2022 has been a wonderful year for crafting! We are offering a selection of exciting discounts to celebrate the last few days of the year. Act quickly; the event ends at the stroke of midnight! Due to the anticipated response to these deals, please allow us a few extra days to package and ship orders.
Limited to stock on hand
Discounts can not be applied to previous orders
Winding service not available during this event
Sale ends January 1, 2023 at 12:01am
Sale ends Monday, November 28, 2022 at 11:59pm Pacific Time
Some items are not discountable, including but not limited to subscriptions, yarn winders, and swifts
Winding service not available during this event
We are unable to combine orders
Limited to stock on hand
Welcome back to the Hippie Galaxy! This is our second stop on the mile-long Bobbel Boxx journey.
Click HERE for the first blog post on this topic.
I am sure that everyone has been asking the question, “Does my wrap that I am weaving on my loom really have to be a straight-edged rectangle?” Even if you have not been asking that question, bet you are thinking about it now! We can take that straight edge and give it an angle. So, instead of a squared off rectangle (parallelogram) you will be pushing those short sides forward into a parallelogram with angled ends. Parallelogram definition: a four-sided plane rectilinear figure with opposite sides parallel. Definition from the online Oxford Languages site. This angle can be a sharp point, a gradual point, a stair step angle, etc., etc., etc. What you are weaving is 2 triangles with a rectangle in the middle.
Here are the specifications for this Hippie Wrap:
Warp and Weft are Lola yarn
Warp is 90” long and width is 15” on a 10 dent heddle
To use all the colors in the warp I divided the number of ends by the number of colors. That means, for this width (150 ends) you come up with an odd number, so you can choose to do 16 with a few less ends of the last color. Or you can add a few extra slots to several of the colors as you warp. This is just a suggestion, based on using the colors as evenly as possible. This gives us the full range of colors available for all the wraps you are weaving. Remember, if you have a wider loom you will want to measure and center your warp in the heddle. After you have direct warped your loom, once again do NOT cut the loops at the warping peg. Just tie the warp and slip off the peg and wind on to your loom. When you are ready to thread the holes, cut one loop at a time keeping the threads separate in your hand so you have a clean warp. This is due to the fact that the yarn is not plied but you 4 separate threads acting as one yarn. This is amazing as you can see below, but you need to be a little more careful as you are threading the holes to keep the correct 4 threads together. This applies to all yarn that is not plied, such as Concentric Cotton, and Concentric Alpaca.
This wrap is a plain weave, but not so plain when you have the colors you are working with in this yarn.
When you have wound on, threaded the holes and are ready to tie on to the front apron bar, make sure when you are tying on you are using enough length so it can be used as fringe. If you use an alternate way of tying on, make sure you plan for the fringe.
Next, we need to wind our shuttle. I used only one shuttle in the project. After sitting and staring at the warp on the loom, I realized I need a plan to continue to use the colors as evenly as possible. So, counting my shuttle wraps was the answer. It may seem tedious, but it really does go fast once you get in the groove. After securing the first color to the shuttle, begin winding onto the shuttle counting every time you make one full rotation around the shuttle. For this color plan I counted to 20 and cut my yarn. This shuttle is loaded and ready to weave.
Now we need to spread our warp to get ready to weave, in the picture I used double waste yarn picks to get the warp where I needed it to be so the weaving could begin. This also stabilized the warp to start the angled weaving section.
Now, here we go! I promised stair steps, and as you can see in the picture, I used the color stripes to set the width of each step. Starting my weft yarn on the right the first pick is only about 14 ends wide (your shuttle will come up out of your warp), gently beat, change sheds and send your shuttle back to the right side, gently beat and change sheds. Repeat this process with the same number of warp threads, until you have 4 rows ending again at the right side of the warp. Continue weaving each section, weaving a longer and longer row until you reach the other edge and can begin weaving full rows.
When you are weaving this angle, you will need to make sure that you are weaving a straight line perpendicular to the edge of your warp with each pick. A ruler or piece of cardboard will help you, or you can just eyeball it as you beat the weft. A soft beat is important, at this time it is very easy to change the angle of your pick. Weaving 4 rows per section will give you the stair steps, if you weave only 2 rows per section you will have a gradual angle.
The following example woven with Concentric Cotton has smoother angle and has only 2 passes with the shuttle per section. To create a sharper angle weave fewer warp ends with each pass, a softer angle weave more warp ends with each pass until you reach the other side.
