretty dense fabric. I got some grosgrain ribbon and you all voted on the leather buttons. Well not all of you…but the consensus was the leather buttons. I have 4 of them. I intend to just put them on the top half of the sweater. I’m leaning towards the brick red ribbon. I have 10 days until Saturday…. I think I can…I think I CAN!!
Hey this Saturday, going to be open. We are having another Farm Chicks open studio Saturday.
I’ll be open 10am to 3pm on Saturday October 10th. It’s supposed to be great weather, especially earlier in the day. We will have our firepit going and smore packets for anyone who would like to “camp out” with us and knit or spin. We will have chairs and tents. Our yard is so big that it is easy to social distance.
As usual, we will only let 2 people in, unless you are all traveling together anyway. And we will all be wearing our masks. We will have hand sanitizer for you to use as well.
The Farm Chicks ( Flying Goat Farm, Avalon Springs Farm and Dancing Leaf Dyeworks) have collaborated on another colorway. This one is inspired by the lovely campfire photo. Stay tuned this week for my photos of my interpretation.
We have all made some great skeins for you. Collect one or all three. I know that I still have our acorn collaborations skeins on the shelf….I made a lot. LOL!
Combo of Bright Leaves, Toasted Grapes and Burgundy
Combo of Apple Harvest, Lichen and Red Delicious all on Chinook Yarn Base
Combo of Burgundy, Hollyhock and Lichen on Corrie Sock Yarn
My Autumn collection has hand dyed yarn on our Corrie Sock yarn base. These skeins are fingering weight, 430 yards in a 4 oz skein and cost $28 per skein. It is made of Corriedale superwash wool and nylon. We also have hand dyed yarns on our Chinook Yarn Base. These are also fingering weight yarn, 414 yards in a 4 oz. skein and coast $32 per skein. It is made of superwash Merino wool, Cashmere and Nylon. Find them here!
So that’s it. All the fiber festivals that I was going to be at are now closed. They aren’t totally closed. Many will have a virtual marketplace instead and I’m participating in at least 3 of them. At this time of year, most Rhinebeck goers would be planning their Rhinebeck sweater. Now there’s no Rhinebeck. But we still need a new sweater, right? So let’s coin the new hashtag….#norhinebecksweater.
My #norhinebecksweater will be a yoked cardigan that is knit in the round and steeked. Yes, I will be cutting my sweater up the middle. And I’ve been planning this for a long while. I’m using my handspun lamb’s wool.
I have great farm yarns and one commercial yarn that are fantastic in sweaters. LiViLy is our cormo heavy DK/light worsted 3 ply yarn. It is super soft, next to the skin soft. I have some neutrals and some brilliant jewel tones of this yarn.
Trasna is our BFLXCormo wool that is a heavy sport/light DK 3 ply yarn. It is also next to the skin soft. It has a lustrous quality from the BFL part of the wool.
Synergy is a wilder farm yarn. It is a merino, marled, 2 ply yarn. There are 2 weights: their is a worsted weight and a sport weight. I have 11 different colorways of that yarn. In a garment, it will do some gradual stripping and it is super soft as well.
Finally, the commercial yarn is Alto. It is a 50/50 blend of superwash BFL and silk. It is a DK weight yarn. It is highly lustrous. And it has a fantastic drape to it. You will love your sweater knit with this 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.
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)!!
We are located in Frederick MD. You can stop by during our open studios. Or buy online and stop by to pick up…I’ll run your purchases out to you in your car.
Open by Appointment!!
Monday through Friday 11-3
Closed Saturday and Sunday (Except Open Studio days)
