Something New

You might have heard a rumor about a fantasy place called tinydinostudios.com where the dinos run free in the fields and the wool abounds. I am here today to tell you that it does indeed exist. I have been build a blog-as-website place for myself here on the web, at my very own domain. The blog is up and fully functioning.

All new blog posts will go up at the new domain tinydinostudios.com

Come and stay awhile!

Knitting Class

Between running errands and putting up the Christmas tree today, I have been cementing the details of my lesson plan for my first knitting class. I cannot say how jazzed I am to have the opportunity to pass on a bit of what I have learned over the last couple of years.

I finished one of my samples today, and it’s bright pink and fun.

Just for fun, my second knitting project ever.

I used it as a sleeve for my netbook while I was in school. It worked great!

Is there anything you want to learn how to make?

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all of my American readers, Happy Thanksgiving!

Don’t be afraid to dig into your feast.

PS 15% off sale starts tonight at Tiny Dino Studios etsy shop. Coupon Code: BOOTS2011

Something New

I have never used lace weight before. For some reason I just never really thought about giving it a second thought. But when I was at Juniper Moon Farm for shepherding camp, there was a great big bowl of their new yarn line in the living room, and I could not put the Findley lace weight yarn down. Inspired thus, I came home and procured myself two skeins of merino lace yarn. (Pictured above. Dyed myself, of course, is my favorite wintery plum color.)

My plan is to someday, make this sweater. Because I am nothing if not ambitious. No lace bookmarks or skinny little scarves for me. Give me all or give me nothing, apparently.

Have you done anything with lace?

Complements

Just in time for the holiday season, I am kicking off a new line of tops for spinning. Most folks dye their spinning fibers in about 100g or 3.5-4oz batches, myself included. While this is really great for small project like what I shared yesterday, I understand that sometimes 4 oz just isn’t enough.

That’s why I will introduce a new complementary set of hand painted tops every month. The two braids will make up at least 8 oz worth of fiber for spinning or felting, and while they are different colorways, they will be close enough that when used together, they will complement each other very well. The two braids will be listed separately, and can be purchased individually or together. However, if only one of the braids is sold, I will not be able to duplicate the colorway exactly, so I would get them both while you can!

November/December Complementary Hand Painted Top:

4 oz Falkland Top Hand Painted in December

5.3 oz Falkland Top Hand Painted in Winter Solstice

Happy Making!

F. O.

I have a small parade of Finished Object to share. I finished them off over the weekend and should probably get myself back to work.

First up, I spun some merino which I hand painted and then navajo-plied. (Not bad for my first try if I do say so myself).

Became Athrun’s open fingered gloves for this year.

Once they were finished, I couldn’t get him to take them off.

Then I made a matching hat.

Which I had to frog three times due to twisted stitches and gauge issues.

It worked out in the end though. I absolutely love the fabric of this hat. I might do nothing but navajo-ply in the future to get this same texture in all of my hand spun. It is luscious.

Also, Athrun wanted a really big pom-pom

Behold! My very first pom-pom.

I also finally finished Brock’s Cobblestone Pullover. The photos kind of speak for themselves.

Holiday Sale!

I realize my suede boots aren’t particularly festive, but that it is finally cold enough to wear them gets me into a holiday sort of mood. Plus, they are just really awesome boots. Last winter, all I needed were these tough guys and a pair of wool socks and I was ready to brave the 10 + inches of snow on the ground. (I did treat them, but as you can see some street salt still got to them.

Speaking of wool socks, and other woolens, I have a promotion running the weekend after Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season. From 12:01am on Friday, November 25th through 11:59pm on Monday, November 28th, all items in the Tiny Dino Studios etsy shop will be 15% off with the coupon code BOOTS2011

I am working on some new hand knits and some really color saturated sock yarns for the winter season. They should be in the shop within the next few days. You should stop by and check them out!