Yarnsmith.co.uk

Long time - no blog!

2010-05-26T12:01:00.004+01:00

Unfortunately, no-blogging hasn't necessarily meant more knitting. Just loads to do with kids, school, business, family and garden . GARDEN - you can actually hear things growing; I was actually standing contemplating what to do next when I heard the faintest, but distinct pop! and our fabulous poppies were opening before my eyes!

Garden inspired I have managed to make a start on the "Green Man Project" for the Mid-Essex Weavers, Spinners and Dyers planned, permanent exhibition at the Cressing Temple Barns. We are producing 16" x 16" textile panels based on the Green Man theme so I have begun knitting/crocheting a selection of leaves to frame the face - the idea for the Green Man to be peering through the foliage. I'm planning to dye some of the fantastic Gedgrave Rasta green to make a beard and hair - it's fabulous being able to mix and match texture/colour and pattern - it's just knowing when to stop!

Look what I can do!

2010-04-26T13:43:00.003+01:00

I've never considered myself a "crocheter" - there are just soooo many good knitting patterns that somehow I never really allowed myself to look further. However, being offered a "Workshop on Granny Squares" at the Colchester Stitch & Bitch "Knit In" on Saturday was too good an opportunity to miss; and low and behold - look what I can do. OK, it's not rocket science but it is quick, relatively easy and very addictive! I have now produced 12 granny squares without too much effort and Tilly has already ordered that they be made up into a hooded waistcoat "in time for Daisy May's Birthday". No pressure then!

Single Skein Shawl - here it is!

2010-04-16T21:56:00.002+01:00

This is it - my first attempt at a triangular shawl from scratch - and I'm really pleased with the results. This follows comments from Shandy and Ellie on the "Pure Alchemy" yarn and how they'd like to see a project for one or two skeins. I have managed to "chart" this pattern and hopefully, once I can turn it into pdf, it'll be available for download!

Wenslydale inspiration

2010-04-11T19:02:00.003+01:00

You just can't help going "aaaahhh" can you? Today, Tilly and I took a 100 mile round trip (one end of the county to the other) to visit Tracy and Peter Ranger and their fabulous flock of Wenslydales at Gedgrave, right on the edge of the Suffolk coast - overlooking the North Sea. Ostensibly we went to pick up an order of Tracy's fabulous lace weight yarn and meet her flock, inevitably we talked all things yarn for an hour or two (the accompanying lemon drizzle cake was terrific!).

So with lots to think about - "yarnsmith wise" and with spring definitely sprung - "garden wise", I can feel a very busy spell coming on!

To find out more about Tracy and her flock, including opening times, visit the Gedgrave Wenslydale website

Pure Alchemy; Part II

2010-04-05T20:26:00.011+01:00

Two weeks of "kiddie" illness and hectic seasonal fervour at the end of term has resulted in not much blogging recently! However, the Easter weekend has been really enjoyable: catching up with prodigal friends; singing in a highly successful Faure requiem; a joyous (and feminist!) sermon on Sunday and an excellent array of family and food through out.

In addition, a chance conversation on Saturday morning has led "Pure Alchemy" in a totally different direction - perfect for the summer and beautiful too. A customer phoned to enquire whether the Patons 4 ply cotton would be suitable for canvas work and if so, what colours were available. We had a general chat about the qualities of the yarn and she mentioned that she may well buy some white in order to dye it to her required "stone" shade.

This led me to thinking about why we couldn't do the same for the Pure Alchemy range. I did a bit of research on the net which led me towards Procion dyes which I don't happen to have - so, just to see, I added a skein of white cotton with the next batch of "acid dye" merino. I have to be honest - I'm really pleased with the results; let me know what you think!

New Colours

2010-03-23T11:53:00.004Z

Finally managed to add some more colours to "Pure Alchemy". This one is Suffolk Sky, inspired, (not surprisingly) by the pale blues; dove grey and soft whites of the sky above.

Planning to spend the whole day dyeing tomorrow. Can't wait!

