Artist Or Craftsman?

As a fiber person who sells handspun in addition to handdyed, I have quit using the term 'Art Yarn' and prefer the term 'Handspun'. It was not something I took lightly in making the conscious decision to quit using the term. Basically it was with quite a bit of soul searching that I came to the conclusion....  I don't want to be known as a fiber artist.  Because, I simply am not. 

What I am is a damn fine spinner and dyer with an excellent sense of color who can create a plethora of awesomely textured or sublimely smooth handspun yarns for my customers who make my pretties into gorgeous wearable/useable works of art. Seeing the beauty my customers make is why I do this!  It fills me with joy and pride in knowing my hands created something that enabled them to bring their beautiful ideas, garments, and creations to life!

I don't want to be an artist. I want to be and feel that I am a craftsman (or woman).  I work everyday to perfect my craft and share it with the world or at the very least those who can truly appreciate the work put into it. 

Yep. I'm definitely a Craftsman. 

Handspun love

Have gotten a little tired lately hearing people say that art yarn isn't good or useful for knitting. What is a girl to do?  Knit a fun art yarn shawl of course!  Here is a sneak peek before the ends are woven in. 

A bulky cashgora corespun yarn plied with a polyester sequined thread. Oh, and it is a rainbow gradient yarn:). Thinking it should be another shawl!

Really into bulky lately!

Fred helped me pick a batt to spin the other day. Basically if chunk- muffin touches/loves on  the wool I can't sell it. Like to keep the fibers kitty free for allergy sufferers:)

Applebutter was jonesing for more horsey treats the other day. Looking forward to when the cold weather goes away! 

Digitabulum Fingerless Mittens

It has been quite some time since I posted and thought it would be a good idea to start out the new year with a free pattern!  Hope you enjoy it!!

Digitabulum

A Free pattern by Stephanie Stratton of LunabudKnits

Yarns:
1 skein Silky Flamme by Elsebeth Lavold. 
1 small 20 yard skein of Handspun yarn with approximately 6 wraps per inch or WPI which is the same as the Silky Flamme used.

Needles:
US 10 DPNS

Notions:
Darning needle, scrap yarn and stitch marker to mark beginning of rounds.

*NOTES* If you do not want to use handspun, there should be enough yardage to the Silky Flamme to knit both pair of gloves.

Wrist
Using the Longtail method, cast on 21 stitches using handspun yarn. Rounds 1-11: K2 p1 ribbing for 11 rounds 

Rounds 12-13: Change to commercial yarn and do 2 rounds of k2p1 ribbing. 

Rounds 14-16: Knit all.

Thumb Gusset
Round 1. K1 m1 to last stitch m1 k1. 

Round 2. K all 

Repeat 1 & 2 until there are 31 total stitches. 

K 7 rounds. 

Knit to the last 4 stitches and slip them onto waste yarn. Slip the first 4 of the next round to the waste yarn as well.

Fingerless Fingers 

Re-join in the round. 

Rounds 1-5: Knit all. 

Round 6: K2 p1 to the last 2 stitches and purl 2 together. (21 stitches) Rounds 7-12: Switch to handspun. K2 P1 ribbing on every round. 
Bind Off.

Thumb 

Pick up the 8 stitches held on waste yarn. In the corner pick up two stitches of the previous row and knit them tog. There should be 9 stitches. 

Rounds 1-5: K2,p1 ribbing. 

Bind Off all.

A Free pattern by Stephanie Stratton of LunabudKnits

Copyright 2012 Stephanie Stratton.  May not be sold, but can be freely givenJ

Fingers crossed, Here is the PDF!

Southern Indiana FiberArts Festival SIFAF

It has come and gone, one of my favorite fall festivals of the year, Southern Indiana FiberArts Festival in Corydon, IN.  While, definitely not the largest festival I vend at, it is one of those charming festivals where you can talk to and get to know your customers as well as fellow vendors.

The town of Corydon is a charming little bedroom community and has a rich history as Indiana's first state capital.  Every year, I book a room at the Kintner House  which is within walking distance from the fair grounds.  Breakfast is served piping hot from the oven at specific times and all occupants sit at the huge dining room table.  Makes for great conversation where you meet many new people and share snippets of your life.

My booth set up this year for 2012

Dinner at 'The Real Enchilada #2'

On the drive to set up on Thursday.

Beautiful fall colors of Indiana in October

A stack of batts at the festival

My handspun yarns

This is my favorite batt from my mad carding sessions during the festival.

My huge score from Pam of Rooster Run Farm!

The little bag that kept on giving.

During the Ravellenic games, I knit and felted this little bag.  It was one of those quick and easy little projects that made up for some lovely mindless knitting as I watched the Olympics.  (Looks over should as she really is not sure that it is OK to reference knitting and the Olympics in the same paragraph or post for that matter!)      

A bit later this summer, I thought it would be nice to line the little bag and put a zipper in it.  Well, to be honest those thoughts came after I thought......  Hmmmm wouldn't it be nice to embroider a couple of little flowers on the bag.  

