One Planet Yarn and Fiber

January 2012 TNNA Report - Classes

2012-01-31T17:08:00.000-08:00

I guess it's time that I finally started to catch you all up on the TNNA show. I am sorry for the long delay between blogs. I had such a fantastic time at the show that I over did it and ended up with bronchitis as soon as they shoved us out the doors on the last Monday of the show. It was worth every minute of being sick to attend the show.

My first class was on Thursday, January19th with Cat Bordhi. Cat taught us 7 really neat knitting tricks tat she had combined into one pattern. The cowl pictured below is what we knitted up. We used Shibui Merino Alpaca and Shibui Silk Cloud held together to knit it. Cat said she might have the pattern for the cowl posted for sale in the near future. In the meantime, it looks like I may be using the 7 tips to teach a class this summer at The Fiber Factory. I'll know better once Terri and Susan work up the summer class schedule in a few weeks.

I came back on Friday the 20th for an all day class with Lily Chin. I, again, learned so much in this class. The class was based on Lily's book called "Power Cables", which I own. I even managed to get it autographed! We learned several ways to knit reversible cables. Lily uses verbal imagery to help you remember how to do the cables. She can make you blush! It was fascinating and of course gave me tons of ideas on where to use cables in some upcoming pattern designs I am trying my hand at.

Lily Chin

Reversible Cable Class

Lily's class was an all day class with a break in the middle for lunch and a seminar with a public speaker on using social media.

Of course everyone was knitting!

On Saturday the 21st before the show floor opened I took a class with Rachel Blackledge on how to dye yarn to fake the change of colors when knitting Fair Isle.

Rachel Blackledge on the left

We took machine knitted blanks and painted them with our dyes. Everyone had many colors to choose from and spare cups to blend or dilute the colors with.

Then we rolled them up and Rachel's assistant, Sam, put them in the steamers for us. Yes, went home with them sealed in plastic bags!

From there it was off to the show floor until the late afternoon.

On Sunday the 22nd I was back at it again! At 8 in the morning I was with Cat Bordhi taking a class on pattern and book design. Again, worth every minute.

Karen Sadow and Cat Bordhi

As you can tell, I had a wonderful weekend. There is more coming. I just didn't want to try to put it all in one blog, and yes, I am feeling better now.

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Shepherd's Wool Yarn New Colors In Stock!

2012-01-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

I love this yarn. Just so you know, I truly love this yarn! You know that Noni Ella Coat pattern that we're doing the KAL with? I'm making another one, in this yarn. I am also designing a sweater pattern, using this yarn! There are now 25 colors in stock. Woops! The name of the yarn is Shepherd's Wool from Stonehedge Fiber Mill.

Happy Knitting,

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Running Around The TNNA Show

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

Attending trade shows is rough work. Legs give out. So do shoulders and elbows as the bags you are carrying become heavier and heavier when more catalogs and brochures get added in.

Our son has been on a mission to convert my husband and myself to the "barefoot" lifestyle. He says the shoes allow you do walk in such a way that is closer to human biomechanics.

Here are my usual running shoes. They are Asics. When they grow old I use them to walk around in. I've had several pairs.

But then I started listening to my son and bought a pair of these Vibram fivefinger shoes. My husband and I call them gorilla feet. Our son has already gone through several pair. I like them, but between the 5 toe socks and then trying to fit each toe in to the right spot in the shoe is very time consuming for me. I could make dinner in the time that it takes me to get these in my feet!

Enter some other shoe companies that are making minimalist shoes. The ones down below are from New Balance. Once I got used to wearing a thinner sock and breaking them in, they have been fantastic. I wore them all through the TNNA show and not once did my legs feel fatigued. My arms still got tired, but my legs felt great!

So now it was time to try the most minimal shoe that I was comfortable with. Today I added in a pair of Merrell Pace shoes. I wore them all day while packing orders. It's like wearing a moccasin. Still a little bit of a struggle to get them on but not the same as the fivefingers!

I thought you might like to see what the bottoms of all of these looked like. And I forgot to mention how light the minimalist shoes are. These shoes were made for walking! (running too)

Happy Feet,

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Backyard Garden Update

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Phoenix area has different seasons than the normal 4 season climates. This is a great time of year for growing. Below are more current pictures from our little garden box. Jay is planning on putting in a larger garden space for me on our West wall so that it will be shaded after noon during the summers. Really looking forward to that!

Broccoli

Tom Thumb Butter lettuce

Marigolds

Snow Peas, empty blossoms were ones we ate already

Baby tomatoes starting to ripen

Broccoli off shoots

Carrot tops

Flat Leaf Parsley

This is a head of organic lettuce that I picked up at the Farmers Market this past Saturday. It was $2.50. That's a teaspoon in front of it for scale. WOW!

Happy Eating!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

What Came In The Mail

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I received 2 shipments of yarn in the mail. The first box contained Jade Sapphire Cashmere 2-ply yarns in several lovely colors. I will post these up to the website soon.

This box also contained Lacey Lamb, a wonderful 100% superfine baby merino yarn. I'm sure you will love it!

The next box was from Stonehedge Fiber Mill and contained 16 colors of Shepherd's Wool. I just love this stuff and I've made several projects with it.

Waiting for photography.

Now you know why it might take me a bit to get these all up on the website after I announce the arrival of new products. All of this needs to be unbagged, photographed, put back in the bags and sorted to shelves or boxes in the office. Then I have to edit the photos, eliminate the yucky photos, reshoot the photos, name all the photos, build the web pages and then post all the pictures up on the pages. Then I send you out an email that all is ready to go. Puff, puff, puff........

Happy Knitting!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

And We're Off! Ella Coat KAL Has Officially Started!

2012-01-16T16:40:00.000-08:00

Click here for further instructions! http://blog.nonipatterns.com/2012/01/16/casting-on-ellas-bodice/#comments

Happy Knitting!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

January 24th Blog Contest

2012-01-14T14:15:00.000-08:00

I am obviously going out poking the bushes next week at the TNNA show. I would love your input on the types of yarn and notions that I should keep in mind when shopping. It doesn't really matter who will be at the show as much as it matters what your needs are in the future, so, please write some comments on your dream neccessites for your artwork. I'll report back after the show. Enter to win one skein of your choice of any in stock yarn from Madelinetosh! Please make sure that you leave me your contact information or I will be unable to send out this prize to you. One winner will be drawn on January 24th by the online random number generator. Good Luck, and remember, if you don't win this time, there will be plenty of other opportunites to win something coming up this winter and spring.

Good Luck!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

P.S.- Just thought to mention that I would also like to know what you would like to see more of in the shop from the brands that I already stock. Have fun with this one, I really appreciate your interest in this.

January 15th Blog Contest

2012-01-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

January 15th Blog Contest - The list of names for Mystery Girl are posted on the blog. Time to vote for your favorite name. By the way, she had her first birthday last weekend. What a nice way to celebrate by getting a new name! Enter to win one skein of your choice of any in stock yarn from Schaeffer Yarn Company! Please make sure that you leave me your contact information or I will be unable to send out this prize to you. One winner will be drawn on January 15th by the online random number generator. Good Luck, and remember, if you don't win this time, there will be plenty of other opportunites to win something coming up this fall and winter. Good Luck!

Regards,
Karen
OPYF

The names to choose from are:
Aileana
Marylin
Kaitlyn
Rowan
Elspett
St. Clair or Sinclare
Cocoa
Madeline
Fluffernutter
Skye
Belle
Ishbel

Ewephoria

Unah/Una

Rùine

Ewe-nique

And the names my family chose:

Mystique

Mystery Girl

Sheep

Esla

Beginning The Ella Coat . . . or gathering your essential materials

2011-12-31T12:42:00.000-08:00

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Nora

I look at what’s in my knitting bag as a way to start this project. Of course you have to start with all the proper materials. Here is what you will need to begin (in no real particular order. . . they are all important at some point or another):

Your very own Ella Coat for Women Noni Pattern.

Knitting Needles: size 9 (4.5mm) circular needle. I recommend a rather long circular. You won’t need a long one right away, but if you want a ruffley hem, you’ll want the longest you can find. In this sense, a set with longer and shorter cables is ideal.

Size 10 (6mm) needle and crochet hook for the provisional cast on rows.Please have other sizes available if you need to adjust after making a swatch. You may work the coat on straight needles, but I also recommend circular needles (my own preference) or those flex needles I so seldom see anymore but some folks prefer.

