https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1485854390794-UOZKY09KLPNRDFCIQP4V/image-asset.gif blog https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2024/10/01/a-case-for-lace monthly 0.5 2024-11-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/9f27aa0e-ba56-4bf6-83b2-0abb8f35c746/Amusing+Yarns-Bowl+of+Laceweight+Yarn.jpg blog - A case for lace (weight) - Make it stand out A bowlful of scrumptious lace weight yarns--most of them from the atelier of the super-talented and wonderful Julie Asselin. She has single-handedly kept me from the pits of knitting despair these last few years. For a list of the yarns pictured above, please see footnote 5. https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2022/09/01/a-skein-by-any-other-name monthly 0.5 2022-09-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662073388332-Z7EO832AY4HR1UYMKYPP/AY_yarn-menu_220829.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - Amusing Yarns' YARN MENU Why use skeins, hanks, and balls when you can have fresh baked yarn? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662246072704-E9283O73SIJTB17V3XJ5/AY_putups_kringle_220903.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Kringle This most resembles the dictionary definition of a skein. It is a long, loose coil of yarn that is formed on a reel or swift. Usually tied at two or more points to prevent tangling. Can be manipulated into other put-up types. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069552793-A8AJZ2A24GR2R7FFDA0M/AY_putups_strauben_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Strauben The result of a kringle getting into a tangle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069545602-LJKO5FZ9WR33ZYLF0BU2/AY_putups_cinnamonsugartwist_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Cinnamon Sugar Twist This consists of a loop of yarn, roughly 1.5m in circumference, twisted on itself. It resembles its namesake the most of all the baked goods on this list. It is currently the preferred style of yarn put-up for indie dyers, small producers, and some prestige brands https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069544244-MZAUDUZKRP8ESD7A30C8/AY_putups_angel-cake_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Angel Cake (Or, just plain “Cake”) Roughly cylindrical in shape with a (usually collapsed) hole down the center left by the spindle of the winding device. This is what you get when using a hand-cranked ball winder. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069553158-C99OTJOB91VD49MSZU5C/AY_putups_timbit_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - the timbit This is the one put-up that might reasonably be called a ball. It is more or less spherical and it lacks a hole since the axis of winding shifts continuously https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069551250-IZCMGJPFJBCXAPIBMMZ3/AY_putups_donut_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Donut This put-up looks more like a slightly squashed sphere (an oblate spheroid, if you want to get technical) rather than a torus, but “donut” seems appropriate since there is a distinct hole in the center left by the winding spindle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069544239-VZ8O9Q05HZ520YCJQU3Z/AY_putups_batard-chocolatine_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Bâtard The multitudes of home bread bakers will be familiar with the oval loaf that is neither boule nor baguette but something in between. A sub-category, The Chocolatine, is the 50g version https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662070751675-J2YE8FFQB56IVSCZHAEB/AY_putups_eclair_2209011.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Éclair A narrower relative of the Bâtard. Once a very common put-up for hand-knitting yarn that is still around and possibly poised to make a comeback. Similar to Donuts and Bâtards, it is cross-wound on a collapsible spindle with specialised machinery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069545888-OWCRC2VH4UIAB3ZPJJ0F/AY_putups_cornet_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Cornet This is yarn wound firmly around a cardboard (or plastic) cone which means it can stand upright and maintain its shape. At the retail level, this put-up is generally associated with machine knitting and weaving and is less commonly marketed to hand-knitters