The Big Reveal - Fraternal Twins Roving

Rebecca & Regina

Fraternal Twins Roving – The Same but Different

Brad & Braden

As requested 1,000 Petals is now offering 8ounces of roving, kinda.

Fraternal Twins Rovings are divided into 4oz each. Each is dyed using the same exact dye solution, but the prep of the fiber causes the dye to absorb at different rates. See what I mean, the same but different.

Imagine the possibilities. Spin each as a single and then ply together. Or you could spin alternating sections of each twin. Or you could spin and ply each twin in your preferred way and then when knitting, knit each on alternate rows. This would create a stripy effect, but using the same colors.

Liza & Lily

By-the-way, I would love to see your finished yarns.

Update will begin at 8pm Eastern.

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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