Better Know A Crafter: Pink Pitcher

Pink is old school Fancy T. She has been coming to our craft night since the beginning of time. She's also one of the fastest knitters we know--always the first to finish knit-alongs, and she won't follow a pattern to save her life. She gets the gist of a pattern and then makes it up as she goes. It always turns out magically awesome. Because of this, we weren't surprised to find out the epic dragon sweater she has been working on is a little of this pattern and a little of that...

Pink Pitcher

How did you learn to knit?
I learned to knit when I was six, but I never really got in to it until I was 16 or so. My mother originally taught me, but everything after basic knit stitch I learned from trial and error. Along the way I also learned to sew, crochet, spin, weave, felt...etc. I am a seamstress, making bags from recycled materials (www.pinkilicious.etsy.com), so I knit to unwind from my other crafting.

Tell us about your project.
This project was inspired by a Ravelry find a friend forwarded to me: Betsala's Valhalla I Am Coming, a much hipper version of the Norwegian pattern, 9 Viking Boat Jacket. I loved the chart and it was nice to see it liberated from the original drop sleeves (I hate drop sleeves!). I found a colorwork yoke pattern 0611-1 Pullover, also entirely in Norwegian, that worked for the fingering weight yarn I used--Imperial Stock Ranch Tracie. 

Fortunately, since I was only using the charts from these two, the language didn't matter. I also used an altered version of the Deathflake chart, a chart from a book I bought in Norway about "Lice-Pattern Sweaters", and then I made a chart of all 24 runes of the Elder Furthark. 

Basically, I stitched together a Frankenstein's Monster of awesome Norwegian designs.

What inspired you to make this?
Plunder. The promise of Plunder. (There may have been some drunken boasting as well, I don't recall clearly.)

Does your sweater transport you to other lands/dimensions when you wear it?
I transport this sweater to other lands and times when *I* wear it! (But it keeps me mighty warm while I'm there.)

Did you put any protection spells on your sweater?
I asked my homegirl Frigga to do me a solid and keep and eye on it. She's a spinner, she understands.

What is your favorite viking weapon?
My fist.

OMG Pink, we love it. Thank you and happy knitting!

Better Know a Crafter: Sunne Meyer

Many of you probably know Sunne - she is a local master-knitter-extraordinaire and runs our weekly Knit Help Nights, as well as teaches tons of classes. We calculated that she has single-handedly taught over 500 people to knit here at Fancy Tiger Crafts. She always thoroughly inspires us with her prolific output of knitwear. Sunne is one of our resident designers, the creator of the Quandary Peak Mittens pattern and also makes the most adorable stitch markers that we sell here at the shop - she is so crafty!

Sunne has recently started sewing, and it turns out she is just as prolific with her sewing needle! Now there is no end to the amount of amazing handmade items in her wardrobe.  We recently asked her to come in for an epic photo shoot of *some* of her items--she limited herself to things she has made in the last 18 months, and things that are made out of Fancy Tiger products. Here she is....we hope you find her as inspiring as we do!

Sunne Meyer

Tell us about your crafty self.

In my real life, I am the Vice President of Personal Growth at The Gathering Place, a daytime drop in shelter for women, their children and transgendered individuals. I came to TGP through knitting, starting the knitting program there about 8 years ago and two years later moved onto the staff in programs. I live in and love the Baker neighborhood and our old Victorian house where I live with an amazingly supportive husband (who is okay with me knitting and sewing all the time) and our chocolate lab, Roscoe. 

Sunne in her Sharktooth Shawl, Nuance Tee and a hand embroidered skull skirt

I used to own denim stores in Denver, and always loved fashion. I am at the point where now I can choose to knit from a pattern or design what I want, knowing about how it will turn out. The best part of making my own clothing is that all of it is unique - no one has the skull skirt to match mine or the exact same sweater, even if it did come from a pattern. And sometimes, I trade with other Tigresses, a great way to get those things that I cannot make... My own DIY life couture, that has the added benefit of giving time to think, slow down and appreciate.

