It’s that time of year again, when Times Square gets overtaken by knitters on a mission, dodging tourists and glaring at the Starbucks line, hoping to make it to their 9 a.m. brioche class on time — or just to the Marketplace to shop for yarn.
The Marketplace at this year’s VKL NYC — taking place at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square from January 25-27 — looks to be the busiest it’s ever been. To help you prepare, I’ve put together a guide to the Indie Untangled vendors that you need to visit. Each vendor has introduced themselves and is offering a sneak peek at some of the yarns and products they’ll be bringing.
Will you be there this weekend (and on the subway Saturday)?
Asylum Fibers
Fifth Floor, Booths 314 & 316
Asylum Fibers focuses on in-your-face, vibrant tones and one-of-a-kind colorways on over 15 bases, both versatile and luxurious. The brand name was thought up in order to incorporate the playfulness of horror flicks while leveraging the other meaning of the word “asylum,” acknowledging that crafting is such a wonderful, meaningful form of therapy and comfort.
Stop by to “embrace your crazy” with a photo shoot and check out some new 2019 colorways. Available will be an event colorway called Sidewalk Reflections, a new base called Brainless Bulky and The Brainless Beanie, a free pattern corresponding with the release of this new base, and a 2019 mini set featuring new colors, including I’m Alive, inspired by the Pantone color of the year.
Cat Sandwich Fibers
Fifth Floor, Booth 321
I dye everything out of my home’s basement in New Jersey and I’m inspired by all things cute and pink.
I’ll be bringing more than 20 new colorways, some of which are one-of-a-kinds and will never be repeated again. A ton of new colors are inspired by Sailor Moon, which is a show I religiously watched growing up.
Dragonfly Fibers
Sixth Floor, Booth 907
Dragonfly Fibers has been dyeing high-quality yarn and fiber in suburban Washington, DC, for more than 10 years. We’re known for our vivid and saturated tonal and variegated colorways, and we have gorgeous neutrals, too! Come see all that’s new and beautiful in booths 807 and 809!
Pictured above is the Plumpy Shawl by Andrea Mowry. Sample shown in the Starry Night colorway of our Traveller Fade Color Pack (plus one additional skein of Starry Night). Four other fade packs are available — Fade to Back, Reds to Browns, Blues to Browns and Blues.
Nightshift shawl by Andrea Mowry. Sample is shown in one of two kit options of six two-ounce skeins of Traveller: Jocelyn, Mossy Glen, Into the Woods, Hot Pants, Arya, and Limelight The other kit is Cheshire Cat, Airport Hot Sauce, Titania, That Ol’ Chestnut, Silver Fox, Velvet Underground.
Garment District, our show exclusive colorway! Shown in Djinni, our fingering weight MCN. It will be available in multiple bases but supplies are limited.
Eternity Ranch Knits
Fifth Floor, Booth 118
Most of my dying revolves around themes. At VKL in NY I will have Disney Men, Disney Villains as well as a few added colorways to series I currently have, plus many new semisolids in fingering/DK and worsted weights.
Pictured are Pittsburgh Steelers, Cast Iron, Hyacinth and Beth.
Katrinkles
Fifth Floor, Booth 100
Katrinkles makes buttons, wearable accessories, tools for fiber artists and custom products out of durable wood. Each piece is lovingly designed, carefully crafted and hand-finished in our Providence, RI, studio.
[Editor’s note: You can preorder some special VKL items (not the stitch marker pins, unfortunately) to pick up at the show on the Katrinkles website through the end of the day today.]
Kim Dyes Yarn
Fifth Floor, Booth 117
Kim Dyes Yarn is an indie dyer from the beautiful state of Virginia. Kim offers hand-dyed luxury yarn and spinning fibers in unique colorways.
Lady Dye Yarns
Fifth Floor, Booth 541
Lady Dye Yarns has specialized in hand-dyed, vibrant and saturated yarns since 2010. I believe in promoting a more diverse crafting community through my actions and building collaborations with others.
