A good day to dry!

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It was a busy day yesterday. I managed to dye yarn for my Mother's birthday present (which I owed her from Christmas but was too ill to make). I also dyed lots more Mawata squares, as the batch from my recent shop update sold out (keep watching for the April 6th update!) Then I treated myself to a braid of my Cheviot in colourway Precious Rock (new for the Devon county show), with the view to make a show sample/free project for the website... Which I'll wear/inherit (love this job!) And finally I wound in a new ball of the Noro I bought from Craft4Crafters (Exeter, January) for a new project. I'm not entirely sure what I want to knit yet, but am thinking about creating a new pattern to share... We'll see though as I've not used this yarn before and it's discontinued, so I'd have to remake in other yarn before I could publish.

I also had several batts to card for orders yesterday... Fortunately everyone wanted stripes, which are a bit quicker. This meant I could get everything out in today's post run.

Phew, what a day! I couldn't have done all of that (and got 2kg of fleece dry) if it wasn't for the gloriously unseasonal weather... of course as I write this I'm uncertain that today's overcast sky will dry anything further, but I am reminded that it is still March after all!

Sara x
www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Etsy Update... Yarn, Yarn, Yarn!

There's an update ready and waiting for you at www.sarastexturecrafts.etsy.com

I have sock yarn and felting yarn too.

Sara x

Knitting: My Watergarden Shrug

Taken at www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Dyed Fibre and Yarn on my line

Taken at www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Dye Day and Knitting

Dyeing is going well, aided by the beautiful sunshine we have. I have yarn, fibre and silks drying on the line. This means I can dye up some more fleece today and work my way through the rest of the pre-felt quarters I have.

I'm also enjoying my evenings knitting... I've nearly finished my Watergarden Shrug (Ravelry pattern by Jane Thornley, yarn by Yarn Hollow... All details can be found on my Ravelry project page 'SARASTEXTURECRAFT'). I only started last Friday night, so it shows what a quick knit and great yarn this project is. I had to make some amendments for my yardage... But having said that with the yarn being heavy I think I'll get some stretch out of it. I won't block it though, as I think that will over stretch it. Looking forward to wearing it!

Hope you are having a nice week so far?
Sara x
www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Customer Photos: Sarah's Needle Felt Picture.

Sarah has been working hard on her first needle felting picture... isn't it fab?! I love that Sarah has caprtured the finer details in her first piece. I love the hazing of the clouds over the moon and the shading of the eyes and ears... great stuff!

I had to share it when I saw Sarah's post on my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saras-Texture-Crafts/8561416324. Sarah doesn't have a website or a blog yet... but I think she definitley has a new addiction to this craft brewing!

I will definately be featureing this in my next newsletter.

Sara x

www.sarastexturecrafts.com

An Over Abundance of Cuteness!

Check out these beautiful lambs... One of the Farmers I know sent me this to show off the Gotland Lambs in the field at just 6-12 days old!

These are future fleeces for the shop in progress! Check out what I currently have in stock at www.SarasTextureCrafts.com and don't forget you Gotland is the first fleece I have secured for Fleece Club.

Sara x

Inquisitive_lambs.MOV Watch on Posterous

On Top of the World Ma!

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The sun is shining and for the first time in ages I'm feeling really well... So I think I've done a bit of everything this weekend, because I couldn't settle to one thing.

We started the weekend by visiting Buckfast Abbey. We needed some more soap and their's last so long that I'm a definite long term customer now. We also got some honey and some quince jelly... Yum!

As we drive past Haytor on the way home (and I couldn't shop for yarn at Spin a Yarn, Bovey Tracey two weeks in a row ;) ), we decided to stop and enjoy the sun. It was quiet busy with climbing club students and foreign exchange students, but we managed to find a small book out of the way to sit and enjoy the sun. It was blissful! Darrin enjoyed the view and wanted to pitch a tent for the night...

Today I managed some time for spinning. In the picture you can see one of my Merino batts, z-striped into a pre-drafted roving ready for my spindle. This is a test piece, for a project on blending I'm working through.

