Two new yarns have joined our happy parade of Madelinetosh yarns! Prairie and Pashmina Worsted are here!
Prairie is a beautiful lace weight single in Madelinetosh hues which we love so much. If you've met Tosh Merino Light (one of our favorites from Madtosh), Prairie has that same irresistible rustic texture and depth of color, and the same soft washable Merino. We can't wait to use it for delicate lace shawls. Rock Island, we are talking to you.
Pashmina worsted is a new yarn from Madelinetosh. A luxurious blend of merino, silk and cashmere, Pashmina's fiber blend is inspired by traditional pashmina shawls. We think this delectable worsted weight yarn would be great for an extra special cardigan or fantastically soft hat for a dear friend.
They are so pretty we just want to eat them all!
Hopefully knitting with them will suffice.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
New Craft Books!
The big fall book release has left us with so much new information and so many great projects! Here are some of our favorites:
1) Pure Wool: a guide to Using Single Breed Yarns Sue Blacker - Sue Blacker is the woman behind one of our favorite yarn companies that we work with, Blacker Yarns. She produces single-breed wool yarns from primitive breeds, buying fleece from small farms in the UK. We love them. Now we have a beautiful book that talks about properties of each of these yarns and gives a pattern for each one - rejoice!
2) We Make Dolls Jenny Doh - Jenny Doh has collected patterns for soft dolls from today's top dollmakers such as Danita, Mimi Kirchner and Sasha Pokrass in her new book. They are all truly amazing and unique - a must have book for doll or soft toy enthusiasts!
3) Anna Maria's Needlework Notebook Anna Maria Horner - We have been awaiting this book ever since Anna Maria Horner released her own line of perle cotton and embroidery floss! Anna shares both instruction and projects for counted-thread embroideries and free embroidery. Projects and patterns are in true Anna style - rich colors and sophisticated designs that you will love!
4) Prints Heather Ross -You are probably familiar with Heather Ross's prints - ethereal fairy tales re-imagined in her whimsical illustration style. They are adorable. Many are out of print so you will be thrilled to know that Heather Ross has included a dvd of her prints for you to print out yourself on fabric/paper, you name it! She also has tons of projects for you to do with your new prints - everything from wrapping paper to votive candle holders to sewn garments. There is also a detailed section about creating your own designs in photoshop and how to use digital online printing.
5) Stitched Gifts Jessica Marquez - the projects in this book are so inspiring! Jessica covers gifts for any occasion from weddings to welcoming a new baby to all the holidays. I especially can't wait to stitch up a custom zodiac wall hanging.
6) Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing Gretchen Hirsch - this is the most highly-anticipated sewing book this season and it does not disappoint! Gretchen has made many fans over the years for her amazing blogforbettersewing and now her tutorials and patterns are collected together into an informative, retro-lovin' book. She covers skills for everything from tools to pattern-making and fitting.
7) New Dress-a-Day Marisa Lynch - Marisa Lynch's takes the fear out of sewing for the fashion-inclined newbie sewist. Marisa's guide covers techniques and projects for altering thrift store finds into modern, fashion-forward garments. With chapters like "2 minute Tunics" and "Quick no-sew fixes" even the sewing challenged can have a handmade wardrobe in no time.
8 ) Hexa Go-Go Tacha Bruecher - We are all obsessed with English Paper Pieced hexagons - now there is a new and modern book full of projects to keep you piecing! Tacha covers all the how's of EPP and then she gives you lots of quilts, bags and wall hangings to make with your new hexagon addiction.
9) Knitting the Perfect Fit Melissa Leapman - The beginning of Melissa Leapman's new book focuses on techniques for shaping - you will never be confused again about which decrease leans what way and where to put them. She also includes sweater patterns with various styles of fit so you can be sure to find one that will flatter every body type.
10) Super Scary Mochimochi Anna Hrachovec - We love all of Anna Hrachovec's quirky designs and it is only fitting that she has released a "Super-Scary" book of her knit creatures. There are patterns for things like "itty-bitty witches" and baby "vampire brats." My personal favorite is the chapter for "mix-and-match" monsters where she gives instructions for various tails, limbs, tendrils and bodies so you can make up your own super-scary monster.
