Work in Progress Wednesday 204

Hi everyone! Sorry I'm a little late today. I was out late at a concert last night and had to get my orders out this morning. The mailman seems to be coming earlier and earlier lately to beat the heat, I'm guessing!

I haven't had much time to knit lately as I'm working on a SUPER secret project that I hope to share with you guys come mid October at the latest. I'll just say that I"m so so so excited about it and it will be an expansion of Candy Skein.

Before I spill more of the beans, let me get into Work in Progress Wednesday!

As mentioned last week, we went to Jimmy Beans Wool during the retreat. I didn't buy much, as I was almost too overwhelmed and really, I have enough yarn in my stash. It's a little ridiculous. I bought one skein of yarn, fabric (I could have bought so much more fabric and it was 50% off too! I had to contain myself) and needles, because you can never have enough needles.

I wish you could see how intense this yarn is. I cast on another Sockhead with it while at the airport. It's a company I haven't heard of before, Vice Yarn. So far I like it. It's either going to be the most amazing Sockhead or the most hideous Sockhead. I haven't decided yet. I'm going to give it until a little into the stockinette section before deciding.

I posted this yarn on my Instagram a week or so ago, and I can't stop thinking about it. I think I'm going to snatch them from the Candy Skein shelves to make a Halloween shawl. The colorways are Pumpkin Spice and Oyster. I'm considering making the Jolly Roger Shawl and then adding stripes into the body of it. Thoughts?

That's it for me this week. I'm off to work and make Gluten Free banana bread! I hope you have a great rest of your week.

Work in Progress Wednesday 153

Hi everyone. I hope you've had a good week so far and had a nice weekend. It's been a pretty crazy week for me since I last talked with you. I hurt my arm (pulled a muscle or something in it while working), have worked every day the past week (the week days working 14+ hour days) and then came down with the flu on Saturday night. Fun, right? Not so much. Luckily, I was able to rest my arm a little on Saturday and the flu seems to be almost gone. I'm just more tired than anything.

Unfortunately, I haven't touched a single craft since my last Wednesday post, as I just have no time. I even WANT to, but alas, it won't happen for awhile. Instead, I'm spending my time with all of this...

What is all of that you ask? Why it's NINE HUNDRED skeins of yarn....let that sink in. NINE HUNDRED, and that's not all of it! ::headdesk:: I won't be able to share much more than this until a few months from now, but I'll be sure to when I can. Just think of this picture when I don't have a WIPW or FO Friday to share for the next few weeks. ;)

That's it for me today. I hope you have a great rest of the week and I"ll see you back here Friday.

For those that are new to WIPW, to share your WIPW post with us, just fill out the Mr. Linky below. Despite it saying you must comment, don't feel as if you do. That is something Mr. Linky automatically adds. I just ask you to check out a few of the links posted to see what everyone else is working on and comment there if you can. Everyone loves feedback and a little encouragement on their projects! Also, please link back to this post in your post to get the word out! The more the merrier!

Work in Progress Wednesday 115

Hi everyone! I don't have any pictures of my projects as I haven't been knitting much, but I thought I would share pictures of the Vista Fiber Fiesta! I had a great time seeing everyone, as well as hanging out with a few of my friends from other companies who had booths!

 

This picture is from the second day in the morning (hence my purse still in the foreground), which is why there isn't too much stock left!

Here's the beautiful shawl patterns (knit by my friend Robin in Delicious lace and Delicious fingering and my socks that I had on display.

 Here's the Yummy lace and Yummy Worsted

This is a bag from Slipped Stitch Studios that my husband bought for me!!! I love love love it so much! If you don't know Slipped Stitch Studios, check her out! I LOVE her project bags!

This is my most favorite thing I bought! It's an alpaca stuffed animal made from REAL alpaca fleece. I bought it at the Fiesta from an alpaca farm!

That's it for me today! I hope you have a great rest of the week!

For those that are new to WIPW, to share your WIPW post with us, just fill out the Mr. Linky below. Despite it saying you must comment, don't feel as if you do. That is something Mr. Linky automatically adds. I just ask you to check out a few of the links posted to see what everyone else is working on and comment there if you can. Everyone loves feedback and a little encouragement on their projects! Also, please link back to this post in your post to get the word out! The more the merrier!

