Thanks Ashley for the really great story! And on that note, we'd like to formally announce the winners of the 2013 Beans for Brains Scholarship! Many of you know that we give out 5 scholarships each year-- one each to 4 designated regions of the US and 1 to a local (Reno/Tahoe) student as a way to give back to our own community. Here are the 5 winners of this year's awards:

Western Region: Jessica Harris

Jessica Harris

Jessica is getting her Bachelors at University of Denver in Environmental Studies. She has been an advocate for environmentally friendly anything for as long as she can remember.  Her closet is a combination of anything natural from wool to silk, organic cotton, flax and hemp. In fact, her project that she submitted for the scholarship was a hand beaded hemp and silk charmeuse cocktail dress that she designed, drafted the pattern, and sewed herself. Jessica is a huge DIY'er and loves that the Beans for Brain scholarship exists to support creative students. She told us: "I am so thankful that for the opportunity that [Jimmy Beans Wool] has given to me in order to pursue my dreams. I will continue to work hard and make them proud to have chosen me as a scholarship winner. I am very excited for the future!" Jessica's future goals are certainly worth being excited for too! She plans to apply to law school to become an Environmental and Animal Rights Attorney. Congrats Jessica!


Midwest Region: Madison Stuhlreyer

Madison Stuhlreyer

Madison is majoring in Biology and is Pre-Med at Ohio State University. For her project she sewed a set of mythological themed oversized dolls. She created the patterns for all body pieces, outfits and parts for “My First Medusa and Mercury” dolls herself. Madison is a knitter as well as a sewist. Currently, she is in the honors program at The Ohio State University. In five years, she plans to be in her second year of medical school at either The Ohio State University or the University of Cincinnati. Madison is also recipient of the Ohio STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) scholarship which provides an opportunity for her to share her excitement about the sciences with Columbus-area youth. So cool! Congrats Madison!



Southern Region: Omar Johnson

Omar Johnson

Omar attends Columbia University and is studying negotiation and conflict management. Omar taught himself to knit and crochet as a way to relax while he was deployed overseas with the US Air Force. He's received several medals and is currently ranked as a Captain. His project was a crochet baby blanket that he recently made for his newborn niece. About his chosen career path, Omar writes, "I am currently getting my Masters in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. I will graduate in May 2014. Once I graduate, I plan to use this degree to become a better officer in the military and a better citizen in my community. This program has taught me the essentials of peacemaking and peace-building, which is vital within our communities and important for me to understand as I seek to serve our country." Way to go Omar! Thank you for your service and being an inspiration in your efforts!


Northeast Region: Cassie Lowell

Cassie Lowell

Cassie is attending Harvard College and is majoring in Bio-engineering. She plans to continue on to graduate school and pursue her ABET certification in engineering. Cassie is an athlete who plays Field Hockey and Swims. In her free time, she loves to sew. For her project she created a "historically accurate" Ariel dress from Disney's The Little Mermaid drafted from her own pattern and complete with hand stitched gold seashell appliques and pearl beading. She really loves historical costuming and most of her projects include some kind of historical element. Of her future goals, Cassie writes, "Solving real world problems in a way that helps people is a dream come true for me. With the right combination of passion, innovation, and collaboration, anything is possible."





Reno/Tahoe: Farah Rashdan

Farah Rashdan

Farah attends the University of Nevada, Reno and is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. She plans to get her Master's Degree in Social Work. She is actively involved in many on campus organizations and volunteers locally as well. Farah crocheted her project using yarn that was given to her by friends and family. Of her future plans, she writes, "I want to get my Master's in Social Work so that I am able to help those that have gone through human trafficking. I would also like to volunteer abroad in countries like Thailand, which has a massive population with many young females who are affected by human trafficking. I am a firm believer of my life being my 'Magnum Opus;' it will be my greatest work, so I must challenge myself and overcome my own obstacles in my own life.”



So these are the five winners of the 2013 Beans For Brains Scholarship! Congrats to all of you and thank you to everyone who submitted an application! We hope all of you will apply again next year!

I'd also like to take a moment to thank our Sponsors for the Beans For Brains Scholarship! Without them, we wouldn't be able to continue to help crafty college students achieve their life goals! The 2013 Sponsors were:

-Skacel/Addi
-Chicken Boots
-Bar Maids
-Koigu
-Knitter's Pride
-Lorna's Laces
-Red Heart
-Westminster Fibers
-Universal Yarn
-Tahki Stacy Charles
-Alsatian Soaps
-Berroco Yarns
-Classic Elite Yarns
-Knitting Pure and Simple
-Namaste
-Unicorn Books
-Blue Sky Alpacas
-Cascade Yarns
-Lantern Moon
-Yarn Pop-Brown Sheep Yarn Co.
-Plymouth Yarns
-Javori Designs
-Kollage Yarns

For a more information about the Scholarship and a list of past winners, please see the Beans For Brains Scholarship page on our website. 

