Tag Archives: Marly Bird

The Final Gift Bag Giveaway!

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ScannedImageWow after 4 other giveaways from the gift bag at the Marly Bird Designer Dinner at TNNA Summer Trade Show in Columbus, OH, there is still enough yarn to have 1 more!

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Classic Elite Yarns, Red Heart Yarn & Knit Picks

The yarns for the final giveaway all have something pretty special about them. Like the Knit Picks Wool of the Andres. It has a beautiful heather of brown, and is created with 100% Peruvian Highland wool. It is not the softest yarn I have ever experienced, but it has great stitch definition and durability, great for outer ware or accessories. It is easy to see why many people use this as a “go-to” yarn.

Red Heart Boutique Infinity definitely is something special as well! It is a chain ply bulky weight acrylic/polyester/wool/nylon yarn. A chain ply is a yarn that is not strands spun together as basic yarns are, it is usually a single strand that worked like a crochet chain or like a knit I-cord. This is a very simplistic explanation, as the process for each company varies, but it should at least give you an idea. It has a little sparkle to it, and will work up quickly.

The yarns from Classic Elite Yarns are fitting the title. Inca Alpaca seems lush, with a nice hand and nicely saturated color. It offers great drape and I image would make some nice accessories, such as a shawl or gloves, maybe even a hat, but it can even work up as a nice sweater. While Fresco is comprised of wool/baby alpaca/angora is a lighter weight and softer than Inca Alpaca. It is quite yummy. They even have their own drawstring project bag, and who does not need another project bag?

This last gift bag giveaway definitely has some fun and interesting things to play with, and if you would like to sample the above mentioned, please leave a comment on this post by the end of Friday, July 31, 2015. One comment will be chosen at random with the winner announced the following day on my Facebook page and Twitter.

The Giveaways Continue!

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ScannedImageIt is really amazing how much yarn and such is in the gift bags from the Marly Bird Designer Dinner that took place at TNNA Summer Trade Show in Columbus, OH at the end of May. I still have stuff to share with you!

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Book by Interweave, Boye small knitting loom, Lion Brand Yarn, Willow Yarn, & Valley Yarns

I was fortunate enough to attend this trade show that features the latest yarns and gadgets as the companies showcase their wares to local yarn store and needlecraft owners. I can honestly tell you, it can be completely overwhelming and that a few days are just not enough to take it all in. So as I am working through the varieties of yarn in my gift bag, I want to share the experience with others.

Lion Brand yarn has definitely come up with a textural winner with their new yarn Textures. It is a medium weight acrylic and nylon yarn that has a complete crinkle effect to it. It does not have much springiness so it holds its shape well and has many fun variegated colors. As it has the crimping in the yarn; pair it with a pattern that does not have a lot of intricate stitch detail, as it will be completely lost in the yarn. Work it as something simple and allow the yarn to do the work. It will give you lovely color play while adding a visual appeal.

Daily, a yarn from Willow Yarns, is a bulky weight superwash wool, that has some interesting and longer than normal color changes. Well that is not quite true, it actually changes from a long color repeat to a short repeat, like a solid to a variegated, and it really does add interest to your work. This yarn will definitely high light your stitches, helping make your work even that more impressive.

A little bit of spring and great stitch definition are true qualities of Valley Yarns Northfield. It is created with merino, baby alpaca, and silk, so it feels really nice in the hand while being a really stable and fun yarn. I can easily see this yarn as a highlight to a larger piece or a great solid piece in itself, which shows every stitch you work.

Now if you want to create a completely new texture try using the Boye Small Long Loom. I will admit that I did not sample this product myself; however my kids really enjoyed it though. They spent time creating and playing with yarn, my son actually gave it a little more attention than my daughter as she preferred her actual knitting needles. My son likes to dabble in weaving and found the process similar to his experiences yet simpler to warp and creating a knit fabric. I can definitely understand how a larger loom could be fun for him to create larger fabrics.

I really enjoy the publications from Interweave. They are known for great title and unique techniques and this book Best of Stitch Bags to Sew compiled by Tricia Waddell is no exception. It walks you through the construction of several really inspiring bags, of all types and styles. I may not sew often or all that well, but I have several great ideas sparked from items in this book. Simply having a better understanding of the construction styles already improves my work.

If you would like to experience these products for yourself, please leave a comment on this post by the end of the day on Monday, July 27, 2015 a winner will be randomly selected and announced via my Facebook page and Twitter.

A Knitters Give Away!

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ScannedImageYes, knitting. It is not my forte, however I do have some knitting items to share with you from the Marly Bird Designer Dinner, as this dinner is for all kinds of fiber designers not just crocheters. (If you want to read about my relationship to knitting, I share it here.)

