Sunday, February 24, 2013

Tea & Stripes Club Roundup

November '12 - French Earl Grey
The inaugural Tea & Stripes Club is well and truly over.
I had a wonderful time choosing the teas and coming up with colours.

There has been lots of activities in the group, which was super fun.
Of course the greatest thrill is seeing what people knit with my yarns, and we've had everything from socks to cowls and hats.


December '12 - Morning Dew
For those of you who missed out this time around, fear not! There will definitely be another Tea & Stripes club later in the year.

First, I'm going to focus on a new adventure though. The World Traveller yarn & goodies club is open for sign-ups right now, and it's going to be a blast!
January '13 - Cleopatra's Champagne
It's going to be variegated and tonal yarns (to give me a break from balling dozens of self-striping yarns each week!), but once that's through, the next round will be better than ever.
I've already got a few new and exciting teas lined up for you all.

What's your favourite tea? Which tea do you think would make an excellent addition to the line-up?

And which of the current crop would you like to see added to our regular Yarn vs Zombies line-up?

Friday, February 22, 2013

What's on the needles this week? Hoaloha!

This week hasn't been much for knitting.
I've been making teeeeeeeny progress on the Geodesic, and then Clue 2 of the Hoaloha came out!
So of course, I had to start that.
It's going great, but as things progress, I am thinking a lot about flattering knits.
As knitters and general makers of garments, we're in the fortunate position to make ourselves clothes that truly fit and flatter us, in whichever way we choose.

I am built rather differently from the Hoaloha designer, in that I am short and stocky, with a high, short waist.
ballet neck
The pullover design features a texture pattern that essentially hits the middle of the torso. Cutting my already short torso in half is really not a good look for me.
So I'm modifying to suit my taste and starting the texture sooner and possibly for longer.
I'm thinking of it more of an underbust corset feature, and that suits me much better.
scoop neck
I've also been trying the pullover on repeatedly, and I discovered that the neckline, such as it is now, has a lot of play in it. I actually enjoy pulling it out, kind of ballet style.
I don't know if we're adding more to the collar, but I actually enjoy the rolled finish, so I might keep it as is, regardless.

That's the power of knitting your own garments. You're in control, you make your own choices. And if the finished product doesn't please you, you can do it again!

If you're not in the mystery KAL, you are really missing out ona  treat. There are secret blog posts, special videos just for us KALers and a great community guessing and knitting along.
If Mel ever does this again, RUN to sign up!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

High Tea at Downton Tea & Yarn Club


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Welcome to Downton, where we take tea with our intrigue, and high drama calls for high tea.
Are you in love with Downton Abbey
Then this club is for you. 
Every other month, for three months, you will receive a shipment of one skein of yarn (at least 100 grams of fingering weight) and a sampler of tea inspired by or relating to the characters, setting and period of popular BBC drama Downton Abbey.
Love clubs but want some control? One month before shipments go out, we’ll send you a preview of two colourways -- one variegated, and one tonal. You’ll get to see them before making your decision about which you prefer. You’re not stuck with yarn you don’t want!
Want them both? Club members have the option of ordering extra skeins of either the tonal or the variegated yarn for as long as they are members of the club.
Want a different base? We can do that, too.
High Tea at Downton ships on the last of April, June and August with previews going up one month before.
The base yarns will include one merino/nylon blend, one luxury fibre blend and one surprise blend! All yarns are superwash and perfect for socks, shawls, accessories or baby clothes.
Sign-ups are open, but places are strictly limited.

Monday, February 18, 2013

In The Dyepots

What's in the dye pots this week?

I finally got some merino fibres back. As well as Squish, my regular superwash merino base, and Grip, my 100% Australian Corriedale, I've got Slink, 100% Tussah silk (and the softest thing I've ever touched) and a new base, a non-superwash Australian Merino top of a wonderful 18.5 micron, Squoosh. Think of it as Squish's untreated sister.

But of course it isn't just fibre that's been brewing. I've also been busy re-dyeing some variegated favourites as well as playing with more semi-solids.
Semi-solids are difficult for me to keep in stock, mainly because most people who are looking for semi-solids are looking for very specific colours, and it's impossible for me to keep a full palette in stock right now.

So if you're looking for a specific colour, make sure to let me know, and I'll dye it up for you!

I'm trying to dye a semi-solid or two each week so I can add them to my gallery, to make it easier for people to choose what they like.


