Thanks to the fibre and color geniuses at iconic Japanese yarnmaker Noro, now it does – meet new Noro Tensan!

Tensan, the Japanese word for “silkworm,” honors the ancient origins of silk — a fiber treasured for its strength, sheen, and timeless luxury. Blended with fine wool, this luminous yarn brings together warmth, resilience, and a soft, lightweight feel. Dyed in Noro’s unmistakable palette, where earthy tones merge with radiant bursts of color, Tensan’s flowing shades and rustic textures reflect company founder Eisaku Noro’s philosophy of drawing inspiration from the natural world:

“I was born and grew up in a place where more great unspoiled nature is left than anywhere else in Japan, so the world of nature is always close. Whether I am aware of it or not, I am inspired by it in many ways. By mixing colors, we can give a more natural feel reminiscent of oceans, mountains, flowers, trees and so on. From ancient times, Japanese people have accepted, enjoyed and been charmed by the non-uniformity, unevenness, and occasionally the coarseness of nature. It may be the base of us, and not only the basic philosophy for Noro yarns.”

With an appealing thick-and-thin single-ply construction, Tensan works up at a heavy worsted gauge into fabrics that are light yet warm, ideal for projects from textured cardigans and elegant wraps to statement accessories and summery tops.

Yarn Details

• Worsted weight
• 68% silk, 32% wool
• 328 yards (300 meters) per 150-gram ball
• 16-20 stitches = 4″ on US#7 (4.5mm) to US#9 (5.mm) needles or US#7 (4.5mm) to US#I-9 (5.5mm) hook
• Hand wash, dry flat
• $52.50, in-store only

Our Pattern Picks

Juno

(Danielle says, “Why am I in love with this cardigan?”)

Sizes

Small (Medium, Large, 1X); finished bust circumference 37 (43, 49, 55)”

Yarn

4-5 balls Noro Tensan (68% silk, 32% wool; 328 yards/300 meters per 150-gram ball)

Gauge & Suggested Needles

16 stitches & 24 rows = 4” on US#8 (5mm) needles, in stockinette stitch after wet blocking. Use one size smaller needle (US#7/4.5mm) for ribbing.

Ayr

Sizes

Small (Medium, Large, 1X, 2X); finished bust circumference 37 (40, 44, 48, 52)”

Yarn

2-4 balls Noro Tensan (68% silk, 32% wool; 328 yards/300 meters per 150-gram ball)

Gauge & Suggested Needles

15 stitches & 23 rows = 4” on US#8 (5mm) needles, in stockinette stitch after wet blocking. Use one size smaller needle (US#7/4.5mm) for ribbing.

Lakes Cardigan

Sizes

XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL); finished bust circumference 38¼ (41¼) 44¼ (46¼) 49¼ (54¼) 57¼ (61¼) 63¼ (67¼)”, recommended positive ease approximately 10″.

Yarn

4 (4) 4 (4) 4 (4) 5 (5) 5 (6) balls Noro Tensan (68% silk, 32% wool; 328 yards/300 meters per 150-gram ball) held together with (optional)
6 (6) 6 (6) 6 (6) 8 (8) 8 (8) balls De Rerum Natura Bérénice (55% mohair, 25% silk, 20% Merino wool; 230 yards/210 meters per 25-gram ball)

Gauge & Suggested Needles

16 stitches & 24 rows = 4” on US#9 (5.5mm) needles, in stockinette stitch after wet blocking. Use one size smaller needle (US#8/5mm) for ribbing.

Evolving Bella

(Kel says: I neeeeeed this for the beach!)

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4) (5, 6, 7) (8, 9, 10) (11, 12, 13); finished bust circumference 33 (35.25, 37.25, 39.25) (41.25, 43.25, 45.25) (47.25, 49.25, 51) (53, 57, 61)”.

Yarn

MC (long sleeves): 5 (5, 5, 5) (5, 5, 6) (6, 6, 7) (7, 7, 9) balls Noro Tensan (68% silk, 32% wool; 328 yards/300 meters per 150-gram ball).
CC: 2 (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 3) balls De Rerum Natura Alice (75% Merino wool, 25% linen); 236 yards/216 meters per 50-gram ball).

Gauge & Suggested Hooks

16 stitches & 10 rows = 4” on US#G-6 (4mm) hook, in pattern stitch after wet blocking.

Shifting Shells

Size

One size; 8½ x 68″

Yarn

2 balls Noro Tensan (68% silk, 32% wool; 328 yards/300 meters per 150-gram ball)

Suggested Hook

US#G-6 (4mm)

The post New for Spring: Noro Tensan appeared first on fibre space.

