Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Schaefer Yarn Set to Close

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schaefer yarn nancyI feel like I have nothing but bad news for you this week (and this is not the end of it, unfortunately) but word on the Web is that Schaefer Yarn Company, based in Interlocken, N.Y., is going to close after 33 years in the business. Owner Cheryl Schaefer is retiring and closing up shop effective the end of this year. She is apparently not interested in selling the business, which has produced lovely handpainted yarns in beautiful colorways named for powerful and influential women (new colors for 2012-13 include Janis Joplin and Josephine Baker, among others).

These yarns are still available from local yarn stores and online, but no more will be produced, so if you want some you better order it now!

I used some of the yarn in my first book and really enjoyed it. I always thought it would be kind of fun to knit a sweater in the funky Nancy, a thick and thin textured yarn. My journalism background tells me I should want the Nellie Bly colorway, but I love the softer look of Elizabeth Zimmermann. But the bright colors of Janis Joplin are pretty great, too. Guess I should make up my mind quick!

I’m so sorry to see this business go and I hope you’ll take a chance to check this yarn out while it is still available.

 

Comments

  1. Sad when a business that could carry on isn’t allowed to do so. Wonder why she doesn’t want to sell?

    Do share with us when you knit up your sweater!!!

  2. Goodbye and good riddance!

    Their yarns looked good on the skein but were nothing special when worked. Rip off.

Have you read?

Pencil Knitting Patterns

Getting ready for back to school makes me think about pencil crafts, so let’s take a look at some pencil themed knitting patterns! 

I recently made a pencil on a circular knitting machine, and it was a fun, quick, easy project that uses little bits of leftover yarn (and if you don’t have yellow you can make it a colored pencil using whatever color’s your favorite). And if you want to make a bigger version check out this pattern from Orange Olive Road on Etsy.

If you want to knit a pencil pillow by hand, check out Sketchy, available on Ravelry from Shana S. Cohen. This one uses worsted weight yarn and has two size options and the choice to make a pencil with an eraser or a colored pencil. 

Pencil scarves seem to be the most popular kind of pencil knitting pattern, and there are lot of cute ones. This one from Cosy Craft UK mostly uses garter stitch, with some welts to add texture and what looks like an I-cord edging. It calls for DK weight yarn. 

If you want to go all garter stitch try this version from Emsley Co Creations, which uses five colors of DK weight yarn and just a little shaping to make the point of the pencil.

There’s also this fun, mostly stockinette so it looks like it curls a bit, pencil pattern that looks like it’s worked in chunky yarn from Little Knits Studio. This one uses just a little garter stitch and easy shaping for the point. 

If you don’t want a pencil scarf, how about some pencil socks? The No. 2 Pencil Socks from The Yarn Enabler are available from Ravelry and use five colors of sock yarn. They feature wide ribs to mimic the texture of a pencil and have options to be worked from the top down or the toe up. 

Needs Sharpening by Alexander Walker is a free pattern on Ravelry that uses five colors of sock yarn to make a sort of shortie sock. The little bit of black at the tips of the toes inspired the name. These, too, can be worked in either direction and are available in three sizes.