Here is my hand dyed yarn all wound into a ball with the beginning of a new sock. This is – or will eventually be – a sock that I am test knitting. It promises to be a challenging and fun knit. I will keep you posted. The yarn has a few very light spots in it where the yarn didn’t dye very darkly. I am not certain that I like this but I decided to go ahead and knit and it. If I still don’t like it when I am finished, I will re-dye the completed socks. Mistakes and all, I am still pleased with my first attempt at dyeing.
I bought myself this great “Nostepinde” at Hobby Lobby yesterday.
They called it a mini-baseball bat but it works great as a nostepinde and hopefully my youngest will not swipe it to use for craft projects like he does with the paper towel tubes. I was going to buy a wooden dowel and then I spied the bat and decided that it was about the right size so it wouldn’t require cutting and it was already sanded smooth. I also like the thinner handle. It makes ball winding more comfortable to me. And best of all it was cheap!! I know it isn’t as nice as a real nostepinde but I decided that I would rather save my money for a ball winder.
In other Hobby Lobby news, I got More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch with my 40% off internet coupon. This book was not what I was expecting. The sock patterns are great – just like I was expecting – and ones that I will use over and over. But what I wasn’t expecting was for there to be instructions for all the major types of sock knitting – 4 dpn, 5 dpn, toe up, top down, 2 circs, Magic loop – as well as an extensive stitch library and sock construction techniques – heels, toes, cast ons, grafting, bind offs, etc. This is an incredible resource. It certainly lives up to the hype. I highly recommend it if you do not already own it. Now I simply must have Sensational Knitted Socks.
Thanks for the kind comments rebecca. The variation in color is because I didn’t do a very good job making sure the dye penetrated all the layers. I wanted there to be some variation in the color but I didn’t intend to have the very light spots. The lighter spots are where the yarn was tied to prevent tangling. I should have squeezed these spots more to insure the dye penetrated better. It was difficult to tell when the yarn was wet. But I guess you can’t expect perfection on the first try, now can you.
Thanks for the kind comments rebecca. The variation in color is because I didn’t do a very good job making sure the dye penetrated all the layers. I wanted there to be some variation in the color but I didn’t intend to have the very light spots. The lighter spots are where the yarn was tied to prevent tangling. I should have squeezed these spots more to insure the dye penetrated better. It was difficult to tell when the yarn was wet. But I guess you can’t expect perfection on the first try, now can you.
Thanks for the kind comments rebecca. The variation in color is because I didn’t do a very good job making sure the dye penetrated all the layers. I wanted there to be some variation in the color but I didn’t intend to have the very light spots. The lighter spots are where the yarn was tied to prevent tangling. I should have squeezed these spots more to insure the dye penetrated better. It was difficult to tell when the yarn was wet. But I guess you can’t expect perfection on the first try, now can you.
I absolutely love how your hand-dyed yarn came out uneven, almost heathered. Did you do anything specific when dyeing to get that look? Or is it because the yarn is a mixed fibre content?
I absolutely love how your hand-dyed yarn came out uneven, almost heathered. Did you do anything specific when dyeing to get that look? Or is it because the yarn is a mixed fibre content?
I absolutely love how your hand-dyed yarn came out uneven, almost heathered. Did you do anything specific when dyeing to get that look? Or is it because the yarn is a mixed fibre content?
I have the Sensational Knitted Socks book and I love it. I am going to order the More Sensational Knitted Socks one of these days. I loved your green yarn that is beautiful.
I have the Sensational Knitted Socks book and I love it. I am going to order the More Sensational Knitted Socks one of these days. I loved your green yarn that is beautiful.
I have the Sensational Knitted Socks book and I love it. I am going to order the More Sensational Knitted Socks one of these days. I loved your green yarn that is beautiful.
I love the green even better balled up. I wouldnt’ worry about the light spots. After all, even grass is varying shades of green.
I love the green even better balled up. I wouldnt’ worry about the light spots. After all, even grass is varying shades of green.
You have been a busy little bee! I like the green socks, and I think it looks okay with the white specks. That what makes it so special. The towel set is going to look good too. (Sure hope you can get them done in time for Mother’s Day.) Liz
You have been a busy little bee! I like the green socks, and I think it looks okay with the white specks. That what makes it so special. The towel set is going to look good too. (Sure hope you can get them done in time for Mother’s Day.) Liz
I love that green! Great socks too.
I love that green! Great socks too.
I love that green! Great socks too.