https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069552538-QOG67I2J8JVZTW7ZNGI2/AY_putups_panettone_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Panettone The yarn is wound around a hard cardboard or plastic tube completely encasing it. By increasing core strength, these put-ups are able to maintain their upright posture and tight shape. Generally used for slippery yarns. The related Macaron is a much smaller, more rotund version, typically for fine-weight crochet thread https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069552093-JCKVBTS74W3P58NI2E7H/AY_putups_palmier_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Palmier Not a very common put-up probably because it is only suitable for yarns that aren’t likely to become tangled before sale, which is nearly none of them. Formed by folding a long-ish loop in half and holding it together with a label and a prayer. Admittedly not that similar in shape to a palmier pastry but similar in the folding of layers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069545284-M1UT99P277SKJBGBTMPM/AY_putups_churro_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Churro This is just a loose loop that is much smaller in circumference than a Kringle. It’s held together by the label(s) banded around it. An atypical put-up for knitting yarns but standard for embroidery floss https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1662069544837-0O3YQFX75QJ2YONNB5GR/AY_putups_challah_220901.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - The Challah A relatively rare put-up. Similar in shape to the Cinnamon Sugar Twist, it also starts with a long loop of yarn but appears braided thanks to a nifty chaining technique https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/a361c91c-1fcf-4f1f-9a1c-688afa0604ee/AY_Skein-quiz_sq_220902.jpg blog - A Skein by Any Other Name Would Knit as Neat - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2021/3/4/gear-shifting monthly 0.5 2022-12-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1614955240723-7J838SD952NNGF2KXIFD/AmusingYarns-Craft+store+Yarn_816.jpg blog - Gear Shifting - The oldest yarn in my stash This was the deepest of deep stash. I bought this yarn at a Michael’s (from their clearance bin) because I was a student and couldn’t afford to buy yarn at the one nice LYS I knew about in Toronto at the time. This yarn was so old that it could legally buy alcohol by the time I pulled it out of my stash. Note to self: if you are keeping yarn for more than two decades before you knit it, you did not need to buy it no matter how good the deal was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1614957341316-SNAMLENDTFXJCH54YPT1/AmusingYarns-Gezell+Coat-805.jpg blog - Gear Shifting I might possibly privately consider this one sweater a testament to my stamina when it comes to knitting and my sheer obstinacy to make something work, come hell or high water. Or rather, come knots or innumerable froggings. I’m quite astonished that the yarn survived not only the countless froggings, but the entire pandemic so far. I have been wearing this cardigan like a security blanket since it was completed just before lockdown last year. This photo was pre-pandemic (which is why there isn’t any pilling from the constant washing and wearing) and I can see now that the hanger (cool, Danish, and designed for a Viking-sized person) was not the best choice for showcasing my sweater. It definitely fits me better than it fits the hanger but only one of those two models was made to be in front of a camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1570129734171-U99GGW1H2KF54BMJSE1F/AmusingYarns-7038.jpg blog - Gear Shifting - Taming of the yarn I won’t lie, it takes some work to keep the colours in line, but it was rather satisfying being the boss of a variegated yarn for once. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1614955240657-QJ26TV7JHXGNGSKVYTGI/AmusingYarns-20190415-5901.jpg blog - Gear Shifting - DIY hand-speckled yarn Because the yarn had almost no value to me and I clearly wasn’t going to use it for anything else, I was more than willing to sacrifice it to my first (but hopefully not my last) yarn painting experiment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1614955273429-CRWPAV2GM7731NT3XNLF/AY_Magnolia_ToT.jpg blog - Gear Shifting - Thief of Time I had just enough yarn to crank out this sweater. It’s a modified version of Camilla Vad’s Magnolia sweater pattern from Laine Magazine, Issue 4. I had a whole post near completion about how I speckled the yarn without using dry pigments (and therefore, did not put my future lung health at risk) and how I modified the original pattern but I never published it because I never got around to taking decent FO photos (as you can see). And with all things that linger too long, the moment for it passed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1614957342915-AL9YWT57QYDW6O319I3I/AmusingYarns-Gezell+Coat-795.jpg blog - Gear Shifting - The Beginning of the Ends The number of ends I had to deal with because nearly half of the 18 or so balls of yarn I used were riddled with knots, was not even the worst part of making this sweater, which was a years-long saga. