Fiber Arts Friday FAF "Teenie Tiny Knitting Bag"

Hi Everyone! Its been a very busy week here on the farm. Injections for the animals, gardening and of course all my fiber arts work. I have been commissioned by a designer to do some of my Out Of The Box Art yarn! I spun the yarn and mailed it off today. I don't want to say what she has in mind yet until it happens but wish me luck! Oh and her creation with my yarn is going to two trade shows so if she does well, guess what? then Ill get more work. So that was my really BIG news of the week. Felting calss starts friday here in the wool cave, should be fun  

For my FAF project I'm sharing this small 9" long not including handle "One skein, little yardage project Teenie Tiny Knitting Bag" Its absolutely adorable and eye catching! Here is what I did:

I used my good old twisted drop st which can be seen in lesson form on You Tube under PamsFiber Twisted drop st video. I used sz 17 double pointed needles (15 would work as well) and big chunky art yarn, only 22 yards! Great for those small art yarn skeins. I CO 28 divided the st evenly over the needles and knit the first two rows to firm up the top of the bag. I then knit with the twisted drop st. You can knit as long as you want I did about 9". Then I knit 2 together all the way around. I was left with 14 st on the needle. Next I cut the yarn leaving a tail and thread it through a large tapestry needle, pulled the reaming st through and tied it off securely.  Next I picked up 3 st on the top of the bag wit a double pointed needle and did a 7"-8" eye cord attaching it to the opposite side with a 3 needle bind off. The bag will hold a ball of yarn with round needles and pattern nicely. I just love it over my wrist keeping the ball off the floor or when outdoors, on a trail, in the car, anywhere! So there you have my idea for little yardage and art yarn. Let me know if you try one, send pics

You can increase, decrease stitches, change the length you knit to change the size of the bag, go real big for an awesome large beach bag or go real long and narrow for a yoga bag! I'm loving the Wensleydale lock red bag. Use it with a change purse for money and license and carry it as a little purse. They are very comfortable to wear over your wrist. Did I mention I love the twisted drop st?? Hehehe!! My past projects have used it because it so quick to knit. It originated back when I did the Vogue show in NYC. I needed a pattern for my Out Of The Box yarn, so I chose a one skein scarf using the st. It's an awesome st for so many projects. I'm working on a number of ideas for small yardage art yarn projects, so be sure to check on FAF. I'll be posting in between as well with farm news and other fiber updates so check back often.

 pics. I'm starting my needle felting classes this week. I have one slot already filled with two more openings, if interested shoot me an email. As always visit my Etsy shop for yarn and wild batt sales http://www.pamsfiber.etsy.com/

or Friend me on FB under PamsFiber Pam Blasko Id love to network with you.

Wait until you see my newest wire yarn idea, I photographed it today and will do a post in a few days. So check back. Remember the FREE drawing for the Spinners Notebook is for anyone who follows this blog in July. I will randomly pick the winner the first week in August. So sign up to follow!! Be well and spin on! Until next time. XO

Beware: This little bag is cuter then cute in person! You just want to hang in from your wrist and admire it! You'll see.........

Check out YouTube for pamsfiber tutorials, more to come soon.
 This is a knock off idea sparked by Ashly Martineau's market bag. Inspiration!!!

My Spin Artiste interview!

Check out my interview! http://www.spinartiste.com/featured-artiste-pam-blasko-of-pams-fiber-and-dream-come-true-farm

Spin Artiste and Wool Wench

a must! Visit if you have any interest in fiber arts. A must read weekly! So inspiring, not to mention all the fun things Arlene does through her site!! Try to visit this week to meet Wool Wench! You'll fall in love with her amazing work Let me know what you think. Be well and spin on! XO

