My Sister's Knitter

Back to the knitting...

 

Hello there, loves! Happy Sunday. :) Thank you so much for all the well wishes. I am nearly at 100% now and could not be more grateful. While very little knitting happened, a few stitches were added to projects here and there. Most of last weekend and weeknights were spent cuddling with tea and Harry Potter marathons...which can never be bad, right?

 

 

My birthday was last Saturday and while I wasn't feeling so great, I was never not grateful because it could always be worse and at least I wasn't spending my time in the hospital. :) I was able to spend some time with my family, which was a gift in itself. Above is my new favorite birthday card from my sister- why, because she gets my humor.

 

 

Since I have nothing to show in the way of knitting, how about if I share with you this beautiful blanket my sister made for me for my birthday. It is the softest bundle of love! She also made me a pillow, but I have yet to get a good photo of it so I will share it with you next week.

Apologies again for delaying the drawing for the skein of Wooly Wonka Fibers...

Random number has spoken and the winner is~

 

 

No. 29

What a tough choice! I love the idea of Nimue Sock for a shawl, and "Black Forest" caught my eye immediately. But then there's Rhiannon Sock in "Carnivale", too...

Posted by: Floribunda

 

Congratulations, Floribunda! I will be emailing you shortly to get your mailing details. Thank you- Wooly Wonka Fibers for the beautiful prize donation!

 

Alright, loves time to leave you with a song and wish you the best day. 

 

 

XO

andi

Knitting project preferences...

 

Hello there loves!

 

 

Yay- it is Sunday! Time to sit, relax and chat with my peeps. Being able to sit and catch up with you all it a huge highlight of my week. How was your week?  Hope you are all safe from these crazy Summer storms the U.S. has been having. Other than dealing with unrelenting heat, I have no room to complain in comparison.

 

 

What does one do when they need a travel project, they cast on some vanilla socks of course. Traveling means for me work. :)  So I scooped up this yarn that my sister bought me for Christmas last year. A conversation between my mom, my sister and I got me thinking about how some of us gravitate towards particular projects and how others do not.

 

 

 

It is no secret that I like knitting socks, for a number of reasons. They are something I can wear for at least 4-5 months of the year in Arizona. The portability factor of sock knitting is always a factor for me. Socks are the first thing I learned to knit and the love affair has continued.  While I have knit blankets, stuffies, cardigans, shawls, scarves and hats, I admit 85% of my completed projects are socks.

 

 

The conversation that I mentioned went a bit like this. Mom and me~ During a phone call she asks me what am I knitting on. I say socks. She says, you should knit something else, you are always knitting socks. Sister and me~ Tell sister Mom tells me that I should knit something other than socks. Sister tells me, " Well, it is kind of weird that you just knit socks.".

I think my first reaction was to be defensive, but then I realized I do knit a lot of socks. Of course I know I knit socks predominately, I just had not ever thought they it may come across as odd to some people. Do you feel you have unintentionally typecast yourself into a certain type of knitting project and what is it about that particular type of project that keeps you coming back for more, (by project I mean shawls, socks, sweaters, etc.,).  Inquiring minds wants to know. :)

On to the giveaway that we had a couple weeks back. I have drawn a winner for this beautiful skein of Dyed In the Wool Yarn Co's skein of DK weight yarn...

 

#37-

Beautiful colors! I see fingerless gloves done with it.

Posted by: Joanne 

 

 

Congratulations, Joanne.  Thank you for all who entered. I will leave you with a wonderful maker video from Etsy and wish you the best day today!

 

 

 

 

 

XO,

andi

Knitting chat and a giveaway...

 

* Thank you for all who entered! This giveaway is now closed*

Hello there!

 

 

Happy Sunday! Did your week treat you well? Were you able to squeeze in some knitting time? My week was good and yes, that is primarily because knitting time was made.  I was a bit all over the place with my knitting, a row here and a row there.  Progress on my Cadence socks is coming along. There is something about this pattern that makes it seem that it knits itself.

 

 

The original plan (if you could call it that), was that I was going to finish up the Cadence socks and work on the sample knits.  Then the postman arrived and all plans went out the window. A lovely friend sent me a surprise gift from one of my favorite dyers, Spinning Fates.  Pink and grey...they were begging to be cast on. The color is Lady Meux.