The stitching was done with embroidery thread, handspun yarns and several all wool fingering weight yarns.  Have to say it was a very fun and enjoyable little project that kept on giving even when I thought it was finished:)

A few months ago, several skeins of yarn were returned to the shop.  The lady was a smoker and the skeins reeked to high heaven of smoke.  I definitely could not resell them smelling like that, so instead, I took them home and let them air out for a month or more.  Even though they no longer were stinky-smokey, I still couldn't sell them to an unsuspecting customers.  Instead, I am knitting up a little entrelac scarf to use as a shop sample.  While initially I was not very thrilled with the return of smokey yarn, I have to say knitting this little scarf more than makes up for it!

Remember these from a few posts back?  As you can see below, they have spun up into some lovely lace weight yarn.  I have a few chunks of the turquoise bits left to do and then the little pile will be complete and I can find a project for them.

All of the little bits of lace weight in a pile.  Each one was spun on my Bosworth Spindle from the Shipwreck batch of handcrafted spindles.

Tour de Fleece 2012

The fun has come and gone from the Tour de Fleece... sigh... I miss it so.  In the event, you do not know what the 'Tour de Fleece' is, it is a group of fabulous crafty people on Ravelry who spin yarn during the Tour de France.  There are prizes, fabulous ideas and fantastically crafty and speedy spinners who share their yarns with everyone.  I find it to be very inspirational.  Had a fun time this year on team 'Breakaway' which is the hot spot for art yarns.  With out further ado, here are my yarns.....

One of my favorite yarns from the tour.  It is also one of the last yarns I spun.

This one is from a batt I traded for from Cobblestone Creek Farm.  LOVE IT!


From my Wicked batt



Sometimes my favorite yarns come from batts that are often overlooked at festival.  This batt hung out in my booth for the entirety of the 2011 Festival seasons.  So glad no one bought as I truly loved spinning it and adore how it turned out:)


The very last of my hand painted combed top was finished during the Tour.


Also spun up a quick little sample of my cloud for the shop during the tour:)  I also did a bit of spinning on my Bosworth spindle which I didn't finish in time for the tour to finish, but will post a picture of it soon!  All in all, I had an absolute blast as always for this years tour de fleece.  My only regret is that we have to wait for next year for the camaraderie to begin again!

Mid-Ohio Fiber Fair

The week end of August 20-21 found the LunabudKnits booth at the Mid-Ohio Fiber Fair in Newark Ohio.  The setting was absolutely wonderful.  All of the vendors were indoors in the Reese Center on OSU's/Central Ohio Tech Campus; completely air conditioned and out of the rain!

It just wouldn't be right if our fun little handpainted Louet S17 wasn't there to say hello to everyone:)  Of course it is cushioned with a few of the art batts!

For a first year festival, there were a ton of great vendors there as well as a very good little crowd.  I had a ton of fun getting to know the customers, other vendors and playing with the Strauch Mad Batt'r as a demonstration.

It was pure joy to meet the gals from the Ohio Natural Fiber Network.  I especially had fun with the girls from That'll do Farm picking out colors, fibers and things that glitter for their first go round of art batts!  What fun!!

The tidy side of my booth.

The messy side of the booth.  One would think by now, I would have learned to hide my hot pink bins BEFORE taking the picture!

Spun and knit sample of the Baby Camel and Merino blend.

Handspun yarns.

A few of the new hand dyed colorways from left to right:  Acerbitas(dark reds), Orsus (blues and purples), Chronos(browns/grey), Thanatos(purple/black), Euryale(gold, blues, browns, touches of green, etc)

2011 Tour de Fleece - Project #5

Like project #4, I think project #5 will be hanging out on my counter top for a little while so that as the abbominal snow man of Bugs Bunny fame says, I can pet it & hug it & squeeze it & call it George. I don't just like to tempt; I absolutely love when I am tempted by other indy artists' creations as well. Think this one came from Chimera on Etsy. Sorry to say it took me close to a year to spin it up! 100% Merino wool, 4 ounces & 300 yards.

2011 Tour de Fleece Projects #1 & 2

This year, I am numbering my projects in order they are to be finished.  So far, my starter project is done and while the spindling of the Merino & Yak is slowly progressing, the run of Shetland/Angora 60/40 blend is in line to be the second project I finish.

Crosspatch Creations batt purchased at Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival.  Started before the Tour started, but one of my goals was to finish it during.

One of my favorite fiber blends from Vintage Fibers that was traded for during Midwest Fiber & Folk last month.  Love this stuff!!

Tour de Fleece Project #4

Here is project # 4 in the Tour de Fleece.....

Hand dyed and Kentucky grown BFL cross locks which were corespun. After dying the locks, I then slightly picked each one open and spun them as is. The result is a sinfully scrumptious bite of heaven that is face squishy goodness.