A Look Back and a Look Ahead to the New Year!

First off, happy new year everyone!!!!!!! It's New Year's eve and I hope you all have a fun and SAFE time celebrating the start of 2012. We have a pretty quiet night on tap, but I think after our trip, we're happy for it.

I wanted to write a year end post to thank you all of you for being so awesome. You've not only supported the blog through the past year and a half, you have encouraged me not only to improve (and take up) knitting, but you've also been a huge part of Candy Skein. Without all of you, I would have never dreamed that I could have opened up my own hand dyed yarn shop and been successful. You've let me live my dream, and I thank you for that.

As you can imagine, it's been a crazy year for me. A year ago, almost to the day, my husband and I were sitting in the Trader Vic's restaurant in San Francisco trying to think of a cleaver name for my company. That's when and where Candy Skein was born. Since then, he's done all of the artwork for me, I built the website, dyed a LOT of yarn (I was trying to figure out how much I've dyed, but that's pretty hard. Let's just say 100s of skeins) and opened my virtual doors to you. I've done two shows/fairs and will be doing at least 2-3 more next year. Candy Skein is growing each month, as all of you spread the word loud and wide. I can never thank you all enough for that. I have great plans for Candy Skein in the next year, and I hope that you will join the wild ride with me.

A year ago this month, I learned how to knit, thanks to all of you. You were amazing sending me videos and tips, as well as projects for me to try. Not only did I learn to knit, I love it way more than I could ever imagine. Sadly, though I still love crochet, I can't remember the last time I picked up a hook to do something other than catch a falling stitch. Knitting has become a part of me and my life, and because of it, I've met amazing people. I went out seeking a knitting group in my local area and found a group of amazing ladies that I thank my lucky stars for each day. They've not only become close friends, but I think of them as part of my family. Each Monday night, we sit around a table for three hours and laugh while (kind of) knitting. I never seem to get a ton done (this past week, I knit a total of 1 row), but I wouldn't give up that time to anything else. They've taught me so much about knitting, yarn and even life and I can't repay them enough.

I've come so far in my fiber arts endeavor in 2011 it's remarkable. I completed 25 projects this year, and have another few that will be finished in the next few weeks of 2012. I bought and used a LOT of yarn (though, not as much as I'd have liked) and survived a yarn diet. I have so many projects dancing in my head for 2012, I can't even believe it. I have a few 2012 knitting resolutions I'd love to share with all of you! I hope you make me stick to them, and it will be fun to look back in a year from now to see how many I've accomplished.

2012 Knitting Resolutions

1. To use at least 40-50 skeins of yarn from my stash. I know that will be hard, but I think I can at least come close!

2. To finish my first sweater, and make at least one more in the next year.

3. To learn how to make cables and how to do stranded/colorwork knitting.

4. To finish all the socks in my knitting group's Harry Potter sock challenge (one pair each month of the Harry Potter sock patterns on Rav by Erica Lueder.

5. To keep track of my stash better on Ravelry so I have some kind of idea of all that I own.

6. To sell at least three times as much Candy Skein yarn as I did in 2011.

7. To be better about blogging. I know I'm pretty good about WIPW and FO Friday, but I hope to have more regular posts, much like this one. I want to start doing knitting book and podcast reviews and more! Make sure you really keep me to this one.

8. Finish at least 10 more projects than I did in '11.


That's about it really. Oh, I know I haven't posted in awhile about A Year of Projects, but I am still following it! So far I've finished 7 of my 21 projects listed. A few I've changed to other projects/yarn as I've worked. I know that's not a ton, but I'm going to keep knocking them off. I have about half the year to do it in. Wish me luck!

Again, I hope you have a very happy and SAFE new year. Let's all toast to our knitting and crochet!!!!

Love, Tami

Candy Skein- New Yummy Fingering Weight

I hope everyone had a great weekend. We relaxed, as my husband still wasn't feeling well. I was going to work on my skirt more, but, if you've read Sunday's post, you know that didn't happen. I did start something new, which you'll see on Wednesday.

