Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Jags Funky Fibers and *Giveaway*

We're giving these away!






Jags already sent in for March!




Guest review by designer and fiber artist Cindy Moore.
If you've ever tried to unravel a sweater, you know it requires a lot of work. Jags Funky Fiber apparently has a system that allows her to unravel sweaters and end up with some pretty impressive, usable yarn. I've bought from Jags twice. The first order I placed with Jag was for 1800 yards of 100% cashmere. This yarn is beautiful. It's in skeins of 100 yards which is the only downside, but I plyed it with some handspun merino/silk with a little nylon glitz. The ends of the recycled cashmere were neatly absorbed into the handspun wool/blend. I created a 4-ply yarn (2 plys from recycled cashmere and 2 plys from the handspun wool blend) and knitted up a sample. It's going to make a nice garment.The next order I made from Jag was a custom order. This time, she kept the whole 1600 yards in two skeins. The cost? $28 for a blend of silk and cashmere. I'll probably ply this with some handspun or use it as a spinning core. The yarn is always clean and fresh. It is slightly kinky which is fine for plying because you are going to set the twist anyway which will remove the kinks. I'm sure you could soak the skeins in hot water and weight them as they dry to remove the kinks also. In the blue that I plyed with the merino/silk, I only found one tiny knot which was easily smoothed away during the plying process.Final product and swatch. My handspun, Jag's recycled cashmere, final product


Thank you so much Cindy, for your informative review of Jags Funky Fibers! Many thanks to Jags for sending in her wonderful samples! Jags will be featured in March and April's boxes too!
We will be giving away 2 100 yard skeins of her upcycled yarn (pink and orange pictured above) to a lucky commenter! Just visit Jags site, find something you love and write about it here! Help me get the word out about jags (through tweets, plurks, forum posts, blog posts etc) and you'll be counted twice! Drawing to be held Friday! Leave a way for me to find you in case you win ;)

49 comments:

  1. Minou14March 4, 2009 at 7:53 AM

    I love the site layout by color and how much detail is included with each yarn. The listing of sweaters is a great idea too. My favorite yarn was "Grass".

    I just can't imagine unraveling that many sweaters!

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  2. AbbyMarch 4, 2009 at 7:54 AM

    There is some AMAZING deep purple cashmere/silk laceweight for $2/100yds. I think I might have to buy it.

    e-mail: Oakley.44@osu.edu

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  3. TurtleMarch 4, 2009 at 7:54 AM

    i also was attracted to how the site is designed by color...easyt to steer through if you have a clue to what your looking for. (loved the greens)!! Gorgeous oranges!

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  4. Jus Shar DesignsMarch 4, 2009 at 8:14 AM

    GREAT organization on the Jags site.

    I looked through to try to find a yarn or two that just jumped out at me. I couldn't narrow it down. There are too many I like, and the names are so fun.

    I think it's amazing that she does this. So eco-friendly.

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  5. AndreaMarch 4, 2009 at 8:27 AM

    I like how she has it arranged by color and how she gives you so many options! Whatever she has, she lists! Whether it is unraveled or not. :]

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  6. memarciereneeMarch 4, 2009 at 8:28 AM

    I spent A LOT of time at Jags website last nite and must say I'm so impressed by what she does. I've taken apart 2 sweaters and it can be some work. The Peeps yarn caught my eye I guess because of Easter coming up, but it's such a cute color. I really like it. Maybe just have to buy some after I pilfer the corners for loose change and loose change will buy her stuff. Great work!!!!!

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  7. orangefaeriedustMarch 4, 2009 at 8:40 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. orangefaeriedustMarch 4, 2009 at 8:42 AM

    Wow. Where do I start? I discovered her site a month or so ago when I was looking for recycled yarns in general. I don't believe she had the sweaters available section up at that time (maybe I just missed it). That was my favorite part! I now have a list of 5 of those sweaters that I want yarn from! I found myself searching for 100% cotton because living it FL sometimes other fiber can just be so hot...and I love to make dishcloths for myself and for gifts. I was so excited to find many bright solid colors in cotton (which are very hard to find in a traditional "kitchen cotton" - all I can usually find).