In addition to tons of new colorways, I will have my limited-edition Fingering Merino Cashmere yarn just for VKL in my Black Panther colorway and in all of my new colorways. Also in my booth will be Alex Creates, Crochet Luna, Fully Spun and Alasdair Post-Quinn, all representing diverse backgrounds culturally, but also in their work.
Little Fox Yarn
Fifth Floor, Booth 119
Aimee and Brian are the dyers of Little Fox Yarn, based just outside of Richmond, Virginia. Their beautiful, wearable colorways are inspired by the Blue Ridge Mountains where Aimee grew up.
Magpie Fibers
Fifth Floor, Booths 600-610
Magpie Fibers specializes in hand-dyed luxury yarns, saturated colors and distinctive accessories.
Mollygirl Yarn
Fifth Floor, Booth 418
MollyGirl Yarn is a rockin’ yarn company featuring exclusive yarns inspired by music! Their Vogue lineup includes 2 new yarns, tons of new mini bundles, new enamel pins featuring art from designer Xandy Peters and signups for Volume II of the Spotlight Club!
mYak
Sixth Floor, Booth 914
This is mYak: Born in Tibet, Crafted in Italy.
A natural fiber unique in the world.
Born in one of the world’s most extreme locations.
Made with Italian artisanal quality.
At VKL we are going to present our line of Baby Yak and Tibetan Cashmere in both kits and single skeins with the beautiful designs created for us by incredibly talented designers.
Nice & Knit
Fifth Floor, Booth 408
We’re Katie and Kara of Nice and Knit — sisters, best friends, knitters and color enthusiasts. We work hard to bring you the very best of what we love, from our creative patterns to our quality hand-dyed yarns. We love working together in our light-filled Connecticut studio, dyeing yarn, shipping orders, and brainstorming our next big idea. Thank you for being a part of our dream!
We’ll be featuring an VKL color way called Times Square and custom City Lights bags from Sandy by the Lakeside.
One Geek To Craft Them All
Fifth Floor, Booth 412
One Geek to Craft Them All makes stitch markers, notions pouches, project bags, and jewelry for all crafters. Inspired by music, movies, books, history, and more I bring a nerdy flair to all I make. My designs are to inspire everyone’s inner geek.
[Editor’s note: Marsha will have exclusive Indie Untangled yarn ball earrings in her booth!]
Ritual Dyes
Sixth Floor, Booth 1015
Ritual Dyes is an independent Dyehouse out of Portland, Oregon, that focuses on wearable, subtle colorways of hand-dyed yarn. We also offer a line of modern project bags including the Knitter’s Backpack.
We will be bringing along kits for Caitlin Hunter’s Alyeska pattern, kits from our new, sign-specific Zodiac Collection, an exciting version of our popular Knitter’s Backpack – the Knitter’s Sling Bag (in leather!) as well as our new American Rambouillet line.
Shelli Can
Sixth Floor, Booth 1107
Shelli designs enamel pins, apparel, and other accessories for fiber lovers. She’ll be releasing an exclusive VKL design (pizza!) on a variety of items along with some collaborations by Tuft Woolens, Havirland, Katrinkles and Bunny & Toot.
Wolle’s Yarn Creations
Fifth Floor, Booth 116
Wolle’s Yarn Creations — the original gradients. Our cotton and cotton/silk yarns are skin-soft luxury, feeling is believing.
Yarn Culture
Sixth Floor, Booths 711-719
Based in Rochester, N.Y., Yarn Culture brings yarn, inspiration and designers from around the corner and around the world.
Meet Åsa Tricosa and see her beautiful collection of Ziggerats Sweaters.
Participate in a VKL-NYC exclusive preview of Rosy Green Wool’s new Manx Merino Fine collection and be the first to see Melanie Berg’s newest shawl design, Glückauf.
