Better Know A Craft: Naalbinding by Emily Platzer

If you are into lost crafts or historical re-enactments, especially of the ancient Nordic variety, you should learn naalbinding! Emily is here with her naalbinding scarf to tell you a little more about it...


This past summer at the Estes Park Wool Market, I took a class on naalbinding from Erika Thomenius. This technique predates knitting and crochet by thousands of years! The only tools you need is a needle and your thumb.


Each stitch in naalbinding is sewn using a short length of yarn pulled all the way through loops on your thumb. I used a bone naalbinding needle--much like a tapestry needle--for my scarf, which we carry at Fancy Tiger. The scarf was worked in the round in a very large circle, and then CUT into a length because naalbinding work does not unravel!


The yarn for the scarf I made is a silk/wool blend single worsted weight yarn. The new Malabrigo Silky Merino yarn would be perfect for this project!

Thanks Emily! Happy naalbinding!

New! Malabrigo Twist and Malabrigo Silky Merino!

Two new Malabrigo yarns have arrived!


Malabrigo Twist is a slightly chunky yarn--soft and luscious merino like our dear friend Malabrigo Worsted, but hard wearing with a high twist and many plies to keep pilling at bay. Great for sweaters!


Malabrigo Silky Merino is so soft and so lustrous! A DK weight yarn that is 50% silk, 50% soft merino, it comes in all our favorite hand-dyed colors. Could it be even softer than the original Malbrigo?

Better Know A Crafter: Rick Rainy

We had a lot of people shopping this past month for Halloween costume crafting supplies. Rick wins our award for best hand-crafted costume. He made up his Max pattern from scratch and hand-stitched the entire thing. Dang. That's pretty amazing.

Rick Rainy

1) Tell us about yourself--what makes you want to be crafty?

I am an engineer who just relocated to Denver last month. I loved the Where the Wild Things Are book as a kid and wanted to make the costume for Halloween. This is my first major sewing project.


2) Tell us about making your sweet Max costume.
It is just hand-sewn using about 5 yards of white bamboo felt. I just measured myself without using any real patterns--although patterns would have made it easier. So just a pencil, ruler, needle and quilting thread.

3) How did you learn to sew?
I taught myself for this project and learned as I went.

4) What is your favorite animal?
The wild things, duh.


Thanks Rick! Happy crafting and engineering!

New! French General Rouenneries Fabrics!

The new French General fabrics are in and they are gorgeous! This line of fabric by Kaari Meng has us inspired with its lovely palette of reds, corals, cremes and ecrus and it's bountiful selection of florals and stripes.


We've also received coordinating cotton toweling for darling embroidery projects as well as French General layer cakes and charm packs for patchwork projects.

New! Handmade Nation on DVD!

We are so happy to have the Handmade Nation DVD in our hands! This amazing film by Faythe Levine captures the craft-tastic DIY movement sweeping the nation. We were so totally inspired by it last May when we saw it on the big screen and now can't wait to watch it every day!


If you didn't get a chance to see it in the theater now is your chance to pick up a copy. It is now available for purchase at Fancy Tiger Crafts and we give it two thimbles up.

Better Know A Crafter: Mary Ann Palmer

Mary Ann just finished an amazing crocheted jacket out of super soft Malabrigo. What a cozy project for snowy days. So pretty and autumnal!

Mary Ann Palmer

1) What crafts do you do?

I like to sew and crochet. I love yarns--the color and feel of them.

2) Tell us about your project.
I made a sweater recently using Malabrigo Chunky yarn with Zach's help. The pattern is from Better Homes and Gardens.

3) How did you learn to crochet?
I took a few lessons several years ago at a community school. The instructor got sick and we were unable to to finish the class, so I am also self taught.

4) What is your favorite animal?
Dogs.

Thanks Mary Ann! Happy crocheting!

New! Melly & Me Sewing Patterns!

Now in! Kaleidoscope by Australian designer Melanie Hurston, a book full of adorable toy and bag sewing patterns for for kids and adults. We love the house and robot backpack pattern featured on the cover. The book also includes patterns for a stuffed unicorn toy, an argyle patchwork quilt and tons more cuteness!


We are also carrying Melanie's individual patterns for bags and toys. Make one for your favorite little cutie.