Identify & Collect Your Yarn See my longer post about yarn: Choosing The Perfect Yarn for Ella for more about picking an appropriate yarn, some ideas for planning your coat, and carefully swatching before you commit. Briefly here: you will need light worsted or worsted weight yarn. For one of the Ellas I will be featuring here, I used Shepherd’s Wool by Stonehedge Fiber Mill. If, like me, you plan to tweak the pattern, you will want between 250 – 1000 extra yards to work with. My Ella has just weighed in at 2 lbs 5.2 oz! or almost 2500 yards and she might yet get heavier with flowers and other flourishes! Because one of the tweaks is to begin the skirt of the coat from the waist and work down to the hem, you can purchase yarn as you go (assuming you can get the same lot). For those interested in striping at the cuffs and hem, choose 2 – however many colors from your local yarn shop lovelies or your own stash. Then consider springing for something really fabulous for the body of the coat. My pick (after the deliciousness of Shepherd’s Wool) would be Madeline ToshVintage Tosh. . . I’ve got my eye on “Flashdance” personally. Below is a colorway I’ve been playing with. Earth colors. Add a little Chocolate Cherry Flurries and this will be lovely. For more color ideas, refer again to the post on picking yarn.

Assemble Your Arsenal of Sewing-type Needles: sharp, large-eyed darning needle (for weaving in ends), tapestry needle (for seaming), and sewing needles (for sewing flowers to the bodice of your coat, or to the lapel, or cuffs. . . as you might have guessed, you don’t need these immediately).

Lock stitch markers or other stitch markers to mark the locations of increase and decrease for the coat shaping. My personal favorites are Clover lock markers (small ones). I think Hiya Hiya also has a version.

Noni Flowers, in particular flat profile flowers such as Bling Flowers, Cactus Flowers, Hydrangea Flowers (the small ones), or Forget-me-nots. These little flowers are lovely to sew on as bodice and sleeve embellishments or to clip on (as I do with impunity) to your coat lapels, cuffs, and in your hair when you wear your coat).

(Optional) seed beads or beaded yarn . . . you know my feelings about ruffles and flourishes . . .

Now that everything is assembled we are almost ready for the BIG DAY! We cast on Jan 16th. BUT BEFORE WE DO….we swatch! Here is a challenge for you: swatch and post a picture to Ravelry or Facebook. For an extra challenge: why not work a small color pallet swatch (24sts X 24 rows) and post it as well! {Melissa is doing another fun give-away for a lucky participant! She loves giving things away! Anybody like that about her?}

Ok dear knitters: Gather ye knitting gear while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying…

Are you excited about the 16th?

One Planet Yarn and Fiber 30% Off One Day Sale!

2011-12-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

One Planet Yarn and Fiber 30% Off One Day Inventory Reduction Sale! Monday, December 26th ONLY!
I hope you had a blast for the holidays, but it is time to get yourself that gift that didn't appear! I am going to do inventory in a few days and I need to have you help make it easier for me. Please help reduce my inventory, that way I can go to the TNNA show in a few weeks and add in some new things to the shop for you!

EVERYTHING in the store is on sale for 30% off with the exception of what is listed below. Use Coupon Code: EVERY30. THERE IS NO FREE SHIPPING ON THESE ORDERS! Sale ends Monday, December 26th at midnight. Please allow a little extra time for delivery due to the large volume of purchases from this sale.

**Important-This coupon cannot be combined with ad coupons you might see. Discounts are not retroactive. If you placed an order last week or the week before, we are sorry, we can't credit you now. Discounts must be taken at the time of order. Please do not write us after you placed an order and ask us to apply a discount. We are sorry, but we just can't do it. If you need help, please email us before you place your order. In addition, these special offers are only valid for in-stock items. They are not valid for special orders for new colors or yarns that we might not have in stock yet. Excludes spinning wheels, drop spindles, OPYF Clubs, CSA Farm Shares and items already listed on the sale page. Orders placed for unqualified merchandise will be refunded back to you.

Happy Holiday Weekend!

2011-12-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

To those of all faiths and beliefs, a joyous holiday weekend. Below is my favorite holiday mug, a picture of Lily Bear and some shots of the garden this week.

Happy Holidays!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

It Begins With This Email Every Month....

2011-12-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Once a month I receive this email. It's always a very tantalizing email. It engages my fiber lust and makes me set the alarm on my phone to remind me about this email.

In the past, the timer has always rung when I am no where near my computer, but this time, this time in rang when I was sitting right in front of it.

I immediately clicked through the link in this email and I was taken to "the page". "The page" had not loaded yet. So I waited and refreshed the page. Then I refreshed it again, and again, and again until Voila! it loaded up three images.

I clicked on each image and tried to add it to my shopping cart. Each time it said "no product in cart". Until the third image. And then, the item was in my cart! I couldn't believe it! It was in my cart!

I quickly went to the checkout section. It forwarded me to PayPal where I dutifully put in my password, clicked the button and........nothing happened. The page had stalled. My computer had frozen. OH NO!

I quickly remembered NOT to shut the window. I did a forced shut down. When I relaunched the browser it asked me if I wanted to restore the previous session. Of course I said yes, and there it was! The PayPal page waiting for my password again. This time it all worked just fine. I finished the order and then! I received the email confirming the purchase.

Last night my box was waiting for me when I got home. I was so excited to open this present to myself. What is all this fuss about? Why, a Phat Fiber sampler box.

Each box costs $36.00 and that includes Priority Mail shipping. What's in the box? FIBER! All kinds of bits and pieces of fluffy fantasy from individual fiber artists from all over. But that's not all that is in each box. Each month, different artists contribute samples of their own handwork and the box can include many kinds of surprises, like handmade soaps and knitting accessories. And coupons! Lots of coupons for discounts at these crafts peoples shops.

What was in my box? My first ever Phat Fiber box?

15 bags of fiber samples

3 stitch markers

A bag of tags for my finished handspun yarns

A pretty little mirror

2 candy canes

16 COUPONS!

Happy Spinning and Happy Holidays!\Regards,

Karen

OPYF

I Need Some Input - Abuelita Yarns

2011-12-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago a knitter contacted me asking if I was going to carry Abuelita Yarns from Uruguay. This is a small family run business that has been around over 30 years. I contacted Abuelita right away and I ordered a sample kit from them. These yarns are all hand painted and most of the yarns are 100% merino. The yarns came very quickly and I am now able to share with you the yarns that they make. My question to all of you is what do you think of this brand and these yarns? Would you be interested in having me carrying this product line? Please let me know and give me your feedback.
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Top row from left to right:
Red: single ply 100% merino, worsted weight, 220yds/3.5 oz.
Green: single ply 100% baby merino, lace weight, 420yds/3.5 oz
White: 100% cotton, sport weight, 133yds/3.5 oz

Bottom row:
Green: single plyAbuelita Mystery Blend, 95% merino-corriedale/5% silk, bulky weight, 136yds/3.5 oz
Blue: 3 ply 100% merino, fingering weight, 420yds/3.5 oz
Orange: single ply 100% merino, thick and thin bulky weight, 136yds/3.5 oz
Ecru: singlr ply 50% mreino-50% baby alpaca, worsted weight, 220yds/3.5 oz

MSRP ranges from around $12.00 a skein to $18.00 a skein.

The First Ella KAL Contest!

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Noni Designs will be doing several contest during the Ella KAL. This video explains the details of the first contest.
Have Fun!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

UFO's or WIP's, Whatever You Call Them......

2011-12-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

I've got them. Again. Plus more. It's a never ending cycle. And then I start another project!

OK, first, 2 things I finished. Lily Bear and Ladybug in sweaters I designed for them using scrap yarn.

Here are all the rest of the UFO's and WIP's. As you can see, I am having trouble focusing.

The blue/purple is the start of a sweater from my leftover yarn scraps for our toy poodle, Hunter. Another in my own design.

The small cabled piece is the start of a sweater from Twist Collective Winter 2011. It is called Zosia by Marnie MacLean, I am using Artesano Aran in the Rosewood colorway for this.

This next one is a pattern is from Knitty Spring 2011 It is a pattern called Amiga by Mags Kandis and is using a cotton yarn from Americo that I mail ordered from Canada.

This next piece is a mystery piece that I am designing. It uses Shepherd's Wool in the Granite colorway.

I took a Two Fisted Knitting class in November and here is what I started. It is knitted in Shetland wool that I purchased from our instructor. I bought enough to make a hat.

The first of a pair of socks in my own handspun Superwash Merino from Spruce Dragon. I started this in my Cat Bordhi sock class. I still need to do the toe and then knit the other sock.

Another mystery pattern that I am designing. This is the start of the second half of a pair in Madelinetosh tosh light in the baltic colorway.

My shipwrecked Shipwreck Shawl knit in Handmaiden Marrakesh in the Spruce colorway. Waiting for me to have patience again.

