Ewetopia Fiber Shop

June the Sheperdess

2011-08-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

June the knitted Shepherdess does what I would like to do all day: knit in the fields and watch the sheep! ... that and have amazing curly red hair...

Summer on Ewetopia Farm has been a productive season. A new flock of sheep, a thriving crop of big lambs, a robust and semi weeded garden.... or at least the tomatoes, that I used the push mower to "weed". It's good to be a shepherdess!

Dyeing Class!

2011-07-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

You asked for it, and now I'm finally taking the leap! Ewetopia will be offering our first dyeing class September 18th from 12-3pm. $65 will get you 3 skeins of local yarn dyed by YOU, plus the knowledge to go home and do it yourself! We will go through kettle dyeing, space dyeing and hand painting using low-impact acid dyes with white vinegar. The class will be held in our dye studio at Ewetopia Farm just east of La Farge (about a 30 minute drive from Viroqua). We have limited space so please call to reserve space soon.

New Project - Antonia Vest

2011-05-28T10:24:00.001-07:00

At the Shepherd's Harvest Festival in the twin cities a few weeks ago I was inspired by a woman's scarf which was quite simple, garter stitch length wise, but knit the majority was knit in a fine lace weight mohair and then had single rows of a thicker cotton yarn occasionally thrown in. It looked woven and not knitted at all! Loved it! Although i saw many beautiful hand knits that weekend, this one stuck in my mind and I decided to work this concept into a basic pullover vest and knit out of our brand new lace weight brushed mohair and multi-colored hand dyed Rupunzel (a beautiful 100% tussah silk single ply).

The vest is worked length wise in two pieces (a front and a back) and has short rows across the bottom for a more flattering fit. I think this will look fantastic with a wide belt. I have named it after my favorite Bohemian heroine from "My Antonia" by Willa Cather.

Thank you MN Knitters!

2011-05-13T12:44:00.001-07:00

Thank you Minnesota knitters for 2 fun weekends of fiber shows! First was the Yarn Over in Minneapolis put on by the MN Knitters guild, super fun to see Nicky Epstein, Lily Chin, Cat Bordhi, the girls from Ravelry and many more!

The next weekend was a bit warmer thankfully since the Shepherds Harvest in outside at the Washington County fairgrounds in Lake Elmo, MN. But this has to be one of my favorite shows, especially when the weather is nice! Sheep, dog trials, fiber judging, classes, and vendors (4 whole barns of them!) Our booth was next to Briar Rose (a beautiful autumn colored booth that is always full of fiber enthusiasts). We are already planning next years show and have just placed a huge order of natural yarns to dye and restock our empty trailer and shelves in the shop before Midwest Fiber and Folk Fair (Grays Lake, IL June 24-26)

Mae Louise

2011-04-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome Mae Louise! She was born at home on April 5th, just after midnight. She was a day shy of being 3 weeks overdue and it took a bunch of castor oil to convince her to come out, but once she made up her mind she thankfully did not take long, about 4 hours of labor and 7 minutes of pushing! She is a wonderful and sweet babe!

Rosalind Cardigan Completed!

2011-04-21T13:57:00.001-07:00

This was a fun project, and I am excited to say it actually looks good on me! Better than the mannequin at least since I have arms! Better pictures to come...

It was quick to knit and is a cropped length to look good on everyone since it is more of a swing sweater and does not have side shaping. The sleeves have two options, it is shown here in a 3/4 length sleeve, but also has a full length option. I have the pattern off to the printers soon and will be available by the end of the month.

New projects

2011-03-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

One of the latest sweaters to hit my needles that keeps me from going crazy waiting for this overdue baby to be born! This sweater modeled after my Ariana Shell, is a cardigan version with a different lace yoke. My mother has a beautiful sweater that she *gasp* bought, it has a gorgeous crocheted yoke and she wears it quite a bit at wool festivals. People always want that pattern and we have to admit that we did not make it (very embarrassing) but now we'll be prepared to show them a similar design that includes all knitting! I am knitting this out of our Hand Dyed Peruvian Tweed (100% Alpaca dk weight yarn) and getting a worsted weight gauge at 4.5 sts/per inch, this makes the garment soft and supple and light weight. But it would also be very nice in a thicker more substantial yarn for a warmer and firmer garment.

New summer yarn!

2011-03-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous new yarn. I am absolutely wishing I did not have 3... or maybe 5 sweaters in the works currently or I would be starting a summer tank out of this new yarn! It is a 50/50 blend of Tussah silk and Viscose. With beautiful shine and drape this would make the perfect evening shawl to dress up any summer outfit!

Ariana Shell

2011-03-04T12:15:00.001-08:00

A brand new design from Ewetopia, a perfect lacy shell for summer! Knit in our super soft Hand Dyed Peruvian Tweed alpaca yarn with only 1-2 skein(s)! Alpaca is great for summer wearing because it's hollow thermal properties make it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This shell is knit starting with the lace yoke knit flat and then stitches are picked up for the body that is knit in the round.

March is in like a Lamb!

2011-03-04T12:06:00.000-08:00

Thursday we had a visitor with us at the yarn shop! A 2 day old ram lamb that was not getting enough from his mama came with Stella and I so we could keep an eye on him and keep him fed and warm. Stella as you can see by the pictures took this upon herself and kept attempting to feed him throughout the day. The milk he enjoyed, but the whole wheat bread that she especially tore into small pieces and put in a bowl for him he did not.

Although normally i don't mind a "special" lamb or two a year, I am glad to have found this little guy a great home with a family who will be less stressed to keep him fed 6-8 times a day in the next month or so than I with a baby of my own due anytime!

Cables!

2011-01-28T13:02:00.000-08:00

I seem to starting an awful lot of cabled designs right now, could it be last couple months of pregnancy making me a bit "loopy"? The green project is a cabled yoke for a sweater to be determined as a pullover or cardigan, I started it with the intent of making a pullover, but have recently been inspired to make it a cardigan with a wide button band and a swing type body. Feedback would be appreciated! The rust colored band looks like a headband right now, but will actually be a super warm hat. I made one as a birthday gift for my aunt a few days ago, and decided that I was fed up with my hat being to slouchy. This design knits the band one way and then stitches are picked up and knit in the round, this way, even the softest alpaca (usually deemed to drapey for a hat) should work just fine, I am knitting mine out of Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky, the first one I made out of an Alpaca/wool/silk/donegal blend, which worked beautifully. I will update you on how it wears and stretches, if it does work check out ravelry or the shop for the pattern!

New cashmere yarn!

2010-11-30T09:24:00.000-08:00

News on the luxury fiber front! Cascade has come out with a gorgeous 60% Royal Alpaca/ 20% Cashmere/ 20% Silk yarn called Epiphany. We have stocked it in 4 vibrant colors of white, red, gold and teal. This is a perfect gift yarn with enough yardage (273 yds in a DK weight) for a one skein project... think lace scarf/cowl, hat... cabled gloves? I am going to wind up a skein today in fact to start a pair of cabled and beaded gloves for a gift... now the only problem... which glorious color? :)

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE!

