I live in Montana and the last couple of weeks were really cold and snowy here. Like we got 3 ft of snow at my place as you can see a little of it. The snow reaches up to the base of my porch right now. I write this s I’m sitting on my porch actually listening to the sounds of the chickadees talking and my neighbors trying to clear their driveway of the ice and snow and the water dripping off my roof on one side from the snow melting. It is almost fifty degrees here today and comparatively it was in the single digits last weekend at this time.
I am listening to all of these sounds all mixed together at the same time and am thinking it is not yet spring but today certainly is showing the signs that nature and people are ready for some spring and new life and hopefully some good news for a change. I know I certainly am. The signs of the chickadees being back bring me hope. I love listening to them especially in the morning. It just makes me smile. I need these sounds to make me stop and listen to the sounds and relish what they mean.
My craft of working with natural and synthetic fibers is another way that I can connect with nature and be in the moment and remind myself of some of the good things in life. These are thoughts for the day. Until next time. Be kind to yourself always and take a moment to listen to the outdoor sounds.
I know it is still summer and it is hot right now in much of the world it seems but in the world of fiber crafts and crafts in general you have to think ahead a few months as you make things so I am now thinking fall and making things to transition to fall. Whether you are a seasoned knitter, a crochet connoisseur, or a newcomer to the world of fiber crafts, transitioning from summer to fall provides a ideal opportunity to explore new techniques and create cozy pieces to keep you warm during the cooler months ahead. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the magic of transitioning seasons through fiber crafts, exploring creative ideas and inspiring projects that bridge the gap between summer and fall.
Lightweight Accessories: As the temperature starts to drop, you can ease into the fall season by crafting lightweight accessories that provide a touch of warmth without being too heavy. Consider knitting or crocheting airy scarves, shawls, and wraps using soft cotton or silk yarns. These versatile pieces can complement your summer outfits while offering an extra layer of comfort on breezy autumn days.
Harvest-inspired Color Palettes: Let the changing landscape of fall inspire your fiber crafting endeavors. Draw on the rich colors of autumn leaves, pumpkin patches, and harvest fruits to select a warm and inviting color palette for your projects, incorporate shades of rust, mustard, olive, and deep burgundy into your designs, infusing your creations with the essence of the season.
3. Transitioning Garments: Take advantage of the shift in seasons to work on garments that effortlessly transition from summer to fall. Light cardigans, ponchos, and sleeveless vests are perfect for layering over your favorite summer tops and dresses. Opt for breathable fibers such as bamboo or linen blends to ensure comfort as you embrace the subtle chill in the air.
4. Fall inspired Home Decor: I refer to the picture above as an example with drink coasters. Fiber crafts aren’t limited to wearables! Spruce up your living spaces with fall-themed home decor. Create crochet or knit pillow covers featuring autumn motifs like leaves, acorns or pumpkins. Or like these fall leaf coasters to decorate your table. A cozy handmade blanket with an autumn inspired color theme will not only add warmth to your home but also imbue it with the spirit of the season.
5. Preserving Summer Memories: As summer comes to an end, why not preserve its cherished memories through fiber arts? Gather your beach or vacation photos and incorporate them into a scrapbook-style quilt or a memory blanket. Each square can represent a special moment or a unique memory, making the transition from one season to another a heartwarming journey.
6. Prepping for winter: As you transition from summer to fall, it’s the ideal time to get a head start on crafting winter essentials. Begin working on heavier scarves, mittens, and hats using luxurious wool or alpaca yarns, bison, etc. These projects will your hands busy and ensure you’re ready to face the colder months with handmade warmth.
In Conclusion:
Embracing the transition from summer to fall through fiber crafts allows you to infuse your creations with the beauty and essence of each season. Whether you’re crafting lightweight accessories, incorporating harvest-inspired colors, designing transitioning garments, adorning your home with fall decor, preserving memories or prepping for winter fiber arts offer a boundless creative outlet. So, pick up your needles or hook, select your favorite yarns, and let the changing seasons be your muse as you dive into the captivating world of fiber crafts. Happy crafting!
Hello, so does anyone else feel like we were cheated out of summer? In Montana we get a short summer anyway so this year it feels doubly so with all of June being so wet and cold a lot of it. Now Aug is over and September is here. Everywhere things are transitioning to fall items like pumpkins and fall colors. When you have a handmade business like mine you have to think a few months ahead anyway. As I look to the end of the year for 2022 and starting 2023 I am deciding that I need to make some changes in my business moving forward. I am going to be adding some new products to my shop in the coming weeks and months. Also I have been looking at the option of subscription plans and what that would look like for nexusknits. If I were to offer a subscription type option for people what would it be.