These are some of Sunne's knit things

r1 - Aspen mitten of Sunne's design, Rock Island, Odinn v.1, Fornicating Deer chart adapted
r2 - Fiddlehead adapted, Hat of Sunne's design, Zumthor, Cynthia
r3 - Quandary Peak of Sunne's design, Eldora of Sunne's design, floral mitts, Sunne's Eldora v2
r4 - Juneberry, Sunne's Quandary Peak, Colorwork Cowl of Sunne's design, Sunne's Aspen Mitten
r5 - Fornicating Deer chart adapted, Colorado hat, Fddlehead adapted, Summer Flies
r6 - Sunne's Colorwork Cowl, Hay, Vitamin D, Sherilyn
r7 - Tea leaves, Sunne's Aspen Mitten, Arroway, Sunne's Eldora
r8 - Snowy Day Cowl, Daybreak, Birches Mitts, Rock Island

Sunne in a Sherilyn shawl and handstitched Alabama Chanin style dress

Just a few of Sunne's sewn garments

r1 - Wiksten dress, modified Alabama Chanin scarf, Wiksten Tank
r2 - Jersey Scarf, Nuance Tee, Alabama Chanin Craftsy Coat
r3 - Wiksten Tank, Alabama Chanin short skirt, Alabama Chanin 6 Gore Dress
r4 - Sweet Dress Book A, Wiksten Tank, Wiksten Tank
r5 - shirt, Alabama Chanin Short Skirt, dress
r6 - Wiksten dress, Schoolhouse Tunic, Sweet Dress Book A
r7 - Alabama Chanin long skirt, Stylish Dress Book G, Alabama Chanin Short Skirt

Sunne handcrafted from head to toe, including a ruffled beaded jersey slip that she mixes and matches with her other maxi skirts

What is your favorite part about teaching?

I have taught at Fancy Tiger for about five years. Just being in the shop is inspiring - there are so many ways each yarn or fabric can become something treasured. I love being able to help people make beautiful things. Knitting is so simple, it's hard. Every time I work with someone and they learn something new or see something that they didn't understand before, its a great thing. My favorite is when students come to class or I see them wearing things that they have made. 

Sunne in her Meanad shawl, Freya Lopi Cardigan and handstitched jersey dress.

For me, its less about perfection and more about being proud enough of what you have made, to wear it or give it as a gift. There is something about creating that changes the way you look at things in a positive way.

Sunne in a cashmere Rock Island, Schoolhouse Tunic with embroidery, and jersey maxi skirt

When and how did you learn your crafts?

I used to go stay with my grandparents during some summers for a week or two alone. My grandmother taught me to knit and we did embroidery together. She taught me how to knit one dish cloth pattern and told me when I mastered it (knit, purl, yarn overs, decreases), she would teach me other things. We never got to the other things, but she is still knitting those dish clothes for all of her friends. She also made us lots of knit mittens, hats and sweaters growing up. She loves that I teach knitting and is always looking through my projects when I visit.

Sunne in her Meadowsweet Shawl and a Nani Iro Schoolhouse Tunic

I did lots of other crafty stuff growing up - usually things that were very detailed and took tons of time. I was a quiet child and loved spending time creating things. There was a paper doll house, with 10 rooms, and two dolls that were about 1" tall, with complete wardrobes and accessories, furniture (all laminated with contact paper). There was also a little crochet, potato stamps, painting barrettes, a little machine sewing, painting ceramics and lots of hand sewn felt dolls. It was a very crafty house to grow up in for me.

What is your favorite animal?

Unicorn, mythical things are so full of possibilities.

Thanks Sunne! You are one amazing crafter!

Better Know Two Crafters: Laurel-Along-ing with Becky and Sara!

Two of our favorite ladies have been spending a lot of time in our sewing studio lately during Open Sew Nights! They've been on a Laurel-making adventure, whipping up cute Laurel dresses and tops left and right. You may know these presh ladies from around town--Becky is one of the Fancy Tiger Clothing folks, and the woman behind Becky's Buttons & Things. Sara is one of our favorite local artists (although Denver stole her away from her homeland of Canada). In addition to their love of making Laurels, Becky and Sara also join forces making miniature illustrated worlds with their collaborative Diorama Lockets.

Becky Wareing Steele & Sara Guindon

Tell us about your crafty selves.
Becky: I am a compulsive crafter. I try to create something every day whether it be something for myself, a gift, or for my business (insert shameless promotion here...) I love to crochet, sew and mainly work with miniatures.

