What to stash this week: They say it’s your birthday…

By Lisa | April 3, 2015

If Lakes Yarn and Fiber were a year younger, we’d practically be twins! To celebrate the second anniversary of opening her Etsy shop, Ami is offering 15% off any in-stock yarn and fiber. Use the code APRIL2015 through April 10. She’ll also be adding more to the shop late this evening, so check back over the weekend to see if anything new catches your eye.

What could be better than a set of beautiful gradients from Three Fates Yarns? Several months of them! She recently launched the Gradients and Ombres All Around club. It features gradient or ombre sock blanks in Stephania’s Superwash Merino/nylon Terra Sock and Glitz bases, avaialble in one-repeat, two-repeat or four-repeat patterns. You can buy a one-month trial, or a three-month, six-month or 12-month membership.

Along with a clever name, Maine-based dyers Katie and Jayne of Never Enough Thyme offer subdued colors with a coastal feel and tropical brights. Among their popular products are heel/toe sock sets with a full-sized skein and matching mini skein, and they now have mini-skein sets with enough yardage for a shawl. They are also happy to do custom orders.

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, you know that Tyrion is the best character. Celebrate Season 5 with Tyrion’s Gift, the fourth shawl pattern in Lara Smoot’s GoT-inspired series. Knit in Miss Babs Tarte in the Volcanic Eruption colorway, it’s a tribute to The Imp and his lady friend, Shae, a relationship that — partial spoiler alert! — ends in true George R.R. Martin fashion. Use the code ‘Gift’ for $1 off the pattern on Ravelry through Sunday.

This easy-breezy sweater from Meiju Knits looks like the perfect spring/summer staple. Aureed is a top-down raglan cardigan with a peek of lace in a back panel and short-row shaping for the fronts. It’s knit in fingering-weight yarn (the sample is shown in TML in Antique Lace), so get this on your needles ASAP!

I love it when dyers and designers work together! Heather Anderson Designs and C.Whitney Knits are collaborating on a Ravelry KAL that runs until May 15. The KAL features Heather’s two new shawl designs, the Fishtales Shawl and the Shoalmates Shawl, and five exclusive colorways by Candice. Each is available on a variety of bases and will be retired when the KAL ends.

While rumors continue to swirl around David Bowie’s return to the stage, you can knit up his alter ego. Ziggy Stardust, the newest colorway from Kim Dyes Yarn, is a pink-tinged gray over dyed with speckles of bright blue, teal and hot pink. It’s in stock on Etsy in superwash Merino DK and Kim can also custom dye it on other bases.

These colorwork socks from Knitwise Design will definitely add some twinkle to your toes (sorry!). If you’re comfortable with stranded knitting in the round, get 15% off on Ravelry through the end of day, EST, by using the coupon code ‘stars’.

Bijou Basin Ranch‘s latest Outlander-inspired project kit — the Blood of my Blood Shawl by MarlyBird — is out, so now you’ll have something to knit during the next seven episodes. The kit comes with Shangri-La, a yak/silk blend laceweight yarn.

Stitchjones has been around since 2008 and updates her Etsy shop weekly with a range of darks and brights. You can visit her there before she makes the big move to her own website, which is still under construction.

Dyer Sarah of Creature Comforts Craftworks took a break, but she’s back behind the dye pots and adding to her inventory of yarn and fiber for your knitting and spinning comfort. She’s recently added four- and five-skein gradient sets to her Etsy shop.

What to stash this week: Knit up kicks

By Lisa | January 30, 2015

Even if you do knit socks, here’s a great way to show off your love of knitting from head to toe: Lisa, AKA The Knitting Artist, provides the canvas sneakers, which are dyed in the color of your choice and embellished with her hand-drawn stockinette “fabric.”

If you live in the Northeast, you probably want to reach into your screen and grab that cowl. It’s probably not necessary, as Lexi Parisse‘s new River Run Cowl, inspired by rocks and rapids, is a quick knit in super bulky yarn. If you don’t need something quite that warm, check out her new Peaks & Valleys Cowl, which is less chunky and more elegant.

Sock knitters looking for something different should check out the latest from June Pryce Fiber Arts: gradient double knit sock blanks. If you’re not familiar with blanks, they’re long knit rectangles that easily unravel from one end, so you can knit directly from the blank, or wind a traditional center-pull ball. These have been dyed in subtle gradients, with plenty more colors on the way.

Breakfast just got better. Anne Hanson and the crew at Bare Naked Wools have some new delicious colors for their Better Breakfast Blend, a dehaired alpaca that can be tolerated by even the most sensitive skin. I got to pet it at last year’s Rhinebeck Trunk Show and can definitely attest to its softness.

It may not be spring yet, but Linda of Kettle Yarn Co. is already prepared. She’s introduced colorful new shades of her luxurious BEYUL yak/silk/Merino. See and pet the new yarns in person if you’re going to the Unravel fiber festival in the UK or l’Aiguille en Fête 2015 in France.

