tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84103722711319779512024-03-13T05:21:07.498-07:00The Yarn KitchenThinking out loud from 'The Yarn Kitchen' at Skeinz.com where yarn is created, not made.Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-58941993910261799922016-07-20T18:23:00.000-07:002016-07-20T18:23:55.601-07:00On Show.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8403/8746131152_8a525fc3ec_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8403/8746131152_8a525fc3ec_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Met these characters at the Wairoa Show - they were young cowboys in the making!</td></tr>
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The A & P Show is as quintessentially kiwi as it gets. Every agricultural nation have their spin on their community getting together to celebrate what it is they do best, but for us it's the A&P Show.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQng4jX-qdWtrxZQOVsUHJztMSNBG03yA8DGFCVBQ1l12C8k80tEkdMzlWNl41Os9vg286w57DsWZi4L7m725dcm56rfvbY8DaMkPXhsV-btYgx32kTY_GrBBQiFIoOqjnhUWg5yAzGasd/s1600/Hawkes+bay+on+Show.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQng4jX-qdWtrxZQOVsUHJztMSNBG03yA8DGFCVBQ1l12C8k80tEkdMzlWNl41Os9vg286w57DsWZi4L7m725dcm56rfvbY8DaMkPXhsV-btYgx32kTY_GrBBQiFIoOqjnhUWg5yAzGasd/s1600/Hawkes+bay+on+Show.png" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisESebq9x-id6EpPWh-Rain1zFiy06YX7mnNHWjR9t1X0SplOaAnLANoYZMRSpjISj-L6xO_pNJ2oTr9q6yO7UGvH3vLURmuvwGh-nLFN2noz0XlqjC8YrqFYXCx4IivHUy_b8vHaqEybS/s1600/HB+Royal+Show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisESebq9x-id6EpPWh-Rain1zFiy06YX7mnNHWjR9t1X0SplOaAnLANoYZMRSpjISj-L6xO_pNJ2oTr9q6yO7UGvH3vLURmuvwGh-nLFN2noz0XlqjC8YrqFYXCx4IivHUy_b8vHaqEybS/s200/HB+Royal+Show.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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As children we flocked to the show, extorted money off the grandparents and tolerated being dragged around the stock exhibits and home industries so we could then hare off to the amusements to make ourselves sick on rides and lurid coloured drinks. Now as a parent I can attest, not much has changed, but what has changed is our appreciation of what goes on at the Show, what is celebrated and also participating myself in those elements I couldn't give much time for before.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A&P Show's celebrate all the elements and primary industries that are vital to our local communities.</td></tr>
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The hardest thing about hosting such an event is that juggle between tradition and relevance. About making the event something that celebrates the generations who have been before, but also speak to the generations and future generations attending now.<br />
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I see this working in an industry which is hundreds of years old and have loved seeing the refreshed interest in all things home, craft and most importantly hand made. Driven by social media and the ability to easily share what you do to a wider audience. As someone who has always participated in the domestic arts, it's really nice to be able to come out from the shadows and share my knowledge to a wider audience on social media. The Home Industries section at the A&P Show has been one of those few places where we can physically display what it is we do. It's where you can see all the wonderful things created in 'real life' and not on a screen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1145/5098601234_1e61257210_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1145/5098601234_1e61257210_b.jpg" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Boy's are Show veterans, this is them years ago checking out an Alpaca exhibit. </td></tr>
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So this year I am so thrilled to be appointed the new section head of the Hawkes Bay HandMADE section - encompassing our local craftspeople and domestic artisans. This year our goal is to encourage all this cleaver people who are creating sharing such beautiful work online to enter and display their work at the Show. Taking the workmanship from behind the LCD screen to larger than life, full HD colour and you could get rewarded for your efforts. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/79005608/Chunky_Capelet_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/79005608/Chunky_Capelet_medium2.jpg" height="335" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many entries I have made over the years</td></tr>
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<br />
Entering is so easy and you also get free entry and car parking to come and attend the show. Have a look at the revamped schedule of classes <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/site/skeinz/files/2016%20Royal%20Show%20Schedule%20-%20HandMADE%20Community.pdf">HERE</a> and downloaded your entry form <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/site/skeinz/files/2016%20Royal%20Show%20HandMADE%20Entry%20Form.pdf">HERE</a> and give it a go!Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-61613290525000252082016-06-12T19:32:00.001-07:002016-06-12T19:32:46.365-07:00Top Tips for Selecting the Perfect Yarn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://instagram.fwlg1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t51.2885-15/e35/13380866_244258229288486_1495917529_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://instagram.fwlg1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t51.2885-15/e35/13380866_244258229288486_1495917529_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A baby cardigan in Silver Lining Merino - Bell Bush</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
I find that the compulsion to start an new project comes from one of three reasons: an occasion, a stunning pattern or luscious yarn. New babies are the best reason to get the needles working away and is still the number reason someone will get started again after a break from the needles or hooks. Also knit design has come ahead in leaps and bound in recent years, with patterns vastly more accessible and fashionable and that goes without saying all those beautiful yarns which you can get in every glorious colour, texture and thickness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmapO7udS4reGZ62XksAbD3GUSKbuJjXkmsaEZQU9ZQd-sDtlDv4YYHnR5n4-dTPk7vtEL0dmxSyYJkMfRwS7cChlXXS6u-v_TGziIk8XY7N6lgJlUAMVmDpxqMcuW1jri6sWmMi8w74Pa/s1600/SL+CFW+Prize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmapO7udS4reGZ62XksAbD3GUSKbuJjXkmsaEZQU9ZQd-sDtlDv4YYHnR5n4-dTPk7vtEL0dmxSyYJkMfRwS7cChlXXS6u-v_TGziIk8XY7N6lgJlUAMVmDpxqMcuW1jri6sWmMi8w74Pa/s400/SL+CFW+Prize.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver Lining is incredibly soft and perfect for projects next to the skin.</td></tr>
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<div>
<b>So how do you select the right yarn for the job?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Tip One - </b><i>Swap 'Like for Like'</i><i>.</i></div>
<div>
Look at the yarns suggested in the pattern. If you choose, or are unable, to use the yarn suggested then look for a yarn that is similar. Compare the fibre content, texture, construction and length to find a good alternative. So if your pattern calls for a smooth DK wool yarn, look for other smooth DK wool yarns. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Tip Two</b> - <i>Natures Best.</i></div>
<div>
If you are knitting a garment for a baby - natural fibres are always the best option, wool is perfect for babies. Lighter weights are great for knitted layers, like singlets, and cardigans, whilst medium weights, like DK are great for jackets, longies blankets and sleeping bags. Softer yarns are best for infant skins, so Merino, Polwarth or superwash are great.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Tip Three</b> - <i>Wear without Tears.</i></div>
<div>
One of the most common questions we get asked is: Will this yarn pill?</div>
<div>
All yarns will pill if enough friction and movement is applied, so if you are knitting a garment that is going to see a lot of wear and rugged treatment select a yarn with higher twist, stronger fibres and knit to a firm tension. Examples being Skeinz Vintage and Southlander, these are my favourite all purpose wearing yarns. If you are knitting a shawl or cowl, something that won't experience too fraught or friction, then a yarn soft to wear against the skin is perfect. Burlesque or Terabyte are just perfect for these sorts of projects, super, super soft and won't experience too much wear and tear.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2ye1m7P0hPf1IzESA8wf1dRVTE3Ln2BIdKXElqSwl7BU4PtMmR3Q2P45-HyDM64OuEE1cmM375ckmqimb8PUDG1Bjio9H_Y-PraKDjlK6IkpX7K8z22JamfjgK-wMzskaZnzoIJ8XrYc/s1600/Orb+Fine+IG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2ye1m7P0hPf1IzESA8wf1dRVTE3Ln2BIdKXElqSwl7BU4PtMmR3Q2P45-HyDM64OuEE1cmM375ckmqimb8PUDG1Bjio9H_Y-PraKDjlK6IkpX7K8z22JamfjgK-wMzskaZnzoIJ8XrYc/s400/Orb+Fine+IG.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fine twist on twist Merino give excellent definition, softness and wear.</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Tip Four</b> - <i>Find your Flock</i></div>
<div>
Natural fibres all have various qualities and some of these reflect in how they act when they are stitched into a final project. If you are looking to knit a pattern with textured stitches, Aran cables or bobbles you need a yarn that will hold these stitches so they 'pop'. Traditionally these patterns were made with strong wools, which were 'lively' and held their structure when knitted. Wool is still the number one choice for these projects. If you want softness, drape or a floaty fabric, great with lace stitches then fine wool or blends of wool, Alpaca, Silk, Kid Mohair or even plant fibres like cotton or bamboo come into their own.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Tip Five</b> - <i>It all comes out in the wash.</i></div>
<div>
Super Wash versus Hand Wash - a raging debate for years to what is better. For me - I hand wash all my yarn garments, regardless of yarn type. I find it quicker, easier and it allows me to reblock/shape a garment more effectively. Super wash has the benefit of being more likely to survive a washing machine accident, it is often a smoother texture as it spun using shrink treated wool fibre and takes colour very well producing vibrant rich shades. Hand wash yarns have a lusciousness that gets lost in the shrinking process of the fibre and a 'grip' in the yarn which makes it perfect for textured stitching, and essential for fair isle projects, especially if they are being steeked. </div>
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<div>
The choice is yours.... but always remember the golden rule for absolute success...</div>
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<div>
Swatch, Swatch, Swatch!</div>
Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-10984712767868645822016-05-01T18:28:00.001-07:002016-05-01T18:28:44.762-07:00Knitting for the Sensory Special Child<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/96739577/Carno_Milo5_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/96739577/Carno_Milo5_medium2.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitting garments for my Sensory Special child was a challenge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you ever been caught out knitting a garment for a child
only to find that all your hard work is left wallowing in the bottom draw
because the recipient just can cope wearing your lovely garment?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s disheartening. It’s frustrating. It’s hard to fathom
why.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/297271209/11101983_1400171863637218_87772015_n_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/297271209/11101983_1400171863637218_87772015_n_medium.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see from the face - we were not happy at modelling this cowl against our skin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Working in yarn retail and manufacturing I am always hearing
the comment back from knitters that they can’t knit for children because the
complain that the: yarn is scratchy, it’s too thick, too tight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So why is it then some children wear hand knitted garments
with no fuss at all and others, even those in the same family, kick up enough
fuss that you’d think the world was about to end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ApdpvKzJ11j369Qrh6qnSI-12RWFyMHPNalxQ_HnTjBzTGlR_MWSKHAK4t6KT4bgV8WtPf_Kow1ggS4Eaqw325ioTK8G-GyJ7VWOX1oVGcAaG_9IRA3Mc0jw8oW0-ebClb_io1Uo90-3/s1600/Glass+Mountain+Louis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ApdpvKzJ11j369Qrh6qnSI-12RWFyMHPNalxQ_HnTjBzTGlR_MWSKHAK4t6KT4bgV8WtPf_Kow1ggS4Eaqw325ioTK8G-GyJ7VWOX1oVGcAaG_9IRA3Mc0jw8oW0-ebClb_io1Uo90-3/s400/Glass+Mountain+Louis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking much happier sporting one of my favourite 'go to' patterns</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The answer could be that these children have sensory issues
or if severe enough Sensory Processing Disorder. It is thought that as many as 1 in 20
children have SPD with a whopping 1 in 6 children experiencing sensory issues
that affect their day to day life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/29395209/Steggie_Milo_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/29395209/Steggie_Milo_medium2.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/milo-3">Milo by Tikki Knits </a>was our breakthrough pattern moment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">Sensory
Processing Disorder can affect people in only one sense–for example, just touch
or just sight or just movement–or in multiple senses. One person with SPD may
over-respond to sensation and find clothing, physical contact, light, sound,
food, or other sensory input to be unbearable. Another might under-respond and
show little or no reaction to stimulation, even pain or extreme hot and cold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In
children where clothing is concerned, they are the ones who have to have all
the tags removed, only cope with soft or well washed fabrics, and only tolerate
a few layers and just hate any outerwear touching the skin.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/29395160/Louis_Steggie_Milo_medium2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/29395160/Louis_Steggie_Milo_medium2.JPG" height="400" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milo ticked all the boxes - kept Louis warm, didn't touch his skin and could be customised to how he liked.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So how do you knit for a sensory child?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a son who has SPD, along with Autism Spectrum
disorder and a few other goodies. He is
our first born, so as a knitting mother I was so excited to be able to knit for
him. These are the tricks and
tips I have learned along the way when knitting for him and his developing
conditions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Step One – Pattern Selection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Choose<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Avoid<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Vests or knitted T-shirt
patterns<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
These keep the chest covered, but avoid contact with the neck or
wrists that can irritate SPD kids<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Collars or features with
direct skin contact.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Sweaters with shawl collars look so cute but send a sensory child
crazy with irritation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Smooth stitching, swap ribbing
for garter stitch.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Stocking stitch is safe, it’s smooth to wear and not to constrictive.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Textured or Aran stitches<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
The uneven texture of the stitching can feel like rough sandpaper for
the SPD child. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Finer gauge: Fingerling – Light Worsted<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
These produce a lighter fabric that is less constrictive to wear and
will regulate temperature better<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Thicker gauge: Worsted – Super
Bulky<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Feels too bulky or this to wear, especially if you have to add
another layer like a jacket in cooler climates.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Patterns worked in the round.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Top down, in the round vests are great. No seaming at all required. No sides seams
to irritate. <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Patterns that require a lot of