11) Heart Felt Knits Tamara Mello - Of course we're smitten with Mad Men's Christina Hendricks and love that she wrote the foreword to Tamara Mello's new book. If you've been looking to try felting your knits or just need some fresh new projects, check out this book. The projects are modern and sophisticated and include goods for everyone in your life.
12) Felted Feathered Friends Laurie Sharp - Laurie Sharp is the woman behind Woolpets - she has written two amazing books on needlefelting and designs a ton of great kits. Her newest book is all about birds - one of her specialties. She give full color step-by-step photos for each bird variety so you know you will be successful when you use this book.
The holidays are almost here and there is no lack of inspiring projects to get you crafting your heart out for all your friends and family!
1) Pure Wool: a guide to Using Single Breed Yarns Sue Blacker - Sue Blacker is the woman behind one of our favorite yarn companies that we work with, Blacker Yarns. She produces single-breed wool yarns from primitive breeds, buying fleece from small farms in the UK. We love them. Now we have a beautiful book that talks about properties of each of these yarns and gives a pattern for each one - rejoice!
2) We Make Dolls Jenny Doh - Jenny Doh has collected patterns for soft dolls from today's top dollmakers such as Danita, Mimi Kirchner and Sasha Pokrass in her new book. They are all truly amazing and unique - a must have book for doll or soft toy enthusiasts!
3) Anna Maria's Needlework Notebook Anna Maria Horner - We have been awaiting this book ever since Anna Maria Horner released her own line of perle cotton and embroidery floss! Anna shares both instruction and projects for counted-thread embroideries and free embroidery. Projects and patterns are in true Anna style - rich colors and sophisticated designs that you will love!
4) Prints Heather Ross -You are probably familiar with Heather Ross's prints - ethereal fairy tales re-imagined in her whimsical illustration style. They are adorable. Many are out of print so you will be thrilled to know that Heather Ross has included a dvd of her prints for you to print out yourself on fabric/paper, you name it! She also has tons of projects for you to do with your new prints - everything from wrapping paper to votive candle holders to sewn garments. There is also a detailed section about creating your own designs in photoshop and how to use digital online printing.
5) Stitched Gifts Jessica Marquez - the projects in this book are so inspiring! Jessica covers gifts for any occasion from weddings to welcoming a new baby to all the holidays. I especially can't wait to stitch up a custom zodiac wall hanging.
6) Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing Gretchen Hirsch - this is the most highly-anticipated sewing book this season and it does not disappoint! Gretchen has made many fans over the years for her amazing blogforbettersewing and now her tutorials and patterns are collected together into an informative, retro-lovin' book. She covers skills for everything from tools to pattern-making and fitting.
7) New Dress-a-Day Marisa Lynch - Marisa Lynch's takes the fear out of sewing for the fashion-inclined newbie sewist. Marisa's guide covers techniques and projects for altering thrift store finds into modern, fashion-forward garments. With chapters like "2 minute Tunics" and "Quick no-sew fixes" even the sewing challenged can have a handmade wardrobe in no time.
8 ) Hexa Go-Go Tacha Bruecher - We are all obsessed with English Paper Pieced hexagons - now there is a new and modern book full of projects to keep you piecing! Tacha covers all the how's of EPP and then she gives you lots of quilts, bags and wall hangings to make with your new hexagon addiction.
9) Knitting the Perfect Fit Melissa Leapman - The beginning of Melissa Leapman's new book focuses on techniques for shaping - you will never be confused again about which decrease leans what way and where to put them. She also includes sweater patterns with various styles of fit so you can be sure to find one that will flatter every body type.
10) Super Scary Mochimochi Anna Hrachovec - We love all of Anna Hrachovec's quirky designs and it is only fitting that she has released a "Super-Scary" book of her knit creatures. There are patterns for things like "itty-bitty witches" and baby "vampire brats." My personal favorite is the chapter for "mix-and-match" monsters where she gives instructions for various tails, limbs, tendrils and bodies so you can make up your own super-scary monster.
11) Heart Felt Knits Tamara Mello - Of course we're smitten with Mad Men's Christina Hendricks and love that she wrote the foreword to Tamara Mello's new book. If you've been looking to try felting your knits or just need some fresh new projects, check out this book. The projects are modern and sophisticated and include goods for everyone in your life.