Sara: I'm an illustrator and I like to draw and paint people. I'm new to sewing, but I used to do a lot of felt applique, and I have some English paper peicing for on the go.

Tell us about the Laurels you've made.
Becky: This was my first time sewing with a pattern. Sara encouraged me to try the Laurel pattern from Colette and now I'm addicted.

Sara: I made three Laurel dresses. It was fun adding extra details like contrasting bias tape and applique collars.

How did each of you learn to sew? 
Becky: I came from a long line of crafters. My grandfather taught arts and crafts at a prison in Philidelphia and, even though we never met, he's been a huge inspiration of mine. 

Sara: A long time ago I used to hand sew applique bags. Then I started making small alterations on my home sewing machine. Now I want to learn how to follow patterns--I'm addicted to Colette Sewing Patterns.

What is your favorite animal?
Becky: I love all animals, but I live with two cats.

Sara: My boring answer is dogs. Visually I like giraffes because they have big eyes and long eyelashes. 

Thanks Becky and Sara! Happy crafting!

Better Know A Fancy Tigress: Katy Osterwald

Katy is one crafty lady and one of the tigers of Fancy Tiger. She is our resident expert cross-stitcher as well as one fantastic knitter. She recently whipped up Brooklyn Tweed's Bolt shawl, designed by Veera Välimäki. We love its stripedy goodness!

Katy Osterwald

Tell us about your craft-tastic self.

I'm one of the fabulous Fancy Tigresses! I went to art school for fine art photography, and somehow stumbled my way into craft world post-graduation which I really love and want to be involved in forever. I've always been creative in one way or another, but crafting suits my tactile building side, and also lets me be a bit of a perfectionist. I've been knitting for ages, and cross stitching for longer, and since working at Fancy I've been getting into sewing and quilting, and have started my own Etsy business selling project bags for knitters (ModularModular). Soon I will be doing ALL THE CRAFTY THINGS!

Tell us about knitting your shawl. 
I just finished knitting this shawl and couldn't be happier with it! The pattern is Bolt by Veera Valimaki, and can be found in Brooklyn Tweed's Wool People Vol. 5. I used MadelineTosh Sock in Onyx and Nassau Blue, which is one of my favorite yarns ever. I did modify the pattern a bit, I really wanted to showcase the vibrant blue so I did my short row wedges a bit differently to make bolder stripes, and switched the colors around as I felt like it instead of following the main color and contrast color guidelines in the pattern. I've knitted many things over the years, but shawls are my favorite. I usually have at least 6 shawls on the needles at once!

How did you pick up knitting?

I learned to knit from my younger sister. She is an incredible professional costumer for movie and tv shows now, but when we were small and just learning things, she taught herself how to knit so she could make one thing for a costume. I was 15 or 16 at the time, and thought it looked fun, so I asked her to teach me. Fast-forward a dozen years, and I knit all the time and she hasn't touched knitting needles since. I repay her by making her lovely knit items for birthdays and holidays all the time.

What is your favorite animal?

Oh gosh, so hard to pick just one, I'm a bit of a science nerd and get really fascinated with weird animals at times. I think my current favorite is the Potoo, they're a bird from South America related to nightjars and frogmouths and have really funny and expressive huge yellow eyes. Besides unusual animals, I like ferrets, parakeets and dogs.

Thanks Katy! Happy knitting and stitching and all the crafty things!

Better Know A Crafter: Kate Gagnon Osborn & Courtney Kelley

We recently hosted Kate and Courtney of Kelbourne Woolens at Fancy Tiger for a lace shawl workshop and meet & greet. If you were able to attend and meet these ladies in person, you know that they are both a big ol' pile of funtimes. While they were here these ladies--who make a living from all things yarn and knitting related--took full advantage of our sewing classrooms and whipped up some new adorable garments. 

Kate Gagnon Osborn and Courtney Kelley of Kelbourne Woolens

What are your names?
Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn. Sometimes, we pretend to be one person named Kelly, but that is only when we’re trying to get out of doing something. “Oh, no, that’s Kelly’s job. And she’s not here today….” Courtney really wants her name to be Agnes, and pretends it’s her middle name as a consolation prize, but it’s not. Her middle name is Ashton, like Ashton Kutcher. And it fills her with RAGE. Kate’s mother named her Erin when she was born and then changed it to Catherine when she was six months old. Her reason? When Gagnon was mispronounced as “Gannin” it rhymed with “Erin” and she didn't like the way it sounded.