seaming.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Side seams, added collars, complicated shoulder shaping all create
seams that can be highly irritating – best to avoid.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Step Two – Yarn Selection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Choose<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Avoid<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Lighter yarns: Fingerling up
to Lt Worsted (DK)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
To create a lighter fabric for easier layering.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Produces a fabric that is lighter and easier to wear.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Thicker Yarns – from Worsted
onwards<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Make it difficult to layer, especially in cooler or wetter climates.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Smooth plied yarns or yarn
with higher twist.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
These yarns are less likely to pill, creating irritation<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Single roving yarns.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
These can pill very readily and these pills become quickly irritating
and distracting for SPD kids<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Finer micron fibres – like
Merino or Alpaca and their blends<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
These yarns are soft to the touch and will breathe and regulate
temperature better than synthetics<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 225.4pt;" valign="top" width="301"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>Wrap yarns with effect binders
or fluffy/eyelash yarns.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Add texture to the yarn which can add irritation. Eyelash or yarns with binders also gives
sensory kids something to pick at and unravel.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Step Three – Be Brave<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t get put off if you get deterred first time
around. Older children often like the
tactile process of selecting their own yarns and are move likely to wear them
if they have input in the choice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also if you find a pattern and yarn that works; repeat,
repeat, and repeat!<o:p></o:p></div>
Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-30585832066375961532016-03-30T17:37:00.000-07:002016-04-07T01:44:51.770-07:00The Naked Truth<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y3lQ6OS8xsoIwpwYQ5sGZA-GcxtKt5Xer6uWjOfAW8IpdpW5l4lKOtvKBR_OCo8_sWV1PTMHZgzk12Ft888ZvqW1eFZmfUtGrjfVY-ysjV7GxlTdqrHFo8_Gm3AdmfDwx_D4h2ZXOrto/s1600/Naked+Gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y3lQ6OS8xsoIwpwYQ5sGZA-GcxtKt5Xer6uWjOfAW8IpdpW5l4lKOtvKBR_OCo8_sWV1PTMHZgzk12Ft888ZvqW1eFZmfUtGrjfVY-ysjV7GxlTdqrHFo8_Gm3AdmfDwx_D4h2ZXOrto/s400/Naked+Gun.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image captured by Jacqui Bateman in 2010 is now been used in reaction to he new PETA campaign.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was bought to my attention this week that PETA is having another crack at the wool industry releasing a graphic new poster of a naked model posing with a bloodied lamb in an attempt to highlight the "rampant abuse" which they would have you believe was standard practice in modern shearing sheds.<br />
<br />
Twaddle<br />
<br />
Having grown up on a sheep and cattle station and spending many of my teenage hours working as a 'rousie' alongside these shearers, I never saw anything closely approaching anything they describe. With emphasis on fleece quality from textile & spinning markets (like us) and the demand from farmers to maintain healthy flocks - shearing gangs operating now are incredibly slick, professional, highly competitive teams who take pride their work, just as much as any other tradesperson.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/8/f/x/h/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.138fvq.png/1423346800048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/3/8/f/x/h/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.138fvq.png/1423346800048.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shearers are not only professionals, they're athletes and take their work very seriously.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Shearing is an important part of the care and welfare of farming sheep. Its important to help prevent insect infestation, keeping the animal cool in the hot summer months and keeping the weight of the fleece at a safe level in the winter months. Unshorn sheep can be come very laboured under the wool and water weight of a fleece that has not been removed annually.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/shrek-the-sheep-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.earthporm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/shrek-the-sheep-16.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whilst it makes great headlines when you find sheep such as Shrek, the reality is he's much happier and healthier freshly shorn, than not</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The SPCA in 2014 received 642 sheep related complaints - none of which were shearing related, in fact SPCA Regional Manager Sue Baudet said many of these complaints were because these sheep hadn't been shorn and were suffering in the heat<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGyl42O_jxR9gySmH9tf171VDMWyXM8SBhcWDVL-OPZXFputv9dk7Cji_pZXvTuBDmdV49mBVpiKAPkfunRpSlQkH-OD0dc60uV90KDr3UudeCYG6Wac4LUYoVLCIcfBivq8RlMawOfgF/s1600/Peta+Wool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGyl42O_jxR9gySmH9tf171VDMWyXM8SBhcWDVL-OPZXFputv9dk7Cji_pZXvTuBDmdV49mBVpiKAPkfunRpSlQkH-OD0dc60uV90KDr3UudeCYG6Wac4LUYoVLCIcfBivq8RlMawOfgF/s400/Peta+Wool.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most recent PETA poster - so inaccurate on so many levels I don't where to start.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I just get really sick of sensationalism for sensationalism sake. I am proud of the New Zealand wool industry and the level of genuine care, concern and passion that people working within the industry: farmers, shearers, brokers or manufacturers, have towards what we do. I guess the only message I can take from PETA's poor attempt at highlighting their misguided beliefs is that they would prefer petroleum based synthetic fibres because all that's hurting in it's process is the planet, and the planet doesn't have feelings right?Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-63353159195698578182016-03-23T18:05:00.003-07:002016-03-23T18:05:54.180-07:00Unwinding in Dunedin<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12748343_965335020223169_115789726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12748343_965335020223169_115789726_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Skeinz table at Unwind 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the things that is wonderful about my job is the ability to travel once a year to Dunedin to the Unwind Fibrecraft retreat and catch up with all things yarn, fabulous and awesome in the very fashion forward city of Dunedin. It's great to catch up with friends old and new and to be able to take down new yarns and get a southern spin on how things are done, loved, stitched and created. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12798141_1689872104609692_1039255457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12798141_1689872104609692_1039255457_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just some of the faces & Traders from Unwind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is an energy in Dunedin that is quite unique. A combination of culture, history, isolation, stubbornness and invention that gives Dunedin-nites a great outlook. The projects, colours and styles are quite different to what I usually see in the north and it helps me get inspired about new directions in The Yarn Kitchen.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12797948_700669303406355_284692532_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12797948_700669303406355_284692532_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The faces of Unwind 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Attending retreats is a great way to get to meet other yarnies with an equal amount of fervor as you and to also get inspired. You get to appreciate how clever we are as a nation and appreciate the fabric of people that go into making up our industry.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12825992_787591928051257_1214639931_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e35/12825992_787591928051257_1214639931_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the new yarns launched at Unwind - Queen Bee (Photo by Outlaw Yarn)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year we are really spoiled for yarn events. Unwind is in March and booked ended at the end of winter is Knit August Nights (of course) in Napier. Also on the calendar is the very success full Woolfest in West Auckland in late may and for those in the south WoolFeast in Christchurch in June (on Worldwide Knit in Public day no less). If you do get a chance to attend any of these events - do, and hopefully we will see you at one of them soon!<br />
<br />
<br />Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-17497255595599501322016-01-31T17:38:00.001-08:002016-01-31T17:38:41.815-08:00From our Yarn Kitchen to yours.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA14DOolXqcy86_v5X5esXJ1E8PoHijFr7GVzRgBb2kCiV-hlRPyL1y6g8aQKBPN6fE7xDV_mJfjn5gw24EPIL6IJlez46u6Jnr09qxXblH4fu54W_QZsVfSMJ3HE3Vs67Z8sV6f2-P9qE/s1600/Dye+Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA14DOolXqcy86_v5X5esXJ1E8PoHijFr7GVzRgBb2kCiV-hlRPyL1y6g8aQKBPN6fE7xDV_mJfjn5gw24EPIL6IJlez46u6Jnr09qxXblH4fu54W_QZsVfSMJ3HE3Vs67Z8sV6f2-P9qE/s400/Dye+Kitchen.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over flow from the heart of the Yarn Kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I love, love, love this time of year because it is when we have the entire year ahead of us and all there is to see is not just possibilities, but probabilities. All the ideas that percolate around from the previous year get some context and traction to turn into something tangible - they turn into yarn!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlMY5h2vp5sL-OD5slDAcbTCd63w84EY26OFHTdZEd7dO07gxVG1IgpVFbKpMNhdMWutlFiJVX0_rsjSRiKHwVVdEAgc4D62UsQNTNQp5nKRz6oIiqJ_c8BSFg8wAb9TWDENlEaxi_Nxw/s1600/Metro+Colours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlMY5h2vp5sL-OD5slDAcbTCd63w84EY26OFHTdZEd7dO07gxVG1IgpVFbKpMNhdMWutlFiJVX0_rsjSRiKHwVVdEAgc4D62UsQNTNQp5nKRz6oIiqJ_c8BSFg8wAb9TWDENlEaxi_Nxw/s400/Metro+Colours.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colour swatching for one of the yarns in production</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The process of concept to yarn can take months, even years. Making sure we a cooking up something that you would love to play with is vital, then we need to get our ingredients right, flavour it correctly and finally put in a workable package for you to go home and make some magic happen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BjtvOfsilZVI5zr3znxv3a_nxAoBknQQdeG9zHmNW_5Wdae_9NnsD20_hiHLpx8sHPx_LFYxns0Yif-OWtOFf6ET4aZayYSrqKQojENmdhmgHozK_6NAs4F8LAU7QsFF8qA6lchxjCVY/s1600/StevenBe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BjtvOfsilZVI5zr3znxv3a_nxAoBknQQdeG9zHmNW_5Wdae_9NnsD20_hiHLpx8sHPx_LFYxns0Yif-OWtOFf6ET4aZayYSrqKQojENmdhmgHozK_6NAs4F8LAU7QsFF8qA6lchxjCVY/s400/StevenBe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base yarn testing whilst watching StevenBe.tv</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This year I have two yarns currently in post production, which means they are about to leave the kitchen to come home with you, three in production and six in pre-production. That doesn't include the new colours also coming out in existing ranges and the other odd surprise along the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv42YBNCndMJR0ll52pAVCD_FkokJ2cXyfsek97E_TNlTvz2Gt8UPoS0B66B6vtFjuR64Hmk3wFSMpjI4cFp_XmF3-2yM1C8HJMOeKY3YA5PiuRdnbK3nFtJB1R3sycCzq0sSSOYeNUibC/s1600/Reels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv42YBNCndMJR0ll52pAVCD_FkokJ2cXyfsek97E_TNlTvz2Gt8UPoS0B66B6vtFjuR64Hmk3wFSMpjI4cFp_XmF3-2yM1C8HJMOeKY3YA5PiuRdnbK3nFtJB1R3sycCzq0sSSOYeNUibC/s400/Reels.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naked Yarn getting reeled into hanks.</td></tr>
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All of these yarns have been made from direct feed back from you. Your contributions to Facebook, through the website, talking to me at Unwind and KAN or popping into the shop and letting us know what you like, what you don't and what you's love to see more of. We also love seeing all the new Indie Yarn Kitchen's popping up using Naked Skeinz yarn. The flexibility, fluidity and imagination of what is being cooked up at home is truly inspirational and incredibly satisfying to see. This means more and more Naked Skeinz will be joining the fold to enable you to paint & create wonderfully individual yarns.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLZED89PC9aTBmWmEnEiqM25BRmd5qdNv_bTFou-V46M2hXpc0JVLCkM-hox7JD48KmlOAtlcC5YAf7G1B8iR52cCqkAXQ1qmEXZXAPFDqF2dF4KGiK9YEwMJlUYEZSUoJ6v7FbM2iB7w/s1600/Unwind+Chandalier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLZED89PC9aTBmWmEnEiqM25BRmd5qdNv_bTFou-V46M2hXpc0JVLCkM-hox7JD48KmlOAtlcC5YAf7G1B8iR52cCqkAXQ1qmEXZXAPFDqF2dF4KGiK9YEwMJlUYEZSUoJ6v7FbM2iB7w/s400/Unwind+Chandalier.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unwind in Dunedin 2015</td></tr>
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I will be travelling down to Unwind in a little over a month with Naked Skeinz in tow along with a few other goodies. I'd love to see what you are making in your yarn kitchen's, so pop by the Skeinz stand and say hello!Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-81655447148229105272015-12-08T14:51:00.001-08:002015-12-08T14:51:46.388-08:00Holiday Stitching<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ameivBMAps-lw975ECW5vu0T-tzQ5pOP62lnAlUqdG9U5zAsQZpdRiWIPNUS4Ufj-qSMIWfcLWkRHbvmSM9v9B5c-Nd9Wac58tmNwxQuP7dorOYvOLZnMhmhXLG9AnuNE6PSfVmN7bJ1/s1600/Heritage+festive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ameivBMAps-lw975ECW5vu0T-tzQ5pOP62lnAlUqdG9U5zAsQZpdRiWIPNUS4Ufj-qSMIWfcLWkRHbvmSM9v9B5c-Nd9Wac58tmNwxQuP7dorOYvOLZnMhmhXLG9AnuNE6PSfVmN7bJ1/s400/Heritage+festive.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heritage Organic 'dressed' for the festive season.</td></tr>
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The great irony about much of the holiday imagery from this time of year is of snowy scenes, Santa wrapped up against the cold and preparations of festive fare which is rich and hearty is for us at the Skeinz mill is we are basking in Summer sunshine, heading to the beach and barbecuing at every opportunity. That is the joy of a Southern Hemisphere lifestyle.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32zMx1MnkE3cEg4C5vBv_zTVgM6OKxJOKzdoHUywWTnoAOxn54nEHECCJTxyVysry-Vehm7-l4X17B12XcPWsMsxGj0_NllFMPRZb2CxBu568uYLhiSqaQ9r28csGl1pBlj8djgIj90Uy/s1600/Jo+Blanket+Vintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32zMx1MnkE3cEg4C5vBv_zTVgM6OKxJOKzdoHUywWTnoAOxn54nEHECCJTxyVysry-Vehm7-l4X17B12XcPWsMsxGj0_NllFMPRZb2CxBu568uYLhiSqaQ9r28csGl1pBlj8djgIj90Uy/s400/Jo+Blanket+Vintage.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jo from our FB Group is working in a Vintage blanket this season.</td></tr>
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So you would think that not much knitting gets done down here at this time of year, and whilst stitching does drop off as Kiwi's and Aussies hit the beach, this is also our peak Summer holiday period. So think camping, cruising, hitting the bach (small holiday cottage usually based at the beach or a lake - we have plenty of both here in NZ) or just chilling at home with the family. Extra time for knitters is gold, knitting a vast array of projects this time of year. Some find the relaxing vibe the perfect time for doing that lace shawl, others knit small items in the summer heat, or for me, I get all my years accumulation of scraps and crochet blankets and cushions.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmfdZwc0nJvjfcKXJRf32hSF4KSmNZTU2hiUDFVhZEf1FrkgJrl8BPK0Egxw2lir0eGzjxMBOrlXeLFY2zZrTiKK9FYVuOqMvPzcUqNOXIP3gsR2j06vfSHbFNPohp5B_2WYquEZbX-PT/s1600/Doodler+Instagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmfdZwc0nJvjfcKXJRf32hSF4KSmNZTU2hiUDFVhZEf1FrkgJrl8BPK0Egxw2lir0eGzjxMBOrlXeLFY2zZrTiKK9FYVuOqMvPzcUqNOXIP3gsR2j06vfSHbFNPohp5B_2WYquEZbX-PT/s400/Doodler+Instagram.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Doodler MKAL by Stephen West (two of the three yarns were spun at the Skeinz mill)</td></tr>