My current obsessions still fall squarely in winter makes. I am not ready for the cottons yet…

Sea Change Fibers Bloom Tweed Worsted

Since I am currently finishing a WIP in Miss Babs Neon Tweed, I am really looking forward to playing with something in a little bigger gauge, but with the same fun flecks of color (aka “nupps”) – so Sea Change Fibers Bloom Tweed Worsted it is!

I’m thinking that the Hello Vest pattern might be a great way to play with this yarn without taking on sleeves again – all of my current WIPs are still “in progress” because it seems that I cannot complete sleeves.

Hole Sweater

Having just finished my first Degen sweater design, I am excited to get to the next one in my queue! I am trying to decide between Laxtons Wooltrace DK (shown below) or Ériu Elements, as I am itching to work with both of these newer arrivals to the shop – both are awesome, sustainable, fully traceable yarns!

Floops Flox & Firls

Last but not least, the new Floops multi-tools with metal tips! OBSESSED.

The Firls now come in a little plastic coin purse that is adorable, and I need these all over my house. They would solve so many quick needs: stitch marker, cable needle, stitch holder. And each is 2.75 inches long, so in a pinch, they can serve as a mini measuring device!

The post Danielle’s Obsessions: Nupps, Loops & Floops Edition appeared first on fibre space.

Based in Germany, Pascuali produces environmentally friendly, natural, and fair-trade organic yarns that ethically support small farmers in developing countries. Answering the call for an all-natural, plant-based yarn that could replicate the feel of animal fiber, they created Suave! Through the magic of modern textile technology, 100% GOTS-certified cotton fibers are blown into a tube of extra-fine cotton net, creating an airy, fluffy sport weight yarn with the softness and breathability of cashmere. Next-to-skin soft with a subtle, fuzzy halo, Suave is ideal for lightweight garments and accessories.

Prefer a sleeker feel for warm weather wear? Lightly press your Suave project with a cool iron to smooth down the fibers and give your fabric a beautiful, airy drape. Looking for a vegan alternative to mohair? Brush your finished piece for extra fluffiness.

Suave is also gorgeous when paired with other plant-based yarns like Pascuali Arctic Pearl for that trendy “fuzzy sweater” look all year round!

Yarn Details

• Sport weight
• 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton
• 177 yards (162 meters) per 25-gram ball
• 22 stitches & 34 rows = 4″ on US#2.5 (3mm) needles or US#E/4 (3.5mm) hook
• Machine or hand wash, dry flat
• $11, in-store only

Pattern Picks

Dandelion Whiff Top

Sizes

(XS, S, M) (L, XL, XXL) (3XL, 4XL, 5XL); to fit bust circumference (30, 32, 35) (39, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58)” with approximately 2.5″ positive ease.

Yarn

(3, 4, 4) (5, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9) balls Pascuali Suave (100% cotton; 177 yards/162 meters per 25-gram ball)

Gauge & Suggested Needles

27 stitches & 38 rows = 4” on US#4 (3.5mm) needles, in stockinette stitch worked in the round after wet blocking. Use 3 sizes smaller needle (US#2.5/3mm) for ribbing, 5 sizes smaller (US#1/2.5mm) for neckline.

Stairway To Heaven Shawl

Sizes

One size; 87.75″ x 21.5″ x 27.5″.

Yarn

MC: 2 balls Pascuali Suave (100% cotton; 177 yards/162 meters per 25-gram ball)
CC1, CC2, CC3: 1 ball each Pascuali Suave (100% cotton; 177 yards/162 meters per 25-gram ball)
CC4: 2 balls Pascuali Suave (100% cotton; 177 yards/162 meters per 25-gram ball)

Gauge & Suggested Hook

19 stitches & 9 rows = 4” on US#E-4(3.5mm) hook, in double crochet after wet blocking.

Sharin Tee

Sizes

S, M, L, XL, XXL; finished bust circumference 37.25, 41.25, 45.25, 49.25, 53”, recommended positive ease 4″.

Yarn

5, 7, 7, 8, 8 balls Pascuali Suave (100% cotton; 177 yards/162 meters per 25-gram ball) held together with
4, 5, 6, 6, 7 balls De Rerum Natura Bérénice (55% mohair, 25% silk, 20% Merino wool; 230 yards/210 meters per 25-gram ball)

Gauge & Suggested Needles

19 stitches & 28 rows = 4” on US#3 (3.25mm) needles, in stockinette stitch worked in the round after wet blocking. Use 2 sizes smaller needle (US#2.5/3mm) for ribbing.

Poppy Tee

Sizes

XS (S) M (L) XL (2XL) 3XL (4XL) 5XL; finished bust circumference 35½ (37¾) 39¾ (41¾) 45¼ (49¼) 53½ (57½) 61”, recommended positive ease 2″.

