Ball Winder Madness

Ball winders are SOOO awesome! That is all I have to say about that. Watching over my new toy is my love muffin Gilbert.

I Love Mail

Saturday the mail woman brought me my package from Knit Picks. Then today they brought my order from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. It is the beautiful Chapman Springs colorway. At the bottom right corner the first skein of yarn that I dyed myself. Using Wilton Cake dye in Sky Blue and Brown both at varying strengths. The pic does not show it, but I was able to really deep turquoise/blue. I loved it! Now, that hard part, which sock pattern am I going to start first and which yarn? Okay, so here are the chooses... Anastasia Socks or Leyburn Socks by peperknit. These look to be a couple of great patterns. Just can't decide which yarn for which and which one I am going to cast on first. Course, I could cast both on, I do have a size 1 and 2. They are both from the toe up, which I have not done yet and I am itching to try it. Wendy Knits has a great tutorial on how to do toe up socks. Well, you will have to wait and see which one I pick.

Jaywalker...No Ticket Yet!

Progress on Jaywalkers. The first Jaywalker is completed to the point wear I would be decreasing for the toe. I could not go any further because as you can see in the right top pic, I am knitting on 12' addi turbos. Yes, you read that right, they are tiny circular needles. Benefits of using a tiny circular on socks? No latering, and no switching from needle to needle. I really like them, but when you get to the point of decreasing for the toe you still have to use DPN which I ordered from Knit Picks (and I just got them). Some notes about the Jaywalker pattern. (for use of writer to keep track of projects)
1. used smaller size on suggested needle size.
2. modified top cuff to create picot edge.
3. socks are a little tight, next time will use larger size. Or maybe size 2 needles.
4. overall great pattern!

The bottom pic shows the progress of my Turtleneck tank tube, from Fitted Knits.

Can't control myself!

Yes, I have again bought more yarn. Some of it though is for hand dying and possible resale, if it turns out pretty. I got 5 skeins of Knitpicks Bare-Superwash/nylon fingering weight. I have been researching dying fiber with Wilton icing dye. I have tried some techniques out and my choice is as follows: 1. soak wool in a combo of vinegar and hot water. 2. remove excess water from wool. 3. dissolve varying amounts of dye in simmering water. 4. either using dip dying or hand painting allow yarn to soak in dye. 5. wrap fiber in plastic wrap (good kind!). 6. place in vegetable steamer and allow to steam for 1 hr. Couple of tips: I don't put the steamer lid on completely, I did try this but found that it got too hot and bubbled up (I thought it was going to burst). Do not pack the steamer too tight, it will not allow the air to circulate properly.

I will keep you up to date on my progress and post pics of finished products. Here are some pics of my sample pieces. The color didn't represent very well, but give an idea of the great colors you can get.

By the way, here are some links were I got a lot of this info:

Gleason's Fine Woolies

Dyeing Protein Fibers with Kool-aid

KnitFit ranting & raving

Knitty: Spring 2007

Introduction Please

My name is Julie and I am from Florida. I have been knitting for about 3-4 years but seriously for about a year.

This is my recent FO. It is the Drop Stitch Lace Tank from "Fitted Knits" which can be found at Glampyre Knits by Stefanie Japel. I did change the pattern to be knitted in the round. It was a very fast and easy pattern. I love it lots! Currently on my needles is the Turtleneck Tube Vest from the same book. I have been viewing Stafanie's blog for some time and when I found this book in the bookstore I was so excited... "Its that girl from that blog I read".

Also on my needles, very small needles, is a pair of Jaywalker Socks from MagKnits. I am using Blue Moon Fiber Arts in Fire on the Mountain colorway. They are really turning out super.

Okay enough for tonight.