12) Felted Feathered Friends Laurie Sharp - Laurie Sharp is the woman behind Woolpets - she has written two amazing books on needlefelting and designs a ton of great kits. Her newest book is all about birds - one of her specialties. She give full color step-by-step photos for each bird variety so you know you will be successful when you use this book.
The holidays are almost here and there is no lack of inspiring projects to get you crafting your heart out for all your friends and family!
Friday, October 12, 2012
Better Know A Crafter: Bob Morgan
Bob is one of the crafty regulars at ManMade. He made this haori style jacket for a friend, using a variety of Malabrigo Silky Merino colors. It was a perfect choice! He even adorned it with one of our "This Took Forever" tags.
Tell us about yourself. What makes you want to craft?
I am a gardener and a teacher. Crafts are a creative use of time. I am a knitter.
What kinds of things do you enjoy knitting?
Over the last 35 years of knitting I've knitted sweaters, vests, coats, gloves, mittens, hats, scarves and recently--lace. Most things I give away.
How did you learn to knit?
I learned to knit from my mother, but I learned to enjoy knitting from Sidna Farley. She was great--knowledgeable and funny.
What is your favorite animal?
My dog.
Thanks Bob! Happy knitting!
Bob Morgan
I am a gardener and a teacher. Crafts are a creative use of time. I am a knitter.
What kinds of things do you enjoy knitting?
Over the last 35 years of knitting I've knitted sweaters, vests, coats, gloves, mittens, hats, scarves and recently--lace. Most things I give away.
How did you learn to knit?
I learned to knit from my mother, but I learned to enjoy knitting from Sidna Farley. She was great--knowledgeable and funny.
What is your favorite animal?
My dog.
Thanks Bob! Happy knitting!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Quandary Peak Mittens by Sunneshine + Heritage Wool Weekend
The newest Fancy Tiger knitting pattern, Quandary Peak Mittens, is here!
Sunne, one of our amazing knitting instructors, designed these pretty stranded colorwork mittens. They aren't just pretty, they are tough. These nordic style mittens are made with our hearty Heirloom Romney yarn. Romney is a longwool whose lustrous locks make for hard-wearing mittens that will last through the most snow shoveling-est, sledding-est of winters.
Come by Fancy Tiger Crafts to purchase the pattern, or it is available as a PDF download on Ravelry.
We are excited to introduce this pattern during our Heritage Wool Weekend!
This Friday and Saturday, October 12th & 13th, at Fancy Tiger Crafts we will be hosting Jeane deCoster of Elemental Affects and Peg and Woody of Pinon Woods Ranch.
Sunne, one of our amazing knitting instructors, designed these pretty stranded colorwork mittens. They aren't just pretty, they are tough. These nordic style mittens are made with our hearty Heirloom Romney yarn. Romney is a longwool whose lustrous locks make for hard-wearing mittens that will last through the most snow shoveling-est, sledding-est of winters.
Come by Fancy Tiger Crafts to purchase the pattern, or it is available as a PDF download on Ravelry.
We are excited to introduce this pattern during our Heritage Wool Weekend!
This Friday and Saturday, October 12th & 13th, at Fancy Tiger Crafts we will be hosting Jeane deCoster of Elemental Affects and Peg and Woody of Pinon Woods Ranch.
Please call us at 303-733-3855 to reserve your space in one of Jeane's classes. We hope you can join us this weekend for some old-time woolly fun!Pinon Woods Ranch Pop-Up Shop + Meet the Sheep
Friday and Saturday 10am-4pmCome by to cuddle heritage Shetland sheep and shop the Pinon Woods Ranch pop-up shop, filled with handknit and handspun goodies made of local Shetland wool and alpaca.Free Lecture: Heritage Wools in the US
Friday 7pmJoin us and welcome Jeane deCoster, of Elemental Affects, for a lecture on raising and milling heritage breed wool in the US. Jeane mills and dyes her own line of yarn from US herds of Shetland and Romney, and makes our Fancy Tiger Crafts Heirloom yarn.Spinning Heritage Wools Class with Jeane deCoster
Saturday 10am-1pm $45Jeane will cover qualities of various breeds of wools and how to spin them to showcase their unique properties. Jeane will also cover best use for your new heritage handspuns.Double Fisted Knitting Class with Jeane deCoster
Saturday 3-6pm $40Regardless of which hand you use to carry yarn when you knit, you'll learn how to use both hands in this class. Learn the basics of handling multiple colors, creating steeks, managing yarn tension, reading color charts and steeking.
