Two weekends ago I snuck away by myself to enjoy the two big holiday shows on Bainbridge Island: Christmas in the Country and Bainbridge Island Studio Tours. I love going just to soak up inspiration and holiday-ness.
I discovered Lee of Shoalwater Bay and her delightful hand dyed yarns. She also made the ADORABLE knitting needle Christmas ornament. The needles are 6 inches in length, too cute. I chose pink of course.
What about this gorgeous hand dyed kid mohair! She had a pair of fingerless gloves made up with it. This is the first time I’ve purchased yarn just to own it. OK, now I get stashing yarn. Watch out. Lee doesn’t have a website yet. She does shows throughout the year and welcomes people to visit her studio.
That is such a cool ornament! Must go make…
Be careful – once the seed is planted – your yarn stash will grow!
ooo, I nearly squealed when I saw the ornament! Love it! Did you take any photos of the studios tour? And as for yarn-stashing–it’s best that you just close your eyes, plug your ears, and cross the threshold. Don’t bother fighting it, you’ll just stress yourself out needlessly. Word to the wise—-if you do begin to stash yarns, keep them in a lidded tote and toss in some cedar-wood closet fresheners to keep away the moths. Good yarn is too expensive to become moth buffet.—-happy sewing and merry xmas!-Laurie
I’m not a knitter but that ornament is so cute and the yarn looks soooo soft!
Laurie: thank you for the advice on storing yarn. I hadn’t thought about moth issues!
The ornament and yarn are divine!!!!
I’ve tried to get on your store website for 2 days now and can’t. Just wanted to let you know in case you didn’t already.
That ornament is adorable! Lee was my ‘booth neighbor’ at a show here in Port Angeles, and yes, her work is divine! And I’m not even a knitter or crocheter … yet!
That ornament is adorable!
I cannot get into knitting, and I really want to, especially when I see yarn like this. I saw a pattern for cable knit extra long fingerless gloves on Etsy that I am dying for — but I don’t think I will ever be that good. Maybe a new year’s resolution is in order!
Beth: I’m not a very good knitter either but I keep trying. The patterns confuse me to no end. I always carrying around several books when I’m working on a project because I can’t remember the special stitches.
This is a good reference website for when you need to be reminded how to do a certain stitch. They have tones of good instruction videos and they are all nicely organized!
http://www.knittinghelp.com
Youtube is also a very good resource for that kind of videos. Just type in the name of the stitch/technique, you can usually find decent instruction videos! That’s how I learned to knit a year ago! and i have made socks, hats, gloves, etc. no sweaters… yet!
Now I am learning how to sew off youtube… wish me luck. =D
ps, i am new to your blog and is totally loving it!
Such a cute idea for a homemade ornament! This would be so great for a knitter. Now that I think about it, my sister would love this. I need to find some small needles like that.
BEAUTIFUL mohair…and what an adorable idea for a tree ornament. I am a brand new knitter and am hooked! I saw another adorable knitting themed tree ornament at anthropologie. I thought it would be a fun way to commemorate the year I really “got” knitting. When I looked at the price tag…I left the ornament on Anthropologie’s tree….$28! I think this is something a little more my speed…and gosh a couple of pieces of bamboo skewers and wooden beads glued onto the ends. I wonder if I could get good points with sharpening them with a pencil sharpener and then dulling them a bit with sand paper? and a small ball of yarn I ought to be on my way.
Thank you for the inspiration here on your blog!
Warm wishes for a wonderful Christmas-y week!
I bought some of the Shoalwater Bay mohair at the Bellevue Art Festival. I’ve got two balls of a beautiful indigo with a bit of purple in it waiting in my stash. We also purchased “learn to knit kits” from her for my 2 daughters. Her things are fantastic!
Where is Lee’s studio?