Tina's Handspun Magic Cowl!

Hey guys, It's me Tina, and my new handspun cowl! 

My new cowl is made of yarn I spun during Spinzilla (cough cough winners). I used a hand dyed merino roving made by our friend Meg of Sleep Season Goods. Meg teaches classes and sells her amazing hand dyed yarn and roving at FTC. This colorway is called Sleeping Beauty.

I can't believe it took me so long to cast on with my magical Sleep Season handspun, because it was so fun to knit with! When I finally did cast on, it went so fast. I was overly enthusiastic with each pop of new color. The cowl is a pattern I made up, and only took 400 yards of a sport weight single spun from my 4 ounce Sleep Season braid. The cowl was knit in the round, casting on 250 stitches on size US 10, 40" circulars. Using a larger needle really lets the yarn bloom and drape, showing off all the amazing colors.

I knit this while watching Dexter and it was done in no time which is a good thing, because the last two seasons were really dragging on. When I was almost out of yarn, I skipped to the last episode and started on my garter stitch edging and bound off. The perfect project to show off a beautiful handspun!

Thanks for checking out my new cowl! I love it so.

2013 Holiday Gift Picks: Fancy Staff Picks (Part 2)

Welcome to part two of our Staff Picks Holiday Gift Guide! Today we have the best curated selection of craft supplies for the handspinners, knitters and seamsters in your life!

It's Miranda here! After spinning hundreds and hundreds of yards of yarn for Spinzilla, I'm finally ready to look at fiber to replenish my stash. There's no dreamier fiber than Sleep Season Goods roving! Meg's fiber inspires me to try new spinning techniques to let the colors really shine. She dyes the most beautiful colors onto several sheep varieties like Falkland and Wensleydale, and I can't wait to try them all. Happy stitching!

Hey guys, it's me Tina! I was just thinking that I would really love to make an apron for cooking epic feasts. I really love the design of the Emmeline Apron, and the best part is that it's reversible. I would love to make my apron out of this new Super Lucha Libre by Alexander Henry. The flip side will be made of Dollar Signs from the Amy Sedaris Collection because cooking for friends and family is totally money! Not only is this combo AWESOME, it also matches my battle babes oven mitt Miranda made me this summer. So, if anyone would like to just make me my dream apron the Emmeline Apron, it's taught as a class right here at FTC! Happy Holidays, friends.

Hi, it's Nathalie! When winter weather hits, all I want to do is knit sweaters. I've been eyeing the Reine Cardigan from Brooklyn Tweed for months - I love the simple but elegant construction and the pocket detail. I'd pair it with Loft yarn in the color Plume, also from Brooklyn Tweed, for a lovely project kit. This is a gift that would keep me busy knitting and would result in a cardi I'd cherish for years!

Hi, it's Amber here! I am really excited about the new line of Walden patterns from Colette. These unisex patterns are classic and utilitarian, and might ask that you get out your mallet and awl. Hott! I'd pair this Portland-made sewing pattern for the Cooper Bag with some graphic screenprinted heavy cotton fabric from Premier Prints out of Mississippi. Throw in some Heavy Duty Fabric Wax by Portland's own Otter Wax and you have the makings of an awesome all-weather bag. Even better, all these amazing craft  supplies are made in the USA!

Hey y'all! This is Sara. My holiday pick would absolutely be the fabulous Knit Collage yarn. Since our last shipment arrived, I have been dreaming up a beautiful, lush cowl of this unique and sparkly yarn. As an added bonus, it's so fun and full of treasures, it will knit quickly and not add to my never-ending list of crafty to-do's. I could make a new cowl for New Year's!

As you can probably guess, we pretty much dream about amazing craft projects and supplies each and every day, so if you need more ideas for the perfect gift, swing by the shop and give us a chat!

xoxo,
the Fancy Tigers

Free Pattern! Tina's Sweet Adeline Crochet Shawl

Some of you may know Tina as one of our most prolific sewists at Fancy Tiger, but she's pretty adept with a hook as well!

As soon as we opened the box of our new Freia yarns, Tina took a skein home and immediately whipped up her own pattern for a lacy crochet shawl, worked up in Ombre Sport.