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I have also recently discovered Mystery Knit-alongs (MKAL). I have completed two very different MKAL's across the Spring and I can see the appeal. You purchase the pattern based on a basic concept description and details of the materials required and each week you receive a clue to knit up. Discussion is fierce among Ravelry message boards and social media lights up with progress pictures and commentary. It's a great way to freshen up your knitting and be involved in a larger conversation at the same time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHSK-EksLRCQsjHbhy_rszk4SgoTvdtP6RMAzgAfhngUZinooSOdAIuCdW4H4e1VXYqLDSOUhaCzybelHpZWn0P7rsbFTAdaKWxLXQPONsOZ9459w9FmdIz_Ypb66EOsTRL0E3dO2_smP/s1600/Kitto+Crochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHSK-EksLRCQsjHbhy_rszk4SgoTvdtP6RMAzgAfhngUZinooSOdAIuCdW4H4e1VXYqLDSOUhaCzybelHpZWn0P7rsbFTAdaKWxLXQPONsOZ9459w9FmdIz_Ypb66EOsTRL0E3dO2_smP/s400/Kitto+Crochet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mel in Wellington is working on this crochet masterpiece, again in Vintage</td></tr>
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What are you working on this holiday period?</div>
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We'd love to know - so make sure you post your WIP in either our <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/skeinz-natural-yarn-store/3311523/26-50">Ravelry Board</a> or the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1061924603841176&id=154083277958651">Facebook Thread</a> and every post goes into the draw to win an amazing Skeinz prize pack. You have three colour theme's to choose from: Rainbow Child, Contemporary Chic or Down to Earth.</div>
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In the meantime, regardless of where you are, sit back, relax pick up your knitting and embrace the holiday spirit - Cheers!</div>
Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-12563560240252984222015-11-10T16:01:00.000-08:002016-01-31T17:39:22.069-08:00Just Cruisin'<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IDX532W-Le_5SW1MJMVF1Yd3elvlncYKR-BRMut-5DlWXAmgesr3xjKU4pf04xIXkPsC-kXobo36r4mC3E-dlL5QLWfpU7QmG7nJmcNEiL8sIu1_6QA_Rxh0J7rGqLQewgLdEfCw136p/s1600/VTG+Cruise+Combo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IDX532W-Le_5SW1MJMVF1Yd3elvlncYKR-BRMut-5DlWXAmgesr3xjKU4pf04xIXkPsC-kXobo36r4mC3E-dlL5QLWfpU7QmG7nJmcNEiL8sIu1_6QA_Rxh0J7rGqLQewgLdEfCw136p/s400/VTG+Cruise+Combo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Combinations - celebrating Cruising & Art deco</td></tr>
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We are very lucky here at The Yarn Kitchen. Our Mill is based in Napier, Hawkes Bay on New Zealand east coast. It's sunny, coastal and historic, having the largest concentration of original Art Deco architecture in the Southern hemisphere.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8LN0A9jIZ0BHW0k5hbs2zhyphenhyphenHEF1dsyEZcpnNZSTRArHbHYtHSqgaq6k3Ssoqx6bukK2KgA4jKvTpKFEds2SaXG-5yIue4pE1AkZrBMzEoNEN10B-tFoSe_nA-KGz6G-dV0af0bwHfIdt/s1600/Ships+Napier.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8LN0A9jIZ0BHW0k5hbs2zhyphenhyphenHEF1dsyEZcpnNZSTRArHbHYtHSqgaq6k3Ssoqx6bukK2KgA4jKvTpKFEds2SaXG-5yIue4pE1AkZrBMzEoNEN10B-tFoSe_nA-KGz6G-dV0af0bwHfIdt/s400/Ships+Napier.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around 50 ships dock in Napier during Cruise Season</td></tr>
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This means that from Spring through to early Autumn, Napier hosts tens of thousands of cruise ship visitors. We see plenty of them at our Skeinz Shop and they add colour and vibrancy to our lovely city. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPQdoYTzWZwd2bMTOFNQBrh6C6EEaYvo-5baN-MD67yalSmJcmDZAypYugMcro8oxAN0kNcrVtAzhCU2F-FcxpdwZGrAti3dBWRm9JBVNOXoEHazILkXQN_Ey84ZYBjsYxx0MMUqpIo4O/s1600/Art+Deco+Ian+Kelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPQdoYTzWZwd2bMTOFNQBrh6C6EEaYvo-5baN-MD67yalSmJcmDZAypYugMcro8oxAN0kNcrVtAzhCU2F-FcxpdwZGrAti3dBWRm9JBVNOXoEHazILkXQN_Ey84ZYBjsYxx0MMUqpIo4O/s400/Art+Deco+Ian+Kelly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Deco Napier - Our Mill Technical Direcor Ian Kelly picture in the Red MG with his wife Maureen.</td></tr>
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I often blog about where our inspiration comes from for colours and ranges: Nature, sunsets, places, people - in this case it is those visitors who we welcome to our shores to soak up the Art Deco splendor and sunshine of our fair city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlICNGws83zcrHZFTjYL0kqrmMO2tjg7mI03JTcHGseD09b6JClzNx0A9xmUxkTyLQqrybp70zwWwiWyzWuykBxlyXAEgJBkm3XXNSk53NAS33aCXir54j4ekiLLr-I_RhXqK3Y2avVsxl/s1600/VTG+Cruise+Collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlICNGws83zcrHZFTjYL0kqrmMO2tjg7mI03JTcHGseD09b6JClzNx0A9xmUxkTyLQqrybp70zwWwiWyzWuykBxlyXAEgJBkm3XXNSk53NAS33aCXir54j4ekiLLr-I_RhXqK3Y2avVsxl/s400/VTG+Cruise+Collection.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vintage Cruise Collection</td></tr>
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The obvious yarn choice for this limited edition was <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/VINTAGE+DK.html">Vintage</a>, one of our first Skeinz yarn's and one that took it's inspiration directly from the Art Deco culture here. So the next step was finding colours that reflected - what if Deco went not just seaside, but ship side?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOTVD1A1KBDDHjbjVuMasmVvp65T4mgeCvPJ5f18repxy12XHojoDDOZItSOa0-wXTr-plMKmcP4M24LQPbbtnxtCAHXB1gw9KnSj6bnRhoESkd8hVruZk2jnNT9o8eF6X0k0yAulqJWn/s1600/VTG+Combo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOTVD1A1KBDDHjbjVuMasmVvp65T4mgeCvPJ5f18repxy12XHojoDDOZItSOa0-wXTr-plMKmcP4M24LQPbbtnxtCAHXB1gw9KnSj6bnRhoESkd8hVruZk2jnNT9o8eF6X0k0yAulqJWn/s400/VTG+Combo4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ultimate nautical combo: Navy with Porcelain & Carmine</td></tr>
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Having a Navy in the range was colour choice #1. Navy is a colour that has been out of vogue in recent years, but for our Cruise collection navy, we juice the colour up so it has an almost indigo edge to it - it's rich and saturated, without being bleak or cold. Teamed up with Carmine and Porcelain from the <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/VINTAGE+DK.html">Vintage range</a> it makes the perfect nautical trio - vintage, retro, classic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6d0ixbUZCWJbcKjlx33vzPSVCgEc2xCnlNqaODNxKTFXngFzym6x59okDz5rUwd1j0KPleqtFE8bHMCRoerNkqfqrqAGGq1WlLp8I8Tr9Rl9QqtrJniJDsMbGaRi4VBgf9v2OkPG-pi0/s1600/VTG+Combo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6d0ixbUZCWJbcKjlx33vzPSVCgEc2xCnlNqaODNxKTFXngFzym6x59okDz5rUwd1j0KPleqtFE8bHMCRoerNkqfqrqAGGq1WlLp8I8Tr9Rl9QqtrJniJDsMbGaRi4VBgf9v2OkPG-pi0/s400/VTG+Combo1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great friends: Grey with Coral & Aqua</td></tr>
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Colour #2 in contrast is the palest shades of Grey. It's that slight whisper of Spring sea fog that often greats the ships as they arrive into port. It's a subtle colour that makes an amazing contrast, it's less blue than Pewter and goes with all the other colours in the collection.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ40QtcnWiA6A12LQ_YYMxTkEuDpMs6V42YrvIJ2uit0-nPdDRsEE6c6X7j7zY61H7R2GYZ_o49BjdwDUm5_gScEVGtt4YVso0MIy_yQ_RqjIkKBhyphenhyphenm_QkUnUpVTTzfb4z7jxzvp_boKzz/s1600/VTG+Combo8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ40QtcnWiA6A12LQ_YYMxTkEuDpMs6V42YrvIJ2uit0-nPdDRsEE6c6X7j7zY61H7R2GYZ_o49BjdwDUm5_gScEVGtt4YVso0MIy_yQ_RqjIkKBhyphenhyphenm_QkUnUpVTTzfb4z7jxzvp_boKzz/s400/VTG+Combo8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aqua with Porcelain & Oilskin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DBV4gJDs4YVAFfb8IF1XNq8lqGhbMUkb5ZVbgZ6VbzLqr-lgHjIC1PdBCsxO4LoSVI4-9oLXlW-LutvKsOIlQqg_SfoAYHVKrWacwD6NE9Bch1JnsFQyF9KyZ-tOR4BJSMOn6auwEjbA/s1600/VTG+Combo7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DBV4gJDs4YVAFfb8IF1XNq8lqGhbMUkb5ZVbgZ6VbzLqr-lgHjIC1PdBCsxO4LoSVI4-9oLXlW-LutvKsOIlQqg_SfoAYHVKrWacwD6NE9Bch1JnsFQyF9KyZ-tOR4BJSMOn6auwEjbA/s400/VTG+Combo7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aqua with Sweetcorn & Grey</td></tr>
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From fog to foam, colour #3 is just called Aqua and it is taken from the colour that the ocean around the Napier Port takes on during a fine still morning. It's a chameleon colour, changing it's mood depending on who it is paired with, looking chic and classical when out with Vintage Oilskin and Porcelain, slightly flirty when playing with Vintage Grey and Sweetcorn and looking dangerous when out on the town with Vintage Navy & Nasturtium.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kP4HSej2lnbYVwh06yR48TzWJsL1fmactYz8Bkv9Fsb60lui0rVFwHbwfUuPevsrGs0FvUNvt5EjUUs2YzdaQvWpC_pn9PDTNMnQNupoENDebVDdPV7NMUS2XLvtLyokX_Cv8IJD58LT/s1600/VTG+Combo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kP4HSej2lnbYVwh06yR48TzWJsL1fmactYz8Bkv9Fsb60lui0rVFwHbwfUuPevsrGs0FvUNvt5EjUUs2YzdaQvWpC_pn9PDTNMnQNupoENDebVDdPV7NMUS2XLvtLyokX_Cv8IJD58LT/s320/VTG+Combo2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coral is the ultimate party girl - here with Sweetcorn & Pistachio</td></tr>
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Lastly, by no means least, is Coral, our 4th and last colour in the collection. This is the party girl who makes sure everyone is having fun whilst on board and on shore. Playful when with Pistachio & Sweetcorn, sophisticated when she is with her cabin mates: Grey, Navy & Aqua. Coral is that colour which will liven up your wardrobe & wants to have fun.<br />
So if you are cruising this season & are visiting Napier - we'd love to see you. Check out <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/">our website </a>for opening hours & Bon Voyage!<br />
<br />Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-21551694481027038062015-11-03T14:20:00.000-08:002015-11-03T14:21:06.936-08:00Getting Scrappy<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTJiSpVVCKD6mW4BrM93UmCNpJfu4HDhoX4x1ZZ0Kyg5CV-JWDsalBVB_XKVvb2ubMBm6LoU9J5pP3BQX372XzkYjEEZjbPVJXZtrZTO5ucAC27DjyYYpLWq-1kUhnyoc1ypGTvbfij1a/s1600/Scrap+Blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTJiSpVVCKD6mW4BrM93UmCNpJfu4HDhoX4x1ZZ0Kyg5CV-JWDsalBVB_XKVvb2ubMBm6LoU9J5pP3BQX372XzkYjEEZjbPVJXZtrZTO5ucAC27DjyYYpLWq-1kUhnyoc1ypGTvbfij1a/s400/Scrap+Blanket.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The' Scraps Bag Blanket' get started last night</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you are a prolific</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> knitter, as I am, the inevitable</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> happens... Leftovers and scraps.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anything from two or three balls from a garment project or half a ball or a wee butterfly of colour surviving after a nail biting round of yardage chicken. It's rare that you don't end up with some scraps after your yarn meal.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gTOgVUvPXkisiFeCHfZPIh6_HbPGlj7cG4vems8kgbZIMhy2SmazqgW6N4KOfE1m7ppl2jIpxGMaS-w1hS270yT1g5HhJ_ByEm81MfXzzpzA_Y7fGGsM26ToDruRB1IbsqpltYE7k4Z1/s1600/Scrap+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gTOgVUvPXkisiFeCHfZPIh6_HbPGlj7cG4vems8kgbZIMhy2SmazqgW6N4KOfE1m7ppl2jIpxGMaS-w1hS270yT1g5HhJ_ByEm81MfXzzpzA_Y7fGGsM26ToDruRB1IbsqpltYE7k4Z1/s400/Scrap+bag.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I recycle the wool scouring bags that arrive at the mill for project and scrap bags.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mine end up in a cotton wool scouring bag, and if I'm honest, there's more than one rolling around my stash cupboard. I give a massive amount away, especially the smaller amounts, to my aunt who loves knitting these incredible baby and children's beanies for families of the East Coast, north of my home town of Gisborne. She's knitted hundreds of them and they are so well received. Others knit charity blankets or the classic fish and chip jumpers. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUFd6VL7B8VQUTmAX2gkqSb7jDt3DNJcE51-f5-3PNXhVEST7gyPhyphenhyphenM8SvwhbOIfPKvTmrlRauEwV4b2RfVPoBL7so9mjGK1bmwPiZKeqnmMhyj61lCWbrHrVSo2sHziJZ96rhnY6hS56/s1600/Scrap+hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUFd6VL7B8VQUTmAX2gkqSb7jDt3DNJcE51-f5-3PNXhVEST7gyPhyphenhyphenM8SvwhbOIfPKvTmrlRauEwV4b2RfVPoBL7so9mjGK1bmwPiZKeqnmMhyj61lCWbrHrVSo2sHziJZ96rhnY6hS56/s400/Scrap+hats.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a small sample of the incredible beanies knitted by my aunt.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me, I decided several years ago to use all those scraps to knit or crochet projects to make our own home comfortable. There is something very homely and special about items made for comfort, made by you, in your home for the pleasure of your family and friends. They grace the backs of our couch, on the couch, on the beds and loved by myself, the boys' and the animals of our home in equal measure.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAOLnBeyQUpL5gW38tudH8O2n0O23yhPuUD6tyDWPd_gSG8f538waooBfarCRbWPgYwRYXO-ETvRfHIAGehjF45Hu_n_V33acmupNc4SScxBO0-OuwV-k54Dnjed70v_miBfFNIiXniYM/s1600/Scraps+Cushion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAOLnBeyQUpL5gW38tudH8O2n0O23yhPuUD6tyDWPd_gSG8f538waooBfarCRbWPgYwRYXO-ETvRfHIAGehjF45Hu_n_V33acmupNc4SScxBO0-OuwV-k54Dnjed70v_miBfFNIiXniYM/s400/Scraps+Cushion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a couple of the 'Scrappy' projects from last summer.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The thought of knitting in a NZ Summer isn't for all, for me the ritual of doing some yarn craft at night is very much part of my evening 'sleep hygiene' routine and during the school holidays, having a project in my bag to whip out at the beach, pool or over the festive break is welcome. Much talk has been around 'mindfullness' like it is something very new or trendy, but as crafters we all know, and have known for generations, that this is so much more than a 'quaint pastime', I am just so pleased that the mainstream have now caught up. Whatever brings you to hte yarn craft door, we will always welcome you with open arms, needles, hooks and yarn!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQywMlHawQvYZGfOF1iDeAfj5KET5yzAbw4EjPZ9dpTk84PHwGKvdnwhkGXK4FesylwDCE8cA6A_gf7r3D7gs199hZnfz0_c_lMhO1Gc4E-a0OY_HogmLs9_W5z3y87YoQPjBAMIxd7Fv/s1600/Granny_Scrap_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQywMlHawQvYZGfOF1iDeAfj5KET5yzAbw4EjPZ9dpTk84PHwGKvdnwhkGXK4FesylwDCE8cA6A_gf7r3D7gs199hZnfz0_c_lMhO1Gc4E-a0OY_HogmLs9_W5z3y87YoQPjBAMIxd7Fv/s400/Granny_Scrap_medium.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the blanket from a couple of years ago - it is my son's favourite.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So as the sunshine days become longer and brighter, a cotton bag had been retrieved, a hook dusted off and the beginnings of an organic square design started.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy09imzmrISlOD0H5OapO7cwSQs2sY49E6vCT-9smTDJTYyDq5cD-wDXCLp2I2ObmoIN6VYweELZgtEMFWfqNNREbJTlEZIqKOC2i9dbZWSHz5g55W3ao4fvL5ag2asfxuD0Op4efn1rSd/s1600/Log+Cabin+Cushion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy09imzmrISlOD0H5OapO7cwSQs2sY49E6vCT-9smTDJTYyDq5cD-wDXCLp2I2ObmoIN6VYweELZgtEMFWfqNNREbJTlEZIqKOC2i9dbZWSHz5g55W3ao4fvL5ag2asfxuD0Op4efn1rSd/s400/Log+Cabin+Cushion.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my first 'scrappy' projects - a log cabin cushion.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are you doing this summer? </span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over out our Skeinz <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Skeinz-Natural-Yarn-Store-154083277958651/">Facebook page</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/skeinz-natural-yarn-store">Ravelry group</a> we are holding a post and win competition.</span></span><br />
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<b>Summer Post & Win Competition.</b></h2>
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So what is your Summer project - what have you done in the past or what do you have planned?<br />
Post completed or planning and WiP progress images into the Facebook or Ravelry thread - every post gives you an entry into the draw.</div>
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We will draw this at the end of January - so you have plenty of time and the prize will be an amazing DK colour collection made up of over 20 balls of Skeinz yarn. You can choose from one of three themes: Rainbow Child, Contemporary Chic or Down to Earth...<br />
Post away - spot prizes will be drawn across the Summer - so good luck!</div>
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<br />Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-73871834468632260102015-09-15T19:28:00.001-07:002015-09-15T19:28:13.459-07:00Pill Prevention and Cure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFYNjjTQPqw5_PSML8PkEega3yt6M1B8VFWdm4qv33SMGpq_NfQS8wMilR95-Wrv9f6Cbyf8D05bFrwN12k6CftOeg9of0wHq04r6GQ4iupCQhFWVwJXWBaDuDmoENVZljzsL_YhakrxF/s1600/Pill+Cardy+Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFYNjjTQPqw5_PSML8PkEega3yt6M1B8VFWdm4qv33SMGpq_NfQS8wMilR95-Wrv9f6Cbyf8D05bFrwN12k6CftOeg9of0wHq04r6GQ4iupCQhFWVwJXWBaDuDmoENVZljzsL_YhakrxF/s400/Pill+Cardy+Before.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilling on a fine Merino Baby Cardy</td></tr>