Yarn

5 (6) 7 (7) 7 (8) 8 (9) 10 balls Pascuali Suave (100% cotton; 177 yards/162 meters per 25-gram ball)

Gauge & Suggested Needles

23 stitches & 32 rows = 4” on US#4 (3.5mm) needles, in stockinette stitch worked in the round after wet blocking. Use 3 sizes smaller needle (US#2.5/3mm) for ribbing.

See even more pattern suggestions for Pascuali Suave here!

The post Pascuali Suave: The Cotton for Wool Lovers appeared first on fibre space.

She replied, “Fish? Are we making emotional support fish now?!”

Good news: we are not making emotional support fish—we are making fish sweaters, and hats, and more!

Fish are having a moment: from the growing popularity of tinned fish, to including sardines in every dish, to all over our Ravelry searches, our aquatic friends are everywhere. We’ve been keeping an eye on our fishy friends leaping into our feeds! In the spirit of Pisces season, we’ve round up of some of our favorite patterns featuring our marine friends. For a classic pairing, layer any one of these patterns with a fisherman’s sweater.

Upstream

Sizes

• XS (S, M, L, XL)(2X, 3X, 4X, 5X), to be worn with a body circumference with 2-4” positive ease.

Yarn

• 1073 (1152, 1257, 1350, 1493)(1577, 1712, 1780, 1844) yards of De Rerum Natura Gilliatt (100% French Merino, 270 yards/250 meters per 100-gram ball)

Gauge & Suggested Needles

• 21 stitches and 30 rows = 4″ in 21 stitches and 30 rows, on US#7 (4.5mm) 24” circular needles, after blocking. The swatch should use combined stitch patterns.

The Herring Hat

Sizes

• Adult S-M
• Finished measurements fit head circumference of 21”–22.”

Yarn

• DK weight yarn in two colors. We suggest Jill Draper Kingston (100% Targhee wool; 270 yards/247 meters per 113-gram skein) or Jill Draper Makes Stuff Amalgam (Targhee & Black Welsh Mountain wool; 270 yards/247 meters per 113-gram skein)!
  • MC: Approx. 110 yards
  • CC: Approx. 110 yards

Gauge & Suggested Needles

• 29 stitches and 31 rows = 4″ in stranded colorwork on US#5 (3.7mm) 16″ circular needles

Halibut

If the sweater is too much fish for you, this pattern began as a cowl!

Sizes

• Sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) {7, 8, 9, 10}
• Finished bust circumference: 38 (42, 46, 50, 54, 58) 62, 66, 70, 74“ with recommended positive ease of 6-10”

Yarn

• DK weight yarn. We recommend Kelbourne Woolens Scout (100% wool; 274 yards/251 meters per 100-gram skein) or Harrisville Nightshades (80% American Cormo wool/20% American wool; 250 yards/229 meters per 100-gram skein)
  • MC: 987 (1096, 1206, 1316, 1414, 1513) {1622, 1732, 1831, 1929} yards
  • CC: 225 (249, 274, 299, 322, 344) {369, 394, 416, 439} yards

Gauge & Suggested Needles

• 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4″ in colorwork and stockinette on US#6 (4mm) needles

BIG Fritz

Sizes

• 1 (2, 3, 4, 5)(6, 7, 8, 9) with a finished bust circumference of 35.75 (39, 42.25, 45.75, 49)(53, 56.25, 59.75, 63)”. Suggested positive ease of 2 to 4”

Yarn

• Two colors of mYak Fior di Lino (50% Tibetan Cloud Wool, 35% Baby Yak ,and 15% Italian Linen; 218 yards per 50-gram skein) or Wooldreamers 90 Varas (100% transhumant Merino wool; 246 yards/225 meters per 50-gram skein), available on our capsule!
  • MC: 1039 (1149, 1258, 1334, 1443)(1589, 1697, 1816, 1942) yards
  • CC: 129 (136, 142, 148, 153)(162, 166, 166, 173) yards

Gauge & Suggested Needles

• 24 stitches and 35 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch on US #3 (3.25mm) needles

But, in case you do need an emotional support fish, the National Park Service is here for you.

Their crochet Halibut and Walleye patterns are meant for stashbusting satisfaction.

Sizes

• One size, variable

Yarn

• We love a variegated yarn for this, like Manos del Uruguay Alegría (fingering weight), Alegría Grande (light worsted), or Ideal (worsted)!

Gauge & Suggested Hooks

• Hook appropriate for the yarn

The post Trend Watch: Go Fish appeared first on fibre space.

In this edition: It’s cold and bleak out there, y’all. Here are some fuzzy, snuggly sweaters I am loving right now.

Better Days Sweater

Loopy Mango is known for their simple and fast patterns. Worked on enormous needles, their designs are SO satisfying as they can be completed in just a few hours. I don’t know about you, but right now I am really needing quick satisfaction.

