go to sleep...

a cutie pie newborn going home from the hospital in a Moa HandKnits baby hat. Sweet dreams baby, and a big hug too!

what's new!

Custom Hand dyed Silk and Wool wrap in progress; Shibori Felt bags.

don't you want me baby

Do you remember that song from the 80's, by Human League?
I heard it on Sirus this morning and have been singing it ever since. and now i have the biggest urge to wear gobs of eyeliner. (don't worry, it's temporary)

To get over myself and the 80's flashback, I posted Daniel Storto Gloves for a dose of modern art.
We have Lindsay modeling one of the styles, the Long Lean I.
And that is my hand in the color blocks, trying to show you how they sculpt around the wrist and form a lovely, slightly baggy sleeve with the fitted (and very comfortable) glove. Everyone who sees them loves them, they are fascinating, and very limited edition.

Also featured are the Long Leans, which are loaded with style and wearability. Made out of recycled 100% wool, Made in the USA Sweaters, they will not be on the shelf for long. Pull them up, push them down, you will be in love.

So, this the big news for the day, Daniel Storto is finally on Moa!
Check it out at http://www.wearmoa.com/

Cheers,
JoAnne

studio shots

Daniel Storto Recycled Sweater Gloves; Feel Leather Tote; Cat's Meow Cowl and Lotus Tunic. Gretchen Walker Lucite Stud Earrings.

emily's garden

custom scarf that i designed for a friend's friend.

cat's meow

a few weeks ago i vowed to show a garment from start to finish. meaning, i would show you snippets of the process from fiber being spun into yarn, to the yarn being knitted, to the knitted fabric becoming a finished garment.

voila! and if you don't mind my saying, the piece is the cat's meow. the handspun yak/merino blend has a lovely drape that is quite silken. not to mention the color is rich and the texture is imaginative, yet very wearable.

Cat's Meow Cowl, $95.00 available at http://www.wearmoa.com/ (or the Cincinnati boutique)

























cat's meow, "in the making".

crispies

Here are some of my favorites past and present again.

It's hot here in Cincinnati, about 90-100 degrees. Naturally, this makes me yearn for the crispness of Fall. Every year this happens, the brutal dry heat wave. July is punishing! I can't wait to actually feel a chill and snuggle up in some great knits.

Pictured is the Giant Wrap (past); handspun yarn that I spun for a baby hat (present); Cream Shrug (present).

tip of a hat

Alright, it's sort of "hot" for knitted hats, but i'm in process of designing the Moa HandKnits Fall and Winter 2008, so it's on my mind. Here are some favorites from both the past and present.

This is a hat I created out of several handspun yarns, it is a free-form design full of texture and color. More of these to come for Fall and Winter.
































A pretty sunhat that is for sale in my Featured Artists section at http://www.wearmoa.com/ This fabric and design is custom to Moa HandKnits (because my ladies are so special. :)






A custom baby aviator hat that i designed out of Moa Handspun. This fall and winter i will offer more baby aviator hats, as this one stole my heart.

funnies

hand crafted toys for kids of all ages. these little fuzzy ones have some behavioral issues, they refuse to behave for their picture. but they're still cute.

this is the project i promised to show from start to finish. here we have the yak/merino fiber, spun into yarn, hand wound into a ball, and now i'm knitting it.

i'll show the completed garment next time. (and yes, it's sitting on the edge of the leather tote. hmmmm....leather tote...).

sign, sign, everywhere a sign

The Great Sign Debates with the city is still going on, but at least the temporary one is up and looking good!

News today is that I posted hand knit garments in the www.wearmoa.com online store.

Specifically, the Orange Cuff Shrug, Twirl NeckScarf, and Turquoise Cowl.

Also I posted new items in the Fiber section including: Buffalo Gold's Clouds and Moa Batts.

Today i worked with some of the Buffalo Gold Clouds, and of course it is AMAZING. It's all dehaired, washed and ready to go. Buffalo Gold Clouds is like whips of butter. In fact, it's so lush, i almost can't stand it. So, it goes without saying that the buffalo will not sit for long (either some people will buy it, or I will spin it. That's right, I cannot be trusted with the stuff. oink, oink.)

Lastly, I might get the courage to post video of myself spinning yarn, long draw style, with some of the down fiber that is featured in the Cincinnati boutique right now. I'm talking about Angora, Buffalo, Guanaco, etc, all in the same yarn, for a Moa garment. Yeah babe.

Now, let me just say, if i wind up doing a video, I promise to not be wearing pajamas, or have wildly bad bed head, or something crazy like that (unless you prefer to see me in that condition).

Happy Almost Weekend! (it's never too early, right?)

JoAnne

what's goin' on

Leather tote (will be posted soon.) What else does a person need in life?

50% yak-50% merino

this is one of my favorite fibers. it's soft, lusterous, and has enough structure to sculpt some awesome yarn for a garment. it wears really well and will make some kickin knits. so, here it is, getting all spun up like something special.

stay tuned, as i will continue to spin this fiber and take you along the way to knitting a finished garment.

now, i know yak/merino is cool and all...not to mention the Moa garment that's going to be knit out of i...but i have other big news. and it's big. BIG i say!

ok. here it is...

Buffalo Gold arrived today! and it is divine. look at this perfect 1 ounce cloud of the fluffiest fiber on earth! Spinners take hold, it's the motherload! will be posted in the store soon. ;)

glow

Thanks everyone who stopped in for the open house that took place yesterday, July 5th. It was a great day, wonderful to see everyone, and thrilling to have everybody enjoy the Artisan goods so much. Also, I appreciate the support, as do all of the Artisans who are featured in my little boutique!

Some of you posed for the eye of the camera while trying on garments (ok, maybe I "made" you do it. haha!). The shots turned out great, here are a few:

Orange Cream Shrug, will be listed in the online store later today . It is natural handspun alpaca, with angora cuffs. Oh, la la that looks good on you, Brandy!

Lovely Dress/Skirt.

Lindsay in her Daniel Storto Recycled Sweater Gloves. Sweet!

This upcoming week I'm going to post more shots from Open House, and feature exotic & custom dyed fiber being handspun for a new Moa HandKnits garment. I'll show the process from inception to completion. So, stay tuned!

xoxo~JoAnne

come on over, i'll give you candy

Open House!

No sign outside yet, given it's taken a little longer than i thought to get my sign approved through the city. (i know, i know...this is how it goes, right? :)

But, i will have an embarrassing amount of balloons, and these will be my "sign" to you, turquoise of course!
It won't be hard to find the place!

10-4pm
Moa HandKnits, Artisan Boutique
8157 Camargo Road, Lower Level
Cincinnati, Ohio 45243

Landmarks:
-Turquoise balloons
-Lower Level of Fiberlicious yarn shop
-Next door to Camargo Beverages
-Same side of the street as Julia's, Chez Renee, Raquet Club.

Cheers!
JoAnne

super sneaks

Preview shots of the studio. Garments, gloves, fiber, fuzzies, hats. oh-la-la.