Once you have completed the angled section, measure the length from the beginning of the weft to the first complete row and record this on your project page. This will help you create a matching angle once you get to the other end of your project. Of course, both ends of your scarf really don’t have to be the same.
As you continue weaving you will soon run out of weft yarn on your shuttle. Pick your next color, on my scarf I used the colors in order (they are numbered on the ball band). With this length of warp you will not have enough room to use all the colors evenly. My color bands are smaller at the end, or you can leave out a color or two if you don’t have the room. But when you begin weaving your angle try and make sure you have enough weft yarn to complete it. Load your shuttle the same way you did the first color and continue weaving until you can see the end of your warp.
When you are coming to the end of your warp, make sure you have enough room to complete your angle and fringe.
When you are ready to create the final angle of your parallelogram, you will need to shorten your weft picks starting from the left edge of your warp. When you began your scarf, you were adding warp ends. When you are beginning your final angle, you will be reducing the number of warp ends you weave until you have finished your last section.
To set up for the fringe I do a simple overhand knot with approximately 4 ends per knot, depending on how many ends you have in each section this will vary.
Once I have twisted the fringe and woven in all the ends, I put the scarf in a lingerie bag and put it in the washer with my regular laundry in cold water wash. I remove the scarf from the bag and put it in the dryer for just a few minutes and then hang to finish drying.
Wear your amazing work of art and enjoy……..and yes, there is still yarn left to continue the journey.
Stay tuned for Not Quite Mondrian, coming soon.
Weave on…and on…..and on………..
Weave on,
Cynthia
My life in fiber arts has been a journey leading me through the forests of thread and yarn and across the plains of fabric to finally find my home in the magic of the loom. Being immersed in the crafts of sewing, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, and many things in between, has enabled me to understand many ways of approaching techniques and design in weaving and in teaching.
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Hello Everyone,
Thank you for your interest in our Whidbey Pullover Design Contest in collaboration with Bellish. After much in-house discussion, we have decided to postpone this design contest indefinitely.
With Stay At Home orders still in effect for much of the country, and the world, we want to ensure everyone who has the desire to participate would also have the ability to obtain the yarn. This is not currently possible for everyone, and we are aware of this.
We look forward to re-introducing an event like this in the future and hope you will join us then.
If you have any questions regarding this event, please reach out to Kyle at Kyle@makersmercantile.com for assistance.
We appreciate your understanding and wish you well,
If you missed the fabulous sweater we recently featured on social media, here it is again — Liz’s gorgeous Love Note Sweater designed by Tin Can Knits. Liz knit her sweater with Zitron Herbstwind Tasmanian Wool in color 18 held with Zitron Extra Klasse in color 4453.
We LOVE how the colors blended together and thought you might want to give yourself a Love Note as well. Thus we are delighted to offer you a “Build Your Own Kit” coupon to build your own Love Note Kit!
Pick the colors of yarn you love in the quantities you need, as well as the needles of your choice, and use the coupon LoveNoteApril2020. This will give you 20% off your purchase of the supplies. We are including needles in the discount enabling you to get everything you need to knit your own Love Note at the 20% off.
This discount code includes every color of Herbstwind Tasmanian Wool by Zitron and Zitron Extra Klasse plus addi Rocket, addi Rocket 2 Squared, and addi Olive Wood needles in US 7 (4.5mm) and US 10 (6.0mm) in cable lengths of 16″ and 32″.
Based on your response, you love the Love Note Sweater as much as we do! We have received quite a few requests for additional variegated color options. If you too were looking for an option with a bit more color variation, we have a treat for you. We have extended our discount to include Zitron Unisono yarn!
We can’t wait to see your sweaters!
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Hello Makers!
If you haven’t already heard, there’s a new app for iOS that generates sweater patterns for free called Bellish!
This revolutionary app allows the user to feel like a designer by offering multiple points for customization! Choose from different necklines, sleeve lengths, body lengths, and textures – all available in a variety of gauges with new options added regularly!
Ready to learn more? Check out our Q&A with Bellish Knitting below!
Q) How did the idea for Bellish come to be?
A) Bellish began with the idea of creating digital tools for knitters. These days we use our smartphones and tablets for so many of our daily tasks, and it was a natural next step for us to ask if there might be a way to make those devices more useful for knitting. As knitters, ourselves, we wanted to create a dynamic, personalized knitting experience that went beyond what was possible with a PDF.