I also washed, blocked and dried two 'just off the needles' shawls. The Lala's Simple Shawl and my improvised Ivy Shawlette, both of which I need to up date on my Ravelry project page (find me as SARASTEXTURECRAFT).

And finally I started a new project with some of my stash yarn (bought from Yarn Hollow). I'm going to post more about this as I go as I'm loving both the Watergarden Shrug pattern by Jane Thornley and the yarn.

I've had a fab weekend so far... I hope you are enjoying the wonderful sunshine we are having?

Sara x
www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Shop Update 23rd March 2012

Welcome to the next shop update! Today is all about Hand dyed fibres and Pin Rovings!

I have;

• Pin Roving, which is great for spinning and felting at http://sarastexturecrafts.com/category/591-roving.aspx
• Hand dyed fleece – BFL, Merino and Teeswater
• Hand dyed knops
• Hand dyed silks – MaWata and Rods
• Hand dyed Yarn – Teeswater and a BFL/Cotton mix.

If you want a closer look at some of these, then I mention them on my podcast at http://dreaminginfibre.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/dreaming-in-fibre-episode-9.html

You can find all of these in the Felt and Spinning shop at www.sarastexturecrafts.com

 

Sara x

Next Update Due: 6^th April! This will include Hand Dyed Fleeces, Silks and Dye Packs.

Devon County Show Prep... Hand Dyed Tops

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Phew... 2kg done and in the line, 3kg dry and waiting to be labelled and 5kg to go before I focus in new yarns! Wish me luck!!

Don't forget I'm at the Devon County Show (Westpoint, Exeter) from the 17-19 May in the West Country Crafts Marquee. I'd love to see you...

Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Lots more Daffs out

I love that the Daffodils are finally out in my pots... The contrast is wonderful against the Hyacinths.

Happy Birthday Boy!

This is as much as I see of Darrin (D) on his day off... I bought him a new game! For this one he has gone into battle action and put on his camo pants... I may have to avoid the living room today for fear of the blue language my delicate ears will hear!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY D!

And Happy Anniversary too... 16 years engaged today!

Sxx

I'm Back!

Hi, How are you? I hope everyone had a nice week?

 

I'm back and open, ready for your next orders. I will be working my way through those placed whilst I was away (thank you) and your queries too. Please bear with me, I shall catch up as quickly as possible.

 

Sara x

Free Video Tutorial: Drum Carding Basics - Part 3

This video is available on my How to Make site at www.sarastexturecrafts.wordpress.com and on YouTube at http://youtu.be/Q8cKWJfm-rc

Part 3 of the basics behind using your Drum Carder. We look at carding fleece.

First Veg is in the ground!

I noticed my Pink Fir Apple salad potatoes were ready to go in the ground today. I was a bit surprised that all of the tubers chitted, but that's not a bad thing... Means more potatoes hopefully!

Getting them in the ground gave us the motivation to tidy the yard ready for replanting when the builders leave. It looks like Spring is really here!

Hope you are having a good weekend,
Sx

Crediton Spinning Circle... Natural Dye Goodness!

Just got back from spinning group and I was going to save this post for when I return from my break (19th March), but thought I just have to show you the lovely Natural Dye goodness I saw!
Nicola, who is a potter by day and a Spinner by night showed us her latest obsession, natural dyeing. She showed us books (the Dyers Garden might be a future purchase), yarns (carefully labelled with plant and mordant information) and a stunning blanket she has knit up from samples of Madder and onion dyed wool yarn... Isn't it wonderful?!
She also shared with us the carefully documented and photo framed dye samples made by a friend's Grandmother. each tile had a dried sample of the plant and varying coloured swatches made using differing mordants and dye exhausts... Truly fascinating!
She is just starting out in her journey through natural dyeing, so it will be interesting to see how that progresses.
This is why I love group get-togethers... So much inspiration squeezed into one place just has to be infectious!
Have a fab weekend everyone... Sara xx

Wonderwool Wales 2012

Unfortunately I won't be showing this year, due to my recovery... however, I will be there shopping! I thought I'd give it a mention so if you see me you can say 'Hi'! Maybe we could do a meet up and show each other what we bought?

