ColourSpun Sale

Sale

20 November –  3 December 2012

All yarn 20% discount

Shop Online – www.colourspun.com

Don't forget to visit my pattern stores on Craftsy, StitchedStuff on Etsy.com and Ravelry

Have fun! :)

TAFA TOUR - Meet Constance Rose

Today a few TAFA members are doing a guided tour of TAFA and we will each be taking our readers to visit a different TAFA member.

I'm very pleased to introduce you to Constance Rose of Constance Rose Designs

Connie lives and works in Fortuna, CA, and has been working in textiles for over 30 years. Starting out as a custom clothing designer, her fiber career has included knitting, crochet, embroidery, papermaking, spinning, dyeing, weaving and now, surface design and studio quilting. 
The Studio Quilts Connie creates are non-traditional small quilts of varying sizes -- utilizing hand dyed, painted, printed and shiboried fabrics, and digital images printed on fabric and she is available by request to present workshops on dyeing and surface design techniques.

Pop over to visit her on TAFA and don't forget to go on to visit her website, blog and Textile shop.

Tunisian Crochet - Basic Stitch

Front of work

Tunisian crochet is just one name for a technique that is also known as Tunisian knitting, Afghan crochet, Afghan Stitch, Tricot crochet, Scottish knitting, Irish crochet, Hook knitting and Shepherds knitting. Many consider it a cross between knitting and crochet although the finished work can look like it has been woven, depending on what stitch pattern is used. It is worked on a Tunisian/Afghan hook which looks like a knitting needle with a hook instead of a point on the one end and a stopper on the other. These hooks come in different sizes for use with different yarn weights. Each row of Tunisian crochet is worked in 2 parts – a cast on row and a cast off row and unlike other forms of crochet, the work is never turned so you will always have the same side facing you.

This block is worked in basic Tunisian stitch.

You will need:

Yarn of your choice  

1  Tunisian hook 

 Start with a crochet foundation chain of 20 + 1 – 21 chain  (or as many chain as you need for the width you require your piece to be)

Row 1:

Cast on row: Insert hook into the second chain from the hook, *wrap the yarn (from back to front) over the hook and pull through leaving the new loop on the hook; insert the hook into the next chain* repeat from *to* to end

Cast off row: wrap the yarn over the hook and pull through the first loop on the hook;* wrap the yarn over the hook and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook* repeat from *to* until there is only one loop left on the hook.

Row 2:

Cast on row: Insert the hook into the second vertical bar of the previous row, *wrap the yarn over the hook and pull the loop through leaving the new loop on the hook; insert the hook into the next vertical bar* repeat from *to* to end

Cast off row: wrap the yarn over the hook and pull through the first loop on the hook;* wrap the yarn over the hook and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook* repeat from *to* until there is only one loop left on the hook.

Work as many rows as you need then work a row of single crochet to end off.

Darn in ends.

 Back of work

Something to aspire to

Day six: 2nd April. Something to aspire to.
2KCBWDAY6

Is there a pattern or skill that you don’t yet feel ready to tackle but which you hope to (or think you can only dream of) tackling in the future, near or distant? Is there a skill or project that makes your mind boggle at the sheer time, dedication and mastery of the craft? Maybe the skill or pattern is one that you don’t even personally want to make but can stand back and admire those that do. Maybe it is something you think you will never be bothered to actually make bu can admire the result of those that have.

I'm left handed and so knitting, being a two handed activity is easy, even though when I was at school I wasn't taught to knit because of being a lefty. Crochet, on the other hand, :) is another story. I, strangely enough, was taught to crochet at school and can manage the basic stitches but others seem to have to be worked in reverse by left handed people. This is a skill I would like to master - some time in the future.

A Tale of Two Yarns

Well here we are -
Day One: 28th March. A Tale of Two Yarns.
2KCBWDAY1

Part of any fibre enthusiast’s hobby is an appreciation of yarn. Choose two yarns that you have either used, are in your stash or which you yearn after and capture what it is you love or loathe about them.

I have been trying all day to sit down and write about my very favourite yarn and life just kept happening but here I am now :) 

I'm a yarn snob! I want every aspect of my knitting experience to be wonderful and so I make sure that I only knit with yarn I love. My absolute favourite at the moment is my ColourSpun Pure Cotton Chunky. This is a new yarn that I have been experimenting with and I'm really enjoying it. It's extra soft and worked up quickly into comfortable, easy to wear, perfect for in-between weather cardigans. I'm going to make a throw next.

 Another favourite yarn is Adele's Mohair. Her yarns are also extra soft  and I'm busy knitting a throw for our bed using a mixture of colours and textures. Her yarn is mainly hand made and provides a living for many woman in an area where unemployment is very high.