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1614957304640-WO6QX9AB65T85L3LD0DL/AY_facemasks-7809.jpg blog - Gear Shifting - All’s well that ends well I’m going to toot my own horn here: I slayed the details on this sweater. The smocking, the garter-ridge pocket edge, the visible raised seams (which I didn’t photograph because then I’d have to explain how I did it to curious knitters and it would have melted their brains, as it very nearly did mine in the process. It involved the intentional dropping of edge stitches all the way from top to bottom). I felt like Gandalf emerging from his battle with the Balrog by the end of it—I even had more white hair. Don’t trouble yourself about the pattern. It’s not really the same sweater now since I reworked most of it after wasting several attempts at knitting the original pattern. I sound embittered because this project and I battled it out for years. (But I won, so I ought to be more gracious about it, I know.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/9a89adf9-93a7-45d5-9d95-ba60839a240f/AmusingYarns-3575.jpg blog - Gear Shifting I love/hate variegated yarn. I love the yarn while it is in the form of a skein and I hate knitting it—all that unpleasant unpredictable pooling and general mess of colours. Then I realised that it could be made to behave with planned pooling. https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2020/3/28/unearthing-sunshine monthly 0.5 2022-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1585423917323-X032NM5KKBNFTU2DOJZT/AmusingYarns-ColeusCutting_8020.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine - Rooting a coleus cutting This is the first year I have tried overwintering tender annuals from the garden. Some people take in stray animals, I take in stray plants. I’ve become that lady whose sunniest window is surrounded for meters around by half-deformed plants in mismatched pots. But you know, I haven’t regretted it at all. It’s like preserving a bit of summer in a (or perhaps every) little corner of the house during our long, long winters here. I can’t claim to be prescient but saving these annuals means I won’t be tempted to brave a garden center this spring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1585423402849-ZDM1WO05HM8KMDTF9UAS/AmusingYarns-4587.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine - Key limes and self-striping sock yarn The socks were knit with Turtle Purl Yarns self-striping sock MCN yarn, colourway “Absinthe” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1585423535384-V7YYCIFP6ZVUOHICEOMJ/AmusingYarns-8029.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine - Coleus cuttings taking over I had no idea coleus was so easy to propagate, it’s almost easier than propagating succulents which means there are coleus plants all over the house now because I don’t have the heart to chuck plants into organic waste https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1463441100290-XZKK0SZZVSK2L8XZDRSH/LRE-2972.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine - This old, bleeding heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis from summers past https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1585422993470-PR70JZMTUGSH78N1VUJO/AmusingYarns-Yellow+books_040.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1585422748065-8LEHMHNV5EERLHHXCY80/AmusingYarns-dawn-landix-851.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine - Picot hem cuffs Double-hem cuffs on ankle socks just make sense to me. They’re tidy and somehow make the socks look like you meant to knit them short and not like you didn’t have enough yarn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1585422665417-8LHE03838Y4Y6XADE1G4/AmusingYarns-shh7998.