Here’s some “frogging” you’ll be happy to do to your knitting. The Rib-It Frog Hat from Knitwise Design has an adorable and subtle frog knit out of cables and is offered in three sizes, from toddler to adult. And, it’s 20 percent off through Jan. 31 with the code “frog.”

Sometimes less is more, but definitely not when it comes to yarn. Bijou Basin Ranch has increased the yardage on Lhasa Wilderness, their yak and bamboo blend, from 180 yards per skein to 250 yards at no extra cost. Grab one or several of their beautiful Outlander-inspired Outlandish colorways.

What to stash this week: Gradient city

By Lisa | October 3, 2014

Gradient yarn sets are kind of like doughnuts — really hard to turn down when you’re presented with them.

Stephania of Three Fates Yarns, a dyer out of Oregon, one of my favorite places, has presented us with another way to get our gradient fix. Take a look at these sets for she just put up for sale in Terra Sock, a high-twist, superwash Merino/nylon blend. The pinky-salmony one at the top is called City of Books, after Portland’s Powell’s — how perfect is that?

And, if you’re stumped for an ombre project, there are plenty of ideas.

If you prefer your yarn au naturale, Sarah of Sarah’s Spindle is offering some pretty exotic yarns in her new Wild Fibers collection, including a bison-silk laceweight yarn and a worsted weight bison-Merino. Ever the experimenter (check out this fall-hued shibori yarn) Sarah’s planning on dyeing some of the bison-silk, as well as some baby camel and super soft baby camel silk, but she’s also left many of the skeins in their rich, natural colors.

What to stash this week: IU’s hottest yarn clubs

By Lisa | September 12, 2014

I decided to channel my inner Stefon in this week’s Friday blog post. For those of you not familiar with SNL, or who haven’t watched the show in recent years, Stefon is a flamboyant NYC ambassador and regular Weekend Update guest who clued us in to hot city clubs with some… colorful characters, like “a Russian guy who runs on a treadmill in a Cosby sweater.” And Indie Untangled has some colorful yarn clubs on the marketplace this week (if you want to make a Cosby sweater, that’s totally up to you):

If you’re a Peanuts fan, this club will make you want to do a Snoopy-like happy dance. Tami of Eternity Ranch Knits has launched a Peanuts yarn club and is taking pre-orders. Each month, members will receive a 463-yard skein of 75% Merino/25% nylon fingering weight yarn that’s custom dyed to match the fabric for that month’s bag. You can get just one month’s installment or all three.

Carrie of Alpenglow Yarn is offering a club with naturally-dyed yarns, and it has some unique features. Club members receive mini skeins of six or eight colors, a detailed explanation of the dyeing process and the final recipes for each color. Also included will be ideas for multi-color projects that you can make with the mini-skeins. Then, after you receive your club shipment, you also have a month in which you can get full skeins of any of the club colors for 20% off. There are only a few spots left, so you should act fast.

You might want to make sure you’re snacking on something before looking at these new fall colorways dyed up by Sarah of Sarah’s Spindle. The alpaca-Merino, silk and cashmere blends come in various weights and colors reminiscent of spiced peaches, roasted corn muffins, homemade fudge and, of course, pumpkin. (OK, I think I’m ready for my pumpkin-flavored everything now.)

If Billy Joel was a knitter, he’d be in a DK state of mind. Cheryl and Jenn of June Pryce Fiber Arts have added Beavertail, a lovely 3-ply DK weight yarn of Polwarth wool and silk, to their Etsy shop. If you can’t decide on a full skein of one color, Beavertail is available in ombre mini skein sets of 600 yards (100 yards per mini).

What to stash this week: Indie mashups

By Lisa | September 5, 2014

No, I’m not talking about putting together songs from The Decemberists and Bright Eyes (although that could be pretty cool). This week, there are a few really great collaborations, and I can’t wait to bring you all the gossip (speaking of which, Indie Untangled got a mention on the awesome site CraftGossip.com! ).

The first to team up are Bijou Basin Ranch and Miss Babs: In one corner is the family-owned yak ranch in Colorado, and in the other corner are the color masterminds from Tennessee. Miss Babs dyed up Seaside and Autumn, two gorgeous, limited edition colorways that are available on Bijou Basin’s Tibetan Dream sock yarn, a blend of 85% pure yak and 15% nylon that comes in 440-yard skeins (anyone still looking for a Rhinbeck shawl, this could be it). Both exclusive colors are available through the Bijou Basin Ranch online store while supplies last. There will also be a limited number of skeins available at some upcoming fiber events.

Over on the other side of the pond are Kettle Yarn Co. and EastLondonKnit, who got together for the Naloa shawl, knit up in BEYUL, a super soft Merino/silk/yak blend and shown here on dyer Linda in very Indie Untangled colors. A KAL just started in the Kettle Yarn Co. Ravelry group and it runs through Oct. 4.