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One of the questions I often see asked in the shop or in online forums is "Can you recommend a yarn that doesn't pill", pilling is the effect that happens when the fibres in a yarn are met with friction and small unsightly balls of fuzz start propagating your once smooth pristine fabric.<br />
We all hate it. It seems so unfair that after hours of labour and toil that these little gate-crashers can spoil your yarn party. So, can I recommend a yarn that doesn't pill?<br />
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Firstly - pilling isn't the end of the world. It can be remedied, easily. In fact I enjoy de-pilling, but more about that later. This is a question about expectations and planning. The expectation is that you can never expect a hand knitted garment to wear like a mass produced, fine count one. It just isn't going to happen - as soon as you cast that expectation away, you are half way there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/26287244/Ross_Vest_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/26287244/Ross_Vest_medium2.jpg" height="400" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This vest is knitted in Southlander - I did this in early 2010. He gives it a gentle pluck when he hand washes it and that's all the care it needs.</td></tr>
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The next is the planning. "Who, Where & Wear" being the main factors to consider here. Who is going to own the garment, where is it to be worn & how is it to be worn. Then making your yarn selection suited to purpose. So if the garment is going to be a vest for your father to wear to work (see above) which involves activity outside, it needs to be a yarn rugged enough to cope with his activities, any friction from increased arm movements and being worn inside or out of a jacket. So in this case I would chose a yarn like Southlander (see recent posts) which is warm, strong and can stand the punishment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBMZHWZbrxkcxDZeIdBtpnTtUsd1r3voCM-Ikj8nCTWWMtXTOzqbLwwZQfALRc1kwIdSM6lQ_tND10RX5aj4jEfhKwj_D-ctvSFry0hLPojyd2zTrQz5rlwabEH_xDO64trQacU6weWup/s1600/Pill+Vintage+Cardy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBMZHWZbrxkcxDZeIdBtpnTtUsd1r3voCM-Ikj8nCTWWMtXTOzqbLwwZQfALRc1kwIdSM6lQ_tND10RX5aj4jEfhKwj_D-ctvSFry0hLPojyd2zTrQz5rlwabEH_xDO64trQacU6weWup/s400/Pill+Vintage+Cardy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sample is knitted in Vintage and is about 6 years only - it is touched, fondled and generally abused and still looks brilliant!</td></tr>
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Likewise you maybe wanting to knit for a busy pre-schooler, so you need a yarn that will be soft and comfortable for them to wear, can cope with the tumbles and spills and be easy to clean - Then Vintage DK, Urban or Orb are the yarns for the job. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI3RNQs6HKpncQNJ8FIuvoIVQKVMH1N35d_KXmrGTrV_99_3flLM9knTVmerudRNKUhgMGBekRgG7MZLlKARq0g7kZM56xMl4eMmL03XTWEtr0nGMGlSa_gkAD3OS3qoa92tFLodUoPkJ/s1600/Depill+before+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI3RNQs6HKpncQNJ8FIuvoIVQKVMH1N35d_KXmrGTrV_99_3flLM9knTVmerudRNKUhgMGBekRgG7MZLlKARq0g7kZM56xMl4eMmL03XTWEtr0nGMGlSa_gkAD3OS3qoa92tFLodUoPkJ/s400/Depill+before+after.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A bolero in my collection knitted 10 years ago - was depilled for the first time this year, you can see where I started on the right.</td></tr>
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The conundrum is when you have a request for the softest yarn, but without pilling. <br />
Simply - pick one<br />
A very fine yarn (ie Fine Merino) with friction and wear will start to pill. This is because what makes those yarns so fine and soft are the very thin fibres that make them up. What can help reduce the pilling is trapping those fibres into a firmer or finer twist (but not too tight or you loose that lovely squish factor) and making sure that yarns such as this are knitted into a denser fabric or are locked up in tight defined stitch patterns so they don't escape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/292971023/2015-03-23_14.20.36_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/292971023/2015-03-23_14.20.36_medium2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this yarn and this pattern - but I need to give the finished garment a wee "buzz" each time before I wear it.</td></tr>
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I knitted a cardigan this year from a fine merino cashmere blend and it my absolute favorite right now. After each wear it starts having a wee 'pill party' under the arms, at the cuffs and around the breasts. No matter, I spend no more than a few minutes before I wear it giving it a quick once over with trusty depiller and I am good to go. I think the garment warrants a few moments of TLC after all those hours you have spent knitting it. Likewise I have other hand knits which need a spruce up once a season or two.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhda9S-VhLxnzB3A4bfasYjh8C-ZoZGkx4ViY066Sh6nzGP3ZFj5yo1M1DNElIN8sA2guUsZwzWCF7wbzJ8w72GKx0Y_IYKRHM5RJuAU1MZC1J-CRzDQs9jtofck5r2CJsSVLxw6Mz636V/s1600/Pill+Cardy+After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhda9S-VhLxnzB3A4bfasYjh8C-ZoZGkx4ViY066Sh6nzGP3ZFj5yo1M1DNElIN8sA2guUsZwzWCF7wbzJ8w72GKx0Y_IYKRHM5RJuAU1MZC1J-CRzDQs9jtofck5r2CJsSVLxw6Mz636V/s400/Pill+Cardy+After.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It took me less than 30 seconds to depill this (see first image in post), it's not hard.</td></tr>
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So what's the yarn to recommend that doesn't pill I hear you ask again... For me the best work horse yarn we have in our range for wear has to be <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/VINTAGE+DK.html">Vintage DK</a> - if pilling is something you just cant abide, then Vintage is the yarn for you - failing that invest in a good depiller - mine is from Briscoes & is just $20 (often as low as $13 when on promotion & let's face it they are <i>always</i> in sale!), its battery operated and is designed for hand knits as it has the larger opening for hand knitted garments. If you want any help selecting the best yarn for your next project, don't hesitate to contact us at skeinz.com or on our Facebook & Ravelry groups - we are here to help.Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-76704579173463512872015-09-08T19:01:00.002-07:002015-09-08T19:01:37.351-07:00A Social Outing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdz5TkvkT4xgi3IfV-gHA3m60m26HuTurDU2v2GgazX08rKnvYe7iCC6moH9wrja7MsQvog84jZxu99O5Dn4nEWIBSBARWiYgtioK62eGFJhpUwjvxN1CtbmvAOz-ZemP8gB2Qi7xryDCs/s1600/Mill+Machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdz5TkvkT4xgi3IfV-gHA3m60m26HuTurDU2v2GgazX08rKnvYe7iCC6moH9wrja7MsQvog84jZxu99O5Dn4nEWIBSBARWiYgtioK62eGFJhpUwjvxN1CtbmvAOz-ZemP8gB2Qi7xryDCs/s400/Mill+Machine.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one constant - the Mill, it's machines all working to make magical yarn.</td></tr>
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In the eight or so years I have been lurking around corners at The Yarn Kitchen much has changed. When I started Skeinz didn't exist. It was 'The Knitters Factory Shop', my favorite store, with scary 80's wallpaper (and not the cool retro variety), cardboard boxes with all sorts of weird and wonderful yarns and just four 'permanent' ranges - that if you didn't get in quick, once sold didn't come back into stock until the next season.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GIBoeYCyNnM/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GIBoeYCyNnM/hqdefault.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brendan Jackson our GM in the old shop (see the wallpaper!)</td></tr>
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Then came <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a>. Ravelry changed everything. Ravelry meant that yarn lovers could keep track of their projects and their stash. They could join groups and communicate with each other, not just in their home country, but all around the world. Ravelry was the first cohesive site of it's type for lovers of yarn and yarn craft. With over five and a half million users, it is still growing and has become a panacea of all things yarn, project and design.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhbcQ3zFEUtdXZO2bL6_X-scmSkHvSjP3SHKkIhDJUflri2G8-YOUEXz67sTFgPou0s1IMeY8oW6Ihcx5FWKpqiq-t6AMCJpRDi4BnIekqgIjCqqvmvjhp3uOWpZwFtn5ND7xN17o3l_k/s1600/Rav+Screenshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhbcQ3zFEUtdXZO2bL6_X-scmSkHvSjP3SHKkIhDJUflri2G8-YOUEXz67sTFgPou0s1IMeY8oW6Ihcx5FWKpqiq-t6AMCJpRDi4BnIekqgIjCqqvmvjhp3uOWpZwFtn5ND7xN17o3l_k/s400/Rav+Screenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excitement when Skeinz Orb made the Ravely Yarn Top 10</td></tr>
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I first learnt of Ravelry about a year after it founded in May 2007. I was not an early adopter of social media. I blogged, but the thought of spending hours online checking on status updates didn't exactly set my world alight. Not so the case anymore. Ravelry was my first real 'toe-dipping' into social media, and I loved it. It was invaluable in the early days of Skeinz. Ravelry was the springboard from which skeinz.com lept. Helping communicate with like minded people and actually being able to get opinion from our customer base, as a marketer, is golden. So when a good friend and successful craft pod caster poked me about my aversion to other forms of social media, I capitulated and dived in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/3028382578_46a9c2392f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/3028382578_46a9c2392f_z.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first project completed after I signed up to Ravelry, my son was just a few days old.</td></tr>
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Four short years later I am just starting to get the hang of status updates, hashtags, tagging (the good kind) and social media etiquette. I now use Instagram (my personal favourite), Twitter (cross posted from Instagram), Facebook (I manage three business pages as well as my own!) and of course Ravelry. Without all these communication tools I would not have been able to help skeinz.com grow, <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/knitaugustnights2015/">Knit August Nights</a> would not be thriving and I wouldn't be able to indulge myself in my love of lovely yarn, food and bulldog related images.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJmsrkjq1hT7rbRTL0G1Gs4FL4eBcWlzq71csJN7kChHjbDlqFs5YO4VqoSkclanb73ZBhbo0C27SW1LcSZtifpdk-Lr7XBSFFkMFuOMnzEOqmdNf_93_lLbfxVmURX9Fy5QGgvpNBfYB/s1600/Shop+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJmsrkjq1hT7rbRTL0G1Gs4FL4eBcWlzq71csJN7kChHjbDlqFs5YO4VqoSkclanb73ZBhbo0C27SW1LcSZtifpdk-Lr7XBSFFkMFuOMnzEOqmdNf_93_lLbfxVmURX9Fy5QGgvpNBfYB/s400/Shop+Wall.jpg" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Skeinz Shop as it is today - this used to be the staff change room!</td></tr>
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All this social gathering has meant that Skeinz has grown & this month we added a new Skeinz team member, Claire. The wallpaper has gone and I get great satisfaction in browsing hashtags to see what people have been up to with Skeinz yarns (View the Instagram hashtag <a href="https://instagram.com/explore/tags/skeinz/">here</a>). Those couple of original ranges are still there (Perendale, Merino Soft, Southlander & Whisper) but they now have eighteen friends with more in the pipeline.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe4FqlyYB-dG_SNMSuBLhOuwaO2VL-UAcS3iuT_OguEYqdT7L50hO3Kx-VV1eNN8LFoSvpVvpmeIMStjmfZ8N7RH0kg-yK1DIw9r4LYAfzFBIWCKo3h4pSanTicNharoWyIWr7OVZB4BG/s1600/Terabyte+final+four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpe4FqlyYB-dG_SNMSuBLhOuwaO2VL-UAcS3iuT_OguEYqdT7L50hO3Kx-VV1eNN8LFoSvpVvpmeIMStjmfZ8N7RH0kg-yK1DIw9r4LYAfzFBIWCKo3h4pSanTicNharoWyIWr7OVZB4BG/s400/Terabyte+final+four.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Terabyte colours that were featured on Facebook and Ravelry this week.</td></tr>
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So, if you haven't done so already, join the Skeinz 'Social Gathering'. We have a Group on Ravelry, the Facebook page and if you are on Instagram or twitter use the #skeinz so we can see what you are up to. If all else fails, we'd always love to see you in the flesh, we still have that little shop, tucked in Napier's industrial area at 5 Husheer Place, Onekawa.<br />
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Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-72926896652343987162015-08-16T15:39:00.001-07:002015-08-16T15:39:12.415-07:00Primary Pleasures<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzmDAlT7YO57U5djL0-7mrLa6evztn3hJG8-KH5jiD06nPdoKC-W749DHPsQKTvkwQabhtQxgy6VRYhR_Ba3gh1E1gP3urmuYEkCjUsbzz2qhDiTodtj5l12YZFi6hpKmvYNOOKrGFWYS/s1600/Rainbow+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzmDAlT7YO57U5djL0-7mrLa6evztn3hJG8-KH5jiD06nPdoKC-W749DHPsQKTvkwQabhtQxgy6VRYhR_Ba3gh1E1gP3urmuYEkCjUsbzz2qhDiTodtj5l12YZFi6hpKmvYNOOKrGFWYS/s400/Rainbow+kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magic that is... Rainbow.</td></tr>
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Often the phenomenon of hearing a song or smelling a scent that evokes strong memories, but also seeing vibrant colours or an unusual shade can take you back to time, place or person. One combination of colours that we see that does this again and again are the primary colours that make up the Rainbow. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6746nv_4rzgPi9i2Ir8ylrQPIt0TnYJxQxxQ52VofRYwAgMwExncnno4z90REls0cz3zwV9TzYj39ebxnpJKIVkqwg_3-jEtntoUTKbkLpuH-t_8EWsGwBpsFeKtIxcz2OJN6W4XELLop/s1600/Rainbow+Twist+Mill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6746nv_4rzgPi9i2Ir8ylrQPIt0TnYJxQxxQ52VofRYwAgMwExncnno4z90REls0cz3zwV9TzYj39ebxnpJKIVkqwg_3-jEtntoUTKbkLpuH-t_8EWsGwBpsFeKtIxcz2OJN6W4XELLop/s400/Rainbow+Twist+Mill.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinning he new Terabyte iRainbow</td></tr>
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Who doesn't like a Rainbow, they make us smile, they promise gold or unicorns or journeys to other dimensions. They symbolize equality and inclusion, the sunshine bursting through on a dull day, stripping back what you think is white light to actually find this miracle of colour.<br />
As a parent, rainbow shades are your child's' introduction to the wonderful world of colour. The richness of the primary shades and their blended siblings are our first unconscious teaching into nature, science and mysticism. That is what when we make yarns inspired by the rainbow shades or in the rainbow shades, they just make you happy and smile.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGKpkuzc24rRYriyAxHbeIvSp_snogItx9tva6zf_NnCUbK5taHNTCO9Vy02qQp4cdd76C7fzApiwISuZnvzqTUcyVgihLyInv7nDhooB6yO8uqRDbvQUBY92tZvxAN1mfZ0ub2zzIKPz/s1600/Rainbow+Sliver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGKpkuzc24rRYriyAxHbeIvSp_snogItx9tva6zf_NnCUbK5taHNTCO9Vy02qQp4cdd76C7fzApiwISuZnvzqTUcyVgihLyInv7nDhooB6yO8uqRDbvQUBY92tZvxAN1mfZ0ub2zzIKPz/s400/Rainbow+Sliver.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The limited edition sliver called Chasing Rainbows</td></tr>
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New to Skeinz this month are an extension to our rainbow coloured Urban DK range. We have added a 4ply/sport yarn & a bulky/12ply yarn to give you a rainbow selection in every weight, for every occasion. <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/urbannsport.html"> Urban Sport</a> is a Merino/Nylon blend, the same as our Naked Sock blend. This gives you a multi functional yarn soft enough to knit for the wee ones in your life, but durable enough to make a rainbow range of socks for everyday of the week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXXc6okvbrSfpPPhshSGsLM_ltkfahhupWujvhOCYGJhgBVA7FwKU9aoT5Nkf3eRR_UvBfNVUvR8-mJsfbzLQTj7kho2rvp6yytBSDZDQWLIY054lm3vAjp7aHkaHmDiMwPN0pmCt-sxa/s1600/Express+Rainbow+Stack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXXc6okvbrSfpPPhshSGsLM_ltkfahhupWujvhOCYGJhgBVA7FwKU9aoT5Nkf3eRR_UvBfNVUvR8-mJsfbzLQTj7kho2rvp6yytBSDZDQWLIY054lm3vAjp7aHkaHmDiMwPN0pmCt-sxa/s400/Express+Rainbow+Stack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/urbanexpress.html">Urban Express</a> in Rainbow shades</td></tr>