We love this simple little shawl, and how the crisp lace pattern works with the slow, ombre gradation of the Freia yarn.

Tina's Sweet Adeline shawl is simple enough for a beginning crocheter, and works up quick as can be. Download the free pattern by clicking on the image below!

Freia Ombre and Flux Yarns are Here!

Beautiful Freia Handpainted yarns are here! Tina Whitmore, the mastermind behind Freia Yarns, mills her line of gradient color yarns from US sourced wool. The color is then hand applied to each skein to create the long color runs that are so unique to her process.

We are in love with the ombre effect and stunning color combinations and couldn't wait to start a few projects. As soon as we unpacked the Freia yarns several Fancy Folks had projects on their needles.

Freia Ombre Sport

Our friend Allison knitted us the Viatrix Slouch Hat, a chevron lace knit hat that uses one skein of the Freia Ombre Sport and one skein of the Flux Sport. Viatrix Slouch Hat is one of the awesome patterns that is designed especially for the Freia yarns and we have available here at the shop.

Freia Flux Sport

The Freia Flux Sport yarn means shorter color runs and faster color changes. You can see the colors in each ball which makes knitting with these babies a blast!

Nathalie whipped up The Age of Brass & Steam shawl in no time, from one skein of Flux Sport - so perfect!

Miranda made a stripy Army Of Caterpillars friend using one skein of Flux Sport - adorbz.

Freia Ombre Lace

For a finer knit, the Freia Ombre lace balls feature long color changes over 645 yds of lacey goodness.

Check back on Wednesday for a free pattern by Tina: the Sweet Adeline crochet shawl pattern for Freia Ombre Sport!

Me Made May 2013: Week 4

--amber 

We did it!! Me Made May was a month of handmade style around here and I'm so impressed with all the talented crafters that work at Fancy T!

Many new garments were made this month, and many projects are now in the works from all the inspiration we got from our fellow crafty peeps. Check out the full size pictures for the entire month on our Flickr page. Now, here is week four of May...

Row 1: Miranda-Burdastyle Theresa Dress  |  Amber-Colette Peony in Denyse Schmidt fabric  |  Allison-Aestlight shawl by Gudrun Johnston in Hot Pink Jade Sapphire Cashmere  |  Caitlin-Wiksten Tova  |  Amber-Deer and Doe Datura Tank  |  Allison-Circle Skirt of Miranda's design + Mobius Scarf  |  Jaime-Colette Violet and Coraline Cardigan by Ysolda  |  Miranda-Colette Macaron

Row 2: Jaime-Saple Dress by April Rhodes in Brussels Washer  |  Amber-Colette Laurel  |  Allison-Earth and Sky shawl by Stephen West in Madelintosh Light  |  Jaime-Cap Sleeve Lattice Top from Purlbee in Road to China Light  |  Miranda-Colette Macaron  |  Erikia-Rad Handmade Necklace Pendant  |  Emily-Guillemet Hat of her design and Nani Iro Skirt

Row 3: Amber-Colette Hazel Dress  |  Caitlin-Skirt of her own design  |  Miranda-Dirndl Dress in monster fabric  |  Allison-Mobius Scarf  |  Melissa-Colette Violet Blouse and Colette Iris Shorts  |  Caitlin-Simplicity Pattern Tank  |  Erikia-Skirt of her own design  |  Jaime-Painted Portrait blouse from Anna Maria Horner in Nanin Iro fabric

Row 4: Jaime-Wiksten Tank in Liberty Tana Lawn |  Melissa-Anna Maria Horner Painted Portrait with Anna Maria's fabric  |  Caitlin-Anna Maria Horner Socialite Top  |  Tina-Dress of her own design with Birdcages print  |  Amber-Wiksten Tank in organic Cotton Voile  |  Miranda- Circle skirt of her own design  |  Allison-Hendreary Hat by Ysolda

Row 5: Amber-Sailor Top of her own design + Laurelhurst Socks by Star Athena in Sweet Georgia sock yarn  |  Erikia-Tank of her own design made from her grandmother's tablecloth and neon bias tape  |  Jaime-Anna Maria Horner Socialite Dress in Heather Ross Fabric  |  Allison-Daybreak by Stephen West made with Zauberball Sock  |  Emily-Altered Colette Sorbetto in Martha Negley Feather fabric  |  Caitlin-Simplicity Pattern  |  Tina-Crocheted cowl and dress of her design  |  Jaime-Green Bee Amelia Dress Pattern  in Lotta Jansdotter fabric

