Fyberspates Blog

Hand Dyed Options for Scrumptious Baby Knits.

The response to the 'Scrumptious Baby' pattern collection has been fabulous and we're seeing lots of adorable versions of the patterns being knit up in Fyberspates yarn. There are some gorgeous patterns in here for both girls and boys and we felt it was the perfect showcase for our Scrumptious range as not only does our yarn produce luxuriously soft garments but the super wash characteristic of our 4ply/ Sport yarn means that the garments are also practical.


There have been some lovely variations of the patterns using Fyberspates hand dyed yarns as well. Sheila's Sock for example is a perfect substitution for the Scrumptious 4ply, but you will need to check your tension against the pattern instruction to make sure you knit the right size. Sheila's Sock is 100% Superwash Merino and is soft with great stitch definition, and machine washable on a cool temperature. Due to the nature of hand dyed yarn, we prefer to advise hand washing for long lasting colour. Priced at £15.00 and 400m per 100g this is a great substitution option.

 

Ensar Dungarees by Melanie Edgar

Another option we are seeing used a lot is the Sparkle Sock, a soft, plump, well balanced, sparkly yarn that is gorgeous to knit with. Made from 75% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon, 5%  Stellina it is all so machine washable at cool temperatures. As before, due to the hand dyed nature of this yarn we would still recommend handwashing to preserve the intense colours. This is a larger skein at 600m per 150g and priced at £21.50.

Temari Kimono Jacket by Kyoko Nakayoshi

To get your copy of 'Scrumptious Baby' priced at £7.50, please visit the Fyberspates shop here or your local yarn shop. For 4ply options for your baby knits, please visit the yarn section of the shop.

 

The Making Spot

As knitters, we are always looking for new inspiration and 'The Making Spot' is helping to provide just that. On the website you will find 3,000 projects for you to download, 2,000 tutorials and new skills with their Masterclasses as well as an online community to share projects and information with. While purusing for inspiration this month, we spotted three Fyberspates patterns.


The first is the 'Jade Top' by Anniken Allis, a designer that has been featured here on the blog before. The top is knitted in Fyberspates Scrumptious 4ply, a silk/ merino mix and the colourway shown here is 'Water'. This lace top features clever shaping so that the centre front panels work around the neckline, and the bottom edges are slightly scalloped, giving a very neat finish and flattering fit.


Next is the 'Dulcie Lace Top' worked in Scrumptious Lace weight yarn, this time in the colourway 'Rose'.  Designed by Amanda Jones, the top has a pretty shell-like edging and sleeves, and is provided in a generous range of sizes, starting at a UK 6 and going up to a 20.


Finally, there is a beautiful cardigan knit in Scrumptious Lace in the colourway 'Midnight'. The 'Victoria Falls Cardigan' is a decadent piece, designed by Judy Furlong (whose name some of you might recognise from her contributions to the Scrumptious Collection Volume 1). This lavish knit  incorporates knitting with beads, and lacework, which together require a degree of confidence that will lead to a rewarding result.

You can find yarns for the patterns on the shop and visit the Making Spot to purchase the patterns here.

Open Day

Our friends at Purlescence are hosting Fyberspates for an Open Day at their shop property in Wantage on 9th June 2012. The event will run from 10-4pm and will include lots of yarn, books and samples of all the lovely pieces from the Fyberspates Pattern Collection. Jeni will be there to answer questions and join in all the chat and fun.

As well as plenty of shopping opportunities with Fyberspates and Purlescence, there will be an informal knitting group and plenty of tea and homemade cakes!! So put it in your diary to come along and join in and for more details, either keep an eye on the Ravelry Group Thread here or the Purlescence website.

Hopefully see you soon!

The Scrumptious Baby Collection: Errata

Despite our best efforts, we have become aware of a couple of errors in The Scrumptious Baby Collection. This post will be updated with any further pattern corrections that we are aware of.

Aldara

Some knitters have reported not having sufficient yarn in 1 skein to knit the whole shawl. We would therefore recommend that you purchase 2 skeins of yarn to avoid running out. 

Ensar

Special Abbreviations: T4B should read: Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold at back of work, K2; P2 from cable needle.

If you are having difficulty with any of the patterns in this collection, or think that you may have found an error, please contact us so that we can assist and publish an errata if needed.

Please contact us by email on [email protected] or by post at the following address:
Fyberspates
Unit 6 Oxleaze farm workshops
Broughton Poggs
Filkins
Lechlade
Glos, GL7 3RB

Woolfest 2012

It's time to start planning for another trip! This time we're going to Woolfest in Cumbria. Woolfest is a celebration of natural fibres, especially all aspects of wool, wool products and wool crafts. It has taken place every year since 2005 and attracts over 5000 visitors and wool enthusiasts each year, as well as over 160 stallholders, farmers and crafts people. The event takes place on Friday 22 June 10am-6pm and Saturday 23 June 10am-5pm.

Once again we will be exhibiting on both days and as always will be taking all of our  Scrumptious range, including the pattern collections, the new Ysolda colour range and book, as well as our lovely hand dyes. Be sure to come and say hello and check out all the lovely products and samples that we will have on offer.

