Dyeing Self-Striping Yarn

October 27, 2007 North Country Spinners Workshop, taught by Tricia Weatherston

The dyeing peg board with 1/2 of the dyed yarn.






The single sock with the afterthought heel just begun and the leftover skein



Tricia led a wonderful class. She is well-organized and very patient -- and remained unflappable for the four or more hours of teaching. She'd also worked out the design of the dyeing peg board in the top picture. A number of already mixed chemical dyes were set out for us to work with. The variety was quite good but I hadn't a clear idea of how to use them, never having done so. That;s why I decided to use a familiar rainbow palette.

Tricia demonstrated how to wind around the pegs to achieve different lengths of color bands. After painting a section, we wrapped it up in cellophane wrap to keep in from bleeding its neighbors. Some bleeding -- see the yellow parts of sock -- had fortuitous results, creating orange from the blending of yellow and red. The dye was set in a microwave.

I was lucky to be working with some very experienced dyers -- Jean S., Jill W. and the owner of a yarn store who also dyes some of her own yarns. Because of their experience with dyeing, they used fewer colors and instead concentrated on mixing gradations of shades and tones of two or three. But, I'm pleased to have learned the technique. I've volunteered the sock, yarn and dyeing board for use at the Guild's display at Garden State Sheep Breeders. When I retrieve the board I will play with this technique again.

I'm just now finishing the sock -- a plain tube of 64 stitches with an afterthought heel. This is my first attempt at this heel, also known as a peasant heel. The sock is small and the fabric is dense. For a stretchier sock I'd use a #2 needle for the KnitPicks sock yarn for dyeing.

Weaving at Peters Valley Cont'd

My first exercise on the second day was a balanced weave, meaning that the weft threads would be the same number as the warp threads. I measured inch by inch and only achieved the goal as an average of all the six inches. As you can see on the sampler, or "book" as Sarah Saulson calls it, this section didn't hold up so well, not maintaining its structure at the edges where it was pulled.

Here are two views of my first twill weaves. The fuschia is fine acrylic boucle, tighly beaten and doesn't show up the structure so well. With the blue warp I chose, I used weft thread colors that harmonized.


Here's my "book", to be read top down. The first leaf was cut off, (see yesterday's post) so the book is a record of what I did on the second and third days of the workshop. Left photo shows the front and the right the back.

The seventh section down, gold and black, was an exploration of unexpected weaving materials. It was really fun. My goodie bag contained black tulle with gold dots and six 12" lengths of gold cord. I worked out how to cut the length of tulle into one long strip, which I accomplished with only a few minor glitches. Fran, the helpful and knowledgeable studio assistant, suggested I spin it. Great idea. So I whipped out my Golding Spindle and made a tulle yarn. Spinning it intensified the black and "popped" out the gold bits. I began weaving this at around 7:30 and continued the next morning. Some of the tulle pokes out, at Sarah's suggestion. I'd just had the gold cord and loose tulle bits hanging over the selvedges so that added just the touch needed. I thought the regular stripped structure somewhat ironic considering the materials.

We also learned to read and draft patterns. Sarah demonstrated software and introduced us to Marguerite Davison's classic pattern book. I'm glad I took notes on the drafting because it helped me with the drafting homework assigned for the last day. I didn't remember until I was in the shower Monday morning. Eeek. So, I furiously wrote out the pattern on the drive up. In a panic that I wasn't understanding it, I asked Marsha to pull over so I could grab my notebook. The D.B. was laughing -- nay, e'en howling in delight -- because she'd never known me to forgePublish Postt to do my homework before.

The magic of the whole experience was how natural weaving seemed to me. I think I may have some deep physical memories of all the weaving I'd done as an eight year old at the Phillipstown Manor Restoration (it's name in the mid-50's when my father'd been their business manager). It may be that I felt very much at home working with the loom as a machine. It seemed very logical and easy to use. I figured out tricks by myself that a more experienced weaver had to have Sarah show her, which surprised me. There's a very appealing rationality to the craft. Now, I only hope that I can find an affordable loom before I forget everything I learned.