Creative Week

2010-03-21T18:41:00.004Z

This week has been all about getting the creative juices flowing - not just in terms of what colours to dye the next lot of "Pure Alchemy" but about where I want to take the business next and how to go about it. I know for sure that I don't want to lose the "personal" touch which we can currently offer - answering individual queries by e-mail or phone (even if it doesn't lead to a sale!); sharing expertise and tips; learning new skills myself and developing my own knowledge.

On Tuesday my dream of having a purpose built "yarnsmith" space took one step closer to becoming a reality. The 17' x 13' base was laid in the garden. I keep joking that by the time I've moved in with the yarn; laptop; spinning wheel; the sofa bed; dog's bed; kettle and microwave the family may never see me again! I wonder?

Wednesday presented a first with a networking event at Frankie and Bennie's in Haverhill organised by Womenta - the women's arm of Menta, (the Mid Anglia Enterprise Agency). Women across a range of careers and businesses; from a luxury soap maker to a health and safety expert, met to exchange thoughts and ideas on what it is to run your own business, often whilst juggling a family and all that that entails. However, even here I managed to sneak in a quick "knitting on circular needles 101" lesson and came away with further thoughts on developing the advice section of the website.

Friday saw the first session of the St Andrew's Knit and Yarn Group - primarily aimed at the parents' of St Andrews Primary School, Great Yeldham. I've teamed up with another school governor (and avid knitter) to teach the basics, and for those interested, a bit beyond. We are lucky enough to be using a fabulous workshop belonging to Rosie, a friend of the School. The venue overlooks the beautiful North Essex countryside, her fabulous kitchen garden and flock of Jacobs sheep. We turned up with homemade cakes and chocolate brownies (a must for any knitting group), toys for the pre-schoolers and a random selection stashed yarn and needles. Our two beginner knitters really got the hang of it and took their first projects home to practice on - both turned up at the school gate at the end of the day exclaiming that they hadn't put their knitting down all afternoon! I call that a successful class.

Saturday was my monthly fix of the Guild. Another fabulous meeting with a talk and workshop from William Jefferies of the "Kew Studio" who talked about what inspires his wonderful tapestries. I also had some great feed back on "Pure Alchemy" and lots of suggestions about refining my dyeing technique. (Along with, a round telling off for not keeping a "dye book" so I know what I did, when and how!) I came away feeling very positive and marvelling about just how much I've learnt about textiles over the past three years. (I then went straight to a great rehearsal of the Faure Requiem which an add hoc choir from the North Hinkford Benefice is singing on Good Friday - a really uplifting day! )

So this has been a really varied week - we've also fitted in ballet, swimming, Beavers, a trip to the secondary school and running a mile for Sports Relief. Spring is sprung with daffodils finally appearing in the garden and the dog venturting out unbidden - and I feel a definite rejuvination - long may it last!

Pure Alchemy Launched!

2010-03-13T17:51:00.005Z

I am delighted to launch "Pure Alchemy", our very own hand-painted yarn. You've no idea just how much I've enjoyed doing this - so much so that it's now going to become part of our standard stock. Made from soft 100% merino wool, this is technically a 2 ply yarn but it knits pretty much to a 4 ply gauge so is great for socks, shawls and scarves. I don't intend to dye more than 3 skeins in any one colour combination and indeed some skeins will be "one-offs". However, this wool has a very generous meterage/yardage of approx 375m (about 410yds) per skein so a little goes a long way.

If you would like us to dye a specific colour combination please get in touch! Just a further excuse to play rather than iron!

The results are in!

2010-03-07T12:50:00.005Z

The results of the "crock-pot experiment". Fabulous funky colours and really easy to do!

I used my newly purchased vintage (1950's - thanks to ebay) ball winder to produce this wonder! My 11 year old is now trying to attach a lego-motor to it to make the winding-process automatic. Kids!

Play Day

2010-03-06T11:38:00.003Z

Yes, I know there is a lot of ironing and the dog needs walking but just couldn't resist having a go at "crock-pot dyeing" with the odd packs of Kool-Aid I had lying around. I have used Kool-Aid to dye single colours before and found the results a bit insipid and the process, to be honest, a bit boring - just a prolonged version of making up the drink and sticking a skein of yarn in it. However, on the plus side, doing this with an inquisitive 5 year old doesn't hold the hazards of more conventional dying with acid dyes or mordants! So far the results look pretty much as they should (see picture) and the sickly-sweet smell is being contained within the pot! Proof will be in the knitting up I suspect.

