Class Highlight: Dyeing with Queen Anne's Lace

Dyeing with natural dyes is a bit of a voyage into the unknown, and that is exactly the beauty of it. Just as each Autumn's display of color is unique or each Summer's balance of refreshing rain and smothering heat keeps us guessing, so too are we at the mercy of nature when we choose to dye with her bounty. Oh, we know, in general, what we should expect, but so many other variables come into play, that the exact depth, shade and intensity of color is truly unknown until the plants are cooked and the wool is dyed.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of leading a new group of dyers into the unknown as we prepared dyestock of Queen Anne's Lace, and plunked in some sock-weight wool yarn at the Roycroft's Powerhouse. Unlike other dyeing methods, this one is a bit slower, and we had a great time chatting and getting to know one another as we waited.

Occasionally, we checked the dyeing progress!

Everyone was shocked and pleased at the beautiful, soft yellow we produced!

And the yarn was truly stunning. . . .

A little friend hitched a ride on the Queen Anne's Lace, and watched the magic happen.

Everyone left with a hot mess of yarn that needed to cool and be rinsed. Hopefully, I'll get some great reports today as yarn is finished and dried!

Our next dyeing class is on Saturday, September 14 from 10-noon, and we'll be using acid dyes to hand-paint our yarn in beautiful Autumn colors! To register, visit the Roycroft Corporations' classes page. You can also find my upcoming knitting and spinning classes there.

Frozen . . . but thawing

Have you ever faced a project so big or intimidating that you didn't know how to get started? I experience this with rooms that need cleaning, basements that need organizing and laundry piles that need tackling, which makes sense to me because those are things I don't even like to do.

However, I've noticed recently that I'm hesitating over knitting and spinning projects. It took me a year to try weaving for goodness sake! These are things I love, what I'm passionate about, what a large percent of my time is dedicated to! And when I think of starting certain things, I freeze. So what gives?

I've rolled this around in my head for a while, and I think this is just one of those times where getting older and wiser isn't always better. The more I knit and spin, the more I know and expect from myself, and therefore, the more I can fall short. 

So today the snow is blowing sideways, the wind is bitter cold and winter is out in full force: perfect day for me to break free of my own personal hibernation and overcome the fear! 

I took a deep breath and started a big spinning project today. It's a doozie, and if I'm really honest with myself, pretty worthy of my fear. I'm spinning a pound of roving into fingering-weight, 2-ply that will be used by a knitting designer to create a project for a new spinning magazine. Yikes.

I've been starring at the wool for a few weeks terrified of starting. But look . . . I finally did it!

2.8 oz. down; 13.2 oz. to go. No stopping now!

It's Here!

My Phat Fiber Super Box came yesterday! Morgan and I plunged in, organized and took pictures! Jessie of Phat Fiber, showed-off the samples in a video and then sent the video contents on as the Super Box. When Morgan and I opened it up, I had to laugh because she must literally show the sample on the video and then sweep it into the box. Baggies were opened and left empty, lables are scattered, it was hilarious! I decided since I'll have to review the video to match up the tags anyway, I'd take all labels off and get some great shots of piles of fluff and yarn.

The theme for this box was "Day of the Dead," and it has to be the most consistant, coordinated box I've seen.

The bags and pattern (yes, I count the pretty organza bags; I re-use them all the time!):

 

The accessories:

A close-up of the 16! skull stitch markers I got! There was only one set, Vampire Diaries, that wasn't skull-themed!

The yarn (it's all so-well coordinated!!!!):

There were lots, and lots, of "Sugar Skulls" colorways. Here's a fun shot of them:

And (drum roll please!), here's the fluff!!!!!

So many huge samples and ALL gorgeous colors! I am one lucky girl!!!

First Fiber Festival and Fantastic Friends!

Last Saturday's Western New York Fiber Festival was absolutely wonderful! We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather or a more perfect setting. Crisp Autumn air got everyone in a fibery mood! 

This was the first time I've ever set up my own booth at a fiber festival, and I've been very excited and even more nervous, but it all came together with the help of some wonderful friends and a great sidekick.

My friend, Hannah (seen here posing with me!), really encouraged me to get it together and have a booth, so I made her help :) She was my right-hand girl for getting it all ready, setting up, selling and taking it all down. Oh, and for taking pictures!! Thank you Hannah!!!

And I can't forget my friends Petra and Jen who devoted themselves to cutting paper and packaging products all day last Thursday. Couldn't have gotten through that without you!

My parents are in town from Texas, so they had to see what all the fun was about. And my in-laws couldn't miss it either! Brendan, Morgan and Mike were with me all day doing various tasks for the festival. Did I mention I was on the planning committee as well? Brendan and Mike ran the jump rope maker until Sue (of The Critter Ranch)'s son Cameron showed up to help Brendan. Thank you family!!!

Jude and Dave (in-laws extraordinaire), Mike with Kat, and Janice and Bill (best parents ever).

One of the very best parts of the day was getting to see old friends that I only catch up with a few times a year, and getting to meet people I've only ever met on-line. What an amazing community of fiber friends we have here in Western New York. I am so blessed!

And now for some random fun shots of the day!

The BoothFoofing

Sue Phillips of The Critter Ranch hard at work in her booth.Brendan helping me twist up skeins (with Petra looking on!)Petra and Renee having a great time!Morgan telling me all about the great things she'd found (and it was her birthday, so she was a bit spoiled!)Jen and Rich Johnson of Whispering Pines Shetland Sheep Farm with FOUR bags full!Packing up after a long, wonderful day!!Now that the festival is over, I'm turning my sites toward Winter and organizing some classes to teach. I collected a lot of names and email addresses on Saturday for a E-Newsletter that will include more details. If you'd like more information, please feel free to give me your email to be added to the list. Off-hand, I know I'll be teaching beginner drop spindling, beginner knitting and the pattern "Wingspan."

Introducing Mixies!

Miniature batts and tops to mix-and-match for endless inspiration!

This new line of miniature tops and batts are designed to be blended together while giving you more control of your yarn. They'll be making their debut on Saturday, September 29 at the WNY Fiber Festival.

Here is a sneak-peak of 6 colors (out of 20!) on the Rambouillet top.

Each Mixie Top is 2 oz. of 100% Rambouillet from a father/son ranch in Texas, and it feels wonderful! They're semi-solid and will blend with the other colors in the line.

The Mixie Batts are 1.5 oz. and feature a variety of blends including local wool, silk, firestar and alpaca. There will also be lux batts of fine wool, alpaca, kid mohair and silk blended in various ways. All Mixie Batts are semi-solids that are carded with multiple passes to ensure throughout blending and easy drafting.

What to do with a Mixie?

* Spin the colors separately as singles and blend for a 2, 3 or 4-ply finished yarn.

* Strip the top/batt and hold various colors together as you draft for blending at the wheel (blend two Mixies for one singles and another two Mixies for the other singles, ply, and you'll have a complex, interesting yarn for larger projects!)

*Strip the top/batt and hold various colors together as you draft for blending at the wheel AND alternate which colors are in the mix for a subtle shifting of color or a fade.

* Alternated colors at even intervals for stripes.

* Randomly alternate colors for crazy stripes!

* Spin each color separately and use for colorwork projects.

* Let your imaginiation soar, and make the yarn your own!

Come see me at my booth on Saturday and mention seeing the Mixies here on my blog: I'll have a special gift waiting for you!