Colorwork

What exactly is color work? Multi-colored knitting that’s done by carrying two or more colors at a time across a row. I love colorwork, it is one of my favorite things to knit. I feel it goes faster than other projects, maybe because you are watching a picture and pattern come to life! I love coming up with color combos and putting them into order. It truly is a work of art! It is also much easier than it looks, too! The first time I ever practiced colorwork, I did it in the car on a small road trip. The FO was a just a small fair isle mug cozy, it only took me a few hours or so to do. It was a free beginners pattern, and you can really see your tension on. After that, I was hooked and moved on to other projects, hats, cowls, etc. 

Don't let the look intimidate you! Download that mug cozy today, and give it a try! When you're done with that, here are some of my favorite colorwork patterns to do next! Enjoy! 

The Kodikas Shawl by Boyland Knitworks knit out of Madelinetosh DK

Prism Hat by Tin Can Knits in Malabrigo Rios

TPHPE- The Prettiest Hot Pad Ever

Varia Hat knit out of Malabrigo Worsted

Sheep and Fiber Fest

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the 14th Annual Sheep and Fiber Fest in Waynesburg, PA. It is a wonderful (and free) two day event that highlights the sheep and fiber industry. The long list of activities included several sheep shearing demonstrations, they looked like completely different sheep after their haircut! The breed pavilion gave visitors the chance to see, touch and learn about the sheep. Other activities were dog shepherding demos, lamb cooking demos and sampling, hand spun skein exhibits, makers space, live music, and fiber arts vendor and crafts sale.

A good looking pair of Kerry Hill sheep.

What's a Fiber Fest without alpacas? 

For those of you with a competitive spirit there were events like the fleece to shawl competition and the fiber arts competition. The fleece to shawl competition consists of teams of fibers artists who spin and weave with the raw fleece material and finish with a completed shawl…all timed of course! The fiber arts competition allows youth and adults to enter their handmade knitted, crocheted, woven and felted items that are judged for the chance at awards and prizes. All items had to be at least 50% natural animal fibers and made within the past one year. I tried my hand at this competition and entered my crocheted "radish brooch", which won honorable mention. Yay!

Soft and squishy fleece and roving from Roving Acres Farm. 

My radish brooch gets honorable mention. 

Checking out the fiber arts vendor and crafts sale was especially fun. Vendors had beautiful hand spun yarns, handcrafted tabletop looms, handmade jewelry, and hand painted ceramic pieces to name a few. Talk about talented artisans and crafters! My favorite pick was Sweitzer's Fiber Mill from Seven Valleys, PA who had lovely displays of their own yarn (including yarn made from milk protein, corn and soybean). I treated myself to some pretty yarns hand dyed in shades of pink and purple by the owner's 7 year old daughter, Lilly. It even came with an autograph from Lilly herself.

Lilly's Ranbow Yarns from Sweitzer's FIber Mill

This fun fest inspired me to learn  more about sheep breeds and the process of how their fleece turns into beautiful yarn for me to use. Now, I'm searching for more local fiber arts festivals!

Sheep shearing demonstration. 

Do you have any fiber arts festival recommendations for me? What about your fiber arts competition stories and tips? I'd love to hear from you, comment below.


Warmly,

Sarah with Yarns By Design
sarah@yarnsbydesignpa.com