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine - Faux quilting Bubble stitch pattern https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1585422636367-V7Z32HCPUHEEVXM46QZ5/AmusingYarns-shh7968.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine - Toasty toes Wool socks have become an essential part of my loungewear wardrobe—toasty without overheating my feet and there’s something comforting about wearing your own handmades, am I right? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1585422444465-ELYUR6Y9D6P8FX2ZKIFD/AmusingYarns-toilet2014_016.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1585424463717-KWS57BMLQTGKRNAQSXMJ/AmusingYarns-shh7977.jpg blog - Unearthing sunshine The pattern is quite appropriately entitled Socks for Hermits and Homebodies. (My project notes are here). It’s available to Dawn Henderson’s Patreon members. If you are also a patron of Dawn and you’d like to know how I worked the cuff modification, get in touch! Incidentally, Dawn has offered her independently published patterns for free on Ravelry during the pandemic for the many people who are finding themselves stuck at home and short on funds. This despite being an independent designer and a mother of four who also suddenly lost her husband earlier this year. If you knit her patterns and can afford it, consider buying her a ko-fi? https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2019/10/8/of-mice-and-levers-or-how-to-knit-a-garter-stitch-scarf-for-the-fun-of-it monthly 0.5 2022-09-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1570550628557-H0SLKV08RRCWWVDHTP2A/AmusingYarns-hithlain.jpg blog - Of mice and levers, or how to knit a garter stitch scarf for the fun of it I dubbed this project "Hithlain” —not because of any affinity I have to the elves of Lothlórien (which is none whatsoever) but because cashmere is light and soft and slightly wondrous. Cashmere mass-production is also responsible for the desertification of entire regions in Asia so that’s not cool. I think if I ever knit with cashmere again, I’ll upcycle the yarn from an old sweater. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1570552873023-K8PTZJ1NQ7NKWIYVRL5H/AmusingYarns-funinthemaking.jpg blog - Of mice and levers, or how to knit a garter stitch scarf for the fun of it You see endless, excruciatingly boring garter stitch. I see fun to be had. https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2019/1/5/more-on-makers-bingo-cards monthly 0.5 2020-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1546784827119-BYLE68REXM67ODQJZT45/2019-Maker%27s-Bingo-Card_AY_v2-1.jpg blog - More on Maker's Bingo Cards https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2019/01/02/makers-bingo monthly 0.5 2019-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1546450985268-BSF9IWL7JL5208DGKGMY/aMusingyarns_2019MakersBingoCard.jpg blog - 2019 Maker’s Bingo https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2018/12/8/slowknitting monthly 0.5 2020-11-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545016634894-HVD86UJ80EREOIUVQ3U9/AmusingYarns-Autumnal+Arboreal_yoke+detail.jpg blog - Slow knitting Pattern: Arboreal by Knit.Love.Wool. Yarn purchased from Alpaca Avenue https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545018031373-8HE2QEH0EPLFP8UY0AE8/AmusingYarns-4125.jpg blog - Slow knitting - Really a photo of my new satchel My satchel was an early Christmas present to myself. It’s handmade by the fantastic Marc Simard. He lives and works in Quebec but he travels around the continent to various shows, including the OOAK show here in Toronto. He is totally committed to producing ethical and high-quality goods and he’s just a stand-up guy in general. I’m loving this purse! It’s hard-wearing, vegetable-tanned full-grain leather, and it’s going to last a lifetime! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545018031907-5Y6KT3KJV6KGHMDN7NRB/AmusingYarns-4013.jpg blog - Slow knitting - I need to find a model https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545018034227-TST718NA9L1OWTLNRU3K/AmusingYarns-4148.jpg blog - Slow knitting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545018027071-50NA8BN91BJFWEJGX4TT/AmusingYarns-3964.jpg blog - Slow knitting - Getting ready to reknit the neckband in ribbing Slow and steady removal of the old neckband left me with live stitches from which to knit a new neckband https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545018026918-9WAD5OJNTJDLX690239N/AmusingYarns-3958.jpg blog - Slow knitting - Second sweater surgery Why it took me the entire knitting of this sweater and blocking to decide that I did not like the original neckline is beyond me. