Mar
March Newsletter
New Product In Store: Imperial Stock Ranch Yarn
Right before Stitches we got a great shipment of new yarns from Imperial Stock Ranch. The Imperial Stock Ranch is a family owned and operated ranch located on more than 30,000 acres of Oregon’s beautiful high desert where you’ll find resident populations of elk, deer, antelope, gamebirds and fish. It is on this vast landscape that their stewardship practices — of the land, of the animals and of their family — are cultivated and the strong foundation of our business has been forged.
Once a year, they harvest the soft, white wool from the sheep and begin the process of transforming this naturally renewable resource into a wide selection of fibers and yarns. All of their wool is specially milled without harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures, leaving it comfortable, soft and pure. Custom colored to reflect the ranch’s unique high-desert landscape, Imperial Stock Ranch yarns and fibers offer knitters, weavers and other fiber artists a naturally beautiful array of hues, textures and weights. You won’t find Imperial Stock Ranch wool in any other yarn on the market. They are a USA wool product.
The Imperial Stock Ranch has received numerous awards for excellence in stewardship and land-management practices. Chalk it up to a 140 year tradition of responsible stock raising and mindful land guardianship. You can read more about their commitment to sustainability Here, and of course find out more about how their yarns are made Here. Come into the shop and see examples of each of their yarn lines and peruse their elegant patterns written by Leigh Radford.
Some new classes…
Learn the basics of protein fiber dyeing using easy, nontoxic dyes such as powdered drink mixes and food coloring. Each student will have several small skiens and wool roving to bring home to felt or knit. $40 pp
Meet the Artist
This newsletter’s featured artist is Matney Paine of YoKNITS! YoKNITS (which stands for the knitting term Yarn Over) is run from her home in Colorado, where she spends most of her time raising her two children. Matney is a self-taught knitter of 8 years creating handmade scarves and hand-spun yarn for many special and unique people….Read More
New FREE Pattern at Urban Fauna Studio!
We love our local knitting group, Purl Jam! They’re regular fun at Fiber Club Night and we learn so much from them. Tracey Kay recently published a FREE Ravelry hat pattern “Fenced In”. A cozy toque/beanie with chain link fence cables. Knit in the round from the brim up. The pattern is offered in 3 sizes for bulky weight yarn….modeling it are the Purl Jammers themselves. We’re offering free printed copies (thank you Tracey!) at the shop with any purchase of bulky knit yarn! Jam on down to the shop….and make yourself this fun hat!
Upcoming Shows
The Festival brings residents, neighbors and friends together for a day of entertainment, music, dancing, and good food. It doesn’t matter whether you’re from Glen Park or Glendora – you’ll feel like part of the neighborhood. The Glen Park Festival is a great time and a great cause! Urban Fauna Studio will be hosting a FREE make and take project! We hope you’ll come out and say “Hi!” and enjoy this family friendly community event! Sunday April 25th 10AM – 4:30PM on Diamond Street More info here
Mar
Meet The Artist: YoKNITS Yarn
We want you meet Matney Paine of YoKNITS! YoKNITS (which stands for the knitting term Yarn Over) is run from her home in Colorado, where she spends most of my time raising my two children. Matney is a self-taught knitter of 8 years creating handmade scarves and hand-spun yarn for many special and unique people. All the handmade, homemade, handknit, handsewn, handfelted, hand-dyed, hand-spun items on YOKNITS are one of a kind. let’s find out more about her business…
How long have you been running your fiber art business and what inspired you to do this for a living?
I started out as a self-taught knitter, selling my knit items at craft fairs and local events for about 7 years. Then I just made a sudden shift to spinning after being mentored for 2 mos. In the rhythm and technique. I have been spinning yarn for 11 mos.
What part of your work do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy sitting at the wheel of course, but I also enjoy the response to my work. I feel like people have been really great and easy to work with and it keeps me inspired to make yarn for someone to create with.
What part of your work do you enjoy the least?
I do not really enjoy the smell of wet wool.
What styles, artists, designers do you find more inspiring and why?
I enjoy so many different types of art. Lately I have been really into photographs of stacked teacups…and certain vintage yellows that tend to catch my eye. Dresses from the 1930’s….I really adore anyone who can photograph halos well.
Being self-employed can be hard to maintain motivation. What do you do to keep the creativity flowing in your everyday work?
Double shot lattes
What blogs/magazines/books do you like to read?
I like to search blogs by images, I love stumbling into someone’s life and reading about their personal experience. I think it is amazing that so many people are part of the cyber blog roll world….I have an ego about reading, in that I feel like I already had all of “those” ideas.
