Shepherds Market Sneak Peak

What are Mr. Yarn Geek and I up to this Saturday? Well, I'm so glad you asked. We are starting out our fiber festival season in Vinton, IA at Shepherds Market Fiber and Fabric Festival. It runs from 9AM to 4PM on Saturday, March 16, 2013. There are 15 vendors to tempt you and quite a few demonstrations to grow your knowledge going on throughout the day.

Want to see something I'm taking to the festival? It's kind of a cruddy picture, but this is a Superwash BFL/ Cashmere/ Nylon sock blend in a brand new colorway currently known as "Aegean Queen". It's so very soft and spins up with hardly any effort at all. When I see it in person, it's hard not to squish it and squee.

Where is Yarn Geek in 2013?

I spent several hours this afternoon updating the map and listing all the places we are planning on being this festival season. It turns out, there are a few new places, a few places we've been before, and a few places we are just hoping let us in to bask in their glory. We are still awaiting confirmation on a few gatherings, and those are marked with a question mark on the map. As these are confirmed, I will either put a marker in place of that, or clear them off. Click through and take a peak, don't be shy. Here's the Show Map page.

View Yarn Geek Fibers 2013 "World" Tour. in a larger map

My First Ravelry Pattern

Please scroll to the bottom for Errata. The pattern now reflects the changes as of 1/2/2013.

I'm stepping out on a limb here and trying something new. Today I am putting my very first pattern on Ravelry.com. It is nothing really complicated, but for a first pattern, I feel it should be very easy. The term "winging it" comes to mind here. I am suddenly filled with trepidation. Will it be good enough to put out there where everyone can see it? What will people think when they see how simple it is? Good Lord...did I remember to count the yardage? Gosh, how do real designers do this? OK, enough panicking, time to get over there and make this thing happen.

OK, several hours later and a lot of fretting, here it is, and I feel pretty good about it. Please let me know what you all think of it because I am pretty excited to know. *squee!*

Presenting, the

Puff Rib Cowl

The Puff Rib Cowl is meant to be roomy and non-binding. It works up quickly, so it is an excellent last minute gift. The simple Puff Rib stitch adds an interesting texture that imitates cables without the extra bulk.

The fabric is very stretchy when worked in wool. It has not been test knit in cotton or silk, so the results in a non stretchy fiber are unknown for now.

If you desire a closer fit, cast on fewer stitches by reducing the stitch count in multiples of three. Conversely, if you want a larger cowl, to pull down over your shoulders perhaps, cast on more stitches in multiples of three until you reach your desired width. If a longer cowl to cover both your head and neck is what you want, just keep on repeating the Puff Rib pattern until the optimal length for you is reached.

Gauge:
17 stitches and 20 rows to 4 inches in the Puff Rib pattern with the DK yarn held doubled. (This is actually a Bulky gauge. If you want to substitute Yarn Geek Fibers Dyed and Plied, just cut the yarn amounts in half.)

Abbreviations:

K (or k) = Knit;  p = Purl;  YO = Yarn Over;  K3tog = Knit 3 stitches together

You will need:
275 to 360 yards 550 to 720 yards of DK weight yarn or sport weight yarn
24 inch US Size 8 circular needles (or size to make gauge)
One stitch marker

The cowl in the picture here has been knit with 315 yards 630 yards of DK Weight yarn. It measures 30 inches in circumference and 6.5 inches tall. The instructions for it is as follows:

Start:

The yarn is held doubled for the entire cowl.

Using US Size 8 needles, cast on 87 stitches using the long tail cast on. Join the ends to begin knitting in the round, being careful not to twist your work. Place marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

Body:

Puff Rib (Worked in the round over a multiple of 3 sts)
Round 1: Yo, k1, yo, p2 to end.

Round 2: K3, p2 to end.

Round 3: K3, p2 to end.

Round 4: K3tog, p2 to end. K3, p2 to end.

Round 5: K3tog, p2 to end.

Work Puff rib pattern a total of 5 times.
Bind off

Update on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 10:27AM by Sarah

There is now Errata for the Puff Rib Cowl pattern. Upon looking at my original test knit I noticed one glaring omission from the pattern.

1.) The yarn is held double for the entire pattern. This effects the whole thing in every way possible. It means the yarn amount required is doubled.

2.) The new yarn amounts are 550 to 720 yards of DK weight. This means the cowl in the pictures was done with 630 yards, not 315 yards. A WPI of the actual yarn used shows Cherry Tree Hill DK yarn is actually a sport weight according to Ravelry's standard yarn weights chart.