Q) We love knitting sweaters, which is why Bellish is so appealing! Are there plans to eventually expand the offerings beyond the realm of sweaters?
A) For the time being, the focus is on enhancing the sweater knitting experience to the fullest. We’re building a robust library of options, with new sweater styles, yarn weights and embellishments underway (we add new features almost every week). It’s certainly a possibility that we’ll add other kinds of knitting projects down the road as Bellish grows and evolves with the feedback of our users.
Q) What is your favorite feature that’s included with the Bellish app?
A) There’s a real sense of immediate gratification when you’re able to customize your design in real time and see the textures and colors transform right before your eyes. Of course, we love the digital tools in the app: the row highlighter, stitch/row counters and clickable stitch checkpoints, but we think the absolute best thing about Bellish is that it makes it easy for any knitter to bring their sweater ideas to life. We’ve loved watching knitters use Bellish as a starting point and then add their own creativity to the mix.
Q) We love how the Bellish app can allow knitters to fall in love with a yarn, then make a pattern around it. Based on your testers, what’s been the most exciting pairing of yarn and pattern you’ve seen so far?
A) Knitters loved having the ability to create their sweaters based on the yarn they already wanted to use (rather than trying to find the perfect pattern, and then looking for the right yarn to go with it). One of our testers said that she had yarn in her stash from a friend of a friend’s mom, and it had been sitting dormant since the 1980s. The Bellish app made it possible to finally turn that yarn into the exact sweater she wanted it to be – she said that her friends were very impressed that she finally found a use for it.
One of the other things our testers have really liked about Bellish is being able to open the app while they’re at the yarn shop. They can stand right there in front of the yarn they fell in love with, and – with a few clicks – design a sweater to go with it, and know exactly how much they’re going to need.
Q) With any idea that blooms into reality, there’s always something to discover along the way. What’s been the most surprising feedback you’ve received from the beta testers and users so far?
A) Two things really stood out for us. First, we wondered how knitters would feel about seeing an illustration of their pattern rather than a finished photo. But when you think of each knitter as an individual designer of their own project, it makes sense that they would start with an illustration and then bring the sweater to life on their needles – our beta testers loved that process. Second, we were very curious about the skill level of the knitters who would find Bellish most useful. Would it resonate more with beginners? Experienced knitters? We had thousands of beta testers and the feedback was so interesting: it was almost exactly a 50/50 split between those who felt Bellish was perfect for beginners, and those who felt it was designed especially for experienced knitters. We were thrilled to see that Bellish is providing an inspiring and worthwhile experience for knitters, regardless of their skill level. It’s a fun, creative resource for any knitter!
Ready to download the app and give it a try?
CLICK HERE to download Bellish
Use the hashtag #MakersBellish to show us your progress on social media!
We know that buying gifts can sometimes be a daunting task... especially when the gift is for a crafty maker. You might have no idea what to get for them, and that leaves you with options like "bath robe" or "blender"...
Here's a list of some of our favorites of this season.
Sock of the month club
This one is a gift that gives all year long. Starting in January, we send out a monthly subscription box that includes yarn and pattern to make a pair of socks. More than that, we host a KAL group for the projects in Ravelry.
Oh! We also will be including other goodies in the packages... each month it's something different!
The subscription box can be canceled at any time with a simple email to hello@makersmercantile.com - click "Learn more" to learn all the details about this club.
addi FlexiFlips 8 inch set
We crafted a full set of addi® FlexiFlips for the much-loved maker in your life. Made specifically for North America, these specially designed 21cm circulars (3.5" tips with 1" cord) rest comfortably in the hand, and act as flexible double pointed needles. Easy to use, stitches are simply distributed over two needles, and then knit with the third - resulting in only two needle changes per row.
This full set includes all 11 sizes, so you'll never be without the perfect needles, and when you order the full set at our great low price, you get the fabulous FlexiRoll … the only needle case designed specifically for the addi® FlexiFlips, free!
Makers' Apothecary Candles
Our 8oz. candles are hand-poured by a small business in Kentucky and feature pure, natural soy wax, clean-burning cotton wicks, and non-toxic scents.
More than just a candle, each Makers' Apothecary candle features a secret hidden deep inside. After the candle has burned enough to reveal the package, Carefully retrieve, and then open the foil to reveal a handmade stitch marker!