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Take this same philosophy and super size it and you have <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/urbanexpress.html">Urban Express</a>. This 12ply (Bulky) weight yarn is what you go to when you need to get a project worked up - FAST. It is such a brilliant yarn for children as it is soft enough for them to wear happily, yet the nylon makes it durable to cope with what the playground will throw at it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82b0q9-wtgdtLfI7ah3K0TVzTqkFBkeSy-oH6bzAJaw1-fcuFBYI2IUrRy-ktes9EowK4crw2vuq8M9-Gzeq7kITRtKV9fxq-E_NpZUlW2MaCYEWHFdd2SZvxXSITMQp0MXjyF5WC3bHJ/s1600/Terabyte+Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82b0q9-wtgdtLfI7ah3K0TVzTqkFBkeSy-oH6bzAJaw1-fcuFBYI2IUrRy-ktes9EowK4crw2vuq8M9-Gzeq7kITRtKV9fxq-E_NpZUlW2MaCYEWHFdd2SZvxXSITMQp0MXjyF5WC3bHJ/s400/Terabyte+Rainbow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/TERABYTE.html">Terabyte iRainbow</a> Merino DK</td></tr>
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Then there is the new long print yarn called <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/TERABYTE.html">Terabyte</a> - this has taken 5 of the Rainbow shades and printed them onto the sliver before it is spun. The yarn then has very subtle graduations of colour, sometimes soothing, often vibrant and never in the same place at the same time - just like a real rainbow. So if you feel the feed to evoke a happy memory or just work with yarn guaranteed to make you smile - knit yourself a Rainbow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s-9npvGwfrZTwuQ7eaugb9-TEqeCwCaaQh_TnVerUK6CmlZGfL3dhHDVcn7MdZx-qOhB82eJxCGWyrP6opr0tPXb1I_K2LaHtwahwfdlrZ_ZXarynWhuA80FJ8tmHiFMmvoGKC1w1ncu/s1600/Terabyte+iRainbow+Swatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9s-9npvGwfrZTwuQ7eaugb9-TEqeCwCaaQh_TnVerUK6CmlZGfL3dhHDVcn7MdZx-qOhB82eJxCGWyrP6opr0tPXb1I_K2LaHtwahwfdlrZ_ZXarynWhuA80FJ8tmHiFMmvoGKC1w1ncu/s400/Terabyte+iRainbow+Swatch.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll never know what you'll find at the end of the iRainbow</td></tr>
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Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-69244100813399407622015-07-28T19:16:00.003-07:002015-07-28T19:18:52.100-07:00Rustic Road<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsAZmz-XT6AiK2xq7nEKJsZ3T3_JfUPaNirRS_XK4PgY00smASZEdYvQkTp8IdftwaoRQXVqtPaagB7rfZEwIuf-4Wv3-Y3keztb_RkIDs60FyHGCXbZxg5MHHPqYAJa7zaCKrMGlgH1X/s1600/Southlander+Bark+Vest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsAZmz-XT6AiK2xq7nEKJsZ3T3_JfUPaNirRS_XK4PgY00smASZEdYvQkTp8IdftwaoRQXVqtPaagB7rfZEwIuf-4Wv3-Y3keztb_RkIDs60FyHGCXbZxg5MHHPqYAJa7zaCKrMGlgH1X/s400/Southlander+Bark+Vest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I feel like I've come full circle knitting a vest for my father in the very yarn I knitted my first adult garment in 30 years ago.</td></tr>
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The very first adult garment I ever made was a basic drop shouldered jumper for myself in <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/SOUTHLANDER.html">Southlander</a> Bark. I'm sure you'll remember the style, basically two rectangles, with minimal shoulder and neck shaping and truncated trapezoid sleeves and single ribbing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKOzjam_Sj-riHKKIt4ZtQY2qvNv_H9tQJ2h70We2WUaUYjX2mnfGIUNpesjgYBlcbwHydozAh0q1Sq4Dd6JRAIGFwT2y5E7aWWd2NI7cx_VVnpt5_eBgLmopsLIzDzMIytGjBVuM_fyS/s1600/Southlander+Hanks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKOzjam_Sj-riHKKIt4ZtQY2qvNv_H9tQJ2h70We2WUaUYjX2mnfGIUNpesjgYBlcbwHydozAh0q1Sq4Dd6JRAIGFwT2y5E7aWWd2NI7cx_VVnpt5_eBgLmopsLIzDzMIytGjBVuM_fyS/s400/Southlander+Hanks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little has changed with the range in over 30 years - over dyed colours were introduced in 2007</td></tr>
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Pretty much every shepherd I every knew growing up in the back blocks had one of these, often homespun, that their mothers had lovingly crafted for them for their first shepherding gig. It was warm, indestructible and gets softer over time and with wear. Worn about 2 to 3 sizes too big over baggy jeans which almost fell off the hips with their first cheque book poking out of one back pocket and their loose tobacco in the other. These jumpers survived cold sleety days on the farm, muddy weekends at the dog trials & then the rambling at the pub afterwards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVKC01m-_dWTbyx6fka4y19K0_vVs75NAnzTNBQLTycgq5b3yRZB2MliWwhyhIXOtO1l5rQX6cfL34sB3Tufv3ZlhKTAggz5PSdfWA7t6jaDyL6pPFutq4mxW97uKEZX6Y5ctvLbDzHEc/s1600/Southlander+Blanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVKC01m-_dWTbyx6fka4y19K0_vVs75NAnzTNBQLTycgq5b3yRZB2MliWwhyhIXOtO1l5rQX6cfL34sB3Tufv3ZlhKTAggz5PSdfWA7t6jaDyL6pPFutq4mxW97uKEZX6Y5ctvLbDzHEc/s400/Southlander+Blanket.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stunning Southlander blanket knitted as a birthday gift for a very lucky husband.</td></tr>
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When I was 13 this was the logical garment to make as my first graduation from a scarf. Fashions have certainly changed, Aran and cabled jumpers are now more likely seen on the high street not the high country, but what hasn't changed is Southlander - the wonderful rustic New Zealand yarn staple which is just as fabulous today as it was all those years ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_tM5kd4gupgtb8vDil0TyaIkyuOY5I9mrZ9eP8oEq9Wqs2rHiF4Pp6e4P1gcaDKv2aKPsaD8OqcK8pFXgsoWpBZWJ-lmqhBS9QHMFAfVf2VNt29XCWSN8pagvNU3ZhlV9qhqTLsPwaIh/s1600/Southlander+Jumper+Cable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq_tM5kd4gupgtb8vDil0TyaIkyuOY5I9mrZ9eP8oEq9Wqs2rHiF4Pp6e4P1gcaDKv2aKPsaD8OqcK8pFXgsoWpBZWJ-lmqhBS9QHMFAfVf2VNt29XCWSN8pagvNU3ZhlV9qhqTLsPwaIh/s400/Southlander+Jumper+Cable.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The modern take on the classic style - Southlander Bracken</td></tr>
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Which is where I found myself today, knitting a vest for my father to wear under his overalls as he works in the chilly woolstore or out on his small block at home. I knitted one for him 6 years ago, which he loves and he's requested another. Now, like all those years ago, I just love knitting with this yarn. It's not the super soft, super smooth yarns that we have become spoiled with in recent years. It's honest, rustic, knits with that slight grippiness that means that those stitches will meld together and staying looking good decades after they come off the needles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/SiStan/252556743/_SMM5521_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/SiStan/252556743/_SMM5521_medium2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A modern twist on the drop shouldered style I first knitted all those years ago</td></tr>
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Southlander is just as relevant today as it was all those years ago, helped in no small part by all the wonderful awareness around wool yarns done by The Campaign for Wool. This style of yarn is the one that is most prevalent in northern Great Britain, Iceland and parts of Scandinavia & classic designs heralding from these regions are experiencing a renaissance in fashion today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoTfWGXp8g8ck9T8KhT5frCYhY0fZ6et29NwP3aPfqvs3Qpgq7KPG5RMjzvwZxIyGVFIB2AsPh5-wnAyJDvbcL26c4H8u-76B7rUPFmwCVjEzTyMIHWEj4Z-_hg7CwSrZkF4YHrY0-lge/s1600/SL+Bark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoTfWGXp8g8ck9T8KhT5frCYhY0fZ6et29NwP3aPfqvs3Qpgq7KPG5RMjzvwZxIyGVFIB2AsPh5-wnAyJDvbcL26c4H8u-76B7rUPFmwCVjEzTyMIHWEj4Z-_hg7CwSrZkF4YHrY0-lge/s400/SL+Bark.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southlander Bark - 200gm hank 400m NZ Wool Aran/DK</td></tr>
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So if you find a hankering to pick up the needles and cast on a class 'Kiwi Jumper' or a more detailed Aran sweater, don't forget Southlander - Keeping kiwi's warm for over 30 years!<br />
<br />Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-11442334398944644292015-07-14T15:26:00.002-07:002015-07-14T15:26:41.040-07:00Thou, Nature, art my goddess...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtdq2syVUW-XlXSQH98L7O4J7tKAyvYqT2HhVfwVqnucE05c9z-VD_kkY5PndrRBA9wM5zgCX7_9KjDO0gUQ3XYpVuhGU1dJdkjYEVTrO7dyMJcuBJOpUe4vV39T_SWXOK-qz2jZxTLYr/s1600/Colorado+Lime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtdq2syVUW-XlXSQH98L7O4J7tKAyvYqT2HhVfwVqnucE05c9z-VD_kkY5PndrRBA9wM5zgCX7_9KjDO0gUQ3XYpVuhGU1dJdkjYEVTrO7dyMJcuBJOpUe4vV39T_SWXOK-qz2jZxTLYr/s400/Colorado+Lime.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Zesty Lime slub created at home with food colouring.</td></tr>
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As promised from last week I did indeed take home some yarn and armed with the two tutorials that I posted I thought it was prudent to test the hypothesis of "dying yarn at home is a doddle". I took home a 200gm skein of a new wool slub (coming to Naked Skeinz very, very soon), 2 balls of <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/heritagepolwarth.html">Heritage Polwarth</a> Ecru and a ball of <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/silverlining.html">Silver Lining</a> Clifton Stone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKS4_-z2pbIicbgk4tgkph56hlspfPlsuxrvcxKyeCMgFFMGjHlZQk9lHzPreeo9meaqg6uIr51T7dPnabEnHhh4I81KFxKZO0MnJNOeEMARdNosR0hTX39iq5A7sTF4U0eyUGeaUrmkOQ/s1600/Hand+Dyed+Before+Balls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKS4_-z2pbIicbgk4tgkph56hlspfPlsuxrvcxKyeCMgFFMGjHlZQk9lHzPreeo9meaqg6uIr51T7dPnabEnHhh4I81KFxKZO0MnJNOeEMARdNosR0hTX39iq5A7sTF4U0eyUGeaUrmkOQ/s400/Hand+Dyed+Before+Balls.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I started with - a mixture of smaller balls and a skein of Naked slub.</td></tr>
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I chose 50gm balls, as I thought this was a great way for me to test the principles without committing to a larger skein. I also wanted to see the difference the outcome was on a natural cream colour versus a natural oatmeal shade. The first step was to skein off the balls. I have a niddy noddy at home, but this can be easily done with wrapping the ball between your hand and elbow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ocJaq_JV_3Mt0z6LRypcN7hBoLLQBAIRu0RHYsV_98POZ36rbQ9-gZvszYc_SPLgdgFnv4SIs5y-dB5Oras4VW37YKDYb-4RihsHUNAe00mX9BVT6mAMdFHD6BaCzfGGQ1QDLNAXMG-W/s1600/Hand+Dyed+Food+Dye+Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ocJaq_JV_3Mt0z6LRypcN7hBoLLQBAIRu0RHYsV_98POZ36rbQ9-gZvszYc_SPLgdgFnv4SIs5y-dB5Oras4VW37YKDYb-4RihsHUNAe00mX9BVT6mAMdFHD6BaCzfGGQ1QDLNAXMG-W/s400/Hand+Dyed+Food+Dye+Group.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collage of the process from soaking, colouring and the finished product</td></tr>
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I chose Turmeric for the small skeins and food colouring for the slub (the slub was made with machine washable fibre, so best suited to the food colouring). Following the processes in the tutorials I was totally amazed at how simple and straight forward it was. I preferred using the food colouring, I used just green and yellow colouring. It produced more intense colours and less mess. It was also a shorter process, just soak, dip/soak in colour and vinegar solution and zap in the microwave few a few minutes to set the colour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SmccEziK4gyaMH2Df1oEcwIEy1JXIP0JAPskKUZg3IgERQCv9w6wBw1qCDcFZXe76C6yZNm7_8zMPClYjZ_-FXPtTq3FfPmul4NWG1azeZX-yXXgs9Pqe2Z7JO0nY_7D2h7JSrXIqcHM/s1600/Hand+Dyed+Turmeric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SmccEziK4gyaMH2Df1oEcwIEy1JXIP0JAPskKUZg3IgERQCv9w6wBw1qCDcFZXe76C6yZNm7_8zMPClYjZ_-FXPtTq3FfPmul4NWG1azeZX-yXXgs9Pqe2Z7JO0nY_7D2h7JSrXIqcHM/s400/Hand+Dyed+Turmeric.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The turmeric took a little more washing & rinsing, but still great results.</td></tr>
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The turmeric took more dedicated washing because it I needed to remove the powder from the yarn, however if you used natural colours in liquid form, like beetroot juice, you wouldn't have that hassle.<br />
I was so encouraged with the success of the experiment I then dug out a part come of natural ayrn I had in the back of the stash cupboard and skeined it off to have another go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsRz-xnDPEfcoYXP8ZgcUguAPS3QK6e8_iw-OYI88THIsCSsNrZLywtgF7ZCcJ62UYoYJFzQK6rRZFJzvJ7EOA-iufHHUxQEH1tTn4ETnVWGYNEAi6N3ZQYGjfGMZiq_NZ_YZhexHOHie/s1600/Home+Dyed+Finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsRz-xnDPEfcoYXP8ZgcUguAPS3QK6e8_iw-OYI88THIsCSsNrZLywtgF7ZCcJ62UYoYJFzQK6rRZFJzvJ7EOA-iufHHUxQEH1tTn4ETnVWGYNEAi6N3ZQYGjfGMZiq_NZ_YZhexHOHie/s400/Home+Dyed+Finished.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not bad for ninety minutes work.</td></tr>
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This time I limited myself to black & yellow food colouring playing around with differing dilutions of the black and then pouring over a mixture of yellow just before microwaving. The effect was unexpected and pleasing, and I guess that is the entire key to doing it yourself at home. Having fun, playing about and being happy with the results, regardless of how unexpected!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DQdg5MJgRdae6qGQSutVztZh4V-zd1I_O57KsGy9Zrlf7nkop4eGXLUbQUPE4dbmUUDxU7pJWSYZB6SBmxzBNJ3x1e4clkr0tTtVvf5E8Iw-QZjbkfn3SmhGyueNGpWOUfvgG4flklot/s1600/Butterfly+Angora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DQdg5MJgRdae6qGQSutVztZh4V-zd1I_O57KsGy9Zrlf7nkop4eGXLUbQUPE4dbmUUDxU7pJWSYZB6SBmxzBNJ3x1e4clkr0tTtVvf5E8Iw-QZjbkfn3SmhGyueNGpWOUfvgG4flklot/s400/Butterfly+Angora.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My second attempt using food colouring - using just black & yellow.</td></tr>
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To win a Mystery Pack of Naked Skeins yarns - make sure you post your attempts of home dying. You can do this on the thread at our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skeinz-Natural-Yarn-Store/154083277958651">Facebook page</a> or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/skeinz-natural-yarn-store/3231725/1-25#11">Ravelry Thread</a>. The prize will be drawn in the first week of August.Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-48097572413466707112015-07-07T18:03:00.006-07:002015-07-07T18:09:10.108-07:00Wool of Bat and Tongue of Dog....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHgmSJYf-cYArRGObc3kkf0dIMLltYu_NyUP-PTsa4wj4QlHC4K-LoFlquIf_PUkoRTR9mDdApPmq7HvgbcovoxikBdSXPMkZD2-QIu5GEYtbJ0YaMILHTL9cn3sBD7esZKCvoli6Fb3Q/s1600/Lichen+Dyed+Naked+Skeinz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHgmSJYf-cYArRGObc3kkf0dIMLltYu_NyUP-PTsa4wj4QlHC4K-LoFlquIf_PUkoRTR9mDdApPmq7HvgbcovoxikBdSXPMkZD2-QIu5GEYtbJ0YaMILHTL9cn3sBD7esZKCvoli6Fb3Q/s400/Lichen+Dyed+Naked+Skeinz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lichen dyed Skeinz Organic Merino by Amy Van der Laar</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I have been so inspired by some of the entries we have received in this months draw for the Mystery Naked Skeinz parcel. What has delighted me so much is the level of experimentation and fearlessness that is going on in your yarn kitchens at home. So I thought I would share some of these great entries here and hopefully encourage you to give it a go at home.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.britishmuseum.org/images/respro_AT_methdisplay_624x352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.britishmuseum.org/images/respro_AT_methdisplay_624x352.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examples of natural plant dyes from South America</td></tr>
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Hand dying yarn need not be a highly industrial process like we do here, the Romans and South Americans have been doing it for thousands of years & many dye stuffs can be readily found in the Kiwi kitchen. Without going into the full process here, you can have a tremendous amount of fun dying your own yarns at home with a few simple ingredients.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELQFN_o0clhiaKBW2Tj9BhXNUYg-cVccfWtCckQNt3hHTkhp-A7m8N66-fZ65FqfGT1xY_p1xo8bY8wk3443c8jpouU-bWP5GKo4weuwZU2m4PjstxzUFzEHS9tGsUr6Em5Cf8cBUrneR/s1600/Food+Colouring+Cardi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELQFN_o0clhiaKBW2Tj9BhXNUYg-cVccfWtCckQNt3hHTkhp-A7m8N66-fZ65FqfGT1xY_p1xo8bY8wk3443c8jpouU-bWP5GKo4weuwZU2m4PjstxzUFzEHS9tGsUr6Em5Cf8cBUrneR/s400/Food+Colouring+Cardi.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy aka Phancee on Ravelry is a knitter & <a href="http://phancee.com/">blogger</a> achieved this with pantry cupboard food colouring</td></tr>
