Sunday, March 15, 2015

Time to Retreat

Some of the yarns Skeinz had available at Unwind
As I compose this Tropical Cyclone Pam is bearing down on the east coast of NZ and here in Napier we are on the fringe of Pam's wrath.  Weather like this makes you want to retreat into your shell and wait the storm out, in my case with either knitting for spinning.  But no, I am at the 'The Yarn Kitchen' watching the weather rapidly deteriorate.

I was desperate to scan the QR code on this shawl at Unwind!
 It isn't all doom and gloom, I have been very lucky over the past two weeks to visit two fibre craft retreats.  Firstly Unwind in Dunedin and latterly this last week, the Creative Fibre Eastern region retreat.  As the creator of the Knit August Nights retreat I really value the importance of these events for those that a attend and the wider fibre craft community.

The stunning Sue Schreuder - She taught at Unwind and is also taking a class at KAN 2015
There is something very special about being able to gather together with like minded people, get inspired and energised.  Speak the same language - conversations that would be lost on a lay person are exciting and educational at the retreat.  That goes without mentioning all the other topics that get covered off... Like the knitwear in the Outlander TV series or what books we have been reading.

The efforts from my woven Crochet class - so much fun.
I love the fibre craft community as they are such a passionate bunch, they keep me coming to work week after week.  At Unwind I attended a class, the first I managed in years as I am always working within retreats to enjoy some class time.  It was brilliant.  I leaned a new technique marrying crochet and weaving together from Deb Moore at Stitch Seekers (Famous for the Men in Knitwear calendar and Outlaw yarn), something I am now itching to try out again on a project I had pegged using a more traditional for of crochet, this alone was worth attending the retreat for!

Creative Fibre HB Retreat - I so wanted to abscond with this wheel!
So if you have ever considered going to a retreat, but have never been brave enough - do it!  We have two amazing independent retreats in Unwind in Dunedin (March 5th - 7th 2016) and Knit August Nights right here in Napier (August 28th - 30th 2015), plus Creative Fibre frequently have retreats in their regions - contact your local delegate for more information.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Green Machine

The new Orb Merino with Vintage Filigree Pistachio
I have talked about colour preferences before, especially when it comes to our own tendencies towards certain colours.  Peter here at The Yarn Kitchen will always tell you that when I go to compile a colour collection ultimately I would have selected at least 2 greens.  I am that predictable!

Fresh, vibrant & verdant!  Fresh from the dye house this morning.
What pleased me greatly today was when I was on one of my sojourns around the mill I came across three dye house tubs, all filled with three shades of vibrant verdant green.  None of these yarns were for Skeinz, so it proved that I am not the only one with green fingers.

Heritage Organic Merino in Maju Green - the ultimate in 'Green' yarns
We also take 'green yarns' to an entire new level.  Here at The Yarn Kitchen (Design Spun) we are the only mill in Australasia that is BioGro certified, processing organic fibres into delicious hand knitting yarns.  At Skeinz we have our Heritage Organic Merino sport.  The most dreamy two fold yarn in five gelato colours - obviously including a green!

This cosy knitted years ago in a vibrant Olive shade has reappeared this year in Orb
One of the beauties of green is that is is a secondary colour made up of yellow & Blue.  You may think this doesn't mean much, but you would be mistaken.  This means the variety of green combinations you can produce is almost limitless.  Unlike a primary colour, green can slip and slide up and down the blue/yellow spectrum giving you so much variety.  From the most oceanic Teal through to jade all the way across to the most citrus Lime, green can off so much & will always remain a favourite here at The Yarn Kitchen. (pictured below Southlander Java Oatmeal & Gypsy Oatmeal)