Shelter Chic

Announcing "Shelter Chic" a new line of hand crocheted dog apparel. Both original pieces and patterns are becoming available as we speak. Why "Shelter Chic"?
Most people who know me know that one of my non-fiber passions is volunteering at our local no kill animal shelter Animal Harbor. I love to socialize the dogs and help out any way that I can. (BTW, my current favorite is Rover...he is a bone-a-fide disc dog candidate). Our shelter manager Amber Kelly started crocheting dog sweaters a while back for the smaller short haired dogs that ended up at Animal Harbor. She came up with a great style that is completely non-restrictive (for dogs who aren't used to wearing clothes perse), sturdy, warm and very hip.  So far there are two basic styles, the wrap (top two ) and the vest (bottom). Amber made so many that she started selling them at the shelter. But there isn't all that much foot traffic there so I thought it would be cool to sell them on Animal Harbor's ebay site (check 'em out). All proceeds from these dog coats go to the shelter. Amber will make custom "Shelter Chic" wraps, vests and coats to specific measurements. Materials used are acrylic or washable wool (any comments from yarn snobs will be booed out of the building...these are dog coats, not haut couture). Just email her with your requests. I'm sure she'd crochet them out of your handspun too. Just ask her.

I'm currently writing up a pattern for the wrap and vest which will be available soon on my Etsy Store. Just as the original coats, all profits from patterns will go to Animal Harbor.

 Our model "Squeeky" is a rescue belonging to my friend Pat Keran. Pat has four poodles in all sizes, all rescues. Yay, Pat!

Hands On Color Class

Meg Manning of Yarn Expressions is hosting my Hands On Color Class in Huntsville, Alabama, April 5, 2008. This is a one day workshop for spinners of all levels. You'll get to practice how to get many different yarns out of one handpainted roving, from solid color, heathered blend, sequential repeats, random blending, combination drafting and use of multiple colorways. Bring your wheel or spindle and have some fun with us. For more info contact Yarn Expressions. This is the first time I've taught this class south of the Mason Dixon for 3 years! 

Justify available in German

Today I received an email from Germany. A knitter named Sabine from Bad Driburg asked if she could post a German translation of Justify on her blog. Of course I said yes, so it's up and running already! Wow. Check it out. How cool is this?

New Twist on the Pumpkin Bag

Twisted Sister Rachael just sent me her two new versions of the Pumpkin Felted Bag. This one has mohair locks felted right into the bag. Rachael says she lost a couple in the felting process, but as you can see they look great. She couldn't stop at one (this seems to happen often) so she also knit a version in periwinkle blue sans locks. What is that cat thinking?

Superfluity

Superfluity is my new mobius wrap, designed especially for Three Waters Farm to show off their gorgeous handpainted yarn. This is an easy to knit wrap in five yarns, mohair boucle, mohair/silk boucle, wool boucle and two different colorways of merino/alpaca worsted weight. Mary Ann at Three Waters Farm is now offering this in kit form on their website and will also feature the kit in the Three Waters Farm booth at Maryland Sheep and Wool in May.  

If you want the pattern without the yarn now, I'll be posting it on my etsy store soon.

I love this wrap. It's cozy, warm and feminine. Easy to knit. Fun colors (knit in these or chose your own).