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545018154354-8EWFURJ4A7DRE6XU72VH/AmusingYarns-1791.jpg blog - Slow knitting - Before the fall How little did I suspect at this stage that I was in for weeks of frogging and reknitting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545018154341-ACXH3DQCRVXYJH8BGEA7/AmusingYarns-100559.jpg blog - Slow knitting - First sweater surgery Wherein I have to drop down to a split stitch through rows of colourwork and increases. Nail-biting stuff! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545017982805-WMZJ6YN1TLMW3XBEM5R4/AmusingYarns-1010.jpg blog - Slow knitting - Elora mini skein gradient pack Colourway: Girl of the Limberlost Indie dyer: Sweet Paprika Designs https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545017982958-N7TFERQ8HNNNS4WWO47T/AmusingYarns-0546.jpg blog - Slow knitting - Alpaca Avenue Small batch yarn produced locally by Alpaca Avenue from a sheep farm on St. Joseph Island. I love the natural grey of this yarn! https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2018/11/6/tools-day-bowls monthly 0.5 2022-08-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1542596011975-JZU6FIVBGX4LZH31QTMO/AmusingYarns-3726.jpg blog - Knitting Tools-Day: Bowls https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1542661685637-T00SAZRYJAK92LCVXIAN/AmusingYarns-787_knitting+bowl.jpg blog - Knitting Tools-Day: Bowls Working on my Arboreal sweater which has reached critical mass. And maybe not coincidentally, reading Endure by Alex Hutchinson https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2018/4/8/land-under-wave monthly 0.5 2022-10-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1523413267817-UWLY97IRIIGUQFNBPCIC/AmusingYarns-0848.jpg blog - Land under wave https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1523413265867-T9YNUCS1VHJV91IHV2FN/AmusingYarns-0666.jpg blog - Land under wave https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1523413366713-7BN2ZB1PMSPLJJ4GKRKM/AmusingYarns-0744.jpg blog - Land under wave https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1523413267645-P3RFBYHRQ134R5DEKDZA/AmusingYarns-0862.jpg blog - Land under wave https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1523413046687-IJOQ4ZZT0N0XIPBMS50Y/AmusingYarns-7210.jpg blog - Land under wave https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1523413087517-3CG8E4584ZZZI2N1PT0D/amusingyarns-9634.jpg blog - Land under wave https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1523414171563-N57LKQ2YMSTU5FLN3HFL/AmusingYarns-0899.jpg blog - Land under wave https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2018/2/27/knitting-tools-day-the-yarn-unwinder-or-why-i-will-never-knit-from-a-center-pull-ball-again monthly 0.5 2022-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1521480165899-X42O3R96VIEQG1E38ET4/AmusingYarns-Yarn+Unwinders+Orchid-119.jpg blog - Knitting Tools-Day: The Yarn Unwinder (or why I will never knit from a center-pull ball again) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1521498595750-NTR84QX8L0C69HKUNUJ3/AmusingYarns-1173.jpg blog - Knitting Tools-Day: The Yarn Unwinder (or why I will never knit from a center-pull ball again) - Yarn Unwinder made with K'nex https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1521498956922-U95SKPQ5O589CXI1A9MV/AmusingYarns-1181-2.jpg blog - Knitting Tools-Day: The Yarn Unwinder (or why I will never knit from a center-pull ball again) - Yarn Unwinder made with K'nex Being used with a 50g ball of yarn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1522119010359-MEIRGJ5HXLJ6X9DBDQB1/AmusingYarns_yarn-unwinder-2.jpg blog - Knitting Tools-Day: The Yarn Unwinder (or why I will never knit from a center-pull ball again) https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2018/3/14/mendormodifynine monthly 0.5 2021-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1521134684399-MGMIKDO1VZEZWRW6NYJU/AmusingYarns-mendormodifynine-379.jpg blog - #mendormodifynine And this is just the pile that I want to start with. The required modifications here range from simple hemming to over-dyeing to something just shy of a miracle. https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2017/5/25/not-the-heisenberg-uncertainty-principle monthly 0.5 