The Dyer's Notebook - Episode 128

Episode 128 - Stash Dash?



Shownotes

Topics Discussed
Yarn Pricing
Knitting
Spinning
Stash Dash
Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories
Dallas yarn shops
Rhinebeck

Giveaway
To enter the giveaway for the skein of Gynx Yarns Merino Sock in the "Bluebird" colorway and a copy of the Bowdoin Hat pattern, please leave a comment on this post (say anything you want, but you must include your Ravelry ID). Giveaway ends June 10.

Holla Knits Blog Tour Schedule

May 18: Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories Issue Launch

May 19: The Sweatshop of Love / Knitted Bliss - pattern giveaway, issue giveaway

May 20: Ruby Submarine - fringe tutorial 

May 21: Handmade by Stefanie - pattern and yarn giveaway

May 26: Doog Knits - kit giveaway 

May 28: Canary Knits - issue giveaway 

May 29: Laura Reinbach - pattern giveaway

June 1: Gynx Yarns Podcast - pattern and yarn giveaway 

June 2: Ruby Submarine - issue giveaway 

June 4: Rock and Purl - giveaway

June 8: Handmade by Stefanie - Take 5

June 9: Hands Occupied - issue giveaway

The Dyer's Notebook - Episode 54

Episode 54 - Extra Yarn



Shownotes

Announcements
Friday, October 4 meetup at The Dime Store
Questions for Yarn vs. Zombies

Knitting
Dragonfly Wings Shawlette - done!
Annabelle's Extra Yarn

Spinning
Innuendo Fibers "Big Kitties"

Giveaway
Happy Again Sock Kit giveaway
And be sure to check out the kits at littleskein!

Review: Holla Knits Crochet Collection

Today I have a really exciting new pattern collection to show all of you: the Holla Knits Crochet Collection! If you've been following me, then you should be no stranger to the awesomeness that is Holla Knits. I reviewed the Fall/Winter 2012 collection and the Accessories 2012 collection previously, and my yarn was even featured in the Wallpaper Cowl pattern last year.

I'm excited to say that Gynx Yarns is back with the latest Holla Knits collection and I'm going to have a giveaway, but more about that at the end of this post. First, let's look at the patterns:

Granny Square Earrings and Ring by Casey Carroll

This set of ring and earrings (not pictured) would make such a fun and speedy gift for someone! I love how big the ring is and I think it's a great way to show off your yarn-y pride even when it's miserably hot outside.

Betty...Betty Grable by Rohn Strong

This summery vest is shown in a single color option (above) and a three-color option, and I can't decide which one I like more. I adore big vests, and if I were to wear it, I think it would look great belted at the waist.

Prim by Ann Leachman

I think the name of this pattern says it all. Perfect for the girly girl who loves collars (and the ability to change them!).

County Fair Scarf by Claire A. Denny

The shape of this is like a combination of a scarf and a kerchief. The shape of it allows it to lay beautifully and I think would make an awesome closet staple for times where you want a shawl but don't want to mess with getting it to stay on.

Deco Daisies by Michele Moskaluk

This cowl makes me want to try crochet again. It's that perfect length where you can drape it over yourself as pictured or double it up for more warmth.

Cute Girl Squares Tank by Allyson Dykhuizen

And finally, the tank that my yarn was used for! The green version of this tank is knit out of my Merino Sock base in the Cactuar colorway (which is the same color I'm knitting my Featherweight out of). What I love about this pattern is how easy it is to customize. Crochet it in a solid color like the version using my yarn and then the texture becomes the star of the tank, or have fun playing with color like in the second version. The first version is also shown with a bit of negative ease, while the multi-colored version is shown with a bit of positive ease (how I'd probably wear it). Whichever way you choose to crochet it, it is a very unique and fun warm weather piece (although, who's saying you couldn't layer it for the cooler weather?)

Now, for the giveaway! Allyson is generously letting me give away a copy of the Cute Girl Squares Tank to one of you lucky readers! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post letting me know which of the patterns you want to start first. Make sure you leave me your Ravelry name or another way to contact you. Contest will run through Tuesday, July 30 and a winner will be drawn via random number generator on Wednesday, July 31.

Check out the rest of the blog tour for more fun and giveaways!

July 9: The Sweatshop of Love
July 10: Rohn Strong Designs
July 11: Casey Carroll
July 12: Lion Brand Blog

July 15: Knits in Class
July 16: Claire Denny
July 17: Be Sweet Yarn
July 18: Stash the KP Staff Blog
July 19: Magical Grammar

July 23: Gynx Yarns
July 25: Kalanag
July 26: Casey Carroll & Knit Picks Curio relaunch

Holla Knits Accessories Review + Giveaway!

Today is my stop on the Holla Knits Accessories 2012 blog tour, and I am so excited to share this collection with you (and give one of you a pattern for free!). I was contacted months ago by Allyson of Holla Knits/Sweatshop of Love to see if I'd like to be a part of the accessories collection by offering some yarn for one of the patterns, and I happily took the opportunity.

Like the previous Holla Knits collections that have come out this year, this collection is full of fun, unique, and cool designs by some very talented designers. Each of the six patterns is $4, or buy the whole collection for $12. I've already talked about what I love about the Holla Knits collections in general on the blog, so instead of repeating myself, let's dive right in to the patterns.

First up is Black Swan by Tara Shade. Knit up on size 17 needles in either Knits in Class Twist or Knit Picks Biggo, this looks like an incredibly quick knit that would be a fun way to change the look of an old top or carry a spring/summer dress into fall.