NB: For those fortunate not to know, "kool-aid" is a drink-mix from the States which comes in sachet form in a variety of lurid colours (and flavours!) As I've managed to dye my finger orange by dipping it in the dye-bath I just wonder what it does to your insides!

Melford Green Sweep the Board

2010-03-02T13:51:00.002Z

Just in from Melford Green Alpacas;

"Alpaca breeders from right across the country travelled to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire to take part in the British Alpaca Futurity 2010, the UK’s premier alpaca show last weekend. Over two days the very best animals in the country were judged by Jude Anderson, who had flown in from the US especially for the event. Animals entered by Melford Green Alpacas from Long Melford led the way from the start, with Claudia, winning a first place rosette and taking the grey championship. This success continued throughout the whole weekend with the team eventually taking 7 rosettes and 2 Championships. Once all of the points had been tallied up at the end of the show, Melford Green were awarded the trophy for “Most Small Successful Small Breeder 2010.”

However, the success didn't stop there! We entered a number of exhibits in the craft show and not only did we come first and third (lace shawl and toddler Gurnsey) in the knitting show (knitted by yours truely!) but Shirley Simpson's handspun yarn, spun from Melford Green's top grade suri fleece, gained best in show. Way to go Melford Green team!!

Unique hand-spun

2010-02-26T20:23:00.003Z

I'm absolutely delighted that my good friend Sue King, has provided Yarnsmith.co.uk with some stunning hand-spun yarn. Sue, who refuses to knit (!), is a great spinner, calligrapher, exponent of parchment craft and an expert maker of Japanese temari balls (the story goes that these exquisitely decorated spheres were originally created as toys which wouldn't go through the thin interior walls of Japanese houses!). Sue has been a member of the Mid-Essex Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers since the 1980s and can often be found demonstrating her spinning skills at the Melford Green Alpaca Open Days.

Mid-Essex Guild inspiration.

2010-02-22T16:40:00.004Z

The Mid-Essex Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers always provides inspiration but this month, yet again, it's provided me with a new spinning wheel. There was a tremendous turnout for the February meeting - the draw being P&M Woolcraft. It still gives me a rush to see so many people sharing their expertise and enthusiasm for yarn-crafts. Long may it last.

We have taken delivery of alot of new stock recently; today's parcel contained the fabulous Fyberspates Scrumptious DK - the softest silk, richly and deeply dyed. Just a must!

First proper attempts at dyeing!

2010-02-19T20:12:00.005Z

I (we, joint effort with 11year old) are delighted with our first attempts at "grown-up" dyeing! Relatively easy with the Corkwood starter kit and a few hints from You-tube. We started with undyed skeins of 100% merino sock yarn and actually mixed the ammonium sulphate into the dye-baths (not sure if you're supposed to do it this way - but didn't have any violent chemical reaction!) and then used squeezy water bottles to "paint" on the colour. The dyes are really strong once "cooked" (8 mins in the micro-wave) and I felt a bit like an alchemist - really unsure of what was going to happen - but that's part of the fun. I'm definitely going to keep a "dye-diary", and I'm definitely going to be doing some more. I feel a whole new yarn-range coming on!

A technical thing!

2010-02-15T08:31:00.001Z

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Technorati users will recognise this - all others, please ignore!

Social Networking 101

2010-02-14T12:26:00.003Z

Thanks to MENTA the benefits of Social Networking has been unravelled and yarnsmith.co.uk now has a page on facebook and we are also attempting to "tweet". Sean Proctor ran a great beginners course on facebook, twitter, forums and blogs and how they can assist businesses. Now I may be a bit of a novice to all of this but it's actually quite exciting! The potential is amazing - facebook, which was only launched in 2004, is the third most visited site on the net! It celebrated 250 million people with accounts in July 09 - that's phenomenal. My only concern is time management - getting the balance right between updating blogs, tweets and facebook and making sure it doesn't take time from the vital things of life - like kids, husband, dog and ...............knitting.

