Oh wow where does the time go?

Today I got started on taking pictures, but I'm not quite done yet. I'm also prepping for the upcoming craft fair at Bethel Methodist Church on Smoketown in November.  I planned on doing the one at Garfield, but the bar to entry is way too high (60USD just to get a table! That's rather high, even for a two day fair and the cost gets invariably passed onto you guys in the products when that happens.)

If you're curious as to what I've been making, you wanna talk techniques or you just wanna say hi(because you read the blog) then drop on by! You'll be glad you did, and it'll give me something fun to do aside from creating more pieces!

I've been looking at local flea markets, and I might start using them to open up my first physical shop, rather then keeping my products exclusively online. Do you think that is a good idea? I've seen and heard of individuals getting a great start at flea markets, but if you have contrary or first hand knowledge I'd love to hear it. Some locations are: Manassas, Woodbridge and Springfield.

I considered D.C. but I am not sure I would want to go such a long distance without a vehicle every day with all my products in tow...

As for a review, I will get to it next week. This week I am doing research and I want to focus on one thing at a time.

I made some cute things since we last met, so I will try to get some satisfactory imagery of them.

Hey it's almost time for school!

Well that's a great thought right? Back to learning...to friends? I purchased some awesome size 8 boye circular knitting needles on the cheap.

I'm also going to change it up. Today, instead of reviewing a yarn, I'm going to point you to a site so you can learn how to make your own afghan hook with a bit of practice. Check it out!

(if you don't wanna take the jump but still want to learn how I'll post what you need)

You're gonna need:
A saw of some sort to make a slit to work with
A whittling knife
A bit of news paper to catch the whittling if you insist on doing it indoors

This was so much fun and so easy in fact, that I went ahead and made it from a dowel that we've had in the house for a really long time that was just sitting there. :) Here's mine!:

(photograph of the afghan hook)
If you'd like to have one of them, let me know and I'll set up a contest!


Take advantage of the yarn sales going on, Mary Maxim, Michaels, JoAnne Fabrics and Yarn Cloud are offering. Walmart is also selling some yarn/hooks cheaper then normal, but they haven't advertised it. I would suggest keeping an eye out so you can get some seriously amazing savings! :D

Kinda short but worth it!

I'm doing a ton of knitting/crochet right now. :) Does any one else think that it's been a crazy hot summer this year? I do. It got me to thinking about ice cream~

cherry icecream

Chocolate softserve(om nom)


Mmm softserve. The chocolate/vanilla swirl and cherry/vanilla swirl are just two flavors I can make for you. Feel free to ask for custom flavors if you'd like me to make one for you!  If you'd like some of my icecream you can go to my zibbet page, or just at tophatter. OOorrr you can just leave a comment with your interest. :)

Happy 3/4 of the month being over!

Ohh lala~We have a winner!

Ever start making something and then realize, you're doing an older stitch! You've found something that hasn't been done in quite some time or you've made an easy peezy crochet pattern that looks great?

Well I had an afternoon like that. I was crocheting the left-overs from that sumptuous orange yarn I reviewed last month...and I made a really pretty stitch. I might go ahead and show pics of the stitch next month.

I found this amazing pompom maker...I will be asking my older brother to allow me to hit up a store that has it for less then 10.00 USD. I really could use it to make some adorable <3 shaped pompoms for girly hats and scarves! 

Unfortunately I don't have any images on things I've been up to lately(as they are all unfinished goods. Trying a new type of to see if I can streamline my process/make it faster), but I DO have a review fellas and ladies.



Review(Schulana Tamarillo #46
100% Cotton; worsted weight)

Ever use a yarn that was odd? I mean really odd, but in a good way. This yarn would be such an example. It has beautiful flecks of beige and chocolates mixed in with long stretches of heather grey. When crocheting this yarn I honestly had no idea how it would end up. When I gave it the initial tug it didn't budge. I do this with all my yarns when I am learning about a new skein's particular give...so I don't overwork/snap it by accident later on. I found it odd and continued on, crocheting it. I thought to myself 'this is going to be one of those yarns that I gotta lace peg after I'm done isn't it...?'








Well, I was wrong! And gratefully so. As I was making my amigurumi birdy(original pattern) I found out very quickly that it made a luxurious, giving cloth that could take being stretched once it was made into a pattern. I love this style of yarn, and I might go find some in a different brand.  Yarn Cloud might just have it, because they are home to alot of interesting yarns and helpful folks. :)


                                                                                                 

Softness:5/5(it's like knitting rope without all the ropeburn...and I love it)
Price:3/5(sorry guys, there's like 3 places to buy online, and two of them have very limited stock)
Color:5/5
Ease of use: 5/5(buttery as long as balled first and not used from skein)


Prize update

Gracious! It's the end of June and we have a winner! This month's winner happens to be a purchaser from the shop. Congrats Brandon P. ! He will be contacted via e-mail and I will post a photograph of the prize once it is completed. :)


Keep in mind this month is a new month. The winner of July has yet to be decided. Donating even a dollar will enter you into the raffle folks! :) All proceeds only go towards products to be reviewed( for instance, yarn, tools or objects to be given away)







                                                
                                                                                                     Okay birdy, wave bye bye!