Each candle will burn approximately 40-50 hours. Consider making a gift package with candle, yarn, needles, and some treats for a well-rounded gift!
Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting
Imagine being told you have to stop knitting because of discomfort in your hands, arms, neck, or back. Imagine the sense of frustration and the longing to get the needles back in your hands. Imagine the lingering doubt you might have when you can pick them up again: “What was I doing wrong after all these years of knitting?” “Will I get hurt again?” “Will I have to stop knitting forever to make this pain go away?” Maybe you’d like to be a faster, more efficient knitter, or a knitter who produces more projects, but you’re not sure what’s getting in the way.
This book will help you understand the ergonomics of knitting so you can improve your safety, efficiency, and productivity in knitting. You’ll learn to identify ergonomic risks that contribute to injury and reduce knitting efficiency. Throughout the book, you’ll be provided with activities and guidance to improve your knitting ergonomics so you can knit more confidently and comfortably. Through instruction in stretches, exercise, and self-care, you’ll also learn how to manage the discomfort common to knitters before it becomes an injury, and how to recognize when it’s time to seek help from a health-care professional.
Join me in this unique knit-along that will help make a more comfortable, lifelong knitter out of you.
Sheep Herd Tote
Hand printed on 100% Cotton w/ cotton handles
13"x15"
Machine Wash Cold/Warm inside out, Hang to dry, Iron on Back
Each bag is printed by hand and may have slight variations which adds to the charm and beauty. The handmade nature of the bag assures that each one is individually unique.
Use at the grocery store, farmers market, library, or anywhere! Great as gifts for others and yourself!
Hanging Circular Needle Organizer
Double sided hanging circular needle organizer with 17 available slots. Each slot includes a clear window for your custom size. One side is denim, and the other side is natural. Measures approximately 8" wide x 32" long. Made exclusively for Makers' Mercantile by DellaQ. At the base of the organizer is a zippered pouch, plus one more bonus slot for oversized needles!
addi click turbo interchangeable needle set
addi Click Interchangeable Turbo Needle Set is one of the most popular interchangeable knitting needle sets on the market. They feature some of the best joins out there with a lifetime warranty! We love the addi Click Sets and know them inside and out. If you have questions on anything addi make sure to contact us, we are happy to help you figure out which set is right for you. The addi Click Interchangeable Turbo Needle Set system provides 10 different sizes of addi Turbo® tips (3.50 mm, 3.75 mm, 4.00 mm, 4.50 mm, 5.00 mm, 5.50 mm, 6.00 mm, 8.00 mm, 9.00 mm, and 10.00 mm), three different lengths of our new, extremely pliable blue cords (24”, 32” and 40”), and one connector piece which helps to either store stitches or combine your cords. The Click tips require no tools to change; simply insert the cord deep into the tip, twist and release. The tips will remain secure until you change them, thanks to the Clicks' revolutionary locking mechanism!
Kinky Yarn
100% Superwash Wool
200g / 133 meters / 147 yards
12-16 sts and 20-22 rows = 4" on US 10-13 (6-9.0 mm) needles
... but why is it in a coil? This fun yarn comes pre-knit in a 12 stitch tube (not an i-cord) and is ready to dye. Keep it coiled and place it in dye for an unusual effect, or open the coil and dip it all the way in a dyebath. Depending on your process, the yarn might have light spots where the fibers are compacted in the knitting. We think the undyed spots are super cool. After the yarn is rinsed and dry, you'll pull the tail and work right from the coil. The kinky texture will add dimension to your work. Want a smoother finished project? Block the project and it'll relax just for you.
It's easy to dye this yarn, AND it's easy to get professional results, no matter your level of experience.
Schacht Cricket 10" Loom
The Cricket series looms are a great way to get started weaving. Don't let their small size fool you! These looms are fun and versatile to use, and all Schacht looms are made with pride in the USA with high quality craftsmanship and materials in Boulder, Colorado. These portable looms are great for teaching weaving classes for adults and children. They are fairly simple to setup and are small and inexpensive enough that students can take the looms home between classes.
The Schacht Cricket was a craft finalist in the prestigious 2014 Martha Stewart American Made Awards. When you purchase a Schacht loom you know you're getting a well-designed tool built by craftsman who are dedicated to weaving.
artfelt kit - holey scarf
Even with holes, this scarf will keep you warm. The holes give this scarf an eclectic look while the multi-colored roving add in a pop of color that will go with a lot of different wardrobes.
addi Rocket 2 [Squared] circular knitting needle
Meet the addi® Rocket2 Squared, a line of square shaped circular needles with the same speedy addi® Turbo finish and featuring the beloved addi® Rocket tapered tips.
