YARN CON is tomorrow!

I am all set for YARN CON tomorrow, which is in Chicago, Illinois at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse on Blackhawk. I'll have tons of new yarns - don't have time to post preview pictures, but here are a few new things that I'll have -

FIVE new handspun two-ply yarns! Yes, FIVE! I think that's a record for me! Plum Gold in BFL/Silk, two skeins of Andromeda also in BFL/Silk, and 2 skeins of Taos Sunset in merino wool (for those familiar with my art yarns or Yarn Wench colorways, this one is actually one ply of "Plum Honey" and one ply of "Taos" spun together!)

12 new skeins of bamboo - 4 of "Winter Moon, 4 of "DragonSong", 2 of a darker version of "Plum Paradise" and 2 skeins of "Serenity"

The FunctionArt Art Yarn SERPENT COLLECTION is also now complete! I have Coral Snake, Lizard King (spun from blended merino wool and glittery icicle), and Lizard Queen.

In addition, I'll have the October Art Yarn of the Month yarn - which was only available through the Yarn of the Month club and in person at shows! It is "Adirondack Autumn" and is actually merino wool from the Yarn Wench carded/blended with Bamboo from Fiberlady, spun up as a super bulky and Super SOFT art yarn.

I think that's it! All of these new yarns will be available tomorrow at YARN CON, and if not sold will be listed in my etsy shop Sunday and Monday.

Happy Weekend!

Yarn FEST is TODAY!

I'm off to the Beverly Hills Yarn Fest today where I'll be selling my hand spun yarns! More information -

Beverly Hills Yarn Fest 2010
Beverly Art Center
2407 W. 111th St Chicago, IL
Time: 11am - 5pm
Admission: $2

Now, I'm off to get ready . . .

New Yarns and YARN FEST this weekend!

I've listed some new art yarns this week in my etsy shop!

Two skeins each and all spun from hand dyed merino wool - Taos Sunset, Plum Honey, Lizard King, and Citrus Dreams

Today and tomorrow I'll be spinning lots of bamboo skeins but won't be listing them because I'm getting ready for . . .

The Beverly Hills YARN FEST, which is THIS SUNDAY, April 11 at the Beverly Art Center - 2407 W. 111th St Chicago, IL - from 11am - 5pm. I'll have lots of hand spun yarns and also bamboo fiber for spinning.

Any new yarns spun and not sold will be listed on Monday!

Thank you, Chicago!

Once again, the DIY Trunk Show was wonderful!! I am so grateful to the wonderful organizers for allowing me to be a part of it for the past 4 years, AND so appreciative of the fantastic people that come, chat, and buy wonderful handmade goodies! This year was even better than last year for me, so THANK YOU, CHICAGO - YOU ROCK! And, a special thanks to those who have now come and bought from me each year - ALL customers are wonderful but knowing there are those who come back again and again really makes my day - so, thank you!

I do have a few of the new hand knits that did not sell, though the cowls/neckwarmers both sold (and I will be knitting lots more of them for my next two shows!). But, you can find the following new knit items in my Kitty Grrlz Knits shop on etsy!




I also have a few bamboo skeins listed in my Kitty Grrlz Hand Spun Yarn Shop on etsy, too.

This week I'll be working on more bamboo yarns, more art yarns, and more Navajo 3ply yarns. I'll be knitting some more cowls with my art yarns and also some more scarves with "regular" yarn, all in preparation for ART vs CRAFT - the second in the "Indie Craft Show Midwest Trifecta" as I call it. Art vs Craft will be Saturday, November 29 in downtown Milwaukee.

DIY Trunk Show - Saturday, November 22 in Chicago

Once again, it is that time of year! The time of year for wonderful indie craft shows, and the first one is THIS SATURDAY, November 22, in Chicago.

Last year at this time I wrote a slightly crazy post about how much the Trunk show has meant to me, so I won't repeat that again. But, if you want to read it, it's right here.

Today, I'll just give you the basics -

DIY TRUNK SHOW
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Pulaski Park Fieldhouse
1419 W. Blackhawk
Chicago, Illinois
10am - 5pm

For more information and a list of participants, you can CLICK HERE.

I can't wait! I always love this show! I've got new hand knits - including two new cowls/neckwarmers, and as always will have LOTS of yarn!


AND, if you aren't in Illinois, but rather the Poynette, Wisconsin area, you can actually find some of my yarns at the Lapacek's Orchard annual Hoedown for the Holidays, which is today (Friday, November 21) and tomorrow (Saturday, November 22). It is 1/2 mile east of Poynette, Wisconsin and you can find more information right HERE. I sent a small collection of yarns for their show, including a few bamboo skeins, some "Batt-tacular" yarns, a two-ply, and even a couple of small art yarn skeins. All yarns sent (except for the 2plys) are $30 or under!