And finally, my cast on for the Re-Invented Ella Coat. Since I am teaching this in a class I needed to make on beforehand. This one is being done in Cascade 220. I will be doing another one in Shepherd's Wool.

Sigh..... There are also 3 spinning wheels with projects on them as well as both of my looms. What's on your needles/loom/wheel?
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Something You Might Like - City Girl's Fiber Farm Update

2011-12-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

I thought you might like some newer pictures of the flock. I was sent these recently by my friend. I think ZZ Top looks like his coat has grown out a little more. Mystery Girl just looks like she is being sassy!

Keep Warm!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Pictures From Small Business Saturday With The Mayor!

2011-12-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

I know I have already written about our Small Business Saturday event on Thanksgiving weekend. The Scottsdale Mayor's office sent along these photos to us to share with you. On the Left is Mrs. Lane, the tall guy is Mayor Jim Lane, then me and my husband Jay. We really did enjoy the experience. Mayor Lane is signing the Small Business Saturday Declaration with a pen from our pen shop in the last picture.

Shop Small!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Sign up to be part of Noni's Ella Rediscovered Knit-A-Long!

2011-12-16T16:43:00.000-08:00

Sign up to be part of Noni's Ella Rediscovered Knit-A-Long!

Join the growing number of worldwide knitters in the US, Canada, Scotland, England, and Germany and sign up to participate in the first International Noni Knit-A-Long!

If you have been following the Noni Blog, you have seen that Nora has re-imagined The Ella Coat for Women

(pattern no. 1302). Nora's tweaks and innovations on the original coat pattern will be shared on her blog in the form of a Knit-A-Long and in classes at your LYS that start in mid-January. But only those who have the original pattern will be able to follow along. Nora is also designing a couple of patterns that will compliment the coat pattern that will be released during the KAL.

After speaking with Nora of Noni Designs it turns out that several yarn manufacturers are donating prizes to the cause. Details of this will follow as they come in to us.

Why Join the Ella KAL?

Because it’s fun! Not only will we be knitting the Ella pattern, but we will be doing it in a party atmosphere each time we meet. Coffee and tea will be provided by The Fiber Factory and goodies to eat will be provided by the instructor and any students that wish to bring any goodies along.

You choose how involved you can be:

Option One: Join me for 4 days of classes at The Fiber Factory KAL in Mesa Arizona on January 18th, February 1st, 15th and 29th 1st from 10:30-12pm each day, This is an official class. Cost is $60 and includes the Ella pattern from Noni Designs and the class time. I will also be there on February 22rd and Wednesday mornings in March in case you want to just come in and chat with your project. The Bling pattern will be sold separately if you would like to add these flowers to your coat. Call 480-969-4346 0r 888-969-9276 to join the class. The Fiber Factory is located at 216 West Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201

Option Two: Join the Virtual Knit-A-Long At One Planet Yarn and Fiber! Just add your name below and I will set up a new blog post in January that we can all chime in on.

Supplies You Will Need:

· Ella Coat for Women Patterns (no. 1302)

· Bling Flowers Patterns (no. 222)

· Size 9 (5.5mm) 32" (80cm) circular needles

· LOTS of yarn, starting at 800 yds (731m) of light worsted or worsted weight (yarn suggestions listed at the end of this blog)

Ella Coat for Women (No. 1302)

The Ella sweater coat for women is the unfelted version of the little girl's Ella & the Legume coat (inspired by the Princess & the Pea story). It is an A-line shaped coat with a bodice that sits slightly above the natural waist for a flattering, wearable silhouette that shows off most any figure to the best advantage.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate to advanced.

Size: 32 - 52

Fibers We Love to Use!

Cover samples were made in Shepherd's Wool by Stonehedge Fiber Mill. Other samples were made in Lorna's Laces Shepherd's Worsted superwash yarn and Schulana Merino Cotton 90.

Bling Flowers (No. 222)

Inspired by Wild Geraniums & Forsythia, these flowers are elegant through their simplicity and the classic flower shape. Beautifully dazzling with a sparkle rivet in the center.

Pattern Difficulty

Intrepid Easy to Intermediate: requires knowledge of knitting and purling, increasing and decreasing, picking up stitches, working in the round on double-pointed needles, and some simple hand-sewing.

Gauge

Work each felted flower with a single strand of worsted weight, feltable yarn held throughout on the smaller needles.

Materials

Size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles (set of 5) for flowers
7mm and 10mm Noni sparkle rivets in pink, green, clear, or black to decorate the flower centers
Each large flower requires approximately 10 yds (9m) of worsted weight, feltable yarn; small flowers require slightly less

Fiber Options

Pictured felted flowers were made with Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool: Zinnia Pink and Pink with pink sparkle centers.

Yarn Suggestions from The Fiber Factory:

Cascade 220

Encore

Merino 5

Cool Wool

Vintage

Ultra Alpaca

Weekend Cotton

Silk Garden

Mirasol Saw Ya

Canadiana

Mirasol Waachi

From One Planet Yarn and Fiber:

Artesano Aran

Fleece Artist BFL Aran

Handmaiden Lady Godiva

Madelinetosh vintage

Schaefer Yarns Chris

Stonehedge Fiber Mill's Shepherd's Wool

FYI!!! If you are going to do this pattern, you need to give us a chance to get the yarn you might like in the color you might like. Please order early! If you are going to be making this pattern in stripes, you only need 250 yards of each color and 500 yards of the ruffle color, if you are making the coat with ruffles.

Please Join Us!

Regards,

Karen, Terri and Susan

OPYF and The Fiber Factory

Wonderous State Fair Mohair Locks For Sale!

2011-12-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Phew! I am finally caught up, for now. The last of the new fiber for this year is finally for sale on the website. Those curly mohair locks that you saw me was a few blogs back. I can't wait to spin with the little bit that I am allowing myself to keep!. Red, white and silver are the natural colors that are available. Two of these fleeces won ribbons at the state fair. Bahh!

Happy Spinning!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Leonardo The Lincoln Debuts!

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

I purchased a wonderful Lincoln sheep fleece a while back and he is a real beauty. His name is Leonardo and he is all cleaned up and ready to spin! I had his fleece blended with 30% Merino so he would be fun to work with. The color is white so it is easy to dye in any color. This fleece is nice and soft. It had taken me months to get this fleece ready for spinning. Easy to spin. This is a very lustrous fiber with long locks.

Leo is posted for sale with all the other undyed fibers on the website.

Jade Sapphire Patterns Now In Stock

2011-12-14T07:00:00.001-08:00

I had so much fun posting these patterns. These are the patterns that go along with the Jade Sapphire Yarns. Moonlight is in stock in 3 colors. 2 Ply Cashmere will be in stock after the first of the year and DK weight is in stock in the Black Pearl Cashmere line. I would really love to knit something using the Moonlight, though.

Cashmere and mink = Yum!

Happy Knitting!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Welcome Botanical Colors Natural Dyes!

2011-12-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Botanical Colors to One Planet Yarn and Fiber! The first dye classes that I took were all with natural dyes. I loved it, but it is a little too hands on for me. I looked around for other ways to dye with natural dyes so it would be easier for me. Last year I introduced Earthues Natural Dyes into the shop. The dyes are available in kit form. They are a little pricey, but I know there are many of you out there that would love the ease of a kit like this.

This past fall I was introduced to a new company, Botanical Colors. What I like about these natural, organic dyes are the smaller quantities and the ease of use. They are almost as simple to use as acid dyes. That was what I was looking for.

Meet Kathy Hattori, the owner of Botanical Colors.

Botanical Colors are high quality, vibrant natural dyes and supplies. Natural dyes are the ancient textile colorants that were used by cultures all over the world before synthetic and petrochemical dyestuffs were developed in the mid-1800s. The colors are beautiful, rich and glowing and each color can be linked to a fascinating tale of discovery, ritual and use by different peoples throughout history. Every color in the natural dye palette has a story.

Botanical Colors strives to offer the finest environmentally sound natural dyes for textiles, paper, wood and other natural materials. We have personally dyed thousands of pounds of fibers with natural dyes and continue to be excited and thrilled by the amazing beauty of these colorants. Every purchase of our natural dyes benefits a small producer or community that raises that dyestuffs and helps maintain a traditional way of life.

Please browse our selection of dyes and kits - Botanical Colors represents the very highest quality extracts and dyestuffs available.

Botanical Colors is the exclusive provider of Aquarelle Liquid Natural Dyes. Check out our kits and the wonderful colors from these easy to use dyes. The color palette includes a liquid indigo that is an improved version of Saxon Blue. It is so much fun to mix blue in the dye pot and see the amazing results.

