Friday Favourites

Another Friday is upon us and with it comes another of my Friday Favourites!

This week I have finished my first project for the year, Whisper in Cotton Fine

I am utterly in love with how this turned out; it weighs an entire 140g's and will make an ideal transition cardi for cooler evenings in autumn.

I enjoyed everything about this project, the yarn, the pattern and of course the finished garment. (I don't often knit the same pattern twice so when I do you know that it is something special!)

So of course, I had to share my favourite thing this week with you all...

Stitches on needles and yarn on hooks
Bright woollen colours and new pattern books
Tangled Yarns bundles tied up with strings
These are a few of my favourite things!

All Brown Sheep Yarns 10% Off

From now until 9am Monday 18th January!

Friday Favourites

We have so many wonderful yarns and other goodies in the shop that I can't help but be inspired on a daily basis! Sometimes it's a project that I come across, other times I just can't get a particular yarn out of my head.

I would love to include you in my excitement by introducing something special for all of our valued customers... my Friday Favourites.

Each Friday, I will share with you something at the shop that I am loving - it might be an exciting pattern, a squishy yarn, some stunning buttons or fabulous needles... who knows!

I will reveal my Friday Favourite of the week through our newsletter and pass on a little of the inspiration by offering these items at a special price for the duration of the weekend, both instore and online. *Conditions Apply

To kick off Friday Favourites this week we have the beautiful Berroco yarns.

Like me, many of you may be finding the warm weather a little too uncomfortable to knit with woollen fibres. That is why I am gravitating to the naturally cool Berroco blends, I currently have two projects on the go using different Berroco yarns and have several more on my to knit list.

If you have ever thought about trying one of our Berroco yarns now is the perfect time.

I have included below some pattern suggestions that may inspire.

Julie Cuff in Berroco Seduce

Clapotis in Berroco Seduce or Berroco Mica

Queen Anne's Lace Scarf in Berroco Seduce or Berroco Latitude

Bell in Berroco Naturlin

Wavy Razor Shell Scarf in Naturlin

Fantasy Naturale Market Bag in Naturlin

Summer Sling Tote in Linen Jeans

Reusable Crocheted Grocery Bag in Linen Jeans

Grocery Bag Purse in Linen Jeans

Coral in Berroco Seduce or Berroco Latitude

Bath Puff in Naturlin or Linen Jeans

Leaf Kimono Top in Naturlin (from Interweave Knits Summer 2008)

Don't forget we have plenty of patterns for the Berroco yarns in the Berroco Pattern Books and lots of amazing kits made up and ready to go!

My picks of the Berroco Kits would be the crochet Randolph placemats, the Thoreau striped throw and the delightful Lowal owl!

I hope that you will enjoy our Friday Favourites as much as I do...

Stitches on needles and yarn on hooks
Bright woollen colours and new pattern books
Tangled Yarns bundles tied up with strings
These are a few of my favourite things!

*Friday Favourite Conditions - Applies to in stock items only. No custom orders or layby. 15% Off does not apply to kits as they are already reduced. Special prices apply from launch of newsletter until midnight Sunday 10/01/10.

Confessions....and Finishing Month

I usually try really hard to keep on top of my projects, keep them to a minimum while at the same time having a nice variety to keep things interesting.

And let’s not forget that there are projects that are suitable for different situations!

Blankets are too large to lug around so you need a portable project. Lace patterns require concentration so are no good for social situations (unless you like the one step forward, two steps backwards method of knitting and frogging! ) So I tend to have a mixture of projects on the go but in the past few months several of my projects have been tossed aside for new, exciting, must knit it now projects...

With the end of the year came some unfinished projects guilt so January has become my 'Finishing Month'. I am going to try my best to not cast on anything new and I have picked up my untouched projects. Now to assess what I will finish and what I will frog...

On the go I have -

Summer Sling Tote

I have completed one side and started the second side, and then all that will be left is the strap and a little sewing to line the bag with the perfect fabric.

This one will stay and I hope to at least finish the crocheting by the end of the month. Sewing time is hard to juggle with two little ones that are oh so curious!

Whisper Cardigan

I actually started this back in November sometime with plans to gift it to my mum for Christmas. December was a crazy busy month with many Christmas decorations begging to be made. I am lucky that she is an amazingly patient person and also happens to have a birthday towards the end of January. Goal is to have this completed and ready to gift by 19th January.

Buttercup

I picked this up again over the weekend and have made some good progress already. I am down to 4 more increases and the lace before casting off! I’m sure I can squeeze that into the next 25 days...

Baby Log Cabin

Now this is a tricky one, would have to be my longest outstanding WIP... I started this back when I was expecting Miss A. I have already ripped it out once as I wasn’t happy with the way I was picking up the stitches and joining in the new colours.

Second time around I am much happier but I must admit that I have lost the love. The Rowan yarn is lovely and soft and this would make a perfect newborn baby blanket.

So my decision is...do I rip it and destash the yarn or hibernate it and wait until a friend is expecting?



Now these three are my large / long term projects for 2010. Obviously I won't get these finished in January but I would like to use them this winter!



Noro Lace Hexagon Blanket

I am so in love with this blanket, after seeing some lace hexagon motifs in a Japanese craft book I became obsessed with the idea of creating a throw for our lounge at home using this one colour of Noro Silk Garden Lite. So far I have finished 15 hexagons, the plan is to make it 10 x 15...so I only have, ummm 135 to go!

