Zoom Looms Are Here!

The most adorable portable loom is here from our favorite local manufacturer of spinning and weaving tools, Schacht Spindle Company!

The Zoom Loom is a compact, simple-to-use pin loom that you can take with you anywhere. This affordable little loom is great for folks who are interested in learning to weave or who want to weave on-the-go.

Weave up a fabric square in no time for instant gratification crafting and use them as coasters, or join them together to make more epic projects--anything from table runners to bags or blankets.

Check back for Zoom Loom classes on our upcoming Summer Schedule, released at the beginning of May!

TNNA Report: February 2013

Amber and I just got back from warm Long Beach for TNNA, The National Needlearts Association trade show. This is where we go to see new products, get inspired by new designs, and touch base with our favorite companies and designers.

As you already know if you're a blog reader, we debuted Heirloom our 100% American Romney yarn. We had a cute little display set up in the Elemental Affects booth. It went great and we heard some positive and exciting feedback. Look for Heirloom soon in fine LYS across the US.

Jeane deCoster, Jaime and Amber with Heirloom!

We loved Moving Mud artisan glass works. We picked up (and brought home with us!) these beautiful handmade glass darning needles. Come by soon, they won't last long!

Glass Darning Needles from Moving Mud

Malabrigo has a gorgeous new yarn coming out late Spring - Mecha. Mecha is a superwash, bulky weight single ply and, as always, the colors are stunning. We can't wait to get this in stock! We will let you know as soon as we get it in...

Mecha by Malabrigo

We were thrilled to pick up not one, but two new lines from the Fibre Company. Tundra and Acadia will be joining Terra and Road to China Light here at Fancy Tiger Crafts. Stay tuned for more on these lux yarns when they arrive this Spring. We are always inspired by the Fibre Co. aesthetic--they and their booth were too cute in their fancy shoes and cabled Flor tiles!

Fibre Co. Tundra color cards and Maura's hot shoes on knit FLOR tiles

Local company Schact was there with an adorable new pin loom - the Zoom Loom! This simple and affordable little loom is perfect for anyone wanting to dabble in weaving as well as a great way to introduce kids to the wonderful world of weaving. These cuties will be here in April.

Jaime and Jess make magic with Zoom Looms

A new trend that we are on-board with is mini-skeins! Some yarn companies are now offering their yarn in smaller put-ups for colorwork, small projects and general craft uses. We loved the design of Knitted Wits mini-skeins, called Gumballs, Gobstoppers and Jawbreakers! We ordered a bright palette of Gobstoppers - little hand-dyed skeins of worsted weight wool--perfect for colorwork and stripes.

Gobstoppers and a kids sweater made from them!

We did it. We finially ordered the unique Silken Straw yarn from Alchemy Yarns. We love how unusual this 100% silk yarn is and can't wait to see what you do with it. More to come when this gets here next month. Alchemy's booth featured this life-sized felted owl...I'm pretty inspired to make one of my own!

Silken Straw by Alchemy Yarns and the coolest felted owl of all time.

We can't wait to see what you'll make with all the inspiring new yarns, products, and patterns we have coming!

Cricket Looms are here from Schacht!

Welcome Weaving!! We are so excited to be carrying the Cricket Loom from local manufacturer Schacht.

The Cricket Loom is a great addition to any fiber enthusiast's tool box. It is large enough to make 15" wide fabrics and is a great introduction to the world of weaving. This kit comes with everything you need to begin your first project, including two skeins of yarn and instructions for set up. The Cricket Loom is a rigid heddle loom which is one of the simplest weaving tools to learn on.

The size of the loom makes it easy to store, so why not learn another craft? It is portable, light and oh-so-fun! We have one set up in the shop so everyone is welcome to stop by and check it out. Weave a few rows and see how easy and addictive weaving is!

Dan got a Cricket a few weeks ago and has already woven several projects. We love these hemp houndstooth washcloths! Dan is willing to give anyone who buys a Cricket a 1 hour set up session to get started on their loom.

Look forward to weaving classes this fall with Liz Gipson - we can't wait!

The Schacht Sidekick is Here!

Is it possible to fall in love with a spinning wheel? It sure feels like it when gazing upon the new Sidekick...

We just giddily unpacked the newest wheel from Schacht Spindle Company, our very favorite local spinning wheel crafters! This little spinning wheel is light and compact enough to sling over your shoulder and take on a stroll down to the park--which is just what I did to try it out for myself.

The Sidekick goes from a tidy little package to a super functional spinning wheel in seconds, with the use of quick releases just like you might find on your bicycle wheel.

Check out how sweet this is...

You just (1) unscrew and flip down the treadles, sliding and locking them into place with a quick release knob. Then (2) you attach the footmen to the treadles. (3) Open and raise the front and rear maidens by using the quick releases and (4) place the flyer (with bobbin and whorl) into the maidens. Close down your quick releases and you are ready for spinning!

Spinning on it is dreamy!

Some additional reasons we love the new Sidekick:

• All the parts are thoughtfully stored on it so there are no important pieces on the loose. (The two whorls are screwed onto the side of the wheel for safe keeping and the flyer attaches to the bottom of a treadle when it is folded away.) 
• The drive wheel runs parallel to the treadle for super compact-ness. 
• Spinning on it is so smooth and quiet. 
• It's just so danged tiny and cute! 

A whorl in it's place  | One of the Sidekick's quick releases

Can you tell I've fallen hard for this little guy?

New! Schacht Ladybug Spinning Wheels!

We are excited to announce the arrival of Ladybug spinning wheels at Fancy Tiger! Jaime and I went on a tour of the Schacht workshop in Boulder and got to meet the people who make these adorable and awesome spinning wheels. We are happy to be working with Schacht--not only is it a fantastic local company, but they even have their own community gardens, chickens and bees that are shared by the employees!

Liz, our guide, showed us the workshop where Schacht cuts each piece for their wheels and looms.


Then we went to meet Dave. Dave is the man who assembles each and every Ladybug. He has a lot of sweet tools. We suspect Dave is the one who hides the teeny ladybug on each wheel.



And here is our new fleet of Ladybugs, all ready to go!


We finally found the perfect spinning wheel to compliment our spinning section. The Ladybug wheel is comfortable, sturdy, and comes in two set ups--regular flyer or the bulky, art-yarn flyer. You can come see them in person in our upstairs spinning section, and perhaps take one home for your very own!