Manifest better days with a big fluffy sweater! Grab your giant needles and some cheerful shades of a super-bulky mohair yarn like Loopy Mango Mohair So Soft and you’ll have the perfect comfort knit in no time. Prefer a smaller gauge? Check out the Better Days Sweater Lite – or how about a cardigan?

Sizes

XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X; finished bust circumference 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 68”.

Yarn

MC: 3, 4, 4, 4, 6. 6, 6, 7, 7 balls Loopy Mango Mohair So Soft (53% Merino wool, 47% mohair, 65 yards/60 meters per 50-gram ball).
CC: 3, 4, 4, 4, 6. 6, 6, 7, 7 balls Loopy Mango Mohair So Soft (53% Merino wool, 47% mohair, 65 yards/60 meters per 50-gram ball).

Gauge & Suggested Needles

8 stitches and 8 rows = 4” on US#19 (15mm) needles, in stockinette stitch after wet blocking. Use 1 size smaller needle (US#17/12.5mm) for ribbing.

Tessellation Pullover

This cute crocheted pullover and matching beanie are just two of the amazingly colorful designs from Ana-Maria Babanica’s new book Reversible Crochet Sweaters (that’s right, they’re reversible!). We have this book available in the shop and on our capsule, and it is SO GOOD.

Crochet sweaters call for plenty of yardage, so Miss Babs Yowza‘s giant DK-weight skeins are a great choice for this project, with gorgeous hand-dyed semi-solid and variegated shades in soft, machine-washable Merino wool.

Sizes

XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X); finished bust circumference 30.5 (35, 39.25, 43.75, 48) (52.25, 56.75, 61, 65.5)”.

Yarn

MC: 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) (3, 4, 4, 4) skeins Miss Babs Yowza (100% superwash Merino wool, 560 yards/512 meters per 227-gram skein).
CC: 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) skeins Miss Babs Yowza (100% superwash Merino wool, 560 yards/512 meters per 227-gram skein).

Gauge & Suggested Hooks

22 stitches and 18 rows = 4” on US#7 (4.5 mm) hook, in interlocking crochet pattern after wet blocking. Use 1 size smaller hook (US#G/4.0mm) for secondary gauge and 3 sizes smaller (US#E/3.5mm) for ribbing.

Piet Sweater

Those of you who have been around for a while are very aware of my slight obsession with plaid. This sweater, in its bright colors, caught my eye and is on my list to make for fall!

There’s so much room for fun colorplay with this project! Knitting For Olive’s Merino Fingering and Soft Silk Mohair are the perfect pairing for this poppy pullover’s colorful stripes (there’s a cardigan version too!). Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks – the vertical stripes are crocheted on at the end.

Sizes

XS, S, M (L, XL, 2XL) 3XL; finished bust circumference 41, 42.5, 45 (47.5, 50, 53) 55.5”, recommended positive ease 6-8”.

Yarn

MC: 4, 4, 4 (4, 4, 5) 5 balls Knitting With Olive Merino Fingering (100% Merino wool, 273 yards/200 meters per 50-gram ball) held together with
4, 4, 4 (4, 4, 5) 5 balls Knitting With Olive Soft Silk Mohair (70 % Mohair 30 % Silk, 246 yards/225 meters per 25-gram ball).

CC1 & CC2: 1, 1, 1 (1, 1, 1) 1 ball Knitting With Olive Merino Fingering (100% Merino wool, 273 yards/200 meters per 50-gram ball) held together with
1, 1, 1 (1, 1, 1) 1 ball Knitting With Olive Soft Silk Mohair (70 % Mohair 30 % Silk, 246 yards/225 meters per 25-gram ball).

CC3: 1, 1, 1 (2, 2, 2) 2 balls Knitting With Olive Merino Fingering (100% Merino wool, 273 yards/200 meters per 50-gram ball) held together with
1, 1, 1 (2, 2, 2) 2 balls Knitting With Olive Soft Silk Mohair (70 % Mohair 30 % Silk, 246 yards/225 meters per 25-gram ball).

Gauge & Suggested Needles

19 stitches and 31 rows = 4” on US#7 (4.5mm) needles, in stockinette stitch after wet blocking. Use 3 sizes smaller needle (US#4/3.5mm) for ribbing.

The post Discover Danielle’s Obsessions appeared first on fibre space.

Whether you’d like to learn more about how yarns are made, or you’re dreaming of a sweater quantity of your very own hand-spun, spinning is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of fibre types, yarn construction, and how these factors affect your finished projects.

Where to start? All you really need is a simple drop spindle and some unspun fibre, both of which you can find in store! (If you’re a book learner, grab a copy of Respect The Spindle or Start Spinning while you’re here—both are great resources for beginners and beyond.)