I hope you all have a great weekend and as always, happy crafting!

Kristen

 

When most experienced knitters hear the word "synthetic", the first thought is harsh, squeaky, cheap yarn. The very thought of synthetic yarn often elicits a crinkled up nose, a cringe and possibly a shudder!

Not so fast!!!

Yes, many of us are a bit snobbish about synthetic, but really we shouldn't be: they do have their appropriate uses and there are some really pretty and very soft choices!

There are four main categories of synthetic yarns: nylon, acrylic, spandex, and polyester.  I have learned quite a bit in just researching for this blog post.  As I mentioned last time I love science stuff and synthetics are incredibly diverse and made from many different chemicals.  I've learned that all synthetic and man-made yarns are made of polymers.

What is a polymer, you ask?

Let us again return to high school science! Remember that molecules are groups of atoms that have unique properties. For instance, a water molecule is two hydrogen and one oxygen atoms. You may also remember that there are different kinds of bonds that molecules can form and one type is a chemical bond. Molecules that can form chemical bonds are called monomers.  Long chains of monomers chemically bonded together are polymers.  Polymers are both naturally occurring and are synthesized.  An example of a naturally occurring polymer is protein which is made from long chains of amino acids.  Since around the late 1800's scientists have learned that by imitating naturally occurring polymers with man-made molecules they can create useful substances.  Thus rayons and synthetic fibers were born.

Synthetic fibers can be made to imitate the drape, function, and feel of many natural fibers.

Here is a brief overview for each of the four main types of synthetics:

Nylon became popular during WWII to replace the silk that was no longer available for parachutes because of Japan's involvement in the war.  Before that it had been first used in toothbrushes and women's stockings. It is most often but not always made from petrochemicals.  It can also be called polymid, polyamide or polyamid.  Nylon is exceptionally strong, elastic, resists abrasion (which is why it's included in sock yarns), has a nice sheen, is resilient and doesn't absorb a lot of moisture.  Of all the synthetics, I think it pills the least.

Polyester is very similar to nylon.  It is lightweight and very strong, very durable so it is resistant to most chemicals, stretching, shrinking, wrinkling, mildew and abrasion. It doesn't absorb water so it drys quickly which makes it great for outdoor and exercise clothing.

Acrylic, of all the synthetic fibers most resembles wool in loft, elasticity, texture and hand.  It is light weight and easy to wash, is moth proof and resistant to damage from the sun or chemicals.

Spandex, also known by the brand name Lycra, is much like nylon or polyester but has tremendous elasticity.  It's able to expand up to 600% and spring back, maintaining its original shape for a long time.  It is often blended with non-elastic fibers like cotton to help garments, like jeans, maintain their shape and fit.

There are many different variations on how each of these main types of synthetic are made, what chemicals, spinning and dying process are used and each with its own unique name.

The main thing all synthetics have in common are low cost, strength, resistance to abrasion, ease of care, little need for ironing, low affinity for moisture which causes a tendency to conduct static electricity and attract microscopic dirt, and they all will melt or pull away from heat. They can be dyed in many vibrant colors.  Most acrylics and polyesters tend to be non-allergenic or at the very least non-irritating.

A quick word about microfibers.  These are are synthetic fibers that are made very, very thin - about 1/20th the diameter of silk!  This gives fabric made from them incredible softness, the ability to wick moisture away from skin and dry quickly making it perfect for work out clothing.  It also is used for cleaning cloths because it takes advantage of synthetics' natural affinity for dust and dirt.  Some kinds of microfibers are also split (much like a cucumber or a radish that has been scored down its length) which allows the microfibers to soak up liquids and hold onto them.

We stock many different synthetic blend yarns and some 100% synthetics as well.  Some of our most popular are Universal Classic Shades line, the Plymouth Encore line including Coffee Beenz & Jelli Beenz, the Berroco Vintage line, Berroco Comfort line, Cascade Pacific & Cherub lines and the Red Heart Boutique lines.  Most of these are great for knitting easy care, machine wash, gentle tumble dry garments.

Check out our searches for all the yarns that contain acrylic, nylon, polymide, and polyester.  You'll see that most of our fun novelty yarns contain synthetic fibers because they can be made to do pretty much what we want them to do.

Here, feel this....that's really soft and yummy and the color is so pretty, what is it?  It's acrylic!

As always, I hope this is useful information.  If you found this helpful or I've left something out, please let me know.  askTerry (at) jimmybeanswool (dot) com.