Kathy Hattori, owner of Botanical Colors.

Happy Dyeing!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Schaefer Yarn Company Chris and Miss Priss!

2011-12-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

All righty then! The rest of my Schaefer Yarn Company order came in. I was able to fill in some more colors for the existing yarns, plus, I added in Chris and Miss Priss! Just look at the lovely colors that came in for both of these yarns!

Chris is-

80% extrafine merino wool SUPERWASH, 20% nylon
4 oz. - 215 yard skeins
Worsted Weight - 4.5 St/in.
Needle size: US #7
Hand or Machine Wash

Miss Priss is-

100% merino wool
4 oz. skein - 280 yards
Worsted weight - 4.5 st/in.
Needle size: US #8

Happy Knitting!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Where in the States Have You Been?

2011-12-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

I found this app online after it was posted by Susie Gibbs from Juniper Moon Farms. I decided to check out the app and I was surprised by how many states I had actually been in! So where have you been? Safe Holiday travels to all!

Regards,
Karen
OPYF

visited 34 states (68%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or jurisdische veraling duits?

Something You Might Like From City Girl's- Washing Mohair

2011-12-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

While I was at the State Fair I was able to snag some mohair locks. 2 of the three fleeces I purchased were ribbon winners. The person who entered these fleeces had to mail them to me after the fair was over so that he could weigh them properly before he sent them to me. They arrived a few weeks ago. And they smelled just dandy. Pew!!!!

Here they are before and after washing.

Red Mohair before bath

Red Mohair after bath

Silver Mohair before bath

Silver Mohair after bath

White Mohair before bath

White Mohair after bath

It's hard to believe that these are the same fleeces! Thank you Mary Berry of Fancy Fibers for the encouragement and washing instructions. The fiber and some wonderful mohair curls will soon be for sale in the City Girl's section of the website. I need to let you know, though, that there is some VM in the curls that will have to be picked out while you are spinning or using them for doll's hair.

Happy Spinning!

Regards,

Karen

PYF

Indulgent Yarn Now In Stock - Jade Sapphire Moonlight

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

Time to drool. Jade Sapphire Moonlight yarn now in stock. 50% cashmere, 50% mink. That's right, mink. I have been assured that the minks are not harmed to make this yarn. The critters are all still alive and producing more hairs for this luxurious yarn. I will be posting up some patterns soon that were developed for this yarn, but I'm sure you can come up with some ideas for yourself!

Happy Knitting!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

December 30th Contest and City Girl's Fiber Farm

2011-12-08T20:08:00.000-08:00

I grew up in Philadelphia. When I was a little girl, all I wanted was a dog. Right around the time I turned 7, my parents finally bought our family that dog. Her name was Rainbow Princess (they wouldn't let me call her Princess Rainbow). She was half beagle and half fox terrier. It was a dream come true, but it ended up being not enough for me.

When I turned 12 my parents decided to send us to a new day camp. I didn't want to go, that is, until my mom told me I could take horseback riding lessons. Boy, did that open up a floodgate! I used every opportunity I had for the next 9 years to be near a horse. I'd muck stalls out for FREE! At 14 I added in a guinea pig to my menagerie. At 17 I volunteered at my veterinarian's office. I left high school half a year early to start college, because I felt if I wanted to be a vet, it was going to take a lot of time and the sooner I started college, the better.

Within a few weeks of college I realized that I was not going to be up to taking all of the math classes that were required. I changed majors and ended up with a degree in Elementary Education and graduated when I was 20.

The following summer my husband and I were married and I moved to Arizona, the land of the cowboy! I rode a total of one time in that first year and I did not ride again until after our son was born 9 years later. The community college taught a course in Western Equitation. I was able to ride for 2 nights a week for 16 weeks. It was great. I rode another time or 2 after that, but again, I have not been on a horse since 1989. Bummer.

We also had a dog in those early days, although we were not able to keep him after our son was born. We did end up with another dog that was a rescue, but again, we were unable to keep her for more than a couple of years.

When I was pregnant with our daughter, our son went with me to pick out a Mini Daschund puppy. He was a winner. My son carried him into the house as if he was bringing home Simba from the Lion King. His name was Chauncey. Chauncey was joined a few years later by Janie, a Jack Russell terrier. Chauncey passed away at the age of 12 and Ranger (our Mini Australian Shepherd) joined Janie in the house. Then came Emma, A rescued yorkie who had been abused. Turns out Emma's original owner wanted her back and took us to court to do that. The judge ruled that we had to give her back, which was very sad, considering her previous abuse.

What to do! We brought in rescued Lady Bug (our Mini Pinscher mix) and Hunter (our Toy Poodle). Lady Bug had been in 5 different homes before we rescued her, Hunter had been born in a puppy mill and was stuck in a cage for his first 4 and a half months before the mill gave the dogs to the rescue group before exterminating them all. (The count of dogs in the house was now at 4.)

And then came Lily Bear, our Yorkshire Terrier show dog pup. I just missed Emma so much I had to have another yorkie. But, not just any yorkie would do. I wanted a yorkie that would make a great therapy dog so we could visit people of ill health that could no longer have their pets with them. Bear chose me, I didn't choose her. But that's a story for another day.

Now we were up to 5 dogs, but poor Janie was just shy of her 16th birthday this past spring and it was time to say goodbye. Click here for a previous blog about the 4 dogs.

So now you know why I am writing this blog. I love animals. So much so, that when I was given the opportunity to be able to have a couple of fibery critters, I jumped on the chance. Here is the previous blog about these two babies.

OK, on to the contest. So now I have these 2 yarnie kind of animals, but, I live in the city. They have rules here. I can't keep a sheep and a goat in our small back yard. You've seen it, you know what I mean. So what is a City Girl to do?

Enter my friend from the Arizona Desert Weavers and Spinners Guild. She and her husband wanted to start a small flock of sheep. She was taking home 2 more Shetland ewe lambs. They live on a large enough space about 30 miles from me. My babies have a home! Down this dirt road.......

ZZ Top

"Mystery Girl" finds the shade.

Ranger needed to get a word in on this.

Hunter and Lily Bear helping me to lay out ""Mystery Girl's" fleece

Oh, forget it!

"Mystery Girl's" fresh shorn first fleece.

I locked the dogs out of the office so I could take these pictures.

Washed and dried and ready for carding!

So here is the contest. ZZ Top came with a name that can't be changed, but "Mystery Girl" does not have one. That's the contest, name "Mystery Girl". Remember that her breed is originally from the Shetland Islands and that she is a girl. Please help me name my sheep! But what is all this about City Girl's and why is it in One Planet Yarn and Fiber?

Well, it costs me money every month to board and feed these two lovelies. Money that I hadn't thought about when I agreed to take them home with me. So, I decided to set up a CSA.

What is a CSA? Community Shared Agriculture. Shareholders financially support small farms and for the shareholders' investment they receive a portion of the harvest. I have signed up with Local Harvest (localharvest.org). The farm is named City Girl's Fiber Farm (thanks Mary Berry for the inspiration!).

I will be offering 5 shares for sale to help support me with this small endeavor. More shares will be available as this small herd of 2 grows over the years. The cost of the shares are $50.00 for the first year plus shipping and when the critters are shorn, shareholders will receive 8 ounces of "Mystery Girl" Shetland and 4 ounces of ZZ Top mohair for the shareholders part in supporting the farm. I will also be sending out shareholder certificates to each shareholder. Little, extra gifts will go out with the fiber when it is ready to ship. For everyone who purchases a share I will also send out a little of "Mystery Girl's" first fleece. I'm planning to use my little drum carder to make up some batts for you. Your 2012 share will be delivered in Fall of 2012. Contributions towards the upkeep of the farm are also gratefully accepted. If you wish to make a contribution please send it through the Paypal account at oneplanetyarn@gmail.com and include in the comments that this is for City Girl's Fiber Farm support, or you can email mail with the amount that you would like to contribute and I will send you a Paypal request.

City Girl's Fiber Farm is where you will now find all of the spinning and dyeing products on the website. I'll add details as I build up that part of the website. I am also waiting to figure out new graphics for this part of the site. Anyone have any ideas they want to share about the look and feel of that part of the website can email me suggestions at citygirlsfiberfarm@gmail.com

I know this is a long blog, so here is the contest info again - December 30th Blog Contest -name "Mystery Girl". Remember that her breed is originally from the Shetland Islands and that she is a girl. Please help me name my sheep! What is the prize? Your choice of either 4 ounces of any City Girl undyed fiber in the shop or a skein of 4 ounces of my own hand spun yarn, which you will need to give me a little time to spin up for you. We'll go over the details once the contest winner has been chosen on December 30th. You have until midnight December 29th to enter this contest. Please make sure that you leave me your contact information or I will be unable to send out this prize to you. One winner will be drawn on the morning of December 30th by the online random number generator. Good Luck, and remember, if you don't win this time, there will be plenty of other opportunities to win something coming up this winter.