Not quite ready to venture out on your own? Our Introduction to Spinning classes are the perfect place to start!

First, though, let’s take a look at our raw materials!

Spinning Fibre

Roving? Combed top? What the heck is a “sliver” and should I be scared of it? Which kind of wool do I want to get?

Like with any craft, fibre terminology can be confusing at first. Here are a few basic terms to add to your spinning vocabulary:

• Carding: The first step of fibre prep. Fibres are brushed on wire-bristled cards or drums into a fluffy, airy cloud.
• Gilling/Combing: Carded fibres are pulled through rows of steel pins until parallel. A final, finer pass smooths and removes short fibres.
• Crimp: The natural waviness of each fibre. More crimp = more bounce & elasticity in your yarn, plus it’s easier to spin!
• Micron Count: The diameter of each fibre. Lower micron count = finer, softer fibre.
• Staple Length: The length of each individual fibre. (Longer fibres are generally easier to spin.)
• Sliver/Roving*: Unspun carded fibre. Sliver (“SLY-ver”) comes in narrow strands with zero twist, roving is thicker and slightly twisted. Good for woolen-style spinning (think lofty, fuzzy, rustic).
• Top: Unspun combed fibre. Good for worsted-style spinning (think dense, smooth, polished).

*Note: “Roving” and “sliver” are also used as generic terms, so double-check to see if your fibre has been carded or combed!

Now let’s meet some of the fibres you can find in our shop!

Ashford Corriedale Sliver

Ashford’s wool is grown on farms in the South Island of New Zealand, where the sheep graze on large grassy paddocks and are free from mulesing. A favorite for hand spinners, Corriedale wool has a defined, even crimp and is smooth and easy to spin. Corriedale will plump up after washing and has good elasticity. Comes in undyed and dyed (using ecologically-safe Oeko-Tex compliant dyes) colors.

• Preparation: Carded, gilled, and combed.
• Good for: Woolen, worsted, semi-worsted spinning. Great for beginners!
• Micron count: 27-30
• Staple length: 4¼”

Ashford Merino Sliver

Ashford’s Merino wool is very soft with a closely spaced crimp, ideal for fine woolen or worsted-spun yarns. Comes in undyed and dyed (using ecologically safe Oeko-Tex compliant dyes) colors.

• Preparation: Carded, gilled, and combed.
• Good for: Woolen or worsted spinning.
• Micron count: 19-22
• Staple length: 2-3″

Ashford Silk Merino Sliver

A sumptuous blend of fine New Zealand Merino wool and lustrous mulberry silk. Creates fine, lacy, lightweight yarns that will take dye beautifully.

• Preparation: Carded, gilled, and combed.
• Good for: Worsted & semi-worsted spinning.
• Micron count: 22 (Merino), 15 (silk)
• Staple length: 2-3″ (Merino)

Manos del Uruguay Superwash Merino Top

Hand-dyed by the amazing artisans of Manos del Uruguay, this machine-washable extrafine Merino wool top is perfect for worsted-style spinning.

• Preparation: Carded and combed, superwash.
• Good for: Worsted spinning.
• Micron count: 19-22
• Staple length: 2-3″

The post Fibre Facts: Spinning in Space appeared first on fibre space.

Kel

My first love note is to the most OG of the fibre alumni—Kel. If you’ve been a customer since the day we opened our doors, you’ve likely met Kel many times. She was my first shop manager and the first employee of the business back in 2009. She was an enormous part of the creation of my business plan, my brand, and the shop’s evolution to a nationally known LYS. This post could be a multi-page dissertation on all the ways/stories/times Kel impacted this shop, but I’ll share just a small selection of the moments that stand out most to me.

In 2009 while doing the buildout for the shop, my brother died in an accident, and Kel built our fixtures and set up our systems while I was in Pittsburgh, burying him. I came back to a shop ready to open. She was the kind of employee who would happily pick out a fun bold paint color and then join you in painting the incredibly tiny disgusting old shop bathroom. Kel took “other duties as assigned” to a whole new level. She created so many incredible and creative displays, and is also the reason we no longer allow glitter inside the store…and why I know how to dissolve super glue from human skin.

After helping to launch Brooklyn Tweed yarn in our shop, Jared Flood recruited her to manage the wholesale arm of his new company, and Kel moved across the country to Portland, Oregon. But even from Portland, she continued to be my yarn and fibre expert, writing website content, contributing to our inventory choices, and generally just being there for me as someone with all of the historical memory of this business. Kel provided that soft landing I needed upon returning from Pittsburgh at one of the worst moments in my life. She was right by my side all those months, physically and emotionally building this community space. She may have moved far away but she never really left fibre space. Today Kel is still behind the scenes of much of the content you read in our newsletter or on our website, and I am grateful to still have her in my (our) orbit.