We’ve got a gorgeous selection of garments and yarn from Rochester, N.Y.’s own Renee from Spun Right Round, including the exclusive colorway ROC City Blooms.
Youghiogheny Yarns
Fifth Floor, Booth 108
Youghiogheny Yarns, pronounced “yock-i-gainey,” is the creation of husband and wife team, Todd & Keri Fosbrink. Color is everywhere in the Youghiogheny River Valley no matter the season, and Youghiogheny Yarns wants to help you bring some of that color into your life and projects.
Pictured above are their colorways Blueberry Lemonade, Coral Cove, Chinese Fireball and a preview of their 2019 show exclusive, I Beg Your Pardon!
Zen Yarn Garden
Fifth Floor, Booth 421
Zen Yarn Garden’s dye studio is based is Ontario, Canada. Our yarn is special. We take pride in providing the most luxurious fibres and dyeing them in a range of beautiful semi-solid, splatter and one-of-a-kind colourways. We know every yarn you buy is destined to have many hours in your stash and on your needles. With each skein we strive to reflect the same passion that you have for your projects and craft in our yarns.
We will have a myriad of colourways available in several bases and will be offering free patterns with yarn purchases. Be sure to check out our Lux Blanx which knit up and express colours in unique ways!
What to stash this week: fab finds
Heather of Heather’s Yarn Barn is dyeing small batches of colorways each month all inspired around a theme. This month’s colorways have an antique theme and include Yellow Flowers (pictured above), Rusty Old Keys and Lavender End Table.
Yarn clubs are such a great way to explore the work of new-to-you dyers, designers and other creative folks, and to fall in love with colorways that you may not have found on your own. Of course, you need a perfect theme to tie it all together. Diane of Lady Dye Yarns has been dedicated to promoting the work of women color in the fiber industry, and her latest club, called the Fab 8 Craft Club, is comprised of products from eight black female yarn-trepreneurs, including Brooke of Fully Spun.
Laura and Co.’s January Bag of the Month serves up some cuteness, but you’ll want to wash these creatures’ mouths out with soap (hand wash, of course). They have chosen three super cool designs from artist Cynthia Frenette. Preorders open today 9 a.m. PST and close at midnight on Monday, January 14.
Heather of Earl Grey Fiber Co.’s Afternoon Tea Collection is a quarterly collection of sock sets inspired by the best hot beverage. Three new sock sets, which include one full skein and two coordinating minis, will be debuting in a shop update on January 19.
Julia’s new free Nimbus hat is designed to be knit with either fingering, sport or DK weight yarn held with mohair silk lace. The cable crown shows off your inner supernatural strength, even on days when a rain cloud is hovering over you.
Grab the Mrs. Frog colorway from IU newcomer Wobble Gobble Yarn.
Your 2018 indie Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday deals
Here’s a list of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday deals from a whole bunch of Indie Untangled artisans. The list will be updated through the weekend.
For the first time, Jen of Portnerness Studio is having a sale on her Stitch Marker Necklaces and Double Sided Yarn Tag Necklaces. Get an additional 20% off with the code IndiePJ20 (because you can shop in your PJs!) through November 27. There’s also free USPS Priority Shipping on orders of $130 or more.
Slipped Stitch Studios has a new discount each day:
Today, get $5 off ALL small and medium project bags
On Saturday, get $10 off all large project bags
On Sunday, get $15 off ALL XL totes and hybrid bags
On Monday, get $5 off ALL needle nooks, zipper pouches and Tots
All weekend, get double reward points and free shipping on orders over $100.
Jennifer of Spirit Trail Fiberworks is making all week Giving Tuesday. Through November 30, she’s donating 25% of all sales in her shop to suicide prevention, in memory of her daughter’s friend, Emma. This 25% will be split equally between five organizations: the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The Trevor Project, the National Veterans Foundation, the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation and the Alliance of Hope.
