Guess what? We have a new biz and a new blog!

Hi all!  So, so very sorry for being away for so very long!  But I have big news!  Hubby and I have begun our new adventure into self employment!  We would happily like to introduce you all to Fiberton Acres Ranch and Manor!

It is here that I will now be posting....alas, while I may occasionally post here, I would like to encourage you all to check us out and follow over at Fiberton.

What is this new biz, you may be asking?  Well, let me tell you! Fiberton Acres is our tiny 'ranch and manor', which is busy year round creating quality goods that you will be proud to own. Our philosophy is to do good for our earth and the people on it, and have fun while doing it. That is why you'll find a mix of yarncrafting goods, as well as farmy, funky, upcycled and nerdy items. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

We have our angora rabbits, our fun little farm, our bright, Central Cali sun, and yarn crafty goods galore!

If you check out our blog, be sure to sign up to receive our email updates!

Thanks from both of us and hope to see you there!

Ash

Pom Poms!!

I am loving the pom pom craze right now.  I have decided to make my own pom pom rug for my future travel trailer.  It has a bright orange vintage oven in it, which made me want a fun, squishy rug that is also super colorful.  Here is what I have so far....

Actually, I have made a few more since I took this pic.  I am pretty excited!  But boy does it take a lot of pom poms!  

 Pom poms are such a great stash buster.  I have decided that I must finish all unfinished yarncrafting projects before moving on to a new one, and that I can not buy yarn unless there is a planned project and I don't have suitable yarn in the stash.  I am happy to say that I just finished a VERY old UFO (un-finished object...hehe) and that got me caught up.  (Pics to come soon.) Now I need to use up all my yarn so I can buy more!  :)

What projects are you working on?  Here are some other pom pom projects that I have recently come across and just loved....

From Design Mom

Great tutorial at Annika Likes

Giant pom pom scarf at Johanna Rundel (in German)

And these adorable pom pom flower...love them in the Ball Jar...over at Eclectically Vintage

Yay!! 

Ash

Hair bands and bike seats...

I just love yarn carfting!  I love the fact that I can create something fun and functional from a piece of string.  And I love the fact that that piece of string used to be from an animal or in some cases, an old plastic bottle.  I love the process all the way through.

I recently learned how to cable knit, and love it!  (I think I may have said that verbatim in a previous post! hehe)  I have also been loving headbands as of late, so I decided I needed to make myself a new headband with a cable on it.  Super fast and easy, but also really rewarding!

I had fun playing with design and deciding how 'long' the cables should be.  I will try and share my pattern soon.

I also love to crochet, and I definitely better at it than knitting.  I have been doing it a lot longer, for one thing.  So it is fun for me to get inspiration from something and try and duplicate it.  For example, I found this picture on pinterest of a 'bike seat cover' that someone crocheted.  I could not track down the original poster or creator though.

(Source and creator unknown)

Soo....I decided I'd try something like it.  I used a much larger hook and different yarn, but here is my version....

I was recently given a bunch of colorful acrylic yarn, and I thought that it would hold up pretty well to the occasional (or not so occasional here in Eugene) weather.

I love the way it turned out!  I may have to come up with the pattern for this to share, too.

Happy yarn crafting!

Ash

New knitting skill! Cabling on wristlets...

I am so excited!  I recently went to a knitting social at JoAnn Fabrics.  My hubby works there and suggested I get some folks together to have a teacher come in and show us some tips and new skills.  I had been wanting to learn how to cable knit for some time, but just couldn't quite get the tutorials.  Now that I have learned it, I don't know why I found it so hard!

So I put my new skill to use right away by knitting up some wristlets for my mom.  They came out so good, that I think I will have to make some for myself!

They were knitted flat and then sewn up the back.  I got the pattern from Lion Brand here.

LOVE!!  I found some super soft acrylic/wool blend yarn and they knitted up quite quickly.  Amazing how adding that element makes such a huge difference.  

I think I may try making a tutorial, since I found it so tough at first to understand.  Maybe I can help shed some light for those who are self taught like me and knit kinda weird. :)

Hope you have been enjoying the long weekend.  Happy MLK, Jr Day!

Ash

Do you Pinterest? How about Ravelry?

I have to say, there is almost too much inspiration out there!  Between Pinterest and Ravelry....it gets a bit crazy.  But I do enjoy both of these and have a profile on each.  How about you? 

If you do hang out on either site, I'd love it if followed!  And comment below with your Pinterest or Ravelry so I can follow you!

Find me at: 

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/23point4degree/

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/people/civicstitchings

(You might notice the differing names for my Pinterest vs. Ravelry...well....that is because soon 23point4degreetilt will be my new biz name!  I am almost ready for the roll out!  Yay!)

Now, to pull myself away from the computer and all the inspiration (so much...too much....) and get to work!

Ash

Yarncrafting like crazy!

Oh man...I am definitely feeling the holiday crunch now.  I have been making stuff left and right, and I love it, but I am still quite nervous  about getting everything done.  But this is the norm...I never finish everything right on time, and luckily, I see folks at different times throughout the holidays which helps.

The other thing that is hard is not getting to share so many of the fun things I am making, as I might give away to family and friends their gifts by posting it here.  But...I can share these little baby socks I knitted up for my niece.  I doubt she'll be checking here (you know...since she is not even 1yr old yet...but kids are getting computer skills younger and younger....lol.)

They are so cute!  I wish everyone was tiny...would make my life yarncrafting much, much faster.

Ash

PS - How does anyone get anything done when there are so many wonderful patterns on Ravelry?  I absolutely love all the inspiration, but now I have too many ideas....hmm... (If you are on Ravelry, say hi to me!)