Clockwise from top left: Finished yarn, yarn on bobbin, dyed fleece & picked fleece.

Tour de Fleece Project #3

I am very much so enjoying the challenge and opportunity the Tour de Fleece gives me to be creative every day

Project #3 for Tour de Fleece on Ravelry......

Corespun Merino, Sari Silk, Firestar, eyelash, Handmade Flowers, Tulle, Fabric and a few other fun bits;) Spun thick and thin with fabulously sparkly slubs and a multitude of ribbon flowers.

Yards: 50

Weight: 82 grams 2.89 ounces

Tour de Fleece Project #2

Corespun Merino, firestar, glitz, hemp, sari silk, silk noil and mohair with fun bits of tulle, fabric, flowers, and eyelash yarn.

Yardage: 82

Weight: 82 grams / 2.9 ounces

Worsted to Aran weight yarn that was spun thick and thin with fun slubs. Plus with the add ins I don't think WPI would be accurate;)

Art Walk in Elizabethtown, KY

There are a few hand painted yarns and felted ornaments being offered by Lunabudknits at the Artwalk in downtown Elizabethtown this year. I learned about it through my friend Luna of Blueball Mountain Spindle and Needleworks who was gracious enough to let me add a few of my items to her display through the month of December:)

Hit the road at about 11 am and arrived at Luna's farm at around 1 pm. After being greeted by Bella, the very happy house pup, Luna took me out to greet the sheep, chickens and the most precious little calico kitty who thinks she is a guard dog. At this point, I realized I forgot my trusty camera so you must believe me when I say that the farm and house is absolutely wonderful!

There is a lovely little herb garden with tansies, wormwood and many other good smelling herbs off the back of the house. The wash room in the big barn is something to be jealous of indeed! With tubs for washing, pickers for picking, areas for dying, and lovely shetland fleeces bundled and ready to be washed, dyed, and picked. The big barn also houses the Shetland rams and chickens. Off to the side in a field with a little quan-hut are the beautiful ewes who were very healthy and enjoying the rays of the sun as we stopped by to admire their freshly shorn sides. And between the house and the big barn is the most pleasantly perfect little building Luna and her husband are in the process of restoring so that I can be a little wool house or craft room for Luna. The little building really has potential to be something so very special and I can barely wait to see what special use Luna has for it!

OH, I almost forgot to mention! Luna has two, not one, but two! bee hives on the hill behind the garden. Ah, the joy of fresh honey!

We went back in and waiting on the table for us was some of the best chicken salad you have ever had, compliments of Luna's hubby, Allen. After a quick bite to eat, it was on to the crafty room. Boy, oh BOY! does Luna ever have a wonderful crafty room. Full of bright and beautiful yarns, lovely trimmings and add in's as well as her extra wide drum carder. But the true center piece was the new Fancy Kitty electric drum carder! Ah, the joys of a carder you don't have to crank..... Someday, someday.......

We headed to the little shop where the fibery stuff is for the ARtwalk to do a few last minute arranging and setting up. From there, I bought a couple of bumps of roving from Luna and sat down at her traveler wheel. The first bump was spun into a single and the second was a spun single with brightly colored locks spun in. I then plied the two singles together to get a beautiful pale blue glitzy art yarn with stray locks sticking out here and there. You can see the yarn in the next 3 pictures....

The next yarn is from a batt I purchased from Luna at the Kentucky Wool Festival in Falmouth KY back in October. It is Merino carded with silk and loaded with firestar and glitz. Not too sure what I will do with it, but for now, I really enjoy just loving on it:)

Handspun Yarn

Zipped out a few handspun yarns for the shop:

That was spun from roving purchased at the KY Wool Fest from Diane's sheep. And I haven't quite decided whether to list it or not:)

Handspun and hand dyed merino with binder cord for detail. This yarn is available at: LunabudKnits

Another Handspun and Hand dyed yarn available at LunabudKnits.

Mom's Yarn

A little story behind the yarn here. See, Mom & I were at the Southern Indiana Fiber Arts Festival. She being Mom saw the cutest little felt bag. So, I sent her back out from the booth to find some fiber to be spun for her to knit into the cute little bag with trinkets tacked on. Well, she came back all excited talking about another seller who had the perfect shade of pink she wanted for her bag. I went back and haggled, well, not really. The woman hated the pink color and I asked her how much for all. We lucked into over 1 pound of pink romney for $10…lol I still keep thinking we made out like bandits on the fiber! And I’ll bet she is thinking we are the biggest suckers…lol

Anyhow, I carded up about 8 ounces of it with a bit of yellow merino, silk, red firestar and blue wool nepps. The pictures are a pictoral of how the yarn started and how it ends.

Original ball of pink with spun yarn

I don't often spin from batts in batt like form! As I am taking them off the drum carder, I use two knitting needles to roll them off the carder into drum carded Puni's similar to cotton Puni's. From here, I can either draft the puni, spin from the puni or un-roll the puni to spin from depending on my present mood:)