Meet More New Heirloom Patterns: An Army of Caterpillars! Tunisian Heirloom Cowl!

Two new patterns are here from amazing Fancy Folks, Miranda Harp and Cat Stolzenbach! Welcome, Army of Caterpillars by Miranda and Tunisian Heirloom Cowl by Cat!

Army of Caterpillars is Miranda's ode to her favorite lepidopterist, her father the moth scientist. These little realistic caterpillars are inspired by the larvae in the Sphingidae family – hawk moths, sphinx moths and hummingbird moths.

Purl ridges create the segmented abdomens, and knitted bobbles form the tiny legs of these adorable larvae.

Knit one in every size to make your own rainbow of caterpillar friends!

Many of you may know Cat as our resident Tunisian crochet expert and instructor. Her Tunisian Heirloom Cowl pattern is a great pattern for those interested in picking up the technique of Tunisian, or Afghan crochet.

A bit like crochet, a bit like knitting--Tunisian crochet makes a lovely fabric that is the best of both worlds. It is a great craft for the knitter or crocheter who wants to take a step towards the other side.

This cowl uses basic Tunisian stitches combined with a Tunisian cross stitch to make the unique “X” texture. Fancy Tiger Crafts Heirloom Romney yarn provides hearty structure and rustic wooliness to this striped cowl.

We hope you like these patterns as much as we do! Stay tuned for two more coming later this week!

Two New Heirloom Patterns are Here!

Welcome The Imposter's Shawl and Radish Hat to our line of Fancy Tiger Crafts patterns! These two new knitting patterns are designed for our Heirloom Romney yarn and are beautifully suited to show off its rustic woolly qualities.

Amber designed the textured Imposter's Shawl to knit up quick on the worsted Heirloom Romney yarn. The Imposter's Shawl gets its name from its clever stitch patterns, which mimic both weaving and crochet, but it is indeed knit!

The Imposter's Shawl uses two skeins of Heirloom (or 360 yds of worsted weight yarn) and is shown here in Elderberry - a deep almost-black, purple. The shawl's down-to-earth design and long, narrow shape make it easy to wear in various styles. You can buy the pattern online here or a printed version in our Denver shop, and be sure to get some Heirloom Romney yarn when you visit, or order online from our etsy store.

Radish Hat is designed by Holly Priestley. The Radish Hat is a sweet, slouchy hat with both lace and cables!

Radish hat is shown in bright and cheery Heirloom color, Radish. It knits up in no time on size 10.5 needles and therefore makes a great last-minute project. The slouchy design uses one skein of Heirloom Romney or 160 yards of a worsted weight yarn. You can purchase your pattern pdf here.

We can't wait to see your versions of these two new patterns. Be sure to post your projects on Ravelry so we can see them. Of course, if you can wear them into the shop for us to see in person, that is the best!

Stay tuned for four more new patterns coming next week! Pattern bonanza!

Springtime Same-sies!

-jaime

Samesies! Amber, Caitlin and I recently finished some new shirts - the Datura Blouse from adorbz French pattern maker, Deer and Doe. This little tank is cleverly put together and we promise you will want to have a few on hand for all your summertime outdoor-type get-togethers.

I broke the ice and tested the pattern with these awesome fabrics. I've had a couple of yards cut of this Sarah Watts fox print from her Timber and Leaf collection for a bit. I thought it might be too much to have it all over, so I paired it with a soft Kaffe Fassett shot cotton on top and some Kona Snow for a collar. The results are a fun top with subtle-fox-action.

The back of the shirt features a nice button detail so bright yellow buttons were a fun way to finish this top. The fit is great and it is comfortable to wear. The Deer and Doe patterns are now translated into English so there were no problems in sewing this up.

Amber was so excited about this top she went ahead and made two at once! The first one is a soft and beautiful Japanese tank with Nani Iro on the bottom and a Lecien lawn on top. A shot cotton makes for a pretty collar.

Cute! Look at those awesome bright purple buttons! Want!

