What’s On Tap For August!

I want to take a moment to let you know about a few upcoming projects in August at The Fibre Studio. We continue to be open by appointment only. Click here if you would like to schedule a time to come in. If you are not ready to venture out just yet, I totally understand and would like to remind you we will continue to offer curbside pick-up on all online and phone orders.
I hope you are well and continue to stay strong!
Peaceful Stitching, Debbie
To see the most current list of our events and classes, visit the Events page on our website or check out our Facebook page.

Spark and Spice by Andrea Mowry

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Andrea Mowry recently released not one, but two color work cardigans, called Spark (above left) and Spice (at right). Spark has a bit of color work at the hem and sleeves, while both have slipped stitch or mosaic stitches on the body.

We are suggesting our Studio DK in a solid or tonal, for the Main Color, plus using a multi as the Contrasting Color on Shine. We have something in the works to use with Spark and will let you know soon.

emPower People 2020

emPower Purple

The Sharon Show by Casapinka

We are so excited to participate in the emPower People initiative. Join us, make an emPower People Cowl and wear it proudly. The patterns are free; Knit and Crochet versions available on Ravelry. 

We are using our Studio DK and are dyeing up a bunch of emPower Purple.We want to see a sea of purple out there so for our part, we will offer a 15% discount on this color. No code needed.

For more information about this important movement, please click here.

Casapinka has a new Mystery Knit-A-Long that begins August 7. It uses four skeins of yarn, in contrasting colors. It is very important that your colors contrast, not blend! There are two version of the shawl; a beginner shawl knitter version and an advanced beginner. It is rectangular in shape and is knit mostly on a US #6 needle.
The pattern will be available soon on Ravelry.We have put together some kits you may like. Please note if the kit has a multi-color skein on top, we have pulled four contrasting colors from it for the kit.Click here to view kits.

Spring Thing & Other Flings

Hi Everyone,
Doesn’t it sometimes seem as though our efforts to match new fibers with new projects is similar to a romantic fling? We fall in love (yarn or pattern). We bleed Kool Aid for it. We are a slave to all the details. We share it with everyone…sometimes TMI. We settle in for some pattern manipulation and textural conception. After completion, we light a cigarette drink a little wine or have coffee with friends, discuss all the challenges, and begin to look for our next fling.

Sound a bit sordid? Not to our ears. In an age where technology provides a sterile interface to many relationships, our families and friends are scattered to the winds of the earth, and our lives are so busy we set alarms to keep us on track…falling in love, even if its with yarn or fabric, and subsequently hanging out with fiber friends to discuss it, is quite simply wonderful. In the movie When Harry Met Sally a wise woman stated, “I’ll have what she’s having.”

This week we celebrate the Spring Thing, a new summer sweater pattern, and a new shawl idea for using our Bo Peeps (thanks, Boop). Prepare for that next fling; it may be just around the cursor corner.

Spring Thing
The Charlotte inner city yarn shops and studios are participating in an informal Spring Thing. We will be open May 18-20 in anticipation of this event. Visit our retail space to enjoy those great deals never seen online or to see, squeeze, and fondle our hand-dyed fibers–Black Sheep (experimentals), Bo Peeps (to pre-order), Color Play Station (DIY color play kits), and inventory reduction specials.

Bring a friend or three, hit all three locations (including Charlotte Yarn and Baskets of Yarn), have lunch, and make a day of it. Your friends can bear witness to the new romance in your life.

Jaycee Cardigan
Been looking for a lovely, light-weight Spring/Summer sweater to stay comfy in those overly cooled, air-conditioned areas that make us wish longingly for mukluks? We’ve found a perfect option in the Jaycee cardigan by designer Isabell Kraemer.

Stylishly worn open or buttoned, this sweet cardigan has just a bit of texture around the yoke and above the ribbing at the waist. It is also worked seamlessly from the top down. Short rows shape the neck and yoke until sleeve separation. Sleeve stitches are placed on hold, then the body is worked back and forth down to the hem. Button bands and neck finishing are worked next. Sleeves are worked in rounds top down to the cuffs last.

We recommend our Cotton Bamboo – Fingering (on sale now), Merino Bamboo – Fingering, Walkabout – Fingering, or even a Bo Peep (especially the lovely red-black copper tones of BP003) for this project.

