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Fiber Factor Contestants Named

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fiber factor design contestA while back I told you about the Fiber Factor, a knitting design competition that will pit 12 designers against each other and the clock for a chance at a trip to Germany for the big winner.

The contestants were announced over the weekend, and it looks like a fun, diverse bunch. There are two guys among the 12, and the contestants range in age from 21 to 55. There are three New Yorkers, but the rest come from all over the country, which should be good fun.

The first challenge was announced this week as well. I don’t know how much the viewing public will be kept up on what’s going on behind the scenes, but I’ll bet at least some of these designers have blogs and will be talking about the process as they are able. The winner of each of the six challenges will win $500, so there’s a lot riding on the competition throughout.

I’m excited to see how it all turns out and will keep you posted on events as they unfold.

Comments

  1. It would be great if they had one link and we could keep up with all the contestants. I will try to ‘watch’ out for this. Going to mark my calendar for their first completed challenge..May 1.

Have you read?

Stitch a Simple Sack Hat that Looks Like a Turkey

If your family is the sort to do a turkey trot for Thanksgiving, or even just to take family pictures, you’ll want to get started knitting up some Turkey Sack Hats with this pattern from Underground Crafter. 

The pattern uses super bulky yarn and is rated easy. It’s knit flat but there are a few skills in here around the shaping of the eyes, which includes changing colors, working bobbles and doing a wicked purl 3 together decrease. Twice. 

But that’s all in one row, and the rest of it is pretty simple. The beak is worked separately and sewn on, and the side of the hat is stitched up to make it into a hat. 

What’s great about this one is that it comes in 10 sizes, ranging from newborn to adult large, so you really can make one for everyone in the family. And because it uses super bulky yarn you can knit a bunch pretty quickly if that’s a thing you’d like to do. 

It’s also fun because you could use this base pattern to make different animals or for different holidays. Make it all in orange and stitch on a jack o’lantern face for Halloween, or make a white one that’s a snowman, for example. 

In any style this would also be a fun gag gift for that person in your life who has everything or doesn’t want gifts, or if you do a secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange at work or elsewhere. 

And make sure whether you’re making it a turkey or some other character that you include the pom poms at the top! They’re just so cure and a great way to add a bit more color to the project, and they’re easy to make. (See also: ways to make a pompom with yarn.)

You can grab the free pattern at the Underground Crafter website. 

[Photo: Underground Crafter]