November 2008

Autumn is a busy season here at the farm and studio. It was great to see many of you at Rhinebeck, the Fiber Twist and The Gathering. My sheep are enjoying the last days of pasture as the grass dwindles. I love watching them fan out on the hillside against the vestiges of fall color.

Lots of news on the yarn and pattern front. At last my Vixen cardigan pattern has been redesinged by Lisa Lloyd at a finer gauge with my newest, softest-ever yarn: Cormo Silk Alpaca. Kits for Vixen in this yarn are meticulously dyed to order in a rich lovely fall palette.

My Cormo Silk Alpaca yarn is featured in the latest issue of Twist Collective - the latest innovation in on-line knitting magazines. Jadis, a sleek, simple sweater designed by Nathania Apple. You can purchase the yarn here then jump over to Twist Collective to purchase the pattern pdf.

As some of you know, my summer was busy with another major project. I am pleased to announce my first book on hand-dyeing for Wiley Publishing: Teach Yourself Visually Hand-Dyeing, will be released in Spring ’09. It was gratifying to share what I’ve learned over the past decade about working with dye, color and fiber and I am excited about the outcome.

As my 2008 show season winds down, I am honored to be attending and vending at Clara Parkes’ Knitter’s Review Retreat on November 22, where I’ll be taking a workshop with renowned knitter, Kathryn Alexander.
Looking ahead to 2009, I have just posted my winter class schedule here so you can see what’s in store.

Many of you have asked if the farm and studio is ever open for visits. In response to this request I am hosting a Holiday Open Barn and Studio event on Saturday, November 29. Please stop in to say hello to the flock. The studio will be open for holiday shopping for the spinners and knitters on your list. This is my only open farm/studio event this year. See my events page for full details.

We had our first taste of snow here on Patten hill last week, a sure sign that winter is just inches away. Time to round up the flock, knit, spin and stay warm.

Wishing you a healthy, happy autumn!

Barb