Sew Happy Jane is offering 15% off from tomorrow through Monday with the code SEWTHANKFUL.
Now through Monday, McMullin Fiber Co. is offering 25% off any order over $50 in her shop with the code 25THANKS. She’ll also be updating the shop Monday with a new mohair/silk base and bringing back her much requested Fiber Balm.
Use the code INDIEEVERYDAY for free U.S. shipping on orders of $100 or more in the Indie Untangled pop-up shop through November 27.
Get 10% off fingering weight cotton yarns from Wolle’s Yarn Creations plus free domestic shipping through Monday.
Pandia’s Jewels has three days of deals: Today, there’s free U.S. shipping on orders of $100 or more and free international shipping on orders of $150 or more. Tomorrow is a free gift with a special collection purchase. On Monday, get an additional 15% off sale items. Click for the codes.
Through November 26, Knitspinquilt is offering free domestic shipping on all orders and discounted shipping on international orders. But that’s not all: if you buy four or more items, you get 25% off your order. This includes large and medium bags, box bags and DPN cases.
Buy three items from Baad Mom Yarns, get one free, plus get free shipping on all U.S. orders through November 26. There are also some special colorways.
Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations is offering 20% off two or more items from her shop, including shawl pins and progress keepers, with the code SHOPSMALL2018.
Use code SHOPSMALL18 for 15% off everything in the Lavender Lune Yarn Co. shop. The first 10 orders will also get two free mini skeins.
Use code CYBERSALE for 15% off everything in the Winemakerssister shop, including stitch markers and Knitter’s Chatelaines.
Cedar Hill Farm Company has a weekend full of sales, including free shipping to U.S. and Canada on orders of $40 or more through Sunday, 20% off all in-stock project bags through Monday, 15% off all in-stock Chiaogoo Red Lace circular needles on Saturday and 15% off all in-stock yarns on Monday. Also, get 20% off Keya’s patterns on Ravelry through Monday.
The Golden Purls are offering 25% off all yarn and kits through Monday.
All of Lisa The Knitting Artist’s yarn and prints are 20% off with free shipping, no code needed, through Monday.
Get 15% off today only from the The Humble Bumble Fibers Co. with the code HUMBLEBLK18.
Skeinny Dipping is having a Cyber Monday 20% off sale on all in stock yarn with the code CYBER20.
Round Table Yarns is holding a Tournament of Yarns with 26 mystery bags.
Farm Girl Fibers is offering 10% off orders of $75 or more through November 30 with the code SWEATERWEATHER10 and a 20g mini skein with every skein purchased today, plus free shipping on all U.S. orders for the rest of 2018.
Get 20% off all purchases from NanoStitch Lab through Monday with the code SHOPSMALL2018.
Enjoy free U.S. shipping on all orders from Dye is Cast Yarn through Monday.
Treasure Goddess Yarn is offering 25% off everything plus free U.S. shipping through Sunday.
Buy three skeins of yarn or art batts, or a combination of both, from Purple Lamb Fiber Arts and get one for free.
Into The Whirled is giving 30% off yarn and fiber with the code THANKFUL through Monday.
Get 15% off your entire purchase of Little Fox Yarn through Tuesday with the code SOTHANKFUL.
Today, order 1-3 Skeins from Once Upon a Corgi and use Code “YARNGIVING15” for 15% off your order. Tomorrow, orders 4+ skeins and use code “HOLIYAY” for $25 off.
What to stash this week: a knitting journey
I’m thrilled to open sign-ups today for the 2019 Where We Knit Yarn Club. This quarterly club, which will begin shipping in February, brings together four dyer/designer dream teams: Life In the Long Grass and Cassondra Rizzardi of Rizzaknits, Martin’s Lab and Justyna Lorkowska of Lete’s Knits, Asylum Fibers and Woolly Wormhead and Fuse Fiber Studio and Mina Philipp of Knitting Expat Designs.
