#yarnstories

[atelierhandmade]

Among many other things I'm working on, both digital and offline stuff, found some time to finish knitting these ankle socks. Long train rides are boring without an audiobook (Dead Water by Ann Cleeves is an interesting book) and a knitting project. I have the feeling that these colorful babies are going to be my new favorite pair of socks for sneakers. 2,5 mm needles, some leftover sock yarn, a few train rides and voila, my first pair of spring socks in 2019. Cannot wait to take them out for a walk. Onto the next project now, colorful slippers for him. What are you working on? #knittingsocks #knittersofinstagram #knittersofravelry #instaknit #yarnstories #yarn #knit #socks #sockknitting https://www.instagram.com/p/BxP4WFclhTj/?igshid=1bnaz8f8qq1jh

[knitcrate]

Fast Fiber Facts Part Two: Protein Fibers

We’re back with another round of Fast Fiber Facts with Miriam Felton, a designer, blogger, and the voice behind the Yarnstories Podcast. 

photo by Hannah Thiessen

Protein Fibers

Silk comes from the cocoons of the silk worm. Whether the silk is considered Tussah (aka Wild Silk) or Bombyx (aka Mulberry) depends on what the worms eat and effects the color of the finished silk. Bombyx silk worms are fed only mulberry leaves, and the resulting silk is white, and very strong. Tussah silk worms feed on mostly oak leaves and their silk is colored as a result. Muga silk comes from a slightly different breed of silkworm that comes from the Assam of India. Once the silk worms spin their cocoon, they are boiled to break down the sticky stuff that holds the silk strands together. Each cocoon is made of one continuous strand of silk! So as the cocoons are broken down, you basically unravel them like little balls of yarn. Silk is one of the strongest natural fibers. Alternately, you can make a lower grade of silk by waiting until the silk moth breaks out of the cocoon, and then pulling it apart. But like a moth-eaten ball of yarn, you end up with lots of smaller pieces, and broken ends.

Goats breeds and fibers are as varied as the personality of the goats they come from. Angora goats produce mohair. Kid mohair comes from the baby goats (called kids) in the same way that lambswool is the first shearing of a sheep. The first coat is generally finer fibers, with a softer hand. Goats are also the source of Cashmere. Cashmere is classified by the micron count rather than the breed of goat that it comes from, but the goats that have been bred for fine fibers are often called Cashmere goats. Cashmere is the downy undercoat that the goats produce to keep themselves warm. If the cashmere is harvested by combing, the guard-hairs are left in place on the goat, but if the cashmere is harvested by shearing, then the guard-hairs must be removed.

Camelids are a big group including camels (their downy underlayer is soft and warm), llamas, alpacas, vicuña, and guanaco. The fiber from these camelids ranges in thickness, softness, and colors, but it’s mostly warm and drapey.  The really great thing about it is all the natural colors it comes in. It can be a little tricky to work with when it’s by itself (since it doesn’t have any bounce and has a tendency to hang heavy, but in a blend it can bump up softness, drape, and shine.

Yak, Bison (aka Buffalo), and Qiviut all come from similar animals. They all come from the downy undercoats of the fiber beasts. It is all very very warm. A thin layer of qiviut is enough to keep you warm in arctic winters, so unless you live within spitting distance of either pole, you may prefer something of a blend.

And now we come to sheep. Sheep grow fleece like we grow hair, but from all over their torsos.  They’re sheared 1 or 2 times a year (depending on the breed), and they produce a fiber that runs the whole range of crimpy to curly, and silky to sticky. There are so many breeds of sheep and variations from animal to animal that you could spin or knit your whole life and never try every iteration. I must admit, I’m very biased in favor of wool. Wool resists absorbing water (and is downright waterproof with its natural coating of lanolin), and once it does finally absorb water it will stay warm and feel dry. It will keep you warm when you are cool, and keep your cool when you are warm, It’s odor-resistant and sustainable. When you add the easy-care that the superwash process brings to wool, I really can’t think of any situation when wool wouldn’t be suitable for a project. Wool also works beautifully in blends with all these other fibers.

If you’d like to learn more about the yarns you love before they reach your hands, please do check out YarnStories Podcast, or subscribe in your podcatcher of choice. You can check out Miriam Felton’s patterns on Ravelry, and my tutorials on her site and on YouTube.