2010-11-13T12:10:00.000-08:00

Ewetopia's Open House, November 19th from 3-8pm! We will have snacks, drinks (including some yummy punch), door prizes, BIG SALES, and some quick and simple project ideas for gifts! We have many kits as well for the knitters on your list or to make your project buying a breeze!

We hope to see you all this Friday!

Check out our new free patterns!

2010-11-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Our website is full of new patterns! We hope to get some more up soon as well so check back!
http://www.ewetopiafibershop.com/patterns.html

Glorious Borealis

2010-08-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Beautiful new yarn from Berroco, inspired by the aurora borealis, which is evident in the magical colorways! Chunky at 3.5 sts per inch and a soft and light weight blend of wool and acrylic.

May Cardigan

2010-07-06T13:53:00.001-07:00

This is a new delightful design that you can get for free with the purchase of our hand dyed Prime Alpaca or on Ravelry!

Demeter Cardigan

2010-07-02T11:32:00.000-07:00

It's finished! Check it out on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/demeter-cardigan

World Wide Knit in Public Day 2010

2010-06-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

June 19th outside the shop. Be there! If it is a truly nasty rainy day we will reschedule for July 10th (not the official WWKIP day/week but any day is a good day for promoting fiber arts!)

The Demeter Cardigan

2010-05-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

This has been a fun project so far, a hardcore cabled waistband and simple stockinette stitch skirt and bodice. Love it. Love the yarn. I am now addicted to working with hand dyed yarns. This is a kettle dyed worsted weight merino wool.

I'll keep you updated on the progress of the darts and cabled finishing touches that are dancing through my head!

Dye Studio

2010-05-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

Ah it is sweet day to stay home and dye yarn, blend fibers to be carded and listen to NPR (although Stella prefers music and constantly changes the station until she finds something she can dance to!). My dye studio is as perfect as I had hoped for! I can watch the sheep grazing and playing in the pasture and draw inspirations from visual nature, versus the back room of the shop!

My are they getting big!

2010-05-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

It's always amazing how fast those lambs grow! These little ones were born mid-March, and now we have another "crop" of lambs arriving any day now! Ah, the midnight walks to the barn commences.

Fun with fiber blending

2010-04-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yummy spring colors! Thank you to Patty for lending me her wonderful Pat Green carder to play with. What a difference a full size drum carder makes versus my little Louet roving carder.
The weaving above was my idea for our little lap looms, it works great! All kinds of inspirations come to mind when I see those beautiful blended clouds!

My next adventure will be arriving in a couple weeks... I broke down and ordered the electric Crazy Monkey Creations triple skein winder. My wrist is very excited.

Knitting Truckers

2010-04-05T08:42:00.001-07:00

Check this out! I love it!
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704896104575139990857438962.html

Thank you Amanda for sending this great article!

Spring

2010-04-01T14:28:00.001-07:00

Wendell Berry

When reading this poem I can remember vividly coming home not long ago to our first time mamma ewe Betsy and seeing her out in the middle of the field with twins. Berry's words just fills me with peace.

They are fighting again the war to end war,
And the ewe flock, bred in October, brings forth
in March. This so far remains, this pain
and renewal, whatever war is being fought.
We go through the annual passage of birth
and death, triumph and heartbreak, love
and exasperation, mud, milk, mucus, and blood.
Yet once more the young ewe stands with her lambs
in the dawnlight, the lambs well-suckled
and dry. There is no happiness like this.

The window again welcomes in the light
of lengthening days. The river in its old groove
passes again beneath opening leaves.
In their brevity, between cold and shade,
flowers again brighten the woods floor.

This then may be the prayer without ceasing,
this beauty and gratitude, this moment.

Wendell Berry: III
-from Given: Poems, Shoemaker & Hoard Publishers, 2005

Snow Flower Mittens

2010-03-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

As winter and spring collide, I still want to wear mittens some mornings but flowers are at the forefront of my thoughts, hence the "Snow Flower" mitten design. These snazzy mittens even have a built in double cuff for extra warmth. I have designed them to be knit with our very own Ewetopia Farm Chocolate worsted and our hand dyed Stranded Merino & Mohair.

New Lambs

2010-03-11T13:49:00.000-08:00

What would spring be without new lambs! We have 6 new lambs so far from 4 ewes. All has gone well, only one sorrowful experience (you can read more about that on our farm blog - http://www.ewetopiafarmfibercsa.blogspot.com) 11 more ewes to go.. hopefully not until May!

Hand Dyed Local Merino

2010-03-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

Check out our new local hand dyed (and natural) merino/nylon blend. Super strong and vibrantly dyed, did I mention local?

New hues

2010-03-03T10:56:00.000-08:00

As the Madison Knitters Guild Knit-in approaches we have many new colors emerging from the back room. Does anyone have a good name for this color way? I'd love some idea's! I swear that is the hardest part for me... naming....

Lateral Swing Sweater

2010-02-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

It's finally done! This sweater has been my nemesis for the past 2 years! Not because it's a hard pattern, but because when I wrote the pattern I figured my gauge out wrong. This was devastating to me since the original sweater I had made for my mother for Christmas ended up being 3 sizes to big for her. I then preceded to knit up another size with the same pattern I had wrote for the first. Due to my (still unknown) gauge discrepancy, it did not turn our right, very small in fact. I then understood to my horror that I had the wrong gauge. This is the 3rd time I have made this sweater and it now works, but one st per inch was all it was between gauges to make or break a sweater pattern I found out.

We do have this lovely pattern at the shop and on Ravelry now for sale! Take a look! Its an easy and fun sweater to make, and it drapes beautifully!

New LOCAL merino yarn

2010-02-16T09:38:00.000-08:00

We have finally received our shipment from Zeilinger Fiber Mill in Frankenmuth, MI of our very own merino sheep! We had it blended with 25% nylon in hopes of creating our own sock yarn. Unfortunately it is a bit thick for socks... worsted weight... But will make glorious strong slippers or a sweater! It is nicely spun and I have high hopes of it not pilling very much. I will give you an update on that once I have it knitted up! We have dyed it into many beautiful colors and also have a bunch of the natural cream! the put up is 3.5 oz skeins that are approx. 200 yards.

Living window display

2010-02-08T11:35:00.000-08:00

Felted Pottery!