Sizes are listed in approximate US sizes -AND- exact metric sizes for your convenience. All addi® needles are manufactured to exact metric sizes.
"I’ve been a knitter much longer than I’ve been a physical therapist or an ergonomist, but I still remember my first addi experience. I was knitting an afghan with let’s say “rustic” wool, and (horrors) bamboo needles. Ah, the ergonomically unenlightened knitter that I was. More time spent than one would hope for the amount of fabric produced, I confess my forearms were positively sore. Then one evening while working on that project in a knitting circle at a local yarn shop I spied them. Shiny, sleek, and downright sexy (yes, a knitting needle can be sexy!), someone across the table was working with an addi Turbo®. I can’t lie - I was indeed first impressed by how beautiful those needles looked. But, it didn’t take much observation to see how effortless they made that knitter’s work. Stitches were soaring. So then and there I bought a circular to replace the bamboo needle I was using. Smooth, fluid, and best of all comfortable, my knitting experience was transformed.
That was my first addi Turbo® and I’ve been a fan ever since. I’m a lot more ergonomically savvy now than I was at that time and I still love my Turbos. They pair perfectly with yarns that offer resistance on other needles, reducing the work of forearm and hand muscles. Their cables are strong, smooth, well behaved and support even a heavy afghan without fuss. I love how the reflective surface of the needle creates value contrast with nearly any yarn - which makes using them easy on the eyes in more ways than one. Comfort is always an ergonomic priority and addi Turbos® help me knit comfortably."
It's no secret that we are fans of Carson Demers and his work to help fiber artists continue making with less opportunity for injuries. his book, Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting contains all the information you could need to help ensure a long life of comfortable crafting. We are also delighted to offer this book for purchase in our shop and online.
Imagine being told you have to stop knitting because of discomfort in your hands, arms, neck, or back. Imagine the sense of frustration and the longing to get the needles back in your hands. Imagine the lingering doubt you might have when you can pick them up again: “What was I doing wrong after all these years of knitting?” “Will I get hurt again?” “Will I have to stop knitting forever to make this pain go away?” Maybe you’d like to be a faster, more efficient knitter, or a knitter who produces more projects, but you’re not sure what’s getting in the way.
This book will help you understand the ergonomics of knitting so you can improve your safety, efficiency, and productivity in knitting. You’ll learn to identify ergonomic risks that contribute to injury and reduce knitting efficiency. Throughout the book, you’ll be provided with activities and guidance to improve your knitting ergonomics so you can knit more confidently and comfortably. Through instruction in stretches, exercise, and self-care, you’ll also learn how to manage the discomfort common to knitters before it becomes an injury, and how to recognize when it’s time to seek help from a health-care professional.
Want to knit comfortably? Get your very own copy of Carson's book here:
About Carson Demers:
By day, Carson is a physical therapist who runs an ergonomics program for a San Francisco Bay Area medical center. Every other moment, he’s knitting, spinning, designing, teaching, writing, or otherwise up to some fiber fun with a watchful eye toward ergonomics. His passion and experience in fiber arts combine with his expertise in physical therapy and ergonomics to create a unique skill set that he eagerly shares with the fiber community at local yarn shops, guilds, and major knitting events across the country. He is a regular contributor to Ply magazine.
Wow, can you believe that? This Friday is my last day in the US, my last day at this company, my last day of this internship. I have been here for two months now and I can’t believe that I am about to fly back to Germany tomorrow morning.
This blog attended my journey through this whole experience. Therefor, this will be my last blog post as the not-knitting-knitter-intern…
I learned a lot about the business, but even more about the American way of life and the people that surrounded me who became my friends during this internship. I also learned a lot about myself, as this has been the first time for me to be that far away from home for such a long time. I am thankful for this experience and all of the memories I made.
So this is a big thank you to all the great coworkers at Skacel and Makers’ Mercantile:
Thank you for all the memories we made, all the fun we had and all the things I have learned! Thank you for the jokes, the laughs and the adventures. Thank you for making this internship as special as it has been!
For all of you out there that may be interested in an internship at Skacel, go for it! You will meet great people and awesome coworkers. Great experience and lots of knowledge!