Oh! I have more purses to showcase

Remember last month when I was supposed to put the purses up for purchase? Well...I forgot to do that. Sorry! In addition I made three more purses these past weeks! And one of them was recently purchased. :) The buyer thanked me and said quote "Its beautiful". I love getting feed back on my products, and that one made my day.

Not to mention I've been building up a cache of winter caps/summer female hats for purchase. Those will be available for purchase late July~

I will be doing a giveaway for donators every month now. If you donate 5$ this month or make a purchase in the shop,or e-mail me to purchase a specialty order, you will be entered into a raffle. At the end of the month I will pull a name from the list, and the winner will receive one custom order. You can decide what that prize is. A purse? A hat? An amigurumi plush of a panda? A bunny hood like Link in Majora's Mask? The possibilities are endless!  :)

And now, picture time!!

 Berry purple headband, crochet

 Grape purple headband

 Charcoal black crochet headband. The camera couldn't capture the intricate details on the band

Cream white Fan headband, crochet

 Knit headband, frilly and girly. If you would like me to add a flower or something to ANY of these, let me know!

Knit headband, it's smaller then the others in appearance, but sits comfortably on your head, regardless of which side you choose to wear. :)

Headband set(minus grape). There are crochet and knit ones in there...all of them are ready to be worn. If you're interested head over to my shop, or leave a comment here to buy one or buy em all! 20$ for the set and 5$ per each band


Keep in mind, I'm still reviewing some amazing yarn that I won last month. The one up this time is rather fascinating. See you in a few weeks!

Purses, Purses and Purses

Hello everyone! I finished making some wonderful purses. Once I get a few more I will start listing them in earnest. Right now I just want to get a few various purses as a stock. They will probably be first come first serve(OOAK), and probably one of a kind colors, as the yarn I currently have in stock is all vintage(I'm talking 20+ years of age)!

The moment you all have been waiting for:
Warning! Picture Bomb:

Bolero(this is the subject of today's review! My camera skills could use some work on this one...)

Purses in various forms of completion

Review(Schoppel Wolle IN Silk:worsted weight, Silk/Wool!) Image from: http://www.dull-roar.com(check em out and say thanks!)

Wow...what to say about this yarn. Well for starters it's amazingly soft and warm. Pure luxury yarn. When I first changed it from a skein to a ball, I found that it was easily twining. To wind I actually use a large plastic rubbish bin turned upside down. The wide end creates a nice spot for the yarn to sit while I handwind it. It didn't mind me winding it as other yarn brands did, and it also didn't kink up like I honestly expected it to. 

This yarn was sexy to knit with. The Schoppel Wolle IN Silk actually has an oval shape to it, which is crazy unique from what I've seen! It was smooth, gentle and made a soft hissing noise when it turned into the bolero.  It was awesome to use and a fun 3AM partner. I've even got a small ball of it left...wonder what it would like to be turned into? :) I just want to use it all up, as it's so beautiful and REAL, much like the lemon yellow yarn I told you about earlier.

Softness:5/5(plush from skein to finished product)
Price:1/5(17-30 dollars per skein! Yikes! 225yards; so buy if in your price range)
Color:5/5
Ease of use: 5/5(It's great if you love low effort yarn with a gentle feel to it, cast off and knit away)

Hey, if you're aware of my Facebook page, I'd strongly suggest getting back in touch with it. I'm doing some small trivia questions, and the winner gets a nice prize. :)
 Sweet Yarn on Facebook


If you would like to give me a tip to support the purchasing of yarn/supplies, or  you just like the blog, please feel free to tip/donate to me! :) Even a dollar helps! All goes towards the yarn fund <3

Update on the Review Status

We only have 13 spots left, so if you are interested in me reviewing your products OR giving them away to my readers, please don't wait too much longer. :) You can easily reach me at ehamiltondesign-at-gmaildotcom(please put in the appropriate dot and at sign respectively).

I am looking for:
Yarnbowls
Knitting or crochet hooks
products to make knitting and crochet easier
Yarn
Novelty Yarn or New Product
yarn ballers(electric and hand crank)
knitting instructional materials
crocheting instructional materials

If possible send two, so I can do giveaways! :) Thanks!