2010-02-06T14:15:00.001-08:00

Hollow wet felted pottery! The Tuesday and Friday knitting groups were intrigued by this idea and looked to me to come up with a class. I was excited by a challenge and found a ball went right home to try my hand yet again at wet felting by hand. After about 10 minutes (probably not long enough) of soapy water and wet wool that was starting to felt but still not looking like much, I was getting bored and irritated by how messy it seemed so I tied it into a lingerie bag and threw it in with the next (small) load of laundry. It worked great! I let it go through the whole cycle and when i took it out I cut the top off, popped the ball out and this is what was left! Tonight I plan on trying it again to improve my technique and make it thicker and larger... 4-square ball here I come!

Dyes are in!

2010-02-02T10:16:00.000-08:00

We have received our shipment of Greener Shades acid dyes! They are metal free and have wonderful vibrant colors and countless color combination's and variations! We hope to be able to start some dyeing classes in the spring/summer months in our new (still in progress) dyeing studio at Ewetopia Farm in La Farge. http://greenershades.stillrivermill.com/

Our Website is almost live for shopping!

2010-01-28T15:45:00.001-08:00

Exciting news! Ewetopia's SHOP ONLINE button is almost finished! Again...
Stay updated!

Another project completed!

2010-01-23T12:22:00.000-08:00

What beautiful hoarfrost we had last week! I just HAD to do a photo shoot outside on the rose bushes. This was especially fitting since this is Stella's "Snowflake" cardigan!

Stella is now warm!

2010-01-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

It's finished! Stella's new twined alpaca coat! Watch for the pattern at Ewetopia or on Ravelry!

Join a Knitting Group!

2010-01-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

Here at Ewetopia we love to socialize with our projects. We have 3 free to join groups that meet during the week:
Monday: 4-7pm
Tuesday: 1-3pm
Friday: 10-12pm

It's a great time to start a new project... or finish up that project you've had on the needles for years! We've all done that!

Frosty Twined Baby Jacket

2010-01-12T08:22:00.000-08:00

This is my newest inspiration, born from a chilly child who is quickly out growing her little "Climbing Rose Cardigan" and seems to be sensitive to acrylics and nylons (go figure!). After being introduced to twined knitting I had a large ball of wool/alpaca Cuzco from Berroco left from a frogged project, plus some pure alpaca in a chunky weight (Cascade Baby Chunky Alpaca) thus I did a 2-color cast on and went to town! It's a bit tedious, but I have actually even considered making myself a sweater out of this yarn combo and technique! It is amazingly warm, soft and supple, yet still very sturdy and dense. Perfect for a baby coat. Stella will be quite stylish once I get this finished!

New Projects and Resolutions

2010-01-11T13:23:00.000-08:00

Well Happy New Year! Most people have new year's resolutions, mine this year is to finish all (or a good chunk of) my projects that I have stashed just about everywhere! Here is one (literally) that I just finished last night! ... Of course now I need to make the other one...

BUTTONS!

2009-11-09T13:16:00.000-08:00

We have lots of deliciously beautiful buttons! These will inspire many new projects! At least they have for me... On the left is a sampling of handmade regional (MI) buttons from Annie's Sweet Handspun and on the right is a sampling of buttons from a women's group in South Africa called Incomparable Buttons.
You asked for more buttons and we listened!

Open House!

2009-11-02T10:14:00.000-08:00

We will be having our annual Open House Friday, November 20th from 4-8pm.

Come one come all for drinks, snacks, sales and holiday gift knitting ideas! One skein and quick knit projects will be our focus to help you get all your holiday knitting accomplished!

We hope to see you there!

My new winter hat!

2009-10-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

Because my Looking Glass Sweater was so fun to make I have decided to make a mate for it. A hat. Which I will felt! How fun will this be you ask? Well to someone who starts a new project everyday a quick felting project just gives me oodles of joy! I am creating this from Cascade 128 and Noro Silk Garden, now i know the Silk Garden is slimmer, but my hopes are that they will give the windows more pop. By the way this pattern will be called Stained Glass instead of Looking Glass. I'll keep you updated... I hope to be felting tonight if all goes well.

CPSIA

2009-08-26T07:54:00.000-07:00

Whew! This is interesting...

http://www.apparelnews.net/news/manufacturing/082409-Fabric-and-Yarn-Excluded-in-New-CPSIA-Requirements

Fabric and Yarn Excluded in New CPSIA Requirements

August 24, 2009

A new vote has exempted fabric and yarn from the lead testing and certification requirements for children’s products under the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. The exemption, which is expected to go into effect within a matter of days, does not include snaps, buttons, zippers and the like. The result is that the final garment will still need to be tested.

The testing of fabric and yarn has been a point of contention among children’s apparel manufacturers, who argue that the two items are not lead-bearing and that the costly testing of them places an undue burden on manufacturers.

The CPSIA says it reached its decision on fabrics and dyes after studying hundreds of test reports and analyses that examined lead levels in various textile and apparel products.

 “After reviewing and verifying this test data, the staff was able to determine that most textile products are manufactured using processes that do not introduce lead or result in an end product that would exceed the CPSIA’s lead limits,” said a statement released by the CPSC.

The act, which became law last August, rankles and confuses manufacturers and retailers alike. The CPSIA made significant changes to previous regulations, which now imposes additional compliance requirements for consumer products produced domestically and abroad. Manufacturers making apparel primarily for children age 12 or younger take the brunt of the law, facing staggered deadlines for new lead-paint requirements and third-party testing of lead content in small parts and metal jewelry. Other requirements call for tracking labels on children’s products that show where the garment was made, its batch number and other information not previously made available to the consumer.

The apparel industry continues to petition for changes to the CPSIA. On Aug. 25, Kevin Burke, president and chief executive of the American Apparel and Footwear Association, will testify at a CPSC public hearing in Bethesda, Md., on the Commission’s agenda, priorities and strategic plan.

For more information on the CPSIA, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML. —Erin Barajas

Spitting Stella

2009-07-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

Stella is busy spitting up a storm!

Crazy Daze - July 11th

2009-06-29T12:16:00.001-07:00

Hey there all you fiber lovers! July 11th is Viroqua’s Crazy Daze, a city wide side walk sale! Ewetopia will have lots of yarn on sale, and possibly even Clover Needles! It’s a good reason to take a beautiful drive to Viroqua!

PS - There is also a blue grass festival at the fair grounds and i hear a bunch of antique tractors will be gracing us all around town!

We hope to see you July 11!

Cybal and Brita

2009-06-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

We have a couple of new additions to Woolly Bear Farm, a couple of rambunctious white and tan Great Pyrenees pups to be exact! Their names are Brita and Cybal. Brita meaning "exalted one" and Cybal meaning prophetess or fortune-teller. They are quite joyful, especially when they grab a a sock from one of our boots and run with it! They have met their woolly charges and are a little intimidated, but brave and quiet, just what we need! Our former sheep guard, Herman the donkey is now in exile with our small herd of cattle and recieving the same treatment he gave to the sheep!