[firebrunette]

My linen yarn order arrived from #yarnstories It is beautiful! I highly recommend their shop on #etsy. You can order in 4 weights, swip to see pics of the sample card and weight samples 1-4. ... #yarnporn #linenyarn #yarn #linen #ravelry (at Wichita, Kansas) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7T4ORGJjdi/?igshid=18xg088dyb06j

[avalonspringsfarm]

Our Summer Sale still in full swing. All our sale combos are named to honor the absolutely stunning athletes is the Olympic Games. We had fun showing new listings on the (Facebook Livestream) Round Table. All welcome to come check them out. #avalonspringsfarm #yarn #yarnstory #yarnadelic #yarnorama #avalonspringsfarmyarn #sale #summersale #yarnsale #summer #knitting #knittingaddict (at Avalon Springs Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSMz21lrFzS/?utm_medium=tumblr

[letissierdesigns]

A Saturday morning Sonnet for Knitters Ode to Mohair Oh Mohair how I love thee! Oh Mohair, your lustrous locks, Your colours fair, Your affinity for silk, And what goes there? A dropped stitch! Oh woe! I'll have to frog! Oh Mohair what was I thinking! Have a great day! LOL!!😂 #letissierdesigns #mohair #mohairsilk #goldihair #handmaidengoldihair #sonnet #knitting #knittersofinstagram #colour #yarnporn #yarnstories

[francescasfiber]

Please excuse me while I roll around in all this knittedwit yarn. #igknitters #knittersofinstagram #knittingfriends #yarnstory https://www.instagram.com/p/BnuaC8WH9VR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dlk6qlxmlle0

[bitsnbobsboutique]

My sister shared this gem with me! I crocheted this shawl for her as a baby shower present nearly 20 years ago. Always heart warming to see handmade gifts still being used! #crochet #crochetshawl #yarnstory #knittersofinstagram #handmadewithlove #crochetinspiration https://www.instagram.com/p/B86uZKoJa2k/?igshid=yd8gmhbehpuy

[hatsbyash]

Working on something cute! Itll be up for sale as soon as I'm finished. I have enough of this camo yarn that I could probably make multiples if theres enough interest as well.

[yayxstitch]

Here's the link to the cloud aida for everyone who asked. Also the etsy store is YarnStories.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/766118417/aida-14-count-with-printed-pattern?ref=landingpage_similar_listing_top-1&frs=1

[123designsrq]

A New Spin on Making Yarn

  It's no secret that knitting and yarn work has seen a major uptick in the last few years. From millennial's to Grandmas, everyone is enjoying the relaxation and creativity of knitted goods. If you have jumped into this trend, you already know yarn is expensive. And for good reason. Many yarns are made with wool and other fibers that are costly and time consuming to create. So why not make your own? This amazing little wheel, the Electric Eel Wheel Nano, can have you spinning your own colors and blends in just a few minutes. Quick and quiet, this device is as powerful as it is portable. Thanks to an upgraded design including new bearings and tracks, it offers many options for different types of spinning with no additional burden on performance. Not to mention a friendly price tag of only $60 for a full starting kit.

Want to know more? Read the full article

[atelierhandmade]

Making progress with my Zeitgeist cardigan, following a wonderful pattern created by @mairlynd Because I don't have enough of the light pink yarn, I've started adding another color, a pink-purpleish that fits perfectly in this combo. Cannot wait to finish this cardigan, I have the feeling it's going to be my new favorite piece of clothing :) #knittersofinstagram #knittersofravelry #knit #yarnstories #alwaysknitting #knitterslife https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx4EyT2iiuV/?igshid=16hwnp1gdswrm

[jesterbethknits]

❤Keep your little baby's legs warm and cosy❤You are the best auntie in the world @blosskat. #babyknitwear #babyleggings #babyknitted #knitacholic #knitagram #yarnsandneedles #yarnlove #makealong #dropsknitting #yarnstories #yarnstagram #knitting_inspiration #knittinglove #jesterbethknits #jesterbeth #handmadebabyclothes #handmadebabyleggings #shareyourknits #knittersofinstagram #instaknit #knitsharelove #yarnbombers #knitspiration #woolweek #eveningstories

[zita-pt]

Sneak peek 😉 #drawing #illustration #indianink #yarn #thread #yarnstories #zitapt #zitaillustration #zita

[annikabelle]

Then convertible blanket bag I just finished. (Cinnabun for scale...and because he just walked on to it as soon as I set it down). I plan to use it for beach trips, pool parties, boat parties, picnics, etc. I may even use it as a meditation blanket. There’s actually a bit of a story here: on a recent trip, I wanted a simple crochet project to take with me on the plane, so i decided on this one. I didn’t really have a plan for the colors, I just picked what looked nice. I hope to make another one, possibly bigger, as a stash-buster and use some of the reds, yellows, and oranges I have. Pattern here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/convertible-blanket-bag

[francescasfiber]

We've got new madtosh colors! #igknitters #knittersofinstagram #knittingfriends #yarnstory #madtoshgasm https://www.instagram.com/p/BounLfUFy_B/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18ulvp6ub85o0