Thanks to several requests from friends on Ravelry, I have developed designs for mitten blockers and wrist warmer/gauntlet blockers.  I plan to revise this design for the mitten blockers, so for now I have 4 pairs available in my Etsy shop.  In a week or so I will have the ‘new and improved’ version in stock.

Prototype Mitten Blocker Design

Mitten Blocker: 4″ x 10″ (10.16 cm x 25.4 cm)
Thumb Blocker: 2 3/8″ x 1″ (5.08 cm x 2.54 cm)

These knitting mitten blockers are made out of 1/8″ (4mm) acrylic cut-offs from a local plastic manufacturing company. GO GREEN

The set comes with a diz for spinning and a heart shaped US knitting needle gauge. Also included in the separate blockers for the thumbs are WPI gauges… I knew you’d like that!

Heart Shape Knitting Needle Gauge & Diz

I also had a request for gauntlet blockers, which will also work great for blocking wrist warmers!  Included are thumb blockers so they are truly a versatile design.

Gauntlet and Wrist Warmer Blockers

Gauntlet Blocker: 3.5″ x 15″ (8.89 cm x 38.1 cm)
Thumb Blocker: 2 3/8″ x 1″ (5.08 cm x 2.54 cm)

My friend Linda came over on Sunday and helped me get acquainted with my new spinning wheel.  With her much needed assistance I managed to make my first skein of yarn!  It’s a nice blend of merino batts and roving from my fellow Phat Fiber artists along with some fabulous wool locks that Linda dyed and shared with me.

Think I might try the wham bam cowl for this.

Thanks to the following fiber artists who were included in my skein of yarn with the generous donation of their samples to the

Phat Fiber Sample Box:

Altered Visions

Infinity Yarn and Fiber

Maude & Me

Moonwood Farm

Serendipity Fiber Arts

Sweet Pea Fibers

Wooly Hands

I want to thank Phat Fiber for highlighting my etsy shop and some of my original accessories for knitter and felters, as well as patterns and kits, plus some nice lampwork beads.

Phat Fiber is a nifty site for people interested in handmade items.

From their site…
“Phat Fiber is a mystery box of awesome samples for the yarn and fiber enthusiast in us all. With a focus on the independant artisan, this box is a super grass-roots treat for the senses.

When your box arrives, chock full of samples, expect to be overwhelmed with the sight and feel of artful yarns, bits of roving, small batts, stitch markers, original patterns, valuable discount coupons and much much more.

Inside, you could find anything that yarn and fiber enthusiasts would love…even an herbal tea or two!

Phat Fiber seeks to bridge the gap between talented online artisans and consumers hungry to support the independent small business.”

If you get a chance, stop by their site… (My stuff is on their blog for Dec. 14, 2008.)

Part of their nice comments…
“Take a look at Lynne’s shop! She really has everything there! I am personally eyeing the sock blocks! No splinters or mildew from being wet like wood sometimes does! I think she even has some “blond moment” ones on clearance *grin* She has a fancy laser that she uses to cut out and engrave original designs! So, for all of you small business owners out there, get a hold of Seven Yaks and have them do some promotional gauges for you! She does wholesale her products- what a great opportunity!”

How nice.

I’ve also included a link on the left for easy access in the future.

SPOOKTACULAR OCTOBER TREAT

Do you knit, crochet, felt, or make jewelry? Do you need costume ideas? Are you making Halloween Crafts? Are you into the homemade Halloween decorations? Need supplies?

Then we have a ‘FREE-ky and bewitching treat for you from 7 Yaks Design.

For every order over $25 (excluding shipping) you will receive a gift worth at least $10.
What is the gift? Well, it is a surprise! But here is a hint.

There are 4 types of special treats:
One is for Knitters.
One is for a Felter
One is for the Beadaholic
And one if you like to Crochet.

Crafts and Halloween go together.

Knit a Halloween scarf or sweater. Crochet some spooky Halloween decorations and gifts.

We supply the hair-raising good deals, you get to be devilishly clever

So levitate over to the 7 Yaks Design shop and pick out your supplies and receive your ‘treat.”

Be sure to let me know (in a message with your order) the type of treat you want. (Knit, Crochet, Bead or Felt) and your order and gift will be rushed to your dungeon door.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Here is a short video of pumpkin carving ideas. Some are very cool. A couple average. All I know is that when I was a kid, all you did was cut some eye holes and a big mouth and you were done. These people take it to a whole other level.

Check out the spook-tacular deals at 7 Yaks Design.

Here is an informative video from pyleia via YouTube, showing how to use your stitch markers.

Want some cute stitch markers for your next project? Check out the selection at 7 Yaks Design.

7 Yaks Design now offers Cindy Brown Lampwork beads. <See More Here.>

Example of Cindy Brown Beads

From CindyBeads…

“Early in 1992 I saw my first lampwork beads while vacationing in Arizona. The world stood still when I realized they were made by hand….one at a time! Could it be that I could learn to do such a thing? Play with FIRE? After purchasing a few beads, I decided to give this amazing process a try so that I could individualize the jewelry I had just started making. Finding a teacher was my next order of business (not as simple in ‘92 as it is these days!). To make a long story short, I ended up purchasing a torch, some glass and Lewis Wilson’s first video and just took off from there! I’ve been happily making “Cindybeads” ever since! While I still continue to make and sell a little jewelry, there is nothing like “melting” to fill my days with happiness!”

Visit 7 Yaks Design at Etsy.com for more Jewelry and Knitting Supplies.

The Long Tail Cast on is a fast way to make a beautiful edge and it is a better edge than most of the other methods. Fast and Good and Easy, now that is a skill worth mastering!

It may look a little hard at first, but it is really easy once you have followed along with the video a few times.

I’ve included one video to show the long tail cast on and another video showing the “stretchy” cast on.

These are often used with circular needles and socks (among lots of other uses) so I’ve made a special offer on my etsy site, www.sevenyaks.etsy for circular bamboo knitting needles. And you can check out my custom sock blocker with needle gauge. See below for details.

Here is the long tail cast on.

Here is a video from Jimmy Beans Wool showing the “Stretchy Cast On” which is good for socks, cuffs and collars and anywhere you want a little elasticity.

Sometimes the Stretchy Cast On is called the Old Norwegian Cast On or the German Cast On.

NEEDLE DEAL:
Here is what I have.

40″ Circular Bamboo Needle Set. Package includes one pair each of sizes 5,6,7,8, and 9.
Only $25 plus $3.50 shipping (US)

Circular bamboo knitting needles

40″ Circular Bamboo Needle Set. Package includes one pair each of sizes 10,10.5,11,13 and 15.
Only $32 plus $3.50 shipping (US)

Circular bamboo knitting needles

The satiny finish on these natural bamboo circular knitting needles will hold your stitches securely without ever being sticky. They are lightweight, smooth and quiet. Not slippery and noisy like some plastic or aluminum knitting needles. Great for the beginner or the veteran.

It is like getting one size free with these low prices.

We also have straight bamboo needles sets and single pairs of straight, circular and double pointed knitting needles at very good prices.

My custom designed sock block with needle gauge is a popular item with sock knitters. Take a look.

Sock Block from 7 Yaks Design

If you like circular bamboo needles or just have been waiting for a good excuse to get some, just visit www.sevenyaks.etsy.com and grab this great deal while quantities last.