    I also love the "Grass" yarn but was disappointed she only had 2 20yard skeins. :(

    This is definitely a site I will visit again...and hopefully get her to unwind some of those cotton sweaters for me! :)

    -carly (orangefaeriedust on ravelry)

    **Deleted first post to correct some crazy typos. :)

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  9. JagsMarch 4, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    yay! your pics are so much prettier than mine! I'm hoping this the camera I'm getting for my birthday will help lol

    I'll be making the skeins a bit larger in the near future, visit my ravelry group to offer suggestions on skein size! (there's a link on my site)

    I'm working on a section of the site that lets you browse my sweater inventory too

    and keep an eye out for some 100% cashmere, I have a nice little stockpile I'll be taking apart soon *cackles with glee*

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  10. TeresaMarch 4, 2009 at 9:51 AM

    Love the Grape Juice - and the idea itself! My teenage daughters would really love the idea of recycling to get 'new' yarn. I second the idea of making the skeins larger - I would love to buy enough to make a sweater for one of my daughters.

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  11. AnonymousMarch 4, 2009 at 9:55 AM

    Oh cashmere!!!! I must have some.

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  12. k8March 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM

    Grape Juice is just beautiful! I do love the idea of recycled yarn, and I love the site's organization by color!

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  13. LilChickadeeMarch 4, 2009 at 12:16 PM

    Ooh... pretty!!!!

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  14. UnknownMarch 4, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    Wow, what a site, great colors. I posted the link on facebook.

    Cora

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  15. cksknitterMarch 4, 2009 at 1:23 PM

    I am so impressed with Jag's Funky Fibers! What a great service and great product. I can't imagine how much work it must take to unravel sweaters. It definitely makes sense to have Jag's Funky Fibers do it for you! I love the Wild Strawberry which has a touch of both cashmere and angora. I like blends because they seem to be easy care.
    Chrissy at knittodayAThotmailDOTcom

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  16. SupaCindy3000March 4, 2009 at 2:01 PM

    I love the Green Bean yarn. Gorgeous olive green. Prices are amazing!

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  17. CarrieMMarch 4, 2009 at 2:52 PM

    I loved how the site could be broken down by color or fiber type! When I go looking for yarn the thing that is going to catch my eye is color then I am going to look to see if it contains my favorite fibers! Or it could be the other way around depending on the project, but most likely it will fall by color first. Anyway... I am rather partial to the "Impromptu," it is my color and would look great as a summer tank! Hyacinth is lovely, too. It reminds me of a cloudy--getting ready to storm--summer evening, right before twilight starts to deepen!

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  18. StacyMarch 4, 2009 at 3:04 PM

    I really love how descriptive her color names are. Grape Juice was my favorite. :)

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  19. AnitaMarch 4, 2009 at 3:13 PM

    I love the Pixie 55% Ramie, 45% Cotton, and what a great price too! I'm glad you featured Jags, I didn't know of them before! :)

    Anita
    yarndemon

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  20. AngieMarch 4, 2009 at 3:24 PM

    What a fantastic idea! I absolutely love the "Multi-001" sweater -- what a beautiful flow of colors!

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  21. MaraMarch 4, 2009 at 4:14 PM

    I visited this site once before and I like the new layout. So much easier to navigate! I really like the pink peeps (angora blend).

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  22. TerryeMarch 4, 2009 at 4:40 PM

    How in the world can you find one thing on that site that you like? I couldn't find one thing on that site that I didn't like!
    But, ok, I'll play, straight to the greens, cause that's how I roll and the grass homespun demanded to be clicked. MMmmm, can almost smell the fresh cut lawn (still under 2 foot of snow)...

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  23. Melissa @ Banana MigraineMarch 4, 2009 at 4:45 PM

    I really liked the color breakdown. Especially purple!!

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  24. KellieBelleMarch 4, 2009 at 5:04 PM

    I love many of the yarns (ahhh, dream) but really I love the organization of the website! I love seeing the colors together! Guess I'm officially a visual person.

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  25. My Fair Bag LadyMarch 4, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    Your site is mesmerizing. I love the names! Wasabi- Nap time - Wooly Mammoth - it was fun just to gaze. I think your descriptions are excellent. Wow what great prices!

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  26. KJoMarch 4, 2009 at 7:42 PM

    I love Berry Swirl! It is gore-juss!

