Hand Carders!

Just got my hand carders the other day! I love using them and have gone on a bit of a carding frenzy. Had some extra fiber that I wasn't using, carded that up for the shop. Had some dyed locks and random samples and left overs. Carded those up for me to spin later. I've just been carding and making rolags left and right. :)

Custom Sock Yarn Giveaway!

With spring right around the corner it's time to celebrate! For the remainder of March I will be hosting a sock yarn give away! Each entry will give you a chance to win a custom dyed sock yarn either in a color combination you create or using one of my existing colorway (some existing colorways are one of a kind). The yarn will be a superwash merino nylon blend and will contain about 462 yards of yarny goodness. The giveaway will begin on the 15th of March and go till the 30th of March. There are some examples of my already existing colorways and if you'd like your own custom color the chart below can help you create you special yarn. Remember the more you enter the more likely you will win this lovely yarn. Once the winner has been chosen I'll make an update post on the winner and send along an email congratulation you and to work out the yarn details. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter yourself into the giveaway each gives a little guide to what to do. Good luck to everyone and happy crafting from Tails&Snouts :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saying Goodbye to the Wild Thing Theory

Over the years of crafting I find that I go through waves of creativity. One month I'll be working solely on knitting or try dyeing everything I could get my hands on. During the early stages of my shop Tails&Snouts I went through a sewing phase. At the time my sister had worked at the local wild life clinic where they received massive amounts of vintage coats. These coats were then used as a mother replacement for the orphaned babies. The wild life clinic is absolutely tiny and had little storage space so they had some extra vintage coats that were given to me. These vintage coats then inspired me to create these cute "monster" plush toys for fun. As usual I went on my creative wave and made large quantities of them. Some days I even managed to make 6 of the plush toys. Since the coats originated for the wild life clinic I've been donating a chunk of the sales to benefit them. Though as my motivation and supply has dwindled I've been making them less and less. As I business I'm trying my best to create a direction for my image, which seems to be turning towards yarns, fiber, and knitting. The Wild Thing Theory has drifted from my business path. They were always a joy to make during my creative moments, but I've found that it's time to let them go. They're goodbye shall help lead me to grow creatively and as a business. If anyone is interested I still have a few left of these one of a kind monster plush toys that would loves some hugs. :)

Cute Update: Lamb!

A few weeks ago I had volunteered with my sister to be on lamb watch at the local college's farm. Lamb watch was the night shift for keeping an eye on the pregnant ewes to see if any went into labor. The first night was rather quiet, everyone was rather relaxed so most of the time was spent snuggling with the lambs. On the second night one of the ewes had given birth to 3 little lambs only a few hours before we arrived. Sadly it appeared that the lambs weren't nursing so it was necessary to give a little help. One of the lambs however just couldn't figure out how to nurse. After trying for more then an hour it was determined that someone needed to watch the little guy for the night. Oh boy no one ever tells you how loud lambs could be. It was however amusing when we were taking the lamb away from the barn how all the other ewes began yelling at us, probably calling us baby thieves. For that night my sister and I took turns feeding him every 2 hours or so. He was a lazy nurser, but thankfully the next morning when we brought him back to the barn he magically knew how to nurse. For next month we're expected to rear some baby goats! Fingers crossed that they're be quiet efficient nursing babies.

Phat Fiber February Box

At the end of last year I happened to come across Phat Fiber on Ravelry. I had heard about it here and there, but had never really looked into it. After a bit of investigation it seemed like an potentially good fit for the shop. Phat Fiber boxes are specifically designed for small indie fiber and yarn shops. Each month you have the opportunity to send in a collection of samples from your shop. These samples are then distributed among boxes to be sold as a form of advertisement. Each of these boxes has a theme where you have the option to base your samples off of. Take for example the first month I participated in the theme was Nordic Culture, which prompted me to create color ways inspired by Vikings and a Norwegian sunrise.

Anyways this past February's theme was everything purple! I only sent in yarn for the month (samples pictured above), but I loved my color combos. I had Violets, which was a simple white, lilac, and deep purple, and Royalties, a pleasant mix of amethyst purple and maroon. Since I sent in 50 of these little yarns I got my own contributors box and just wanted to show the drool worthy samples.

If you want to check out Phat Fiber they're on Ravelry and here's a link to their site.