3.) The guage for the pattern is actually a Bulky gauge. If you choose to use a bulky yarn, the original yarn amounts still apply, just cut the current amounts in half.

4.) Row 4 has changed to *K3, P2* to end. A row 5 has been added which is *K3tog, p2* to end.

Strange Folk Haul 2012

With Strange Folk Festival 2012 firmly in the record books, now is the time to slow down, regroup and bask in the glory that was...

OK, enough of that... instead, let's all

behold my plunder!

Oh Yeah!

Actually, there's more. Since it didn't make it into the above picture, let's start with it first.

One of the first trades of the day was for a Tangerine Designs Police Box Needle gauge and WPI gauge. I think we all know exactly why this is cool, just like fezzes and bow ties.

(Heaven help the dog who decides to munch on this when my back is turned.)

Next up are the hilarious cat cards from katefunk

No cats were harmed in the taking of these photographs. As for Kate and her cat's relationship, well...that just got weird, and I love it!

These were just a few of many to choose from. I ended up with AC and the Chocolate Factory, Godzilla, Jaws, The Lock Ness Monster, something I'll call Space Cat and AC Attacks.

Moving up and to the left, we have the awesome jewelry I traded for from Narcise. My favorite pair of earrings ever were bought from her last year. I simply could not pass up the opportunity for more. She fires glass onto metal, how cool is that!? Very.

I ended up with 2 pairs of her earrings, one in turquoise (of course) and one in gold. I also just had to have one of her bronze (?) dipped seed pod necklaces. This particular one features a morning glory pod, coral, ceramic beads and fancy jasper.

I traded with Jbirdstitch for these fabulous oven mitts. They feature both vintage and current fabrics, and are actually thick enough to render all attempts to burn my fingers, futile.

(Again, Heaven help the dog who chews on these when my back is turned.)

No question about it, I absolutely had to have this hand embroidered pillow made with vintage fabric from Whimsy Vintage. I love everything about it. It is somehow calming with it's chaos of colors and shapes. When I figure that one out, I'll let you all know. It just makes me feel like a happy little kid again.

(Heaven help the dog who shreads this when my back is turned.)

You can also see the top of the cute little apron I traded for from Thimblism, which I adore! It is large enough to cover my ample chesteses and belly and it is handmade in a teacup print in my favorite color combo. I was so excited about it, I put it on and didn't take it off until after Strange Folk Festival ended. Actually, it got worn to dinner as well because I forgot to take it off.

(Heaven help the dog who tries to descrate this when my back is turned.)

At the same time the cat cards were purchased, the other side of the booth was occupied by Innad, a prolific wallet maker after my own heart. You can see my ultimate choice is one of her ultra-slim passport wallets whose print reminds me how bland US money really is, compared to other country's currencies. Having to pick a wallet from her selection was probably the hardest decision I had to make all weekend. I know, I lead a strenuous life.

Last but not least, Rachel from Dyeabolical has been up to her tricks again. She just had to dye up my favorite color combo of all time. I simply could not resist it immortalized in her Alter Ego 100% Superwash Merino Wool yarn and traded her some of my spinning fiber for the pleasure of owning it.

Seriously, I need more yarn like...well, like all sorts of things I don't need. Items that come to mind are, another giant dog, an extra boob, a pink fluffy tutu, a Flea Circus, a lifetime supply of chocolate...no, wait...can I rethink that last one?

The colorway is Fate, Phd if you must know, but this is mine, all mine. (Maniacal Laugh)

There you have it, my conquests from the best Indie arts festival in the Midwest. The hardest part of Strange Folk is trying not to spend everything you make before you leave. If you ever get to take part as a vendor, it is extremely benefical to inquire about trades from other vendors. Believe it or not, I came home with all the amazing handmade items above and spent less than $75 cash.

I am a trading machine.

Strange Folk Festival Is Nigh!

In the above diagram you will see your plan of attack. You must stash ALL THE YARN!

In order to obtain your target, first proceed to the Pavillion near the Writer's Block and storm

Tangerine Designs

for a nifty Police Box (shh, it's really a TARDIS) Needle Gauge or other great tool.

Then hoof it over to the vendor's tents where you will lock on to

Yarn Geek Fibers

and

Dyeabolical.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to decimate their fiber supplies before the end of Strange Folk Festival at 6pm on Sunday. Craft on my minons!

Now go get yourself a cupcake from The Cup, or a gyro, or heck, get them both...you've earned it.

In all seriousness, this is a great festival. 150 Indie Vendors, more great food than you could ever eat, 10 live bands, and an area especially for the children.

This is the best time we have all year.