Holiday Break

Taking a break from posting until 2018

Merry Christmas 

& 

Happy New Year 

from 

Fremont Fiber Art Guild 

Keeping Track of Needle/Hook Size

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Not So Granny shares a simple trick she uses to remember the needle or hook size she is using for a project. 

She simply ties knots in the tail end of the yarn to note what the needle or hook size she's using  

Read more here

December Meeting

Crocheting a Hat that Fits

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Not So Granny shares a formula to make a top down crochet hat that fits.

Her formula can be found here.

Securing a Shawl

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If you like to wear shawls in a bandana style, try this tip from Not So Granny who states, "I live a pretty busy lifestyle (who doesn’t though!) which involves lots of walking near windy fens, leaning down to help/pick up after small children, getting tugged at by small children, running after small children…the list goes on and all of these things can unwind the shawl or scarf from your neck, particularly shorter one skein shawls."

She shares her tip for keeping the shawls safely secure

How to Measure Yarn

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Calculating the yardage for a project is only half of the story. Getting an accurate measurement of your stitches is a crucial, as this is the measurement that you’ll be using for all of your calculations!


Fresh Stitches blog shares tips for measuring your stitches to determine the amount of yarn needed.

Fixing a Sweater's Fit

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Kristen (Cozy Things) knit a sweater that she loved, but it was too slouchy for her to love and wear. Finally, she decided to fix the sweater or to get rid of it. (We've all been there, right?)

Kristen decided to fix the sweater and grabbed her scissors. . .  It was a scary but successful operation.

Read about her ingenious solution here

Using Hand Carders

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Interweave's free wool combing and carding eBook shows spinners how to get the most out of their fiber combs and cards and how to get beyond commercially prepared fiber by trying new methods and a variety of wool carding tools. 

The free eBook can be found here.

Measuring Tape Cheat Cards

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Sew4Home created printable Cheat Cards based on one of their most popular articles. Their article states, "If you’ve been sewing forever, and work with fractions every day, it may seem crazy to you that someone wouldn’t know how to read a measuring tape. But if you step back for a moment, and look at that tape measure (or ruler for that matter) with the eyes of a new sewer, all those little unidentified marks might seem a bit intimidating."

No doubt you or someone you know would appreciate Sew4Home's free Measuring Tape Cheat Cards. The PDF is free and can be printed on business card cardstock. 

Using Weftovers

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Weavers, do you have a basket full of small weaving scraps and hesitate to discard them? 

If so, check out the "What to do with Weftovers" post on WEBS Yarn Store blog.

Healthy Sewing

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Sewing and Quilting can be stressful to the body. Allison (Cluck Cluck Sew) provides six tips to prevent sewing-related health issues in her post Healthy Sewing.

Older Sewing Machine Care

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If your machine is older, out of warranty, you have nothing to lose by trying to make it run better yourself.

Carole (From My Carolina Home) shares how to fix an old machine making strange noises, or maintain an older machine so you can continue to get good service from it.

Older Sewing Machine Care

Who's Worthy of a Handmade Gift?

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(click image to enlarge)

From the Woolery Guy: "It’s that time of year when friends, family, and sometimes even acquaintances might start hinting that they would like (or perhaps even expect) a handmade gift under the tree. Sure, they see you spinning, weaving, hooking or knitting, and they might have some idea of all the time and effort such a request entails – but are they truly worthy of a handmade gift? We’ve created a handy flow chart to take the guesswork out of this process for you so that you can enjoy your fall and winter crafting stress-free."

A printable PDF version of the chart can be found here.

Superwash Wool

Krista McCurdy (Pigeonroof Studios) shares some insights on superwash wool and how the process has revitalized the American wool industry.

To Be or Not To Be a Hypocrite: American Superwash Wool.

Positive Ease

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Positive ease is a phrase that mystifies many knitters. Louet's post (What's a Positive Ease?) explains exactly what positive ease is, and how to choose your ideal garment size based on your personal preferences for fit.

Kitchener Stitch in the Round

Knit Purl Hunter shows how to Kitchener Stitch two ends of a tube. Her tip for reducing the hole or gap at the end is worth watching.

