One Cool Tool / Schacht Incredible Rope Machine

Join Beth and Kate in this how-to video  to see just how easy and fun it is to make rope! We love the Incredible Rope Machine. You can make all kinds of ropes – ropes for ties, ropes for bag handles, ropes for pretend play. It’s total fun for kids and adults.

Katia Park Avenue Scarf: Unusual yarn, unusual scarf… Unusually awesome!

My o my have we been having fun showing off the new Katia Park Avenue Yarn… And the soft, elegant, quick and fun to make scarf that folks are making with this yarn. The pattern for the yarn is included, and, in fact is inside the label.

Katia Park Avenue

But, because it is an unusual technique, and because you probably wouldn’t believe how easy it is unless you see it yourself (we wouldn’t!), we’ve made a video to share. Take a look – and let us know what else you’re making with Park Avenue!

Here it is on Vimeo, for those who prefer:

Rug Hooking With Yarn, Susie Stephenson’s two part video, ready to view

We’ve had such great response to Susie Stephenson’s book Designing and Hooking Primitive Rugs , and so much fun in her classes, we wanted to share some of her energy and knowledge with you all. Here, a two part video we put together last time she stopped by Halcyon Yarn: Part 1, rug hooking with yarn, examples and inspirations, and Part 2, rug hooking with yarn, a hands-on how-to. As Susie says (and shows), you can learn to hook rugs in 15 minutes, but spend a life time developing designs. These videos start with examples of some of Susie’s wonderful rugs, and give us glimpses into what inspired them. She then gives a great intro to rug hooking with yarn (hint: it came out beautifully!) that makes it look easy and fun. She also talks about the uses of yarn and roving in rug hooking, inspirations that are certainly near and dear to our heart. We had a great time making these videos, and on a personal note I’m planning out my first rug hooking project… So watch at your own risk! If you feel the need to get geared up, try our Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool , Halcyon Deco Rug Wool , or Halcyon Geo Rug Wool , and our rug hooking pages for supplies.

Designing and Hooking Primitive Rugs Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool Halcyon Deco Rug Wool Halcyon Geo Rug Wool

Felted Wreath and Tree – Quick Needle Felting Project for the Holidays!

Needle felting that is fun and easy – that is what Kendra and Beth show in this holiday-themed how-to video. Use the Harrisville fiber packs and a set of felting needles for fiber fun! Here is the video (the vimeo.com version, others may prefer the youtube version):

Knit Hat Patterns – Our favorites for winter with tips and tricks and favorite yarns too

It is hat time of year again, cool weather calls for cool caps. Kendra and Gwynn review favorite patterns in the store, give some tips on knitting up our favorite the Alpine Topper a versatile comfortable warm and stylish hat if ever there was one. If you want to see two knitters get excited about Noro Iro , update , and update , crazy colors and amazing comfort and warmth, check ‘em out…

Alpine Topper Noro Iro update update

Oh, oh wait! Before that, did you know that the patterns are free if you purchase suggested yarn(s) for the pattern?! It’s true, and all of the patterns and yarns are collected on this knitted winter hats page, also worth a gander… ok already, the video:

Winter Hats – Favorite Patterns, Tips and Trick from Halcyon Yarn.

or for those who prefer youtube:

Watch our favorite knit hat pattern video here

How to make Felted Soap Stones Video (aka, how to have fun!)

Well, some folks just have all the fun… That was what I thought being stuck behind the camera and watching Kendra and Beth make Felted Soap Stones. These little felt encased soaps are so useful around the house; in the shower, vanity, sink, wherever you’d use soap. Unlike soap, they are elegant! You can make a zen rock garden in your bathroom, and not run out of soap for ages.

What is great is that making these cool little stones is easy and fun… After watching them, my plan is to make some with our 3 yr old son… he’ll need a little help, but it should be a blast. Perfect kids project! Here is the Kit: Felted Soap Stones Fiber Pack

Felted Soap Stones Fiber Pack

Enough blabbering, here is the video on vimeo, in HD, with no commercials:

Felted Soap Stones – How to make them yourself!.

Some folks prefer youtube, if you have an account leave us a “like” and/or comment! Here is the link:

Felted Soap Stones, A How To Video, See it on YouTube!

Kinda Silly… But Fun! TP For Fiber Arts…

I’m a little worried… Just as we’re starting to have fun making videos, we’re going to get very busy putting together the next Yarn Catalog… Now, don’t get me wrong, working on the yarn catalog is fun too! But making a short on using toilet paper rolls for fiber arts was definitely a hoot. We might even have to produce an “outtakes”… We have more fun(ny) ideas so will try to keep rolling on them, time permitting. Anyway, in the mean time check out Gwynn and Kendra’s most recent video tip:

Useful toilet paper rolls… Yarn and fiber arts tips! from Halcyon Yarn

Some people had trouble with Vimeo video not loading, usually a page “refresh” fixed it, but if not you can see the same Useful Toilet Paper Rolls video on youtube!

Kumihimo Introduction – Omoshiroi Desu Ne!

Have you ever wondered “what IS kumihimo anyway?”… “What does it look like?” … “is it hard?” … Well, Michael put together a little starter video on Kumihimo some time ago, and though it took some time to get it out on the web, we finally did! Consider this a down payment on some more kumihimo info, Michael promises some do-it-yourself marudai construction techniques, as well as more tips and demos on kumihimo patterns… And, going forward the videos will be in High Definition (even if this one is lacking in resolution … Enjoy!

For those who prefer youtube (if you have an account) we also put a copy on youtube. Also, here is where you can find our kumihimo supplies!