Robin OBrien's Articles in Hobbies

  • Sirdar and Berroco Yarn - Two Of My Favorite Yarns
    I've been knitting sweaters and scarves using Berroco yarn for years but Sirdar has been a recent discovery for me. I love using these yarns because of their modern color mixes and fiber combinations. Both companies also provide beautiful knitting patterns that complement their funky and fun fibers.
  • Windy Valley Muskox Yarn And My Lace Knitting Project
    I've been knitting all my life and have acquired many knitting books along the way. My latest buy is Arctic Lace by Donna Druchunas. This wonderful book is a step by step introduction to knitting and designing lace. Of special interest is the use of Muskox yarn. So, after purchasing some from Windy Valley Muskox Yarn I set about learning how to use this wondrous fiber to create a lace shawl.
  • Use Turmeric To Make Your Own Hand Dyed Yarn
    Making your own hand dyed yarn can be fun, rewarding and cheap. It's not that difficult to make either, and with a little practice, you'll making yarn that is beautiful and unique. Here's a recipe using turmeric.
  • My First Sock Using Twisted Sisters Yarn
    I've been knitting for some years now but have never, in all that time, used hand dyed yarn. Well, I finally decided to broaden my yarn experience and have completed my first project using a hand dyed fiber from Twisted Sisters Yarn.
  • Rio De La Plata Yarn - I Love Using This Hand-Dyed Yarn
    The more I knit, the more I realize how much I have to learn. Many years ago I started knitting simple patterns with cheap yarn I found in my local shop. Years later, I now find myself shopping around for new designs and colors using hand-dyed yarns from all over the world. My latest discovery is Rio De La Plata Yarn.
  • Hand Dyed Yarn - Making Variegated Yarn
    Knitting with hand dyed yarn is becoming more and more popular as people are discovering the beautiful and unique qualities of garments made from hand dyed fiber. Buying variegated hand dyed yarn can be expensive, so why not make your own? It's easy, fun and rewarding.
  • After Using Sirdar Yarn A Yarn Snob No More
    I didn't really notice it at first; it just sort of crept up on me. But, I'd turned into a yarn snob. I found myself only using hand dyed yarn for all my projects and refusing to knit with anything 'down market'. Sirdar yarn showed me the error of my ways.
  • Hand Dyed Yarn - Using Grape Juice To Make Your Own Dye
    Creating your own hand dyed yarn isn't difficult and can be fun. With a little practice, you'll making yarn that is beautiful and unique. Here's a recipe using grape juice. With wool get a dusty-rose color, on cotton you'll get soft lavender.
  • Margaret Stove And Filaro Yarn - Two Beautiful Yarns From New Zealand
    The best merino wool comes from Australia and New Zealand, so it's no wonder that two leading producers and exponents of yarn come from New Zealand. Both Margaret Stove (Margaret Stove Yarn) and Anna Gratton (Filaro Yarn) have international reputations firmly based on the quality of the yarn they produce and the quality of their workmanship.
  • My First Scarf Using Rio De La Plata Yarn
    I don't ever remember a time when I didn't knit. However, I have to confess that it's only recently that I turned my hand to hand-dyed yarns. Maybe the more I knit the more snobbish I become about it. I hope not. Anyhow, I've just tried using some hand-dyed wool from Rio De La Plata Yarn.
  • Twisted Sisters Yarn - Chic And Trendy Hand Dyed Yarns
    Twisted Sisters Yarn was founded by Lynne Vogel and friends over ten years ago. They are a group of innovative hand dyers and designers who have helped to bring modern designs as well as a sense of fun to the world of hand dyed yarn. Not only does Twisted Sisters Yarn mix together breathtaking colors to produce unique colorways, it also uses only the best fibers available.