This week I decided I would share the new yarn for this week a day early with the blog. I have several skeins of Yummy fingering to share, in a few new colorways and a couple are hand painted! Since most of the Autumn magazines are out, I thought I would come up with a few Autumn/Fall colorways to get us all in the mood. There will be many more coming as well, as I just ordered 5 kilos of yarn in a mix of weights/fibers. That's 50 new skeins, not counting the ones I'm going to show you today (and I have a few left over that still need to be dyed as well).

Anyway, because I have a lot to share, I'll just get right to it. I won't be posting all 3 pictures like I normally do of each, due to the amount I have to post, but if you want to check out all the pics, you can either click the "available at Candy Skein" link under each (which takes you to my Artfire site), or you can visit the Candy Skein website.




Kettle Dyed

Colorway: Fudge Brownie
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 0
SOLD

Colorway: Grape Fizz
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 0
SOLD

Colorway: Pumpkin
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Colorway: Honey
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Colorway: Blackberry
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Hand Painted

Colorway: Neapolitan Ice Cream
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 0
SOLD

Colorway: Candy Apple
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Candy Skein- Yummy Worsted Weight & More!

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend! I know I did. I have pictures to share, and if you're a Doctor Who fan, you should check back this week (not sure when I'll post the pics)...hint hint.

I only have a few skeins of worsted to show you today, one set was a custom dye for Alea for the Candy Skein KAL that starts August 1st. The other is two skeins of the same dye lot of Brain Freeze, which is for sale.

The next few weeks/months will bring big things for Candy Skein. Some of them I can't share yet, but I can share that I have ordered a HUGE order of yarn that will be arriving for dyeing in about a month. I will have two new lines of yarn, one is a surprise, that I will share at a later date, and the other is the Ripening series. You may remember how I dyed a skein of Yummy DK awhile ago. I plan to have a line of yarn of dyed skeins just like that one, in many different colors. The base won't be Yummy DK, but something fun and exciting I can't wait to share with you (but I will say it is DK weight).

I received 10 skeins of Yummy Fingering weight yesterday, so if you are interested in a custom dye, please let me know. I will be dyeing several of these this week, and will share them with you next week!

That's it for now, time to share this week's new skeins:



This was a custom dye for Alea. She requested three skeins of Blueberry Sorbet in Yummy worsted weight. I dyed them a little darker than normal, as she liked the dark blue portions of the normal Blueberry Sorbet dye lot. I really like how they came out!








Next up I have two skeins (from the same dye lot) of Yummy worsted in Brain Freeze.

Colorway: Brain Freeze
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 100% Merino Wool Superwash
Weight: Worsted/10 ply
Yardage: 220 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine Wash/Tumble Dry Low

Price: $14
Quantity Available: 2 (from the same dye lot)
Available at Candy Skein

Candy Skein- Yummy and Delicious Fingering weight yarn!

I hope everyone had a great weekend. I saw Harry Potter and I think they did a great job wrapping up the series on screen. I will say, I was hoping they'd leave the epilogue out of the movie. I try and pretend that doesn't exist. LOL Thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts about Harry and the whole series/movies on Friday in the comments. I loved reading them.


Back to yarn. I have a few skeins to share this week, but not many. I also have one un-dyed Yummy fingering left if anyone is interested in a custom dye in the next week or so, as well as 2 skeins of Yummy worsted I plan to dye this week. I will be getting a full box of Yummy fingering next Monday, but they won't be dyed until that week, shared with you the week after.

Also, don't forget the Candy Skein shawl KAL/CAL coming up August 1-September 15th. You're free to pick your pattern and join along. The only requirement is that the pattern be a shawl and you use Candy Skein yarn.

Colorway: Berry Slushie
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% Falkland British Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Colorway: Raspberry and Cream
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Light Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $28
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Colorway: Blueberry Sorbet
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Light Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $28
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Candy Skein- Fingering weight is here!

I have been on a dyeing frenzy again, which has been so much fun. The only downside? It is HOT when I have the pots going, especially a few at the same time. I don't have air conditioning, so you can just imagine. Luckily, it's been in the mid 80's so not TOO hot, but still not so much fun as far as that's concerned.