Happy Knitting everyone

Colour - with a capital C

The last few days seem to have gone by supersonically - my feet don't seem to have touched the ground, literaly! I had my bum glued to my chair for a solid 3 days catching up on admin so that I could submit my tax yesterday, which was of course the deadline. I really hate admin but I'm going to try to be better at it from now on .... no promises though :)

Yesterday all my new dyes arrived - WOW. I can't wait to use them. I thought I'd spend today immersed in colour, but realised that I wouldn't be able to wash the yarn till Monday and by then it will be rather stinky. I'll have to wait till next week to start playing. I've had a really busy day anyway, I'm proofreading my book and took a little break for a visit to the nursery. I bought some beautiful flowers which will be planted by Eric tomorrow. The garden is starting to look good again. It was hit really hard by early black frost last winter and has taken a long time to recover. Hopefully we will escape the frost this winter coming.

Tomorrow is knitting. I look so forward to meeting with the girls on a Wednesday morning. Heidi was round today and is working on the most amazing crochet project using the African Flower motif. I won't let her cat out of the bag except to say - it's 3D. I can't wait to see her progress tomorrow - she is soooo clever! I'm working on a cardigan in my new chunky cotton. It's a lovely lime green colour.

AAAND ........It's Hobby-X time of the year again in Jo'burg, at the Coca Cola Dome at Northgate to be precise. I'll be working on the Craftwise and Stitches stand from Thursday to Sunday. If you're in Jo'burg - come over and say hello. Hobby-X is one of my favourite exhibitions and I really enjoy the time I spend there. There is always so much to see and do, I love seeing what great craftwork others are doing and all the new supplies that each Hobby-X brings. This year we will be hosting In2crafts @ Hobby-X, a whole range of different craft workshops, each lasting 90 minutes and designed to give the delegates a taste of what that craft offers. I've  been given some time off to attend 2 workshops - both mosaic, a craft I've never tried before. I'll be making a mosaic tapestry in the first one and a mosaic pendant in the second. I'm looking very forward to being taken out of my comfort zone.

See what else is on offer here and while you're looking, you may like to join the In2crafts community - it's free!

xxx

HAPPY 2011



I have friends and family that right now are living in a different decade to me - how weird does that sound! By this time tomorrow we'll all have joined them there :)  Generally at this time of the year, everyone makes some kind of resolution for the new year and I've been thinking about what I'll be doing next year.

I'll definately be dyeing, felting, making yarn, knitting and crocheting. I'll be playing with "hot fabric", embroidering and beading. I hope to start painting again and have another go at making metal jewellery. There are a couple of exhibitions I want to be part of and some shows I'd like to see. I think I might teach a few workshops too.

In May 2011 my book will be published, I'm looking forward to that, and in the first few weeks of 2011 I'll still be involoved with the final touches for it.

Not really resolutions, I know but I do know that 2011 is going to be a wonderful year and I'm looking very forward to the begining of a new decade filled with a new energy of love and hope and a better life for everyone!

Etsy SA SILLY SALE

The silly season is almost upon us and soon we’ll all be madly running around searching for gifts for family and friends. It’s so much easier to shop online in the comfort of your home and Etsy shops are perfect for special, quality handmade gifts - and you’ll be supporting a fellow crafter.
The South African Etsy Group will be holding a SILLY SALE from the 1st November for 3 weeks. Shop owners will be discounting selected merchandise in their Etsy Shops. To shop the sale go to http://www.etsy.com/  and search SAsillysale.
I am going to spend the day today uploading specials into my ColourSpun shop and I'm discounting them by 30%. All the yarn is hand dyed, extra soft, DK pure Merino wool , mill spun and Herco treated so it can be machine washed without any fear of felting. The dyes are all earth friendly and light and wash fast. Each item is exclusive, never to be repeated as this DK Merino yarn is no longer available and I need to make space for my new Merino yarn.

Readers of my blog can sneak into my shop today and be the first to snap up a bargain.

Happy Shopping!

Love Dana

Hello Again

Hi Everyone,

I've had a really long, unintentional break from posting here while I caught up with myself. After I broke my last computer I seemed to be in reverse for a while but I'm happy to say I'm well and truly in forward gear again.
 I have finished the writing of "From Fibre to Fabulous - a South African Knitting Adventure" and the knitting is almost done too - hopefully by the end of next week it will be there and then I plan to spin some yarn, that's something else that I haven't managed to find time for these last few months. I have some really way out, wild ideas for some funky art yarn that I really am dying to make. It hasn't been all book and nothing else though, I have managed to squeeze in some dying of yarn  and whilst playing last week I worked out a new technique for colouring :) My first batch was snapped up and so I'm going to make some more this weekend. We are promised perfect weather, so the sunstoves will be out and working overtime! I'll upload it onto my shop at  http://www.colourspun.com/  next week but here's a little taste of what it may be like. The way it is done means that each skein, although part of a family of skeins, has it's own unique character.

