Another Collaboration!

I am so excited to announce to you all that I am in the works of another collaboration with another Etsy seller!  This time, the wonderful yarnie is lylianmae, a yarn and fiber dyer, spinner and knitter.

(This picture sssoooo does not do the yarn justice)*

I will keep you all abreast of the collaboration and let you know how the pattern is coming, in the mean time, check out her shop and don't forget that you can request for fiber to be spun into yarn if you love the colorway but don't spin yourself ;)

 Evergreen - 400 yds

Gobstopper 4.1 oz SW Merino

*My camera has died and I'm in the process of upgrading, more on this to come!

My Huge Thrift Store Score!

So if you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed that a week or so ago, I made a humongous score at the thrift store!  I got a literal MOUNTAIN of yarn for quite a deal :D  Aren't you proud?

You can see there where I kind of nested myself in the middle while looking at each and every ball.

I found all kinds of goodies that by themselves would've cost more than than I spent on the whole lot!  So many vintage wools, Tahki Donegal Tweeds, handspun silk, handspun Camel (that's right. Camel) along with rovings of wool, silk, camel and others that I can't definitely place.  I got so many wonderful yarns!

Now, of course, I can't keep them all for myself, my studio would explode.  Speaking of which, I have to move my studio, right when I was finally getting it all set up too! Isn't that sad?  But its ok, I'll get it all set up again and show you all the final results :)  Ok, back to the score at hand, I can't possibly keep it all for myself so I will be periodically destashing some of the goodies in my shop, like this little collection:

Now don't you want to go scoop that up for yourself and make something wonderful with it?  I definitely want to see what comes of the destash, so if you wouldn't mind, let me know what you create with it!

Queen of the Froggers

If you are a fiber artist and don't read Linda's blog, Queen of the Froggers, you really should. I can't remember how I first stumbled upon it, but I now read it diligently. She has the most fantastic photos, wonderful knits and she spins up yarns that put mine to shame. I asked if she would be willing to talk to us a little bit and let us in on her life some and to my glee, she graciously accepted. So read on to learn a little more about this incredible woman and her fiber story

Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am an obssesive knitter, and am also really getting into spinning yarn too now. I love coffee, chocolate, countryside walks, cycling, my little family and Fall/Autumn.

I am self employed as a cleaner (I used to be a nurse) so that I can be around for my son after school and fit in study for my degree. I am poor but happy and spend money on yarn and fibre when I shouldn't! One day I would love to work in a museum or library. Of course I would really like to own my own yarn store.

I believe in never looking back at the past, living and enjoying the present moment, noticing the little things that give us pleasure and being nice to everybody because its easy to do!

How old were you when you first started knitting? And who taught you?

My Mum taught me to knit and my Aunt to crochet when I was 6

And spinning?

I have only been dabbling in spinning for the last year or so but am really determined to get better at it this year. I would love to spin British breed yarns and knit luxury cabled throws.

Do you do any other crafts?

I tried weaving but found it took up too much space. I sew when I get the urge. I did once make a macrame owl in the 70's too! I crochet on and off.

What is your favorite room in your house? Why?

My bedroom. Its a lovely green and is the only part of the house where crafts, toys and my husbands mountain bicycles don't seem to take over. Its spacious and light. And the yarn is hidden under the bed very neatly in boxes so no one knows.

What are the best ways you have found to organize your life and your hobbies so that you don't get too busy and quit everything?

I have learnt that I have to stick to only yarny pursuits. There is only so much I can do and yarn is easy to hide so I can have loads of it.

Blogging really helps too because it really gives me an incentive to finish things.

Do you have any other tidbits for us? Hints, tips and tricks?

If you feel that something you are making isn't right then it probably isn't. Undo it and do something else. Instincts are usually correct

You can never have enough knitting needles, circular ones are great for anything.

Don't be seduced into buying yarn or fabric unless you are sure its the right colour for you. I have a lot of orange yarn and bought it as it was cheap. I will never wear it!

I love the phenomenal photos you can see both on her blog and also over on Flickr. If you'd like to catch up with her on Ravelry, she's right here.
Thank you so much Linda for taking time out of your busy schedule to grace us with this interview!

Feature Friday - Downey Fibers

This shop has been in my Favorites for a very long time and I have to wipe the drool every time I pass by it.

The yarns are so wonderfully colorful and fun...

Each skein just speaks volumes!

The amazingly talented woman behind Downeyfibers is a mother of FIVE! and washes, dyes and spins all of her own yarn. Even those who don't knit or crochet would find something they simply must have from this shop :)