Lesley

This love note is for a fibre alum who has contributed so much to fibre space for the last two decades. Lesley has been around since the Knit-a-Gogo days (my first business). She was a big part of getting this shop opened, providing endless input, opinions, and time, making sure the store would be the best it could possibly be for the community. As a skilled “pancraftual,” she brought her passion and expertise in crochet to the early development of the teaching program at fibre space, and continues to support our efforts to serve knit AND crochet.

When I finally opened the shop in 2009, Lesley was part of the initial team of yarnistas, but then stayed on as an instructor and so much more after leaving that post to focus more on her full-time career. You’ve likely seen her on some of our busiest and most important days of the year, including Plaid Friday, where she was our cheerful bouncer in those first couple of hours. You might not have realized that she likely made her entire outfit.

Since she was part of the initial staff at the shop, Lesley has every single nightly note in her Gmail somewhere. She can find nearly anything in her Gmail. She IS the institutional memory of this company.

But one of the biggest ways that Lesley has contributed to fibre space was the one hour or less she gave us every other Monday. Lesley clocked out of her full-time job and shifted her focus to our payroll, calculating instructor pay, entering other contractors that required payment that week, and then entering our staff hours and pay. How did this come to be? Well, early after opening the business, I found myself in the ER, headed into surgery to have my appendix removed. When I explained to the surgeon that I had to be out of surgery and lucid enough to run payroll by 4 pm the next day, she pleaded, “Can you find anyone else to run your payroll?!” (She probably also rolled her eyes REALLY hard, and I wouldn’t have blamed her one bit). Lesley became that person. Having this biweekly task handled with care and attention for the last …15 years perhaps… has been a game-changer. Thank you so much for being part of this incredible journey with me, Lesley!!

Jillian

Time for another love note to one of our fibre alumni—Jillian! We have a nice training program that our yarnistas go through when starting at the shop. But when I hired Jillian in 2013, I was nearly 8 months pregnant and moving the shop from our first location to our second location. Instead of going through our training program, Jillian spent the first few weeks at fibre space in a two-person packing and moving project led by my MOTHER. If you have met my mother, or know anything about her management of projects in general, you would know why this is still Jillian’s favorite story to share about her time at the shop…working side by side with my amazing but also very particular mother. (Again, I am SO sorry, Jillian). Amazingly she has positive things to say about the experience… and she didn’t quit after the first week of work.

In fact, she never successfully quit (lol). Jillian started here when she was in law school and worked on and off as a yarnista over the years as she built her career in law and as a civil servant, coming back to teach or work on the floor when possible. You will still find her working the floor during our busiest days. She is the last yarnista from our original location to still be working at the shop – a true OG. But most of you know her from our teaching program. Jillian is a phenomenal instructor with many years of experience. She is always learning, always curious, which makes her such an incredible teacher and asset to fibre space.

Without her, I do not know how we would be pulling off our furloughed federal worker program! During government shutdowns, which have become entirely too frequent, she leads our volunteer group of teachers, creates the class program, and keeps her finger on the pulse of what is happening in DC so that we can pivot quickly. As a federal employee herself, she has been able to represent that part of our community within the shop, and we are so proud of the work we have done together for our federal workers!

Thanks for making it through some big, big transitions in this business, Jillian! So grateful for you.

Kim

It’s time to send some big love to another incredible fibre alumn – Kim!

I will be honest: I haven’t seen Kim in person in years (lol)! It is incredible how much impact someone can have on the shop without even being on site.

Kim joined the yarnista team over a decade ago, back when the shop was located on King Street. She immediately offered her expertise in writing and editing/proofreading, providing us with expertise that I hadn’t previously had regular access. After leaving her yarnista position, Kim offered to continue writing and proofing our newsletter, class descriptions, and more. Now, a dozen or so years later, Kim’s eyes are still on nearly every piece of communication the shop sends out.

Beyond technical support for editing, Kim can provide another level of crucial input. By not being in the shop daily, as most of our team are, she can offer us a fresh perspective on our ideas and language. She is seemingly always available to answer any question I might have, whether it’s how to word a particularly difficult message, or whether an event concept makes sense. Kim has given fibre space far more than we can “hire” in the traditional sense, and I am so incredibly grateful. I love hearing from team members about this magical Kim person they love working with, but have yet to meet!

Might I add, Kim also loves rich jewel tones and green as much as I do, and who doesn’t love having a cheerleader for their color choices and obsessions?! Thank you for everything you have done to keep this little ship afloat, Kim!

[Please note: Kim did not proof this content. Please excuse any grammar and syntax errors.]

The post Love Notes to our Fibre Alumni appeared first on fibre space.