NEW diaper cover pattern

2009-06-03T10:50:00.000-07:00

Now that Stella is here, it has been easier to dream up design patterns that will actually work! My new twist on the diaper cover that I had been designing pre-Stella is to make the whole thing bigger all over and use Ewetopia's own hand dyed superwash merino sock yarn to knit a casing along the leg edge for some elastic added after the felting of the actual cover made from Cascade 220. We will see. I am feverishly trying to finish some projects first... but simply had to cast on since I ran out of cotton last night working on the Nursing Tank and conveniently had this yarn in the knitting bag...

Sexy Mama Nursing Tank update

2009-06-03T10:45:00.000-07:00

Well i sure hope this works! My wardrobe is quite limited now post pregnancy and pre-pre-pregnancy weight! My only concern is that the "openings" or "access points" if you will are too big and will droop down with the weight of the cotton to make skin visible... If this happens I believe sewing up another 10-15 sts and editing that part of the pattern will suffice nicely and will still be enough of an opening for nursing capabilities. Now it's mindless knitting from here to the last few rows of yet to be designed fun-ness!

Stella Video

2009-05-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

Just trying this out guys! This is Stella with the Spinners at the shop a couple weeks ago!

WWKIP Day 2009!

2009-05-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

It's time for our second annual World Wide Knit in Public day event! This year we'll be knitting, crocheting, felting and spinning outside the shop! We'll have some snacks and drinks on hand of course, and of course to help celebrate WWIP and the International Year of Natural Fibers all the regular marked yarn (except consignment) will be 10% off!

Come celebrate fiber arts with us!

International Year of Natural Fibers

2009-05-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

How exciting right?! The UN has declared 2009 the International Year of Natural Fibers! Check out the website: http://www.naturalfibres2009.org/

Soaker pictures in action

2009-05-19T12:40:00.001-07:00

You've all been asking how the knitted soaker has been working out, it's great! I unfortunately just have the one in her size, so i better get busy making some more! It holds everything in really great, especially after lanolizing (this is the crucial step in moisture proofing)! The soaker pattern is not only available in the shop, but also in the new Knitcircus magazine, along with many other adorable baby and children's patterns!

BTW, have you caught on to the subliminal message on my baby? Yes, my dear from Jes has outfitted Stella with Ewetopia name brand gear!

Sexy Mama Nursing Tank

2009-05-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

Amazing, I am actually using 2 skeins from my ever growing stash! I have decided, after being inspired by the Great Gatsby dress in the Summer issue of Interweave Knits 2009 to knit a nursing shirt. The ribbing (shown in the picture) will be the access point, and a underlayer will be knitted down from the top of the ribbing. We'll see how it pans out... I'll keep you updated!

Stella Baby Cardigan

2009-05-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

I have a new favorite yarn! Cascade's Cottonrich dk, a fully machine washable/dry-able cotton/nylon blend. It's super soft and has a really nice heathery look. It's a pleasure to work with, doesn't split and has great stitch definition!

I soon realized that Stella needed a few more sweaters, so in the weeks after she was born i've been busy knitting up some sweaters. This pattern was a fun one to design because I was able to really knit them fast since it was all garter stitch, I could knit either the American or Continental way depending on which arm was free during nursing (my purling the Continental way is still in progress...)!

2009-04-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

Stella looks like she's straight out of the book Where the Wild Things Are! She's been a very accepting knit wear model for me thankfully! It's great to be back in the shop, which in all reality is much like home with visitors! During my days at home I was successful in accomplishing some knitting, after the first initial few days of much needed sleep and recovery. I never thought that laying in bad all day would feel soooo good!

I know you've read the previous posting about Stella's birth, but i would like to add my own words about that amazing experience. It truly couldn't have been a better birth, I can't believe I'm writing that since at the time I couldn't believe I was going through that much pain. Since it was such a quick labor (thanks to 4oz of castor oil and orange juice) I didn't have much time to get ready for the contractions before they were every 2-3 minutes and then within a couple hours every minute or less! I would like to say I was able to accomplish this on my own, but the reality is that my husband Keith was an incredible help and talked and held me through the whole day, and I never once thought of blaming or smacking him for my pain! But now as I look down at beautiful little Stella I know it was all for good reason.

She is now almost 3 weeks old and has gained at least 12oz since she was born and is quickly losing that newborn look. Currently she's struggling to wake up, so I must take leave and put the last skein in the dye pot before she opens her eyes for good!

Welcome sweet Stella Rose!

2009-03-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

If you've been following this blog, you know full well how ready Kathryn was for this darling baby to be born. Well, she made her entrance, and very gracefully and beautifully I might add, March 19, a few minutes before 8pm, just as the last rays of the glorious sunset were fading.
Seven pounds, four ounces, and 21 inches long, she's a robust, alert (can't you tell!) baby who seems delighted to be here and delighted in everyone around her.
Kathryn and Keith are exceptional new parents. Their beautiful home birth experience has made a seamless, comfortable transition to life with with their little one.

Stella Rose peacefully sleeping sandwiched between her loving parents.

Great Grandma Gloria!

This is how we announce new babies in the country!
Actually, it was more formal at Ewetopia - balloons on the Open sign - thanks to great grandma who held down the fort on the birthday!

A rainbow of colors!

2009-03-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

Sock fanatics rejoice! There are LOTS of new color on the sock shelves at Ewetopia. I have been busy with a pre-baby dyeing effort to get all the natural sock yarn in our inventory dyed up before my hands are full with something else, ahem this baby if it ever decides to enter our world!

Doll Pattern is finally finished!

2009-03-10T12:51:00.001-07:00

Our beloved bendable, anatomically proportioned dolls are now available in pattern form! Yes for some pregnant women "nesting" means taking an inventory of the entire house, mine meant finishing a few patterns that had been put aside!

June the Shepherdess is now available at Ewetopia or online at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21937300

No baby yet, but more lamb pictures!

2009-03-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Top: Willa and Willow
Middle: Willow
Bottom: Eli and Ebony

With 6 lambs total born this spring it has been our least stressful lambing season ever, despite the cold weather and fact that we had no idea they were due in early February! All 6 lambs are getting quite large and have tons of fun now that they are all together and can play. We have one lamb named Willa who looks more like a Holstein cow than a lamb, who absolutely adores us for some unknown reason! She loves a little scratch under her chin, and will come running up to us when we come to the barn. This is really truly amazing behavior for a lamb who is not bottle fed and has a mother who wants nothing to do with us. Much to the dismay of many other shepherds we have decided to not dock their tails this year as an experiment. We feel that it causes much stress and distrust between us and the lambs, and since we shear late and will take extra precaution to shear their buttocks if needed throughout the summer to prevent fly stike, which in all reality is more of a management issue with dirty living conditions. We hope this goes well and don't foresee a problem.