Each pair will collaborate on an exclusive colorway and an accompanying accessory design inspired by their favorite spots to whip out their WIPs. Their inspiration photos are shown in the image above, clockwise from top left; both cozying up with a tasty beverage and travel knitting are represented. (I also got a little peek at the cocktail-inspired colorway that Caroline of LITLG has been working on for the first installment, and can honestly say you do not want to miss getting your hands on it!)
Speaking of awesome yarn clubs, here’s one not to be missed. Diane is collaborating with Louis of Brooklyn Boy Knits, Amanda of Brown Gyrls Knit, Thao of Nerd Bird Makery and Coffee by Kee — all amazing men and women of color who have been dedicated to promoting diversity in craft — for a Winter Solstice Yarn Club. You’ll receive a skein of worsted weight yarn dyed by Diane, an exclusive knitting pattern by Louis, stitch markers by Amanda, an enamel pin by Thao and a choice of coffee or tea, plus a surprise item. Sign-ups close this Wednesday, November 21.
A beloved fabric from Slipped Stitch Studios’ past is back, with a new spin. The Ghastlies have returned, and this time they have yarn! Bags and accessories in these two fabrics, along with yarns from Skeino, vintage embroidery scissors and stitch kits, are available starting today at 9 a.m. Pacific time.
Every day is Small Business Saturday at FiberCrafty! The fiber marketplace is having a full weeklong frenzy, with plenty of shops offering coupon codes, free shipping and other goodies.
Stephanie of Rock Solid Designs did an awesome collaboration with Jenna of Fiberrarium for Knitter’s Day Out in Harrisburg and there are a few of these Sloth sets still available. They include a medium project bag and a skein of Fiberrarium Conservatory Sock (a 90/10 Merino/nylon blend).
‘Tis the season for Julia of Pandia’s Jewels to create another seasonal sock kit based on C.C. Almon’s Peppermint Mocha Sock pattern. Each kit includes a skein of Julia’s Snug base in the Peppermint Mocha colorway, a Ravelry pattern download code and this cute hand-stamped progress keeper.
Victoria has released two new patterns for her lovely yarns. Above is the Laverton shawl, which brings together three Eden Cottage yarns to create a beautiful, wearable piece. There’s also the Gatekeeper cowl, a simple, quick-to-knit cowl designed to make the most of a single skein of Pendle Aran.
No need to be afraid of these three ghostly colorways from Holly and Ivy, inspired by A Christmas Carol. Ghost of Christmas Past is a golden yellow that captures the warm glow of a candle, Ghost of Christmas Present is the rich pine green of the second spirit’s velvet robes and Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a dark blood red.
Shanna of Lambstrings Yarn also has some holiday colorways, and they are far from traditional. Her two holiday sock sets are mystery packages inspired by either Krampus or Saint Nick. Each set will contain a full skein of Tralala Sock and two mini skeins in contrasting heel/toe/cuff colorways. Preorders close next Friday.
Purple Lamb Fiber Arts has created Twelve Days of Christmas mini skein sets.
Indie turns 5 at Rhinebeck
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Organizing each year’s Indie Untangled Rhinebeck Trunk Show is like completing a new knitting project. With nearly every one, I learn something new that makes me a better knitter. I get a little help — sometimes a lot of help — from my fellow stitchers. And I have late, often sleepless nights coming up with solutions to tricky problems.
And, as much as I knit, my stash continues to grow…
There were a lot of changes this year. The show moved to a new venue in Saugerties, which provided much more space, and natural light, for shopping than our previous home at the Best Western. We expanded the hours. It was also, for the first time, a fully ticketed show, and we utilized shuttle buses to ensure the venue’s parking lot wouldn’t be overtaxed. After the unprecedented crowds, long lines and parking issues of last year, these were things that had to be done, though I regret this meant that not everyone who wanted to come was able to.
While many shoppers were anxious about this new system, it was, overall, a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere — with a little bit of that festival frenzy thrown in.