There are lots of events, workshops and demonstrations on each day so this is always a fun event for wool enthusiasts, familes and those wanting to shop. For more information and to book your tickets in advance, please visit the Woolfest website here.

Song of the Ocean

Louise Zass- Bangham recently released this stunning cowl in Fyberspates yarns and it seems like the perfect project to take us into warmer weather. This versatile cowl develops in lovely Art Deco waves that really showcase Fyberspates hand dyed yarn. Knitted in the round, it is an easy piece for an intermediate lace knitter since there are no fancy stitches but also a novice lace knitter with experience of knitting in the round would also find this a straightforward first lace project.


Two sizes are given in the pattern: a 'snug' cowl and a 'long' cowl. The snug cowl would fit neatly inside your coat collar and you can wear the long cowl as it is to look decorative and drapy, or twist it up double to be cosy if the weather is not as warm as we'd hope this time of year. Both options would only require one skein of Fyberspates 4ply so it is a great single skein project.


The pattern samples are knit in Fyberspates Rural Charm 4ply, a 70% Bluefaced leicester, 20% silk, 10% cashmere blend, and Fyberspates Scrumptious 4ply sport, a 45% Silk and 55% Superwash Merino blend. The Rural Charm has enjoyed huge success as it makes use of the new dyeing technique and its depth of colour is perfect for the delicate waves of this pattern. You can find both yarns on the Fyberspates shop here.

 

 

Wonderwool Wales 2012

It's been over a week since we got back from Wonderwool and we had so much fun. Despite the really gruesome weather loads of people turned up and made the effort to come along and join in the fun. As you can imagine there was lots and lots of knitwear being worn as it was an incredibly cold event. It really was the ideal weather to show off your warmest knits.


On the Fyberspates stand we had loads of hand dyes and samples making it one of our biggest stand yet. It was a really successful weekend and it was great to meet everybody and see so many people going home pleased with the purchases they had made.


The samples came in really handy on the stand as the weather turned bitterly cold as the day went on and Jeni confessed that she spent most of the day wearing Carol Fellers 'Taupo' sample to keep warm. As it is knitted in Scrumptious aran it is an incredibly warm knit and I suspect Jeni will be knitting herself one very soon!


A huge thanks to everybody that turned up on the day, stopped by and say hello and enjoyed the Fyberspates goodies. Do not worry if you have missed the opportunity to see us as we will be at quite a few events over the coming months and as always you can find all our products in the Fyberspates shop.

.... and the winner is......

To celebrate the success of Scrumptious Knits, we hosted a competition here on the blog giving you the opportunity to win 2 skeins of Scrumptious 4ply, enough to make the Flama shawl, in a colourway of your choice.

The random number generator has spoken and Cath is the winner with her comment:

"Flying saucer a close second but water is the winner Just imagine light bouncing off and it would go with everything."

We agree and can't wait to get your prize to you. Please could you drop Jeni a pm on Ravelry or email her via the shop to let her know your winning choice and your mailing address.

Thank you to everybody who entered and if you are still wanting your oportunity to create a Scrumptious Knit, you can buy a hard  copy of Scrumptious Knits or any of the Scrumptious yarns here at the shop.

Save the Date!

Mr Bluefaced aka Mr Wool is treating us all to something really special this Summer and I wanted to give you lots of time in advance to plan as we all know how busy summer can get with holidays (hopefully) and weddings etc.

There will be a Bluefaced open weekend on the 25th and 26th of Aug 2012 – 10am to 4pm. Not only will Mr Wool be sharing his full range of products but there will also be stall holders featuring Baby Longlegs, Easy Knits, Fyberspates, Laughing Hens, The Knitting Goddess, The Natural Dye Studio, Nicsknots and Posh Yarn. This is a great opportunity to see lots of different vendors products, have fun and support a local charity. The £1 entrance fee will be donated in full to Walton Neuro Care Hospital, who provide excellent specialist help.

The event will take place at Meadow Lea Farm , Station Lane , Mickle Trafford Chester CH2 4EH and you can purchase your ticket already here. We hope to see you there!

Sheep to Sweater 2012

Fyberspates are proud to announce that they will be one of the official team sponsors of the UK team for this year’s ‘Sheep to Sweater’ challenge. This annual event represents a challenge to break the Guinness World Record for shearing a sheep, spinning and plying the yarn and knitting a sweater following the identical International Wool Challenge pattern exactly, within eight hours.

The current record stands at 4 hours, 51 minutes and 14 seconds!

Previous events have taken place all over the world and this year the record attempt will occur on May 12^th 2012 at Tuin Pension Groenewoud, Groenewoud 8, 6071 RB, Swalmen at 11 am. The eight member team consists of a blade shearer, a sheep and seven handspinners and knitters. Time keepers, assessors & co-ordinators monitor each competing team in venues closely linked to the wool industry. All teams follow an identical set of rules and pattern in order to assess the fastest production of the sweater.

Three members of the current team took part in an attempt at the record in Stirling, Scotland, in 2010. They did not break the record but achieved a very creditable time of  just under 6 hours. You can see the sweater that they expertly produced in the photograph below.

Fyberspates is driven by Jeni’s passion for the fibre world and the community that enjoy crafting. With her knowledge and understanding of the scale of this challenge, Jeni is proud to support the UK representatives.