2018-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1516494010893-LUANTELM4HORQIAZ99HQ/amusingyarns-9752.jpg blog - (Not the Heisenberg) uncertainty principle - His The yarn is Turtlepurl Yarns Striped Turtle Toes in the "Beekeeper" colourway. No pattern--just chose the sock elements I liked and started knitting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1516494004634-PQ03I712PTMJU1A0YU4O/AmusingYarns_9617.jpg blog - (Not the Heisenberg) uncertainty principle - Mine Also Turtlepurl Yarns Striped Turtle Toes. This is the "Comic Strip" colourway, which I bought two skeins of because I knew he was going to want a pair in this colourway. In truth, he likes wearing louder colours than I do. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1516499942429-2YE3AU3X5J9E7JA09T8H/amusingyarns-9726.jpg blog - (Not the Heisenberg) uncertainty principle - OTN Ancient Arts Fibre BFL 4 Ply fingering weight in the "Dalmatian" colourway. https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2017/11/21/toolsday monthly 0.5 2018-11-19 https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2016/6/10/the-yarn-stash-diet monthly 0.5 2021-03-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1485854390794-UOZKY09KLPNRDFCIQP4V/image-asset.gif blog - The yarn stash diet Beware: a yarn stash can take on a life of its own! https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2017/1/10/one-last-post-about-christmas-knitting monthly 0.5 2017-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1484090912193-1GIYR6EAXV9HKX3HBKVI/AmusingYarns-5210-2.jpg blog - One last post about Christmas knitting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1484090911930-TMV82TUTETF1NY1B3ENQ/AmusingYarns-5223.jpg blog - One last post about Christmas knitting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1484090915336-I3P2OAWUDNZMTG9L6FH9/AmusingYarns-5232.jpg blog - One last post about Christmas knitting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1484090915710-Q5VYMF1AL7DV7BUA5U40/AmusingYarns-5240.jpg blog - One last post about Christmas knitting https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2017/1/9/christmas-knitting-report-card monthly 0.5 2017-01-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1484072517917-ST3H66ISI9X9K70G3ZED/Christmas-knitting-report-card_ay.jpg blog - Christmas knitting report card https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2016/12/2/christmas-madness monthly 0.5 2016-12-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1480892561371-KIVL29VXFNAV00KOTD1B/image-asset.jpeg blog - Christmas Madness Knitting with The Gaynor Homestead's divine Rambouillet 3-ply worsted, "Home". My only hope is that I decide no one deserves a hat this nice except me. https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2016/11/30/who-edits-the-editors monthly 0.5 2016-12-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1480554482178-E9REN4ZONV0JSKULK0JC/image-asset.jpeg blog - Who edits the editors? Gotland sheep giving me stink-eye at the 2016 Woodstock Fleece Festival https://www.amusingyarns.com/blog/2016/9/12/firsts monthly 0.5 2022-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474464875544-8RR0V7D3JS311EHIO9QM/AmusingYarns_BayfieldFingering_Hollyberry.jpg blog - Firsts The Hollyberry is third from the left. This is where I blame the arena lighting because this photo does not capture the perfect orange-tinged redness of this yarn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474465019111-R8Z9KZVRQ06EEEOBF8ZI/Amusingyarns_GBFibreCo_KWFair_display.jpg blog - Firsts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474466290228-MS9J87TYZ2ZLGUO783U3/AmusingYarns-4601.jpg blog - Firsts - One of a kind buttons John Galda of A.B. Originals (based in Rockwood, ON) hand carves unique buttons from wood and other organic materials like seeds. I believe he had some really delicate hand-carved shawl pins as well, but his booth was so busy, it was hard for me to get in close enough for a proper look! The Galdas don't seem to have a website, but I first heard of them because The Peggy Sue Collection uses A.B. Originals Buttons for its fashion line. If you haven't heard of Peggy Sue, she is an amazing champion of local and ethically sourced high fashion--and her design is outstanding. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474466296230-UCSW4WEAKNJ6ZK31FXZW/AmusingYarns-4600.jpg blog - Firsts - Service Mr. Galda, one half of A.B. Originals, helping a customer sort buttons https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474466293866-7U9KJ4X8BB58F6EZSTGR/AmusingYarns-4625.jpg blog - Firsts - Oversized knitting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474466291605-I7R3MKFWE11CYR64U74M/AmusingYarns-4619.jpg blog - Firsts - Eye candy There were a fair number of dyers offering these long-gradient balls. Naming them after candy seemed à propos! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474466293860-VQFJIHFOS4PJIBQFMDN9/AmusingYarns-4620.jpg blog - Firsts - Weaving demo The KW Spinners and Weavers Guild had a table and were demonstrating the ancient art of weaving with this colourful series of place mats. The gentleman who wove this portion had wonderfully agile fingers! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474466297066-B6WYYKUC0VQ0MZB7U7F4/AmusingYarns-4599.jpg blog - Firsts - Sericin Silkworks Beautifully hand-dyed luxury yarns by Sericin Silkworks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474465205823-UAJGHJYOY176WX5H0DZV/AmusingYarns-4614.jpg blog - Firsts - "Home" 3-Ply Worsted The feel of this yarn is really wonderful. I've been knitting and frogging trying to come up with a hat pattern and this yarn can really take a beating despite its soft, squooshy hand. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474465206627-SHGW4HYRDD8J7LPKQ5PH/AmusingYarns-4613.jpg blog - Firsts - Washed fleece I'm not a spinner. Yet. But I'm sure if I do start, I now would want to start with Rambouillet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1474465207620-W6RT5NFN3TH6NHXEWCIB/AmusingYarns-4610.jpg blog - Firsts - Natural soap The Gaynor's do it all--handmade soaps, bee-keeping, sheep herding, and more https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1473859580044-Q6XD5LIFARLUBXX2DMYQ/AmusingYarns-4597.jpg blog - Firsts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1473859582365-JS8M2E9UB6I8JWJN0FL5/AmusingYarns-4590.jpg blog - Firsts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1473859583388-PGZEA4ZJ7F78LZTROJQK/AmusingYarns-4593.jpg blog - Firsts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1473859580864-FFWXWPQIHQZZCQGI3T0P/AmusingYarns-4594.jpg blog - Firsts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1473859346172-FZQN32JQIJV8C7680KE7/AmusingYarns-4579.jpg 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https://www.amusingyarns.com/printables daily 0.75 2023-01-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1586959847184-75ELXTEQKY5AFDSFZ8PG/Makers-Bingo-Card_generic.jpg Printables - AY's Generic Makers Bingo Card - Blank You set the board and the time! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1546481248338-B55B65M6UQKEY14X64K7/Amusing-Yarns%27-Christmas-knitting-report-card.jpg Printables - Christmas Knitting Report Card See how you did this past Christmas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1562960025149-7MAUHQYJ9QGFARW7MIQO/Should-I-Buy-This-Yarn_2019.jpg Printables - Should I buy this yarn? A handy flowchart for knitters and crocheters https://www.amusingyarns.com/home daily 1.0 2023-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/18d39d84-47d0-409c-a3aa-0e283ed19a18/Should-I-Buy-This-Yarn_2019_thumbnail.jpg home - Should you buy that yarn? A handy flow chart to help you with your yarn stashing resolutions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1522119010359-MEIRGJ5HXLJ6X9DBDQB1/AmusingYarns_yarn-unwinder-2.jpg home - Blog Post: Yarn Management …and why it matters (sometimes). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1570550628557-H0SLKV08RRCWWVDHTP2A/AmusingYarns-hithlain.jpg home - Blog Post: Peak Knitting Can purposeful practice turn me into a speed knitter? Will I ever knit my yarn stash down?? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1545018154354-8EWFURJ4A7DRE6XU72VH/AmusingYarns-1791.jpg home - Blog Post: sailing past sleeve island https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1586959847184-75ELXTEQKY5AFDSFZ8PG/Makers-Bingo-Card_generic.jpg home - Printables https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1455725309904-1E2RCHX3W4GJVOADP91J/Should+I+Buy+This+Yarn_01.jpg home https://www.amusingyarns.com/should-i-buy-this-yarn daily 0.75 2022-05-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56bd151a9f726664411be362/1562960025149-7MAUHQYJ9QGFARW7MIQO/Should-I-Buy-This-Yarn_2019.jpg Should I buy this yarn? - Make it stand out © Amusing Yarns 2013