My fellow helpers and I — including Petrina Hicks, a knitting friend who I discovered, via Instagram, lives across the street from me and is an event planner! — learned a lot from this year’s show. I know it will help ensure that future Indie Untangled events, whether it’s a kickoff to Rhinebeck or special event in Brooklyn, become my, and your, favorite FO yet.
And speaking of knitting friends, here are some photos of Indie Untangled 2018 taken by my talented friend Carolina of Triple C Photography.
Working the Night Shift at the Spincycle Booth.
Designers Catherine Clark and Caitlin Hunter pose for one of many pics.
A shopper spotted with multiple Indie Untangled bags.
A wall of color at the Hue Loco booth.
More beauties at Junkyarn.
Checking out the colors from IU newcomer Hu Made.
Taking a (short) break from shopping in the MDK Lounge.
Colorful project bags from That Clever Clementine and wooden goodies from Katrinkles.
Showing off my All Points South while taking in my other indie FO.
What to stash this week: good friends
After the success of last year’s La Bien Aimée colorway for Indie Untangled, Automne á Rhinebeck, I knew I had to find a way to top it. So, earlier this year, I asked Paris-based Aimée to dye up a speckle and a complementary semisolid. I also asked her if there was a designer she wanted to collaborate with on a shawl that would incorporate both colors. When she chose Melanie Berg, I knew that they would come up with something special.
The result is Rainshadow, a garter and lace shawl that uses Aimée’s teal/green/gold speckle on a cloudy gray background, called Kingston, and a coordinating olive green that she named Hudson, after towns in the Hudson Valley, near Rhinebeck.
The Indie Untangled shop is now stocked with Rainshadow shawl kits in these exclusive-to-Indie Untangled colorways, along with a limited amount of single skeins. The shop is also stocked with a ton of goodies, including a very limited number of Indie Untangled tote bags, Stash Rabbit enamel pins and T-shirts and an exclusive colorway from UK-based Black Elephant.
Kate of McMullin Fiber Co. is marking her favorite month with her annual Socktoberfest Celebration. This means a big sale — everything in the shop is 25% off till October 31st — and some fantastic giveaways, including a Lykke needle set and a plum Fringe Field Bag.
Today is your last day to preorder this stunning interpretation of sunrise over Bullion Gulch in southern Idaho’s Croy Creek Trail System, dyed on Bijou’s Tibetan Dream sock yarn.
If you have a bit of a yarn hangover, Jen of Porterness Studio has gorgeous new Stockinette Stitch Swatch and In Case Of A Stitch Marker Emergency necklaces. There’s also a new bronze shawl pin design and new additions to her Space Age line of 3D-printed steel shawl pins and rings.
Today at 9 a.m. Pacific time, Slipped Stitch Studios will debut 30+ yarn sock designs that will be ready to ship while supplies last!
Didn’t get to Rhinebeck this year? There is still plenty of fall yarn fun to go around! Sheila of Big Foot Fibers has dyed up these fall-themed mini sets, called Something Wicked This Way Comes, on Superwash Merino DK, inspired by their family reading of MacBeth this month.
West Green Loft Yarns has new bases and colors for fall.
What to stash this week: Go for the green
For the latest installment of Knitting Our National Parks, Wendee of Hazel Knits is taking us on a road trip to Olympic National Park, just a few hours from her Seattle studio. Photographer Adam Jewell captured this stunning image of sunlight filtered through the trees at the park’s Sol Duc rainforest and Wendee perfectly picks up the bark peeking through the moss and greenery in her colorway, which is available to preorder here on two bases hrough Friday, August 24. As always, 10% of sales will be donated to the National Park Foundation.
If you’re a planner like me, then you know it’s almost Halloween. Slipped Stitch Studios has special Nightmare Before Christmas treats and other ghoulish delights on sale today at 9 a.m. Pacific time. They will only be available through Monday at midnight and will ship in time to tote around your fall projects.