New Spring/Summer Hours

2009-02-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

Due to having a baby any day now, and the hectic and abundant spring and summer work that happens on a farm, Ewetopia will have abbreviated hours starting March 1st. They will not be too much different though, and of course please call if you're coming through at a time we're not here and I'll do whatever I can to be here!

Monday: 10-7pm (4-7pm is Monday night knitting!)
Tues-Weds: 10-4pm (Tues morning knitting from 10-1pm)
Thursday: 10-6pm
Fri-Sat: 10-4pm (Friday morning knitting from 10-1pm)
Sunday: Closed

I've waited years to witness this adorableness!

2009-02-16T10:45:00.000-08:00

One warm morning last week, my husband Keith woke me up with a start by exclaiming "There's a lamb out there!" He had a puzzled tone and my first thought was one of our 2008 lambs (Betsy, Tacy or Martin) had escaped and was frolicking about the yard! I soon realized that he meant a brand new lamb and my next worry was that since the ewes we had purchased over the winter were not due until April it was a stillborn and we would have a sad morning ahead of us. Still half asleep I quickly dressed and ran out the door to the barn with a towel from my own birthing equipment stash. The lamb was not at all premature, and was in fact quite dry and lively as we caught him and brought him and his mother (who we have nicknamed Llama due to her size and stature) inside away from the chilly wind. He seemed quite used to nursing and had no trouble finding her teats, even through all her wooly coat, which since they were not due until April had not been sheared yet!

The next morning Keith went to work, without any more lambs to find. This morning it would be my turn! Just as I was leaving I checked on the lamb, and as an after thought decided to leave through the other door in the barn so I could count the ewes outside eating hay. The wind was much stronger and colder this morning and as I turned the corner I saw not only the 2 brown ewes and "24" the large white ewe, but a brand new pure white form on the ground! She had just been born maybe a minute earlier and her mother was just beginning to lick her off. Unfortunately I could not leave her where she had dropped because of the cold, she was chilled and must be inside with a heat lamp in an order to survive, ah February lambing! After a few frantic phone calls to Keith and my mother who would need to open the shop that morning. I ran and got the same towel as the morning before and toweled her off and watched her closely for signs of hypothermia as I waited for Keith to arrive and help me set up yet another lambing pen!

Both lambs are now just a few days old and are quite strong and lively! There is truly nothing better than watching a young lamb frisk and leap about! Last night when we checked them for the last time before going to bed we witnessed something I have seen in pictures and have ALWAYS wanted to see first hand. Leo (the first lamb) was warm and nestled in warm wooly fleece right on top of his mother! Thankfully they both were content enough and too cozy to move while I took a few pictures!

Wool coming in, wool going out!

2009-02-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

Its exciting around here, we have lots of new wool from fiber artist Georgia Mommaert from Quail Hill Carding in, including a couple NEW colors! Plus we had a large shipment of undyed sock yarn come in that is as I type beginning to be dyed into many exciting and beautiful shades! I also did some pre-baby nesting down in the basement and have cleared out almost all of our stashed raw fleeces and have them "staged" to be sent to Stonehedge Fiber Mill in MI! We will hopefully recieve boxes of beautiful roving back in time to get some dyed up before this little baby arrives! It that is not the case, do not fear, I will find a way to get it dyed as soon as I'm back in the shop! I promise!

When Pampers just won't cut it for a knitter...

2009-01-27T12:28:00.000-08:00

So as March draws closer, and "nesting" becomes more pronounced, of course wool diaper covers and soakers are moved to the top of the list to finish. I have been busy knitting up and felting and then knitting up more with different techniques (i.e. incorporating short rows!) these little wool diaper covers! Of course, without having a baby here to try these out on I'm needing to just assume that the measurements I can find for regular Bummis covers etc, give an accurate range of sizes. We'll see...

Unfortunately while designing felted items there is quite a bit more work needed since felted items can't be reversed! I am hoping to have 3-4 sizes soon from newborn to 30-40lbs. The new born version shown above does not incorporate the short rows, and may once I see tonight how the small and medium turn out with the short rows on the leg opening (more may need to be incorporated in the actual diaper itself for more holding room... I hear everything just gets bigger and messier the larger the diaper and baby and more room is needed...

2009-01-15T11:36:00.000-08:00

Aren't these adorable? Baby projects are incredibly fun, because they're nearly instant gratification! These are some booties that are featured as our free project in our January Newsletter. Made from Berroco Ultra Alpaca, they will be sure to keep tiny toes toasty!

New hours!

2008-12-04T15:33:00.001-08:00

I would like to announce that starting Sunday, December 13th Ewetopia will be open from 12-4pm on Sundays through Christmas! From what I have heard, other shops in town will also be open during these hours!

Shop news and pattern musings

2008-12-04T15:20:00.001-08:00

Well, it seems that the closer it gets to the Holidays the less time I have to devote to the blog, I will try and be a better blogger from now on! The shop has been a flurry of activity getting ready for the Holidays and the cold Wisconsin winter! Yarn is coming in regularly to re-stock for winter projects! In fact, a big box from Noro just came today full of Silk Garden and Kureyon and i'm having a hard time keeping to my already started mittens (a beautiful pattern called Turkish Rose Mittens from Green Mountain Spinnery, I'm knitting them out of a strand of Silk Garden Lite and a solid black from Berroco Cashvero).

The above pictures are 2 patterns I have recently finished! The stocking was written from popular demand for the exact pattern that I had made up for our Stocking class, using a sample of different techniques to-be-learned! The hat I have dubbed Braided Spiral Hat and was written for the Madison publication Knitcircus (which if you have not already checked out, you should!) I'm excited to see if it makes it into their winter issue! It's a fun pattern to knit up, tedious with cables and changing colors, but amazing to see the quick progress, and of course, my attention was especially kept by the next vibrant color in the Noro skein!

Friday Night Sale and Knitting Gathering!

2008-11-17T13:20:00.000-08:00

This Friday (Nov. 21st) we will be having a grand time with our needles, yarn, punch and snacks! Come join us for sales throughout the shop on everything from yarn to books, quick and easy Holiday gift ideas and of course bring your knitting or other fiber project to work on or get help with! We'll also have door prizes!
Where: Ewetopia Fiber Shop
When, Friday, Nov. 21st from 4-9pm

New yarn from Frog Tree!

2008-10-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

Meriboo is a new scrumptious yarn from Frog Tree - a blend of Merino wool and Bamboo in a DK weight, it has wonderful sheen and softness! The cardigan above is a new design that came to me after seeing how fun the brown, rosy red and bright green worked together in this yarn. I've dubbed it the Climbing Rose Baby Cardigan, it was started as a 6-12 month size, but after finishing it quickly became a 0-3 month size! ...It will be great when I have this baby and can actually correctly size children's garments! A pattern is in the works, and will be available at the shop and online at our etsy site ( http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5535031 ) as a pdf download, once I have made another few sizes! It's a fun and pattern though, complete with steeking and color work!

