lebyrd.com

Some changes are happening. I thought it would be a good time for an update. I just sold* my last yarn from my Esty account and my other listing have Expired. The * is because I never really sold any yarn I just traded them with a fellow etsy buddy of mine. Anyway, I will be taking some time off of Etsy. It’s kinda sad for me. When I started the etsy account I was super excited to show off my yarn and hoped that many people would love it as much as I do. and they might, I’m just learning that I need to take another approach.

There are a ton of amazing yarns in the Etsy world. How do I make mine stand out? How do I get Elly Yarn noticeable? I’m not sure yet… So I will be focusing more on this site while I come up with some ideas. I will still be making yarn. I’ve added a couple photo galleries on the side bar where you can see yarn I’ve made, Yarn I’m willing to sell, and current projects I’m working on. I’m not sure I like the current set up of it, so it may be changing soon, but nothing to big.

Speaking of new projects. I am making some recycled yarn. I’ll be honest and say I’ve attempted this twice before and made nothing but a mess. We will just call that practice though. I will finish this one, in fact I’m almost done with it. The thing I don’t like about the photo gallery I have up now is that I can’t comment on one photo. It posts the comment to the entire album and I wanted to post the steps of recycling yarn… so.

Step 1. Find a sweater. I got this sweater from Kirty (She is easily on my top ten list of amazing people). Not all sweaters will work. You have to find a sweater with the seam sewn together… not cut, then sewn together.

Step2. Take a funny picture with the sweater. This is vital part in the process.

Step 3. Cut the seams of the sweater until you have separated all pieces.

Step 4. Tear apart the sweater. I let my wheel do all the work for me this time. The last two times I have attempted this I tried to do it by hand resulting in a mess. This step must be done carefully. You don’t want a big mess of yarn. That will only result in knots and you getting frustrated and throwing the lump of yarn in a corner and not looking at it again for a long long time.

Step 5. Wash (and dye) the yarn. I haven’t gotten to the dyeing part yet.

The yarn from this sweater is a bit thin for my liking so after I dye it, I will be plying the sleeves together and the front and back together. I just have to decide on the colors. I think that maybe the hardest part. The End. Thats how I am recycling yarn. There are many tutorials online. Some with much better photo’s and directions if you’re interested. Just google it.

I’ve finished some more yarn recently…This one I’ve named Salvador. It is 85 yards of a blend of fibers. I had a dream last night that this one sold. No luck yet.

This one was named by my sweet niece, Zoe. She was hanging out with me while I was plying it and helped me unwind the yarn and keep them from tangling. I asked her what we should name it and without thinking about it she said Gaygee. I then asked how to spell Gaygee and very confidently she told me it was spelled Ba4. She is too cute. Ba4 is about 60 yards and Merino wool.

The last two I didn’t add to the Etsy account. I kinda fell in love with them and plan to make very pretty things out of them.

So, Those are my new yarns. I planned to put them up earlier, but got a bit busy with the holidays. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years. 2010… wow. Time sure seems to be flying by.

In 2010 I will:

1. Eat better foods and get more active.

2. Travel somewhere I’ve never been before. Out of the Country would be a plus.

3. I will turn 26 years old in 2010… and I will be okay about it.

4. I will master this loom I got for Christmas.

I’ve been in a spinning rut. I haven’t spun any sweet fibers in about a month, which is odd, seeing all the free time I have on my hands. That will all be changing in a week or so though. I came across some yummy fibers on etsy that I cannot wait to get my hands on. The colors look amazing. I think it will be just what I need to get out of this little rut I’m in. Karmicdelight has some really amazing fibers on her etsy site…. and some little woven swatches that make me want to buy/make a loom and learn how to weave. Very fun colors. Can’t wait!

was sweet.
I always have an amazing time when my husband and I take a road trip. There is something about spending 8+ hours in a vehicle with him that makes me love him even more. We laugh a lot. It’s the best. After about 4 hours the conversation kinda gets loopy. We start making the most unusual faces and noises. ok maybe it was mostly me, at least we were entertained.

We spent almost a week in cashiers, NC. Our first night there it snowed and was about 30 degrees. The next day it cleared up beautifully. Seeing the leaves change was a first for me. It was beautiful to see the greens in contrast with the yellows and then the oranges and reds. It was beautiful… and of course I was inspired by all of the new sights. I have some great color ideas for some new yarn and can’t wait to start them.
After NC we drove up to Virginia to celebrate with K&R as they were married. It was a beautiful wedding. Congrats K&R!

Also I picked up a book while on vaca. It’s great for beginner spinners(me). It’s Start Spinning by Maggie Casey. I’ve learned that I was plying wrong. oops. It also goes over different spinning techniques and how to prepare a fleece. I’m temped to buy one just to try it… then I think of how easy it is to just buy already cleaned and carded wool. hmm. Maybe one day.

The etsy account is finally up! woo hoo! Now I need to get spinning and get some more yarn in there. I’m also thinking about knitting a few things up and putting in there. Scarves, hats, head bands. Little things.

www.ellyyarn.etsy.com

Be sure to check it out and tell all you knitter friends about it. That is one thing I need to work on… promoting. ugh.

Also in the news, I put in my 2 week notice at my current job. I will be helping out my wonderful husband with his business. I find it hard to consider it a job and am a little freaked out by not having a “job”. I am looking forward to helping him out though. I think a bit of organization will do his company very well. I will also have a lot more free time to spin, knit and do all the fun crafties I love.

Lastly,

www.ellyyarn.etsy.com

www.ellyyarn.etsy.com

www.ellyyarn.etsy.com

www.ellyyarn.etsy.com

www.ellyyarn.etsy.com

www.ellyyarn.etsy.com

Did I mention my etsy site is up. woooo!

Yarn Update: Last week I had my amazing friend take some photo’s of all the yarn. I’m super excited to see them. As soon as I get the photo’s, the Etsy shop will be up and running. Again, I will be sure to post a link when it is ready.

This weekend I have been working on a couple things, I got my leethal quick knits club package…

This is the 2nd month I’ve received this little package and it is oh so exciting. You sign up knowing you get yarn, pattern, and goodies. What kind of yarn and what pattern, you have no idea. This month is a back to school knit set. Bookmark, pencil case, and pen/pencil grip. I think I will be converting my pencil case into a little bag for my knitting needles. Make sure you take a look at her site. She has a lot of great yarns and fun do it yourself stuff.

Now, I’m off to make myself a new bag now. I’m getting tired of digging through my over sized bag and found this site with a ton of different patterns.

Nibbler going green.

(Insert drum roll here)

This guy is 163 yards of amazing softness. Merino/Silk 70/30 blend.

This guy was inspired by a very yummy funfetti cake. 113 yards of Merino.

This was spun up on my drop spindle. It’s got a bit of twist to it and is a tougher yarn than my others. 65 yards of BFL wool.

This is my current favorite. 120 yards of Merino yarn.

This is Berry Goodness. 110 yards of Merino.

113 yards of BFL wool.

And I can’t leave out my sweet Nibs. She had to get in on the exciting photo shoot.

Please excuse the quality of the photo’s. I’m still trying to figure out this website stuff. I hope you enjoy my yarn. In the following days I plan on taking individual photo’s of each and getting a bit more organized before I open an Etsy account. I will post a link when it is all ready!