Speaking of Halloween, Wild Hair Studio is creating a bag of fiber treats inspired by the sweets that Hogwarts students procured during their special Hogsmead Weekends. Hogsmead Treat Bags will include an assortment of limited-edition fiber — a combination of batts, smidgens and custom-blended roving — inspired by candy from Honeydukes. Preorders will be open until September 20.
Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations is hosting a MKAL of a shawl called In The Rough. She encourages you to polish your knitting skills with cables, lace, beading and slipped-stitch techniques. You can preorder the pattern, yarn, beading tool and beads now before the first clue is released on Labor Day.
Julia of Pandia’s Jewels has once again teamed up with designer C.C. Almon of Java Purl Designs to bring you an Outlander Wrap Kit. The kit, inspired by book 4 of the Outlander series, will include a skein of Bauble Heavy Lace in the colorway Nothing is Lost, a tote bag, a spiral notebook, stitch markers and a Ravelry pattern download code. Preorders are open until August 19.
One of Melanie’s (and my!) favorite movies growing up was The Sound of Music. In honor of the classic musical, she’s teamed up with Lina from Lina Knits to create a My Favorite Things Cowl kit. The cowl, and kit, features colorways inspired by popular scenes from the movie. Each kit comes with one 50g skein and five 10g skeins, along with the pattern.
Marianated Yarns will be at the Lancaster Fiber Festival next weekend. She also has a giveaway with prizes that include a day pass, class or mini skein kit for Casapinka’s Crown Wools MKAL going on now.
IU newcomer Heather’s Yarn Barn has plenty of fun fall colorways, including Fall Fusion, pictured above, with teal covering one half of the skein and specks of teal, plum, mustard and golden orange on the other.
What to stash this week: knitting goodies… and some yarn
“Give me all the project bags and accessories you have.” That’s what I, and a knitting Ron Swanson, would say about Slipped Stitch Studios’ special comedy TV-themed Bag of the Month. The Parks & Recreation, The Office and Gilmore Girls-themed items go on sale today at 9 a.m. Pacific and are available only through Tuesday, July 31.
I very often make the mistake of leaving my notions pouch at home. I’m sure my friends at knit night can attest to having leant me an emergency stitch marker or two (or more). So, I’m kind of in love with this new line of stitch marker necklaces from Jen of Porterness Studio. Not only are they beautiful — note the subtle stockinette stitch motif! — but they are incredibly functional.
I’m kind of in love with Woodsy and Wild’s project bags, which are cleverly constructed with lovely natural fabrics. Her popular in-between Birch Bag, made with soft and sturdy linen/cotton canvas is available in some bright new colors. There are also smaller zippered wedges and sweater-sized drawstring bags in a variety of summery fabrics.
Kate of McMullin Fiber Co will be donating a portion of her sales for the next few months to the Aruna Project, which helps to free women in India from sexual slavery and empowers them through employment and therapy. Grab some of her gorgeous new colorways and contribute to a good cause.
If you prefer paper to a screen, but want patterns that are still nice and neat (and legible!) after you toss them into your project bag, then you need one, or a few, of the Pattern Pockets from Rock Solid Designs. The vinyl cover protects your patterns from creases and spills and can be positioned like a stand to view your instructions. And they’re available in a whole bunch of fun fabrics, including space themes!
Just in time for Christmas in July, MJ of Cat Sandwich Fibers is launching her first ever Advent Calendar. There are six-day, 12-day and 25-day options, which all include miniskeins and one full skein, plus some extra fun goodies.
The Cryptozoologist is having a shop update this Saturday at 7 p.m. BST and it’s going to be chock full of 100% British BFL/nylon sock yarn. Colorways include neutrals, brights and shawl sets for your favorite three-skein patterns.
