Dyeing Plant-Based Yarn

Part 3 of the dyeing series is on the front page of the website this week. In it you will find information and pictures on dyeing plant-based yarns. A lot of fun!

The series will stay on the website on this page, so it can be referred to when needed.

Weaving!

A quick post with a few pics.... and an apology for not blogging in so long.  Kate has been tremendously loyal with posting updates, providing instruction and offering enjoyable, thoughtful commentary - thanks Kate.

I've been weaving more than knitting this past couple of months, and loving every second of it.  Shelley has some gorgeous yarns for weaving.  Below are two turquoise scarves made from a cotton/viscose warp, and a weft of Noro Silk Garden and Sweatermaker 100% wool.

Another Noro Silk Garden in rust tones.

As you know, Fun Knits carries some stunning Araucania yarns - I have bought several beautiful skeins of sock yarn that I am thrilled about, and for this particular weaving project I chose Araucania's varigated Patagonia Nature Cotton in greens, teals and navy.  The scarf of wonderful - strong, crisp and sure of itself. 

Last Thursday at Fun Knits I was dreaming of being wrapped in the softness of Araucania Quellon, a cotton/viscose combo that feels like velvet.  I made a sample scarf that is so lovely I've decided to weave a vest with it too.

Below is a photo of Sharron, myself and Carol - weaving and spinning - at the Saturday Farmer's Market on Quadra Island. We are having a wonderful time together!  Linda (If you've clicked on her name she's in the third photo down - Linda is an absolute treasure and a bookkeeping wizard.) came by this past Saturday and bought one of Carol's infamous baby surprise sweaters knitted up in a sweet assortment of pink cottons.

Wishing you all a lovely evening of happy knitting, weaving, dying, spinning and/or whatever else you fashion with your fibre.

Knitting in the Wild

As a Knitter, I am never without a project (or two, or three, or, well, at least five). My family does a lot of camping, but I don't let that stop me. I pack my knitting according to where I think I will work on it.

Lace scarf with silk/cashmere yarn? That is for in the vehicle. Lace scarf with sock yarn? At the campsite during the daytime. Sock? In the backpack for the beach or some other place we might go. 

Some people are concerned about the dirt of a campsite, and I am cautious. I pack all my projects into their own plastic zipper baggies, with the pattern, needles and anything else I might need.

The campfire ... really that is perfect knitting time. But there is the issue of the smell of smoke and the potential for sparks. This is not the place for knitting a precious sweater or shawl.

The perfect campfire knitting is that most humble of projects - the dishcloth. I love knitting them at the fire, as I don't need too much light and I don't mind if they smell of smoke, after all they are made to get washed!

Another tip for campfire knitting: I use a headlamp around my neck if I'm doing a project that I might need to look at. I don't keep it on my head, as it can be rather blinding to the person I turn towards when talking.

Proof that I know whereof I speak:

Knitting at the fire at San Josef Campground (North Vancouver Island).

Not Just For Drinking ....

Oh I have been having fun!! Don't know if you saw it, but Shelley has Undyed Yarn on the website now. Over the next few weeks I'll be writing about dying yarn on the website -- so today I played around a little.

Here's a sneak peak.

My house smells wonderfully like kool-aid!