FAF Fiber Arts Friday-using wire core spun art yarn

Hey everyone! Today for FAF I thought I'd show you some ideas for using wire core spun art yarn. I have been spinning it all week long in 10 yard skeins. I love the sculpting abilities that the yarn has. I will be listing some in my Etsy shop later today or at the latest this weekend. Its a blast to work with. So for those of you not familiar with wire core yarn it is yarn or wool roving spun around a wire. Therefor it can be shaped and molded.. What I have done with it here is knitted a cuff bracelet with a button for a closure. The yarn is spun as a heavy worsted weight from a custom wool batt that I carded. I used 10 yards and size 15 needles. I CO 8 St which made a wide cuff, cut down on your St and make it narrower if you'd like. I then knit garter st for 7 1/2 inches in a loose tension! BO loose, shape it to your liking. That is it! The button is beautiful, hand carved bone. No need for a button hole, the yarn actually forms a button hole at your placement choice. It slips over my wrist, no need to button and un button. Its flexable and will fit most.  Its easy to wear and can be sculpted as you like. I have curled over the edges and pulled the bracelet wide. This is a perfect way to use this wire core spun yarn. As you can see from the photos I have also used in to decorate my home. Yarn sculpting is what I'm calling it. I love it on the mantel, it's natural and orgainic. I have to tell you it looks great hung on the wall, sculpted into a 3-D manner as just wall art. I have draped it over a mirror, framed pictures or around my neck! Its light and easy to shape. I hope you enjoy this simple idea. That's what FAF is all about..... small projects, easy to do, using mostly art yarns and keeping your expense low. Art yarn is a lot of work and can be on the expensive side. Fun to use..... its worth it!

I'm going to be doing a separate blog posting for all other news over the weekend. I have some great pics of the farm shop with all the new items. Its full to the brim and looks grand. I love shopping there myself!! So check back to see all the new creativity. The free give a way of the Spinners Notebook is end of month for all who sign on to follow this blog in July. My Etsy shop will be updated today and all week. I have so many new things to offer. Including custom batts, wire yarn and some wonderful exciting art yarns. www.PamsFiber.blogspot.com Thanks for stopping by and supporting this blog and my fiber journey! XO

 

http://www.pamsfiber.etsy.com/
pamsfiber@aol.com
Lots of great ideas coming to this blog for FAF! So be sure to sign on as a follower! I hope you enjoed todays idea.

Core Spinning available from PamsFiber and Dream Come True Farm

Hi everyone! I'm just dropping in for a quickie post. I completed a tutorial on spinning a core yarn. It's on you Tub, it's free and if you have wanted to know how it's done then get out your wheel and a few supplies listed in the video and I will bet you know how to do it by the end of the video......see you on FAF fiber arts Friday. I've got a great project ready to share! Stay cool. XO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x0Z90LEWRo&feature=channel&list=UL

FAF Fiber Arts Friday From PamsFiber

Hey ya'll. I hope your week was as great as mine. Where do I start? Well, lets start off with our batt exchange day.  Our fiber group gathered here on Dream Come True Farm and exchanged batts that we each created. We spun most up in one afternoon. It was great fun. Such interesting fiber choices.  Pictured below on the railing is a few of the yarn skeins that we spun from the batts, not all finished before leaving.  We also yarn bombed an antique wheel I had. Look at that color, doesn't it look great? That was  a lot of fun. Days end took us over to one of the girls house to pick some kale from her garden And we enjoyed some wine! Thank you Suzzy. What a great fiber day. I have such wonderful fiber friends, such inspiration!

  

  I carded up at least 1/2 dozen spontaneous batts to list on etsy this week, one of which is pictured below. I spun a few skeins of art yarn for etsy as well. My creativity has been awesome lately.

 The critters are all doing well despite the heat. I should mention that I shore the llamas myself with scissors! Poor llamas, bad hair cut! But we have had such hot weathe,r and I think for the very first time in their 13 years they were bothered by it. So chop, chop, happy llamas!

So for FAF i created the curtain valances you see below. I just love them! My Dahli llama has coarse wool so each time he is shorn I need to come up with ideas to use his wool that is not next to the skin. He is 13 now, I guess that would be considered a senior citizen so I wanted to honor him and create something special that I would have and enjoy for years to come. Not that he is going anywhere soon, but I love him so, so I wanted to create a Dahli llama heirloom. So hears what I did:

I hand processed his wool therefor no dehairing was done to his fleece. I handspun the yarn in a heavy worsted weight/light bulky weight yarn with the hairs poking out, adding character to the yarn. I CO 85 st on sz 19 needle (my favorite needle sz) and knitted my twisted drop stitch. Which if your not familiar with the twisted st there is a link in the previous blog to a tutorial that I did on You Tube to give a free lesson on it. Knit to the desired length. Next, I  then I knitted one row of plain garter st for the header of the curtain. If you'd like a bigger header try two or three rows.......there are no rules to my knitting! I then BO very loose VIOLA! Dahli llama valance! I uses a tension rod and wove in and out of st to hang the valance I put the first one in my studio wool room. I loved it so much I made 3 shorter valances and hung them in our family room. Im really loving them. I not only look up at the Dahli llama valance, I look out the same window and see him... He'll be with me forever and ever.