Monday, October 08, 2012
Amber's Cria Cardigan
I'm so happy with my new Cria cardigan! I just finished this knit from Ysolda's book, Little Red in the City. I made my Cria with one of my favorite yarns of all time, Imperial Stock Ranch Tracie in the lovely cool grey, Quail.
The Tracie acts quite a bit differently than the alpaca silk yarns called for in the pattern. Tracie's springy Columbia wool gave me a shorter row gauge and I ended up knitting several more rows per inch. I love the wooly fabric the yarn creates.
The garter stitch yoke is simply adorable and the construction of it will blow your mind. Ysolda uses ingenious short row neck shaping combined with simultaneous set-in sleeves. It's pretty dang awesome. I loved every mind-blowing minute of it.
I'm a big fan of all Ms. Teague's details--faux side seams, garter cuffs with buttons, gathered sleeves, teeny pockets. Each detail is well thought out and exciting to knit.
Now that fall is officially here my dear new cardigan will keep my cozy every day! Hooray!
The Tracie acts quite a bit differently than the alpaca silk yarns called for in the pattern. Tracie's springy Columbia wool gave me a shorter row gauge and I ended up knitting several more rows per inch. I love the wooly fabric the yarn creates.
The garter stitch yoke is simply adorable and the construction of it will blow your mind. Ysolda uses ingenious short row neck shaping combined with simultaneous set-in sleeves. It's pretty dang awesome. I loved every mind-blowing minute of it.
I'm a big fan of all Ms. Teague's details--faux side seams, garter cuffs with buttons, gathered sleeves, teeny pockets. Each detail is well thought out and exciting to knit.
Now that fall is officially here my dear new cardigan will keep my cozy every day! Hooray!
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
Jay McCarroll City Center Fabrics
City Center fabrics are here! Jay McCarroll's newest fabric line is inspired by eight US cities. We love the modern, urban prints and, as always, are really excited to make garments from them. It's no surprise that Jay makes the best fashion forward fabrics!
Monday, October 01, 2012
Better Know A Crafter: Stephen West
Stephen is an amazing knitting designer which we are so happy to have hosted at Fancy Tiger Crafts for a visit recently. He brought about a million of his knitted shawls to the shop for us to drool over and taught us amazing things about his design process. In his down time, Stephen spent some time in our sewing classrooms whipping up four tank tops and a patchwork shirt. He just might be the most prolific crafter we've ever met.
What kind of crafts do you do?
I live in Amsterdam and travel a whole lot to teach knitting workshops. I design knitting patterns and publish knitting books. I like colors and shapes and making things to wear. I also like making videos and practicing jump rope moves. I knit and spin and I pretend to crochet and sew.
Tell us about your sewing process.
I wanted to make a shirt so I picked out some jersey and flannel with my face screen printed on it. I started sewing and when the shapes didn't match I filled in the spaces with animal fabric.
What kind of crafts do you do?
I live in Amsterdam and travel a whole lot to teach knitting workshops. I design knitting patterns and publish knitting books. I like colors and shapes and making things to wear. I also like making videos and practicing jump rope moves. I knit and spin and I pretend to crochet and sew.
Tell us about your sewing process.
I wanted to make a shirt so I picked out some jersey and flannel with my face screen printed on it. I started sewing and when the shapes didn't match I filled in the spaces with animal fabric.
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| Sweet Stephen face detail and kitten in a basket patchwork! |
I didn't like the sewn neck I tried so I cut it out and added a knit neckline. I also added a crochet drawstring to the bottom.
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| The multi-talented Stephen combines knitting, sewing, patchwork and crochet in one garment! |
How did you learn to sew?
I kidnapped my mom's sewing machine in high school and made pants and lots of bags. I taught myself to be a master seamster.
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| One of Stephen's new tanks |
What is your favorite animal?
I like foxes. Red foxes.
Thanks Stephen! We miss you already!!
I like foxes. Red foxes.
Thanks Stephen! We miss you already!!
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