Monday, May 18, 2015

Project Updates & Fiber Spinning


I got a couple of projects completed this time around; among those is the Kimono-belt inspired cowl based on a character's costume from one of my recently completed games; Bravely Default on 3DS. You can check out my project page for more info here. I love it actually, and think the bow is such a cute embellishment(it covered the jog too!). Talking about games, i have also recently finished DuckTales: Remastered. This was a remake of the original NES game from back in the day; I can really say it was thoroughly enjoyed. What has this inspired? Hm, i'm torn between something via tunisian crochet or a knitted colorwork project. I should have something in the works by next time for sure so stay tuned for that!


I finished another Poppy hat using my yarn of the month pick, I Love This Yarn in a blue tweed colorway. I'm working on a baby sweater that will hopefully take care of the rest of the skein, since my aim is to use all or as much of it as I can. Some progress has also been made with one of my KALs, which is the INFINICATS cowl(project page here). I still have some ways to go, but so far I love the colors and the charts are so fun to work. Last but not least, I started on a sweater, it will be my first bottom-up and the first where I'm using 100% wool (rather than my usual synthetics). This is a Knit Picks Bulky yarn in a very gorgeous blue hue called Bluebird; you can view my project page on Rav here. I barely started on this project but there's no rush, as the hot weather has just started in my neck of the woods. 

Spinning has taken a lot of my time these last couple of weeks, not to mention my blending board has finally arrived. I finished spinning a couple of fiber batts(and rolags) that will be resting a few days before plying. The blending board is amazing and so much fun to play with. I made two batts and spun those in the same yarn in order to make a transitioning color yarn(ideally, will have to see the results after plying). I have plenty of fiber to play around still... If I could go back and forth between spinning, making batts and knitting/crocheting all day everyday I totally would! The other fiber I spun was some I picked up at the recent MD Sheep and a Wool festival. The colors are a little more muted than I would have liked after being spun, yet the fiber was a dream to work with and spun very smoothly. Eventually I would like to take inspiration from the colors in this fiber to make a yarn with bigger color sections. That's pretty much it, as usual check out the vid for more blurbs!

Monday, May 11, 2015

Yarn Haul, Earings & an Alpaca

This was another purchase from Ebay; a cute Alpaca plush! I take from the label that his(or her) name is Alpacasso; and this specific one features a cute little blue hat and a bow(this is the 'Love Hat' version). This one is 7" and i actually forgot i had bid on this until it was over and i discovered i won! So cute and a little over $3(including shipping), she(or he) is totally worth it. I'm going to plant this next to my black Alpaca which came to me from Arizona via swap. Don't they look cute together?



These sheep stud earnings came from Asia, however i ordered them via Amazon(check them out here). They were a find at under $4(including shipping), and they're adorable. When i purchased them they weren't eligible for Prime shipping so it was no surprise that it took a couple of weeks to arrive. I was excited to receive them before MD Sheep and Wool so i could wear them; however when the day came i totally forgot about these! Still, i love them!

Last but not least; i have made another order from Discontinued Brand Name Yarn. This also took place before MD Sheep and Wool, i really think the last fiber haul set off all the yarn/fiber purchasing. Regardless of what i purchased at the festival, i did really try to limit this haul to the skeins that i felt like i couldn't do without. This does include a skein of self striping yarn i'll be giving as a prize once i hit 1000 subscribers on my YouTube channel(check it out here). I'm quite pleased with this haul; details below. As always, check out my video(at the end of this post) for more blurbs :).




Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Fingerpaints Supersock Silk Self Striping
80% Low Micron Superwash Merino Wool / 20% Silk
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Rasta Man







Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Supersock Select Fingering Colorways
100% Superwash Merino Wool
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Java








Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Supersock Select Fingering Colorways
100% Superwash Merino Wool
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Beach






Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Supersock Select Fingering Colorway Solids
100% Superwash Merino Wool
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Apricot







Cherry Tree Hill Yarn - Supersock Select Fingering Colorways Solids
100% Superwash Merino Wool
420 yds / 4 oz
Colorway: Bark






Henry's Attic Yarn - Superwash Baby
100% Superwash Merino
436 yds / 100 grams
Colorway: Firestarter






DBNY Yarn - Sock - Dip Dyes
100% Superwash Merino
420 yds / 4oz
Colorway: Melon

















Saturday, May 9, 2015

900 YouTube Subscriber Giveaway! CLOSED

And the winners are..... Congratulations guys!!




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Hey guys, this is amazing! We now have over 900 subscribers on my YouTube channel(check it out here). To thank you guys I have 4 prizes for you this time. This giveaway is open internationally and will run for one week starting today; May 9 - May 16, 2015. The requirements are below.


1. Be a subscriber to my channel
2. Share this specific video OR my YT channel via one(1) social media outlet of your choice.
3. Leave a comment on the video which reads: 'I am a _____________'(you fill in the blank) and sharing where you have shared the video or my YT channel.

