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

I knitted a dress....

I did!  Remember when I mentioned I got these awesome new circular needles....

And was going to make this dress...

I did it!  It is from Modern Top Down Knitting, and I love how it came out.  I didn't take as many pics as I should have of the process, but I recently wore it out to the big Farmer's Market in San Luis Obispo and got lots of great compliments.

Here is a pic of me there in my awesome new dress....

And now I want to make more!  It was actually a first in many areas, first dress I have knit, first piece this large really, first top down piece and first smocking.  Yet, it was very well explained and not a hard project.  I loved not having to do any seam work because of the top down knitting.  I definitely recommend trying this one.

But before I can more for me, I promised that I would make the hubby a new knit vest.  This will be my first intarsia piece, so I am excited about that! (Just knocking out all the firsts this year with my knitting!)

It is from Son of a Stitch 'n Bitch and has anchors on it....

Should be pretty cute!

What do you have on your hooks and needles?

Ash

Crafting and starting a biz

 It has been a bit longer (ok...waaay longer....) than I had planned since I last blogged.  But lots of things have been happening!  First, I have been working hard on starting my own business.  It is a consulting group with 2 of my very talented friends.  www.mycconsultants.com! 

 Together, we are working to help non-profits and small businesses with their online presence, outreach and media and graphic design work.  

Yay! In related news, one of my colleagues and I have already been helping with a couple websites, one of which is for the lovely Bed and Breakfast on the ranch we are stating at.  That website is now up, so if you want to check out a little of what we have been up to and where we are, go to www.theinnatworkfamilyranch.com.

And, of course, I am always crafting!  We needed new curtains to replace the blinds that did not match our little RV home at all.  So over to Birch Fabrics I went, and found the best fabric for them!  I am pretty darn pleased with the outcome.  (Sorry, not the best pic though.)

One of my great friend’s is having a little one, and I just had to make a little cute cardigan for the little man!   I had a ton of fun whipping up this little project.  I think it came out so cute!  I found the pattern here on Ravelry.  I have to thank Linden Down for making such a cute pattern free!

I am also super excited about an upcoming project.  I think I am overly excited for the new knitting needle set I just ordered.  Check these out!  I got them not too long ago and love them!

And with them, I have started this awesome project....

My first knitted dress!  I can’t wait to see how it comes together. It is from Modern Top Down Knitting and I have been kind of working on it in every spare moment I have right now!  I will share the final product soon.  I am knitting it in a turquoise.  

We have been working on all kinds of other things, so more to come soon! (And I promise sooner than this post!)

Ash 

Feature Fridays is back, baby! Let's meet Noble Knits!

It is long overdue that I return to my blogging, especially Feature Fridays!  Today I am excited to share with you a blog who I discovered through my hours (and hours) on Pinterest.  (I am still unsure if Pinterest is the best thing to come along....or the worst!  I am on it way too much!)  But I digress.  This fun knitting blog is called Noble Knits.  I love their welcome message to their page, in particular this quote:

"Lots of people think knitting has to be complex and intimidating. Not us. We like to take a fun approach to knitting always remembering that it's a hobby - a great way to relax, unwind and relieve some stress."

It is a great point. I started out in fiber arts as a crocheter through and through, but eventually decided to try knitting.  And my first attempts made me think it was way too complicated.  But after a break and then trying it again, I am definitely glad I did. 

Anyway, I love this site because it has tons of great patterns and ideas for knitting.  For example, check out this cute cowl combo pattern:

Super cute, right?

Or how about this cowl? (I am into cowls a lot lately...)

I love that they have all these great one weekend patterns.  

What...oh, you don't knit?

That is ok.  This blog is still a lot of fun to peruse.  

Maybe you are still into yarn and crafting in other ways?  Then you should check out her great insider info on yarns, like the May Recap - Top 10 Yarns....

She also has a section for felting and for crocheting and more!

And if you do knit, they have an awesome resource for you.  The Knitting Doctor!  How cool is that?