South of Broad Shawl
We are excited to feature the South of Broad shawl by local designer, Liz Washburn.

This half hexagonal shawl pattern includes both written and charted instructions. The lace repeats are fairly simple–perfect for newbies to lace knitting. The unusual shape ensures it hugs the shoulders and doesn’t slip off as do many asymmetrical or rectangular shawls.

This wrap was named South of Broad for the romantic and historic section of Charleston, SC. Even when using a fiber containing wool, the fingering weight and selecting bright colors make it perfect for a warmer climate, such as that of Charleston. A Charleston romance is a “fiiiuhhhnnn” (that’s “fine” for non Southern speakers) romance.

Thank you Betty R. for bringing this gorgeous shawl by one of our local Yarnies to our attention AND for purchasing the Bo Peeps in which to make it. Like Betty, we love our Bo Peeps for this project as well as many of our other Studio Sox, Freckles, and Walkabout – Fingering color ways.

Bo Peeps – Not Just for Shawls
For those of you who think our Bo Peeps are just for cowls or shawls, let us assure you they are not.

While they are available in three fingering-weight fiber bases, they are also available in sport and light worsted weight yarns for those Yarnies that love a nice sweater or throw. Just make sure you get enough yarn for your entire project, because our Bo Peeps are lost to us after the 20th of each month.

Want to know what we’re deweing? Pop in to see our studio wörks on Ravelry, Facebook (we post changes to our business hours here), and Instagram as well as on our website at thefibrestudio.com (we post changes to our business hours here).

Happy stitching, y’all!
The Ewe Crew

 

Cyber Monday, A KAL & Other Newes

Hi Everyone!
We hope ewe had the most wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and shopping weekend ever. We have a few updates to share as we enter the busy holiday season.

Cyber Monday Sale
Whether you’re participating in the January Sweater KAL (see more below) or want to fill other large-project needs, our Cyber Monday Sale is STILL going strong! This is the perfect time to order that Walkabout – Fingering, Merino Bamboo – Fingering, and Patterns all on sale at 25% off until 11:59pm ET tonight. Use discount code CYBER17 at checkout.

Been waiting for the perfect time to stock up for a Find Your Fade or Starting Point Wrap?
This is it!

January Sweater KAL
The Fibre Studio is announcing a January Sweater Free-For-All Knit-Along. January is a great month to have a sturdy project warming your lap. We will gather during our first (Spinning) Saturday in January (the 6th) to cast on or pick up our project. We will continue for the next several Wednesdays (during Open Knit/Crochet) and into February. KAL Gathering Dates are: Jan 6, 10, 17, 24, 31 and Feb 3, 7 in total.

We’ve added a diverse selection of lovely sweater and cardigan patterns to our online shop. There is something for just about everyone. Top Row Below (L to R): HVIDE, Gretchen, and Donner. Bottom Row Below (L to R): Whippet (Long), Antler, Friday Anew, and VNeck Boxy.

 

Our most recent shop sample is the beautiful Granito, a pullover by Joji Locatelli, designed as part of her FAVORITE THINGS collection. Granito is a basic sweater with a relaxed fit and big pockets on the sides. It’s the perfect garment for lounging and relaxing. It’s worked seamlessly from the top down.

Our lovely shop sample was knit in our Merino Bamboo – Fingering yarn (on sale today) in color way Charcoal by the very talented Linda R. Our Granito will be displayed during the months of December and January for any of you who would like to take a closer look.

Have a previous favorite you never started or completed? Bring it and knit-along with us. We continue to love Hitofude, Chance of Showers, Juicy Gloss, Winter Wheat, and Tegna. One of our associates is even going to FINALLY begin her Easy Folded Poncho. There are no wrong choices and today’s Cyber Monday Sale makes buying the yarn and the pattern a “snap” and a bargain.
   
   

Spinning Saturday
Attention all spinners! Our last Sit & Spin Saturday of the year will be December 2. Bring your wheels, your roving (or find hand-dyed roving in our studio), a brown bag lunch, and your current projects to sit and spin with us on an on-going basis on the first Saturdays of the month. All skill levels welcome.

Holiday Potluck Luncheon
Help us celebrate the holidays by bringing a dish to share during our December 6 Holiday Potluck Luncheon, from 12-2pm following our Open Knit/Crochet group (10am-12pm).