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Need Gift Ideas? Slipped Stitches Studio To The Rescue!

2011-12-08T16:15:00.000-08:00

Several weeks go I was offered these fantastic knitting aids. Welcome to the fold Slipped Stitch Studios! I'm trying to decide which one to keep for myself. I can't decide! Here is why I added these products in. This is how my printed out patterns look like usually-

Stuffed in a knitting bag

After a few days of use.

Instead, a pattern in miPattern Wallet

Using the Pattern Magnets

Folded with pattern and magnets inside.

These Slipped Stitch Studios products have been featured in these magazines!

Enjoy this peek at them before heading over to the website and picking one for yourself! pattern Magnets and miPattern Wallets sold separately.

Read Happily!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Something You Might Like -Why Go To The Farmers Market

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

As part of a plan to eat more green things, I decided to get a juicer for our family. The fella at Bed, Bath & Beyond worked at Jamba Juice for 5 years before working at BBB. He suggested that I get this Breville model and I took his advice. The salesman told me about a documentary called "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead". You have to watch it to believe it! I bought the juicer before I knew about the movie though. I bought it because our daughter told us that the "fresh squeezed oj" that we had been drinking for years wasn't "fresh squeezed", nor was it fresh, or natural. Not preaching, honest, just explaining why I wanted a juicer, really! So here is our juicer-

This is why I am glad to have a farmers market near our house, but you never know what you might find at the market! Take a look at this new vendor at the market, Shine Coffee!

Ah, fresh brewed strawberry vanilla herbal tea. Yum!

Happy Eating!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Something You Might Like - The Garden At 10 Weeks

2011-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

I knew you would enjoy an update on the garden. Here are pictures I took last Sunday.

Tomato plant is hitting the roof!

Snow Pea blossoms

New tomatoes!

Lots of blossoms on the tomato plant

Marigolds blooming

Italian Oregano

Butterhead lettuce

Carrot tops

Italian parsley

Broccoli stalk is as fat as my thumb!

Almost time to start eating!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Now In Stock - Madelinetosh DK!

2011-12-03T07:00:00.001-08:00

I had a request for Madelinetosh DK, so I bought her a skein, and 19 others! Now, I only bought one skein of each color, so if you need more than that let me know and I will order it in for you.

Tosh DK is a 100% superwash merino wool, available in all of our luscious glazed solid colorways, with a generous 225 yards per skein. Working up at a versatile light-worsted gauge tosh DK is perfect for sweater and accessory projects. Each squishy soft skein is hand-dyed in small dye lots and machine washable.

Content: 100% superwash merino wool

Length: 225 yards / 206 meters

Gauge: 20 – 22 sts / 4 inches

Suggested needle size: US size 6-7

Care: machine wash cold, air dry flat

Happy Knitting!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

You Named Them! Lanas Puras Melosa Fingering Now Posted!

2011-12-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for contributing to the naming of these yarns from Lanas Puras Melosa. They are now all available on the website for purchase.

Happy Knitting!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Lavender Twist

Sugarplums

Purple Velvet Passion

Half-Moon Midnight

Princess and the Pea

Sailor's Delight (Red Sky at Night)

Old English Sheep Dog (Nana)

Tickled Pink

Tiger Lily

Something You Might Like - State Fair Ribbons!

2011-11-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

I know, there State Fair was over a month ago, but I just had to share this picture. There are actually 8 ribbons in total, but I guess they ran out of 5th place ribbons for my goat, ZZ Top.

In other news, my husband was inerviewed by a local news station. Here is the link to the video- http://cronkitenewsonline.com/2011/11/scottsdales-small-businesses-welcome-national-day-of-shopping-local/ Yess, that is me standing next to him. :)

Keep Crafting!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Sari Silk For Spinners

2011-11-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

I have been ogling this spinning fiber for a long time, wondering when I would ever be able to add it in to the store. So, here you go. Recycled Sari silk for spinners!

Beautiful multicolored recycled Sari Silk for spinners. Wonderful colors, great for blending. Recycled sari silk is from Nepal and India. Leftover silk fabric from making saris is sent to Nepal for processing in small villages. Impoverished women in Nepal are given the opportunity to improve their lives and give them a way to make a living that is sustainable. You are supporting these women by purchasing this fiber.

Happy Spinning!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Something You Might Like - Small Business Saturday Pictures

2011-11-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

Thought you might like this. We started off Small Business Saturday with the Mayor of Scottsdale coming in to our shop with an entourage so he could purchase a pen from a small business and sign the document proclaiming Small Business Saturday. There was lots of fun and chaos a few feet down from our pen shop for several hours. I thought I would share my pictures with you. Remember, it was 75 degrees here on Saturday, but everyone looked like they were having a good time.

Carolers

Big Elves

Sponsor table

Mr and Mrs Claus arrive......

with an adorable elf!

Arizona Beagle Rescue

Sigh, yes, that's my finger in the picture,

An adorable Shop Small elf!

Right outside our shop door

Sorry for the blurry shot, but I had to share this festive pooch! (It's not mine)

Happy Small Business Monday!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

One Planet Yarn and Fiber Cyber Monday Sale Starts Now!

2011-11-27T18:40:00.000-08:00

One Planet Yarn and Fiber Cyber Monday Sales Event!

What's Happening?

Greetings All! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend! Here is the Cyber Monday sale. I hope you find the gift that you are looking for the fiber arts person in your life, even if that is you!
The Cyber Monday offer is 15% off all worsted weight yarns currently in stock and listed below. Sale ends Tuesday, November 29th at midnight. And remember, there is free shipping on all orders over $15.00 in the USA. Flat rate shipping of $7.99 for all international orders. I think I have finally repaired the code for that.
Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom for Cyber Monday offers!

Don't Forget!

The One Planet Yarn and Fiber My Rewards program is in effect. From September 15th until December 31, 2011 for each purchase you make, excluding tax and shipping, you will receive one point for each dollar spent. There is nothing that you have to do to participate in this program. Every dollar you spend counts as a point. After 30 days the points will be released into your account for you to use. Once you reach 100 points you can begin to start redeeming points against purchases. You can let the points build up or you can spend them every time you reach 100 points. There is no limit to the number of points you can accrue. Once the accrual program ends on December 31, 2011 you will have until January 31, 2011 to redeem them. After that point, any unused points will expire. The points that are redeemed are converted into a gift certificate for you to use at any time. The certificates do not expire.

Gift Ideas!

There are great ideas for the yarnie in your life at One Planet Yarn and Fiber! First, if you can't figure out what to buy, we offer gift certificates in any denomination. On a budget? We have gift ideas starting at under $5.00 such as these new items!: ChaioGoo Limited Edition knitting needles, scarf kits from Jade Sapphire and Schaefer Yarns!

Please Help And Gift Others!

We at OPYF this holiday season are supporting an organization called the Orphan Foundation of America The Red Scarf Project - Foster Care for Success Program. Children that go through the foster care system often face challenges getting the education they need to lead happy and productive lives. The Foster Care for Success program gives scholarships to further the education of kids who would not have the money to continue their education. In 2005 the Foster Care for Success program began sending the kids that were attending college or vocational schools a Valentine's Day care package. These kids often don't have family or parents who would send care packages to them. So, to show that someone cares - packages are sent with treats including a red hand knitted or crocheted scarf. You will find all the information about this on the blog - Please Help! Red Scarves for Charity I have not received any scarfs yet, so no prizes are posted yet.

Please Remember!

November 30th Blog Contest! Enter to win a brand new color skein of Lanas Puras Melosa Fingering and a set of Lantern Moon Stitch Markers! How do you enter? By going to the blog picking your favorite names for the new colors by November 29th. Please make sure that you leave me your contact information or I will be unable to send out this prize to you. One winner will be drawn on the morning of November 30th by the online random number generator. Good Luck, and remember, if you don't win this time, there will be plenty of other opportunities to win something coming up this fall and winter. Good Luck!

What's New?

The fiber section has moved in the store to City Girl's Fiber Farm. Why? Because I am expanding that area to include my new City Girl CSA Fiber Farm! I felt it needed to be reworked and this area will be updated as time allows. ChiaoGoo single and double point needles and of course the other items mentioned earlier in the gift section of this newsletter. Whenever I am online you can just send me a message through Live Chat and I will answer your questions for you.