So go poke around and maybe have some fun taking on a new, quick and satisfying new project.  Or just have fun looking at pretty projects in gorgeous yarns and ask your knitting friends to make you something.  

Thanks for sharing, Noble Knits, and happy Friday!

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

My first knitting pattern... drumroll.... leg warmers!

So excited...whilst making these legwarmers I realized that I actually knew what I was doing...and that I had created my own pattern!  I feel like this means I have graduated to a real knitter!

These were fun and easy to make.  Here is how you can make these leg-warmers that can be worn any time of the year!

Ash's Comfy, Quick Leg Warmers

Tools/Materials:

US 9 (aka 5.5mm) double pointed needles (set of 5)

2 skeins of worsted weight yarn (I used Vanna's Choice purple)

Sizes: 

Pattern is made for a medium sized leg - calf size 14-15in

In parentheses you will find adjustments for small and large that will look like....

ex: (sm-56, lg-64)

Abbreviations:

DPN's- Double Pointed Needles

Kn- Knit

P- Purl

St- Stitches

Kn2tog- Knit two together

Le Pattern:

Cast on 60 (sm-56, lg-64) using 2 strand cast-on method (here is a vid for this method - I like this method because it allows for more give to fit over the foot)  and distribute evenly onto 4 of the  DPN's.

You are starting at the calf section of the leg-warmer.  The first pattern will be knit 2, purl 2 pattern for ribbed top.

1st Row: Beginning with Kn, and being careful not to twist the piece, join the ends and place marker.  This will start the Kn2, P2 ribbing pattern.  Continue ribbing until piece measures 3 inches. 

Variation - Something I might do in my next pair is either add a contrasting color strip or do the ribbing in a contrasting color.

Next row: Knit only.  Continue for next 6 rows.

Next row (decrease row):  After the above 6 rows of knit, you will have your first decrease row.  At the beginning of each of the needles on this row, kn2tog, giving you 56 (sm-52, lg-60) stitches left on needles.

Next 6 rows: Knit only

Next row: Decrease row as above, now 52 (sm-48, lg-56) stitches on needles.

Next 6 rows: Knit only

Next row: Decrease row as above, final time, to 48 (sm-44, lg-52) stitches on needles.

Next row: Continue in knit only patter for desired length, keeping in mind that we will add 3 inches of ribbing at the bottom.  (I made the knit only about 7 inches long)

Once you have reached the desired length of knit only, begin final ribbing by switching back to kn2, p2 until final ribbing reaches 3 inches.  Then loosely bind off (this is important...I have have many a time had things not fit because I bound off too tight.)

Finally, take a crochet hook and slip the string from the bind off through the first stitch of that last row to complete the row and tie off and weave in ends.

And viola!  

Wonderful leg warmers to show off over your fav jeans or with your going-out-on-the-town skirt!

Enjoy!  Let me know if you have any questions!

Ash

Gauntlets!

I forgot to share those arm gauntlets I was knitting with my souvenir yarn!  But they came out pretty great!!

Super soft and there is even some left over yarn for me to use on another little project.  Hmmm....what next?

Ash

Souvenir Yarncrafting

I was recently in California visiting my family in a tiny town called Clio (as you may have read in a previous post...they have the cutest little population sign!!), and their neighboring town is a tiny tourist-y town called Graeagle.  There they had a cute little yarn shop called "Woolly Notions".  Of course I had to go!!  And what a  great selection of yarn they had!

I had also recently heard someone talk about souvenir yarn and thought it was a brilliant concept!  Why buy trinkets that will inevitably just clutter the house to say that you went somewhere, when you could get a little ball of yarn and make that into something useful and memorable!

So....I got the awesome ball of Mini Mochi by Crystal Palace yarn in a color called Lake, and have started making myself some wrist/arm gauntlets (a.k.a. warmers). I think they are turning out beautiful!

I am finished with one gauntlet, and have to admit that I bound off too tight and had to leave a little piece 'open' when making up the side,  but it is still wonderful.  Will share the finished product with you soon!

Ash

Why I craft....

