Dutch Hollow Acres » Fiber Arts AlpacaBytes : Profit from breeding quality alpaca fiber.

FAF: Lollypop Yarn for a Cause

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:40:41 +0000

Hello Fiber Arts Friday Fans!

Last spring I had helped our local humane society re-home an alpaca. While I was there they were kind enough to give me several bags of wool sheared from their sheep the weekend before. I made the promise then that I would process the wool and sell the yarn and [...]

WIP: Leftovers Scarf

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:08:16 +0000

Guess what! My SD Card on my phone randomly started working again. So knock on wood my HTC Thunderbolt has 100% survived my washing machine.

That means I now get to show you what I’m working on. Since I had left over yarn from my dreadful blanket project I decided to make a scarf out [...]

FAF: Oops

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:37:50 +0000

Hello Fiber Arts Friday followers.

So why the Oops? Well you might notice a lack of photos on today’s post. Why? Because I sent my cell phone through the washing machine. It has been thoroughly cleaned.

I let it sleep in rice overnight but it was still dripping by morning so I set the phone on a [...]

FAF: A Very Fibery Christmas

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:08:41 +0000

I think I fell into a 3 week Fiber Arts Friday void. But I’m back and boy have I been busy while I was gone.

Here’s a whole bunch of finished projects.

1. Red and Green Scarf. This was made out of our own alpaca, hand spun/dyed into a thick bulky yarn. I knit it [...]

Addi Express Tutorials

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:15:02 +0000

I purchased an Addi Express King Size from Paradise Fibers a while back and thought I’d start this page for those looking for more information or tips on how to use their Addi.

What is an Addi Express? It is a circular knitting machine much like the Innovations knitting machine. While the Innovations machine [...]

Speed Knitting iCord Using Embellish Knit

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:29:12 +0000

I’ve had time to get some video of how I make iCord. I love iCord, you can do SO much with it. But some projects I like to use it for such as ropes or rugs require a LOT of cord. As in 100′s of feed of it. I stink at knitting to begin with [...]

FAF: Baby Mat

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:56:07 +0000

Welcome back FAF fans!

This week I’ve been working on what I think will be a mat for a baby. I was going to make a blanket but this yarn is not cooperating with me and I think a nice thick soft mat would work best. When finished I could see it as a [...]

FAF: Secret Santa

admin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:46:55 +0000

Ho ho ho! FAF Fans! It’s that time of year to work up so some goodies to give away during the holidays.

Here’s what’s on my Bobbins

Bobbin #1: Lincoln long wool, mohair, angelina

Bobbin #2: 100% alpaca to be plied with bobbin #1

Smurftastic cowl with beads: This is a colorful and [...]

WIP: Thanksgiving Blend

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:47:06 +0000

I wasn’t in the mood to start any “new” projects so I decided to play with some scraps.

I have 2 scrap projects going.

1) Chaos Granny Square Patchwork Blanket. If I get left over yarn I’ve been making up little square and have been crocheting them together. Only rule, fiber used must be natural, [...]

FAF: Ear Warmer

admin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:47:26 +0000

Ok one quick question before I show you my little ear warmer.

How do you like the new website?

Tada! I finally finished the last 2 inches to my little ear warmer that will go with my fingerless gloves. I’m thinking I might dye them all purple to match the website

[...]

WIP: Yarn Everywhere!

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:44:45 +0000

Good day all.

So that little headband I was making to compliment my new hand warmers….. yeah I haven’t touched it since last Friday. I think I only have 4-5 more rows to do and yet it sits. I’m a slacker.

My second project you’ll probably never guess. But I’ll post a photo of [...]

FAF: Warm Hands New Horse

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:09:59 +0000

Well I did it. I finished my second fingerless hand warmer since Wednesday. Now both smashed up lefty and righty are toasty warm when the office AC kicks on in the middle of a snow squall.

I had some left over yarn from that ball so I decided to knit up an ear warmer [...]

WIP: Why do we have 2 hands?

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:23:57 +0000

It’s well into fall and that means my company has kicked the AC into full gear for some unknown reason. Since my hands were chilly I’ve decided to make myself a pair of fingerless mits.

So far I’ve finished this one. Check out my lovely bruised knuckles. I crushed them in some cattle panels over [...]

WIP: Baby Blanket 2

admin — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:00:56 +0000

I’ve been able to spend some time playing with my new toy the Addi Express King Size.

I’ve made many hats on it but I’m tackling my first panel project. It turns out panels are a lot more tricky for a few reasons.

When turning to reverse directions the stitches like to slip. The [...]

Fiber Arts Friday: Economy

admin — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:19:16 +0000

Hey Fibery Fans!

So economy wise everything went to hell back in 2008-ish but this is the first year I’m actually feeling it. When things crashed people cut back and shopped locally and vacationed locally so my business actually picked up. Last year I felt a bit of a dip but this year has [...]

FAF: Mini Skein Ornaments

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:00:54 +0000

Hello everyone! Welcome back to Fiber Arts Friday.

Today I have a little tutorial for you to make these little skein Christmas Ornaments. When complete they are about 4″ long and come with their very own hanging loop.

If you want any close ups, just click on the photos. So here we go!

Step 1: [...]

WIP: Skein Challenge and Baby Blankets

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:56:18 +0000

Well I’ve almost finished with my 8 skeins by this Friday challenge. I just have to fill up the rest of this bobbin and do one more to complete my task! Phew!

The reason for the mad rush to spin up so much yarn is because I have a vendor show at the Victor [...]

FAF: And They’re Off!

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:54:48 +0000

Happy FAF and Happy Anniversary to my hubby! Together for 10, married for 5. Little did the poor guy know in that short time we’d own a farm, raise horses and alpacas and I’d turn into a fiber nut like his mother. Shhhh I didn’t say that last part.

This weekend the weather is supposed to be [...]

WIP: EZ Blanket 5

admin — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:38:08 +0000

So I’ve finally finished my first turn in the EZ blanket after many naughty words. This knitting thing is hard! Crochet is so much easier and faster. But, I’m committed to this blanket and I’m going to finish it, someday.

T’is the season for shopping and I’ll be going to a few local Arts & [...]

FAF – Addi Express King Size

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:50:37 +0000

Hi y’all!

I got my new toy in the mail yesterday. The Addi Express King Size from Paradise Fibers. I wanted something where I could crank out some hats, scarfs and blankets to sell at shows. Folks like the stuff from Co-ops and Fiber Pools but always want items that are made from our [...]