Posts Tagged ‘Darn Good Yarn’...
Darn Good Yarners Projects!
April 18, 2010
This part of the site is simply a collection of your awesomeness! Check out all of the amazing things people just like you are doing with Darn Good Yarn!
You see, I told you dogs love Darn Good Yarn! Didn’t Laura do a fantastic job on this headband? You can get a free pattern for it by clicking here.
Wow the colors of the recycled silk sari yarn are amazing don’t you think?! Michele W is going to make a couple of these triangles and attach them to make a shawl. Yum!

Check out what Debbie made! Aren’t these colors divine?!
Check out what Fay did:
Have you checked out this awesome etsy shop yet? Feride is a Darn Good Yarn wiz! Check out a few of her awesome craftiness!
KNIT: 1/2 Ball Headband
April 16, 2010
OK give it a second… there is a video you should watch that will load right here.
This cool headband is super easy to make and it only takes a 1/2 a ball of Darn Good Yarn’s Premium Recycled Silk Yarn.
So, you can use size 5 needles and it will make a nice tight stitch.
On DPNs or circulars, CO 3 and make an i-cord for about 4 inches (or however long you want the tie tails to be and how you’re going to tie it in the back). Remember, as you break the silk in and wash it, it will stretch a little so if you’re not sure, go shorter.
After you have the first side of the tie done, you’ll start some very simple increases by making one at the first stitch and last stitch of the row for every row until you have the desired width. I brought mine out to 11 stitches. You can increase in your favorite fashion. Your hair will cover it up probably so don’t worry too much. I like KFB (knit front and back).
Now, here is where you get to be creative and you should think about how many stitches you should have on your needles now. You can go straight garter (all knit stitches) or you can really play around with the stitch pattern. Remember to account for the number of stitches you have on your needle. For example, double moss stitch (which is fun and easy and doesn’t allow for too much stretching) is created in multiples of 4′s so you would only want 12 stitches on your needles.
If you started on DPN’s and you haven’t moved your work onto straight needles you can do that now. If you’re on circulars, you can keep the work on there. You’re not joining the work in any way but working back and forth as you would on straight needles.
Put your work down for a second and measure your head. Where are you going to wear your headband toward the front of your hairline, behind your bangs? Measure it from the middle of your left ear, over your head, the the middle of your right ear. This is a great approximation of how long the body of your work should be. Again, remember, there will be some breaking in over time so while it seems short, it’s not.
About 12-13 inches will do though in case you don’t have a tape measure handy.
So after you’ve knitted the body up, start decreasing one the first and last stitch of the row down to where you have three stitches. Straight needles users, put your work onto DPN’s and circular needle. Make up that i-cord for the same length you made the first one. Bind off and weave in any ends of course.
You’re done… that was easy yes?
KNIT: Free Basketweave Baby Blanket
April 4, 2010
I was recently contacted by Melissa who is associated with this website
She wanted to share an easy basketweave baby blanket pattern with you for free. She makes these blankets and sends them to Romania.
And if you know me, you know I’m a knitter that needs pretty, easy and quick patterns!
It is an easy basketweave pattern with an eyelet border that can be easily enlarged to make an afghan or larger blanket. Here is the link: http://www.forgive490.com/EasyBasketweaveBabyBlanket.php
You could totally use our banana fiber yarns to make a beautiful and colorful blanket!
Sarabee’s Little Yarn Shop
April 1, 2010
Her awesome shop is located here:
Wednesday-Friday 11-5:30
Saturday 12-4:00
Sunday & Monday CLOSED
THE POOCHES NEED OUR HELP!
March 30, 2010
No, I’m not talking about that aggravating lower ab area that no matter how many sit-ups we do doesn’t go away.
WE NEED YOUR AWESOMENESS!
Help us!
Apr 1- Jun 30!
This past week I “virtually” met Mary and she told me about www.pekesandpoms.com in Colorado.
They need our help! Why? They are trying to collect 365 handmade scarves to sell next fall to help pay for the medical bills for the dogs that they rescue.