Tell us about your crafty self.
Our main job is as the owners of Kelbourne Woolens, distributors of The Fibre Company yarns. We design knitting patterns, write books, and teach. We both have weaving backgrounds and worked in yarn shops, which is also how we met. I (Courtney) was managing an LYS and hired Kate to work part time while she was in grad school at Philadelphia University studying textile design. We started working together designing knitting patterns for the shop and found we worked together very well. We both really like to knit, obviously, but we also are slightly obsessed with needlepoint at the moment. Kate is much more prolific, Courtney has a tendency to purchase projects and then not finish them.

What makes you want to be crafty?
Our wolf spirit. Obviously.

What types of crafts do you do?
We do ALL the crafts, but not scrapbooking. Definitely NOT scrapbooking. We like things with needles: knitting, crocheting (I guess that is a hook), sewing, needlepoint, counted cross stitch, embroidery. But we mostly knit and sew. And in our dream world, we’d have a warp ready to weave at all times. But you don’t need needles for that. So that and crochet are the exception. Courtney likes to garden, pickle and can things and is a good cook. She mostly refuses to post pictures of her dinner on Instagram, but there have been a couple exceptions. Kate doesn’t cook, instead she does the dishes, and also doesn’t post pictures of that on Instagram.

Tell us about what you made while you were in Denver.
Kate made the Reglisse Dress by French pattern designer, Deer & Doe. She used a really beautiful blue + white washer linen from Robert Kaufmann. Despite the kajillion yards of bias tape required, she really likes the finished dress! (Full disclosure, due to her crazy short waistedness, she did shorten the bodice after she got home, as she found the armholes to be too deep and the waist to hit her at an odd place. But that is the beauty of sewing, right? Customize, customize, customize.) Since coming home, she has almost completed a second version of the dress out of a striped cotton. And bias tape as hem = her new most favorite technique!

Courtney made a pair of velveteen cheetah shorts with a lovely pattern from Sarai of Colette Patterns called Iris. The pattern was pretty straightforward, but a bit tricky, as Courtney’s hips are like a size 4, and her waist an 8…but we worked it out. She has no waist…such a shame. The pattern was super easy to follow, even with the pockets and invisible zipper (which she initially forgot about and had to rip the side out and add it in at the last minute…). And she used tiger buttons for the pockets in honor of Fancy Tiger!

How did you learn to sew?
Kate learned to sew from her paternal grandmere, Yvette, and to knit from her maternal grandmother, Verna. 

Courtney learned both from her maternal grandmother Julia Ann. She learned to crochet from her paternal grandmother, Lucy. We were both kids when we learned.


What is your favorite animal?
Kate’s favorite animal is a shark-honey badger-dog, so I guess that’s a chimera? No…it’s really a dog.
Courtney’s favorite animal as a pet is a dog, in particular Queenie, Queen of Dogs, her corgi/sheltie mix. But she also likes pikas. They leap through the air with wildflowers in their mouths! Seriously.

Thanks Kate & Courtney! Happy sewing and knitting and everything else you do that is awesome!!

Better Know A Fancy Tigress: Nathalie Hall

You might recognize Nathalie as one of the tigers of Fancy Tiger Crafts. She is a real crafty lady who makes all kinds of things--she sews, knits, embroiders, quilts--and she just whipped up this cute Clara Dress from Sew Liberated. Nice work Nathalie!

Nathalie Hall

Tell us about why you are crafty?

I am a social worker who crafts for my sanity. In the past I have done a lot of papercrafts and jewelry-making, but I'm currently mostly knitting because it's so portable.

Tell us about your dress. 
This is the Clara dress pattern from Sew Liberated. I really wanted to make a retro-feel dress and this fabric seemed perfect. The geometric buttons are fun, too!

How did you learn to sew?

My parents and my grandma are very creative people who love making things from scratch. My mom taught me to sew when I was really young, and then gave me a knitting book when I was 8. I never looked back.

What is your favorite animal?

Elephants--they are both strong and gentle, and they have really strong family groups.