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Food colouring is the obvious starting point for many. They are easy to obtain and you have the full basic colour spectrum to be able to mix your own special colours. You also don't require too much equipment and I have <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwIWe2vyfm0">seen tutorials</a> that enable you to dye with food colouring using your microwave! This would be a really fun school holiday activity if you had crafty children at home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUU4L5Y0c8Y1GimMfMbpMechN8E5gQT1M5KZdGJCgouJwMJxwLVozfOsRA38M_xDc7IQ8HXl-FurrQeDSMT6-JHIjGLfh3MqIrpTjxoCnjI5big8QhBCmPX8V9IhUMCoGTP3WEFpqOEn_/s1600/Violet+Food+Colouring+Skein.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUU4L5Y0c8Y1GimMfMbpMechN8E5gQT1M5KZdGJCgouJwMJxwLVozfOsRA38M_xDc7IQ8HXl-FurrQeDSMT6-JHIjGLfh3MqIrpTjxoCnjI5big8QhBCmPX8V9IhUMCoGTP3WEFpqOEn_/s640/Violet+Food+Colouring+Skein.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fleur aka craftygirl34 on Ravelry is achieving some stunning colours using Food Colouring</td></tr>
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Also in the pantry is Turmeric, onions, Paprika, coffee, tea, even red cabbage, all can create wonderful colours. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwk1B66dvAM">tutorial</a> is one of the better ones that explains the differences in natural dyes, whether you need to add a mordant or not. They use fabric in this video, but the principles are the same for wool.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ztu3G-rN2fEDVaiX9DjrOLmDHv0xkZPvFOpJv2fcalwBWWE_ckuQZTj-MIi3OqCCCpvGfoXYFrH23dDiotCXn9yeSlyrtMBX-VBD5LF-gaPNQ9WhxidrHr19QZmjfRuGIP-8LxeglI6A/s1600/Unwind+Doe+Natural+Dyed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ztu3G-rN2fEDVaiX9DjrOLmDHv0xkZPvFOpJv2fcalwBWWE_ckuQZTj-MIi3OqCCCpvGfoXYFrH23dDiotCXn9yeSlyrtMBX-VBD5LF-gaPNQ9WhxidrHr19QZmjfRuGIP-8LxeglI6A/s640/Unwind+Doe+Natural+Dyed.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doe Arnott from Oamaru has perfected the natural dye process to a commercial scale</td></tr>
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I know from social media postings I have seen within the groups I frequent that some incredible dying is going on. If you find purchasing a pack of <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/naked.html">Naked Skeinz</a> yarns too daunting for your experimentation, you can actually purchase some other Skeinz yarns in balls or hanks to play around with. I suggest the <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/heritagepolwarth.html">Heritage Polwarth Ecru</a>, <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/PERENDALE+DK8PLY/Cream+DK+50gm.html">Perendale Cream</a>, Southlander Cream as small amounts of yarn to fiddle around with. The balled yarns will have to be made into a hank, but that can be done my winding the yarn around your forearm and securing it with waste yarn to make a small hank.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45XiTDRqOLQmVKz9ccjZqQcWmSniKr9h355-mypnE2WLx86k3r9kX49VFION-HUx8cue7B5rim7oeWLJyxggTiIq_Fx5u-Rh0CHIq-xMwTERs-VIINb47OLPJl2a1jNzCpKgMzZqqUyhQ/s1600/SL+Cream.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45XiTDRqOLQmVKz9ccjZqQcWmSniKr9h355-mypnE2WLx86k3r9kX49VFION-HUx8cue7B5rim7oeWLJyxggTiIq_Fx5u-Rh0CHIq-xMwTERs-VIINb47OLPJl2a1jNzCpKgMzZqqUyhQ/s400/SL+Cream.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/SOUTHLANDER.html">Southlander Cream</a> is a perfect yarn to tinker around with for dyeing beginners.</td></tr>
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I am going to experiment at home using some Polwarth Ecru and <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/silverlining.html">Silver Lining</a> Clifton Stone & dye using food colouring and then Turmeric to see how easy the process is and what results I achieve. I'll report back next week and I hope I can inspire you to give it a go at home and share your exploits on the Facebook Thread or on our Ravely Forum. Wish me luck!<br />
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<br />Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-65281104146767432402015-06-30T16:36:00.000-07:002015-07-14T15:27:28.649-07:00Double, Double, Toil and Trouble.....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMfvOcVnMfQl4K7CntsNfvbOiblbGX-7RlZpoeyexREbtCF5EKjvFHwZg5_reS8CswcLJKF0n94UpENUG20HhQU7vVbZ8ZyPKlkohC3o-cNVFk3pYcI4rUYXVT_HgpDx8oqqsN0wefPVE/s1600/Dye+Test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMfvOcVnMfQl4K7CntsNfvbOiblbGX-7RlZpoeyexREbtCF5EKjvFHwZg5_reS8CswcLJKF0n94UpENUG20HhQU7vVbZ8ZyPKlkohC3o-cNVFk3pYcI4rUYXVT_HgpDx8oqqsN0wefPVE/s400/Dye+Test.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Yarn Kitchen dye house conducting colour labs</td></tr>
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I have blogged previously about where inspirations for colours come from. Colour is all around us. It envelopes us, bombards us, caresses us, teases us - you just need to know where to look.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fashionbashon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/trends-color-for-fw-15-pantone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fashionbashon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/trends-color-for-fw-15-pantone.jpg" height="400" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trend report for the 2015 season</td></tr>
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We often turn to colour trends in fashion and pay attention to what the pundits say and release in their colour predictions a couple of times each year. This is important, as these guru's can make or break a colour trend, not just for a season, but for years to come. Just think of the transition between the popularity of black, to gray and now to indigo.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUmuEiFZ_ahJ4WZ0Px9NgGDxGVcyMonvM0IEqYWsBjhtYRMcSP-j2SbK117Sj31-BuBYWaiLY21lbLWYw8Zff1GXWuabZ9tTd22Jc94V2onFPlTQa6WsV1wVXw_eoMOnBFbCyUMmr2oxy/s1600/Ahuriri+Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUmuEiFZ_ahJ4WZ0Px9NgGDxGVcyMonvM0IEqYWsBjhtYRMcSP-j2SbK117Sj31-BuBYWaiLY21lbLWYw8Zff1GXWuabZ9tTd22Jc94V2onFPlTQa6WsV1wVXw_eoMOnBFbCyUMmr2oxy/s400/Ahuriri+Sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you see where the inspiration comes from it all make so much sense.</td></tr>
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Nature is also the other obviously place to look. The colour combinations in plants and flowers, shore and sand, sky to sea. As colours appear in nature, that look comfortable and pleasing to our eyes, that comfort often translates when you replicate these colours in yarn or fabric - especially when it doesn't necessarily appear obvious. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALaLWZSzrJ92vcKI9l-pCFvjDvYfOXn9GR2CSEk6xU26nNwBmulsuLpxSPWpBGEXaiERlHqj2NN6OnPWh9ACnb_EZLd_3gmkDgr_LMplS0dDNjVouASNkHxY2hN_fwcFZzta0DK3pUNMM/s1600/SK+Glass+Mountain+Corriedale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALaLWZSzrJ92vcKI9l-pCFvjDvYfOXn9GR2CSEk6xU26nNwBmulsuLpxSPWpBGEXaiERlHqj2NN6OnPWh9ACnb_EZLd_3gmkDgr_LMplS0dDNjVouASNkHxY2hN_fwcFZzta0DK3pUNMM/s400/SK+Glass+Mountain+Corriedale.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glass Mountain - inspired by a Napier Winter Sunset</td></tr>
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Last year we released a limited edition colour collection - one of those colours was called <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Yarn+%26+Fibre+Type/YARN+CLEARANCE/glassmountain10.html">Glass Mountain</a>. It was a combination of two blues, a taupe and mustard yellow. Not traditional bedfellows you might say, but that is where nature, colour and instinct can surprise you. These colours directly reflected what you see during a cloudless Winter Sunset here in Napier. As the sun dips down below the surrounding ranges filtering it last few rays across Hawkes Bay.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrnmaX2_Jcuuc6ybIaty0HjDOOlSHErAYfd0PCtC8UuY-vM93-YROcqHrIFDxF-9uzQMYdeUE5rSn1ixypAcyJkdiXJZk_FG1Puus7oYlT6j00g5DYxGODGvpy6TpiwQ8JSOL0rjHFpJK/s1600/Glass+Mountain+Louis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrnmaX2_Jcuuc6ybIaty0HjDOOlSHErAYfd0PCtC8UuY-vM93-YROcqHrIFDxF-9uzQMYdeUE5rSn1ixypAcyJkdiXJZk_FG1Puus7oYlT6j00g5DYxGODGvpy6TpiwQ8JSOL0rjHFpJK/s400/Glass+Mountain+Louis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished garment in time for the Napier Winter to which inspired the yarn.</td></tr>
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When you see all the elements together it makes sense, but to me that is the magic of what we do, hunting out those elements to give you that eureka colour moment which is the essence of 'The Yarn Kitchen'.</div>
Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-17133614424888888182015-06-23T17:07:00.003-07:002015-06-23T17:11:07.125-07:00Where the Woolly Things Are<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx6zhxzQ1SCZiYqvwJE0iLTWPtdWtYTMBtqKAE_W8pm44nN2bXSbJLzhuDu8h7BjYaIns8G-RZJexp8O3Mj7epveJ5h0WSU03Xx0EHscg-NgOgqr0cDwrc5TFMTOmqtWzbIhld50j1B2u/s1600/Cheviot+Paddock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx6zhxzQ1SCZiYqvwJE0iLTWPtdWtYTMBtqKAE_W8pm44nN2bXSbJLzhuDu8h7BjYaIns8G-RZJexp8O3Mj7epveJ5h0WSU03Xx0EHscg-NgOgqr0cDwrc5TFMTOmqtWzbIhld50j1B2u/s400/Cheviot+Paddock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Te Kowhai Cheviot's being bought down for shearing<br />
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<span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">When you are in your Skeinz shop fondling all the luscious yarns we have its easy to forget that it wasn't that long ago the fibre was running about a paddock on the back of a hooved animal of one kind or another.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK4zx_5m2XaVtB1B6iLftjBTdsBLqxRPjBuPC9hK9obUGWds-Z6DKnMkq5xkj1fAK51YaTxPWzNPzP6VUexfQsY19R_CMnpOtByyD_6kzQzc_qx-BYO0VPRoL_j2liss_DJFiscFlayVG/s1600/Ross+and+Tui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjK4zx_5m2XaVtB1B6iLftjBTdsBLqxRPjBuPC9hK9obUGWds-Z6DKnMkq5xkj1fAK51YaTxPWzNPzP6VUexfQsY19R_CMnpOtByyD_6kzQzc_qx-BYO0VPRoL_j2liss_DJFiscFlayVG/s400/Ross+and+Tui.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My old Man - Ross with Tui - his 'wool truck' dog</td></tr>
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We have relationships with some incredible wool brokers who help us source all the amazing fibre that make our yarns and one such man who helps us out is my old man, Ross. I have mentioned in previous posts about being raised on a sheep and cattle station & my pop was a farmer from his late teens until giving up the high country for 'town' in the 90's. But you can't pull the wool over an old farmers eyes and it wasn't long before he started working for local wool merchants in his home town of Gisborne (just 3 hours north of the Skeinz Mill in Napier).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aj5x3gQPVHfB4CGEdu89-Tn1SbALOwAMxIgiBENaCSkWCF5Lm5yVfrXNkjJpaxmmNdPBr6Tl5-XqKbQhRI0AzDeol_dwNxtZEleHh2hgBdB5o2NNEIPjhXLZL0bw1gA2gTHAcFEOevp0/s1600/Cheviot+Shearing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aj5x3gQPVHfB4CGEdu89-Tn1SbALOwAMxIgiBENaCSkWCF5Lm5yVfrXNkjJpaxmmNdPBr6Tl5-XqKbQhRI0AzDeol_dwNxtZEleHh2hgBdB5o2NNEIPjhXLZL0bw1gA2gTHAcFEOevp0/s400/Cheviot+Shearing.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shearing time at Te Kowhai - the fibre from that sheep is spun into the Naked Cheviot here at Skeinz</td></tr>
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If you have attended the Knit August Nights yarn retreat in Napier you most likely have met my dad, he loves the retreat and spends hours talking to "all those hard case girls" as he calls the KANnannites and last year he drove the Skeinz shuttle between the retreat and the shop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXaOAfGweyqeOzIYkzwPo74re0zouobtppwsRH9qqEX8Xa-20YmGww2_xIIphcbVUtVWyUSoF53vDLdzida7IJ7DRsZfaouP8yzQq5MTumycryXcdinOSdKzL8te3Fw796wejGKjLfm8M/s1600/Cheviot+Spin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXaOAfGweyqeOzIYkzwPo74re0zouobtppwsRH9qqEX8Xa-20YmGww2_xIIphcbVUtVWyUSoF53vDLdzida7IJ7DRsZfaouP8yzQq5MTumycryXcdinOSdKzL8te3Fw796wejGKjLfm8M/s400/Cheviot+Spin.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a joy to spin - it was this Cheviot that got me back into hand spinning</td></tr>
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What he doesn't know about wool and what farm grows what fibre and where on the East Coast is very little indeed & it was Ross who found the Cheviot flock on Te Kowhai Station where we source our Naked Cheviot from. It's wonderful for us to be able track the fibre from farm to yarn and it is just as satisfying for Ross and Art from Te Kowhai as well to know that his wool is being made into such a beautiful thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlKHxqU_DfZ8wJRpOVBtU0W4LVWynVz1G_08EYEyzYYvCLvuGwwNIQER7eVUfuFEwp4Pg7y_Frq_YzKl7ei3U_IDXZzsbCmQmLPWEbHLLgQqXkpG9WTIt8ABKNeOUZLcyP5xiiuxVKnRC/s1600/Naked+Cheviot+Aran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlKHxqU_DfZ8wJRpOVBtU0W4LVWynVz1G_08EYEyzYYvCLvuGwwNIQER7eVUfuFEwp4Pg7y_Frq_YzKl7ei3U_IDXZzsbCmQmLPWEbHLLgQqXkpG9WTIt8ABKNeOUZLcyP5xiiuxVKnRC/s400/Naked+Cheviot+Aran.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skeinz Naked Cheviot - all spun and ready to go.</td></tr>
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We have deliberately kept the spinning of the Naked Cheviot as close to 'hand spinning' as we can. It's just a two fold twist and constructed as you would if you were spinning for the classical Aran jumper. Cheviot is lively, strong and warm and has a beautiful pearl like lustre. It also wears very well, so if you would like to take the yarn full circle and something that would be worn on the farm - then the Naked Cheviot is the yarn to knit it in!Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-88713783502219364142015-06-09T18:52:00.001-07:002015-06-09T18:52:06.570-07:00The Wonder of Wool<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n4LAAvlEMGHOCuk_uA3xe7Ywv6tm_DX6ow-UFH4lCrytf4X-Qda-rpTbjtk-ThEl-xcHmIyWdERc8m1wkBXeTHQBb84XJsmmbIW1PiC1fqudLcZLQpWP_IS2Ld0Rg0pCdN3-NqnN9fTc/s1600/BW+Mill+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n4LAAvlEMGHOCuk_uA3xe7Ywv6tm_DX6ow-UFH4lCrytf4X-Qda-rpTbjtk-ThEl-xcHmIyWdERc8m1wkBXeTHQBb84XJsmmbIW1PiC1fqudLcZLQpWP_IS2Ld0Rg0pCdN3-NqnN9fTc/s400/BW+Mill+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Images from today's action at The Yarn Kitchen - Design Spun</td></tr>
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This month marks Wool Week here in NZ with the Campaign for Wool and also World Wide Knit In Public Day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdr5xs0uFZjNvCP9u4TTh4uUfK1TMjT9XEOxCdnOJB1WCwpALeaw5TJoI9JSVMzWJdscU8UPpWjqfmMVCefIpYOq-4PH-Ff6VhiBe0EgN5A2q23FdhmDJJpSRfIl72eqCkMk8AW2aZx29/s1600/BW+Mill6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdr5xs0uFZjNvCP9u4TTh4uUfK1TMjT9XEOxCdnOJB1WCwpALeaw5TJoI9JSVMzWJdscU8UPpWjqfmMVCefIpYOq-4PH-Ff6VhiBe0EgN5A2q23FdhmDJJpSRfIl72eqCkMk8AW2aZx29/s400/BW+Mill6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Poplar Cowl by Julia Stanfield knitted in Silver Lining Clifton Stone</td></tr>
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To help celebrate we want to see what you have been knitting in Skeinz wool - so join us on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/skeinzcom-Quality-NZ-Yarn-Purchased-Directly-from-the-Source/154083277958651">Facebook Page</a> or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/skeinz-natural-yarn-store/3217836/1-25#13">Ravelry Forum</a> and post your image to go into the draw for some luscious Silver Lining Naturals yarn.<br />
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Have a look as some of the amazing entries so far...<br />
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<br />Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-12538779032984972742015-06-02T19:34:00.004-07:002015-06-02T19:37:22.279-07:00Stash Busting or New Yarn - the Conundrum?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNyy1o21MHDa52u9qyKQ9epfJmEuN4T3rCKptf6pB8E6OAH1LcsTdWojQ_r3mZfkuO85PBmP6nibfYkBLsWR4uVdSYfD_Wr6HN8mmCBnjtifNVSfM8NyuBEFp00MdiWvIOWgr47PPPORi/s1600/2015-05-27+13.16.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNyy1o21MHDa52u9qyKQ9epfJmEuN4T3rCKptf6pB8E6OAH1LcsTdWojQ_r3mZfkuO85PBmP6nibfYkBLsWR4uVdSYfD_Wr6HN8mmCBnjtifNVSfM8NyuBEFp00MdiWvIOWgr47PPPORi/s400/2015-05-27+13.16.58.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Jackets, the trims are made with a Stash Yarn and the body with new Orb</td></tr>
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I'm not too proud to say it - I have an obscene stash. Makes sense really. I work for Skeinz, at a spinning mill. I own and operate<a href="http://www.knitaugustnights.co.nz/"> Knit August Nights</a>, so I get hands on access to some of the countries top Indie producers, and for those who don't make KAN, I then go and stalk them at Unwind in Dunedin. Yes, my stash is considerable.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooIRNwHRJWodOGXqiRKsA45p4VRBj-KRTBQtBegKgTbcxY1Ph4kWt1mLQDfoWRiNqmB-ODps8ayMY111n0jJda5MR5QrvcukNFBlzQ-xHlzDl7ddULKLqSP-JhE5_DRXuF0T40enKV8Z_/s1600/Aquaruis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooIRNwHRJWodOGXqiRKsA45p4VRBj-KRTBQtBegKgTbcxY1Ph4kWt1mLQDfoWRiNqmB-ODps8ayMY111n0jJda5MR5QrvcukNFBlzQ-xHlzDl7ddULKLqSP-JhE5_DRXuF0T40enKV8Z_/s400/Aquaruis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Random print is some Skeinz Original from 8 years ago with some Skeinz Alpaca</td></tr>