I have been working on what I would like to do for my crafting business.  A while back my sister and I worked on our own local crafting where we made recycled goods.  I made bags crocheted out of plastic grocery bags and ones that were the grocery bags melted to create 'fabric'. My sister made jewelry from bottle caps and wallets from the melted plastic.  I loved making these items, but we'd primarily sell at our local Saturday Market and last year we both started working much of the weekends.

But in the meantime, it has helped me to re-evaluate what I want to do with my crafting and how much I enjoy crafting for others.  And I know that the environment is a big factor in why I craft.  I want to make things that are original and are sustainable, upcycled and generally take away from the super-commercialized world with too much packaging and non-personal, cheaply made, mass produced items.

So is born my upcycled fashions.  I am in the re-birth stage and am still developing. But I had to share some of the beginnings....

Here you can see my 'new' yarn from old t-shirts.  I am using the 'yarn' to create new, bulky fashion items like this...

A chunky, fun scarf for the quickly upcoming fall days.

More to come soon...I am developing skirts, panties, headbands, and more.

Ash

Those darn knitted leggings...

...are finally done!  I am so excited!  They turned out great.  If I didn't know how long they take for me to make, then I might just make myself some.  More info at my Ravelry account here.

Happy late Christmas, birthday and anniversary, sister dear! :)

Ash

Well the rain is back...but the sun is around the corner

It seems that we can't quite get a full week without rain.  Today is one of those rainy days.  But I am enjoying my day very much anyway.  I am sitting on my couch, in the first sweater I knitted...

(an over-sized hoody that I love but is maybe not the most flattering thing in the world.)

The goal today is to finish the thigh high leggings that I have been working on for months!  Hmmm....I think I will get some cocoa soon, too.

Here is the progress of the leggings so far.  I found the patter here at Lion Brand Yarn.

One down and only half way left to go on the other.  I started them last year and have set them down a lot.  But I have been listening to the YarnCraft podcast a lot lately, and that has made me want to get back to the needles.

Even though it has been crazy weather, I am happy to have my beautiful daisies blooming again.  Had to share with you...

Hope you enjoy this wonderful weekend, no matter the weather!

Ash

Crafting like crazy!

I have been crafting like crazy!  But the bad thing about having a blog that family and friends read, is that I can't post pics of what I have been making.  But I assure you- anytime I am not at work, I have been crafting - trying to get all the holiday gifts done by the 24th.

I have been knitting, crocheting, playing with felt, quilting, and even drilling holes in books.  But you will have to wait for pics after the gifts have been given.  

But had to share this...our kitty seems to have an issue with me knitting....

Just in case I don't make it back on here before the holidays - be safe, have fun and eat lots of yummy food for me!

Happy holidays!  

Ash

The cutest purse ever!

Ok, well the cutest purse I have ever made I think!  And it is for me! :)  I rarely make stuff for myself, but decided I needed a nice, new purse.  I started this a while ago, but finally had time to finish it yesterday.

It is a pattern from Stitch n' Bitch Nation that I love.  I modified it a little by making it taller and sewing pockets into the liner.  It is great because you have very simple knit pieces for the outside and then a simple fabric liner with plastic canvass in between to hold its great shape.

And I found this cute button that just adds that finishing touch.  I filled it up this morning and I just love it!  And it had just enough room left to throw my current knitting project in to work on while riding the bus to work.

Happy knitting!

Ash

Warms the...legs...

I just had to share the finished leg warmers with you all! They feel great!

I have to decide what to start knitting next....hmmm...

Ash

Cooling off

The weather is definitely cooling off!  I can say that I am not ready for it, but I am also excited about crafts that the winter brings.  I am working on my Christmas list, and already seem to feel behind, hehe.

And since it is cooling off, I am getting myself ready for the cooler weather.  I have started making some little ankle warmers.  This is one of the first patterns I tried, before I took the leap to double pointed needles and knitting in the round.  It is a simple rib stitch and then you just seam up the side.

I have also been working on a new knitted purse.  Pics to come soon!

Ash