Tension Setting – Should you or Shouldn’t you?

Well, we are back this week with another debate on a controversial topic.  As I’m writing this, I’m smiling because I hear Suzy’s voice in my head saying, “We’re just making yarn, people!”  She often says this in response to situations where fiber folk are taking things way too seriously.  Despite her words of warning, this post might venture into that territory.  This week, we’re taking a look at tension setting, the simple act of setting a hand spun yarn under tension after

Tool Tips: The Humble Diz

Firstly, remember a while back Arlene surprised me with a wonderful woven treat? (I am still glowing!) So now, with my impending trip to the US and the much looked forward to hang out with Arlene between workshops, I thought it a great time to return the favour. I took this off the loom today, and it just needs washing and fulling and then it gets packed for the big flight across the water. I can’t wait to hand this

True Grit and Handspun Yarns

In some regards, I am a classicist.  Maybe not so much with hand spun yarn, but definitely with movies.  St. Patrick’s Day came and went this week, but not without me watching “The Quiet Man” starring John Wayne aka The Duke.  It’s hard to pick a favorite John Wayne movie; however, “True Grit” is perhaps his most iconic.  The Duke was his “dukie-est” in that one.   For those of you who have not seen either the original or the remake,

Tool Tips – Hackle!

(Photo courtesy of Majacraft) This week we are bringing a new course announcement (you’ll have to read to the end!!) and we are bringing you the first of our tool features, because, in fiberista language, ‘tool’ = ‘toy’…right?  So to start us off I am impelled to go straight to the Hackle, because it is my favourite. Nope, not because it’s cute or cuddly (it’s not), nor because it’s elegant or graceful, but purely because of what I can do

The Great Thick & Thin Debate!

Arlene:  I thought I knew Wool Wench pretty well.  Afterall, week in and week out, hours of Skype sessions, uncountable emails…and then, accidently, I found out that while I love Thick &  Thin yarns, Wool Wench isn’t a fan.  What?!?!?  I have to say, it shook me to the core.  We debated the merits of this classic technique and decided to bring our debate to the world at large.  So, in this post, we bring you “The Great Thick &

Purple!

Purple! I love it! It’s our current featured colour in our colour series, and my turn (Suzy) to write the post. Got me thinking, all this time, I have used purple in almost everything, painting, drawing, dyeing, batt making, I spin it, I weave it, I paint my house in it, but what do I actually KNOW about purple?! I discovered, not very much, until now. I did some research and found some stuff to share with you. The first

Big Batch of Site Updates!

It sure has been exciting here this week!  Since we all have so much going on in our lives, we thought we’d do a little recap on the blog in case you missed any of the happenings. The biggest news was the live broadcast last night.  It was a lot of fun to put together and do.  It was wonderful having Andrew Poad from Majacraft with us, too!  We have a new page here on the website that will keep

In Praise of Singles

I know, its Valentines day, and I am talking about singles! Well Cupid isn’t always welcome, especially when we have ‘the perfect single’ thats really not trying to hook up with the perfectly matched partner to ‘balance’ it.. This is not the single thats smooth, low twist and relaxed.. in my eyes thats not always ‘perfect’, in fact, sometimes its just too damn smooth for its own good, I mean, if I wanted ‘that’ kind of perfect single, wouldn’t I

First Ever FiberyGoodness Live Broadcast and Majacraft Product Reveal

(scroll down for viewing details and link) Backstory: Remember a few months ago I (Suzy) was in New Zealand? And I was visiting at Majacraft? Glynis made mention in their newsletter that we had spent some time in the design room while I was there. One of the outcomes of that was the creation of the circular looms that Arlene (SpinArtiste) and I had been discussing with them for a while, in conjunction with our Golden Fleece course. The OTHER

On Making Things for Others

Suzy warned me about writing this post.  She tells me it is going to stir up controversy!  But, this is what has been on my mind lately…if you read all the way to the end, I will tell you why…hehehe… Yard sales, thrift shops, rummages sales…I love to go to them, but I hate to see anything hand knitted, crocheted or woven there, abandoned and unloved.  I know how much went into making those things even when we’re talking about