What's Next?

More colors and yarn tyoes are due in from Schaefer Yarn Company. City Girl's CSA Fiber Farm. Sari Silk for spinners.

Don't Forget!

Please sign up for the One Planet Yarn and Fiber Blog to receive news more than a few times a month. I post there several times a week.

Blogs you may have missed-

Other Important Things

Make sure to visit the "What's New" and the "On Sale" section of the site as I add items here regularly! Join the Facebook Fan Club and be able to chat with other OPYF fans. Read The Blog about all of the new items that are being added to One Planet all the time -I have many new yarns, fibers, patterns and more from around the world. Please join the Ravelry group! If you haven't joined yet, please do and then post an introduction on the thread titled "Introduce Your Self!".And please join the mailing list for monthly special offers and news! I send out at least one monthly newsletter with different offers each month. I never share your name or private information. I use it only for the newsletter.

Don't forget that Arctic Qiviut Sock yarn is on sale through the end of the year at 17% off. Only 2 skeins left! Use Coupon Code: ARCTIC17

This Week's Special?

HAPPY HOLIDAY SALE! FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS OVER $15.00 IN THE USA! NO COUPON CODE NEEDED $7.99 FLAT RATE SHIPPING ON ALL INTERNATIONAL ORDERS. SALE ENDS AT MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 21ST. Let me know if you have any trouble with the shipping so I can adjust it on my end.

Please let me know if you have any problems with the codes!

All in stock worsted weight yarns! Use Coupon Code: WORSTED15 Ends Tuesday, November 29th at midnight.

Yarns included in sale are:

Artyarns Beaded Mohair and Sequins
Be Sweet Magic Ball
Farmhouse Yarns Cotton Blossom
Fleece Artist Lanica
Hand Maiden Lady Godiva
LaLana Wools Streakers
Lanas Puras Melosa Clarissa and Worsted Weight
madelintosh merino
Natural Dye Studio Dazzle Worsted
Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd's Wool

**Important-Discounts are not retroactive. If you placed an order last week or the week before, we are sorry, we can't credit you now. Discounts must be taken at the time of order. Please do not write us after you placed an order and ask us to apply a discount. We are sorry, but we just can't do it. If you need help, please email us before you place your order. In addition, these special offers are only valid for in-stock items. They are not valid for special orders for new colors or yarns that we might not have in stock yet. Excludes spinning wheels, OPYF Clubs and items already listed on the sale page. Orders placed for unqualified merchandise will be refunded back to you.

Best Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Ethnic Knitting by Mary Glendinning

2011-11-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up in Canada many people wore what are now called, "Cowichan Sweaters". You may be more familiar with the old Mary Maxim patterns of the 50's and 60's that many people knitted instead. The Mary Maxim patterns were sometimes called "curling" (as in the sport) sweaters and they often had a motif on them, such as horses, deer or other animals or birds.

The true Cowichan sweaters were knitted by the Salish People that live in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, Canada. These women began a tradition of knitting sweaters with yarn they spun themselves and used only the natural colors of the sheep. The sweaters are traditionally done in natural white, dark brown, grey and black and featured geometric designs. The designs were made up by the knitter at the time the sweater was made and often no patterns were written down.

These sweaters were knitted holding six strands of thin roving (yarn that has not be spun yet) together making a very heavy sweater. Sweaters were knit in the round from the bottom up with raglan sleeves and a shawl collar. The lanolin was left in the roving to help the sweaters be somewhat waterproof in the very damp and wet climate of the island.

Other residents of the island soon began noticing these beautiful and warm sweaters and it wasn't long before people began purchasing them and they became something of a cottage industry, bringing money in for the women that knitted them. Of course, with all great things, someone decided to begin writing patterns and producing yarn so that all knitters could make the sweaters themselves. White Buffalo Yarns of Canada produced the yarn for many years but went out of business a number of years ago when the sweaters were no longer in style.

When the Winter Olympics came to Vancouver in 2009, the Canadian team came out at the opening ceremonies decked out in "Cowichan Sweaters" and began a resurgence in interest for these sweaters. Unfortunately, it was discovered that the sweaters were actually not made by the Salish people, but were mass produced in Japan, causing a huge outcry from knitters and non-knitters alike! The "Cowichan" inspired sweaters were sold in department stores as the real thing. After a great uproar the government now requires the true "Cowichan" knit sweaters to carry tags of authenticity so that someone purchasing a sweater knows they have the real thing.

Like many other Canadians I have decided to knit myself a "Cowichan" inspired sweater. I am almost finished the back - here is a picture.

So many of us have traditions in knitting from all over the world. Aran sweaters, fair isle knits, Swedish lace, the list goes on and on. We should be proud of these traditions and as knitters we should strive to make sure that they continue. If you are interested in more information on the Cowichan sweater there is a great group on Ravelry called - Cowichan Inspired.

Regards,
Mary Glendinning
OPYF

Wow! Beautiful ChiaoGoo Needles Just In Time For Gifting!

2011-11-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

I was offered a chance to restock my ChiaoGoo needle selection and I was so pleased with what I saw that I loaded up the selection where I could. These needles are so beautifully crafted and sell for a reasonable price. Just in time for the holidays!

Double Points

Available in Natural color (5"/13cm, 6"/15cm and 8"/20cm) and Dark Patina color (6"/15cm and 8"/20cm). Needle size is permanently laser marked on the needles.

"Find A Cure." Breast Cancer Single Points

Westing Bridge will donate a percentage of "Find A Cure." sales to Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), a non-profit organization focusing on assisting women at all stages of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Visit www.LBBC.org to find out more about this organization. "Find A Cure." 9-inch (23 cm) single points are embellished with a pink miracle bead. The design is transferred (NOT painted) and guaranteed to not come off on your yarn.

Limited Edition

9" Blue Flower Single Point. These are an all bamboo needle underneath a beautiful printed blue flower pattern. Available in sets or as single pairs.

BAMBOO FACTS:

1. Bamboo is a grass! There are more than 1,000 different species of bamboo in the world. More than half of them grow in China.

2. Moso bamboo is the largest and strongest bamboo. It is mostly grown in China (6.7 million acres), but can also be found in Japan (1.2 million acres). ChiaoGoo needles and hooks are made from Chinese Moso bamboo.

3. Bamboo grows very fast! A new bamboo stem grows to a full length of about 75 feet in only a few months and matures to hardness in about 5 years. Believe it or not, in the spring you can actually hear the bamboo growing! It sounds like an army marching through the forest!

4. One mother bamboo plant can create several new stems each year. A single acre of bamboo forest can be harvested year after year not only for mature bamboo, but also for new bamboo shoots which have a long history of use in the traditional Chinese kitchen. It is truly a fast, renewable resource!

5. BTW, Moso bamboo that ChiaoGoo needles are made from is not the same species that panda eat! Panda eat much smaller bamboo species!

MORE BAMBOO NEEDLE FACTS:

1. Because bamboo is quickly renewable, using bamboo needles is environmentally friendly.

2. Bamboo needles are approximately 60% lighter than aluminum needles of the same size, making knitting more comfortable.

3. Bamboo needles are very strong. Fibers under the bamboo's skin are extremely elastic and have tensile strength comparable to steel!

4. Knitters can benefit from the warmth and natural feel of the needles.

Happy Knitting!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Something You Might Like - Cat Bordhi and Jean deCoster

2011-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

During the last few weeks I was privileged to take a few different classes with some very special teachers.

The first class was November 9th and it was given at Tempe Yarn. One of my favorite sock knitting gurus, Cat Bordhi, was teaching her new Sweet Tomato Heel class. I had a great time in spite of the fact that I had a bad cold. My husband, Jay, kept telling me to rest at home until the day of the class. I had a really good time, but I did leave an hour early to go home and rest. Below are pictures from the Cat Bordhi class. I have the joy of taking 2 more classes with her in January!

Cat demonstrating mother and daughter stitches

Helping students

Getting autographs!

My handspun superwash that I used for my sock

Sweet Tomato Heel

Last Friday I again had a chance to take a couple of classes with the wonderful Jeane deCoster of Elemental Effects at The Fiber Factory.

The first class I took with Jeane was here Two Fisted Knitting class. We used Jeane's Shetland yarn to kearn to knit using both hands to learn how to knit Fair Isle. Once I understood how to hold the yarns I was off and knitting!

Jeane explaining to us about steeks

Following the pattern

Separating the two colors to knit

Close up right side

Close up wrong side

Showing the two colors

The second class I took with Jeane was called Spinning Fast And Furious. We learned to perfect spinning woolen to achieve a lofty thicker yarn.