Terry

Well, Friends, I'm sure May will bring great new things, but April is over and that means, sadly, the end of our Poetry Jam/Slam/Contest. :(  I've had so much fun receiving all of your poems and posting them on Facebook!  Each and every one put a smile on my face, and I loved reading them aloud to all the Beans - as you saw, they were also inspired to write poems and we discovered some hidden talents among our very own staff!  

Now, it's time to announce the winners of some AMAZING Poems yarn so generously contributed by Wisdom/Universal Yarn.  Poems for poems - isn't that fun?!

Some socks or a sweater? I really don't know.

Oh well, at least I loved the Merlot!

Thank you ALL for contributing your poems and joining us in the Poetry Month fun!  Here are the rest of the poems we received last week - as you can see, it was really hard choosing winners!

A Knitter's Morning

By Kattyradie (Ravelry)

Wake up

Brew some coffee

Turn on the computer

Ahhh! Morning coffee

What's happening on Rav

Post comments

Beautiful patterns knit with beautiful yarn

Dream!

Dream of cardigans, shawls, scarves, socks, mittens and hats

Wake up from the dream

Time to get ready for work

By Xlqqa (Ravelry)

I see wings in my yarn

lifting softly to fly

early spring morning we meet

the sun shines

Lady bug ladybug your landings give me a smile

I’ll help you –

be well -

ending my row -

just a few More stitches to go.

By Rogue1 (Ravelry)

First child, First blanket.

Uncertain hands--tremble, wonky.

Past year? Blocking gently smooths.

String by silvermole (Ravelry)

My love for string didn’t start young,

I was much older before I was finally stung.

I’m glad it didn’t hurt,

but, who knew that yarn could flirt.

It calls you over, “come touch me, I’m so soft and squishy and red no less”

As much as I try to pay no mind, I crumble and become a mess.

Quick! I think, take it all before it is gone,

After all, I am paying less than a song.

I am under the spell and I am handing over my money,

Jimmy Beans Wool, you must think this is funny.

That is ok, I am smiling too, because everyone knows that new yarn makes everything sunny.

Storing my Stash

By Traceyloanne (Ravelry)

I hide my stash under the bed

and in the closet

and in my dresser

I feel no guilt about this practice

I feel no shame

I am a knitter

I proudly wear this name

Stash is expected of me

and in this regard

I am not conflicted

that I find myself conforming

to the norm

I recently outgrew

all the old storage units

I promptly went out

and bought a tub

A big tub

a 20-gallon tub, to be precise

it made me happy

Now I have room for more stash

My Grandma’s Knitting – by Deborah Knight

When I was a little girl

I'd watch my Grandma knit and purl

With fleeting hands she put her heart

In every stitch...in every part.

And then one year she knit for me

A shawl as pretty as could be

With basket stitches in pure white

And I was filled with such delight

I neatly tucked that shawl away

Safe in my closet...and today

I take it out, I hold it dear

And think of Grandma who's not here.

By Deborah Knight

I know a lot of gals who say

Their Mom's a wizard with crochet.

She'll make a scarf, a vest, a hat

A purse, an afghan for her cat.

But my Mom doesn't wield a hook

Or patterns from a Red Heart book.

She'll grab her needles and a skein

And working like a hurricane

She'll knit as quickly as she can

Without a pattern or a plan

A pretty pair of argyle socks

A vest for me that really rocks

Most anything your heart desires

With clicking needles set on fire

She quickly craft a yarny treat

For someone's hands or head or feet.

She'll knit all day and purl all night

With stitches tiny and so tight.

We love her projects. They're a hit.

But check your gauge, Mom. They don't fit!

A PROJECT CALLED “NOW”

By Diane Edgerly

My most loved joy, my favorite project,

Is the one on my needles now;

Once anticipated, once in queue,

Creative pleasure, today, it endows.

The marriage of just the right colors,

With the fibers so soft in my hands;

Sometimes wool from a place not too far away,

Or a silk from a faraway land.

This present pattern I’m knitting,

Will always be “favorite” to me;

At least for today as I knit it…

Until a new yarn “calls to me”.

Hello knitters and crocheters!

Last year we had over 3,000 applicants for 2010-2011 awards. There were so many amazing applicants we couldn't wait to get started with our 2012-2013 Beans for Brains Scholarship program. And we can't do it without you!!

This year, we have 10 major sponsors that will be matching public donations to the Beans for Brains scholarship fund. For the month of November, Jimmy Beans Wool will be accepting donations online and in our retail store with the targeted goal of raising $10,000 from all of YOU! Each of our sponsors will match the amount raised up to $1,000 for a grand total of $20,000 combined.