Oh and another thing I’m working on for the shop is a selection of handmade papers that are made from recycled, collected, found materials – things like plants, junk mail, fiber scraps. And that will be release in June I think.

So you should all go check it out.

Oh and another shop related thing:

I added a ton of new stitch markers in the Green Prairie Fibers shop! And I refreshed the stock of hemp fabrics with the colors I have left – purple, gold, and lime green.

Well, I’m off to finish up the Craft Leftovers post for today – I’m rereleasing the perfect dish cloth duo – knit and crochet – as one pattern!

See you soon!
Kristin

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Many sock yarns are on sale as well as select other yarns and cuts of fabric!

And I’m actually in the middle of dyeing yarn tonight, so look for more new yarns daily!

Kristin

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And this guy landed just 3 feet from me. He was huge!

They are all a little “soft” becuase of the window, but that’s okay. I was thinking they would be good canidates for paintings or charcoal drawings this weekend. I took about 100 shots, but these 4 were the ones that came out the “best”. Yeah, the through the dirty window thing is not the best way to go. When I went outside even though I thought I was being super sneaky and they just all flew away. Oh well.

I’m finally getting my weaving going again. It was such a mess while warping and things broke and it was tangled. It took me awhile to get the courage to face it again. Well, I finally untangled it all and am almost done threading the heddles. I’m hoping to finish it up tomorrow.

Here are the mittens I made for my friend Emily. They are all blocked and on their way to her. I am thinking about making another pair for myself. Here are some more pictures:

And some more knitting:

Do see how long that scarf is? Yowzers! I finally blocked it. It was 4 skeins of stockinette stitch in the round. I’m never doing that again, haha. It looks really nice though and will be really warm for Jason.

Oh and I blocked my first woven piece on my loom.. and contrary to popular belief, it’s a stole, not a table runner, haha. The thing was that it was really rough before blocking, but now it’s softened up and it’s really warm. I would have liked it to be a little longer, but it was all the warp I had, so that was that.

I’ll take a better picture of it tomorrow. Laying flat it’s just not as nice looking as it could be.

Well, that’s it for tonight. Back to pattern writing and stitch marker making.

Goodnight!

Kristin

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Some great lace weight superwash merino. It’s great for socks, shawls, any lace really. It blocks beautifully!

I added some really pretty pink merino yarn, it’s dk and wonderfully soft. It’s a semi solid and ranges from deeper pinks to pale pinks.

I have these two yarns left to add, but I can’t find their original tags and I think they are superwash, but I’m not sure. I’m going to dig around some more and try to figure it out. From now on I’m just dyeing one type of yarn at a time because this is the third time I’ve had a hard time locating the yarn info after dyeing. Geesh. I’m hoping to find it tonight, so they’ll be up tomorrow.

It took me way to long to pull out the light box and get these shots taken, but tonight was the night. I was supposed to go out tonight, but *cough* I am too sore to do hardly anything, haha.

I’m going to do another post about some other random things. Make sure to go check out the shop. Oh and if you want some fabric, it’s going pretty quickly. I’ve already sold 7 yards this week (thank you!).

Kristin

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But, I think this might actually good for me. I really like having handwoven fabrics in the shop and by selling this fabric I’ve kind of built up a business for that – handwoven fabrics. So I’m going to transition into selling some of my own handwoven fabrics. I have some linen done. It’s for embroidery and will be sold by the half yard. It’s about 8″ from salvage to salvage and is a pretty even plain weave. And it’s something like 20+ warps per inch.

I’m also working on dressing my loom for a twill structured fabric. I’m going to do a 5 yard length and each yard will be a different twill pattern. It’s 100% wool and is green and gray.

Oh and I have some hand spun finished (finally) and I’m going to test knit it all and see what it’s like and if I like it, then I’m going to spin some more and start selling that too. I’m hoping to start working with some local shepards and spin with their fibers exclusively. I might dye some of their roving and sell that too. I haven’t decided yet. Either way, many fun plans and projects in the mix.