The Fibre Studio will provide cups, plates, napkins, and cutlery; however, we ask participants to bring a dish to share as well as any serving ware, specialty items, and extension cords for any Instant Pots, slow cookers, or other electronic devices they may bring.

Should you be interested in attending, please RSVP to our Facebook Event Page so we have an approximate headcount. Thank you!

Dyeus Interruptus
Please Note: Our dyeing studio will temporarily hibernate after November 30. We will not take any new dyeing orders during the month of December as we sell existing inventory, restock supplies, update our website, and plan our holiday time with family. We will pick back up after the new year. Our retail space will still be open during regular business hours in December through the 22nd.

Want to know what we’re deweing? Pop in to see our studio wörks on Ravelry, Facebook, and Instagram as well as on our website at thefibrestudio.com

Peaceful stitching, shopping, and being with those you love, y’all!
The Ewe Crew

November 2017 Newes

Hi Everyone,
This November, we are celebrating the “golden age” of fiber, crafty ninja ewes, and a seasonal recipe.

We Put the Gold in These Winners
One of our newest gold standard projects is the Tilted Cowl. Our shop sample was made in luxurious Sea Song – Fingering, in three contrasting colors. We’ve used colors Indigo, BoHo Chic, and Golden Wheat in the sample (at left), but have offered a few additional color suggestions below.

This uniquely-shaped cowl combines the best characteristics of a cowl and a shawlette, and our Sea Song – Fingering (a Merino/Silk/Sea Cell™ blend) looks luminous and feels amazing against the skin.

   
Above Left: Golden Wheat, Cherokee, Sage Leaf
Above Middle: Purple Haze, BoHo Chic, Coral
Above Right: Silver, Mountain Thistle, Sage Leaf

We recently revealed our shop sample Winter Wheat (not to be confused with our color way of the same name), which is an asymmetrical cardigan by Atelier Alfa (aka AlfaKnits) with large textured stripes and an eccentric construction.

We used Cherokee, Deep Woods Red, Autumn Gold, Asparagus, and There’s a Storm Brewin’ in Walkabout – Fingering for our shop sample at right.

Winter Wheat is worked top down and sideways at the same time. The left front and the collar are worked in one piece and the top stripes wrap around the neck as a shawl. This special construction ensures the left front falls straight and the right front more fluidly.

The Yin and Yang of Shopping
Meet our three Ewe Ninjas. These ewes will help guide our customers and readership through one of the most harrowing shopping weekends of the year. Balance your shopping chi and learn about these little helpers.

Our first ewe ninja is Noir, who is our personal shopper for Black Friday. Noir will help you navigate our Fifty Shades of Gradient™ line, which will be on sale on Friday, November 24.

 

The second ewe ninja is Purpur, who is our personal shopper for Small Business Saturday. Purpur is a bit of a bag lady and will help you navigate our Atenti and custom Holly Aiken bags, which will be on sale on Saturday, November 25.

 

Named for the star of Stranger Things, our third ewe ninja is Eleven, who is the personal shopper for Cyber Monday. Eleven will help you navigate that strange and wonderful cyber space where beautiful yarns meet amazing projects. Eleven knows a secret, which is The Fibre Studio is having a sweater knit-a-long (KAL) in January. Hence, our Walkabout – Fingering, Merino Bamboo – Fingering, and our Patterns will be on sale on Monday, November 27. This will be a great time to stock up on fiber and patterns for generously-sized projects like large wraps and sweaters.

Stay tuned. More to come next week….same fluffybutt time, same fluffybutt channel.

A Seasonal Recipe
With the holiday season approaching and all the gorgeous apples available, we wanted to share an all-natural and tasty recipe with you.

Salted Caramel Fruit Dip (Makes About 2 1/2 Cups)
Ingredients:
2 cups Medjool dates, pitted
1/3 cup raw smooth hazelnut butter
3-4 tsp fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1/8-1/4 tsp sea salt (to taste)
Large, flaky salt to garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Cover dates in warm (but not hot) water and soak for 4-6 hours.
2. Drain the dates and place in a food processor, reserving date water.
3. Add hazelnut butter, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and sea salt to food processor. Process mixture on high until smooth. Add reserved date water (one tablespoon at a time) until desired consistency–thicker for dippin’ and thinner for drizzlin’. Garnish with flaky salt as desired.
4. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Serving Suggestions: Perfect as a dip for crisp, tart apple (or other firm fruit) slices or as a drizzle for apple-pecan “nachos.”