We're hitched! And the dress was worn!

2008-10-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

Sept. 27th was a beautiful day, although storms had dominated the radar, the weather turned out perfect! I was glad, for more reasons than a dismal wedding weather day... I did NOT want to smell like dead fish (something silk is prone to do when wet, and something I lived through during the blocking process). The dress fit well, although in full Kathryn fashion (I always alter something the day of), I did have to sew my bodice to my strapless bra (the bra was too comfortable to go through the hassle of finding a new one!) Other than this little dilemma, the dress was great, and was only snagged a few times without much drama (something else I was worried about being in a barn and a field)!

The wedding itself, while almost completely spur of the moment and not at all rehearsed was beautiful and smooth despite the before mentioned reasons. Something very memorable during the ceremony were the cows, who occasionally gave a soft "moo" or would shake their bells. The reception was a wonderful night full of dancing, good food and great company! Keith and I thank you all for your support helping to make our day as wonderful and perfect as it was. Although the days leading up to it were stressful, the day itself was so amazing that it all became worthwhile. This is why people get married, to start a new life off surrounded by love from family and friends. Thank you.

Ewetopia will be closed Saturday Sept. 27th

2008-09-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

The shop will be closed Saturday September 27th due to my wedding! I am very sorry for the inconvenience, I hope you see this before you make a trip! Be sure to check back here for pictures of the wedding dress in action!

7 days to go!

2008-09-20T13:23:00.001-07:00

Well it's now 7 days until the big day... Do I feel ready? Well no, but at least the dress is finished! Or I can pass it off as finished (it still needs a clasp for the back underskirt), can anyone say....safety pin?! I have finally finished the shrug, which I had planned all along on staying true to the pattern "Lacy Hug-Me-Tight" shrug from the book Knit 2 Together by Tracey Ullman and Mel Clark. But alas, I couldn't resist the urge to change something about it, so after starting the lacy border I decided that I did not want to attach it afterwards (this concept goes back to the skirt and how I started it over after deciding I did not want to seam lace, or purl...), instead I picked up a numerous amount of stitches and used the pattern I used for the skirt. This worked well, and I think it will match better then a whole new lace pattern.

I have also been fretting about shoes.... all summer.... So to appease my feet and to finish off this outfit I went two doors down to Center Stage and bought a very comfortable pair of light beige sandals that work out perfectly! I have a mohair/silk very airy veil started, but I'm not sure if I will finish it or decide against it. What do you all think?

Estes Vest

2008-09-20T12:50:00.000-07:00

Even before the fall issue of Interweave Knits was out I was already dreaming about this vest from a sneak preview on the wonderful "Knitting Daily" blog by Interweave Press. I even ordered yarn from Berroco with the pattern in mind. As soon as the fall issue arrived I casted on, it didn't matter that I had 15 projects waiting to be finished, this was a priority. I am now 3/4 finished with the back and am still loving the pattern, it keeps you busy, while giving you breaks during some rows, plus with the bulky yarn and US #9 needles it goes fast! I love seeing progress, especially after a project like "the dress"...

It's not only the pattern that I love, but it's also the yarn. Berroco's brand new bulky weight of their popular Ultra Alpaca called Cuzco is a soft, silky, 50% Alpaca/50% Wool in a 2-ply is perfect for this pattern. It will be warm, soft, and it shows off the cables impeccably!

I'll keep you updated on the progress of this, but if you're interested in learning cables, we'll be having a class on this project Oct. 22, 29 & Nov 5 and 12 from 6-8pm. Cables are simple, they just look really complicated ;)

I'm finally able to Dye!

2008-09-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

No matter how you put it, it sounds morbid. It is exciting though, for the past couple months I have been too nauseated with morning sickness to work with the dye pots, but now equipped with open doors and a mask I am back to work and just in the nick-o-time for the WI Sheep and Wool Festival. The past week i have been busy dyeing up everything white in the shop and even sent in a quick order for back up yarn! Think lots of beautiful dyed mohair, mountains of our special pre-balled sock yarns and much more! Yesterday was a big blues and greens day after being oddly pre-occupied with reds, purples and pinks. I am hoping after this month I will have the time to start some natural dyed sock yarns and maybe an organic worsted weight line much like our popular Bam-bino yarns.

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival

2008-08-28T12:35:00.001-07:00

One week from now Ewetopia will be it's second appearance at the WI Sheep and Wool Festival in Jefferson, WI. If you're a fiber artist or just starting out in the fiber crafts world I urge you to go to this great festival to check out the classes, vendors, animals, dog trials, and much more! While you're there check out Ewetopia's booth, we have been busy dying lots of new colors of sock yarns and much more, which may never be seen in the shop!
http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/

New Needle Felting Kits

2008-08-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

We've had people ask for needle felting kits, and yesterday when I was ordering I came across these little guys! They are adorable, even down to their egg carton packaging. Unlike other needle felting kits I have found, these are unique in that they come with a core "egg" already felted, hence the genius egg carton idea I suppose! We have sheep, bunnies and pigs coming in we hope by early September.

Living Crafts Magazine is Here!

2008-08-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

We have decided to carry Living Crafts Magazine, it is full of wonderful fiber crafts directed toward children and parents. The fall issue is very exciting indeed, with patterns for felt crowns, gnome hats, wet felted pumpkins, a beautiful lace cardigan by well-known knitting designer Annie Modesitt, and a lovely hedgehog story and hedgehog family needle felting instructions by a fiber artist who many in the waldorf community have taken classes from - Suzanne Down. There is also a great article about making buttons from branches which I am now itching to try out!

Ewetopia is now testing out some new crafting mediums, of course sticking to our love for natural fibers, we found a source for some beautiful earthy hued thick 100% wool felt fabric. This will be perfect for felted crowns, felt gnomes, and as a canvas for needle felted paintings!

SOCKS

2008-08-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

With a brighter days and crisper nights comes a new vision for Ewetopia's inventory... can i say socks and sweaters? The UPS, Fed-Ex and DHL deliverers think I'm crazy, how can a box of yarn be so heavy? Because we have so much gorgeous new yarn coming in that they are stuffed to their limit and are often tearing at the edges! Soxx Appeal, Berroco Sox, Kureyon Sock yarn, Silk Garden Sock yarn, Louet Gems in Fingering weight and Sport weight, Ultra Alpaca Fine and others that are still arriving daily will soon grace our new sock corner, which is already showing signs of needing more space! With the WI Sheep and Wool Festival approaching quickly (Sept. 5-7) the dye pots are going constantly and we hope to get in some large cones soon to create a special self striping yarn!

2008-07-03T11:44:00.001-07:00

This has been a yarn I have had on order for 7 months now, a tell-tale sign that it is a yarn in high demand. I finally got the call that it was in and being shipped to Viroqua. Are you ready? This will go quickly! A blend of wool and nylon, a revolutionary strong single ply washable sock yarn, in a skein large enough for a pair! Of course it also has the amazing Noro striping effect just like its sister the regular Noro Kureyon.