I added two more skeins of yarn/colorways to the shop today too, so make sure to take a look. They are both a semi solid kettle dye like the yarn I added on Friday. But pink and rusty red.

Anyway, that’s all for right now. The loom is calling my name very loudly today and I need to get a few more things done before I can play.

On a random note, I totally lost access to my computer on Friday and was unable to use it until Saturday. It was really scary and I thought it was broken/I was locked out for good. (my user account was deleted somehow when my computer died and I was unable to log in). Jason came to the resuce and all was saved. We are still going to take a trip to the apple store tomorrow though. For some reason we can’t get it to charge – so I’m plugged in at all time.  But between that and server issues I was unable to get a post up on Craft Leftovers (I was starting work on it right as I lost my computer on Friday night). So lame. I’ve given up for the Friday post and will just start anew on Monday.

Have a good Sunday!
Kristin

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So why have a let my shops fall into disrepair? Well a few reasons. In the beginning it was simply the fact that I didn’t have enough time. I was stretching myself too thin. And now I’m not (at least not nearly as much) so what’s the hold up? Well, disorganization is a huge factor. Since it’s been awhile since the last update I’m not sure what I have, what needs to be added, what I could make, where all my supplies are. I mean, I know what I have in the shop right now, but when it came time to renew, I realized maybe somethings that were inactive listings had been given as gifts, while others just needed corrections in the listings.

I want to get back on the straight and narrow and start updating regularly again. It’s fun, I enjoy it. And now it’s officially part of my primary source of income so I better take myself and my business more seriously. Up until now it’s been a nice suplementary income, but now it’s more important than ever that I do (take it seriously and update regularly. Expenses keep piling up in general.

I’m starting with Green Prairie Fibers, then working on the Craft Leftovers shop, and then the Kro Studio shop.

My plan for Green Prairie Fibers:

1) Organize – inventory, policies, supplies

2) New Look – banner, tags, business cards, gift cards

3) Photograph new yarns and new photos of old yarns that need updating since my photo skills have improved.

4) Make more stitch markers – I’m finally getting the hang of it and can’t wait to get some better ones listed.

5) Green Prairie Fibers Patterns – socks, bags, shawls, hats, mittens, and scarves will be on the upcoming list to write and add.

6) Finish first woven fabrics and add to the shop – I had to put my weaving on hold because of only having access to a spinning wheel for a limited time and I’m ready to dress my loom and get started again.

7) Knit and crochet more with my own yarns.

The last one on the list is one I’m especially looking forward to, haha. But seriously, I think I lost sight of how important it is to work with the yarns that I dye. It allows quality control for one and creative process for another (it’s hard to know what a dyeing pattern will pool/varigate like when knit just by looking at a skein of it). And egotisticly, it’s one of my favorite yarn brands and is always in my favorite colors. And if I want to write patterns for the shop, well, it should be made from Green Prairie Fibers yarn don’t you think?

The market bag pattern that I’ve been going on about will be the first and then two simple sock patterns (free with purchase of sock yarn) – one is toe up and one is toe down.

So today I added a new yarn that I hadn’t listed yet, it’s a semi solid orange that I kettle dyed. Because it’s kettle dyed instead of hand painted and semi solid instead of multicolored it’s priced a little lower than my other yarns. You should take a look at it. This dk merino yarn has great yardage – 400 yards per skein.

And then I redid the banner to match the new tags (shown above):

And now I’m going to delve into making sure that what I have in my “in the shop” bin is actually in the shop.

In other news I finished the bella mittens for my friend Emily yesterday and they are now blocked and drying. I’ll take a picture of them on Sunday before I pack them up. And I did a big studio purge/clean up/organize (which is #1 on the list of the all the shops – getting my supplies and stock into easily acessible order). I’m feeling pretty good about these thing and am looking forward to more shop sucesses. It always seems like when I dedicate myself to it (etsy), I do really well. So I just need to be diligent and keep on top of things.

My folks are coming in to town tomorrow, so I won’t be posting, maybe on Sunday though.

