Better Know A Crafter: Milton

Milton is officially the first knit-along-er to finish his Daybreak! He came by the shop to show off his beautiful scarf (which we were all totally in awe of) and claim his prize. Can you believe he has been knitting for less than six months? Aaaamazing.

If you want to get in on the knit-along fun check out the details. You've got til May 1st!

Milton

Tell us about what kinds of crafts you do.

Painting, sculpting, knitting, crocheting, and fighting crime.
Crafting helps pass the time and makes me feel creative all the time.


How did you make your awesome scarf?
I knitted the Daybreak pattern by Stephen West for the knit-along. I used Malabrigo sock yarn. It's very soft and I love the colors. It reminds me of a solar eclipse or perhaps a black hole sun. I'm making matching gloves!


How did you learn to knit?
I learned right here at Fancy Tiger. I took a Knitting 101 class this winter.

What is your favorite animal?
Sloth.

Thanks Milton! Happy knitting and crime fighting!

New! Laura Gunn's Poppy Fabrics and Hedgehog Collection

Laura Gunn's new Poppy collection is here! We always love her painterly style and unique palette. In this collection of prints she's mixed bold flora (especially poppies) with polka dots.


Micheal Miller's Hedgehog Group has also arrived! Indeed, cute hedgehogs are featured, as well as lovebirds and adorable mod flowers and stripes. I love the mustard, teal and hot pink combo!

We Are Famous! Hooray!

We are so excited to be featured in two magazines this month!

Both Sunset magazine and Readymade magazine just printed articles on Denver in their most recent issues. Yay for Denver!



Sunset wrote about our happening South Broadway neighborhood. Some of our favorite shops and restaurants are also featured!


Readymade showcased some really great places all over the city and we are pretty proud to be included!

Yay!

Better Know A Crafter: Nadine Vuyanich

Nadine is one of the most prolific knitters we've ever met! When she comes into the shop she's always wearing the newest sweater she's completed. What makes it even more impressive is that she makes each one up as she goes, experimenting with different stitches and ideas in each one. Nadine recently came in to show us the result of her new interest, hand-dyeing her own yarn, wearing this beautifully speckled lavender and blue sweater.

Nadine Vuyanich

What makes you want to be crafty?

An artist by trade, I've always crafted and recycled all types of item from old jeans into purses to strips of old socks woven into grocery bags. I knit, crochet, paint canvas, needlepoint--just about every type of craft. I've recently gotten into making my own knitting needles and hand dyeing wool.

Tell us about the sweater you are wearing.
I hand-dyed Cascade Eco-Wool and used #11 needles for a looser stitch. I create all my patterns but the basic pattern is alternating K4, P1 and K3, P3 all over.


How did you learn your crafts?
My grandmother taught me to crochet at age seven and knitting came later in life. All my other crafting I've either learned in college or from people I've met across the country.

What is your favorite animal?
Cats

Thanks Nadine! We can't wait to see what you make next!

New! Malabrigo Rasta Super Bulky Yarn!

We've got the newest Malabrigo yarn in! Rasta is a super bulky, kettle-dyed merino yarn.


Malabrigo always dyes the prettiest, most colorful, glowing yarns and this chunky yarn is no exception. We imagine cuddly scarves, berets and cardigans, but we can't wait to see what other crafty things creative folks come up with for this soft and squishy yarn.

Emily's Emily Capelet!

One of our customers came in wearing the most beautiful Emily capelet from Ysolda Teague's new book, Whimsical Little Knits 2, and I was inspired to make one of my own. It was shortly before Spring Festival (also know as Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year) and it is tradition to wear new red clothing. Well, I am a Tiger and this is the year of the Tiger, and after finally getting over my six year aversion to red I thought I should celebrate by knitting myself a red capelet for a present! After all, the name of the pattern is Emily, how perfect is that?


I have been a aficionado of Ysolda Teague ever since making her Urchin pattern (available free on Knitty). Her designs are always surprising in their clever construction and are an homage to the craft of knitting. This exciting project contains so many techniques--including short rows, cables, I-cord border, lace knitting and knitted lace--but is fairly simple and thus an excellent introduction to these concepts.


I love it! It is so perfect and beautiful and special. I used two skeins of Cascade Pure Alpaca in the loveliest shade of Ruby. (knerd digression) The only thing I changed was the way the wrapped short row stitches were treated... I used Cat Bordhi's method of picking up and knitting the wraps from her book New Pathways for Sock Knitters: Book One (/knerd digression). We have the pattern for the Emily both in the Whimsical Little Knits 2 and as a single pattern.

Better Know A Crafter: Claudia Miller

Claudia is one of our favorite ladies around here. She has been a Fancy Tiger sewing instructor since the early days and is always inspiring us with her ideas and craftiness. It brings a smile to our face when she comes into the store with her adorably sweet children in tow--often sporting handmade outfits. She is currently taking some time away from the classroom to celebrate the arrival of the newest member of the Miller family, Miles. We just got to meet him for the first time when Claudia stopped by with big brother, Cowboy John. Little Miles was already cloaked in a cozy blanket of handmade awesomeness! How do you do it, Claudia?!

Claudia Miller

What makes you want to be crafty?

I'm a wife and mom who really enjoys being domestic! I like learning new skills and have a long wish list of things I want to learn to do/make but I especially like to sew.

Tell us about Miles' blanket.
I sewed the "Snuggie Wrap Blanket" from Amy Butler's book "LIttle Stitches". I used flannel and quilting cotton purchased at Fancy Tiger!


How did you learn to sew?
My sewing adventures began in middle school in Home Ec. I continued to sew through college with some help from my mom. I have to give lots of credit to Ms. Darlene who was my sewing teacher at Emily Griffith Opportunity School. She was very helpful in taking the mystery and "fear" out of sewing for me. I have also learned lots from just trying things out on my own.

What is your favorite animal?
Donkeys are so cute!

Thanks Claudia! Happy crafting!