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Clover and Knitter’s Pride needles, Purrfectly Catchy Designs stitch markers, Red Heart and Brown Sheep Yarns.

Since I am not a knitter I am not able to give a thorough review of the needles, but I can pass along what others have told me. First I have heard nothing but good things about the Knitter’s Pride Nova Platina FC 24” circular needles (US 5/3.75mm, 24”/60cm). I have heard that they are smooth to use and that the joins at almost seamless. I know that this helps them move the loops along well and helps speed up your knitting. Others have commented that the tips are sharp, I know that this helps you pick up the new loops. So overall I have sounds like these are worth checking out.

The Bamboo Needles from Clover are another that I have heard good things about. The needles are US8/5mm, 9”/23cm, and feel great in the hand (or so I have been told). I also understand that they give very consistent work and that many find them reliable.

I will admit that stitch markers are something that I know almost less about then needles. Don’t get me wrong, when I crochet I occasionally use stitch markers, usually working in the round and marking the beginning of the round. But to be honest, I usually just use a safety pin of a string of yarn. In crochet we have to make sure that the stitch markers are removable or instead they become beads. However almost every knitter I know has a wide assortment of styles of stitch markers, some are just basic rings, but others are almost like jewelry. The Purrfectly Catchy Designs by Chappy are stitch markers that qualify as the latter. Beautiful beads adorn twists of colored metal wire to create a marker that I could imagine as earrings.

Now at least yarn I have a little knowledge about. Red Heart shared a skein of Sparkle Soft in the goody bag from the dinner, and I must say if feels nice in the hand. The metallic thread twisted in it is not evenly plied, meaning that it is not evenly spaced in its appearance on this medium weight yarn, creating a more random and natural spacing for the shine. I could easily see this worked up as a nice accessory; a hat, a scarf, maybe even gloves.

Brown Sheep Company is another yarn company with the lasting of longevity, and they are sharing a skein of Lambs Pride Super Wash Sport. This light weight 100% wool yarn has an even hand, and is definitely a go-to yarn for consistency and reliability. I can easily see this yarn worked up as a sweater, gloves, and maybe even some home accessories.

I would love to know your thoughts on knitting needles and yarn (yes, even learning more about knitting, I believe will help my crocheting, even if it is not a skill I have mastered).

If you would like to enjoy these 5 items yourself, please leave a comment about your knitting thoughts on this post by the end Wednesday, July 21, 2015. One lucky comment will be chosen at random the following day, and announced via my Facebook page and Twitter.

More Mid Year Gifts! Unique Yarns

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ScannedImageSo, as my last post discusses, I went to the TNNA Summer Trade show in Columbus a few weeks ago, and received an awesome gift back from the Marly Bird Designer Dinner that I want to share with you.

Today I am giving away an assortment of yarns, not just any yarns but yarns have some unique personalities, such as Mango Moon Yarns Chakra. This yarn is made with some recycled materials while still being hand spun and proceeds help families in Nepal and Indonesia. But the most intriguing thing about this yarn is the pre-strung beads. I can admit, that the pre-strung beads are little intimidating for me, but after a little playing with the yarn I can state that it is really fun and easy to use. I would recommend rolling this hank into a standard ball and not use a ball winder to create a center pull, as the beads might get hung up and make a mess. I also found that for me the majority of the beads work themselves to the back of my work, so working in the round creates a wrong side fabric that is bursting with beads, while working back and forth rows creates a fabric that is a little more balanced with beads on either side.

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A give away of unique yarns! Red Heart reflective, Mango Moon Chakra, Mode Knit Yarns Mode Werk FLOW, Knitcircus Yarns Greatest of Ease, Miss Babs Samples & Dragonfly Fibers Pixie sample

The Mode Knit Yarn, Mode Werk FLOW is a fun gradient yarn; super soft and fingering weight. It is a fun long color change that has subtle blending so it is fun to create projects that really highlights your stitches while not leaving things feeling monotone.

There was also a second gradient yarn by Knitcircus Yarns. Greatest of Ease is also really soft and has a fun color change as well. I can really imagine projects that are either worked from the center out (like a hat or motif, so that the edges are a different color then the beginning) or a piece like a scarf of a shawl, that allows the top and bottom of the piece to be a different color.

Then Red Heart Reflective yarn makes an interesting statement. What makes this yarn so different is that it as a strand of reflective material twisted in the yarn. This does not make a really noticeable difference in the day light; it is just a nice steady color durable yarn. But when it gets dark, shine a light on it and the strand reflects back the light and almost looks like it is glowing. I know that projects for anyone that might go jogging or riding bicycles at dusk or dawn could benefit possibly with safety as vehicles should be able to see them better, as well as kids during the Halloween holiday.