Audrey and June the Shepherdesses

2008-06-18T16:27:00.001-07:00

My newest creations! Making little people has been so much fun and the creative urge seems much stronger with small projects! Check Audrey out on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12677287

My childhood fascination with knitting designer Jan Messent has finally paid off, while i still cannot figure out the patterns, i have figured out a design to knit them in one piece!

Betsy and Tacy

2008-06-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

“It was difficult, later, to think of a time when Betsy and Tacy had not been friends.” Have you ever read the Betsy-Tacy books by Maude Hart Lovelace? I grew up LIVING these books with my friend Amanda (I was Betsy and she was Tacy, if you must know). So, when Bounce had a ewe lamb and Twinkle also had a ewe lamb the next day, they of course had to be Betsy and Tacy! (the top picture is Betsy and the bottom is Tacy). Both are very lively little babes, so much that poor little Tacy has sprained her leg quite badly and is still hobbling about 5 days later, she is getting much better though and is still able to leap and frisk about!

Meet Martin

2008-06-02T08:51:00.001-07:00

The first of the 2008 lambs! He was born May 31st and has probably been the easiest lamb in the world. His mom (Magnolia - you may have seen her picture in the shop as "Our Founder") is a terrific first mom and had already nursed him and cleaned him off by the time I came down to the barn in the morning. He's strong, quiet, inquisitive and has the most beautiful face of any lamb we've had. Martin is a Border Leicester/ Merino cross and will live his life as a wether producing scrumptious wool in exchange for his care :) We're hoping the rest of the lambs are this easy this year... and keeping our fingers crossed for ewe lambs!

Dress update - IT'S ALMOST DONE!

2008-05-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

It's off the needles and onto the mannequin! The full picture is pre-blocking and the first picture is a detail of the picot bind off that i quite like. Thank you Elann.com Unfortunately as expected the dress grew in length after blocking and is now almost floor length, not quite the ankle length i was hoping for. I think i will investigate a hoop skirt at Bonnie's Bridal Center to see how that works with the crinoline over it and then the underskirt and lace over skirt (whew, glad its in September!). The idea is for it to be organic and not too wide, but make the heavy silk widen and allow the crinoline to do what its supposed to... give it some body for dancing! Which brings me to my next design decision. To make this outfit more fit for dancing than museum material, I'm planning to put the skirt on a drawstring so it can have just a bit of gathering, and will be removable for the dancing later that night, I just won't be able to think about anything else if I'm worried about snagging it! My friend said then next that that I looked lost without it always as a back up. After thinking about it, I am a bit lost I must admit, but i can now finish up the shrug and look at other aspects of the wedding planning... and designing... maybe flower crowns made from delicate felted i-cords and flowers? A veil? We will see what happens next and of course I'll keep you updated!

The perfect summer shawlette

2008-05-27T08:10:00.001-07:00

Meet Jessica - one of our most dedicated customers and loyal knitting loiterer showing off her beautiful first lace project, the Clementine Shawlette, by Michele Rose Orne, Interweave Knits, Spring 2007 issue. Jessica knitted this out of the versatile Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy a Hemp/Cotton/Modal blend.

Seductive Shrug

2008-05-20T11:24:00.001-07:00

Dress up any outfit with this sexy lace shrug, which is actually incredibly simple and knits up super fast! For those lace fanatics we have the pattern here as a free pattern with the purchase of Berroco Seduce (our 20% off featured yarn now until 5/31/08), but for those who would like to learn about lace, but are too afraid to try alone, we will be having a class making this shrug on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30pm on 5/28, 6/4 & 6/11
Please call to register

New hours

2008-05-19T06:26:00.001-07:00

With beautiful summer weather, comes a strong urge to be outdoors! Thus, Ewetopia will now be closed on Sundays. However, we will be open now on Saturday 9-5pm (instead of 9-4pm). Of course, if at all possible, I can be open by appointment on Sundays, and sometimes (especially rainy ones) you may see the open sign out there, because, I may find I can't stay away from here even for a day! May the fiber be with you.

Do your kids want to needle felt?

2008-05-07T12:57:00.001-07:00

Needle felted Mermaid/Merman class for kids ages 7 and up! Parents are welcome and encouraged to come and help especially with the young-uns! This class will be taught by Jen Breitbach who is a needle felted mermaid expert! It will be held here at Ewetopia May 17th from 10-11:30am. Please call 637-3443 to register!

E-Newsletter

2008-05-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring Everyone! Even after last night's storm the weather is still warm (relatively) and inspirational, a definite sign of spring! Yesterday I sent out Ewetopia's very first e-newsletter, I hope to make it a monthly ordeal with coupons, free patterns and other shop news! If you have not received it yet and would like to, feel free to e-mail me so i can put you on the list (and send a current issue!) info@ewetopiafibershop.com

In other parts of the shop... as you can see I am still working on the wedding dress, but only a few more inches to go! The bodice has been blocked and all the odd curvature in it that was not expected has been straightened out nicely! I would like to send a warm thank you to the Stitch n Bitchers from Madison who made the long drive from Madison (driving that drive on a weekly basis i should know!) on Monday for our knitting group! PLUS many wonderful pictures were taken like the one above, THANK YOU! I would like to remind everyone that all are welcome to our Monday night group and our BRAND NEW Tuesday morning group for those die hard knitters who want to come to both, or for those who simply can't make it at night!
May the Fiber be with You!

Class announcement!

2008-04-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Aren't these adorable? Have you ever wanted to learn needle felting? These would be a great introduction into the versatile art of needle felting! These classes are taught by Danita Doerre from Stoddard, WI who works with wool, but also the less commonly used alpaca and llama fiber!

Chickens! June 18th 6:30-8:30pm $25
Llama/Alpaca July 8th 6:30-8:30pm $25

Thoughts on a bright and beautiful day

2008-04-29T12:42:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air, even though it snowed yesterday. Yesterday I felt terrible, today is a very productive and inspiring day! It is quite amazing to me how the weather can affect one's health and outlook! The grass is getting greener and the sun is getting stronger, Kickapoo-gians are starting to come out of doors and believe again that there are other colors other than white, gray, and brown! Plants are on everyones mind, knitting has been put to the back burner for some, although not here at Ewetopia, we are playing with brighter colors, and silkier and cooler yarns now, but are still hard at work to keep you inspired! But in an effort to cater to those knitters who do put their knitting aside during the summer and pick up trowels and hoes, we are proposing this: To work with my mom's business Read's Creek Nursery ( http://www.readscreeknursery.com ) and bring ample greenery to Viroqua's Main Street we will be selling beautiful herbs and select annuals as well as our wonderful nature inspired yarns. To us, knitters and gardeners go hand in hand and thus, why not have a one stop shop?!