See you all soon!
Kristin

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This is the start of the second market bag. I am feeling pretty good about this pattern as I am taking detailed notes and typing it up as I go along. I should be able to get this done tomorrow I think.

Here are my worsted socks in all their in progress unblocked glory. As I’m sitting here I’m thinking to myself, geeze those would be nice to have on. My feet are cold!

And here is Jason’s mittens that I’ve been working on all winter. I feel guilty that I don’t have them finished yet. I wanted to have them done by Christmas, but I was working too much to allow it. At least he will have a nice pair to look forward to this fall.

I am in the process of updating my ravelry project and stash page. I think it might help me get a handle on things. I cleaned up my studio last night, really organized and went through things and I realized that I have litereally a whole box of yarn that I really don’t care to ever knit or crochet with. I’m not sure what to do about it. My Craft Leftovers asthetic tells me there is a project perfect for every yarn, but honestly, I’m just sick of it. Like I’ve knit with as much as I can and I’m just tired of the colors and such.

I have a whole bag of vintage mohair and I really, well, I don’t like mohair. There. I said it. It’s itchy and hairy and sheds those itchy hairy hairs everywhere. I’m sure I’m just having an oversight that can’t think of something nice. I can think of things that would look nice, but feel nice is a different story. Seriously? do you have an idea for it? I’m okay with Mohair blends – like Lamb’s Pride is nice – but this is 100% and from the 80′s – so not so soft and wonderful as some of today’s mohair yarns. Hmm. I should just make that my next challenge for myself. What to do with 6 skeins of mohair I don’t particularly care for. Oh and they are black, tan, and mustard yellow. I would say little cute striped mohair cropped sweater…. maybe… maybe I could wear a fitted long sleeve t under it? I don’t know, what are your thoughts on mohair?

Okay. I need to get out of here and run to the post office (hooray- 2 orders to send out today) and grocery store and then to teach beginning crochet at the Rose Tree. Busy busy busy – I love it!

See you all later!
Kristin

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And that is the studio sludge. Why do I put off doing even the things I enjoy (crocheting a market bag?) I don’t think I’ll ever know. For me, today, at least, it helped to go with the flow of things and now I’m back on track.

So first off, the yarn on the wheel wasn’t too successful. It looked nice at first:

But then it broke, and kept breaking. Too much twist:

Maybe I’ll try it again with thinner strips. Maybe not.

Then I tried it on the spindle and had spun a few feet in just a matter of minutes.

So looking at this post that I saw on Green Upgrader and mentioned on CL I was inspired to give this a try and the plan is that as I fill a spindle of it I will knit or crochet it into a curtain for my studio (i just want something that abstracts the view a bit because school kids walk by often and they always stare at me). It would just be for the lower half of the window. I thought about making two of the lacey sheers from Mason Dixon Knitting (book 1), so if this doesn’t work out I’ll probably go back to that idea (just make two).

Then the other thing is that I worked out a solution for the Woven Rug and posted all about it on cl last night. Here is it being used by Molly – She’s sleeping on it right now too – it’s officially her’s.

And her is it just on it’s own:

Oh and another side note: I’m looking to redo my knitting basket, any thoughts on mending, fixing redoing? I posted about it today on CL too (woe hoe hoe! 2 posts on cl in one day? and a blog post here? yes! that’s how I’m rolling this week). It’s in pretty sad shape.

So now on the list to do -

1. Finish crocheted Market Bag (I made this one and now need to repeat the process for the second and third with different yarns for students to see and make)

2. Take pictures of yarn for Green Prairie Fibers

3. Clean up the studio/apartment

Oh and I’m meeting a friend at 6pm at Borders, so I might just maybe splurge and buy a crochet book – I haven’t decided. And I get a break from working/home so that’s always nice. It’s good to get out of the studio at least every once and awhile.

Tomorrow I’m going to try to make some fish and chips for dinner and then we are all going to the pub for some $1 pints. Two social things two nights in a row? Crazy!

The week after I send out clm is always my most chill week of the month though, so it’s good I’m taking advantage of it a little bit.