There aren't going to be many self-striping yarns in the shop this week, but you never know, there might still be a few!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Why World Travel?



Why would you want to choose to travel with Yarn vs Zombies?
  1. Fun Yarns Each yarn has been selected to best showcase the colours of each destination, or to reflect something about the destination itself Our club will feature both traditional merino and merino/nylon blends as well as more exotic and luxurious fibres and yarns.
  2. Something new Each level will have at least one new, never-before-seen in the shop base!
  3. Flavour It’s not just the yarn that’s delicious! Each shipment will highlight a dish from the region you are travelling to.
  4. Exclusivity Each of our handpainted colorways will be exclusive to the club, never to be sold on our regular site. You’ve got to travel to get unique souvenirs! Plus, club members will be able to order as many extra skeins as they like for a year from the start of our world tour. Seen something the other travellers got you particularly like? You can order those, too!
  5. Souvenirs Who doesn’t love souvenirs? From little goodies inspired by your destination to free coupons, stitch markers, and patterns, there’s something for everyone. Contests and prizes. We’ll also run periodic contests and drawings that only club members can enter. Win free yarn, or other awesome gifts.
  6. Friends Get to know other club members. Hear about your fellow travellers’ stories and adventures, show off your yarn and goodies, and make new friends from all around the world!
  7. Bonus Club members are eligible for special prize drawings and other shop surprises. What are these? You’ve got to travel to find out…

    Club sign-ups are open until the 28th of February 2013. Places are strictly limited and will be assigned by lottery on the 1st of March 2013. If you are selected for a spot, payment will be due in full by March 15th.

Friday, February 15, 2013

WIPs of the Week

Geodesic swatch
I'm trying to get back into blogging, since I do miss getting updates out and talk knitting, of course!

What's been on my needles this week?
First of all, I swatched for the Geodesic cardigan in MadTosh lace in one of my favourite colours ever, Mourning Dove.
Kvosin crown & body
I've never knit with lace yarn before, and it feels wispy and ethereal and fun. I definitely need more!

Then there's the Kvosin hat, part of the Westy's Besties KAL. Colourwork up the side of the hat, how clever is that? It's knit in a variety of Wollmeise colours.

Hoaloha neck
And last, but certainly not least, I started my Hoaloha, a SinglehandedKnits mystery KAL. I'm using my own Chubby base in a new colourway I've named Coastal, because it reminds me of this picture of my mum and me at Bondi Beach in Sydney a few years back.
mum & me @ Bondi beach
I haven't knit a worsted weight garment before, and it's thick and squishy. Just what you want as the last heat waves of summer are rolling through...
I'm not sure it ever really gets cold enough for worsted-weight wool here in Melbourne, but hey, it just means I need to travel more, right?




What's on your needles this week?

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

World Traveller Yarn Club


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Sign-ups are now open! Simply fill in the form to be added to the lottery. 
Link here.
Yarn vs Zombies is taking you on a world tour to visit different destinations.
Experience a truly international club with colourways inspired by locations on different continents.
Extras will include a recipe from the region with each shipment, as well as a goodie or pattern inspired by the location or yarn colour.
There are four levels of club in two flavours.
Choose from:
  • Quick Trip Traveller (1 skein of sockweight yarn of 100 grams plus goodies every other month)
  • Long Distance Traveller (2-3 skeins of coordinating fingering weight yarn of 100 grams each plus goodies every other month)
  • Big Traveller (2 skeins of coordinating DK or worsted weight yarn of 100 grams plus goodies every other month)
  • Adventure Traveller (1-4 braids of fibre of at least 125 grams/4 oz total)
Choose from two flavours: variegated or tonal.
If you are interested in more than one club, please fill in the form once for each club of your choice.
All clubs have the option of re-ordering extra skeins of club colours (variegated and tonal) for a year after sign-ups.
Club sign-ups are open until the 28th of February 2013. Places are strictly limited and will be assigned by lottery on the 1st of March 2013. If you are selected for a spot, payment will be due in full by March 15th.
If you no longer wish to be part of the club before payment is made, please let me know asap so I can offer your spot to someone on the wait list.
So, are you ready to go travelling?

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Shop Update 12/2/13

Have you been waiting for summery yarns? 
Introducing Skinny Ginny, our firsst line of cotton yarns! Skinny Ginny is a fingering weight (we’ll bring you a DK soon, too), and up for the first time in the shop
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There’s also some stripeys!