Hedgehog Pattern

Hedgehog Pattern

• 4 US 5 (3.75 mm) DPN
• 60 yards of worsted weight yarn MC
• 20 yards of worsted weight yarn CC
• scissors
• stuffing
• tapestry needle

Ears (Make 2)
CO 8 sts in CC join in round
Rnd 1: KFB (16)
Knit every round till it measures about 1/2 inches then BO weave in top end and attach to hedgehog.

Back of Body:

In MC CO 4 sts

Row 1: KFB, K2 , KFB (6)
Row 2: PFB, P4, PFB (8)
Row 3: KFB, K6, KFB (10)

Row 4: PFB, P8, PFB (12)
Work in St st for about 10 rows 2 inches from cast on, end after a purl row.

Decreasing
Row 1: SSK, K8, K2tog (10)
Row 2: P2tog, P6, P2tog (8)
Row 3: SSK, K4, K2tog (6)
Row 4: P2tog, P2, P2tog (4)

Body:
Continued from back of body
Knit the 4 sts on the needle, on same needle, pick up 10 sts around back of body, continuing around till there are 42 sts, 14 per needle
Rnd 1: * KFB, knit to the last st on needle, KFB; repeat for each needle: 16 sts per needle (48)
Repeat Rnd 1 again 18 sts per needle (54)
Knit every round alternation between pulled curl stitch and knit round till about 1 1/2 inches long. May do 1 pulled curl stitch round and 2 knit rounds for less work, doesn't create as full look. Determine the belly of your hedgehog and always knit that needle. To make a curled stitch knit into a st and pull it to about 2 inches long, twist around finger then place back onto needle. Knit normal and curled stitch together.
Decreasing Rnds continue alternating between normal knit and curled stitches
Rnd 1: * K7, k2tog repeat 16 sts per needle (48)
Rnds 2-5: K all (4 rounds total)
Rnd 6: * K6, k2tog repeat 14 sts per needle (42)
Rnd 7: * K5, k2tog repeat 12 sts per needle (36)
Rnd 8: K all
Rnd 9: * K4, k2tog 10 sts per needle (30)
Rnd 10: K all (end on curled round)
Rnd 11: Switch to CC and stop curl stitches K All
Rnd 12: *K2tog, knit to last 2 sts on needle, K2tog repeat 8 sts per needle (24)
Rnd 13-17: K all (5 rnds) Begin stuffing as you go
Rnd 18: *K2tog, knit to last 2 sts on needle, K2tog repeat  6 sts per needle (18)
Rnd 19-21: K All (3 rnds)
Rnd 22: *K2tog, knit to last 2 sts on needle, K2tog repeat 4 sts per needle (12)
Rnd 23: K all
Rnd 24: K2tog all 2 sts per needle (6)
Finish stuffing. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Pull the end through the remaining sts, gather up tight to close the hole, and stitch to secure. Weave the end to the inside and trim. Sew on nose and eyes. This cute fellow comes out to be about 5 1/2 inches long, 3 inches tall, and 3 inches wide.



Free Raindrop Pattern

Have some extra yarn that you don't know what to do with? Try this simple raindrop pattern then! It knits up amazingly quick and needs less than 10 grams of worsted yarn. This pattern can be used to make a cat toy, amigurumi raindrop by adding a cute face, or even part of a baby mobile. It's all up to you so happy knitting :) They come out to be about 3 1/2 inches tall by 1 1/2 inches.

Raindrop Pattern

• 4 US 5 (3.75 mm) DPN
• 10 grams of worsted weight yarn
• scissors
• stuffing
• tapestry needle

CO 9 divide onto 3 needles and join into round

Round 1: KFB all (18)

Round 2: K all

Round 3: (KFB, K1)* Repeat till end (27)

Round 4: K all

Round 5: (KFB, K2)* Repeat till end (36)

Round 6-12: K all (7 rounds)

Round 13: (K2tog, then K till last 2 stitches on needle K2tog)* Repeat on each needle

Round 14-15: K all (start stuffing as you go)

Round 16-24: Repeat rounds 13-15 x3

Round 25: K2tog all

Round 26-27: K all

Round 28: K2tog all

Cut a yarn tail and pull yarn through remaining 3 stitches and weave ends in.

100 Sales WOOO!

I'm super excited to say that I finally reached my goal of 100 sales! To celebrate and thank everyone I'm holding a big sale in the shop for a short time. By using the coupon code "BIGSALE13" you'll receive 25% off your order. *Doesn't apply to custom orders or clubs* So if you happened to have your eye on something now is the time to get it. The sale is going on till March 3, 2013 so don't miss out.  :)