Natural Dyeing

It's been a busy, busy couple of weeks and I have a number of projects on the go at the moment.

I've been quite sidetracked by Natural Dyeing though.

I recently took a natural dyeing class at the Knit Cafe (I'll post about that soon!), but before the class started I had the bug. Bad.

I also had some really nice, single ply alpaca yarn my mother gave me.

I decided to mordant this yarn with alum and cream of tarter. Unfortunatly, I listened to the advice I found online and only did a 7% solution with the alum (I should have aimed for 15 - 20%). I simmered the yarn in the mordant solution for about half an hour, and let it cool overnight.

Then I rinsed the yarn out (mistake 2, next time I won't rinse)

Then, I poured my soaking water from a ton of black beans over it, and put it aside for a few days.

Initially, I wasn't impressed.

It looks like worms!

Eventually though, it started to turn blue! After 48 hours, I pulled out the yarn and rinsed it out. Mistake 3: I should have left it longer.

But hey, it did turn blue. So I guess it wasn't a lost cause!

Kilt Hose

Guys! Guys!

GUYS!!!

I knit my own kilt hose!! I even made up the pattern!! (kinda)

I knit these for my husband to wear on our wedding day! He's got sexy legs.

The entrelac cuffs turned out amazingly!

Unfortunatly, I don't have a great detail picture of the back of the leg. I do, however, have a picture of the back of the leg while I was knitting it:

I'm so happy with them!

Sock Update!

I have lacy feets:

Only forever to go!

These US0 needles are murder, I tell you. I knit these every single morning, but I only get a few rows done before work starts. Oh well.

Honeymoon Knitting

It's been a wickedly crazy month!

On June 30th, I got married.

We were so blessed that we have great friends and family, it was drama free and I had a great time!

Then, we stayed at our cottage for a week. I spent it knitting.

And knitting.

I'm still working on it! I just started the third ball, and it looks like this!

Clearly, it's a bigger triangle.

This is taking forever. I've never done a shawl that was constructed this way before.

Oh yes, pattern is Jared Flood's, over at Brooklyn Tweed. He's got some really lovely patterns, check him out!

Again, Again!

I've decided to knit a sock.

Another sock.

A PURPLE sock.

I've decided to wing it. Again. This delightful little toe cap is being knitted on US 0 needles, and has a gauge of 9.5 stitches to the inch. 

According to Knit Pick's Two at Once, Toe-Up, Magic Loop Pattern, I'm supposed to knit this little thing until it's as wide as my toes and just barely touches the top of my pinky toe. As my pinky toe is ugly and my toes are weird, I've decided I'm going to keep knitting this one just a little longer.

I cast on 30 stitches, and I have about 62 now. Onward!

Photography

I just wanted to share the gallery of a knitting artist who's photography I've decided I adore.

Stephan West has a number of really neat (and easy!) patterns available on his ravelry! I have to say though, his photography really sets him apart.

This guy has fun.

His patterns are affordable, and fun. Plus, it's always great to support someone that clearly loves what they do!

Check him out!
http://www.ravelry.com/designers/stephen-west

Kilt Hose, Take Two

I do get a certain satisfaction out of knitting socks.

When it's sexy long socks for man legs? Even better.

I actually really enjoy knitting in the summer, because I can knit outside. The sunlight is great for photos, I get a lovely breeze, and it's just very soothing for me.

It's less soothing when curious by-passers come over and fondle my knitting. Generally, I enjoy when people ask about my knitting. I love giving them a couple of thoughts on getting started, some resources I've found useful, and the chance to convert someone!

I was, however, a bit put off by the woman that stopped by to fondle these babies. She sounded pretty interested until she picked it up:

"Oh, it's a sock? Not many people do that anymore." She sniffed slightly, apparently miffed that I was working on such a mundane project.

"Oh, that's a common mistake. It's actually a willy warmer."

Well, that got her attention. She hustled off pretty quickly after that.

I might be going to hell, but I'll have a lovely pair of knee-highs to wear there.