Knitting

WIPW 7/24/13

July 24, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

ON THE NEEDLES

A couple of things at the moment. First up is Hermione’s Everyday Socks for me. Still really liking the Premier Yarns Wool Free yarn. This colorway is called Vegas Lights. Just a few more rows and it will be heel turn time.

Next, the promised entrelac has been started. This yarn is Lion Brand Fisherman Wool, the original color was sort an oatmeal heather. It’s been dyed with Kool-aid, a combination of Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade and Cherry.

The color did something interesting. The oatmeal/beigey color is a grayish, light taupe now. Much, much better. Really, it reminds me of the Shibui Poodle Skirt yarn I used for a pair of socks a couple of months ago.

IHEARTPOTTERY

After a few hiccups with glazing, this plate finally came out of the kiln and was better than I had hoped. The glaze is Rhodes Turquoise for the bottom 2/3 and Green Gloss for the top 1/3. I’m really happy with the combination of glazes in the middle. I’ve had a hard time with the glazing, it’s really not my favorite thing and I tend to rush through without much thought and consequently, the glaze really isn’t as uniform as I’d like it to be. There are missed spots and drips. A little more attention to detail would go a long way in the difference between a good glaze and a great one. My mantra from here on out is, “take your time, where’s the fire?”

Windchime experiment also went well, aside from glazing hiccups. They chime better than I thought they would but it’s definitely different from a glass, metal or wood chime. The spur of the moment ivy stamp makes me very happy. I love the rustic look of this!

Linking up with the usual bunch for WIPW – Tami, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Ginny’s Yarn Along. Inspiration central!

Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. Thomas A. Edison

Knitting

Adventures in Dyeing, Part 2

July 11, 2013July 11, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

Another experiment, this time using Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade and Cherry flavors. The jury’s still out on this one.

After drying last night, the jury is in. I like it.

And wound

The Yarn Formerly Known As Oatmeal

An hour of play discovers more than a year of conversation does. Portuguese proverb

Knitting

WIP 7/10/13, First Try at Dye and a New Book

July 10, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

BUSINESS AS USUAL

Like most other WIP Wednesdays, I’m linking up with a couple of other cool blogs, Tami Ami, Frontier Dreams KCCO and Ginny’s Knit Along. Check them out and prepare to be inspired!

ON THE NEEDLES

Wise Hilda’s Basic Ribbed Socks for Mr. Iknead

A few more inches and this one will ride off into the sunset of FOs.

BY THE BOOK

I finally made it to my local BN yesterday and purchased a copy of Stephen King’s newest, Joyland. I haven’t officially started reading it, except skimming through the pages and reading a sentence or two. Anxiously waiting for at least a 15 minute lull in the day so I can really get started.

ADVENTURES IN DYEING

Here’s the finished product I promised yesterday; it’s still a tad damp, but I think it turned out pretty well, don’t you?

First Try at Dyeing with Kool-aid – Pink Lemonade.

I found some really unattractive 100% yarn in the stash, it may be Lion Brand 100% Wool, sort of an oatmeal color. I’ve just now decided to overdye (if that’s the word) another color, possibly purple. Show and tell tomorrow.

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks/And all the sweet serenity of books. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Knitting

DIY FYI DYE

July 9, 2013July 9, 2013 mud&stringLeave a comment

IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN

Yep, that’s right. Arkansas’s summer has finally come and it looks like it’s planning to unpack its bags and stay awhile. This makes for a sweaty whatever you happen to be engaged in, whether it’s baking, knitting, walking or any other of the billions of things that make up a day. Thankful for my AC and fans and thank you, Mr. Iknead, for giving me the treat of sitting in one spot, never having to leave the comfort of my cool house, except for essential tasks. Essential = groceries and/or gasoline.

FIRST TRY AT DYE

I’ve been eyeballing DIY dyeing articles and blogs, so, equipped with Kool-Aid, trash bags and part of my recent experiment in handspinning, I gave Pink Lemonade a go.

Step One