Learning to Weave

This weekend at Peters Valley I took the three day workshop taught by Sarah Saulson, "Adventur0us Weaving.". Although I'd learned on a real (antique, actually) loom when I was eight years old, I haven't woven seriously since. There were four students and a studio assistant, so we each got a great deal of individual attention. I love the way Sarah teaches -- it really works perfectly for me. First she explains the topic, then she allows us to explore for ourselves and finally we discuss it as a class. It's the first workshop at Peters Valley during which I haven't felt stressed or overloaded. Although I've really enjoyed all the workshops I've taken, I do appreciate the feeling of mastery I've come away with this time. My fellow students were all either art students or working artists. A most inspiring group.

Here's my loom with the warp. The first day we learned to dress the loom. It took so much time that I didn't have time to weave much besides the toilet paper. Sarah says her students enjoy this way of filling up the warp until a usable, even warp is reach.


The studio was open after class was over so I was able to get going on my first actual weaving. It's plain weave, experimenting with different beating strengths. It was cut off the loom to demonstrate the effects of wet finishing. It shrank in height more than width. The more tightly beaten sections shrank more.

Sandy Terp's Lace Workshop at NCS

On Friday, May 9 Sandy Terp presented a workshop entitled "Kinds of Lace " at the monthly meeting of North Country Spinners. This is the sampler I made that morning. You can see it hasn't been blocked.

Although I've knit some lace, I've never had a formal class or workshop in the subject. Sandy's approach combines teaching the historical background with clear technical instructions. She has developed a transcription method which replaces the graph -- and saves the eyes.

Baby Micole's Pinwheel Blanket

Baby Present for my dear friend Lucy's first grandchild, Micole. We were at Micole's parents' wedding in April, 2006 in Rome. The next May little Micole was born. When Rebecca, Micole's mother was born, I made her a quilt to which she became very attached. I hope Micole loves this blanket, too.
Pattern: I adapted this from Mielke's Farm's free round dischcloth pattern: http://www.mielkesfarm.com/dishclth.htm
Materials: 2 balls each of Cottontots solids in Pretty in Pink (light), Wonder White, Strawberry and 2 Cottontots Ombre in Very Berry
Needle Size: 7
72 Stitches

Corkscrew Scarf for Ozzies

Knit during the AJL Convention in Boston, June 2006, displayed here by its recipients in April, 2007. It's always useful to have something tucked away. The D.B. claimed to hate it every minute I was knitting it but once she saw it on Joan and Di, was convinced of its merits. More yarn was acquired for another but forgot to buy the time to make it! It's now in Melbourne and I hope had an outing (as it were) for an Aussie Pride celebration.

Checkerboard Socks Finished

I finished these on Saturday. I'd used the new KnitPicks circulars (not modular), size 2.25 mm (#.5), which I loved. Yarns are Trekking XXL color 284, dye lot 4896 for the blue gray and for the red, some left-over Lang Jawoll (I love this dependable yarn!) in color 83.0098/ lot #581/71. I used the matching reinforcement yarn for the toes.

The D.B. loves the checkerboard pattern. If I'd had more red, I would have used it for the heels as well.

They fit her perfectly.

Socks with Schaefer Yarn

Another pair for my D.B., finished mid-October, 2007. I used my favorite pattern, starting with 96 stitches on #0 needles and her very favorite pattern. Finally, I've come to the right calf shaping. However, all her socks gather round the ankles anyway - which the dear doesn't mind. I bought this yarn, even though it's made in New York State, when I was visiting Las Cruces, N.M. last June. I'd never come across this yarn in any New York City yarn shops, and definitely not in my quite limited NJ lys.

The details: "Anne" by Schaeffer Yarns. 60% merino superwash, 25% mohair and 15% nylon. At $26.99 (silly, that!) it's expensive but you get an awful lot of yarn for your money -- 560 yards / 4 oz. I have enough left over despite the generous socks pictured above, for a pair of booties!

I just love this yarn. More especially, my D.B. adores the colors and feel of it. It was a real pleasure to work with and although the socks have only been in the wash a few times, they're holding up well.