See you all later!
Kristin

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Here is a quick list of new things (with quick pictures):

1. New self portrait that sucks a little less than the last one.

2. I cut my hair (and you can also see how bad the above self portait is by seeing what I really look like):

3. I got a hippo in a trade for yarn – it is so freaking awesome! – from Fun Is Always In Style.

4. I dyed yarn (it will go in the shop this week coming up) – I tried a new hand painting method and I really like how it turned out:

5. I’m knitting some mittens for my friend Emily:

6. I rearranged my studio:

7. I am making progress on my Scrap Quilt:

8. I started a new pair of socks:

9. I figured out what I want to do for my sweater and am making progress on it again.

10. I’ve been spinning.

11. I received this great zine/kit bundle and am now a member of the diy weavers club!

12. I organized my hooks and needles.

And that concludes the pictorial list of things. In other non picture news:

1. I worked my last day at the chocolate shop last week – I’m still on call so if they need me, I will if possible – but I’m not on the schedule anymore and that’s a big step in the right direction.

2. I’m now teaching fiber art classes at the octagon, knitting at the WorkSpace, and crochet at the RoseTree – hooray!

3. I’m working on a secret article project for one of my favorite magainzes.

4. I received a copy of the book I have a project in this past week – giveaway, preview, and more details coming soon

5. I’m working on my own book – I’m hoping to have a prototype to show around at the end of March if not sooner.

6. Kro Studio is well underway to get a good work over visually with business cards, newsletter, and fliers (for classes), so that is super exciting, I can’t wait.

7. The Sewing Rebellion is going to 2 times a month next month! the second and forth sunday of each month.

8. Food poisoning two weekend in a row! I need to get a little insulated bag for things I pick up while I’m out and about so I don’t let them spoil before eating – it’s not -20 anymore where they are okay after being in my bag all day! Hummus the first time and Brie the second.

9. I’m starting a garden in my friend’s yard and we are doing the first planning of it tonight.

10. I updated my class list for the upcoming quarter (March – May). There are many new classes and exciting things, plus I put just about everything into google calender so you can click though that too! I don’t have all the specifics yet (cost and material fees for instance), but will add them as I get info verified.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Ahhhhh, okay, big breath. I think that pretty much gets us up to speed on everything. Now I feel free to post little random updates each day. I don’t feel like there is so much to catch up on. I might extrapulate on some of the above topics too. Especially the process/story of the sweater, which is pretty funny I think and deserves a post all it’s on.

So I will see you soon and am happy to get back into blogging again. I sure was missing it while i was going through this crazy time of “exhilarating and exhausting”

See you soon!
Kristin

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I’m really excited about this as I really love the Rose Tree Fiber shop and really respect Rosemary. I feel really honored that she asked me to teach at her store.

It’s been a crochet week for me for sure. All these things kind of lined up on their own, but I also just posted a “how to crochet” post on Craft Leftovers on Friday!

And, I’m working on making up a mosaic scarf (Craft Leftovers Pattern) this weekend to double check the pattern and the yarn requirements because I’m going to start offering the kits in the shop on Tuesday! It’s just funny how much crochet has been going on in the studio lately, I like it.

And after I finish that, I’m going to jump right into finishing off the pattern for tomorrow – a crocheted hat with a knit rib!

I’m also finishing up my tutorial that will be in CRAFT vol 11, very exciting. A busy day for sure! And what fun too, all in the studio!

Yesterday was more of a office work type day. I finally corrected and reposted the Lady Moss Mittens pattern and I set up and made a donate button for Craft Leftovers. There were other boring office type things yesterday, but those were purely paper work blah stuff.

Oh this is the donate button, what do you think?

I’m going to work on getting all my past patterns spruced up and in pdf format and one of the things I’ve been kicking around is having a suggested donation price for each pattern. Ranging from like $1 – $5 depending on the complexity. Just put it out there and see what happens.

Well, I’m going to get back to work crocheting away!

Have a good Sunday afternoon!
++ Kristin Roach ++

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