Posts Tagged ‘funky yarn’...
Happy New Year!!
January 7, 2010
Ok, so I know I am a little bit late, but I have been ever so busy. I wanted to let you all know about my New Years Resolution, I know, your thinking “good grief, what is she on about now?”
Not really a run of the mill resolution. I decided I wanted to make my business, The Art of Zen…….Crochet, a lot more hmmmm….Eco friendly? I know that seems a catch 22 phrase nowadays. Anyways, I want to put some serious effort into recycling, upcycling, repurposing! So here is just the beginning of this. I used some of the premium Recycled Sari Silk and some recycled T shirt Yarn to make this cap!
- Recycled Sari Silk and Recycled T Shirt hat
Enjoy and Happy New Years Crafting!
To see more Great Ideas and Items I make please visit my Etsy shop @
http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrisssmith22
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.
KNIT: Recycled Silk Pattern Wine Bottle Bag
November 2, 2009
Check out this video and please give it a second to load!
How to make the Darn Good Yarn Wine Bottle Bag
Get a pair of size 15 needles,
get 2- 100g balls of the yarn we call the blender
You can get a little bit of ribbon too (or you can use left over yarn) This will be used in the finished product.. I’ll explain in a little bit
So, this one is easy: Cast on 39 sts and work in moss stitch (k1, p1) until your rectangle measures 6.25 inches long. Now stitch up the side. Ok now measure 3 inches down. Remember that ribbon? Yes? Well weave it in and out of your project. When you slip the bottle of wine in, you’ll use this to tighten the bag around the neck of the bottle.
Don’t like wine? Find some olive oil and use the same mechanics to give a stunning gift!
Not only is the inside goodies great but this bag totally has a chance of being re-used and will make your present look like the best one under the tree or on the table!
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!
Sunrise Lodge Fiber Studio
October 28, 2009
Sometimes you run across great people in the online universe. For me, it was Shannon who owns the Sunrise Lodge Fiber Studio. I recently had an urge to get a spinning wheel so I did what most of us would do for a big ticket item…hit up ebay. Lucky for me, Shannon was getting rid of an Ashford Kiwi which I won in a heart-stopping auction which required me to duck out of my other job for 5 mins and bid feverishly on my iPhone while trying beat off this other pesky bidder.
But we got to talking and she owns this great shop! And I got a sample of her rovings…. beautiful! And her handspun yarn will make you drool. I’m serious!
Take a look at the site and order up some crafting goodness and tell her we sent you!
KNIT: Mobius Cowl on a Yo Yo Diet
October 27, 2009
Check out this video (give it a second if you have a slower connection)
And now, thanks to our “resident” knitter Faith we now have a great Mobius Cowl pattern you can get! Click Here To Get The Pattern.
Oddball Gumball Yarn Packs Are HEEEEERRRRREEEEE!
October 23, 2009
Check out this video then read on! (Give it a second to load if you have a slow connection)
This worsted weight yarn is handspun in women’s co-ops in Nepal and made from recycled silk. So, not only are you getting an incredibly unique yarn, you’re creating jobs for others.
We got some different colors in outside of the normal Gumball Recycled Silk Balls. Well you’re gonna score on this deal! This yarn pack comes with 4 slightly mismatched Gumball Recycled Silk 100 g balls. And you can choose the pack you want…but HURRY! We only have one pack of each color pack shown in the pictures.
Each ball is about 100g and contains approximately 90 yards of yarn. With rich hues and great sheen this will make your projects shine!!!
We suggest size US 8-10 (5-6mm, UK/Canada 6-4). Depending on your knitting your gauge will be about 3-4 stitches per inch (13-15 stitches per 10 cm).
Exclusive to Darn Good Yarn: Remember, when you order this yarn with DGY, you’re going to get this great yarn in balls not cumbersome skeins. So, when you get your package, you can get crafting right away and not pay extra for that little luxury!
I’ve seen similar yarn sell on the internet for $14 per 100g and it’s still in skeins…what a rip off!
Need A Sample?
October 11, 2009
I want to make sure you’re happy with your purchases so I offer you the option to get a sample of the yarn. You’ll get about two feet of the yarn wrapped around a 5×7 index card.
Choose the yarn you’re trying to make a decision on.
If you decide to the buy the yarn you got the sample for, let us know when you order and we will refund your sample cost!
Also, please note on the yarns which have multiple colors I will send our standard sample color. If you would like to see a sample of your specific color please email us at info@darngoodyarn.com upon purchase.
KNIT: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea Purse
October 10, 2009

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Purse
You know me, I love easy patterns…but you know what I love more? Easy patterns that kick major hiney! That’s why I love this purse!
This simple pattern was made when I was experimenting. I was actually sitting by the ocean when I casted on and thought wow… what I’m working on totally looks like seaweed, very colorful seaweed.
The handles are a “Nicole” creation. I made them out of wire. Wire? I like having fun with metal and wire so I whipped these puppies up–and I couldn’t find a pair I really liked in any stores so I made my own. If you want a set get in touch with me and I’ll make them for $10 a piece.
So, here’s what you need:
Size 13 needles
2 skeins of Darn Good Yarn Sari Ribbon Yarn
2 skeins of Darn Good Yarn Blender Live Wire Yarn (100g each)
1 cool button
2 purse handles: You can get ones handcrafted by me here: http://www.shop.darngoodyarn.com/product/handmade-wire-purse-handles
needle to finish it up
Here’s how you do it:
CO 11 sts, work in moss stitch for all two skeins of the DGY Sari Ribbon Yarn and BO.
Sew up the sides.
I turned it inside out (but that’s up to you). I then flipped the first half inch over and stitched it down to create a “lip” around the opening of the purse. I thought this looked nice for the overall shaping.
Next attach the handles.
Now onto some optional embellishments which I think look great. I sewed a big wood button from Darn Good Yarn and braided some left over blender yarn to make a loop/clasp at the opening.

Top of the bag
I also made a tassel out of the leftover Blender Yarn.
Dress it up however you’d like.
This project is super easy and the whole thing took me 2 hours to create! So, it’s a quick easy gift that will get tons of ohh’s and ahhh’s!

Front of the Bag











