 

 

I took some advice from the recent post about Second Sock Syndrome and decided to knit these babies in unison. It is working and I think the fact that they are fraternal twins makes it all the more exciting.

 

 

On a totally different note, I had to share Carl with you all. My sister crocheted me this little cutie and he is everything!  I mean how could you not look at that face and smile?

Now, I have a treat for you all. One of my dear friends and very talented dyer, Vanessa of Dyed in the Wool Yarn Co. surprised me by asking if she could send me some yarn and she would include a skein for a giveaway.  Since I secretly wish I were Yarn Santa and able to gift all the yarn, I said yes!

So my friends thanks to the generosity and pure kindness of Vanessa...

 

this gorgeous skein will go home to one lucky winner.

Yarn details-

Darn it DK   Color is Birds of a Feather    250 yards    SW Merino   Weight- DK

 

To win tell me what you would like to knit with the gorgeous skein (you know my mind went to squishy  DK socks), in the comments. Make sure to provide your email address when it prompts you. Giveaway is open world wide and will close on July 31th at midnight. The winner will be announced on August 5th's blog post.

Thank you for all who entered! This giveaway has now closed.

 

I will leave you with a song and wish you the best day today!

 

 

XO

andi

December Indie Dyer Feature~ Peepaloo Fields

 

Happy Sunday!  Can't believe I am saying this but we have reached our 12th indie dyer of the year. The year where I have had the privilege of introducing you to the most talented and amazing dyers. First off thank you for supporting them and loving them as much as I do.

So here we are...ready to get to know the brilliance behind Peepaloo Fields?

Welcome Shari!  When did you start your business?

The business has been up and running since 2/22/15.

 

 

I was inspired to dye yarn because i am a maker - i see it, i can (or try) to do it.  I took a class to learn how to spin yarn and the gal who taught it also suggested i take the dyeing yarn class.  It got me out of the house away from my husband and kids for a few hours - so i was in :)

 

 

By way of the day - I'm a physical therapist.  I manage and work at an Outpatient Burn and Reconstruction clinic.  We take care of all sorts of people with burn, trauma, and hand injuries.  By the moon, I have two kids, a husband and a dachshund and we all help to make the yarn shoppe magical! 

 

 

I’m currently knitting a west end cardigan - i’m getting a little nervous for sleeve island.  My favorite shawl must be Ramble by Andrea Mowry…i loved knitting it!  that or sizzle pop by Lesley Anne Robinson.

 

 

Favorite food : Guilty : Ramen.  Hands down.  i feel like i have not left college sometimes :)

 

What a wonderful wrap up to a year featuring indie dyers. I fell in love with Peepaloo Fields a couple years ago when I knit up some fun socks in her color way Wishing Well. They are still some of my very favorite socks.

Now because Shari is beyond generous she has graciously offered up the most stunning skein of yarn in her color way ~ Nevermore.

 

 

For a chance this lovely sock yarn, please visit Peepaloo Fields Etsy shop and come back her and tell me your favorite colorway. This giveaway will close December 30th and the winner will be announced via a blog post on December 31st. Good luck! And as usual entries are open worldwide. :)

Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi

 

 

November loves...

 

Happy Sunday!

 

Pattern~ Ohra shawl

Wow- November flew by, didn't it? I guess that is how the holiday season goes. My castonitis kicked into full gear. I blame it on the fact that everyone else seems to have it and pass it on to me. Maybe that is a Fall thing? Have you found yourself wanting to knit all the things lately?

 

Yarn~ Miss Click Clack Merri Creek Sock in the color Pretty When I Cry.

Sock progress has been slow but never the less fulfilling. I am still thinking about what yarn I want to knit some Christmas socks in. There is something about Christmas socks that are a must.

 

 

In addition to all the cast-ons, I was given the opportunity to knit a sample knit of the Tiveden Shawl for Knotions. Already it has been a joy to knit. Sometimes it is fun to knit in colors out of your comfort zone, don't you think?

So you see my knitting has picked up, not a lot, but some. How has your knitting been. Do you find that you are more inspired to knit during the holiday season?

