Susi Ryan and her love of magic and fairy tales is reflected in her fantastical creatures and whimsical artworks. Using the technique of needle felting, where wool is painstakingly built up and embellished, Susi creates creatures, figures and even hats with a charming personality all their own. From an impromptu purchase of a felting kit
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Getting started with dyeing yarn: lessons learned
When I first started to learn about natural dyeing, I was befuddled by a lot of vague information I found on the internet. Experiments on my own yielded very mixed results. After taking a class with Rebecca Burgess, I understood that there are tried-and-true techniques for getting consistent results. With lessons fresh in our minds,
How I learned to handspin: tools and techniques
My journey with learning to handspin yarn by hand started as many such tales do: I took a class and learned the basics of spindle spinning. It was a useful way to begin, but the potential speed and efficiency of using a spinning wheel was a big lure. Unfortunately, my first wheel and I never
4: Brocklebank Craft Brewing: Beyond pale ale
Ben Linehan, owner of Brocklebank Craft Brewing, knows what he likes: crafting easy-drinking beers with subtle flavors; brewing on a small-scale and part-time basis; keeping his beer and his community involvement engaged on a local scale. Join us for a conversation with Ben and Anne Linehan, the husband and wife team behind Brocklebank Craft Brewing
Lace sweater: technical challenge and project victory
Once upon a time, I came across Veronik Avery‘s pattern for an origami-inspired lace sweater. It’s a timeless garment with a classic texture and a modern style. After discovering I had a good yarn to use in my stash (USA – made Quince & Co.), I cast on with glee and knit away with fury.
Sleeping socks: a quick and easy hand-knit gift
Ever since I was a child we used to make at least some of our holiday gifts. One year it was aprons stamped with designs carved from potatoes. Drawings and simple beaded jewelry figured heavily over the years, as well as “coupons” – like “one free hug,” “mow the lawn,” “wash dishes,” etc. These days,
Starting a fiber arts group: tips from experience
Starting a fiber arts group is a great way to bring together folks in your community that share a common interest. So often, members of our family, or even our close friends don’t understand why we knit, crochet, hook rugs, spin yarn, or sew. Getting together with others who share our passion for the creative
Striped sweater: inspiration and design
I thought I knew what my next sweater was going to be: a semisolid version of Kate Davies’ owls (because, how could you not want a sweater with owls on it?!). And yes, I do want that sweater and I will eventually knit it. But I got sidetracked into thinking about a striped sweater for
3: Tammy White, Fiber Farmer at Wing & A Prayer Farm
Like so many farmers, Tammy White does a lot. She’s a fiber specialist, raising sheep, angora goats, alpaca and other non-fiber animals as well. She’s a teacher and facilitator, opening the farm to workshop participants and taking her classes on the road. She’s a baker, a gardener, a marketer. She’s a collaborator and co-conspirator with
Spiced Solstice Porter: A Beverage for the Holidays
The quick summary of this recipe is that it comes directly from Scott Russell. Not just his web-published 2010 Holiday Porter recipe, but he was kind enough to collect the grains at the Lebanon Brew Shop for me. I met up with him at the shop for an Oktoberfest event where I ground the grains and secured