Then the gift bag had fun little “taste samples” for Miss Babs yarn, a small sample of Kaweah (a DK weight), Hot Shot & Sojour (both fingering weight). These are great for getting to make a swatch or small motif, and see how you like the yarn, like a little test. I can tell you that they all have different properties but are all beautiful.

Dragonfly Fibers also provided a “taste skein” of Pixie ( a light weight yarn) that leads to an understanding of the yarn works up and gets your imagination inspired.

These yarns all have something different to offer, and I will be sharing a set of these yarns with one lucky individual. To enter, just leave a comment on this page about what unique yarns you may have used in the past, or look forward to trying in the future. One comment will be selected at random from all comment posted on or before Thursday July, 16, 2015. I will announce the winner via my Facebook page and Twitter the following day.

Mid Year Gifts! An Accessory Give Away!

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ScannedImageA few weeks back I attended the TNNA (The National Needle Arts Association) Summer Trade Show, in Columbus, Ohio.

It is always a whirlwind to see all the new yarns and products, catch up with friends, make new connections and attempt to find business opportunities. There are 2 trade shows a year, the Winter show, and the Summer show; this was my first attendance at the Summer show, and only my second time in attendance at any actual trade show.

At the show, I was fortunate to be invited to attend the “Marly Bird Designer Dinner”. Marly Bird is a well know podcaster, talented designer, industry leader, as well as a very kind and generous person. She has organized a dinner event outside of the TNNA framework that brings designers together with other parts of the industry; such as yarn companies, product innovators and developers, and publishers, to name a few. I will admit, even if I only attended the Marly Bird Dinner, the entire trip would have been worth it. There were so many different people there, and it helped bring into focus a larger picture of the industry. Often in designing or teaching, it is easy to forget just how large and diverse the industry in which I work is.

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Items in a Give Away! Susan Bates Mini Knit Klips, Eucalan Wrapture, Chic-a Gadget Tray, Bar-Maid Lo-Lo Lov Lotion bar, & an Erin Land project bag

One of the craziest things from this dinner is the gift bag. I came home with enough yarns to sample and accessories to play with, that I have enough to share! So I have a small give away today, and more to follow in following posts.

Today, I want to share with you some fun accessories that I have played with. First there is a small Erin Lane Bag. It is perfect for holding a small project, about 1 ball. It has a draw string closure, but one of the things I really like is the snap loop, that allows be to thread the loop through anything (I usually find my pants belt loop), and snap it shut. It stays right where you put it, but will still let the yarn feed. It is really practical, and fun with the brilliant fabric choices. Now a little secret….I may have shared this is posts past, but I have never really used projects bags, my traveling work has endured plastic grocery bags for the most part, so this is a really change for me. Not only do I look a little more put together, my yarn does not roll around and become a tangled mess. I do enjoy this bag.

Another fun item is a Gadget Tray from Chic-a. This little tray is genius. It completely folds flat (which I was so grateful for on my flight home, as I had so much to bring home) and has snaps in the corners to bring up the edges and is durable. This is easily a life saver on the table that sits next to my “crochet spot”. Usually that little table gets covered with everything; notes, safety pins, stitch markers, yarn needles, tape measures. Of course they always hid under the TV remotes, the mail I just opened or the yarn that I had an idea for, so when I need them they can become difficult to find, but this tray is helping.

I am also enjoying a bottle of Eucalna Wrapture. It is a no rinse wash, which smells lovely. I know many people that insist on blocking their projects in the solution, as it is gentle on the yarn, and leaves everything so fresh and clean. It also works well with lingerie and baby cloths.

I must say that the Lo-Lo Lov lotion bar from Bar-Maids was another great surprise. It definitely softens the hands, and makes a long day of stitching feel great, while having a greatly nice scent. This is one that I will definitely be ordering more of, as I find it can be quite addicting.

The last accessory I will discuss today is the Mini Knit Klips by Susan Bates. They look like little hair clips, but instead of one “tooth” that fits into a hole on the opposite side. Easily used as a stitch marker, or to hold pieces together when seaming. Little handy things, that I am sure will endear themselves to me in other ways the longer I work with them.

Now, these 5 little must haves can be yours too. I will give away a set of all 5 items to 1 lucky reader. All you have to do is leave a comment, tell me what accessory or accessories you enjoy best, even it is like the long time side of me, and it is a plastic grocery bag. A winner will be chosen at random from all comments left on or before July 12, 2015, and will be announced via my Facebook page and Twitter the following day.