And here, just because I hate to post a blog without a picture, this year's Melford Green Alpaca, (hand-dyed) being blocked into Polly Outhwaite's Kiri Shawl - really easy, and available from Ravelry

Girasole finished!

2010-02-07T12:01:00.006Z

You have no idea just how delighted I am to have finished this - and am having to be really disciplined not to just go ahead and start another! The pattern is by Jared Flood and available through Ravelry and there is a really helpful and friendly KAL (knit-a-long) group for help with the charts etc. If you don't attempt anything else this year - do this! Unfortunately, as this was a WIP (work in progress) at the start of the year, can't count as one of the 10 shawls in 2010 challenge!
I knitted this using Patons 4ply 100% cotton which makes it robust enough to use as a "TV blanket" but would really like to make a lace weight one - just because........... so many projects, so little time!

The Gedgrave Yarn

2010-01-17T09:14:00.005Z

This is really exciting. We are now stocking THE most fantastic 100% Wenslydale wool from the Gedgrave flock. Tracy Ranger and her husband manage their flock from their home just east of Orford, on the Suffolk Coast. We are currently stocking "lace" and "aran" weight skeins in natural cream, which is machine spun in Sussex, and also the superb hand spun "chunky". This really is like taking the "dreadlocks" (cream, brown and grey) straight from the animal (if you know Wenslydales you'll know what I mean) and creating the most fabulous, fun and funky yarn you'll have come across!

New Year's Resolutions

2010-01-07T13:04:00.006Z

We've all made them - and this year's been no exception. However, I did set a new record and broke the first of my knitting related NYRs within approx 12 hours of making it. In an effort to placate the family ("mum, not more wool!") and with a nod towards the recession, I vowed not to start anything new until all my WIPs (Works in Progress) were complete. This was with particular reference to a straight forward jumper I've been knitting for my Dad for the last ...... to many to remember.... months. (Love the yarn - Noro Silk Garden - really bored with garter stitch!)

Then I made the fatal mistake of taking a New Year tour of Ravelry and came across the " 2010 Shawl Challege" - just has to be done doesn't if? 10 shawls in 12 months - what could be easier. Hah! First problem - choosing the 10 patterns!!

I have now cast on the first - opting for something not too challenging for a befuddled January, the Deciduous wrap from Mandie Harrington. Coming along really well thanks to the Aran weight Donegal Luxury Tweed yarn from Debbie Bliss - love this yarn! Doesn't look much at the moment - but trust that "blocking" will do it justice.

A new passion................

2009-12-02T17:47:00.004Z

If you'd asked me about beading three weeks ago - I'd have thought of fabulous Elizabethan costumes; flapper dresses from the 1920's and hoochy Mamma's from the burlesque stage - I wouldn't have thought of embellishing my own creations with simple beading stitches and fringes. However, after a session with Karen Odinga at the November meeting of the Mid-Essex Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers entitled "Embellishments for felt" I am a convert. Karen shared with us really basic, simple ways of attaching beads to pieces of felt that we'd made earlier (in good old Blue Peter tradition) and the results were spectacular. I immediately came home, hit the internet for supplies and I'm really quite pleased with the results (see pics!).
I can now envisage beads on everything - including knitting - some of those lace shawls from Jane Sowerby's "Victorian Lace Today" - with beaded fringes, beads incorporated into the borders or stunning shawl pins! Can't wait!

SEO for the Jelly Brained!

2009-11-19T18:09:00.005Z

I've just spent the day on an SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Course so now have a brain full of jelly. The internet is just a wonderous place for those in the know (up until two months ago I'm not even sure I'd heard of SEO!) However, Sean (he of Phoenix Consultancy and great cups of tea - see earlier blogs) assured those present that once we'd submitted our details to 270+ directories; learnt the essentials of "social bookmarking"; joined all the industry forums possible and posted our blogs regularly (whoops!) we could sit back and be satisfied that are Sites were Search Engine Optimised and Google Friendly. Now you know why I have a brain full of Jelly!