    KJo (on Ravelry)

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  27. SpinnergirlMarch 4, 2009 at 7:52 PM

    What a great idea!! The Wild Strawberry cashmere blend. Looks good enough to eat!!

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  28. JagsMarch 4, 2009 at 9:09 PM

    I'm a very visual person too, having all the colors together makes me happy!

    Sometimes picking color names are the hardest part. I usually name after food or I'll flip through online paint chips for names!

    I'll have to add a section on my rav group for name suggestions, I'm always looking for more!

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  29. Zaneta @ Runner's LuckMarch 4, 2009 at 9:32 PM

    i absolutely LOVE how the site is layed out... with the colored tabs for the different colored yarns... and i clicked on blue since it's my favorite color... i found the "mermaid song" ribbon yarn... fell in love!! :D

    you (or anyone for the matter) can get ahold of me through my blog...)
    http://zaneta34.blogspot.com

    I'm off to explore more of Jag's Funky Fibers! :D

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  30. frostfishcovesoapsMarch 5, 2009 at 4:40 AM

    Love the Rapids in the new fibers

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  31. UnknownMarch 5, 2009 at 7:35 AM

    The Berry swirl is beautiful :) Oh yeah and the site was so easy to navigate Love it!!

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  32. Sharon RoseMarch 5, 2009 at 7:40 AM

    The silk/angora Grass is my fave - which you had more of it!

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  33. UnknownMarch 5, 2009 at 7:47 AM

    I blogged about the giveaway too :)

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  34. .Nicotine.Queen.March 5, 2009 at 7:59 AM

    I love that this is recycled yarn! What a fabulous idea.

    And I love the color names. Muck and Wasabi? Fabulous!

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  35. vampyMarch 5, 2009 at 10:50 AM

    I love how the yarns are listed by colour...makes finding something yummy a lot easier.

    I'm also going to twitter about this to get the word out.

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  36. IndigoMuseMarch 5, 2009 at 1:54 PM

    I so want to score one of these boxes in March. The color of that yarn is to die for :)

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  37. primdollieMarch 5, 2009 at 4:44 PM

    Oh my love all her yarns!! a lot of work but sure lovely end results!! I esp. love the Valentine yarn!! great color!! and super prices on all too!! awesome idea!! Hugs Linda

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  38. HeatherMarch 5, 2009 at 6:14 PM

    I love the colors of the 100% cotton yarns -- bright lime (pear), aqua, yellow-orange. Looks like summer to me!

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  39. LonaMarch 5, 2009 at 6:18 PM

    I love the blue Impromptu cotton. I absolutely love what this shop owner is doing--what a great idea!

    Lona at shadysidefarm.etsy.com

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  40. LonaMarch 5, 2009 at 6:18 PM

    I love the blue Impromptu cotton. I absolutely love what this shop owner is doing--what a great idea!

    Lona at shadysidefarm.etsy.com

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  41. LonaMarch 5, 2009 at 6:20 PM

    I didn't mean to stutter (post the exact same thing twice). But would you enter me twice? I tweeted about this giveaway, as shadysidefarm.

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  42. A Dusty FrameMarch 5, 2009 at 9:01 PM

    Very cool!

    I loved the red fibers.
    Thank you for entering me!
    Lizzie

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  43. A Dusty FrameMarch 5, 2009 at 9:02 PM

    I twittered it as adustyframe

    Thanks for the 2nd entry~!

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  44. GHoukMarch 5, 2009 at 9:45 PM

    This is such a cool idea. The prices are great too. I might have to buy some of the cotton yarns. I only wish there was more.

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  45. UnknownMarch 6, 2009 at 6:52 AM

    i love the layout by color very nice i really like the pixie colorway in the purple section very yummy vbarton24 at gmail dot com

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  46. KPPMarch 6, 2009 at 11:25 AM

    I really liked the Pixie!

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  47. AnonymousMarch 6, 2009 at 2:40 PM

    Neat site! I love how all the colors are sorted together next to each other so you can compare the different shades. The prices are nice, and I'm tempted to buy a few skeins!

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  48. ErinMarch 7, 2009 at 11:05 AM

    I love that the yarn is recycled: that is very cool!

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  49. BiancaMarch 15, 2009 at 2:03 PM

    Ohhh.... the green yarns on her page are awesome! But that is my personal opinion as I love green...

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