Spinning my way through the Tour De Fleece...

Ravelry have an event - the Tour De Fleece which runs at the same time as the Tour De France, where spinners set themselves individual goals to achieve during the Tour - we spin every day of the Tour and take the official rest days.  I've given myself a challenge of spinning a sweater's worth of yarn - whether  or not I will get there I am unsure but I already have 4 skeins of yarn (400g) and we're just over a third of the way through... so maybe my target wasn't as crazy as I originally thought!

Charlisa Yarns is Launched!!

Charlisa Yarns was launched in the last week on www.etsy.com/shop/charlisayarns and we also started advertising on the Australian boards on Ravelry.  The new logo is so cute.... my very talented sister-in-law (who happens to be a graphic designer) designed it...

Yarn offerings will be updated every fortnight on a Tuesday, or weekly if the yarn proves popular.  Both yarns are 4-ply which is a great weight for socks, gloves, shawls, baby clothing etc.  100% Australian Organic Merino is a luxurious yarn, gives great variation in colours and Blue Faced Leicester, which is a fantastic hard-wearing, yet soft yarn - takes dye colours fabulously.  I hand-paint my yarns, resulting in a unique colourway, that is unrepeatable - dyed in batches of 3 to keep exclusivity of colour.

Also look out for new knitting patterns being released soon as well as a Christmas Gift Yarn club - sign-ups coming in August with a yarn colour and pattern to make a Christmas gift (for you to give or keep!) in each month of September, October and November.

As yarns are dyed in small batches if you see a colour you like, do grab it whilst you can as the colors are all limited editions.

Scarfy Thing

Its been a while!... We relocated to Australia and all of my work tools and the computer were on a sea container for a few weeks, but finally they are here, and finally 'Scarfy Thing' pattern has been launched.

Its a lovely little scarf that's designed for versatile wearing - draped over the shoulders or around the neck. It has a mesh body with a lace pattern at the end with beading.  One of the test-knitters said it reminded her of snow-capped mountain peaks.  The pattern is aimed at people wanting to make a quick but beautiful project using 4-ply yarn or hand-spun yarn (needs 60g to make the scarf).  Its available from my Etsy Store or on Ravelry

Happy Knitting!

On the Move...

There haven't been any updates from me for a little while as we're organising a move... to Australia.  Yes Charlisa Designs is relocating to the rural edge of Melbourne. Very exciting!

I have been working on 3 new patterns which were due for release early this year, however, with everything else going on, these are taking longer than expected.  The first design is being tweaked at the moment, second is in test-knit phase and will be launched as an exclusive pattern as part of a club, and the third is in the pipeline and once started on won't take too long.  Hopefully they'll all be launched before we leave New Zealand.

Once we are settled I will find a good market or 2 to attend.

New Stock...

I've just listed heaps of new stock including hand-knitted shawlettes, a beautiful hand-woven stole using Wollemeise hand-dyed fabulous yarn, felted bead necklaces and brooches.

The final shipping dates to Australia & the Rest of the World have, unfortunately just passed but there is still time for those within New Zealand to get things shipped out to them... so anyone thinking of treating a friend... or of course themselves! take a look... Charlisa Designs

Underground Xmas Markets

The Underground Markets released their 'Xmas Gift Guide' this week and it includes Zesty Scarflet both a knitted version and the knitting pattern.

The knitted version is not available on Etsy at this time - just the knitting pattern as they have been knit for stock at the Frank Kitts Market, however, there will be a small, select amount going on sale next year for non-knitters who wish to wear hand-crafted items.

We'll be back at the Frank Kitt's Market on 10th December all day so do drop in for your Xmas shopping.

Zesty Scarflet now available

Zesty Scarflet is now available for purchase on either Ravelry or etsy - it had a pre-launch yesterday at Frank Kitt's Underground Market - an art/craft market in Wellington City and almost sold out - it was very popular!  Also it got launched this morning and I have been pleased with the response.

Happy Knitting!