Yarn news:
— Quince and Co. has released their first alpaca blend yarn, a worsted-weight beauty called Owl. I tend to love alpaca in the skein and not so much in the finished product, but have high hopes for this one. In addition to being blended with wool, it’s woolen-spun, so hopefully not so dense and oppressive feeling as I find typical alpacas to be. And I love even more that it’s overdyed, so the natural tone and heathering of the wool come through the color. Can’t wait to get my hands on some of this. There’s also a new pattern to go with: the Sherwood Mitts by Pam Allen.
— My local yarn store, A Verb for Keeping Warm, is collaborating with Sally Fox on a California wool. They’ve got the first samples in hand, but I haven’t been in yet to plead for a chance to squeeze it. I’ll post more once it’s actually up for sale. I’m super excited about this.
Some good Q&A’s:
— with knitwear designer-photographer Carrie Bostick Hoge at A Butterfly in My Hair
— with knitwear designer Tara-Lynn Morrison at Beaux Mondes
— with Alpaca rancher Sara Bender at Blue Sky Alpacas blog
— with knitwear designer Helga Isager at the Knitterly blog
— and I love love LOVE this video profile of denim artisan Loren Cronk at Anthology’s blog. Magnificent.
Pretty, inspiring things:
— Heather Taylor on cochineal dyeing at Beatrice Valenzuela’s home
— home tour with a weaver at Design Sponge
— Um, Wooly Heads — not sure what to say or think about that one (thanks, Jo!)
— and Karen Barbé’s great embroidery sampler on a simple canvas tote
Speaking of canvas totes, I shipped my first wholesale order this week — a big box of the High-fiber totes went out to In the Loop in Plainville MA (between Boston and Providence). So if you’re in the vicinity, look for it in their new location next week. The popularity of this tote bag continues to thrill me, especially as I’ve been receiving orders for them from around the globe. I love picturing it walking down the streets of Vancouver and Lyon! And also love it when people post pics of theirs to Instagram — that really warms my cockles. So thanks again to everyone who’s been shopping at Fringe Supply Co., and helping to make this blog possible in the process.
What are you working on this weekend?
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Ah, the woolly wigs made it to the newspapers here in the UK. I’m on the fence about them aesthetically, but really admire her skills!
Pretty much my thoughts exactly.
Great! In the Loop is not far from me. I’ll have to pick up a tote!
Excellent!
Karen thank you for the great shout out. Can’t believe we were your first wholesale order and are anxiously awaiting their arrival.
You were! And I’m so grateful to you for getting the ball rolling.
Gosh, I love AVFKW. I love fabric and yarn, and they have a great selection of both.
It’s a great store — do you ever take any classes there?
I haven’t. I ‘ve taken two sewing classes at Stone Mountain & Daughter though.
I don’t know what that is! Will have to look it up.
Have to save reading those interviews for later. Those wigs are hysterical. Congrats on your continued success!
I love it that AVFKW is your local yarn store. Kristine Vejar was my study abroad student in India in 1999 (doing a textile-related project), and it’s been lovely to see where she’s ended up.