I have also done instructions for a little Rose Neckpiece that I would like to share with you today.

Rose Neck Piece

© Dana Biddle

Wear your garden on your neck. This lovely neck piece can be made using either wool or cotton making it suitable to wear in winter or summer.

What you will need
1. DK yarn – wool or cotton, about 10g in your chosen colour for the neck ring and bits in assorted “rose” colours for the rose necklace. Available from ColourSpun Natural Designer Yarns
2. French knitting dolly or circular or double pointed knitting needles 3 or 4mm
3. Knitting needles – 3 or 3.5mm
4. Crochet hook – 3 or 3.5
5. Scissors or snips
6. Knitters needle (rounded point) for sewing up
7. Wire neck ring
8. Some beads to make matching earrings (optional)
9. Findings for earrings – head/eye pins, earring hooks/studs.
10. Pliers – round nose, long nose and side cutters (for making earrings)

Instructions
Begin by making a French knitting cord long enough to cover your neck ring (if you are not sure if it will fit, rather make it too long than too short). Do not end it off before removing it from your knitting dolly, or knit an icord using the circular or double pointed knitting needles. Cover your neck ring by sliding the knitted cord over it from one side and then if necessary unravel some knitting until it is a perfect fit – Not stretched and not gathered. Cut your yarn leaving about a 20cm tail and thread onto knitter’s needle. End off cord by passing yarn through all 4 stitches and pull tight. Tightly wind the tail around the end of the cord and end off by threading the yarn under the binding. Snip off end close to work. Repeat for the other side.

You now have a covered neck piece to embellish with roses.

Roses
Crochet. Large rose – start with 8 chain. Work 2 single crochet into each chain. Turn and work 2 single crochet into each stitch. Work 2 more rows increasing into each stitch. End off leaving a tail of about 20cm. Wind crochet into rose shape and stitch to hold. Position on neckpiece and attach.
Small rose – work as for large rose but start with 5 chain and work only 3 rows.

Knit. Large rose – Cast on 10 stitches. Work 4 rows in stocking stitch increasing into ever stitch on every row. Cast off leaving a tail of about 20cm. Wind knitting into rose shape and stitch to hold. Position on neckpiece and attach.
Small rose – Work as for large rose but cast on 7 stitches and work 3 rows before casting off.

Leaves
Knit – work in stocking stitch. (Make 2)
Leaving a 20cm tail, cast on 3 stitches and work 2 rows.
Next row – K3 into 1st stitch, K2 into 2nd stitch and K3 into last stitch (8 stitches)
Work 3 rows
Next row – K2tog through back of loop, K4, K2tog
Next row – purl
Next row – K2tog tbl, K2, K2tog
Next row – purl
Next row – K2tog tbl, K2tog
Next row – P2tog
End off leaving a 20cm tail. Position leaves on neck piece and attach both ends.

The 2nd neck piece is knit with cotton and embellished with a covered bead.

ENJOY!

Tassel Necklace

Hi

The last few days went by in a blur and so I must apologise for not getting here - I will be making up for it in this coming week.  Last week I wore a favourite necklace that I made some time ago. I got so many compliments that I decided to share the instructions with you.

One will never be enough once you have made this necklace! Easy to make and easy to wear choose your beads and thread then crochet yourself an accessory to treasure.

What you will need

1. A skein of No. 5 or No. 8 embroidery thread
2. An assortment of beads –
a. Seed beads to be worked into your necklace - you will need about 10g or more depending on how close together you want your beads and how long you want your necklace- with holes big enough for your thread to fit through.
b. A large bead with a hole big enough for 12 threads to pass through.
c. 12 other beads for the ends of your tassel.
3. Findings –Toggle clasp and 2 large jump rings
4. Crochet Hook – 3 to 3.5
5. Tape measure
6. Scissors or snips
7. Sewing cotton (any you have got – colour doesn’t matter)
8. Sewing needle – fine enough to fit through your beads
9. Embroidery needle with eye large enough to take your embroidery cotton
10. Round nosed pliers, long nose pliers and side cutters.
11. Clear fabric glue or clear nail varnish.

Instructions are available in my Ravelry Store and also in my Craftsy store


Enjoy wearing your necklace.