Want to know what we’re deweing? You can always pop in to see our studio wörks on Ravelry, Facebook, and Instagram as well as on our website at thefibrestudio.com

Peaceful stitching and mining for gold, y’all!
The Ewe Crew

Wren KAL

 

While perusing Ravelry, I came across this free Berroco pattern called Wren.   The pattern was published in June, 2008 and used a yarn (Zodiac) long ago discontinued by Berroco; however, it has great lines.

I thought what a cute spring cardigan this would be knit using Berroco Maya.  It could be worn pinned, as shown, or open with the shawl collar.  I am thinking I may update the pattern a bit and add seed stitch instead of ribbing.  (You know I can never knit a pattern without changing it.)

Check our calendar for the Knit A Long times and join us.

The Flaming June Cardigan by Cheryl Niamath

 

Flaming June Cardigan

During the month of May, we will offer a  free Knit-A-Long (KAL) for the Flaming June Cardigan by Cheryl Niamath.  Click here for a free pattern download from Knitty.com.

Several folks have already started their Flaming June’s using Rowan-Pure Life Revive, Louet-Euroflax, and Moda-Seta Tweed.

We will be working on our KAL Wednesday mornings from 10:00-12:00p.  Come join the fun.

 

Vodka Lemonade by Thea Colman

Here is an awesome, light weight cardigan that I think will be perfect as a three-season garment for our climate.  It is top down construction, which I love because I like to try it on as I go.  Several of us at The Fibre Studio are knitting the Vodka Lemonade out of Rowan, Pure Life Revive.  Other great DK weight yarn selections would be:

• Berroco – Linsey, or Captiva
• Classic Elite –  Soft Linen, or Cotton Classic
• Tahki – Firefly
• Grignasco – Springfield, Mousse, or Champagne
• Manos – Serena
• Louet – Euroflax

 

 

Cia Cardigan

Join us for a class on the Cia cardigan.  Our sample was knit using Louet Kidlin Lace but other yarns may be substituted such as Kid Silk Haze or Debbie Party Angel.  This light weight cardigan is perfect for these cooler spring evenings.

Class fee is $45.00, plus materials.  (You will receive a 10% discount on all classroom supplies.)

Will be taught in three sessions of two hours each.

 

Amiga Cardigan – Knit A Long

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Bring your girl friend and join us for this free KAL for the ever popular Amiga cardigan by Mags Kandis.  We will be meeting at The Fibre Studio each Tuesday night in August from 6-8p.

Last summer, a number of you knit the Amiga using Ironstone Flake Cotton or Katia Temis. I always liked the ease and fit of this sweater, so I have decided to re-visit it.

I  have chosen Filatura Di Crosa Tempo in colorway #37 for my Amiga.  This sweater is a quick top down knit.  I have decided to alter the pattern slightly (you know I can NEVER knit straight from the pattern).  I am making my Amiga longer than what is called for in the pattern and also I have added increases to the sides at the hips to accomodate  my “fuller” figure.  I have been very pleased at how quickly this project knits  up.

For all you “new” knitters out their, this is a great first sweater project.  You should be comfortable with the knit and purl stitches, increases are done by knitting the the front and back (kf&b) of a stitch on either side of the markers set up for the raglan sleeve and you will become familiar with picking up stitches along the fronts to knit the front bands.

Other yarns I think will be lovely in this project are:  Berroco – Bonsai , Lago, Captiva, or Origami, Tahki Stacey Charles – Cotton Tweed, Mia, Ripple & Rosa and Araucania – Lontue.

Three Lace Cardigan

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We will be offering a two-day class taught by Heike N. on the knitted Three Lace Cardigan by Juniper Moon Farms (JMF).  This cardigan is knit using Findley by JMF.  Findley is a wonderful 50/50 blend of Merino and Silk that knits up into a soft, fine fabric with the slightest halo.  Perfect for those cooler nights still on the horizon.

Dates:  Please see our calendar for dates/times.
Cost:  $45.00, plus materials.