Be grateful for the joys of knitting; it doesn't ask anything of you; doesn't need to be bookmarked; if you pay due care and attention in the creation it remains for all time; doesn't have "spiders" crawling across it (a Google term I'm told) and fulfils all your creative desires. I am so glad to have returned to my sofa, the dog and the joys of Debbie Bliss's Donegal Aran Tweed!

Yarnsmith relaunches

2009-10-11T17:56:00.005+01:00

Finally, after what seems to be weeks, but was infact a fairly pain free few days - we have re-branded and re-launched yarnsmith. I, of course, don't think there was too much wrong with the old version - but adding new products and keeping it updated needed a good couple of hours and at least two glasses of wine!

What's been really important is to keep our ethos of a really passionate and personal service (passionate about kntting and personal to each customer), providing exciting and high quality products. We've also expanded our services and now offer a samples service as well as a finishing off service - see the website for more details! We also have a gallery section to show case some the yarns we stock and creations we've made. I really hope you like the new look - I'd love some feedback!

Non of this would have been possible without the support of Sean Proctor
(phoenix internet consultancy) who has been incredibly patient, and tolerant as well as making a great cup of tea! I hope it hasn't all been too much of a trial. Thanks also to my family - they know what they've put up with since the beginning of September!

Loads going on.........

2008-11-17T18:21:00.008Z

The local craft fair in Sudbury last week didn't have me run off my feet or sold out of goodies - but not surprising in the current economic climate - but it was good fun and I did teach Dawn to knit - hence the photo!

I've been really busy with seasonal knitting (we don't mention the C word in our house until December!) and have discovered the delights of www.etsy.com. Don't know what I'm talking about? Go have a look - it's a treasure trove for those of us who love handmade goods. Exceptionally easy to use and a wealth of fantastic products. Check out etsy.com

And ....... I've finally gone and done it - got myself a spinning wheel. Isn't it wonderful? And what's more, it's got a lovely provenance - which goes something like this. The wheel was made in Ipswich (unfortunately, a cursory look on the net gives no information about wheel manufacturers) sometime in the 70's and was then rescued from a local dump by a member of the Framlingham Spinners - since then it has been used as a "teaching" wheel and now has found its way to me. Isn't that a great story? If anyone can fill in any of the missing details I'd love to know. It runs smoothly and now, having had all of two lessons, I'm feeling very confident and excited about using it - you never know I might even be able to post some home spun here soon.

Autumn return

2008-10-22T20:39:00.004+01:00

I have just read a post from WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise)
which says don't apologise for not updating your blog - however, three months is a bit long - so I'm sorry I haven't blogged as conscientiously as I intended post holiday, but to be honest, I don't know where the time has gone! Now my youngest has started school and I have got over the feeling of losing my left arm - I promise to try and do better!

The Knit and Stitch Show at AllyPally was such fun this year - if you didn't make it you must go in 2009! The picture above is me (on the left) and Jackie on the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers Stall. We were kept pretty busy all day with questions and enquiries and Jackie had great fun trying to teach me to spin - I just about managed the treadle bit but it went pear shaped after that! I did get a chance to have a wander, get lots of ideas and of course, spend too much money. I was really inspired by the beading exhibition - something I've not been that bothered about before - it was breathtaking. Now what can I incorporate that into I wonder?? I have some wonderful single ply silk to play with - any suggestions??

Up and running ........ and now gone

2008-07-29T12:49:00.002+01:00

Where does the time go? Now, having finally got yarnsmith.co.uk back on the internet we are closing for a couple of weeks whilst sunning ourselves (hopefully) in Spain. That's if we ever get there - still so much to do. Have remembered to leave copious intructions for the house sitter re: dog/cat and fish. Have also remembered to print off tickets and checked passports, suggesed kids get their own stuff together but not making much progress at the moment...... guess it will all come together!

Have spent the last couple of weeks contemplating which project to take with me - finally settled on a couple balls of Louisa Harding Quattro (mohair-ish) and some cirular needles to see if I can put together a "Victorian lace" inspired kit for the shop - watch this space!!