be your own designer, change whatever you think should be. Make it wider, longer, weave ribbons in through the st. Make it your own and enjoy,

 I hope you enjoy this idea and can apply a yarn to it.  I have also pictured a pillow I knit from his fleece and a market bag. These are great ways to use a fleece that my be coarse but come from a well loved and adored animal....(: 

I hear that we are in for a possible 8 day heat wave here on the east coast so Im going to wish everyone here that will experience it well. Until next Friday, stay COOL and spin or knit on! XO

Dont forget, join this blog as a follower in July and go in the drawing for the Spinners Notebook.....a book about wool  ! Something every fiber artist needs. Completley FREE! If your not familiar with the book take a peek at in my Etsy

 www.Pamsfiber.Etsy.com

FAF- Fiber Arts Friday Ideas

Hey All, Where do I start? I have so much I want to share with you. OK lets start with the newly spun art yarn below. This yarn was a blast to spin. Its full of treasures and trinkets. Ill only tell you a few. An interesting fish charm, crochet flowers, sequins and loads more treasures throughout. I will be listing it on Etsy soon. So lets get to to FAF Fiber arts Friday. I'm showing you a series of scarves that I actually knitted this week! Yup all in a week and spun the yarn. I used my art yarns, 45 yards to be exact.  I also made a tutorial video on the stitch used to make the yarns. Its on You Tube and you can find it under Pamsfiber, then go to Drop st tutorial, its free and I give a lot of tips on knitting with art yarns and show you how to do the stitch used in these scarves.  I will be adding lots of tutorial videos in the coming months for both knitters and spinners. Check it out on You Tube under PamsFiber.
Next I wanted to share with you the neck pillow I made out of my Out Of The Box art yarnfor the FAF idea.  It was simple and is absolutely adorable. Its been a big hit with those who have seen it. I used 45 yards of art yarn, sz 17 needle, muslin, wool for stuffing (or use poly fill) and sewing thread. Here is how I did it. I first CO 30 st, I knitted until I used up all the yarn (45 yards) leaving enough yarn to sew the sides. I then laid out the piece and cut the muslin the exact size of the knitted piece. I folded the muslin in half and whip stitched 3 sides. No concern how your sewing looks it wont be seen. I then stuffed the muslin pillow, really stuffed it so it would support my neck as a neck roll. I then sewed the 4th side closing the pillow. I then sewed 3 sides of the knitted piece with the yarn tail you should have left, inserted the pillow and sewed the open end . VIOLA! Fast, easy, 45 yards and you have a wonderful pillow that you'll love to have by your side. Use as a neck pillow, lumbar support pillow, take it in the car or just place it on a chair to admire....I hope you like this FAF project! Enjoy. Be sure to let me know if you make one and maybe even send a picture. See you next Friday! PS don't forget to go on You Tube and type in the search section Pamsfiber for the free video. You can view my yarns at http://www.pamsfiber.etsy.com/

Farm news: AIR CONDITION in the farm shop! YAY! Open most Sundays and some Saturdays, Call to be sure and as always will open anytime by appointment.
The animals are surviving the heat but some days are not happy about it. I keep the fans on them and they keep still and passe their eating so as not to heat up to much.... They all say Hi and hope your enjoying your summer......HUGS from the farm. I was able to figure out how to post the link to You Tube! Im getting so computer savy! LOL! Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdWiWRBdbKY&list=UUqRsUUC5RELHiUbtv7XwBjg&index=2&feature=plcp

Join this blog as a follower anytime in July and be placed in a drawing for a FREE Spinner's Notebook fiber arts book. If your not fmiliar you can find it listed in my Etsy shop.....drawing end of month /beginner of next! Join up and keep a watch for FAF! And tutorials onYou Tube....

