More Projects

Its been a while since I posted but I finally have some new projects to show.

 This first one is a 100% wool blue wrap.

A lace weight (read very fine) two color knit cowl in yellow and orange.

 100% cotton woven wrap with some lace highlights.

Crescent wool shawl featuring random eyelets.

Purple wool woven shawl with varied width stripes of a fine sparkly yarn.

More yarn, more projects

Last weekend I made my annual pilgrimage to the NH Sheep and Wool Festival. Why do I go? I get to learn about new crafts or techniques and I get good deals on yarn. This year was no different. I learned about Naal binding - which is a pre historic technique for creating cloth with fiber and a needle (maybe more on this in the future) and spinning (I hope I can restrain myself and not adopt another new craft).

I also went shopping. I found two great booths to buy yarn - let me tell you there were lots of people there selling yarn, and fleece, and roving, and more. I found one where a woman who owned a store was closing because her child had a medical condition which required care. I got an amazing deal on some weaving yarn.

Then I found another booth where the owner spends time spinning together different yarns that will create all sorts of unique textures in both knitting and weaving. I can't wait. I also can't buy any more yarn for a while.

In the meantime I have been weaving and knitting my fingers to the bone. And enjoying every minute of it. I'll get some pictures going soon.

2017 Craft Shows - Schedule Is Starting

Unlike many crafters, I do not try to do many craft shows until the fall. Who wants to purchase scarves and wraps in the summer? That's beach weather, not winter.

However, I was pleasantly surprised when I had a booth at a show in early September last year and did very well. So this year, my event calendar will start in mid-September and will end a few weeks before the holidays. I have applied to several events and am only confirmed with one so far - December 9 in Nashua, NH. I am waiting to hear back on numerous other events and should know more starting in early summer.

In the meantime, what have I been doing? Weaving, knitting, and being creative. I have a plan for this year. I will branch out from just scarves, shawls, etc. I mean how many scarves does anyone need? So my focus will including matching/coordinating hats, woven table runners out of cotton and other fibers.

I hope you are as excited as me. I will be posting more soon. In the meantime, here is a picture of a four color plain wrap I made with rayon chenille yarn.

I wove it out of lime green, dark green, almond, and dark brown. You can't really see all the colors individually but I hope you can get the idea. This has a finished size of approximately 24" x 72".

More to come. XO Caroline

Shades of Blue Merino Shawl

One of my newest projects, finished weaving this week. Its 100% merino wool (so its nice and soft). Dimensions are about 15" wide by 66" long.  

Mohair/Silk Woven Shawl

I just took this off my loom and haven't tied it or blocked it. But I will this week. The warp (longwise) is mostly 100% silk with the edges in a mohair/silk blend. The weft (side to side) is also a mohair/silk blend. A lovely sea green. A great spring/summer wrap. Approximately 16" wide by 72" long (guestimated).

New projects for the new year

As the year winds down, I am taking a brief break in creating as I assess what I want to make in the coming year. This is based on reactions I receive to my current work and comments from customers. I love the feedback I get so I can see what people would like and how I can focus my work to be more responsive. Basically, I get creative ideas from customers. And at my home craft show my friends all basically said to me 'I have so many of your scarves, I don't need any more.

I also need to update my list of items for sale and what is sold.

My list of what I am going plan to make is:

• Wraps, scarves, cowls, wristies, etc as seen in Outlander. A customer came to my booth and asked for them. I had no idea what she was talking about until I looked them up. They are part of what is called Sassenach knitting. They look awesome. I need to make some myself. I did make a few of the Outlander Cowls for friends who loved them. I want to make the shawls that wrap around you and then tie in the back of your waist. I also want to make some of the wrist warmers (a/k/a fingerless gloves)
• More weaving - shawls and wraps the size of pashimas. I got some great yarn this fall and wove some really big wraps that people wanted to use for things like their office for when it gets cold or keep on the back of their sofa for watching TV. 
• Hats. I made some hats a few times but not many and never really got into that. There is a woman in my knitting group who has made more than a dozen hats for her family for the holidays. I actually found the pattern she is using and she found some great yarn and it has been inspiring. 
• Maybe I'll even make some glove/hat/scarf sets as well. 

Maybe this is an overly ambitious list but I have eleven months to get to work.

Last Craft Show of the Season

This Saturday, December 3, 2016, I will be at my last craft show of the season - Westford Academy, Westford, MA, Holidy Bazaar, from 9am - 3pm. You will find me at booth 222 in the cafeteria. I hope you can stop by.

Or, if you know me in person, I will have a private craft show the next weekend at home. Send me a message for an invite!