Speaking of inspiration, how about if we visit some November loves?

 

• Tien- be still my heart with your tribute to Socks via Socktober. You are a girl after my own heart.
• Being one that seems to cast on all things during the Fall season, you know Cortney's post is everything.
• Red is one of those colors that screams Fall to me. When I saw Jamie's post about her red Whitehorse sweater  I gasped. Beautiful.
• There isn't a single pattern that Alina has designed that I haven't fallen head over heels for- The Ivy Sweater is no different. Can't you just see yourself snuggling up in those beautiful cozy cables.
• Despite giving up my idea of gift knitting this year, somehow Christine's beautiful mittens keep taunting me.
• Since I am having a love affair with shawl knitting right now, it only seemed fair that Michelle's We Were Seeds shawl caught my attention. So wonderful!
• I am of the belief that one should never apologize for gushing over a knit project that is perfection. Keep gushing Kristen you have earned it.
• Leave it to brilliant Julie to come up with the most perfect Knitter's Gift Guide and yes, I want it all.
• Everything Deb knits is amazing- now if only I could pull off those Marzipan Leg Warmers.

 

Now to announce the winner of our November featured Indie Dyer! Random number generator has spoken and a beautiful skein of  Punky Brewster goes to...

#4

Barnwood.

My friends and I are sure we have knit our hearts back together at times. It IS a healing art.

blessings ~ tanna

 

 Congratulation to Tanna...I will be in contact with you before the end of today for your address. Thank you to all who entered, our final Featured Indie Dyer will be coming up December 10th.

 

 

Enjoy a song and have the best day today!

 

 

XO,

Andi

October loves...

 

Hello there!

 

 

Happy Sunday. Yay, I am doing a Sunday post. Missing a week really threw me off. Thank you all for your wonderful messages and especially for understanding why I didn't post. Health update- each day is better than the last and I know it won't be long before everything is back to normal.

In the knitting department with all the happenings over the last couple of weeks not a lot of knitting was accomplished. Never thought I would feel too "blah" to want to knit, but it happens and that is slowly changing.

 

 

I started a hat a couple days ago and for the life of my can't remember the pattern name. I need to have a proper search of patterns on Ravelry so that I can get back on track with it. As soon as I find out the name, I will update this post. 

 

One thing I didn't get to share with you was my finished socks for October. The pattern is just my usual plain vanilla pattern and I used A Woolen Homestead Sturdy Sock in the color Nyphadora Tonks.  Aren't those speckles just fabulous?

Since I missed the October loves I will share them now with you.

 

• During the chilly months I am on the lookout for lovely cozy sweater- Kat's Easy A fits the bill. Can't you see yourself just throwing this on when you need a yarn hug?
• Lovely Angela's Sprinkle Party knits is just the ticket to brighten one's day.
• There is never a shortage of beautiful knits, drool-worthy yarn or scenic pics when you visit Katherine. One of those blogs where I can spend hours.
• Hege's fantastic socks are always on my happy list.
• Love Sarah's post , Every Skein Has A Story.  Goes to show how amazing and loving this community is.
• Woolenberry is a wonderful place to visit, I especially enjoyed the post about the creativity of knitters.
• Steph's Simple Cowl is just perfect. Then again everything Steph creates tends to be perfect.
• What's not to love about Melissa's sea colored socks. Adore!

 

Hope you enjoyed the visits. This month's list is a tad shorter than normal due to all the health issues. But I am slowly getting back on track.  Once again thank you all for the wonderful thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

Now one thing we do need to do is draw for our October featured indie dyer of the month giveaway. Random number has spoken and the winner is no.14. Dee, I will be reaching out to you very soon to get your details. :)

 

 

~Such beautiful yarn ..........and aren't her pups just the sweetest looking things!

Dee

 

Now I will leave you with a beautiful song and wish you the best day today!

 

 

XO,

Andi

October featured Indie Dyer~ The Woolen Homestead

 Hello there!

I am so happy to be able to introduce October's featured indie dyer, The Woolen Homestead. I first found Tiffany via Youtube through her wonderful podcast. When she started dyeing, I knew that without a doubt I had to get my grubby yarn loving hands on some of her beauties. Not only is she a brilliant dyer, but a truly wonderful person as well.