The Multiplicity pattern by Allyson Dykhuizen is an adorable little purse knit in Knit Picks Brava Sport that is a perfect size for just the essentials (phone, wallet, keys, maybe some chapstick...). I am not a "just the essentials" kind of girl when it comes to my bag, but there are some times (like at an event) when carrying your regular purse is a bother, and this would be great for that. This is also double knit, which is a technique I've never done before. This project is small enough that it wouldn't be overwhelming to practice a new technique on.

 Along the same lines as Black Swan, Knight Service by Teresa Gregorio is another quick way to change up an outfit. Knit in Periwinkle Sheep Merino DK or Knit Picks Gloss DK and jazzed up with plenty of beads, this shrug would be cute thrown over a sleeveless top to add a bit more coverage, or over long sleeves as pictured.

The Snowball Bonnet by Anna Elliott is knit with either Artesano Alpaca DK or Knit Picks Swish DK and plays with interesting textures to create a different winter hat. The loop stitch and the pom poms at the ends make a very soft appearance in the bonnet, and the loops just look fun to do. I can see this on a really chic lady at a ski resort.

The Scallop by the Sea clutch by Katie Canavan is a very simple shape, but makes use of pattern and color choices to make a completely unique clutch. Knit in Bumblebirch Blossom or Knit Picks Stroll Sport, the scalloped design really does remind me of waves by the sea. I think this would be amazing either in a two-color combination or a gradient, because I'm a sucker for gradients. I don't really do clutches, but I want this for a small project bag.

Finally, the pattern I'm most excited about: the Wallpaper Cowl by Emma Welford (yep, the lady that designed the awesome Holla Back Tank I just finished). I adore colorwork, yet rarely do it, but I really want to cast on this cowl. Who doesn't love a good cowl, right? The cowl is lined, which keeps floats from the colorwork protected and adds another layer for warmth. It doesn't hurt that the cowl pictured above uses Gynx DK for the colorwork (Canary and Neliel) and Gynx Sock (Electric Strawberry) for the lining. I am really considering getting this on my needles since it looks like a quick knit, but I've been restraining myself because I have so many other projects going on right now. This cowl is happening though, and I'm already playing with color combos in my head.

Now, on to the reason (most of) you are probably here for: the giveaway! One lucky reader will win a copy of the Wallpaper Cowl by Emma Welford. All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog post telling me which of the six patterns is your favorite, and leave me a way to contact you (email or Ravelry ID). You have through next Tuesday (October 23) to enter, and I'll announce the winner next Wednesday (October 24).

For more stops on the blog tour (and more giveaways!), check out the schedule below:

October 8: The Sweatshop of Love - collection and pattern giveaway
October 9: Under the Red Umbrella - Subscriber exclusive KP yarn giveaway, pattern giveaway
October 10: Rohn Strong - pattern giveaway
October 11: Emma Welford Designs - pattern giveaway
October 12: Knits in Class - Subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway / pattern giveaway

October 15: Bumblebirch Designs - pattern giveaway
October 16: Audrey’s Teashop - pattern and yarn giveaway
October 17: Gynx - pattern giveaway
October 18: Adaly Myles Place - pattern giveaway
October 19: Canary Knits - Subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway, pattern giveaway

October 22: Webs Yarn Store Blog - yarn giveaway
October 23: The Sweatshop of Love Hosts Homestead Heirlooms! - subscriber exclusive purse kit giveaway
October 24: Knitted Bliss - pattern giveaway
October 25: Stash, the Knit Picks Staff Blog
October 26: Holla Knits hosts Tara Shade! - Subscriber exclusive yarn giveaway, pattern giveaway

Gynx Yarns Giveaway and an Ice Cream Social Recap.

First thing's first, Gynx Yarns is having a giveaway! I'm giving away one skein of Gynx Aran in the colorway of the winner's choice (out of currently available aran yarns) over in my Ravelry group. You must be a member of the group to be eligible, and then you can enter in this thread: Link. All you have to do is tell me your favorite Gynx Yarns colorway and you're entered! The giveaway will close next Tuesday (July 17) at noon CST, and the winner will be decided by a random number generator.

This past Saturday, the MadTosh store hosted an ice cream social. I could only stay for the first half, but I had so much fun! There were tons of people there, a lot of which I knew. I didn't eat any of the ice cream, but I had a lot of fun shopping around, chatting, and enabling people to buy things. I came home with two skeins of Noro Taiyo sock yarn.

This blue/purple skein is one I actually have a plan for. It, along with a skein of madelinetosh's Tosh Merino Light, will become a Spectra by Stephen West.

This one has no plans, but it had to come home to live in the stash for a bit. Hey, I had a Groupon and had to spend $30, so I had to get something else! This was the skein I originally picked up for the Spectra, until I found a skein similar to my Tosh Merino Light at home and realized it didn't go well together.

Tour de Fleece (goal is 30 min of spinning daily):

Day 8 (July 7): 32 minutes

Day 9 (July 8): 44 minutes

Day 10 (July 9): 30 minutes

Today is a rest day for the tour, so I will not be spinning. Honestly, I'm glad,because I was getting tired of spinning. That's probably why I rarely spin regularly. I'd bet if I had a wheel and could blow through 4 oz. in a day like a lot of people have been doing this tour, I wouldn't get bored of it.

Gynx Yarns Giveaway!

Recently I did an interview with Kristin of the Yarngasm podcast and Knitnook.net. I also sent her a skein to give away on her podcast, and the episode is now up! You can enter to win the skein in the photo above (Lemon Berry Parfait in sock/fingering weight) on her blog here!