Sara x

Dreaming in Fibre - Episode 9

In this episode I discuss;

• The new Show notes page at www.dreaminginfibre.blogspot.com
• Projects I am working on and finished… including the Berry shawl, Ivy Leaf shawlette, the spinning cushion and more.
• My stash enhancement and my new book from Amazon.
• The Devon County Show and my appearance in the Westcountry Craft Marquee. More details here - http://sarastexturecrafts.com/page/5172-events.aspx
• What's new in the shop at www.SarasTextureCrafts.com

Check it out at http://dreaminginfibre.blogspot.com/2012/03/dreaming-in-fibre-episode-9.html
Sara x

Customer Photos: Roxana's Bonnet

You know me... I'm a sucker for cute things... check this bonnet out, by Roxana of http://www.etsy.com/shop/kirinati

Adorable right?! Check out some more at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.356718177687831.104678.217392381620412&type=3

The above bonnet was made from Roxana's handspun yarn, using my Purple Merino Shade pack available at www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Thank you for sharing your beautiful work Roxana, you made me smile today :)

 

Sara x

www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Custom Batts for Annette

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Thank you Annette for letting me make these wonderful batts for you... I hope you like them!
Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Exeter Quay... Craft and Knitting Shopping

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I had to pop into Exeter today to grab a load of supplies for dyeing and although we were forecast rain, it was actually a beautiful morning. So I suggested we go for a walk and Darrin said what about Exeter Quay... Crafts, sunshine, maybe a pub lunch?! Why not...

We had a look around the antiques centre and I found a beautiful bone double crochet hook for £3 and a longer pair of gauge 10 knitting needles (£2.50), which I needed for the shawl I'm working on. I wasn't bothered that they were second hand, they were a good price and have lots of life left in them. The bone crochet hook is my favourite thing for the day... Can't wait to try it out!

Later, at home I made myself some stitch markers. I've been eyeing up some for sale on Etsy for a while and as lovely as they are, I have a ton of beads in my stash... I really needed to make my own. I chose some pretty glass beads and used a larger solid ring that I can use on a multitude of knitting needles. Voila some pretty stitch markers!

For our pub lunch we ate at The Prospect, a pub we haven't been in for about 16 years! The food was lovely. I definitely recommend stopping for a quick drink to watch the world go by.

If you are going down to the quay don't forget to walk further along and visit the Quayside craft shops. There's lots to see from glass, iron and woodwork, lots of jewellery and gift things. There are some smaller cafes and there is usually a busker or two playing music... Great for a sunny day. Most of the shops are local crafters and artists and they deserve our continued support.

Wishing you all a sunny weekend,

Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com

New products at www.SarasTexureCrafts.com

Shop Update 2^ND March 2012

Welcome to the next shop update! Today is all about colour and fleece!

Featured Product: Limited Edition Blends!
 

New colourways include: Emperor with or without silk, Nightfall with silk, Mucha with silk, Peacock without silk and Boysenberry without silk. These can be found here.

Other products available in the update include;

• Gotland Fleece in varying shade… Ewe and Lamb fleece.
• Repeatable batt options now include 120g
• Wool Sample Pack which is British breed focused.
• Cotton and Wool Knops dyed in various colours
• Mawata Silk Hankies, Silk Rods and Silk Cocoons in a bright Orange colourway.

You can find all of these in the Felt and Spinning shop at http://sarastexturecrafts.com/category/206-felt-making-and-spinning-shop.aspx

Sara x
www.sarastexturecrafts.com

Next Update Due: 23^rd March! This will include Hand Dyed Fibres and Pin Roving.

Custom Batt Making

I love to make batts and I've missed not having the time for it lately, now that I'm prepping yarns for the Devon County Show. So imagine my joy to receive a custom batt order!

Out comes the carder and off I go with a few requests from the customer to look out for. I had great fun!

So I present my custom batt for Tabs. I hope she likes it...

Sara x
Www.sarastexturecrafts.com