Do you have any hobbies other then fiberarts?
Mostly I raise my two blue-eyed children babes in the Colorado Mountains, and I tend to flow in and out with the seasonal hobbies. I have a love hate relationship with my sewing machine….. And I am going to learn to Clog this year!
Now that I am a responsible adult with children of my own I laugh sometimes at the all too famous word from my mother, and an assumed many other mothers, “Someday when you are grown up you will understand”….My deepest ambition as a adult…is really just to be ballerina, if not literally, somehow subconsciously.
Anything new on the horizon for your business?
I just want to keep it spinning!
Thanks Matney! Be sure to visit her online at www.etsy.com/shop/YOKNITS
Feb
Sweet Treat from Cocoknits
How do you keep your fingers warm and your ice cream cold while eating directly out of the pint? You check out the website of Julie Weisenberger aka Cocoknits, who has offered this easy and fast pattern for a knit and felted pint cozy! Download the FREE PATTERN HERE
Thanks Julie for letting us re-post this fun and east knit. Now go buy yourselves some delicious Ben and Jerry’s. Blas loves Chubby Hubby (ironic, we know) and Jamie loves Cherry Garcia….yum! What’s your favorite flavor?
Feb
Fun-guys and Woolly Gals
New Product In Store: Mountain Meadow Wool
Some fun new classes coming up…
Learn the basics of protein fiber dyeing using easy, nontoxic dyes such as powdered drink mixes and food coloring. Each student will have several small skiens and wool roving to bring home to felt or knit. $40 pp
Meet the Artist
This newsletter’s featured artist is Midnightsky Fibers. Midnightsky Fibers opened January 2006 and uses natural and nontoxic dyes and mordants to create one of a kind yarns and fibers. Jenn is the fiber artist behind Midnightsky Fibers....Read More
MaryJane’s Attic Yarns in New Kira K Pattern!
Tension Magazine has just released a new pattern by Kira K, Centrifugal. The spiral design of this hat creates the illusion of centrifugal force pushing outward from the center down to the serrated lower edge. This is a simple pattern with a stunning payoff, and was developed using hand dyed O-Wool by Jamie (Mary Jane’s Attic).
Upcoming Shows
Feb
Meet the Artist: Midnightsky Fibers
Midnightsky Fibers is an UFS artist based in Seattle, Washington. This eco-concious company is run by owner-creator Jenn Wisbeck. Many of the yarns are vegan, and the company also reuses water, uses nontoxic dyes and mordants, and supports other green businesses when possible. Let’s find out more about Jenn and Midnightsky’s story….
How long have you been running your fiber art business and what inspired you to do this for a living?
I have been doing this since I graduated high school and all through college, paralegal certification, and now I do it full time! I switched to only natural dyes after interning for 9 months with Earthues, a natural dye studio in Seattle, WA.
What part of your work do you enjoy the most?
Getting to be creative. I don’t do large lots or repeat colors, though my training is in color matching. I like to keep everything a bit unexpected and unusual but still totally useable. I like yarns and patterns that are clever for easy to work with.
What part of your work do you enjoy the least?
There is a very good reason I have 2 accountants, can we just leave it at that? In all seriousness, the financial aspect isn’t too bad, most of it is automated. Most of the legal and financial stuff I would be dealing with even if I didn’t run a business though! Besides that, I hate going to the post office! The one right by me closed, and the other ones nearby have terrible parking.
What styles, artists, designers do you find more inspiring and why?
Elizabeth Zimmerman for clever yet simple construction and seamless sweaters.
Being self-employed can be hard to maintain motivation. What do you do to keep the creativity flowing in your everyday work?
I must live a charmed life-I don’t really have an “every day”, or week even for that matter! Working on planning classes and patterns motivates me for the type of yarn I want to spin and dye for. I also don’t work to the point of insanity- yes, I have the long days, but I take days off, go on vacation.
What blogs/magazines/books do you like to read?
I have over 1,000 blog posts in my blog reader every day. Really, I read a bit of everything.
Do you have any hobbies other then fiberarts?
Boating, kayaking, metalwork…but really, most of what I do relates, even if only tangentaly, to fiber.
Anything new on the horizon for your business?
Start looking for my patterns- they are mostly only available to yarn stores and yarnies, but they are a great resource for people who want to buy a pattern license and not need to buy patterns over and over or who don’t have the time to design or have designed a pattern for their shop/yarn/kit.