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So like many with the passing of the new year and declarations of "Yarn Diets" and "Knit from Stash" regimes, I considered this... for a nano second. But the reality of my stash, which has grown from a large cupboard, a two large basket overflow and now a collection of Jute shopping bags, I did concede that maybe a cull was in order.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1iGRL7oPjx7JrQc8leYcNII7vcQXJJTgbtFZtvgWAHztnMwGhO-VoXwu0HvKePDdf7U1fjp-iGYncMFIYdDC2IMM9_oAE6cNqQO9AOpjpZcGzVKDg7fgQPYloGIn0nU3NXLYyTHAQ2kX/s1600/2015-06-03+11.48.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1iGRL7oPjx7JrQc8leYcNII7vcQXJJTgbtFZtvgWAHztnMwGhO-VoXwu0HvKePDdf7U1fjp-iGYncMFIYdDC2IMM9_oAE6cNqQO9AOpjpZcGzVKDg7fgQPYloGIn0nU3NXLYyTHAQ2kX/s400/2015-06-03+11.48.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/orb.html">The new Orb</a> - I just can't get enough of this yarn</td></tr>
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It was awful, it's like trying to decide which one of your children you liked best. Needless to say the only yarns that made the cull pile were those who were orphans from previous projects, those unwanted who I'd already had my fun with their siblings and they no longer held my allure. But I am a kind mistress, and they were all happily re-homed to other stashes. Making space also meant I could start stashing some of the stunning new yarns that have now arrived at Skeinz.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPnsnC8kaHPy1GdZBSFBpLPTVeAz4VdbwK7p2wj-jk-9T_2jhFS2YjzWQ2AwRA1Lmf5vAnBpMHcl3u0-RqJypEB3dIUwJhHRCwRu_VqEXjhOApFtbvC15PcCt7WB0yR-SgZCI_o9_TANt/s1600/Ollie+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPnsnC8kaHPy1GdZBSFBpLPTVeAz4VdbwK7p2wj-jk-9T_2jhFS2YjzWQ2AwRA1Lmf5vAnBpMHcl3u0-RqJypEB3dIUwJhHRCwRu_VqEXjhOApFtbvC15PcCt7WB0yR-SgZCI_o9_TANt/s400/Ollie+2.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trim is a stray ball of Noro from the stash with the body in the<a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/heritagekid.html"> Heritage Kid Mohai</a>r in porcelain.</td></tr>
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That is when the light bulb appeared - I could do both. Satisfy the urge to stash bust with the need to knit our new yarns. The solution - knit projects that had to combine both elements. Sounds simple enough. Great too as I have so many single balls of quirky yarns purchased on overseas sojourns or received in international swaps.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/287480147/Oilskin_Cowl1_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/287480147/Oilskin_Cowl1_medium2.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a mix of <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/VINTAGE+DK.html">Vintage</a> Oilskin with scraps of Alpaca Boucle</td></tr>
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I blogged previously about the baby cardigan I started after a few glasses of wine. No, I am NOT going to write the pattern up because there are so many <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#view=captioned_thumbs&page=1&sort=best&query=top%20down%20baby%20jacket">similar patterns</a> on Ravelry which will do the trick. I have now completed four of these sweet cardigans & I am now starting on a vest for my own son. It has been a brilliant exercise to play with texture and colour & I am now looking at my stash with fresh eyes - especially those bags with not enough yarn for a project for me, but if I added some new Orb, Burlesque or Silver Lining.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/302658139/2015-05-14_18.33.09_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/buscke/302658139/2015-05-14_18.33.09_medium2.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed Orb Cardigan - did I mention how much I loved this yarn?</td></tr>
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<br />Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-90215723991162511032015-05-10T19:36:00.003-07:002015-05-10T19:36:41.995-07:00We haven't gone AWOL - Promise!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t51.2885-15/11184708_1657295734493823_1303020880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t51.2885-15/11184708_1657295734493823_1303020880_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick colour snapshot of Burlesque</td></tr>
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I know it seems like an age since we last spoke, but things have been so busy here at the yarn kitchen! As it is Autumn in our corner of paradise, that means that the mill is even busier than usual getting all the yarns spun and coloured for the Southern hemisphere Winter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xtp1/t51.2885-15/11111328_1576688705953382_1535626281_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xtp1/t51.2885-15/11111328_1576688705953382_1535626281_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How can you resist the colour! Balling at The Yarn Kitchen</td></tr>
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Skeinz is no exception, three of the ranges I have been hotly anticipated have now arrived in store. Burlesque - a shimmering blend of Silk and Merino, Orb - a high twist on twist Merino & Limbo - an uber chunky wool wrap yarn.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t51.2885-15/11101983_1400171863637218_87772015_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t51.2885-15/11101983_1400171863637218_87772015_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The One Hour Cowl! The Pattern is in store</td></tr>
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I'm like a kid in a candy shop madly casting on and trying to get projected completed as I just love all these yarns so much. Limbo was the obvious starter. being so lush and thick meant I could get a project cast on and completed in just an hour! Limbo is the ultimate in self gratification knitting - honestly in just one episode of Game of Thrones I had knitted and entire cowl, and no one lost their head (well actually maybe one person lost theirs!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIq4xf00woFqyCSX2nsLBkW3j3cVV2zm-b4gNHHI237q3ZR3SlWoXkyHzqKrNW8f5PTMi9CPVw_ITDQsz7ph-FGGWdJPm2PVyT0StdMm5CKT_HMvQVMYRyhLsyuT7xWUOCYjZtkAdUneSo/s1600/Burlesque+Hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIq4xf00woFqyCSX2nsLBkW3j3cVV2zm-b4gNHHI237q3ZR3SlWoXkyHzqKrNW8f5PTMi9CPVw_ITDQsz7ph-FGGWdJPm2PVyT0StdMm5CKT_HMvQVMYRyhLsyuT7xWUOCYjZtkAdUneSo/s400/Burlesque+Hat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes - it is me! Look at the hat though - Just love it - <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stax">Stax</a> by Carina Spencer</td></tr>
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I then moved onto Burlesque. It has been so long since we have spun a silk blended yarn, this one uses Tussah silk, and the effect the silk gives to the yarn is an exotic shimmer that reflects off your stitches to add depth and interest to your work. I knitted a lovely lacy slouch hat for the shop using the Bluestone grey. The silk makes the hat drape and the slanting stitches makes the most of the silk qualities. I am now on the hunt for my next project to make the most of the rich spicy colour palette we have in the range.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GuDNaOYf1AEYHRU-t07M3l3_dj1pqwrFBwSuOPlYrMn6HaE0AYzVa2FmJrcJ2QQFGbxQE5p6vER43eGu2QiRbe-48sr9Dmp3WpEg2QBY5OeofJcURFt-oI0kGmsVQW1Q3EyUv_F4GL0J/s1600/Orb+Cardigan+Progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2GuDNaOYf1AEYHRU-t07M3l3_dj1pqwrFBwSuOPlYrMn6HaE0AYzVa2FmJrcJ2QQFGbxQE5p6vER43eGu2QiRbe-48sr9Dmp3WpEg2QBY5OeofJcURFt-oI0kGmsVQW1Q3EyUv_F4GL0J/s400/Orb+Cardigan+Progress.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Current WIP in the new Orb, other wise known at "The 'Frozen' Jumper" by my son!</td></tr>
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Currently on the needles is Orb Merino. This is a high twist on twist construction that I have just adored for years. It makes stocking stitch looks slick and smooth & the twist hold the shape of textured stitches with ease. The twist also means the wear is excellent - so a brilliant yarn for those garments which can be prone to pilling. I have started a wee baby jacket with 3 of the contemporary colours in the range. So far its knitting up a dream, I can now see other projects that will be started to take advantage of the complementary colours.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Fe2EAhbQQSQL__uMc5RZ4UjHVNc9_VhL34yi-iGaag1y3lioZ5VcQH1fastoWwkifiKKVhXgHEtOwZpTRyCwBHW_m0udDi9nfC1QOSrgbJkzUdJWVa_ivgX30NhBqp1LElVdindk7s_-/s1600/Crochet+Weave+sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Fe2EAhbQQSQL__uMc5RZ4UjHVNc9_VhL34yi-iGaag1y3lioZ5VcQH1fastoWwkifiKKVhXgHEtOwZpTRyCwBHW_m0udDi9nfC1QOSrgbJkzUdJWVa_ivgX30NhBqp1LElVdindk7s_-/s400/Crochet+Weave+sample.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A woven swatch made up with Orb, Vintage and some Homespun</td></tr>
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All these yarns are now online, but if you are in the neighbourhood, do call in. We have shimmied the shop around and all the yarn looks great. BTW registrations are now open for Knit August Nights, I'll be profiling some classes soon, but make sure you head over to the <a href="http://www.knitaugustnights.co.nz/">KAN website</a> and see what's on offer.<br />
<br />Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-91479231200010760762015-03-15T15:20:00.000-07:002015-03-15T15:20:02.545-07:00Time to Retreat<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/11008108_962353937149283_1744631689_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/11008108_962353937149283_1744631689_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the yarns Skeinz had available at Unwind</td></tr>
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As I compose this Tropical Cyclone Pam is bearing down on the east coast of NZ and here in Napier we are on the fringe of Pam's wrath. Weather like this makes you want to retreat into your shell and wait the storm out, in my case with either knitting for spinning. But no, I am at the 'The Yarn Kitchen' watching the weather rapidly deteriorate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj477YpyIsfi_jAD1dZ02Py9yBQxQK7UMPr92D4XX8FI4iGiY5x_VWrzNnv66kz9XlqcG7YWryAr5kaLlsA0KeoS-PH3JhF3PXp20HHZbilU3wM3am4sytxcffja9kwKvv5BNk-LyqIcZdI/s1600/Unwind+QR+Shawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj477YpyIsfi_jAD1dZ02Py9yBQxQK7UMPr92D4XX8FI4iGiY5x_VWrzNnv66kz9XlqcG7YWryAr5kaLlsA0KeoS-PH3JhF3PXp20HHZbilU3wM3am4sytxcffja9kwKvv5BNk-LyqIcZdI/s1600/Unwind+QR+Shawl.jpg" height="640" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was desperate to scan the QR code on this shawl at Unwind!</td></tr>
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It isn't all doom and gloom, I have been very lucky over the past two weeks to visit two fibre craft retreats. Firstly Unwind in Dunedin and latterly this last week, the Creative Fibre Eastern region retreat. As the creator of the Knit August Nights retreat I really value the importance of these events for those that a attend and the wider fibre craft community. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OsaJLSw3peUQdXqmjo4vcszi9URZqUib_MMcgZd1dVUA1xLWUHF8SKdkOkx3o_953LiJj6YQqKIh5K_dbfvz_jyZvAdw_3qkNN04G21If_DfpXkHplzSQgQdNEFN2WhE_zqlMitbWhky/s1600/Unwind+Sue+Schreuder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OsaJLSw3peUQdXqmjo4vcszi9URZqUib_MMcgZd1dVUA1xLWUHF8SKdkOkx3o_953LiJj6YQqKIh5K_dbfvz_jyZvAdw_3qkNN04G21If_DfpXkHplzSQgQdNEFN2WhE_zqlMitbWhky/s1600/Unwind+Sue+Schreuder.jpg" height="640" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stunning Sue Schreuder - She taught at Unwind and is also taking a class at KAN 2015</td></tr>
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There is something very special about being able to gather together with like minded people, get inspired and energised. Speak the same language - conversations that would be lost on a lay person are exciting and educational at the retreat. That goes without mentioning all the other topics that get covered off... Like the knitwear in the Outlander TV series or what books we have been reading.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiy8B8Pt-4ZZ2K1Ry1IFhFb1t-eILJUZP34OYE-HqCqgzovXNbnYKr4vDuO42rxFUqdUIbBzh1KUYanG4ONB3Vye8SheIWtwgPdnoSEt9U0xOyNFgWlsWOurn8E7eqSLCCzhZobmc4_sG/s1600/Crochet+Weave+sample.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiy8B8Pt-4ZZ2K1Ry1IFhFb1t-eILJUZP34OYE-HqCqgzovXNbnYKr4vDuO42rxFUqdUIbBzh1KUYanG4ONB3Vye8SheIWtwgPdnoSEt9U0xOyNFgWlsWOurn8E7eqSLCCzhZobmc4_sG/s1600/Crochet+Weave+sample.jpg" height="640" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The efforts from my woven Crochet class - so much fun.</td></tr>
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I love the fibre craft community as they are such a passionate bunch, they keep me coming to work week after week. At Unwind I attended a class, the first I managed in years as I am always working within retreats to enjoy some class time. It was brilliant. I leaned a new technique marrying crochet and weaving together from Deb Moore at Stitch Seekers (Famous for the <a href="http://www.stitchseekers.com/men-in-knitwear.html">Men in Knitwear</a> calendar and <a href="http://www.outlawyarn.com/index.html">Outlaw yarn</a>), something I am now itching to try out again on a project I had pegged using a more traditional for of crochet, this alone was worth attending the retreat for!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11008355_815366971862941_1872711278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t51.2885-15/11008355_815366971862941_1872711278_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creative Fibre HB Retreat - I so wanted to abscond with this wheel!</td></tr>
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So if you have ever considered going to a retreat, but have never been brave enough - do it! We have two amazing independent retreats in <a href="http://www.unwindretreat.co.nz/">Unwind</a> in Dunedin (March 5th - 7th 2016) and <a href="http://www.knitaugustnights.co.nz/">Knit August Nights</a> right here in Napier (August 28th - 30th 2015), plus Creative Fibre frequently have retreats in their regions - contact your local delegate for more information.Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-69260484927038715722015-03-01T16:59:00.002-08:002015-03-01T17:02:24.696-08:00Green Machine<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5R9kvMlIESzuOWe44fMnt1p5E_-w2gnJ9oOtvt__NmtXASi7AikUeWsPFWYXsz4GoR50_QhEY3MbstU7NBXkgdQcnXrxjnUeYyydBrYSIi6AFFDwzcyBY0ezZqkfYx8-v8Y1l_ThVGod/s1600/Green+Machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5R9kvMlIESzuOWe44fMnt1p5E_-w2gnJ9oOtvt__NmtXASi7AikUeWsPFWYXsz4GoR50_QhEY3MbstU7NBXkgdQcnXrxjnUeYyydBrYSIi6AFFDwzcyBY0ezZqkfYx8-v8Y1l_ThVGod/s1600/Green+Machine.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Orb Merino with <a href="https://secure.zeald.com/skeinz/shop/View%20by%20Range%20Name/Filigree?mv_pc=101">Vintage Filigre</a>e Pistachio</td></tr>
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I have talked about colour preferences before, especially when it comes to our own tendencies towards certain colours. Peter here at The Yarn Kitchen will always tell you that when I go to compile a colour collection ultimately I would have selected at least 2 greens. I am that predictable!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://igcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t51.2885-15/924091_621898571244219_1929989315_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://igcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t51.2885-15/924091_621898571244219_1929989315_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh, vibrant & verdant! Fresh from the dye house this morning.</td></tr>
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What pleased me greatly today was when I was on one of my sojourns around the mill I came across three dye house tubs, all filled with three shades of vibrant verdant green. None of these yarns were for Skeinz, so it proved that I am not the only one with green fingers.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QEer6OQDQRCQ9AlMpzR8BpFzOG4Vy40I-LHfybVYPpU9VNsUzdU4EMkVrLxyw6X9vkKUuVKf3lcavc-Sm5Q0Fxw1uPz1PZVSTskF_iIrSyKNhEx9Jz4JphYdRbMwfvJ5tYYm3QqnQuJr/s1600/Organic+Merino+Maju+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QEer6OQDQRCQ9AlMpzR8BpFzOG4Vy40I-LHfybVYPpU9VNsUzdU4EMkVrLxyw6X9vkKUuVKf3lcavc-Sm5Q0Fxw1uPz1PZVSTskF_iIrSyKNhEx9Jz4JphYdRbMwfvJ5tYYm3QqnQuJr/s1600/Organic+Merino+Maju+fun.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heritage Organic Merino in Maju Green - the ultimate in 'Green' yarns</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