What to do with left over Art Yarns.....from PamsFiber

Hello everyone, so here I am to share ideas on using left over or small amounts of  "Art Yarns"  We all know the time and cost of the material that goes into art yarns so it becomes very precious to us. I have some folks ask "what would I use this for?"  Its lovely but I'm not sure what to do with it." So I thought that every week or so, most likely on FAF fiber arts Friday I would post ideas. Sometime art yarns are sold in low yardage counts or sometime we have that gorgeous 6' or 3' piece left over and we certainly don't throw it away, so we wind up with a basket full of them, using on a gift package for someone. This in its self is a wonderful idea especially if its a fiber friend. But here today I'm showing a few very simple ideas that I have used those left over or sample spinning runs of art yarns for... First pictured is my lamp shade decoration. What you can't see in the photo is to the left of the lamp is my live plant corner. I thought this looked to be like a vine and fit right in next to the plants! Response, people love it. "Where did you get that lamp shade?" So success with that 6' piece of art yarn. Next is a 36" of  brightly colored practice art yarn that was spun with a variety of left over roving's and 1/2" wide silk ribbon.Its a lumpy bumpy double plied yarn. As I said, it was just a trial run so now what do I do with it. VIOLA! a bracelet with a funky hand painted handmade ceramic button. I wrap it around my wrist twice and button it. It also fits the neck..Great! I didn't throw it into the" what do I do with this bin." Next is another 6' Navajo plied handspun from one of my custom batts. This was also a practice yarn. All I do is wrap it around my neck 5 times let the ends hand and here it is, a nicely textured lariat. I loved this so much I spun another and will list it on Etsy. I may add a trinket to each hanging end. So there you have it, this week ideas for low yardage art yarns. Next week I'm going to have a few more ideas that will involves knitting and a weaving project. For the weaving project you don't have to have any knowledge of weaving. So be sure to check back for FAF ideas.  Farm news is... its hot, its hot, its hot! The animals have the kiddy pools and fans and they get nice cool carrot treats during the day and sprayed with the hose if they choose to. Not much else goes on in the heat in the barnyard. Everyone just lays in front of the fan taking an occasional splash in the kiddie pool, awaiting  night fall for the cooler temps.

Be well everyone, stay cool and spin or knit on! XO Pam


PS please join my blog as a follower and you will be eligible for free give a ways, and when I post an art yarn idea that you may need more information on or you have questions, your membership to my blog will entitle you to feel free to write me and ask me for more specific patterning information. Please join in for the fun! Oh and if you have an idea, pleases share

Camp Plucky Fluff And Some Farm News

Welcome,
Last weekend I attended the Plucky Fluff Camp with Lexi Boeger  author of three art yarn spinning books. It was fantastic, creative, positive, full of information and techniques. The camp was arranged by Dayna from Madison Wool and took place on an awesome farm also in Madison. The farm was a spectacular setting for the camp, thank you Laura Lyons for such beauty!
 I met the most fabulous women. For me this was the greatest! It confirmed and supported the fact that spinning handspun yarns does not have to be boring! I have been spinning what some would call unconventional yarns for the past year or so that I have just fallen in love with using. But others are not sure how to use them. I love to spin traditional yarns but art yarns are the bomb! Full of surprises and loaded with character. They are wonderful for embellishing a piece or used alone, they turn heads! I learned that ALL yarns have a place. Yarns are not only for knitting once you've learned these techniques. They are ART! Seriously, you can wear them without knitting them, use them as wall art, place in a strategic place in a strategic way and use as an art yarn sculpture. And of course knit with them!  Embellish your knitting or crochet project or add to an already made piece purchased from the department store making it a one of a kind!  Defiantly give as a gift to a knitter friend if you see an awesome skein in their favorite colors!
Below are are just a few awesome yarns that I spun in the Plucky Fluff class and when I came home.  I think this blog will slowly turn into a showcase for my yarns and knit projects. A place of course for all farm news, gatherings and updates.  I would also like to add some fun and quick project ideas with basic instructions for using both art and traditional handspun yarns on a regular basis.The idea for this was inspired by fellow fiber artist Ashley Martineau. Lets change the knitting community and make it into  an knitting "ART" community. Stay tuned for my crazy and not so crazy ideas and pattern. Coming really soon. I'm working on one right now. Its going to be fun to share and give ideas on how to use art yarns that for the most part  spun in small yard batches  because of the time, material and techniques.  By all means if you have any ideas you'd like to share drop me a line.
Now for farm news:
The farm shop is open most Sundays and any other day by appointment. The farm news I have to share is the new line of pottery and artisan jewelry that has been added to the farm shop. Pottery yarn bowls, leaf bowls and more! Hand beaded jewelry and pottery jewelry all made by fellow fiberest and potter Ashlyann....The shop is a must see this summer! Stop on by.
 The next news is that I'm expecting! NO not in that way! I am expecting the arrival of 3 pygora goats at summers end. I'm so excited. I first had to wait for their birth, then had to pick the ones I wanted and now have to wait to have them make the long trek across the country. Its much to hot during summer months so most likely it will be September some time...Pictures to follow in future posts. The fiber will be awesome, type A long and super soft!
By the way the sheep say "Hello" They've lost weight, been on a diet because my shearer said they had to loose weight!! So they look good, feel good and move around a lot more. So it was for the best. I guess that's it for now. My next post will have two completed projects using low yardage from art yarns so check back often for these awesome projects, all tried and tested....
 My yarns are always available in my Etsy shop at http://www.pamsfiber.etsy.com/ as well as my farm shop.  I'm now offering free shipping in the USA

Remember check back to see the fun things Im going to share with you all and for more exciting yarns that I will be spinning.......... XO Pam

2nd free alpaca yarn knitting kit winner!