So without further ado...let's get to know Tiffany the dyer behind The Woolen Homestead.

 

When did you start your business?

I started my business in August of 2016 so just over a year ago! 

 

 

 

 

What inspired you to dye yarn and what inspires your colors? 

 

Dyeing yarn just seemed like the next step for me in my fiber journey. I found myself really intrigued by the dyeing process (especially speckles!!) And constantly looking up tutorials online. So one day I decided to give it a try and I was hooked right from the start!

 

 

 

 

 

My colorways are generally inspired by my love all things bright and vivid. I just love playing with bright colors in the dyepots and seeing what comes of it. It really is such a relaxing and fun process, especially if you have some good music playing! However there is another creative side to me that really loves seeing muted and delicate colors together as well. So sometimes you will see quite a mix in my shop. I am also a huge Harry Potter fan so I love finding inspiration in the books and movies as well.

 

 

 

 

Out of all the colors you have created- which one is your favorite and why? 

 

Ahhh that’s so hard to chose! :P I think my favorite would have to be Nymphadora Tonks. Pink is one of my favorite colors and all of the different colored speckles in that yarn just make me smile. :) 

 

 

 

 

 

How about a little about you?

 

I’m 28 years old and have always called Michigan home. However I did live in Minnesota and NYC for a little while. I have a husband named Ethan and we’ve been married for almost 5 years. We have two dogs Benny and Ella. Benny is a yellow lab and Ella is a black lab/hound mix. I am a dog groomer for PetSmart by day and a yarn dyer by day off.  I started my knitting journey at first when I was 19 and I wanted to knit a pair of mittens. My mom had taught me to crochet years before and I loved that but when she tried to teach me knitting English style it just didn’t stick with me. Then about a year later a friend of mine was knitting and I asked if she could teach me. She taught me continental and it stuck with me no problem! I’ve been knitting ever since and have been knitting on a daily basis for about 4 years now. My newest fiber adventure is spinning and I can’t get enough of it!! I started out on a drop spindle my husband made for me about 3 years ago and then graduated to a spinning wheel about 2 years ago which I love so much! My spinning wheel is an Ashford Kiwi 2 and I think it’s a great beginner wheel!

 

 

 

 

Your favorite food?

Pineapple and ham pizza!!! LOVE it! 

 

Places you can find her:

 

Etsy

Ravelry group

Instagram

 

Thank you so much Tiffany for agreeing to be a feature on my blog. It has been so lovely getting to know you. Tiffany has generously offered up one of her skeins to one lucky winner. You all are very lucky I didn't steal it because...well look at it!

 

 

This gorgeous skein is named, The Half Blood Prince.  To win the skein visits The Woolen Homestead shop and come back here telling me your favorite. The giveaway will close November 4th and a winner will be drawn via Random number generator on November 5th.

 

Good luck and have the best day today!

 

XO,

Andi  

 

August Loves...

 

Hello there! Whoa...September is here.

 

 

Plans for knitting down all the WIPs is still happening, but that doesn't mean that new projects cannot be started, right?  There is something magical about a freshly caked yarn and beginning a new knit.

 

Pattern~ Ingwer  Yarn~ Neighborhood Fiber Co. in Charles Centre.

This shawl along with my fade feels like a forever project. Why is it that I can knit up socks in a week but shawls which take the same about of yarn seem to linger?

 

 

Maybe because every waking hour I am working on socks? :) I can't help it!

While the week felt long, as it does before a 3 day weekend, no FO this post. But I feel those blue/purple socks will be finished up today. Then maybe I will pick up one of the many shawls I have on the needles...maybe.

Before we get to the August loves, a winner for our indie dyer feature of the month drawing must be announced.

 

#34-

Witch Hazel! Great name and great colors.

Posted by: Vera

Congratulations, Vera. I will be sending you an email shortly to get your details! Thank you to everyone who entered and spread some love for Dragon Hoard Yarn.

 

Now to August Loves...