Babette Blanket

I started Babette as a blanket for my two girls in the middle of November. I stalled for a while there as I wasn’t happy with the turning chains and when I was changing colour. For me it was too obvious, I often know that I am not happy with something when I pass over it in favour of working on other projects.

So on New Year’s Eve I actually ripped out the 9 blocks that I had finished and started again. I had been doing a lot of research on different methods of ‘turning chains’ and joining colours and I think I have found an almost perfect method! I am now back to where I was at the end of last year and have the 9 new blocks drying on the blocking board waiting seaming.

I hope to have a little production line happening where I complete a section, block a section, seam a section before I start another.

Hexagon Blanket

I had originally planned Babette to be a blanket for both of my little girls but they have since decided that they need one each so what a perfect excuse to start another!

I had been admiring the Hexagon Blanket from Attic24 for some time now and knew that it would be perfect for Miss J. I am using the same colours of Cotton Fleece as Babette.

Ok...25 days left of January and LOTS to do.

So, anyone else game to join me??

I have also started my planning and list of projects and yarns for my Autumn knitting and crocheting, I will share that next post.

Farewell 2009!

This evening we bid farewell to 2009 and what a year it has been!

Certainly a big one for me. I have learnt to juggle a rapidly growing business, my adorable family and even manged to squeeze in a little creative time.

I have learnt to crochet, something that has been on my to do list for some time now (and possibly become a little addicted...!) plus pushed my skills into areas that I hadn't been before using new techniques and different fibers.

A quick review of my projects revealed that I managed to complete over 40 projects in the past 12 months...and that I have four still on the needles.

I have lots of exciting plans for the New Year to come, both for Tangled Yarns and project wise.

I hope to use January as a 'Finishing Month' to complete a few outstanding projects. That way I will be guilt free when I start on my list of Autumn and Winter knitting nice and early in the year.

I hope to list all outstanding projects here and in our

Ravelry group with my decisions to finish or frog.

I would love for you to join me!

I hope that you are all enjoy celebrating New Years Eve 2009 however you are spending it...I plan to sneak in a little time with some needles and yarn very soon.

Wishing you an inspiring 2010!!

Crafty Christmas

A few small projects off my To Do List...

My 2010 dairy now has a reversible owls cover! This was such a rewarding, quick project.

10 minutes measuring and cutting, another 10 sewing and I have these cute little fellows to keep me company during the next 12 months.

I have had another idea floating around in my mind for several weeks now and over the last two evenings I have manged to turn two balls of Noro into 12 individual coasters.

I have used Lucy from Attic24's Hexagon How-To pattern and thown them in the wash.

I love that each one is unique...

Don't they make a great stack?! A small warning though...they are just a little addictive...

All good things must come to an end...

With the end of another year nearing there has been a flurry of finishing happening!

I have been so busy with the Silly Season at the shop that I have neglected my poor little blog. I have managed to finish several projects...most just in time.

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has encouraged, supported and enjoyed the ride of what has been a spectacular first year for us at Tangled Yarns. (well almost year...look out March!)

I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by colour on a daily basis, doing something that I love...I know just how privileged I am.

It has been a pleasure getting to know so many talented crafters and I am looking forward to an inspiring 2010!




Now onto the projects, in no particular order and all linked to my Ravelry notebook...

Felted Nest and Eggs

So Close

Neat Ripple Pattern (Baby Blanket)

Paper Chains...(Knitted)




Filagree Bowl

Tiny Angel

I am off this afternoon to have a 4 day break from the shop, the longest I have been away from it in over 8mths...eeek!! My mind has been doing overtime thinking about all that I would like to acheive over the 4 days.

I have a little 'To Do' list started -

First up might have to be covering my 2010 dairy in this stunning fabric that arrived late this week, just in time!



Also on the list we have...

• Sew dress for myself (I have the fabric all cut out, just need an hour little helper free
• Sew some summer dresses for the girls
• Sort out my current WIPs
• Catch up on my reading, coming home with me this afternoon is the latest Interweave Crochet, Winter 2009
• Make a batch of Turkish Delight Rocky Road, recipe from the great blog
• Start my 2010 List!!! (yes, I do like a good list)

Hmmm...yes, I know. Possibly a little unrealistic considering I have two little ones, a husband and a variety of family popping in over the break.

But, I will try to get to at least a few of these and I am taking my camera home to catch the Christmas Morning fun so I will pop back to update.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Festive Season Celebrations!

It occured to me that I haven't posted any recent pictures of the shop! Things have evolved so much since we opened almost a year ago!

Here is a collage of some of my favourite spots in the shop at the moment.




After a busy afternoon setting up I think we are all ready for tomorrow!!

For anyone that doesn’t get our newsletter or just in case it has slipped your mind with the ‘Silly Season’ and all -

Tangled Yarns Festive Season Celebrations

Sunday 13th December

10am - 2pm

Tangled Yarns

Studio A / 9 Chester Street

Newstead

We have been busy little elves packing some spectacular kits and gifts ranging from $15 - $250 with savings of 10% - 25% off rrp. Kits included Childrens Learn To Knit Kits, Scarf Kits, Sock Kits, Blanket Kits, Hat Kits…

Hope to see you there to share some festive cheer!

I managed to take a few quick photos before I left tonight -