Blog Fairy Fiber Present

Present from Jeanne -- cotton and hemp yarn. This is one of the sweetest presents I've ever received. My friend read this very blog to find out what I would really like for my 60th birthday. So, she read my 10/15/07 post and went hunting on the web for more of this wonderful yarn. And, look, there it is.

Isn't that a lovely present from someone who doesn't even knit?

Another Absorba the Mat

The Absorba Frenzy continues. This time it's big enough to count as a rug.

Materials: leftover of 3 1lb cones plus most of 3 more 1lb cones Elmore & Pisgah Peaches & Creme Mountain Colors double worsted
Dimensions: 36" x 30" prewashed
Cat: Phoebe Rose
Leftover: 2 oz yarn!

This little rug is very heavy and thick, as one knits 3 strands at once on #15 needles. But, these wonderful absorbas have the virtue of staying flat on the floor, not tripping up passers-by.

The top photo features Phoebe Rose sniffing out Absorba in an early phase. I ended up with three strips around the center, with two more on each long side (to make 4 on those sides), resulting in a rectangular Absorba.

Another rug / mat for The D.B.! yay!

Dishcloth

Here's a little washcloth for Elaine -- I used a favorite Sugar 'n' Creme by Lily skein and made up the eyelet pattern as I went along. Elaine likes dishcloths with holes 'cause they don't mildew so quickly. We gave it to her for a very late birthday present last weekend. She loves it and thinks it's too nice for dishes. Oh well.

Layette beginnings

The prospect of becoming a grandmother is soooo wonderful. Kinehura.

I've begun knitting for my first grandbaby, due in August. These booties were made from leftover Schaefer Sock Yarn "Anne". They're still missing their little ribbons but that will come this weekend, I think. This cute little washcloth is from my favorite and otherwise totally reliable knitting book, Mason Dixon KnittingUnfortunately, this is not a good pattern. It just won't lie flat. Look at the book -- you'll see that it's never shown flat. But, never mind, it's still very cute and I know how to make flat round or pinwheel items all by myself. So there! I knit it in Sugar 'n' Creme by Lily worsted. If I haven't planned too much, there'll be a big old baby towel to accompany it.

Blanket for Tirtza Chaya and a Present for Her Big Siser

For the blanket:
Materials: 6 skeins of Cotton Classic DK 100% mercerized cotton; 6 skeins 1.75 oz / 50 g and 108 yds / 100 m in crayon colors, light navy, bright yellow, dark purple, kelly green and school bus orange. This is an unforgiving yarn. Pattern: based on the "Modular Log Cabin Blanket" in, you guessed it, Mason Dixon Knitting. My adaptation: instead of 66 ridges, I knit 33. Except for blocks 9 & 10, used 24 or 12 ridges. Block #9 stripes: 9 green, 4 orange, 2 yellow, 4 purple and 18 red ridges. Block #10: 37 navy blue ridges. Block #1: Yellow; #2: navy blue; #3 red; #4 green; #5 & #6 purple; #7 yellow; #8 orange. Dimensions: (before wash and drying: 22.5 x 28".
The dickey: I used the Cozy Confetti pattern in Knitter's Magazine Winter 2007.
The dickey pattern was adjusted to allow for a button band, requested by the mother. I added 4 stitches on each side and inserted 4 buttonholes. For a four year old.

The hat used Sarah Bradberry’s size chart for watch caps for 18-20” head. On #9 cast on 80 sts in k1p1, knit for 6 1/2”. Decrease: 10 times around, always knitting the purl stitches in decrease. Pulled last 10 sts together. Then added 3 “curlicues” on top. For curlicues: Row 1 & 2: Knitted cast on 25 stitches; Row 3 Knit two stitches in every stitch (except in 1st and last); Row 4 Knit; Row 5 same as row 2; Row 6 Bound off loosely.

From Fleece to Skein

The fiber is Blue Faced Leicester, a part of a fleece dyed in osage orange at a workshop in Peters Valley in 2003, after scouring and mordanting it in alum. To process it, I combed the locks on English hand-held combs and then spun and plied it. This week we had a combing demonstration at North Country Spinners, given by MaryLou. At Soar in 2004 I took Robin Russo's excellent Fiber Prep workshop and learned to use the various combs and diz. I'm still working on my plying, tho. I really love the way it turned out.