We also take 'green yarns' to an entire new level. Here at The Yarn Kitchen (Design Spun) we are the only mill in Australasia that is BioGro certified, processing organic fibres into delicious hand knitting yarns. At Skeinz we have our <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/HERITAGE+-+Organic+Merino.html">Heritage Organic Merino</a> sport. The most dreamy two fold yarn in five gelato colours - obviously including a green!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/3012715003_68b7869c6f_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/3012715003_68b7869c6f_z.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cosy knitted years ago in a vibrant Olive shade has reappeared this year in Orb</td></tr>
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One of the beauties of green is that is is a secondary colour made up of yellow & Blue. You may think this doesn't mean much, but you would be mistaken. This means the variety of green combinations you can produce is almost limitless. Unlike a primary colour, green can slip and slide up and down the blue/yellow spectrum giving you so much variety. From the most oceanic Teal through to jade all the way across to the most citrus Lime, green can off so much & will always remain a favourite here at The Yarn Kitchen. (pictured below <a href="https://secure.zeald.com/skeinz/shop/View%20by%20Range%20Name/SOUTHLANDER?mv_pc=243">Southlander</a> Java Oatmeal & Gypsy Oatmeal)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsECal80W1r8DLI1_Vrqy2IvxHLaO126NqFWimfF8LbNL_0x24xjxnji7QEdDW8naEwr4XCr1d7v3oL0qu9OZvVz1TKoO9dnuZU1ALHnkx2LzYOBjeBFP1jVbmMusQ6I7y8zkNXeFockU/s1600/SL+Java+Oat.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsECal80W1r8DLI1_Vrqy2IvxHLaO126NqFWimfF8LbNL_0x24xjxnji7QEdDW8naEwr4XCr1d7v3oL0qu9OZvVz1TKoO9dnuZU1ALHnkx2LzYOBjeBFP1jVbmMusQ6I7y8zkNXeFockU/s1600/SL+Java+Oat.JPG" height="200" width="198" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODGR4AFGj64f_Ih-JybEi9_klR0R6MBmjPYJmLR8pa0Ok7AVLnfeud-1XzIdNXaBUMgGt7SYkTOtc1TRJ1KUzVoVRto1q9VeuFkDUnE2h7p4km2nf91sHCwsqJA4IkCoJwAaY9kcdoM91/s1600/SL+Sprig+Oat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODGR4AFGj64f_Ih-JybEi9_klR0R6MBmjPYJmLR8pa0Ok7AVLnfeud-1XzIdNXaBUMgGt7SYkTOtc1TRJ1KUzVoVRto1q9VeuFkDUnE2h7p4km2nf91sHCwsqJA4IkCoJwAaY9kcdoM91/s1600/SL+Sprig+Oat.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-19880747287493933902015-02-03T17:24:00.001-08:002015-02-03T17:26:08.661-08:00Spin Cycle.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQShTWtyRpaaGNPiDjPB1TbgGFQG9WKel9G_clvZMAGf0ETYSaUNB_KTCvok_83upzhBU1_DEfCYQs3KOa6KIVaLytseHedgxkdRJ1l7BcUmoDzI0dDvfFVjnyen5ymMnbwjK_qM5e4ogo/s1600/Alpaca+wool+Sliver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQShTWtyRpaaGNPiDjPB1TbgGFQG9WKel9G_clvZMAGf0ETYSaUNB_KTCvok_83upzhBU1_DEfCYQs3KOa6KIVaLytseHedgxkdRJ1l7BcUmoDzI0dDvfFVjnyen5ymMnbwjK_qM5e4ogo/s1600/Alpaca+wool+Sliver.jpg" height="400" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voluptuous Clouds of Lovliness</td></tr>
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<div>
Along with the increased popularity of knitting, spinning too has received a resurgence of popularity. Wheels are being snapped up in garage sales, on Trade Me & Ebay and more and more yarn lovers are having a go at spinning their own yarns.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKL0AD6v8xSJKxBggBAzbDShwI0HL62gON7cjXGSCm7sQx_sNmfuJdP9nlVyQ5r6HNBq-9AgdLnH0lkz7ilTudbp1JCBr8ctTw7LgJMAduOWCPQgMW7KFt9CgYLlDYuExfPBU0OnmSCZz/s1600/A+Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKL0AD6v8xSJKxBggBAzbDShwI0HL62gON7cjXGSCm7sQx_sNmfuJdP9nlVyQ5r6HNBq-9AgdLnH0lkz7ilTudbp1JCBr8ctTw7LgJMAduOWCPQgMW7KFt9CgYLlDYuExfPBU0OnmSCZz/s1600/A+Rainbow.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chasing Rainbows - Available last year</td></tr>
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<div>
I learnt to spin after my first son was born, but I had to put it on hiatus when he started to get mobile, the temptation to jam little fingers into moving parts was just too much for my wee man. So my wheel went away until I attended the Unwind Fibrecraft retreat in Dunedin a couple of years ago. Spinners there travelled with their wheels & I got to see what could be done with some of the amazing hand painted slivers now available.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQe5yGFHbMWI2UpMf_lBgsok-9y4zZRxlOTf_RkV1GzcnZT51o9d9jrQV8OetdhLawHC7VMFKznckTzn4XYKJxrOlumoJxWfuuokGiZ1IzCb8bf2Y1o8DvyRpu4rx2xm6oDnhq2vuS5nd4/s1600/Homespun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQe5yGFHbMWI2UpMf_lBgsok-9y4zZRxlOTf_RkV1GzcnZT51o9d9jrQV8OetdhLawHC7VMFKznckTzn4XYKJxrOlumoJxWfuuokGiZ1IzCb8bf2Y1o8DvyRpu4rx2xm6oDnhq2vuS5nd4/s1600/Homespun.jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Chasing Rainbows & Clifton Stone homespun skeins</td></tr>
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<div>
This got me inspired to make sure that we have some slivers available from skeinz.com for all those that love to spin or, like me, were getting back to their wheels & starting for the very first time. We always have some good kiwi crossbred sliver available. This is mid micron and draws very easily - making it easier to refine your technique if you are learning. It spins up easily & quickly and is perfect for the classic farm style homespun projects.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHY7Tor6PWdfGG5c0lcWUyZA1oCBGiZQjWyxGrl1X6WAwjxVbgkOksf52qJ4YISlNOEQHGgRApHb71HreGEv-niWAqL-CfU5xkDKHaIKIYgomd36fUZ1FJrSQ17aYpBhH98-6ZLfpqdohL/s1600/Spice+Shop+start+homespun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHY7Tor6PWdfGG5c0lcWUyZA1oCBGiZQjWyxGrl1X6WAwjxVbgkOksf52qJ4YISlNOEQHGgRApHb71HreGEv-niWAqL-CfU5xkDKHaIKIYgomd36fUZ1FJrSQ17aYpBhH98-6ZLfpqdohL/s1600/Spice+Shop+start+homespun.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to knit up my Chasing Rainbows</td></tr>
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<div>
In recent months I have been skulking about the mill looking for other gems to entice spinners. At the end of last year we did a colour trial for a new yarn (coming soon) and I was able to snaffle some deliciously vibrant fibre, called Chasing Rainbows, which sold out in record time. I was one of the lucky ones who had this fibre and I have been s pinning it up across the Summer break, I also have been knitting some of the <a href="http://www.skeinz.com/shop/View+by+Range+Name/silverlining.html">Silver Lining Sliver</a> from our popular DK range which I rescued from the blending bins. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLfJz6wqgXVevHw8ceP7ryRapj1fD_lV_z9NCgIeMmEVl_AwlGGvPnib2wySIhdVKNytsa-6vwZyJICRzXA8A1tyxAnw3tKnnIwN16EI7WcD75luaV30on1ftC3TqTeJPtYKJikmjHQOU/s1600/SL+SLIVER+Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLfJz6wqgXVevHw8ceP7ryRapj1fD_lV_z9NCgIeMmEVl_AwlGGvPnib2wySIhdVKNytsa-6vwZyJICRzXA8A1tyxAnw3tKnnIwN16EI7WcD75luaV30on1ftC3TqTeJPtYKJikmjHQOU/s1600/SL+SLIVER+Group.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Arapawa Slivers</td></tr>
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<div>
This year I have pounced on the gill ends of the new batch of this yarn before it was reblended. There are four natural shades of 19 micron rare breed Arapawa Merino (in this case, last batch was mostly Stewart Island Merino with Arapawa) and it is simply TO DIE FOR! It is so soft and spins like a dream. If you are wanting some special sliver for an heirloom project - this is the sliver for you. Make sure you check it out before it all spins itself out he door!</div>
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Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-88202586470901372402015-01-25T15:44:00.001-08:002015-01-25T15:44:35.774-08:00In the most unlikely of places...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggL1ecMcvTOv6hX5cfFGt3IVySij_DfM1bIBZn6dczPItgs53sFIfIZXx118S8QHWL1vfELS6NwxTnjETXXQ4N7kpOF_JrTLzfHmkA1OTde-O4JeNnj0eO2pQK6IjBIKzuc6Owbsx_MJI/s1600/Cricket+Boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggL1ecMcvTOv6hX5cfFGt3IVySij_DfM1bIBZn6dczPItgs53sFIfIZXx118S8QHWL1vfELS6NwxTnjETXXQ4N7kpOF_JrTLzfHmkA1OTde-O4JeNnj0eO2pQK6IjBIKzuc6Owbsx_MJI/s1600/Cricket+Boy.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't Shohug look gorgeous! He LOVES the Bangladesh Cricket team and is very proud of his jumper in team colours.</td></tr>
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Last week I received the loveliest of messages via our Facebook page from Susan it read<br />
"<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Hello, I thought you would like to see the photo of the little boy in Bangladesh. I bought the wool from you and the lovely lady at the desk printed out the Bangladesh cricket uniform for me so we could get the colours just right. My 80 year old mother knitted this. These children have nothing, their father is my brothers rickshaw wallah. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I will be coming for more wool for sure. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He is very proud of his jersey"</span><br />
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I remember this very well as luck would have it, I was in the shop covering that particular day - Susan is often in purchasing yarn for her mother and another knitting group. I remember it so vividly as I would have thought that Bangladesh would be the last place that warm woollies would be worn, but the northern part of the country gets very cold and at each end of the day and an extra layer is most certainly required, but often not available. After receiving this photograph I quizzed her a little farther and asked what is it that they do with the yarn?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOyLkXfciZ7OoRQ5U-fv2yRlsOs4TLWEYDlUXWCIHSLq1EOqVXOa0e1wcmCK6loP9laHfoZ_p9OonKk-_JJ82M-09ALcgFeEFeObEnMmc4tBTTfJaPtc5p2AAqM4aZmt1cy0JGPPZ5mo3/s1600/Knitted+Hats+Group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOyLkXfciZ7OoRQ5U-fv2yRlsOs4TLWEYDlUXWCIHSLq1EOqVXOa0e1wcmCK6loP9laHfoZ_p9OonKk-_JJ82M-09ALcgFeEFeObEnMmc4tBTTfJaPtc5p2AAqM4aZmt1cy0JGPPZ5mo3/s1600/Knitted+Hats+Group.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids proudly modelling their hats & headbands</td></tr>
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Her brother works in Bangladesh and friends of his run a school, through a church group they have been knitting hats, headbands, scarves and slippers for the children. It gets surprisingly cold where they are and whilst most of the children are barefoot to school, the cold concrete floors are made more bearable by the slippers and the kids are kept cosy with the rest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7uq_l06QcMiLbE_QygxwSvh31FzW0bAwDc6BDar9KWPmLv9vmZUtzdURrRQ5Upn1cfqMw70Njo8u7Sey0Pb0lcwYwE4kWKbNE025F7cUVNwUIZYmmCLVvVyGlrxsK-hv4OYz9YOezO-B/s1600/Slipper+Love+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7uq_l06QcMiLbE_QygxwSvh31FzW0bAwDc6BDar9KWPmLv9vmZUtzdURrRQ5Upn1cfqMw70Njo8u7Sey0Pb0lcwYwE4kWKbNE025F7cUVNwUIZYmmCLVvVyGlrxsK-hv4OYz9YOezO-B/s1600/Slipper+Love+2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The slippers help keep feet warm on the very cold concrete floors</td></tr>
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It has been a real joy to see our yarn being utilised in such a way that makes a real difference in peoples lives. Whilst I knit for my pure pleasure and to make items for my family, it fills my heart with joy to see the smiles on the faces of these children as they have received knitted garments from our yarn and from Kiwi knitters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprbKw0bV3Rg3fAqk1JJzmviXHoWd1XmPgGJO8wnZlXFdZoRW762W676z8XXXlfKIfiugES7SecQ-sxmLowSDbLhrHyL98hs9uPESDbr-nLWzdNnTZGYDAWGOuPGf4NBICX7mvrky4dN6g/s1600/Slipper+Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprbKw0bV3Rg3fAqk1JJzmviXHoWd1XmPgGJO8wnZlXFdZoRW762W676z8XXXlfKIfiugES7SecQ-sxmLowSDbLhrHyL98hs9uPESDbr-nLWzdNnTZGYDAWGOuPGf4NBICX7mvrky4dN6g/s1600/Slipper+Love.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A smile to make the heart sing</td></tr>
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If you knit for charity and would like to share some of the joy you have shared through yarn please contact me either through or Facebook page or at info@skeinz.com & if you would like to help these beautiful children in Bangladesh, just let me know and I will put you in touch with the group offering support. Thank you Susan for sharing this wonderful initiative.<br />
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Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8410372271131977951.post-79937015094975407182014-12-17T14:36:00.000-08:002014-12-17T14:37:09.363-08:00Greetings and Salutations for the Festive Season<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjngpYLwLsAjzwr1T3q7mvpXFzvy47kgBqKKiOrA0IK4CHQqImPQBI4hTc9kLLJ01AQ4RiZ9qhSxPrjgcgrqIDn8ktGv7cS7DM0rkeUbyDjU1zqdY6Y8JBrosTTcbXtxJOHu4GP7u33POm/s1600/CH14+Shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjngpYLwLsAjzwr1T3q7mvpXFzvy47kgBqKKiOrA0IK4CHQqImPQBI4hTc9kLLJ01AQ4RiZ9qhSxPrjgcgrqIDn8ktGv7cS7DM0rkeUbyDjU1zqdY6Y8JBrosTTcbXtxJOHu4GP7u33POm/s1600/CH14+Shop.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse into the shop - you can even see into the mill</td></tr>
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Things are well and truly winding up at The Yarn Kitchen. The mill is busy with the last day of processing today before clean up tomorrow & our own festive staff function tomorrow evening.<br />
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It has been an exciting year with wonderful growth at Skeinz, so thank you to all those who have purchased from us over the past year. It has seen four new yarns launched, with double that already imminent for the new year. All processed here, in our Napier mill, something we are very proud of. In the face of a barrage of cheap imports we try very, very hard to purchase as much as we can from New Zealand sources first to spin and process here at home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5FSitY23re0DAa9yW8ewsrpbRCA7RzEB6K-EEfjD9tKY9Z2cOjM5hnG4h42OUdXswqGdnU4AlreL4UCDQNW4nxF53OXFOyAOHp5oiyG17ZiPG8B8cCo0kw24iq6UDX5DjhJJ5QcweOwk/s1600/CH14+Penguins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5FSitY23re0DAa9yW8ewsrpbRCA7RzEB6K-EEfjD9tKY9Z2cOjM5hnG4h42OUdXswqGdnU4AlreL4UCDQNW4nxF53OXFOyAOHp5oiyG17ZiPG8B8cCo0kw24iq6UDX5DjhJJ5QcweOwk/s1600/CH14+Penguins.jpg" height="363" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Penguin mascot are still popular this season.</td></tr>
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Skeinz & our mill are very much a family - we have three couples that work here, a mother and son and frequently other family members get roped in during the peak times of year. Over half the staff have been with us for more than a decade ( in fact we have many who have hit the 20+ and 30+ year mark) and even though it feels like yesterday since I started, I will be entering my 8th year next year.<br />
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So from our Skeinz & Yarn Kitchen family to yours. Have a very festive, happy & safe holiday season. We looking forward to seeing you all in the new year. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3qrkJ__v9CrxlwQeSySspfBUUdkEqrFWrMndXJ1FNdtW-NJhWtI3js7RCZIgkxi2VXjYocijAFJOA1nQsGmffW9MtmZB9Nn2HNEj1OipY9jo1HyUn-9tXcgtwqb56d52Gb27bd0kKsG9/s1600/CH14+Fibre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3qrkJ__v9CrxlwQeSySspfBUUdkEqrFWrMndXJ1FNdtW-NJhWtI3js7RCZIgkxi2VXjYocijAFJOA1nQsGmffW9MtmZB9Nn2HNEj1OipY9jo1HyUn-9tXcgtwqb56d52Gb27bd0kKsG9/s1600/CH14+Fibre.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the closest we come to a snow drift at the Yarn Kitchen</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Skeinz Shop Hours: I have posted these on the home page of the web (in the ‘Blog & News’ section), but just to remind you that the last day for the Skeinz Shop here is Napier is this Monday the 22nd, I am in there in the morning & Suzanne will be manning the afternoon until 3pm. We reopen again Wednesday the 7th of January.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHalHFCi9DeVATjclDkl_R1WHRp3JinvGKKSz5lfyljRfkJiqdnJHC4SfoG0qBXL16CQUQ-ETuKf8ifaIqkPNf1TXz5bL7TdDzBNNc4DghRjzj01tUyflDtrRguHZ1n4VUW6R-dWwamJzF/s1600/CH14+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHalHFCi9DeVATjclDkl_R1WHRp3JinvGKKSz5lfyljRfkJiqdnJHC4SfoG0qBXL16CQUQ-ETuKf8ifaIqkPNf1TXz5bL7TdDzBNNc4DghRjzj01tUyflDtrRguHZ1n4VUW6R-dWwamJzF/s1600/CH14+Beach.jpg" height="347" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just 5 minutes away from the Yarn Kitchen is the beach - Merry Christmas</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Last dispatches for skeinz.com before Christmas will be that Monday (assuming your payments have processed and cleared.) You can make orders whilst the shop is closed and these will be checked and dispatched in two batches across the festive break. If you are going to be away, be sure you let us know in the comment section, as we can hold your order and wait to dispatch it upon your return to ensure safe delivery.</span>Busckehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437426149908320735noreply@blogger.com0