What can you do? A variety of things! You could
- Knit, crochet or weave a scarf and send it to Colorado Peke and Pom Rescue Inc. PO Boc 242 Morrison, CO 80465
- No time to make a scarf right now? That’s ok, between April 1-June 30th Darn Good Yarn is working directly with this rescue. I (Nicole the owner of DGY) am collecting money and will take that money and provide yarn to the rescue at DGY’s cost!
- Want to donate? Do you see the icons at the top of the page where the icons are for twitter and facebook? The one all the way on the right says “Donate”, click that and from there you’ll be all set!.
Mary tells me that the rescue was started 3 years ago and they thought they’d only take about 60 dogs on. Last year, almost 300 were rescued!
Most dogs need all of their shots, neuter or spay and usually a teeth cleaning so, Darn Good Yarners let’s help Mary and the pooches!
Me and Squeakers thank you!
Free Lacey Crochet Scarf Pattern
January 20, 2010
New Free Pattern on my Blog!!

Free Scarf Crochet Pattern
To get the free pattern to make this scarf please visit my blog @
http://theartofzencrochet.blogspot.com/
BTW: I think this scarf would work up really lovely in any of Nicole’s Yarns, especially the Banana Silk!!! I am going to give that a go next and will post photos on my blog for you to see, (and admire!)
Have the best day ever!!
CROCHET: Need a simple yoga mat bag pattern?
November 22, 2009
Designed and Crocheted by Chriss Smith (in cahoots with Nicole, of course!)
This fun and colorful project is worked all in the round. The bag is designed to fit yoga mats up to 26″ high and 5 1/2″across when rolled up. This pattern is rated at advanced beginner.
Materials Needed:
3 Balls of Darn Good Yarn Premium Sari Silk
size 5.5 crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
Darning needle
1 coconut button
6 yards of sari ribbon (you can substitute this with a solid colored recycled silk. We tried black and it looked stunning!)
New Price For Our Yoga Bag Pattern!
November 22, 2009
This is such a fun project! The entire bag is worked in the round, and includes tapestry crochet techniques for the Om symbol. The bright jewel tones and earthy feel is just such a great mix for a Yoga Mat Bag. You can also use it for those Pilates fanatics too!
Get yours today!
The finished bag can be worn across the body or backpack style, and the drawstring closure keeps your mat secure. This bag is gorgeous and versatile.
All about Faith…. the designer!
November 4, 2009
So you might remember I asked Chriss (our great crocheter) what inspires her: you read about it by clicking here.
But I had to ask our great knitter Faith the same thing. Read what she has to say!
I’ve been knitting since I was in my early teens. I made myself sweaters and ponchos and the like. I earned some of my money for university knitting sweaters. I hadn’t been knitting much lately except out of necessity (I go through a lot of mittens), but I found Darn Good Yarn by accident this summer. I was entranced by the yarn and intrigued by the 80 ways to save the earth tote bag. I ordered some of the yarn. When I decided to make the tote smaller than the pattern called for, I had leftover yarn, so I decided to make mittens. Silk is supposed to be the warmest thing to wear in the winter. They turned out well, so I figured I’d try socks, something I hadn’t knit since I was about 14. This meant ordering more yarn. I was working on them while on vacation, and my daughter and I wandered into a fancy yarn shop in Charlottetown. She fell in love with thrummed mittens, so I figured out how to make those. Her sister needed a pair after seeing them, naturally. By this time I was totally in love with the silk. Nicole was looking for designers, and every time I looked at the silk I came up with another idea for how to use it. We started collaborating, and there you are.I also design cross-stitch and blackwork patterns and write for various publications, including a review zine.
Check out Rivka Designs
October 29, 2009
I love local artists! I have to live vicariously through everyone else who has time to knit because I don’t have time anymore…tres sad. But Rebecca, owner of Rivka Designs, had items which really struck my interest. And she is now making items out of Darn Good Yarn’s Premium Recycled Silk!
Rebecca sells her amazing wares in some high-end shops in northern Cali. She has also been setting up shop at Farmers Markets and Renaissance Fairs for over 6 years!






