 

• This post from Jen is everything, not only because it is about knitting socks.
• If I lived in a climate where I could wear a Lopi sweater and not melt, I would. In the meantime I will enjoy watching Caryn's  planning and progress.
• Smart tutorials and resources are my favorite. Knitting socks that fit from Knitting Today is a gem.
• Karen finished the most amazing blanket. I can't stop looking at it and loving it.
• Personal stories through your photos is such a brilliant idea. Francesca's 100 stories is one of my favorite and a great way to capture your daily happenings.
• What would loves without a double FO post? Thank you, Woollen Wilderness for always providing eye candy.
• While I love knitting socks (surprise!), I know there are many that have a hat obsession. Two great places to visit if you have hat fever, Jen's and Knotions.
• More dreams of living in a cooler climate after seeing Ella's sweaters.
• Steph is knitting up all the things as usual- that is why I adore her.
• Looking for a way to knit neat buttonholes? Check out Cocoknits for the best tutorial.
• Okay I may be a bit sweater obsessed this post because all month my eyes keep falling on all the beauties. Check out Julie's Golden Hour- be still my heart.

 

Hope you enjoyed all the links. Happy September! I will leave you will a song and wish you a wonderful day today.

 

 

XO,

Andi

P.S. Having a bit of a destash of some pretties. Please visit my Raverly page or group  if you are looking to treat yourself.

August Indie Dyer Feature~ Dragon Hoard Yarn Co.

 

Hello there! Here we are in August and  that means I have the privilege of featuring another brilliant dyer, Dragon Hoard Yarn.  I can tell you the first thing that attracted me to this beautiful Esty shop was the fact that Trysten had a huge selection of Harry Potter themed yarns. One the yarn was received and knit up, I couldn't have cared less what the name was...this yarn is a dream. Bonus it is also gorgeous.

Dragon Hoard Yarn Co.

 

 

Without further ado...let's chat with Trysten of Dragon Hoard Yarn Co.!

My name is Trysten, and I started Dragon Hoard Yarn about a year ago. Before Dragon Hoard Yarn, I had the shop, Fingers of Fury. I crochet and knit items to sell online. It was a lot of work, and my heart wasn't exactly in it as much. I have then since decided that I don't like knitting/crocheting custom items for others. The pressure is too much, and I then don't enjoy the process. I was super inspired by my mom, who is the dyer behind Yarn Café Creations, to start dyeing yarn. She started to show me how the dyeing process works, and I was instantly hooked. I love the magic and surprise that comes with dyeing yarn and playing with color. I am always so excited to see how a new colorway comes out. 

 

 

I am inspired by movies, fandoms, and my daily life. I am a total geek, and love Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and anime, as well as all things Disney. These movies and shows inspire a lot of my colorways, especially Harry Potter and Disney. Both of these fandoms have had such a hand in my life, that I wanted to be able to create something beautiful with them. Since I started dyeing the colors that matched my soul, my business started to take off. It was such great validation that other people could love and appreciate the things that made me happy and who I am. A rule of thumb since then, I will not dye it unless I love it! I typically only dye on fingering weight at the moment, because that is all I usually use myself. 

 

 

A little bit about me, I am 27 years old, and married with three dogs. My husband Eric and I have just celebrated our 7th anniversary, and we just celebrated our oldest dog's 7th birthday with us. As I have said, is that I am a total geek. I go to Comic Con in Utah (where I live) every year with my husband as our yearly "trip". We cosplay (dress up) as different characters each time, and want to compete soon. You can usually tell when Comic Con is close, because my color choices for new colorways are greatly affected. This year we are going as Alice in Wonderland characters, and I already have a few colorways representing that.

 

 

I am also in school right now, majoring in psychology. I want to be a marriage and family therapist for the deaf, and will be starting my master's program in the spring of 2018. 
I started knitting only about 2 1/2 years ago, and have been crocheting since I was 7. I much prefer knitting, and have just started publishing some shawl patterns on Ravelry. My mom taught me how to do both, and since I super look up to my mom, both times I caught on really quickly. I now co-host the Youtube podcast of, "The Girls in the Yarn Café" with my mom, and work at my day job with her as well. 

 

 

 

My favorite projects that I have been knitting recently have been everything faded! I am working on both my "So Faded" sweater, and my "Free Your Fade" shawl pattern, both by Andrea Mowrey. I also am obsessed with knitting sweaters. I prefer fingering weight sweaters at the moment, even though they take longer. I am about to cast on a new sweater with my "Cackle" colorway here pretty soon. 