Jackie of Luna Grey Fiber Arts recently collaborated with designer Natalie Pelykh on this gorgeous hat pattern. Fanciful Flower, which calls for Luna Grey Fiber Arts Altair, a Merino/nylon/Tencel fingering weight blend, is available individually and as a part of a kit sold via the Luna Grey Fiber Arts website.

The newest colorway series from C.Whitney Knits is inspired by the men of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, a paranormal romance series by J.R. Ward. Candice — who says this book series is actually what inspired her to start dyeing yarn! — used a few different dye techniques, including kettle dyeing, black and silver overdyeing, solids and semi-solids. Act fast, since they’re only available until the end of September.

Why should knitters have all the fun with ombre? BeesyBee Fibers had a September update with a few gradients using Domestic Rambouillet sourced and processed in the U.S. and a Polwarth Top.

This new base from June Pryce is pretty special, and it collaborates with color stunningly. The 80% ecru Merino and 20% black Tussah silk adds a beautiful depth and richness. Keep an eye out for more incredible colorways on this base.

Um, that was quick. These Haunted Mansion Bags of the Month from Slipped Stitch Studios went on sale last Friday and sold out over the weekend. Keep checking the marketplace for word on more limited edition bags.

What to make with gradient yarn sets

By Lisa | May 12, 2014

You know you’re a knitter when you hear the word “ombre” and don’t automatically think hair. Indie dyers, including a few here on Indie Untangled, have been producing some incredible gradient sets. They rarely fail to make me swoon, but I always feel like I need some guidance to figure out what to knit with them.

Fortunately, a couple of dyers have recently come out with kits to help provide inspiration. The photo above is of a new shawl pattern by designer Renee Callahan. Antiprism, with its unique gradient triangles, is available exclusively as part of a kit with an ombre set of BFL Twist yarns from Kettle Yarn Co.

Stephanie of Dirty Water DyeWorks recently started selling a kit for Carina Spencer’s new Brush Creek Shawl. There are three different ombre color combos — purple, blue and green — on Mavis, a superwash Merino/silk blend.

Krista at Pigeonroof Studios sells popular mini-skein sock yarn gradient sets, and she also designed a free Gradient Mitts pattern to go with them.

Then, there are patterns that you wouldn’t necessarily consider for a gradient kit.

Cassy featured this gradient top on her blog, Knit the Hell Out.

When I saw Cassy/knitthehellout’s Whispers using a Pebble Sock gradient kit from Black Trillium Fibres, I was immediately smitten. I’m a big fan of Veera Välimäki’s designs, and I loved Cassy’s take on this simple top.

I also can’t wait to see my friend Mollie/molliebatmit’s ObLaDi with the Fiber Optics Yarns Paintbox Gradient that she picked up at Rhinebeck last year. She inspired me to buy one of the sets, which I am likely turning into a gradient striped shell, though now I might have to reconsider…

Here are several other pattern possibilities, including a bunch of my favorite FOs on Ravelry. Some of the patterns are meant for gradient yarns, while others are designs that Ravelers decided to give an ombre twist:

Sweaters

Jenn/jfnyland’s Paper Birch with Cephalopod Yarns Beastie (I love Laura Aylor’s designs, especially this cowl-neck sweater, and the gradient really works.)

Kate/katepricey’s Le Facteur in ColorShift Earth and Sky Design Set

Shawls

Nikki/KnittyFish’s Daybreak in ColorShift Earth and Sky Design Set

Paula/PrairiePiper’s Magic Cake Ruffle Shawl with Fiber Optics Yarns Kashmir (Paula designed the pattern and also runs the Knitting Pipeline podcast.)

Janet/Daisieknit’s Now in a minute with The Unique Sheep Luxe

Nicole/bioartist’s Aranami Shawl in Canon Hand Dyes Charles Sock Yarn Note: This pattern might require more yardage than some gradient kits provide.

Also, Kara/KaraMcKinley’s Aranami Shawl in Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering

Cowls

Fiar by Irishgirlieknits modeled by LizArrow

Melanie/PinkLemon’s Song of the Sea with SpaceCadet Creations Ester (This is a great pattern — I’ve made two of them already — and using a gradient is such a brilliant idea!)

Jean/jerdlngr’s September Circle With Miss Babs Yummy Toes — Sock

Spectral by Debbi Stone

Hats

Chrystee/playinglife spiced up Barley by tincanknits with her own Play at Life Fiber Arts Jest Aran

Jean/sadie21jean’s Fade in a Black Trillium Fibres Pebble Sock gradient kit (also check out her matching Gradiente Scarf)

Terri/holity’s Wurm in Knitcircus Cabaret

Varia by Alexandra Tinsley

Please comment with your gradient pattern suggestions and projects, and don’t forget to check out the Pinterest board for this post.