I wanted to get as much fingering weight available to you all due to awesomeness that is going on in the Candy Skein Ravelry group! We'll be doing a KAL/CAL starting August 1st and ending Sept 15th. We'll be making shawls (any pattern you'd like), using Candy Skein yarn. So, if you have a hank of Candy Skein around, or have been thinking of purchasing some and you'd love to join along, just let us know in this thread! Also, order now, and I can mail the yarn out to you right away so you have it in time for the fun. You can also contact me for a custom color you'd like in fingering weight. Please email me or post a comment ASAP so I can make sure I have the un-dyed yarn available for you.

I will probably be attempting the Springtime Bandit, but have yet to pick my colorway, but I will be using Delicious fingering weight. Anyone have suggestions on color?

Now onto today's new skeins!

This week, I have two different types of yarn. First off is Yummy Fingering weight (more to come next week, too!), which this time around is 75% Falkland British Merino, 25% Nylon. Next, I have a few skeins of Delicious Fingering available (more to come next week, as well!) which is like it's lace weight sister, 70% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 10% cashmere. This is a light fingering in gauge.

Due to the amount I'm sharing, I will be only posting the close up picture of each. Please visit Candy Skein for all pictures of each hank.


Yummy Fingering:

Colorway: Blackberry
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% FB Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Colorway: Raspberry and Cream
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% FB Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Colorway: Berry Salad
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% FB Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Colorway: Lemon Lime
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% FB Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Custom Dyed, Sold




Colorway: Pink Bubblegum
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% FB Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Colorway: Blue Bubblegum
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 75% FB Merino Wool, 25% Nylon Superwash
Weight: Fingering Weight
Yardage: 465 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Machine wash/Tumble dry low

Price: $16
Quantity Available: 0
Custom Dyed, Sold





Delicious Fingering:

Colorway: Blue Bubblegum
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Light Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $28
Quantity Available: 0
SOLD






Colorway: Cafe au lait
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Light Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $28
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein

Colorway: Blackberry
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Light Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $28
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein




Colorway: Peach Pleasure
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Light Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $28
Quantity Available: 1
Available at Candy Skein





Colorway: Brain Freeze
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Light Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $28
Quantity Available: 0
SOLD

Colorway: Lemon Lime
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Light Fingering Weight
Yardage: 437 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $28
Quantity Available: 0
Custom Dyed, Sold

Candy Skein- New Delicious and Yummy Lace Weight!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! I had a nice weekend of relaxing, plus a little Candy Skein work that I had to still get done. Speaking of Candy Skein, not only are there new yarns in stock, I also started a Candy Skein Addicts group on Ravelry! If you have any interest in Candy Skein yarn, please join. I will be updating the news section of the group each Monday with the new yarn in stock, so it's almost like a sneak peek before you see it here and you'll know right when it goes on sale!

Also, I plan on hosting KALs and CALs in the group, along with giveaways and exciting new ideas. If you're interested in the KALs and CALs, we can start the chatter in the group of picking out the pattern and voting so everyone is set and can make sure they have their yarn. Once we pick our first pattern, I can make sure to have enough yarn (in the proper weight) in stock for those who don't currently have Candy Skein yarn.

Before we get to what's new in stock this week, I wanted to let you know that today I should be getting a box (10 skeins) of Yummy fingering weight, as well as brand new to Candy Skein Delicious fingering weight (10 skeins, but 2 are already custom ordered).

Colorway: Cherry Cordial
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Lace Weight
Yardage: 875 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $32
Quantity Available: 1
BUY

Colorway: Candy Skein
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Lace Weight
Yardage: 875 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat
Not for sale





Colorway: Party Punch
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Lace Weight
Yardage: 875 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $32
Quantity Available: 1
BUY

Colorway: Blueberry Sorbet
Series: Delicious
Fiber content: 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere
Weight: Lace Weight
Yardage: 875 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $32
Quantity Available: 1
BUY

Colorway: Lavender Cupcake
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 100% Merino Wool
Weight: Lace Weight
Yardage: 880 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $18
Quantity Available: 1
BUY

Colorway: Sour Apple
Series: Yummy
Fiber content: 100% Merino Wool
Weight: Lace Weight
Yardage: 880 yards
Unit Weight: 100 grams
Care: Hand wash/Dry Flat

Price: $18
Quantity Available: 1
BUY