Thanks Jenn! Be sure to come by the studio and check out Jenn’s newest products which include naturally dyed rovings, batts and yarns!
Jan
January Newsletter
Image courtesy of Imperial Yarn
We also have several new Louet wheels at the shop, a Louet drum carder, and a new Mach 2 in stock. All available for rental or purchase. Take them for a spin and pick out a Valentine’s Day Gift early!
Learn to love fiber craft:
We’ve added more classes for February and March! Learn the basics or move to the next level, we have classes for everyone. Register now so you can ensure your space in one of these fun intimate workshops…
Saturday 1.23 Learn to Nuno Felt a Great Neck warmer - 2 spaces left
Nuno felted fabric can be used for a variety of projects including quilt squares, scarf making, jewelry, mittens or apparel. The beginning nuno felt class is a great starting point for learning how to make flat felt fabric. $40 pp
Saturday 1.30 Beginning Knitting - 3 spaces left
You’ll learn how to cast on stitches, knit, and purl as well as some simple stitch patterns that work well for scarves. Make a hand knit scarf to keep warm on these rainy days! $26 pp
Saturday 1.30 Fix-It Clinic
Bring your knitting and crochet problems in for diagnosis and first aid. Our resident knitting and crochet expert can help you start a new project, untangle an old one, or learn a new skill. $26 pp
Monday 2.01 FREE Fiber Club Nigh at The Old Jerusalem Cafe
Join us at our montly hangout the Old Jerusalem Cafe! Drop in and bring a fiber craft of your choice to work on. Now meeting on the first Monday of every month. FREE
Tuesday 2.02 DIY Sweethat knit or crochet
Know the basics of either knitting or crochet and want some expert help with making that first hat? Sign up for the Sweethat class! Class meets on two Tuesday evenings. $52 pp
Saturday 02.06 KTTG #6: Survey of Knitted Lace – 4 spaces left
Interested in lace knitting but scared? With the guidance of Kira you will be able to tackle a variety of patterns by learning how to read them and confidently take on those new lace patterns.
Tuesday 3.02 Beginning Crochet
In this two-part class you’ll learn the basic stitches while making a cute stuffed bunny and also start a crocheted scarf. Class meets on two Tuesday evenings. $52 pp
Saturday 3.06 KTTG #7: Understanding and Correcting Knitting Mistakes
Learn how recognize and fix many common knitting mistakes and avoid making them in the first place. This class will make you more confident when trying new techniques! $26 pp
Saturday 3.06 Intermediate Knitting
Bring your knitting to the next level with this skills workshop designed to move you from a beginning knitter to an intermediate knitter.
Sunday 3.07 Spinning on a Drop Spindle
Ever wondered how yarn is made? In this class you will be given a brief overview of spinning and what can be spun. You will work up to spinning with a drop spindle. All supplies included. $40 pp
Saturday 3.13 Learn to Weave with a Cricket Loom - 3 spaces left
We sold out so quick for our first section we brought it back for March! This class will teach the basics of weaving with a table top rigid heddle loom. Registration includes a brand new cricket loom and instruction. $210
Saturday 3.20 Needle Felted Bird
Needlefelting, an exciting and easy dry felting method. You get to pick from a rainbow of colors to make your bird. $16 pp
Every month we will be giving you a closer look at our Artist Community. The studio carries products from artists and designers we love and we hope to share some of their story with you. This month we feature Kira Dulaney of Kira K Designs. Kira is a Bay Area resident who learned the basics of crochet around age three and knitting around five. She studied theatrical costume design and worked as a costume designer in and around San Francisco for several years. Her research in historical clothing is a strong influence in her design sense, and many of her patterns reference styles from the 1920s through the 1960s….read more
Jan
Meet the Artist: Kira K Designs
Kira Dulaney first learned the basics of crochet around age three and knitting around five. Her attention soon moved to cross stitch, sewing, and other crafty pursuits, then she re-taught herself to knit while in college. She studied theatrical costume design and worked as a costume designer in and around San Francisco for several years. The research she has done in historical clothing is a strong influence on her design sense, and many Kira K Designs patterns reference styles from the 1920s through the 1960s. Her designs tend toward garments with clean lines and intriguing details that are interesting to knit and easy to wear. Kira is also a great teacher! So lets learn a little bit more about Kira in this fun interview:
How long have you been running your fiberarts business and what inspired you to do this for a living?
I started self-publishing patterns in early 2007, so it’s been almost three years now. I’d been designing patterns for most of my own knitting and crochet projects for a couple years and people were always asking me for the patterns, but of course I changed things as I went and didn’t take any notes. Eventually I decided to write my patterns down and try selling them. I started very small and slow and learned about the business side of things as I went. I’ve been teaching classes on knitting and crochet for about 5 years now, and starting teaching sewing classes one year ago.