The obvious one people think of is offering a video class exclusively for subscribers. Well, that may be a option in the coming year as I look at what equipment I would need to successfully take that on. I have had people ask me about that. The option though I was looking to start with is a physical product. Since I am a small, one person run business I had to come up a product that I could offer that I knew I could put together in a relatively short period of time and offer multiples of. So I am going with my stitch markers. It will be a special, monthly, exclusive stitch marker set with probably some extra goodies thrown in. The theme will be something happening in each month, whether that is a holiday that falls then or a season, etc. If it is successful then I will look at other ideas for themes. You would have a choice of deciding to buy monthly, three months, or 6, or a year. What do you think? Obviously this is meant for people who knit or crochet. These also make a wonderful gift for that special person who does too. I’m still working on the details and will give more details as it comes available. But for now I would love some feedback. Would you go for something like this? Do you subscribe to anything?
Here are some examples of new products available. The bubble tea stitch markers are in the shop now. The baby hat and bootie set will be available soon. I am also stepping it up a bit and have gotten some custom labels made for my products so to look more professional, and up to date with my brand.
As I’ve said, my goal, mission with my business and craft is to make items that bring about some connection for people. Whether it is a accessory like hats, baby items, kitchen home items, and or the stitch markers and key chain items I offer. With that in mind I am also evaluating what hasn’t been selling and adding new, fresh things. The items that haven’t sold will be donated instead to my local charities that could use them for people in need as they are still very good things just not a interest for people to buy. Yet another way I can build connections. In conclusion, as the seasons change so is my business changing in a good way. Til next time, keep making connections and take care.
Hi folks, so I’m sitting at my desk right now working on some scrubbies and items for my shop on this Saturday morning and looking outside my window at the birds eating and there is a mix of snow and rain coming down this morning. It’s actually been going on since yesterday too. Though yesterday was more rain. This is more snow. It’s 34 degrees outside. This is what we deal with in spring in Montana. A mix of winter and spring. How is your spring?
What it is like right now outside
I have to say that lately I have been struggling a bit to stay motivated this time of year. My work gets busy as a essential worker in a grocery store and then to find the energy to work on my own stuff and get content out. I know I am not the only one. But I am trying to push through it. I do have some new products in mind that I think you will love. New things in the works. But for now, it’s just I need to find my mojo back a bit. That’s it for now, til next time, hope you have a nice spring weekend where you are and have a great creative day.
Hello, as I sit here thinking of what to write this morning I am looking out at blue sky and listening to my chimes outside lightly playing as the wind is picking up. It is currently 37 degrees outside here in Bozeman and it is not expected to get much warmer through the day. Yesterday it got up to mid seventy’s. This is spring in Montana. Where one day it is beautiful and warm and the next be cold and dreary at times. Spring here is kind of two seasons, lingering winter like temps and some spring like temps.
For me as a crafter what that means is I can still make hats and shawls and things but also look toward warmer weather and make things with cotton. I am also now in the mode of thinking of and preparing for the upcoming season of farmers markets and selling in person as well as online. I’m getting excited to show off my new brand coming together that I believe will really express where I live and create and what I do. Where I live gives me inspiration to create.
An example of a beautiful spring day viewA new washcloth
Here is a picture of a new washcloth I just finished this morning. It uses a cotton yarn that is a mix of cotton and a scrubby style yarn. So it gives sections of scratchy and soft. Depending on how you like your washcloths this gives you a combo to try. I would say it would be good for the kitchen and the bath if you are the kind that like a bit of scrub for cleaning your face too. What do you think? Would you buy a washcloth like this? I would love to know.
Springtime also inspires me to add more colors to my palette. I love color and this time always makes me happy to see the new growth and colorful flowers and green grass starting to come out. What inspires you about spring? Til next time, stay positive and enjoy the time you are in.
Wow! Where did the time go. It is the end of aug and soon it will be fall. It is slowly starting to look and feel it around here in bozeman. Despite the pandemic , life still goes on. It just looks different due to it. With fall comes the need to get flu shots. Even more important then ever. But enough about that.
I wanted to also say that with fall brings about reminders of things like cancer awareness as well. Something that is important to me as a cancer survivor myself. I am ever so grateful for everyday that I have. With fall comes the reminder of breast cancer and I have members of my family that have survived it and ones who have not. So I will continue to help the fight in anyway I can. One new thing I am excited to announce is I am making some new stitch markers for my shop, nexusknits. They will be debuting in September and for all of September and October I will donate half the proceeds from the sales of these markers to the fight for breast cancer. The picture above shows some of them. I also make knitted and crochet knockers for those affected by breast cancer. Next my thoughts for the day.
In this time of division with politics and the pandemic please remember that we need to be kind to one another whether or not we agree. And we need to respect everyone. It is not ok to treat people differently. Enough said for today. Take care everyone and please be safe and help each other out by wearing a mask when you are out and about. It really does help even a little bit. Til next time.
thenexusknitter 