Knitulator Tool

The Knitulator is a free online tool that is a handy and fast way to calculate how to increase or decrease a certain number of stitches evenly throughout a row of knitting. If you’ve ever been stumped by a knitting instruction that reads something like ‘increase x number of stitches evenly throughout row’, simply plug in your starting stitch count, the number of stitches you wish to increase or decrease by, and hit the ‘knitulate’ button.

The Knitulator can be found here

Happy Thanksgiving

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Fremont Fiber Arts Guild 

wishes you and your family  

Happy Thanksgiving

p.s. Crafting Chicks shares how to create the yarn wrapped pumpkins here

Weaver's Guide to Wool Yarn

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Liz Gipson at Yarnworker gives weavers some valuable information on selecting wool for weaving. She reminds weavers that most of the yarn rules regarding looms apply to looms with shafts. Those rules may not apply to the rigid heddle weaver since this loom doesn’t put as many demands on the yarn.

She states that in general, using the simple pinch and pull test will allow a weaver to determine if yarn is strong enough for warp. Virtually any yarn can be used for weft, however, weavers still may want to consider how well it will wear over time and under the rigors of its intended use.

Liz's post, A Weaver's Guide to Wool Yarn, is a good source for rigid heddle weavers. 

Free Knitting Patterns

Looking for an alternative site for free knitting patterns?

Knitting Help  is a good source.

Check the tabs at the top of the pattern page for links to free videos (premium videos are not free), a forum, and a shop.

Faces of Merino - Part II

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An earlier post discussed why merino is the most popular type of wool for crafters.

Part II of the Faces of Merino, reveals why the merino fiber is so special.

Part I can be found here

Eight Tips to Maintain a Drumcarder

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Interweave offers eight tips to keep a drum carder like new. Protect your investment by regular maintenance.

The eight maintenance tips can be found here

Sew a Curly Hem with Fishing Line

The curly hem with fishing line is a really fun effect that adds body and bounce to your hemlines. The video shows how to recreate this technique on a sewing machine.

Sewing Thread Weight

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Leslie from The Seasoned Homemaker takes the mystery out of thread selection for machine sewing, machine embroidery, serging, and hand sewing in her post:
All About Thread Weight

Tatting Patterns

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Since Sue O. gave a demonstration on needle-tatting at the August Guild meeting, some members have purchased supplies and have started tatting.

A good source of free patterns is Mariya's Tatting.

Felting Types

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Patterns for Mini Skeins

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Mini skeins kits are currently popular, but how can they be used?

Over the Rainbow complied patterns on Ravelry in a Favorites board called "Fade" that may provide just the inspiration you need.

What Do You Call That Color?

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Over the Rainbow Yarn's post on yarn colors (solid, semi-solid, marled, heathered, etc.) gives specific information on each type of colored yarn so you can achieve the look you want for your projects.

Corrugated Ribbing

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Finding Patterns on Ravelry

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One of the best sites to find patterns online is on Ravelry, an online community of crafters. Knitters and crocheters can access free patterns as well as patterns to purchase on the site.

Don't know how to find a pattern in the extensive pattern library on Ravelry? Follow the steps provided on this Louet post.

Classes at Pingora Yarns

to Register for any of these classes

  - contact Pingora Yarns - 

Beginning Knitting Class

Have you always wanted to learn to knit, but never had the time? 

 Now is your opportunity! 

Learn the basic skills needed in knitting. 

Learn to knit, purl, cast on, and cast off.

Dawna Hopeman will guide you through this basic skill lesson 

Monday, November 6 from 3-4:30pm.  

New section of Beginning Knitting added!

Exact same class as above, but on Saturday, November 11 from 10:30-11:30. 

One Row Scarf Class

This class will help you refine your basic knit skills to create a great project 

for yourself or someone you want to help keep warm over the winter.

Learn how to read a pattern and learn the steps involved in this 

One Row Scarf class that will meet 

Monday, November 13 from 3-4:30 pm.

Learn to Knit in the Round

Knitting in the round allows one to make tubular garments, 

such as hats, mittens, socks, cowls, etc. 

 Learn the skills involved in this method and make an 

ear warmer for that special someone. 

Learn how to read and follow a pattern and knit in the round. 

This class will meet Monday, November 20 from 3-4:30 pm.

to Register for any of these classes

  - contact Pingora Yarns -

Sewing Needle Disposal

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Becky from Patchwork Posse shares how to dispose of sewing needles safely in her post: Sewing Needle Disposal.