Socks in the Works

After breaking quite a few of my beloved wooden #1 and #0 needles, losing them on the bus and knitting more slowly for fear of both reasons above, I decided to give the magic loop another try.

Birthday Present for The D.B.

This is one of those wonderful projects that just sort of designed itself. And, one inspired by Ravelry. What a difference it makes to go through the stash, as embarrassing as the totals turned out to be. But, I found a baggie with Lopi, 1 skein of recycled sari silk and a swatch I'd felted.

I started out thinking I'd make a pillow to felt. As I cast on -- again and again -- it just didn't feel right. I kept frogging it. Next I tried to make a bag but the fabric didn't feel right. Finally, I remembered I wanted to make the nested boxes for The D.B. (The Dearly Beloved) who just adores containers for emptying her pockets and bags into.

It just so happens that The D.B. has a birthday this coming Monday. So, I'm making a small table mat and a box from Lopi (see photo) and Himalaya Yarns recycled sari silk. I'm going to knit the mat until the Lopi is finished.

The inspiration for the box is, of course, from Mason-Dixon Knitting -- the nested boxes. My variations: I used one strand of Lopi with one strand of the silk. And, I won't be felting it.

A test swatch I did some time ago was lovely but it muted the silk. The D.B. loves the vibrancy of the colors as they are. I used #11 needles so the fabric is tight enough now to hold its shape, albeit softly. I also only but handles in the two small sides. Next time I won't put in any handles as the somewhat compromise the stiffness of the sides.
I've used two whole skeins of the silk and will use about 1/4 of this third one in the photo. The colorway doesn't seem to matter as the purple unifies them all.

The finished dimensions:
Box: 4" deep and 6"x7"
Mat:

Ravelry Mania

I'm home recuperating and just well enough to become absolutely obsessed with getting all my yarns into Ravelry. The problem with my yarn stash is that it mainly consists of one or two skeins per yarn so it's going VERY slowly. I've spent 10 hours today retrieving, organizing, photographing, and putting back about 70 yarns.

And, I'm only about 1/3, if that, done.

Ashland Bay "Columbia"

Have I said how much I dislike this fiber? This is close to the end of what I'd bought when I first started spinning. And, in July 2007 I sold the Bosworth Journey Wheel to someone who really wanted it, with the help of the wonderful Bosworths. It was quite an adventure but I learned my lesson never to use the services of my local so-called shipping store. The Journey Wheel was a beautiful piece of furniture for my small apartment but never versatile enough for me. I needed a wheel that could spin thick to thin. I'm sorry that I had to part with Jonathan's beautiful handiwork.

Coopworth Skein, May 2007

This finishes up one my first rovings. , except for one spindlefull I found just after I spun and plied this. Because I spun the Coopworth is fairly thick and fuzzy (read: woollen), it did not ply well on the Journey Wheel. However, I was able to ply it on my trusty Louet.

Socks with Trekking XXL

Pattern: My own for The D.B., starting with 96 stitches on #1 needles. Gauge is c.9st to 1". Stitch pattern: basket weave rib -- her favorite
Materials: Trekking XXL Color 298, dye lot 4206 ; 75% superwash wool, 25% nylon. 2.5 oz (100 g) ; 459 yds (420 m);
Jawoll Superwash Sock Yarn by Lang, Color Dark Moss 75% superwash, 18% nylon and 7% acrylic.
She loves this yarn so much that I bought the only 6 I could find on the web plus 3 more of the Lang Jawoll Dark Moss.

Aren't these pretty? I made them for The D.B. but I gave them to her before I photographed them. I've lost the ball band but do remember that it was a skein of Trekking XXL bought at Woolcott & Company in Cambridge in June 2006. I finished them sometime in early 2007. Meanwhile, the socks are in the semi-dress section of the The D.B.'s sock cabinet.

There's no way to coordinate the colors in both socks but it doesn't matter. The stitch is The D.B.'s favorite -- basket weave rib.