Jeane assisting students with hand placement

Fellow classmates

One of my singles

Jeane using my bobbins to demo how to ply

More plying

I am still plying my singles. I'll share pictures once I'm done with all 3 of m class projects.

Happy Holiday Weekend!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Jade Sapphire Scarf Kits Now Available!

2011-11-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

One Planet Yarn and Fiber is will now be carrying yarns from Jade Sapphire. This company is known for the wonderful, luxurious fibers they use to make their yarns. There are many more yarns coming from Jade Sapphire, but I wanted to get this out to you before the holidays in case you wanted to give this as a gift.

Want to knit a scarf for a present for that special someone in your life, even if that someone is you? Here is the perfect kit for you! Jade Sapphire has put together a wonderful cashmere scarf kit for her or him, although these kits can be used for anyone, I think. The colors are so lovely and the yarn is so wonderful next to the skin. Each kit comes with enough yarn to make a scarf as well as a booklet with 7 different patterns for her or him. You can use the booklet that comes with this or you can knit any scarf pattern that you have fallen in love with that matches the yardage in this kit. So, each kit includes 4 skeins of handpainted 100% Mongolian Cashmere yarn for a total of 350 yards in worsted weight, the booklet with 7 patterns and a handy, clear plastic pattern bag. But wait! There's more! My gift to you! A pair of Lantern Moon Rosewood knitting needles in either a size 8 or a size 9 for her or 8-10 for him to knit this scarf with, while supplies last! These needles usually sell for $21.00 a set.

Happy Gifting!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Schaefer Yarn Page Is Done! Until Next Week......

2011-11-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

I was able to finish the Schaefer pages just now and boy was that fun! So much fun that more yarns are arriving next week too. Here's what went up today-

Nancy

Nichole

Susan

Happy Knitting!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

November 30th Blog Contest - Time To Choose!

2011-11-22T20:34:00.000-08:00

November 30th Blog Contest! Enter to win a brand new color skein of Lanas Puras Melosa Fingering and a set of Lantern Moon Stitch Markers! How do you enter? By picking your favorite names for the new colors by November 29th. Please make sure that you leave me your contact information or I will be unable to send out this prize to you. One winner will be drawn on the morning of November 30th by the online random number generator. Good Luck, and remember, if you don't win this time, there will be plenty of other opportunites to win something coming up this fall and winter. Good Luck!

Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Plum Pudding
Orchid
Sugar Plum Jam
Lovely Lupines
Purplelicious
Violent Marshmallow
Plum Crazy
Grape Candy
Lavender Twist
The Swan Princess
Lilac Love

Chocolate Creme
Shades of Mauve
Chocolate Covered Cherries
Rose Corsage
Sugarplums
Blackcurrant's Daydream
Cherries Jubilee
Raspberry Goodness
Clear Mud
Cinderella

Cranberry Punch
Deep Pomegranate
Purple Velvet Passion
Pleased as Punch
Deep Purple
Alice in Wonderland
Pure Purple
Rapunzel

Half-Moon Midnight
Deep Blue Sea
Midnight Shadow Secrets
20,000 Leagues
Inkwell
Rolling Thunder
Moody Blues
a starry night
Midnight
Arabian Nights

Preppy Flashback
Flowers and Apples
Soft Spring Tulips
Preppy is the New Black
Sunday in the Park
First Bloom
Candy Kane
Tutti Fruitti
Happy
Princess and the Pea
Easter Basket

Sailor's Delight (Red Sky at Night)
Blue Lagoon
Pacific Twilight
California Sunset
Midnight Storm
Beyond the Sea
Midnight Sun
Sunrise Ocean
Sleeping Beauty
Early Dawn

Old English Sheep Dog (Nana)
Comfort Grey
Nana
Extra Dry Cappuccino
Border Collie
Coffee and Cream
Wintery Day
Beachy
Black Moon
Snow White
Marshmallow Cocoa

Apple Blossom Dawn
All About Violets
Delighted
Tickled Pink
Very Raspberry
Lilac
Carnation
Beauty and the Beast
Daffy Taffy

Tiger Lily
Spicy Peaches
Passion Flower
A Strike Of Lightening
Indian Paintbrush
Sunset Beach
Dawn to Dusk
Sunburst
Red Riding Hood
Calico Cat

Now In Stock! - Schaefer Yarn Company

2011-11-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

I am very pleased to announce that One Planet Yarn and Fiber now will be stocking Schaefer Yarns. So far I have added in 3 different yarns with several more to go. They should all be posted by tomorrow, I hope.

Here is the info on Schaefer-

While The Schaefer Yarn Company is just 18 years old, we have been hand dyeing variegated yarn commercially since 1980 - first in Mendocino, California, then in New York City. We now live and work in Interlaken, a village just north of Ithaca in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York, where Erich and I started Schaefer Yarn by ourselves.

Now it takes a family of 11 to bring Schaefer Yarn to you, and yet each and every skein of yarn is still individually hand painted, just as it was in the beginning. We coined the phrase handpainted because of the painterly way we approached dyeing. The result: 45 unique colorways available in all of our wool and wool blend yarns, plus 18 colors in the finest pima cotton in the world, Laurel, a worsted weight yarn, and Susan, a delicious sport weight. Our silk, Andrea, is available in 63 colors. We are thrilled to introduce the latest fiber to our line, Audrey, a luscious fingering weight, single ply silk/merino wool yarn. Half of our yarns are made exclusively for us in the USA. We support all our fibers with patterns to knit or crochet, and weavers will find our yarns a pleasure to work with as well.

Sincerely,

Cheryl & Erich Schaefer

Andrea

Anne

Audrey

Heather

Happy Knitting!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Fully Restocked! Jacquard Acid Dyes

2011-11-20T12:33:00.000-08:00

Fully restocked! Jacquard Acid Dyes in 1/2 ounce bottles. They will dye up to 2 pounds of fiber. All 40 colors are available for my fiber fanatics.

Happy Dyeing!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

A Few Colors In Artesano Aran Back In Stock!

2011-11-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

I so need to rephotograph these! I just received a box from Artesano in England filled with more yummy Artesano Aran. Just tin time for some quick knits for the holidays!

Happy Knitting!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

November 21st Blog Contest - We Need Names!

2011-11-15T17:42:00.000-08:00

Last month I received a shipment of our Lanas Puras Melosa Fingering weight yarn in all new colors.

Lanas Puras Melosa fingering weight skeins have a generous 440 yards of soft100% merino yarn. This is enough for a pair of socks or a scarf. The yarn is a beautiful and unusual single ply yarn, but it does hold up well for socks even though it is very soft. The yarn also felts well. Please check your pattern's yardage requirements. This yarn works well for socks, shawls or for any pattern using fingering weight yarn.

What's my problem with not posting them yet? They don't have names! I can't put up yarns without names. So I decided since you were enjoying the contests so much, I'd let you pick the names. This is the first contest of 2 contests. Give me names for the yarns. The second contest will be for you to pick the name you like best for each color. The winner of the first contest will be chosen by the online random number generator on the morning of November 21st. The winner can pick one skein of the new yarn in any color they would like to have.

You do not have to name all the yarns. Use the numbers under each picture and put your suggested name for colors next to the numbers in your post.

Please make sure that you leave me your contact information or I will be unable to send out this prize to you.

Good Luck!
Regards,
Karen
OPYF

And The Winner Is!!!!!!

2011-11-15T09:06:00.000-08:00

The winner of the November 15th blog contest is! Number 21, Rug Artisan-

Rug Artisan said...

The'Welcoming Home Baby' book is just wonderful and I would love to win this so I can make the wonderful hats & all and donate them to babies in the hospital. Thank you so much for the chance!

I'll be sending out an email very soon. Remember, if you did not win this contest there will be plenty of other contests to enter. Stay tuned!

Regards,
Karen
OPYF

Something You Might Like - Time Keeps On Slippin.....

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

While some members of my household always seem to be getting through their to do list, I often seem to be behind on mine.

Case in point, my husband did not like the gravel in the yard so close to the patio. The dogs were tending to bring the gravel on to the patio all the time and we were stepping on rocks to get to the laundry room off the patio. So Jay went out back and did some measuring, bought some samples and decided on a pattern.

The project went really fast (after he spent a few weekday mornings moving all the gravel out of the way and breaking up the soil underneath). The next step was laying out the first few pavers to determine the pattern.

Lady Bug is happily sharing her advice on the task.

And Voila! Our new patio extension is complete!

OK, so what's wrong with this picture? Here's my WIP's and everything else that is waiting for my attention.

Still not done.

WIP's either done and waiting for blocking or just waiting.