We have a second winner!! Signed up as "Penny". Penny, email me your mailing address!! Congrat's on winning.

First WINNER has been drawn.

Lisa Steebberg! You have one an alpaca knitting kit from Dream Come True Farm. Please email me an address and when the drawings are complete I'll mail you your kit! Congrat's. I have a great idea for my next drawing si keep an eye out!!! Email me at pamsfiber@aol.com.

Alpaca knitting kit drawing

Drawing for the knitting kits will be this week. I had some written request for an extension do to folks having trouble signing up as followers. But all is well now, I have. Few names to add to the jar and my grandson will choose the lucky names. Good luck to all!!! And I hope the kits will give you so e joy during winter's end.

Winter Free give away drawing! Join in

Just for some winter fun I will be hosting a free give away from Dream Come True Farm. Just sign up as a follower to this blog and your name will go into a drawing for a free alpaca knitting kit. If your not a knitter and you win I will send you some goats milk soap. Just a little fun to brighten up our winter days, which in truth for us here in the North East can't complain this year! Im thankful for the easy winter. Drawing in about a week or so! Three names will be drawn....

PamsFiber went to Vogue Knitting Live in NYC!

Well, the VKL show in NYC was more then I could have hoped for! The very best thing was all my friends and family that came to help or support me! And the all the well wishes and support from the one's who could not make it. Ill never forget them for that. It really meant a lot to me to have them with me to have the one's that could make it with me. Not to mention the fun and laughs they brought!
Then there were the sales! Yes, I was only 200.00 away from my goal. But the interview with Interweave Press made up for the 200 short of that goal. I also met so many wonderful people that I know from FB! Meeting them in person was awesome. I was asked to do a couple of yarn tasting days at various yarn shops, a talk radio interview and to spin for a designer. So I am one happy spinner/shepherdess!
I feel the the Big Apple was very good to me.
Our booth set up came out just like I imagined, even better, more room then I thought. Our dinner with the group of friends and family was so much fun! Lost of laughs and wonderful food from Ariana's Afghan Kabob house.
Our stay at Carla and Milts made the trip so cozy and comfortable. Ashly and Rick were the wonderful helpful friends that they always are. Liz, rocked the booth with Kelly and Brooke when I did my Fiber Preparation and Spinning Demo. Maryi checked in and kept tabs on everyone, suzy and Leslie arranged our wonderful dinner and Leslie, yes you make a wonderful sign maker! Mom and Dad surprised me when they showed up in the Bog Apple! And Mike was as supportive as he always is. I love you all! Your the best.
I have been hoarding the hundreds of skeins of handspun that I worked on for the show so I will be listing what I came home with in my Etsy shop. Some new yarns spun with a different twist! So much new inspiration for yarns, so stay tuned. Keep checking in at.....www.PamsFiber.Etsy.com
My next blog post will have a free winter give away, 3 alpaca knitting kits, pattern and yarn! A thank you to my followers and for fun during the winter months so stop back in a few weeks! Thanks for all who made the Vogue weekend possible, it was a blast and I think it put me on the knitting road map!

So for now I'm going to work on building my Etsy shop with awesome handspuns and getting my farm shop in order. I have loads of creative yarn ideas that I will be working on. And I'm taking a Pluckyfluff Camp class with Lexi Boeger in June so that should be the icing on the cake for my creative handspun yarns! So keep an eye on my etsy shop, and of course you can always make an appointment for the farm shop. And don't forget, follow me on FB for all my spinning and farming ventures. Friend me under Pam Mike Blasko. Love to see you there.

You can also find me on the new " Knitting GPS" App available for iPhones right now and Droid in the near future. It's an awesome tool for vacation or sitting at home surfing through all the yarn shops, their locations, blogs and websites. Brought to you by: Jonelle Beck from SWTC. Awesome App idea.

I hope your winter days are bright, and bring you only the best! XO

FREE give a way in about two weeks!!! Details above. Join in. Tell your friends. If your not a knitter and you win I'll send Goat Milk soap instead. Your choice.