Did you know the Datura blouse has two collar options? Yep. Caitlin choose to make hers with the cut-out collar. The top of the blouse is fully lined and the top is finished with bias tape. The bottom of Caitlin's Datura  blouse is made from one of our delicate and drape-y yarn-dyed voile fabrics. The top of her blouse is from a fabric she had from her great-grandmother. She inherited this fabric as sleeves that her great-grandmother had cut out but never sewn. The sleeves ended up being enough to make this the perfect top. What a lovely way to honor her, Caitlin! I love it.

Caitlin finished her special blouse with some wooden printed buttons.

Amber's second Datura is a brighter tank. The bottom is from Lizzy House's Constellations collection, the top is an Alexander Henry floral and the bright blue collar is the perfect touch.

Yay!

You too, can be a twinsie with us. We have lots of Datura Blouse patterns in stock so don't delay! You'll want to make a bunch of these this summer and we want to see them all!

Victory Patterns are Here!

We are thrilled to be stocking Victory Patterns! Victory Patterns are designed by Kristiann from Toronto Canada. These patterns have been available for a while as pdf downloads from Kristiann's website and are now available in print form! The packaging is lovely and the best part is no more taping together pages. Victory Patterns are sophisticated, fashion-forward designs. Victory Patterns feature an instruction booklet with step by step instructions with diagrams. We can't wait to start sewing with these! Stay tuned to see all our creations.

Makerie Summer Series Recap!

-jaime

Last weekend, Amber and I had the pleasure of teaching at the Makerie Summer Series! This was the first ever day retreat put on by the Makerie, known for their spring-time weekend creative retreats held every year at Chautauqua.

Our beautiful setting at Lyons Farmette

The Makerie Summer Series is held at the idyllic Lyons Farmette. This working farm was the perfect setting for our day of teaching spinning for the June theme, On the Farm. The farm houses goats, chickens, one llama, and includes a large vegetable garden. We could not ask for a better day with perfect temperatures and a cloudless Colorado sky.

Amber and I taught "Farm Fresh Yarn", a class we developed for the Makerie Summer Series to teach participants how to spin yarn from a freshly sheared sheep fleece. We purchased two Shetland fleeces from our friends Peg and Woody at Pinon Woods Ranch in Norwood Colorado. Shetland sheep Belle Star and Butch Cassidy lent their woolly locks for our class. 

Spinning fiber and tools are all ready for class

Our class was held outside right next to a stream of water - it was so peaceful! This was the perfect place to spend the day spinning yarn. We demonstrated how to wash a fleece on a small scale, using a salad spinner as our "washing machine". Amber then taught students the ways of hand-carding rolags from fleece that we had previously washed and dried.

Amber looks on as students learn to spin

I taught students how to spin from their rolags on a drop spindle from local company Schacht. Finally we let students use the drum carder to finish carding the remainder of their fleece. It was a great day and our two groups of students left with new skills and a new appreciation for the work that goes into processing a fleece.

Jaime shows Kim how to use the drum carder

Students were able to take two classes during the day and we loved seeing the other items that were produced on our day on the farm.

Canned foods from a Makerie class taught by Ben of MMLocal

At the end of the day, we were treated to a local farm dinner catered by Eat and Crust. It was an amazing meal and a great way to end the day chatting with all the Makerie teachers and participants.

Our chefs tell us about the awesome food we are about to eat.

If you are inspired by our day, check out the other Makerie Summer Series events in July and August - so many great classes to take and foods to eat!

Meadow is here from The Fibre Company!

--amber

Meadow is here from The Fibre Company!

This beautiful lace weight has the best of both worlds: a luxurious soft feel and a rustic texture. Merino wool, baby llama and silk give it a buttery softness, while the addition of linen gives Meadow it's strength and character.

Meadow comes in 12 classic Fibre Company hand-dyed tones. Its just a little bit on the heavier side of lace-weight, so it can work in a range of patterns from lace to fingering weight.

The lovely folks at Fibre Company are just starting a Mystery Knit-a-long Summer Shawl for Meadow, so now's the perfect time to pick up this pretty yarn and join in the fun!

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!