The free printable is available on Craftsy

Stay Sharp and Sew printable

Sewing Organizers

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Karen from Sew Many Ways shares three ways to use an ordinary hardware store items to organize and contain bobbins.

Sewing Organizers

Spinning Heather & Tweed Yarn

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Jillian Moreno, editor of Knittyspin, discusses and illustrates the difference between Heather and Tweed yarn in the Knittyspin Deep Fall 2017 article: Heather or Tweed.  

Create Gradient Yarn w/o Spinning

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Yes, it's possible for non-spinners to create a gradient yarn.

Check out the tutorial on the Louet blog post: Make a Custom Gradient Yarn 

Choosing a Weaving Shuttle

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Weavers love their yarn… but it’s safe to say that (perhaps more than other fiber artists), they're absolutely in love with their equipment!

So many choices… and so many variations that seriously impact the ease with which they weave.

The Louet blog discusses the different decision points weavers run across when choosing a shuttle and why they might prefer one style over another. How to Choose a Weaving Shuttle

Show & Tell - October

Brenda H. brought a worsted weight shawl that she knit

Cinde P. told the group about the Darn Good Yarn Company club. She
showed the members the shawl she knit with the reclaimed silk she
received in one of the club packages for $14.99. Cinde also brought a cowl
that she knit from a single skein. Cinde is knitting a tabard for a granddaughter.

Jane J. explained the knit bubble stitch.

Julie W. told the members about the Stirckmich! club - four unique designs
and kits are shipped to members each year. Julie brought the projects she
received and knit in 2017. Enrollment in the club is open to the public in
early November. Check out the Facebook page or Strichmich!
 for more information.

Rachel B. modeled a sweater she knit.The pattern is free on
Ravelry: Brick by Clare Lee

Sali A. is working on Christmas gifts for her family. She's making mittens
out of felted wool sweaters and needle-felting designs in the top. Sali
also crocheted the poncho she is wearing. 

Sue O. crocheted cases for her Crohooks and Tunisian crochet hooks.
Sue showed the members a shawl she crocheted from the yarn she purchased
at the Fiber House in Sheridan, WY. Sue created the shawl using the
Virus Stitch.

Sandy W. continues to amaze everyone with her spinning. She created the
 grey/white yarn in the top left photo (called Eclipse) to knit a shawl for
her mother who was unable to visit for the eclipse in August. The yarn in the
bottom row were an experiment in core spinning. Sandy is knitting a
Brickless shawl. 

Wool Ornament

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The holiday season is quickly approaching.

If you need a quick gift for friends or family, Riley Blake Designs can help you turn bits of wool into an adorable ornament or a personalized gift tag.

Brown Sheep Yarn Company

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What’s not to love about locally sourced wool, spun and dyed at a family-owned mill, using environmentally friendly methods? 

Go behind the scenes at Brown Sheep Yarn Company with Amy Palmer in the Interweave article: American Wool from the Great Plains: Brown Sheep Yarn Company.

FYI - you can see and purchase Brown Sheep Yarn at the newly opened Pingora Yarns in Lander, WY

Faces of Wool

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Merino is most likely the first breed you think of when you think of sheep, and it’s probably the only breed non-crafters could name. Merino is also the most popular type of wool for knitters, crocheters, spinners, and crafty types of all stripes. Interweave's article explains why these sheep are so special. 

Pingora Yarns

Carrie J. (owner of Pingora Yarns)
Lander, WY
October 2017

Guild member, Carrie J. opened Pingora Yarns in Lander, WY in early October and will be hosting a Grand Opening on Saturday,  October 28, 2017 from 11 AM - 2 PM.  The shop is located at 153 North 4th Street, Lander, WY.

Carrie has stocked the store with a nice selection of natural fibers - many from the Rocky Mountain region.

large display room filled with colorful yarn

The rooms of the shop are filled with well organized displays of yarn (various weights) and knit samples.

Tags clipped to the samples give pattern information. 

bulky yarn in a wide range of colors

yarn on the wall pegs are from the Rocky Mountain region

needles and hooks in many sizes and types

notions for knitters and crocheters

The shop has good lighting and a couple of chairs to sit and knit or crochet. A good-sized classroom is also available: check Carrie's website for a calendar of events.

Plans are being made for the shop's tree to be
yarn bombed. Ask Carrie how you can be a part of
the project.