Row 6: Tina-Dress of her design with Sarah Watson fabric  |  Jaime-Amy Butler Barcelona Skirt with Anna Maria Horner Volumes fabric  |  Katie-Necklace made from found object and crystal  |  Amber-Wiksten Tank with added sleeves in cute kitty fabric  |  Miranda-Dirndl Dress  |  Allison-Mobius Scarf  |  Amber-Megan Nielsen Kelly Skirt

I hope you enjoyed our crafty duds this month! Till next year, Me Made May! Thanks to Zoe of the blog  So, Zo...What Do You Know? for inspiring us with her challenge!

Me Made May 2013: Week 3

Week three of Me Made May is complete--we are in the home stretch now! Jaime and Amber saved up their newest, hot-off-the-sewing-machine items for this past week, since they were in Portland for Quilt Market. Remember, you can check out our Flickr page to see large size pictures of all our outfits. (Stay tuned, Quilt Market Report coming next week!)

Row 1: Emily-Guillemet Hat in Brooklyn Tweed Shelter, Gullfoss Vest in Imperial Stock Ranch Tracie + Colette Juniper Pants in Pickering tweed  |  Miranda-Dirndl dress in Ladybots print  |  Erikia-Wiksten Tank in Art Gallery Fabric  |  Allison-Colette Ginger Skirt in Summerville Fabric  |  Jaime-Amber's Sailor Top in Lecien Lawn  |  Caitlin-Anna Maria Horner Socialite Dress in Heather Ross fabric

Row 2: Amber-Colette Laurel in Cats in Baskets print  |  Allison-Marley's Ghost Knitted Scarf  |  Tina-Jumper of her own design  |  Emily-Colette Sorbetto Tank in Lecien Lawn  |  Miranda-Dirndl Dress in Sarah Watson fabric

Row 3: Caitlin-Tank drafted from a favorite shirt  |  Amber-Sew Liberated Esme in Lecien Lawn (new!)  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Emily-Guillemet Hat, knitted tank of her own design in Sleep Season hand-dyed yarn, leather tote of her own design + Cal Patch Leggings  |  Allison-Colette Sorbetto Tank  |  Melissa-Wiksten Tank Dress

Row 4: Allison-Mobius Scarf in Liberty Tana Lawn  |  Caitlin-Anna Maria Horner Socialite Blouse  |  Jaime-Sew Liberated Esme in AMH Voile  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Amber-Deer and Doe Datura Blouse in Nani Iro, Yuwa Lawn and Shot Cotton (new!)

Row 5: Jaime-Deer and Doe in Sara Watts fabric and Shot Cotton (new!)  |  Caitlin-Tilly and the Button's Miette Skirt  |  Amber-Wiksten Tova  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Allison-Aline Skirt in Kokka Woodland Print

Row 6:  Allison-Colette Sorbetto Dress in Lizzy House fabric  |  Tina-Dress of her own design  |  Emily-modified Amy Butler Cabo Halter top  |  Caitlin-Anna Maria Horner Socialite Blouse  | Jaime-Dress made from pattern self-drafted in Cal Patch's Makerie Workshop (new!)

Hooray for May!

Me Made May 2013: Week One

Hip hip hooray for Me Made May! The Fancy folks are representin' with all their handmade things! We sure do have some talented and prolific crafters around here. It makes me want to make even more things!!