2026 marks the fifth Olympic Games in which fashion design icon (and official outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams) Ralph Lauren is featuring wool sourced from Oregon’s Shaniko Wool Company. The first farm group in the U.S. to be certified under the Responsible Wool Standard, Shaniko partners with ranchers in Idaho, California, Nevada, Colorado and Wyoming, following strict land conservation, animal husbandry and worker welfare guidelines to provide traceable, climate-beneficial fiber through regenerative farming.

This amazing fiber isn’t just for Olympians, though – meet these gorgeous Shaniko wool yarns we’ve got right here in space!

Freia Fine Handpaint Yarns

The OG creators of hand dyed gradient yarns, Tina Whitmore and her team at Freia Fine Handpaint Yarns were named a Top 5 Trendsetter in 2023 by Interweave – it’s easy to see why! In addition to their incredible colors, we love that all of their yarns are made with sustainably sourced American wool.

Freia’s Shaniko Superwash collection, including Ombré Shaniko Minikins, Superwash Shaniko Worsted, and Glitterati, features Shaniko Wool Company’s ethically raised, minimally processed wool from sheep raised on family-owned ranches in the American West. Not only are these stunning yarns spun from 100% Merino wool, they’re also machine washable, ridiculously soft, and available in our Alexandria store – read more about them here!

Sea Change Fibers

Hand dyer Sarah Pedersen of Sea Change Fibers specializes in gorgeous tonal colors and sustainable, natural fiber yarns. Her Bloom Tweed Worsted (a tweedy wool, acrylic, and rayon yarn) and Shoreline Sport (an amazing wool, silk, and linen blend) feature Shaniko’s soft Merino wool – and you can find them both on our shelves!

Our Pattern Picks

2026 Winter Games Hat

Sizes

S, M, L, XL; 17, 18, 19, 20″ finished circumference

Yarn

MC, CC1, CC2: 1 skein each color Sea Change Fibers Bloom Tweed Worsted (89% Shaniko wool, 11% acrylic/rayon; 210 yards/192 meters per 100-gram skein).

Gauge & Suggested Needles

21 stitches and 28 rows = 4” on US#8 (5 mm) needles, in colorwork pattern in the round, after wet blocking. Use 1 size smaller needles for ribbing, 2 sizes smaller for I-cord.

Elza Sweater

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9); 37½ (41¼, 45½, 49¼, 53½, 57¼, 61½, 65¼, 69½)” finished bust circumference, suggested positive ease 6-8″.

Yarn

MC: 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) balls Freia Fine Handpaints Glitterati (80% Shaniko wool, 20% Stellina; 460 yards/421 meters per 150-gram ball)
CC: 3 (4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6) skeins Sea Change Fibers Shoreline Sport (50% Shaniko wool, 25% silk, 25% linen; 325 yards/297 meters per 100-gram skein)

Gauge & Suggested Needles

26 stitches and 32 rows = 4” on US#2½ (3 mm) needles, in colorwork pattern in the round, after wet blocking. Use 1 size smaller needle for neckband.

The post Stitching Olympic Style with Shaniko Wool appeared first on fibre space.

Pascuali Arctic Pearl is made from eco-friendly SeaCell fibre, derived from a blend of Icelandic kelp and eucalyptus celluose. Machine-washable and biodegradable, this unique yarn is breathable, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic – perfect for warm weather wear. Three fine threads woven into an airy tube, giving the yarn volume and elasticity with a silky-soft touch and an elegant sheen.

When we debuted this yarn last year, our fibre fam loved it! We just restocked, and we’re already dreaming of spring and summer projects. Too soon for you? Arctic Pearl is also great for layering garments, as well as lightweight scarves and shawls.

Beautiful stitched up on its own, Arctic Pearl is also ideal for pairing with other plant-based yarns like Pascuali Suave, a 100% cotton sport weight (which we also have in space!) that Pascuali describes as “vegan cashmere.” Get a head start on your summer projects with this gorgeous yarn!

Yarn Details

• Fingering weight
• 100% Lyocell (SeaCell)
• 268 yards (245 meters) per 50-gram ball
• 27 stitches & 40 rows = 4″ on US#4 (3.5mm) needles or US#E/4 (3.5mm) hook
• Machine or hand wash, dry flat
• $17.50, in-store only

Our Pattern Picks

Seashell Top

Sizes

(XS, S, M) (L, XL, XXL) (3XL, 4XL, 5XL); finished bust circumference (30, 32, 35) (39, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58)”.

Yarn

(3, 3, 3) (4, 4, 5) (5, 6, 6) balls Pascuali Arctic Pearl (100% lyocell (SeaCell); 268 yards/245 meters per 50-gram ball).

Gauge & Suggested Needles

28 stitches & 36 rows = 4” on US#2.5 (3mm) needles in stockinette stitch, after wet blocking.