YARN CON!

Tomorrow is YARN CON in Chicago!


Here is a preview of my newest yarns that I'll have available there!


For more pictures of new yarns check out my flickr HERE!

New yarns & Yarn Con!

One of these days I will start to post here daily again! But, for now, here is another quickie update post -

I have been spinning this week in preparation for YARN CON! YarnCon is THIS SATURDAY, October 4, at the Pulaski Park Field House in Chicago, Illinois. For all the details, CLICK HERE!

I've been spinning some bamboo and today will start in on some new art yarns! Yay! Not sure how much I'll have time to finish before Saturday, but I do know I will have at least two brand new art yarn colors.

I've also been spinning some "Squish-tastic" bulky 2-ply yarns, along with a little bit of Navajo plying - here are a couple of the most recent yarns I've finished and listed on my website and etsy.

Aqua Lime Explosion - as a Squish-tastic! and 3ply -

Tainted Love (aka Black Cherry) as a Squish-tastic!

And, Sabrina's Garden, a merino wool and silk blend Navajo 3-ply yarn -

Well, that's it for now, I've got to get spinning! I'm going to try and post some more pics tomorrow of the new art yarns, but we'll see!

It's time for the DIY TRUNK SHOW!

So, 3 years ago, I did my very first Big Craft Show. It was the DIY Trunk Show in Chicago, Illinois. I was making jewelry at the time and did the show as the "Crafty Librarians". I had beautiful items from several librarians from across the country! It was a great show! AND!! (this is the most important thing!) . . .

I LEARNED HOW TO KNIT AT THAT SHOW! :) The local Stitch n Bitch group was giving lessons up on the stage in the Auditorium. Our spot was very near there and since it is was quiet at first (and, a fellow librarian was there helping me) I went up to get my free lesson. They provided acrylic yarn and metal needles. They showed the cast on and then the knitting. I was all thumbs, seriously. I never thought I would get it! I felt like an idiot and was sure the girl trying to teach me thought I was too. BUT . . . when I got home I went out and bought some purple yarn (they had given me yellow, not really my favorite color) and started knitting. I just knit and knit and knit . . . I ended up knitting a long rectangular object that today most resembles a table runner (yes, I do still have it!).

THAT was the beginning. I jumped into knitting full speed ahead and by the next year at the very same show (2005 DIY Trunk Show), I was there with HAND KNIT items. Lots of them. AND, I wore the SWEATER that I knit. My enthusiasm was probably just a little toxic as I told *everyone* who would listen that, why, yes, I did knit my sweater, AND I LEARNED HOW TO KNIT AT THIS SHOW!" ;) You can actually see me and my racks of scarves in this picture. (The picture is actually from the 2006 show!)

But, you say, don't you spin now more than knit? Well, yes, I probably do. BUT, had I never learned to knit . . . I wouldn't have come across the YARN WENCH. In the summer of 2006, a fellow librarian forwarded a link to her Pirate Yarns. I was definitely intrigued as at that time, well, I was a horrible yarn cheapskate! First, I didn't like wool and tended to stay away from it. Second, I wouldn't spend more than $3-5 on a ball of yarn. Horrible! Anyways, I bought one of Lynn's Pirate Yarns, THIS ONE as a matter of fact, and I was hooked! It was SO SOFT! (I didn't know wool could be so soft!) and I just became entranced by her art yarns! Now, I still use the occasional craft store yarn, but using handspun has definitely spoiled me and I do prefer it over any other kind!

Then, she started selling handdyed fiber, and of course the wheels were turning . . . if I could buy the fiber and spin my own, then I could sell the yarn AND the knit items WITH MY OWN yarn! It just sounded so fun . . .

And, so, that's what I did. I took a class last December and bought my wheel December 17, 2006. I haven't even been spinning a year and yet I feel like I've been doing it forever! I DO love it, and, really, when you think about it, IT'S ALL THANKS TO THE DIY TRUNK SHOW!

:)

So, please consider stopping by! It is SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17 from 10am-6pm at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse, 1419 W. Blackhawk, Chicago, IL. For lots more information and a list of vendors, CLICK HERE.

YARN CON TOMORROW!

I know I have been very much the slacker blogger lately, and there's actually been a lot going on - trip to Vegas, car issue, spinning lots of new yarns . . . but I really only have time today to say, if you are in the CHICAGO AREA and love yarn and knitting/crocheting, PLEASE consider checking out YARN CON! It is Saturday, October 13 from 10am-4pm at the Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (1419 W. Blackhawk St) in Chicago, IL. For more information, please check out the website HERE.

I will be there with lots of handspun yarns, some brand new that aren't even on etsy or my website yet! (and, won't be until after the show)

With vendors and workshops, plus some special guests, this will be THE place for yarn lovers this weekend! ;)

Hope to see you there!