 

 

Random thing about me is that I am the most non-picky/picky eater you will ever meet. If it is fancy and cool, I usually don't want it. I love me some pizza, and tacos. You give me that, I will be the happiest person you will ever meet!!

How absolutely lovely to meet Trysten, right? Thank you Trysten for agreeing to chat with me and share your talents.You can find Trysten here:

Ravelry

Etsy

Girls in the Yarn Café podcast

 

Not only did this wonderful dyer agree to be a feature for My Sister's Knitter, but she has generously donated a skein of her brilliant yarn.

 

Color~ Peek-a-boo with contrasting yarn for heels/toes   Fluffy sock base

 

You know the routine...get on over the Dragon Hoard Yarn Co and come back to tell me your favorite colorway (in stock and sold). Giveaway is open to world-wide entries. This giveaway will close September 2nd and winner will be announced via blog post on the 3rd.

Good luck and have the best day today!

XO,

Andi 

July Indie dyer feature and giveaway ~ Wren House Yarns

 

Hello there, happy Sunday to you!

While I love posting every Sunday and chatting with you, to be able to feature some talented dyers this year has been a thrill. We are just over the half way mark of 2017 and the hits keep on coming. Of course I must say a huge thank you to all of you for supporting these dyers and liking their Etsy shops. It means the world to me and them. So how about if we get to July's indie dyer...Wren House Yarns?

 

 

I have known and adored Leigh for a number of years via her blog. Being one who was inspired by her beautiful photos of nature and yarn, I was elated when she began dyeing. I have acquired quite a few beauties from her shop and the love affair continues to present day.

 

What inspired you to dye yarn?

 

My love of dyeing yarn really came about because I wanted to learn to knit fingerless mitts about 9 years ago.  Watching the colors come together while knitting was magical.  I just had to figure it out!   First came Kool-aid, then professional acid fast dyes.  It's a slippery slope!  

 

 

What inspires your colors?

 

My inspiration comes from everyday life.  From bits of nature to unfinished thrift shop paintings.  While I mostly dye with professional acid fast dyes, I love working with natural dyes as well.  It will never cease to amaze me the beautiful one-of-a-kind colors that can come from Mother Nature.

 

How about a little about you?

 

We are lucky to live in a few acres of woods on our suburban homestead.  Summers are spent picking berries, gardening, canning, and drying yarn on the clothesline.   Knitting and yarn drying by the wood stove in the winter.  I've been known to keep bees, knit in my kayak, stack wood, and haul home bags of roadside plants to use as dye.

 

When did you start your business?

 

Wren House Yarns opened about three years ago.  It's named after the lovely little Wren that nests outside our bedroom window every year.  So cheerful and energetic! 

 

 

 

Where do you see yourself in five years?

 

I would love to still be dyeing small batch yarns from the garage workshop five years from now!  It's tricky as an independent dyer.  While I've teetered at the precipice of moving over to creating a larger business, staying small is what works for me.  Each skein is unique.  I don't want to loose that experience for the knitter.  Plus, my creative joy comes from experimenting with small batches.  It is truly wonderful to go out the back door, open the garage to the woods, and set to work!

 

 

 

Lovely Leigh, is what I call her. Amazing when someone's personality and loves can be translated so perfectly into their art.  Thank you Leigh for allowing me to feature you on my blog!

 

You can find Leigh and Wren House Yarns in the following places:

 

Etsy

Ravelry

Instagram

Blog

 

In addition to agreeing to be a gracious feature here, Wren House Yarns has offered up this truly stunning skein of her 100% Superwash Merino fingering weight yarn in the color Kilim (inspired by vintage Kilim textiles).

 

 

 

To enter to win this stunning skein, please visit Wren House Yarns and come back to tell me what your favorite colorway. This giveaway is open worldwide and will close July Saturday the 29th at midnight PST. I will draw a winner via Random number generator and announce it on the blog on July 30th.

 

Next week I will share with you the beautiful socks I am knitting with Wren House Yarns!

 

Have the best day today!

XO,

Andi