More WIP's

New yarns waiting to be added to the website

And more (plus my barely warped loom),

And more,

And more.......

Mystery Girl's fleece waiting to be cleaned.

Plus, some more patterns needing to be added.

Maybe tomorrow.

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Reindeer Games Sweater Finished! by Mary Glendinning

2011-11-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Those of you that follow this blog know I have been working diligently on a sweater for my daughter Kaitlynn who lives in San Angelo Texas attending Angelo State University. The weather in Angelo can get quite chilly and I get texts from Kaitie bemoaning that fact. I finally finished her "Reindeer Games" sweater. It is a cropped, 3/4 length sleeves and hood stranded sweater using beautiful Artesano Aran yarn that I got from One Planet Yarn and Fiber. This will be a wonderfully warm and cute sweater. BTW the sweater is hot off the needles and has not yet been blocked.

Happy Knitting!
Regards,
Mary Glendinning
OPYF

Please Help! Red Scarves for Charity

2011-11-12T13:32:00.000-08:00

One of the wonderful things about knitting is the joy of giving a knitted item to another person. So many of us knit for friends and family, for a new grandchild, a son or daughter, or for someone who is sick and needs the extra warmth and love a knitted shawl or hat can bring. When we knit for someone else it is gratifying to see the appreciation they have for the time we have spent working on their gift.

But there are many people all around the world that don't have anyone knitting or making something special for them. That's where charity knitting comes in. So many generous knitters take the time to give to others by knitting chemo hats, blankets for the homeless and for children, items for Tsunami victims, Afghans for Afghans and the list goes on and on.

We at OPYF this holiday season are supporting an organization called the Orphan Foundation of America The Red Scarf Project - Foster Care for Success Program. Children that go through the foster care system often face challenges getting the education they need to lead happy and productive lives. The Foster Care for Success program gives scholarships to further the education of kids who would not have the money to continue their education. In 2005 the Foster Care for Success program began sending the kids that were attending college or vocational schools a Valentine's Day care package. These kids often don't have family or parents who would send care packages to them. So, to show that someone cares - packages are sent with treats including a red hand knitted or crocheted scarf.

The following are pictures of scarves that Karen sent to the project last year.

OPYF provided a prize to the business that was sponsoring one of these drives. We are asking our customers to please support this wonderful organization by knitting or crocheting a red scarf that can be sent to one of these college students.

HOW TO MAKE A RED SCARF

Scarf Size: Approximately 60″ long and 5″ to 8″ wide. Scarves should be long enough to be wrapped around the neck, with tails long enough to be tied in the front.

Style: Think unisex collegiate. The scarves go to both male and female students, so they shouldn’t be gender specific. Fringes are optional. Your scarf should drape and tie easily.

Yarn: Preferably DK, double fingering-weight, worsted weight, or light bully yarns. No lace weight, super-chunky, or mohair yarns as there are many people who find mohair too itchy. The yarn should be soft.

Color: Red! However, this could mean burgundy, cherry, russet, red stripes with other colors, or multicolor hues including red.

Finished and tagged: Yarn ends should be securely sewn in. For a personal touch, attach a tag saying “Handmade for You” with your first name, city, and group affiliation, if any. We also suggest that you include washing instructions and personal messages of encouragement.

OPYF currently has some skeins of Lanas Puras Melosa in the colorway Love available for this project. We are offering a special price of $10 per skein if you are purchasing this for the Red Scarf project. Use coupon code: LOVE10.

Don't want to knit? You are welcome to send a cash donation of any amount. All donations over $10 will also be entered into the contest. Please make all checks payable to:

Orphan Foundation of America
The Red Scarf Project

We are also asking for your support, if you are able, to donate prizes for the people that send in a red scarf for this. Prizes can be anything yarn or fiber related. Last year Karen donated a price of hand dyed spinning fiber. Yarn, needles, candles, soaps, gift certificates, etc. All donated prizes must be in new and unused condition. All of the prizes will be posted on this blog and the winner's name will be posted with the prize once the drive is over. Winners will be chosen by the online number generator.

Finished scarves and donations should be sent to us here:

One Planet Yarn and Fiber
8314 E. Monterosa St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

We need to ship the scarves to the Red Scarf project by December 12 so get your needles clicking!

At this time of the year when all of us have more than we need - let's take a few moments to think about those that don't. These scarves will be cherished by the students who receive them and will remind them that they have someone who cares and believes in their success.

Thanks so much!
Regards,
Karen and Mary
OPYF

That Certain Color Of Madelinetosh Pashmina

2011-11-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

So many beautiful things land on my desk. I was one of those people that pre-ordered Coastal Knits written by Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting and Hannah Fettig of knitbot. The patterns in this book are lovely and I am having trouble deciding which pattern I want to pick first.

I wanted to help you with your decision on which one to knit first. The picture below is of the Wildflower Cardigan. It was designed by Alana Dakos and uses Madelinetosh pashmina in the winter wheat colorway.

So I ordered some in.

In the same box were some gorgeous skeins of pashmina in lapis

You choose! Remember that there is a sale going on all Madelinetosh until midnight tonight!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Fleece Artist Zambezi Now In Stock

2011-11-10T13:26:00.000-08:00

This just in! Fleece Artist Zambezi! Zambezi is a Mohair and Silk blend in a DK weight. This yarn would make a lovely lacy sweater or scarf. Knitted double stranded with another yarn like Fleece Artist's BFL Aran it would make a wonderful coat or luscious blanket!

Weight: DK / 8 ply (11 wpi)
Yardage: 1093 yards (999 meters)
Unit weight: 25 grams (4.41 ounces)
Gauge: 22.0 sts = 4 inches
Needle size: US 6 - 4.0 mm
Fibers: 70% Mohair/30% Silk

Happy Knitting!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Fleece Artist BFL Aran Finally Available Here!

2011-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

As many of you know it has taken me quite some time to get these posted to the website. I am finally done building in the pages for this marvelous yarn. Welcome Fleece Artist BFL Aran!

This is a beautiful, soft, strong yarn. It is wonderful for use in sweater, mittens and scarf and blanket patterns.

Weight: Aran / 10 ply (8 wpi)
Yardage: 202 yards (185 meters)
Unit weight: 125 grams (4.41 ounces)
Gauge: 16.0 sts = 4 inches
Needle size: US 7 - 4.5 mm
Fibers: 100% Wool
Texture: Plied

Happy Knitting!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Some Ilga Leja Patterns Back In Stock!

2011-11-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

I was running low on some patterns from Ilga Leja so I sent Ilga an email and voila! The patterns arrived.

Happy Knitting!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

Musetta

I so want to make this next one!

Urban Goddess

Among the Birches

Diamonds on the Diagonal

Tundra

Finishing Book Review - by Mary Glendinning

2011-11-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I am a bookaholic. I can't get my hands on enough books and I am always anxious to see the newest knitting, spinning, weaving book on the market. Some books are fun and interesting to read and others become classics. This is one of those books. It is called "Finishing School - a master class for knitters" by Deborah Newton.

This is not only a beautiful book, the photography is great with lots of examples, it is also very comprehensive in the finishing techniques it covers.

Newton begins the book with "Finishing 101". What I like about this chapter is that she shows the knitter why it is important to think about finishing even before you start knitting. She covers all the basics from how to choose a project to swatching to finishing touches. Chapter 2 discusses blocking basics, why to block or not to block, and various blocking methods. Chapter 3 discusses the ever important seaming techniques, how and when to use them, including sleeve caps and vertical seams. Chapter 4 discusses various types of edgings and trims, and how to bind off to give you that professional look. Chapter 5 covers buttons, zippers and pockets and gives you lots of options to give your piece an individual look. Finally, Chapter 6 talks about alterations to finished sweaters.

Each chapter contains various workshops so you can see pictures of actual techniques in progress. This will be a book that you will refer to again and again. Please let me know how you enjoy this book.

To make it easy for you to order just click on the Amazon sidebar on the left and scroll for the book title, then click and order!

Regards,
Mary Glendinning
OPYF

Thought You Might Like This - Garden At Six Weeks

2011-11-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday, October 30th, the garden turned 6 weeks old. Some of the lettuce will be ready to harvest soon. In the mean tome the dogs are enjoying the sprouts every time I thin things out a little. There has been so much change from the garden at 3 weeks, but after I took these photos there were even more changes. I can't wait to share the progress with you in a couple of weeks.

Happy Gardening!

Regards,

Karen

OPYF

The stakes were added after the 3 week old pictures were taken.

Tomato Blossoms

Snow Pea Vines

Broccoli

Tom Thumb Butter Lettuce

Carrots

Italian Oregano from Trader Joe's waiting for planting.