Here is the rundown on what we sported this week...
Row 1: Caitlin-Plaid Flannel Wiksten Tova Top  |  Erikia-Wiksten Tank in Lecien Floral  |  Jaime-Porticus Sweater  |  Miranda-Built By Wendy Dirndl Dress + Mara Shawl  |  Allison-Miranda's Circle Skirt in Anna Maria Horner rayon + Dandy Scarf in Edison Bulb Pashmina Worsted  |  Amber-Cria Cardigan in Imperial Stock Tracie + Aestlight Shawl in hand-dyed Icelandic Lace

Row 2: Emily-Roundabout Camisole and Cardigan of Emily's own design  |  Allison-Sencha Blouse in raindrop print  |  Miranda-Red Miz Mozelle Dress + handspun red garter stitch cowl  |  Caitlin-Self-drafted jersey skirt  |  Jaime-Sarah's Cowl sweatshirt  |  Tina-Bag, dress, and contrast-cowl jacket of Tina's own design

Row 3: Allison-Gyllis Shawl in Malabrigo Worsted + A-line Skirt  |  Amber-Peabody Sweater in Soft Donegal  |  Jaime-Painted Portrait Dress + Bad Oyster Shawl  |  Caitlin-Liberty Tana Lawn Socialite Top  |  Miranda-Sarah's Cowl T-Shirt + A-Line Skirt  |  Amber-Sarah's Cowl Sweatshirt  |  Katy-Brooklyn Tweed Eternity Scarf in Tosh DK Ginger

Row 4: Allison-Peony Dress  |  Jaime-Miz Mozelle in Tula Pink fabric  |  Katy-Wave Wristlet (Katy's own free pattern!) in Silky Wool  |  Miranda-Sparkly Sci-fi Built By Wendy Dirndl Dress  |  Allison-Colette Violet Blouse in bicycle fabrics  |  Amber-Ysolda Pockets and Ties skirt  |  Katy-Necklace made from rope and hex bolts

Row 5: Tina-Dress of Tina's own design  |  Emily-Colette Iris Shorts  |  Caitlin-Wiksten Tova in Lecien fabric  |  Katy-Headband of Katy's design made in Lizzy House Constellation fabric  |  Caitlin-Grainline Studio's Tiny Pocket Tank in Lecien Lawn + Tilly and the Button's Miette Skirt* (*Part of Caitlin's challenge was to make 1 handmade item a week, and this was her first make for week 1!)  |  Miranda-Brown Dirndl Dress, Drifting Cardigan in handpainted yarns + handknit socks

Row 6: Jaime-Xia (Summer) knit blouse  |  Erikia-Wiksten Tank Dress in Anna Maria Horner Rayon  |  Tina-Top and Skirt of Tina's own design  |  Katy-Necklace made from vintage domino  |  Amber-Darling Ranges Dress in Liberty Lifestyle fabric + Maenad Shawl in Anzula Sebastian Yarn  |  Erikia-Patricia Infinity Cowl made with Denyse Schmidt, Anna Maria Horner and Liberty fat quarters  |  Emily-Sorbetto Top and Emily's own Guillemet Hat pattern

Check back next week for even more handmade goodness!

Me Made May 2013 Challenge!

So, Zo...we Fancy Tigers are accepting your challenge!

We--Amber, Jaime and the rest of the Fancy Tiger Crafts crew--sign up as participants of Me-Made-May '13. We will document all of our handmadery weekly here on our blog at www.fanctiger.blogspot.com, hooray!

I, Jaime, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear a different handmade outfit every day for the duration of May 2013.








I, Amber, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear a different handmade outfit every day and make at least two new garments for the duration of May 2013

I, Allison, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear at least one item of handmade clothing 5 days a week and make 2 new handmade things in May 2013.









I, Caitlin of Sparrows and Spools, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear at least one item of handmade clothing 5 days a week and create 1 new item of clothing each week for the duration of May 2013.

I, Emily Platzer, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear something handmade by me each day for the duration of May 2013. In addition, I endeavour to create four new handmade items for myself in May 2013.

I, Erikia, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear tops and accessories I've made as often as I can for the month of May 2013.

I, Katy of ModularModular, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear lovely handmade items each day for the duration of May 2013.

I, Melissa,sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear a handmade item 4 days per week and to complete two sewn items and at least 1 knitted item for the duration of May 2013.

Hoo haa, here I go!

I, Miranda, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear a different dress I've made each day AND wear one thing I've knitted, that I wear often or are from the back of the closet for the duration of May 2013








I, Tina also sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May 2013. I endeavor to wear dresses, outfits, and accessories made by me every day of May!

HALLA!







Here we go!