Scrap Yarn Afghan + Some Sneak Peeks
Good Evening Friends!
We had more snow here this weekend. It is very cold and windy. I do not remember a winter like this ever. There is promise of spring coming though. In the morning when I get up, it is no longer dark and at 5:30, there is still some light. Maple farmers are starting to think about tapping trees although it seems like it is going to be so hard to get up through the snowpack.
Tonight we are celebrating Valentine's Day a day late. We are having a lovely Lamb Tagine on top of some basmati rice. The recipe is on our lamb website. It is one of those make ahead recipes which gets better as the flavors mingle. For dessert, I made Nigella's Dense Chocolate Loaf Cake. It is simple to make and very delicious - not too sweet because there is no frosting. We will be topping it with some local Bart's ice cream.
I've just listed 6 colors of my latest sock yarn - Colorations - from the Design Line by Regia. These colors work up in a pattern similar to a fair isle. The colors were inspired by my favorite ikat fabric. Check out my Etsy shop here.
I am still busy shipping copies of Crafting a Colorful Home. I have extended the FREE Shipping on Crafting A Colorful Home until the end of February. I will also continue to include the Kristin Illustrated Bookplate and the set of Kristin Postcards. As always, my family and I thank you for your support of our farm. Hop on over to my website to order here. If you don't do Paypal which I know many people still are not comfortable with, you can still order. Here's how:
Send a check for $27.95 written to Kristin Nicholas to PO Box 212, Bernardston, MA 01337 along with your address. I will send you the book.
This week's sneak peeks from Crafting A Colorful Home are of the Scrap Yarn Afghan. I love this project. It is very easy to knit and a great way to use up odds and ends. This project grew out of my very favorite scarf that I wear every day and have worn for at least 8 years now. I love the texture of the scarf and the ease of knitting. Check out the Crafting A Colorful Home Sneak Peeks below.
I have two public speaking appearances coming up where I will also be signing and selling books:
This Wednesday - February 18th - Evening talk at Black Sheep Knitting in Needham, MA. Space is limited. Check it out here.
March 5 - Keynote Speaker at Opening Night of the Roslindale Public LIbrary Yarn and Craft Book Sale. Check it out here.
Here are some interesting things I have found on the web this week.
• I stumbled upon an amazing video here by the Scottish photographer Ian Lawson. Ian has spent the last few years documenting the Herdwick sheep farms and shepherds in the Lake District of the UK. He is having a show of his incredible photos in Penrith, Cumbria, England. For those of us who can't get to see the photos, at least we can oggle the images in his book. You can also follow Ian on Facebook.
• Teresa Lim documents her travels by stitching small embroideries of the places she visits. Check it out here. (via Tanis)
• Have you heard about the new trend called Adult Coloring Books? No they aren't naughty. They are beautiful illustrations that go beyond kittens and dinosaurs. Check out how the French are buying more coloring books than cookbooks. American Cynthia Emerlye has some gorgeous ones, including downloadable PDFS to print yourself.
• Artist, needleworker and book illustrator Salley Mavor has a new book coming out. It is a new and much enlarged version of her Wee Felt Folks. Read about it here and see her at a signing if you live close. You can order directly from Salley at her Etsy shop here.
• Did you know it is the Year of the Sheep? Here are some beautiful papercuts illustrating sheep.
Thank you for reading and supporting my work in craft and color.
With best wishes,
Kristin Nicholas
The Scrap Yarn Afghan from Crafting a Colorful Home. This afghan is knit in 5 pieces. As you knit, you roll the fabric up and hold it in the roll with a knitting needle. The the pieces are sewn together. The vertical edges are finished with garter stitch.
Here is my photo of the Scrap Yarn Afghan outside on the fence. It is a fun color study project.
Instead of weaving in all the ends for this afghan, I chose to tie the ends together twice. Tie them at the join close to the fabric and then tie them together a couple inches from the afghan. As the afghan wears, the tied ends will fuse together.
Of course, if you want to weave in the ends, you can!
Last week I shared the Pom Pom Applique Pillow. It thought I would share a close-up this week. I love the texture created by the pom poms.
Here is the cover of Crafting A Colorful Home. You can order a signed copy directly from me on my website here.