Helen and Mary Beth of Toad Hollow have launched the fourth installment of the Toad Hollow Book Club. This month’s selection, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, has inspired the colorway Tsukiko’s Cloak and five 92-yard miniskeins, which are perfect for Joji Locatelli’s Gradient Band Cowl.
Jennifer of Knits4Comfort has moved from Etsy to her own website. To celebrate, she is providing 10% off through July 28th.
What to stash this week: Triple threat of color
Three indies have put together a great collaboration. The Semiramis Shawl Kit includes a project bag made by Alisa (Knitspinquilt) with fabric designed by Naomi of Gannet Designs, one or two skeins of fingering-weight yarn dyed by Jessie of Yarn Over New York in one of three colors, a lace shawl pattern and a stitch marker, designed and made by Alisa. A limited number of kits are available on the Yarn Over New York website.
Deb’s latest design, Gradients A Deux, is an innovative use of two of your favorite six-skein gradient sets. This rectangular shawl consists of simple lace paired with garter and stockinette stitch, worked from the center out in the round before each side is worked separately.
The FiberCrafty marketplace has over 100 indie dyers and makers and counting. One of the newest is Pen & Hook, whose hand-dyed sari silk, available in 12 colors and varying lengths, is pictured above.
Stay cool in the next summer heat wave with Murky Depths Dyeworks’ “refreshing river of cool blues.” Colorways include Mystic, Sea Glass and Ocean’s 11 available on fingering and laceweight bases.
Bunnymuff is holding a MKAL of a lacy triangular shawl inspired by flowers.
What to stash this week: ‘flash’ your stash
If you spend a lot of time scrolling through the photos of pretty yarn on Instagram, you may have seen some of that yarn accompanied by a somewhat, ahem, titillating hashtag. On Sunday, more than 200 indie dyers, designers and makers — including several who post on IU — will be offering up their versions of If I Want Exposure, I’ll Get My Tits Out. Pictured above is Stephanie of Asylum Fibers‘ version, called If I Want Exposure, I’ll Get My Tits Out: Call Me Crazy. Learn more here.
You are participating in Casapinka’s Crown Wools MKAL… right? Debbie of The Fibre Studio At Yarns To Dye For has dyed up a bunch of beautiful miniskein kits for it, so you can get started on July 19.
Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations just released her latest shawl pattern, Savvy Slips. The striped triangle shawl is perfect for pairing together your favorite odd skeins of indie dyed yarn (because I’m sure you have a few floating around…) — and for displaying one of Michelle’s lovely shawl pins. The pattern is 50% off through July 5th.
Helen and Mary Beth, sisters from New Jersey, are fresh off TNNA, the annual yarn industry trade show where I discovered this IU newcomer, Toad Hollow. They’ve just updated their shop with a good selection of their colorways and their popular Dream Catcher Kits.
In honor of her upcoming hay bailing weekend, Katrina of Fluffy U Fiber Farm is having a yarn sale through July 15th with free shipping.
Winnie the Pooh — or the Slipped Stitch Studios June bag of the month — is waiting for you at Pooh Corner. Hundred Acre Wood bags and kits with limited-edition fabrics go on sale today at 9 a.m. Pacific time.
The Cat Sandwich Fibers July Mystery Sock Club listing is up. Pictured above is one of the colorways from earlier this year, and you can now add a mystery complementary mini skein for heels and toes.
It’s a Knit-spiracy! Julia of Pandia’s Jewels just released the first of several Knit-spiracy collections. Members of this secret society get a variety of products, kits, an enamel pin and two exclusive colorways. But they’re only available to preorder through Sunday.
Karen of Round Table Yarns has opened up sign-ups for her latest yarn club. The five-month Knight of the Lion Yarn Club is based on the story of Yvain, who decides to avenge his cousin who has had a shameful experience with another knight. Sign-ups run through July 9.
Once Upon a Corgi is on trend with her new Fig Lace base, a 70/30 blend of kid mohair and silk.
So many indie dyers. One email.