That's it guys, good luck everyone!!

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Project Update & MDSW Haul

This has been a pretty full. MD Sheep and Wool was this weekend, and i have to say it was an awesome time...i made it home with some amazing yarn and fiber and managed not to break the bank(mini-haul!). It was a gorgeous day to be outdoors and i got to meet another fellow knitter(and crocheter); Dalequan from the SheSpins on YouTube. Unfortunately i didn't bump into anyone else i recognized this time around, but next time i will plan this out!

I made it out with a smallish yarn haul; including a yarn for you guys(i'm already planning ahead for the 1k YouTube subscriber giveaway)! I got a skein of Merino in an orangy/peachy/grayish colorway called Fire Opal, and picked up the Berry Delight colorway for you guys; this is an awesome pink/purple/green/brown blend. A skein of Old Mill Yarn also made it to my stash, i just loved all the different shades of brown(i should have picked up more of this, i would love a sweater quantity). Last but not least(yarnwise) i picked up a huge mega skein of Blue Moon yarn of BFL Sport in the H2OH YEAH! colorway; which has amazing blues and green shades throughout.  I did purchase two fiber braids; a Wool and Silk blend in the 'Seamist' colorway as well as a natural braid of Blueface Swirl by Gale's Art. I found this one specifically gorgeous since it's a combination of natural colors; it's a cream with grays and browns, no dye needed.

I finished the Sloan Shawl on the way to MDSW and was so excited that i used most of my yarn pick for April(save a couple of yards). I love everything about this shawl; the yarn, the texture, the colors, the look, i would definitely make this again(and recommend it to others). I also picked out my yarn pick for this month which is some I Love This Yarn in the Seablue Tweed colorway; i'm thinking baby clothes or something similar for this yarn. For more blurbs check out the video as usual :)



Friday, May 1, 2015

Malon's Shop Update ~ 5/6/2015

It's been a couple of weeks since sharing my shop updates; however here they are! The following have been updated to my amigurumi shop, malonb.etsy.com.




Made with vintage yarn in hues of yellow, orange and gray; finished with embroidered features and button eyes. Stands at 6"; ready to ship!

Check out the listing here.






This amigurumi is inspired by Animal Crossing's dog character 'Biskit'.
Check out the listing here.







Cute decorative knit pillow which is ideal to double as a pin/needle cushion. Embellished with felt roses and crochet leafs in a dainty rose-bush motif. Stands at 5" x 5", backed with red felt. Ready to ship!!
Check out the listing here.







Made in fall colors with green and yellow felt details. Stands at 4" x 3"; ready to ship!
Check out the listing here.







Stands at 3.5" x 4". Sampler piece on up-cycled raw burlap with red and black details. Ready to ship!
Check out the listing here.







These acorn pots are quite cute and are quite handy to store anything from jewelry to buttons to small surprises...whatever you wish. They come in a pair and are ready to ship.
Check out the listing here.








Inspired by the Legend of Zelda: Windwaker, Tetra(aka Zelda) is a pretty large amigurumi. Made via crochet with felt details and button eyes. 
Check out the listing here. 









Made in brown with an embroidered felt muzzle and button eyes. Stands at 6", ready to ship!
Check out the listing here. 






This set of 2 features two cute little trees in a warm brownish red and golden yellow. 
Check out the listing here. 







Made in black and white stripes with embroidered features and button eyes. 
Check out the listing here.





My yarn shop, malonsshop.etsy.com has been updated with the following in the last couple of weeks.


This is a happy mix of reds/greens/yellows with a touch of blue. Reminds me of a festival indeed! :) Each hank is 100 grams/190 yards of bulky weight wool. This is a bulky yarn and size 9-11 needles are recommended.
Check out the listing 





I love this colorway. Both skeins were dyed together, with a soft country blue and a dash of yellow. This is a dk weight yarn and a size 6 needle is recommended.
Check out the listing.





This is a natural skein, ready to dye. Each hank is 100 grams/190 yards of bulky weight wool. This is a bulky yarn and size 9-11 needles are recommended.
Check out the listing.


This one is reminiscent of olives(hence the name). From gray to brown with hints of green and nude, it covers quite the range i think. This is a dk weight yarn and a size 6 needle is recommended.
Check out the listing.




Per Skein:
Yardage 187 yds.
Weight 50g
Fiber Content Nylon, Metallic
Gauge (st. /4 in.) 20
Needle Size(s) 8 US (5mm)
Color 007
Check out the listing. 


Per Skein:
59% Acrylic, 41% Nylon
200 grams
540 yards 
Machine Wash gentle, tumble dry low
Color: 0005 (white)
Check out the listing.





Hand-painted with a gradient effect in peach/appricot, it shows various ranges of peach with some natural wool peaking through. This is a dk weight yarn and a size 6 needle is recommended.
Check out the listing here.