Thanks Nathalie! Happy crafting!

Better Know A Crafter: Jason Spicknall

Jason is an amazing long-arm quilter, and we couldn't resist sharing his most recent Tula Pink Anchors Aweigh quilt! Several of us at the shop have used his long-arm quilting services, Secret Stash Quilting, to finish our own quilts. Jason is a prolific quilt maker and it is always a treat to see what he's working on!

Jason Spicknall

What makes you want to be crafty?

I am a modern long-arm quilter. I have an addiction to fabric, so I quilt.

Tell us about making your quilt. 
I made Tula Pink's Anchors Aweigh quilt using fabrics from her Saltwater fabric collection. For the background I mixed in coral and navy solids. I quilted it on my long-arm machine. 

How did you learn to quilt?

My mother-in-law got me started and it turned into an addiction. After two years I now own a long-arm quilting business.

What is your favorite animal?

dogs

Better Know a Crafter: Rúna Bergsdóttir

We had the pleasure of having Ragga Eiriksdottir and her daughter Rúna visit us this past week from Iceland. Ragga is the woman behind Knitting Iceland, hosting knitting tours of Iceland and Icelandic knitting heritage. They are both great knitters, but while here they took advantage of our sewing studio and made all sorts of amazing sewn garments. Rúna has awesome style in her color choices - very Icelandic!

Guðrún Lóa Bergsdóttir (Rúna) & Ragga Eiríksdóttir

Rúna and Ragga with favorite plush dog, Flosi

  

"Rúna og Flosi" collar made by Rúna

What types of crafts do you do?

I'm almost 10 years old and I live in Reykjavik, Iceland. I have a pet budgie named Spotti, he is yellow and green and knows how to talk. I think it's fun to make things and be creative. I like to sew dresses and knit and sometimes in school I make things from wool.

Rúna made these pajama pants

Tell us about your outfits. 
I designed two dresses made from jersey and polka dot fabric. One of them is pink and green and the other is purple and orange. I'm thinking about making a third one in pink and yellow. My mom helped my cut the fabric and sew. We used a sewing machine, serger, scissors, pins and and iron (I love ironing). and a t-shirt of mine for making the pattern. 

Rúna is working on a knit scarf

How did you learn to sew?

I learned to sew on a sewing machine in 3rd grade in my school. We made a little teddy bear. In 4th grade we learned how to knit and I made a little purse for my mom.

Rúna's kitty head skirt with flower Wiksten Tank

What is your favorite animal?

I have 3 favorite animals: cats, dogs, and giraffes
In Icelandic: köttur, hundur, giraffi

We asked Rúna to translate a few more crafty words for us into Icelandic:
Sewing - sauma
Knitting - prjóna
Fashion - tiska
Fabric - efni
Yarn - garn
Sewing Machine - saumavél
Scissors -  skæri
Pins - tituprjónar
Dress - kjóll
Skirt - pils
Clothes - föt
Necklace - hálsmen
Flower - blóm

Some of Rúna's favorite things

Thanks Rúna and Ragga! Happy crafting!

Better Know A Crafter: Jay Louis DeRose of Tinman Provisions

We see Jay almost every morning at our old 1 S. Broadway space - Happy Coffee. Not only does he make the best lattes, but he is also the owner of Tinman Provisions - a label where he creates belts, aprons, and other manly accoutrements.

Jay Louis DeRose

Tell us about your crafty self.
I'm Italian and I'm from north Denver. I am a Coffee Professional, and a Gentleman. Sewing, woodworking, leather working, and metal working are just a few of my crafts. I make things for myself to use and enjoy, and if others like what I do, I will make things for them too.

Tell us about your aprons.
This project is a line of aprons for a local Barber Shop, Ollies. They consist of sewing and leather working. I created my own pattern and used a hemp/cotton ticking from Fancy Tiger Crafts.

How did you learn to sew?
I am a self taught crafter in the sewing and leather working department. The person who taught me is the coolest guy I know...hahaha

What is your favorite animal?
My favorite animal is Falcor - you know, from the Never Ending Story. My second favorite animal is a lynx

Interested in a handcrafted apron? Contact Jay at tinmanprovisions@gmail.com.
Thanks Jay! Happy crafting!