What part of your work do you enjoy the most?
I love when all the elements of a design come together. I’m always making notes about different shapes, stitches, and yarns that I’d like to try, and eventually a silhouette, stitch pattern, and yarn all click together into a cohesive design.
What part of your work do you enjoy the least?
I have really high standards for myself, and I’m devastated whenever errata is found in one of my patterns. I know that it’s natural to have a small mistake here or there, but I still feel terrible about it.
What styles, artists, designers do you find more inspiring and why?
I used to work in theater designing and building costumes, and styles from the 1920s through the 1960s have a big influence on me. I don’t do straight reproduction work, but many of the silhouettes and details from that time find their way into my designs. I really don’t follow fashion that much, but I always keep an eye out for interesting styles that I see on the street.
Being self-employed can be hard to maintain motivation. What do you do to keep the creativity flowing in your everyday work?
Time is more of a problem for me than motivation. There is always so much to do and even though knitting is a necessary part of my work, it sometimes feels lazy to sit and knit for hours.
What blogs/magazines/books do you like to read?
I really only follow the blogs of friends, because it can take too much time keeping up with lots of different blogs. I read Spin-Off magazine and also Bitch and Bust. I like Neil Gaiman’s novels, and lately I’ve been reading non-fiction by Sarah Vowell and Mary Roach.
Do you have any hobbies other then fiberarts?
I love to cook and bake, especially when I can share the results with a table full of friends.
Anything new on the horizon for your business?
I have patterns in the spring 2010 issues of Tension Magazine and Interweave Crochet. I’ve recently starting working with a distributor, so my self-published patterns should be showing up in many more yarn shops across the country soon.
Jan
Fig Preserves
Disclaimer: I am not by any stretch of the imagination a food blogger….that aside I hope you enjoy our tiny adventures in cooking!
2 pounds firm ripe figs (makes sure they are as fresh and unblemished as possible)
2.5 cups granulated
1 cup water
Directions:
Wash the figs thoroughly in a large pot or bowl of cool tap water. Drain well then wash again. Drain well and trim off stems. Combine all ingredients in a quart stainless steel saucepan.
Bring to boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. Continue boiling. There should be some yellowish foam from the surface of the mixture and you should try to skim it off. (Note: I didn’t see much myself and barely skimmed it much.) This will take about 10 minutes to do as the yellow foam continues to develop. A less dense purple foam may also develop; this does not require skimming. Reduce heat to med. and cook about 30-40 minutes, stirring and scraping the pan bottom occasionally so mixture will not scorch. Skim any additional foam as it develops. By the end of the cooking time, the mixture should be very thick and most if not all of the figs should be reduced to a puree. Cool it off and put in the fridge or eat.
It’s so so yummy on toasted bread with caramelized red onions and even a little goat cheese….now how easy was that?
Dec
Holiday Shopping at Urban Fauna Studio and Handspun Revolution Gallery Show
Thanks to everyone who came to the annual Holiday Party! We had a great time seeing you, crafting, knitting, felting, sewing and eating yummy homemade treats! We are truly grateful to have the gift of community, YOU make our holidays worth celebrating! Michael of www.michaeljeong.com generously offered to take photos of the event. Click here to view a photo album of the party. If you have any additional photos to share please upload them to our Flickr Group. We look forward to celebrating with you next year!
GIFT GUIDE FOR THE FIBER LOVER: $30 AND UNDER
We know there are few days left in the holiday season. If you need to get last minute items for the fiber lover in your life….or the soon-to-be fiber enthusiast, consider coming by the shop during our special extended hours! At the shop right now we have:
Luxury Handspun Yarn Sampler by Irene Andersson of Sweden. Each mini skein is approximately 5.5 yards. Ten skeins total, each a different combination of fibers (silk, mohair, angora, rare wool varieties, etc…). Meticulously hand dyed in a rainbow of colorways, handspun and labeled. $20 ea box
THE REVOLUTION HAS STARTED….UFS Is Here to Help!
************* IN SHOP COUPON *****************
Extended Holiday Hours This Week
Monday 11 – 7PM
Tuesday 11 – 7PM
Wednesday 11 – 7PM
Dec
Everlasting Woodland Terrarium Winner!
And the winner is….
Comment #5!
Rena contact us and let us know how you would like to collect your kit! Thanks to everyone who played along!