Pearl Top

Sizes

1 (2, 3, 4)(5, 6, 7)(8, 9, 10); finished bust circumference 32.5 (36.5, 40.5, 44.25 )(48.25, 52.25, 56)(60, 64, 68)”, suggested positive ease 2.25-4”.

Yarn

5 (5, 6, 6)(7, 7, 8)(9, 9, 10) balls Pascuali Arctic Pearl (100% lyocell (SeaCell); 268 yards/245 meters per 50-gram ball).

Gauge & Suggested Hook

20 stitches & 21 rows = 4” on US#G-6 (4mm) Tunisian crochet hook in lace pattern, after wet blocking. Use 2 sizes larger hook (US#7/4.5mm) hook for edging.

Brevue Shirt

Sizes

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9, 10); finished bust circumference (35.5, 37.75, 40.25, 42.5, 44.75) (47.25, 49.5, 51.75, 54.25, 59)”, suggested positive ease 4-8”.

Yarn

(3, 4, 4, 4, 4) (4, 4, 5, 6, 6) balls Pascuali Arctic Pearl (100% lyocell (SeaCell); 268 yards/245 meters per 50-gram ball).
(4, 5, 5, 5, 6) (6, 6, 7, 8, 8) balls Pascuali Suave (100% cotton; 177 yards/162 meters per 25-gram ball)

Gauge & Suggested Needles

20 stitches = 4” on US#6 (4mm) needles in garter stitch with yarns held together, after wet blocking. Use 2 sizes smaller needle (US#4/3.5mm) for ribbing.

The post Just Landed: Dive into the eco-friendly shimmer of SeaCell with Pascuali Arctic Pearl! appeared first on fibre space.

Keeping my face as neutral as possible, I examined the damage. Honestly, I was awed that he was still wearing them! Certainly, they couldn’t possibly still fit; Tiny Cousin No. 3 was almost 10 years old, and I had gifted these socks at least 3.5 years ago. Once I had the socks in hand, it was evident they no longer fit, partly because of the extreme wear patterns. The bottoms of both toes were completely shredded, almost down to the instep. One heel was equally hole-ridden, and the other positively threadbare. These socks couldn’t be saved by darning. If I were going to salvage them at all, the only solution was surgery.

That’s right, I needed to cut out the problem areas. While slightly terrified to do it, I also knew I had nothing to lose. A mangled repair was no worse than no repair attempt at all, and possibly better. As a knitter, I’ve always been motivated to try hard things when it felt like more was on the line, and making a soon-to-be 10-year-old happy was extremely motivating.

I made a plan: first, I would buy yarn that complemented the original, since finding an exact match for a well-loved, often-washed, hand-dyed yarn wasn’t going to happen. Then I would begin removing the problem areas. I would cut out the holey heel, and if replacing it went well, I would cut out the threadbare one, too. If the attempt went poorly or was unnecessarily challenging, I would patch-repair the second heel instead. Then I would cut off the toes and replace them with new ones.

Weave in the ends, and presto! I’d hopefully have good-as-new socks. So I put my plan into action.

What happened was that before cutting out the heel, I slipped my DPNs into what I believed would be the “live” stitches after the big snip. Then, I took a leap of faith and cut my knitting. With the help of super-sharp tiny snips, the stitches came free with no issue. I picked out the extra yarn and counted my stitches to ensure I had an equal number divided evenly around.

Next, I began to knit. Using the afterthought heel technique in Susan B. Anderson’s Smooth Operator Socks, I closed the gap.

With the heel safely in place, I could move on to step 2: replacing the toe and increasing the length. Following my plan for the toe, I slipped my small-circumference circular into a row of live stitches just slightly before the damaged area. Once I snipped, I picked back the excess yarn to leave a tail, since I would need something to weave in at the end to prevent more holes. I added a beginning-of-round marker and started knitting. I tried to line the stitches up as best I could with the midpoint of the foot, where the toe shaping would start. However, an exact alignment truly didn’t matter as long as I knew approximately where those midpoints were, so I could make the transition to the toe as simple as possible.

I repeated these steps on the second sock, ultimately choosing to replace the second heel rather than patch it. The cutting was much less scary after a couple of rounds, and it was evident that the socks were so well-loved that even a patch might not last very long — and I want these to last as long as possible!

After a couple of months of problem-solving and knitting, I returned the socks to the now 10-year-old recipient, along with a brand new pair of sparkle socks, so he could rotate between the two pairs. (He’s already requested a third pair!)

With the first project for this column finally complete, I can finally move to the next project in my knitting queue of unfinished business!

Yarn used: Miss Babs Estrellita (acquired at fibre space’s annual trunk show!) and Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply Toes

The post Unfinished Business: Sock Surgery appeared first on fibre space.