What do you all think? I would love some feedback on this idea.

Beautiful new FEATURED yarn!

2008-04-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

FEATURED YARN! 20% off until May 31st!
In the mood to knit something summery? Seduce from Berroco just came in and IT IS LOVELY! Even better than i could've imagined! It is a wonderful rayon blend that is shiny, slippery, and nubbley, a perfect array of textures for summer wearing! I can see a sexy tank top, or elegant wrap in this yarns future here in the shop... Maybe for our up-coming summer shrug class (May 28, June 4 & 11 - 6:30-8:30pm)! We have in stock a beautiful lime green, grape purple, turquoise, black and my favorite, a taupe and turquoise blend!

This yarn also comes with wonderful pattern support from Berroco, such as the beautiful projects shown above!

Shearing day!

2008-04-11T10:44:00.001-07:00

They were very woolly little beasts, now they're much more deer like and although the weather is not cooperating, seem warm enough! I just need to keep reminding myself that other sheep are sheared much earlier in the year! Anyways, we have 10 beautiful fleeces, well 9 beautiful fleeces, UFO's fleece will most likely be used for weed barrier due to her traumatic lambing last spring and her amazing recovery. Bastien (Merino/Border Leicester yearling) has the most incredible fleece, the crimp of merino and the length and color of his sire (a Border Leicester). I'm already in the process of washing it so i can start yet another major project... a pea coat for next winter! The shop is over run with raw fleeces needing attention! Spring is so exciting!

The February Sweater!

2008-04-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

A sweater from Elizabeth Zimmerman's book "The Knitters Almanac" knitted by my mom! Isn't this just adorable? She used Silky Wool from Elsebeth Lavold, which came out perfectly soft and stretchy! This is for the new little addition to my aunt's family in June and i'm sure will become a family heirloom!

Wedding Dress update!

2008-04-01T16:01:00.001-07:00

Update: Well i'm thinking of going 5 more inches and then starting the border! The finish line is in sight! I don't want the knitted lace to be too close to the ground since it will be an outdoor wedding... in a hay field! I'm pretty proud of myself for doing 1.5" yesterday! Its getting there!
Also, i had a very exciting interview with a woman who writes for a CA wedding guide website called herecomestheguide.com a while ago, and a couple days ago my dress was posted as a blog post on their website! Here is a link to the blog post! Very exciting!

http://www.herecomestheguide.com/blog/detail/personal-expression/

New Fair Trade yarns from Frog Tree

2008-04-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Just arrived! An exquisite sport weight 85% Pima Cotton, 15% Silk blend, with 155 yds! Frog Tree! This is a great yarn from a wonderful company who sources their yarn from South American cooperatives who are given fair prices for their products! From Frog Tree we also have some really cool hand painted ceramic buttons!

Spring!

2008-04-01T12:55:00.001-07:00

Look at these little woolly beasts! This will be there first shearing and they will all have such different but wonderful fiber! Our 4 2007 lambs are Merino/Border Leicester crosses and are all a rich chocolate color like our BL ram Esau. Bastien (the one looking at the camera) is humongous and appears to have the best fleece, i can't wait to work with it! Spring is definitely in the air!

Spring Scheming

2008-03-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

So as spring draws nearer and nearer, even the short lasted blizzard on Easter can't stop the scheming that seems to come from nothingness. Last spring it was how do i start a yarn shop, this year it is how to start a Ewetopian line of yarn! My goal is to have a line of yarn that is spun from blended fibers (not dip dyed, but dyed before spinning) to give a more subtle color effect. You may remember the beautiful blue sweater knitted by Carol Hanson, which graced our back wall all summer, this is the kind of yarn i would like to produce (of course without the handspun price!) Is this possible? Can i have this yarn ready for the WI Spin-In show and the WI Sheep and Wool Festival? I believe so :) As i write I have cauldrons of wool in greens and purples simmering away down in the basement!

My plan is to have my blends carded by Georgia at Quail Hill Carding because of her expertise in the area of carding beautiful clouds, then to send it off to be spun somewhere! My future goal is to have a processing mill right here at the shop and source from local shepherds in the area to create an eco-friendly yarn that is unique and local!

Fair Isle Project

2008-03-12T11:14:00.001-07:00

Of course, a lovely Dale baby sweater would be the perfect project! Not too huge . . . easier to finish . . . This beautiful child's ski sweater was knit by Gloria Fetty.

But also consider something adult sized - there's lots of great color information in Kristin Nicholas' new book, Kristin Knits. Look to Meg Swansen's Knitting for further inspiration. And of course, there are plenty of gorgeous Dale of Norway Adult patterns. Frankly, at this point, I can't choose from all the great patterns! I better decide soon - it's almost time for the knit-along!

Flutter Sleeve Cardigan

2008-03-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air! And with that glimpse of spring... more of a feeling really, something the weather just can't take away from us, comes a new inspiration for knitting. Away with the wool and on with the HEMP! This is a new yarn that just came in from Elsebeth Lavold called Hempathy. In a great range of spring and summer colors this yarn is soft and drapey, which is the perfect fit for your new summer top! The spring issue of Interweave Knits is full of great summer tops, but this one named Flutter Sleeve cardigan caught my eye right away, and even though my gauge is off by one stitch per inch i decided to go ahead anyway with the fun new Hempathy yarn in a wonderful celery green! I decided since my gauge was too loose on #7's that i would knit the next larger size and use a #5 needle. My gauge is now 6sts per inch (it is supposed to be 5sts per inch), but my fabric is just the right weight, not to loose and not too tight! This also knits up super fast, the back is almost complete and i just started 3 days ago! woohoo! I can't wait to wear this around the shop over tank tops all summer long!

Progress!

2008-02-26T14:44:00.001-08:00

If i keep doing 1 inch per week it will only take about 5 more months! The bodice is finished i just need to block it. Whew. Its great to see progress!

Sweater Yarn Sale!

2008-02-20T10:53:00.000-08:00

Have you been dreaming about knitting a sweater? Well here is your chance to do it on a budget! Buy enough of one yarn (not including different colors!) for an adult sweater and get your yarn 20% off! Are you daunted by a fair isle or norwegian sweater, but always lusted over them? Join our FREE knit along class March 29, April 12, 26, May 10, 24 and June 7 from 1-4 (times may change as spring progresses!). This class is a new concept here at Ewetopia, designed to be a knit along, so knitted can work on this major project with a group for support, advice and friendship! Fun! Each session we will have an expert in to give advice and help solve problems, and during some session there will be a technique taught more formally, such as: steeking, stranded knitting, reading charts and finishing techniques! This is a completely free class if your yarn is purchased here at the shop! Just think, by the end you will be on your way to finishing or wearing your very own Norwegian sweater!