Monday, January 31, 2011

Silk Cap Spinning



I introduced the group to spinning silk caps from swifts at yesterday's meeting. Some preferred pulling the caps into roving and spinning that way. We spun the silk that was dyed at our Roc Day gathering.





K. is knitting a sweater from her Shetland hand spun. She is using all the natural colors from her flock. Lovely.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Color change




I have dyed the cap and mitts with strawberry koolade. More to DIL's liking I think. The cap is on a hat blocker. Finished the baby feather and fan mitts for myself, but gave them to a friend, so it is back to square one. Good thing I have more of the yarn left.

I spent a few days with a friend while her husband was out of the country on a business trip. It was the most wonderful few days and as always, too short! We knitted and spun and had a lot of laughs. I got to try her lovely Alden Amos wheel and it spins smooth as buttah......for ever and ever. There are deer everywhere in the forest. Bucks, does and fawns of all ages and sizes. They come to nap and play just outside the fence. It was lovely to watch them as I sat knitting. We watched a lot of BBC DVDs and it was a bit difficult to pay attention when the deer were around. The moonlight in the forest was enchanting. Wonderful memories.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Roc Day Dyeing



It was 36 degrees on the patio. A dozen very hardy gals we were! The day was spent dyeing, spinning, knitting, and getting warm with wonderful hot soups and chili. The focus was on silk cap dyeing with some wool and mohair in the vat. The silk was either steamed or done in a microwave. Having a variety of ways to set the dye gives choices and helps with time. Important when is is cold and foggy!





Two caps I dyed, rinsed and ready to hang to dry. These were soaked in water with vinegar added prior to dyeing. Laid on plastic wrap and the dye applied in random places. Wrapped and steamed for an hour. I have and electric roaster oven. Placed a rack inside to hold up a disposable aluminum 13X9 pan. Worked like a charm. I poked holes in the pan with an ice pick so that the steam could circulate the packages well. Many packages can be placed in a 13X9 pan.
The caps will be spun from a swift at an upcoming meeting. This will be a new experience for many of the group. Should be a fun and interesting day.

Let's try this again



Since the last heart mitts caused a Princess and the Pea syndrome........(the dog hair makes her hands itch), I have used a different yarn. This is hand spun FinnXMontedale with Mohair, plied with a tiny, skinny glitz thread. It reminds me of sparkling snow. The Horseshoe cap pattern is from Spin-Off magazine.com. I like them just as they are, but she wants the same strawberry pink, so into the pot they will go......

I have knit another pair of fingerless mitts in the baby feather and fan pattern and will do another hat to go with them. Perhaps for Moi. These will remain un-dyed.