Wool and Kool-Aid and other stuff

I was going to write a really involved blog post, then I got distracted by a really good deal on Craigslist. 1000 dollar wheel for 600? With extras? God I wish I had more money.

Here's some pictures of wool I dyed with Kool-aid.

And We're Back

Kind of... All I really have to say is that I'm learning to use my camera better.


Here I am contemplating soda. Mmmmm liquid candy.


Tyler being Tyler.


The bratwurst I stuffed my face with.


My most recent spinning project. This is the first half, and I've started on the second, my goal is to ply over Thanksgiving.

First Ball of Yarn

You still wouldn't know that I have a super awesome camera judging from this picture, but look, it's my first ball of hand spun yarn.



The actual process wasn't too hard, and plying was really easy. I used a top whorl drop spindle and merino roving. I think I could have pre-drafted the wool more, and I would have gotten a more even yarn.

Now I'm spinning some wool that has shorter fibers and drafts out much easier. I also flipped my spindle over so the whorl is on the bottom, it seems to spin more stable. Yeah, I'm probably boring the hell out of you people with all these yarn posts. Too bad this is the most exciting thing I have going on.

Finally I'm almost done with a pair of fingerless gloves for Tyler, they are made out of baby alpaca and feel like love.

More Fiber...

This might be getting a little out of hand...



I have a problem... nah! Knit on!

If I wasn't dead tired I'd blog with more substance. The new camera works pretty well when you take pictures in a not yellow room, and I'm learning how to use the manuel settings.

I took some pictures of work, so I might post about that over my FOUR DAY WEEKEND. Joy!

Turmeric

I got a new camera, and I have no idea how to use it. Once I finally figure out that it's awesome I'll make a post with some awesome pictures. But for now here's a picture of some yarn I dyed with turmeric.



I started with an ounce of Cascade Eco Wool (I think in the 8010 white-ish) and pulled it into a loose hank. The yarn went in some warm water and vinegar to soak. Then I took a tablespoon of turmeric and ran boiling water over it coffee style (paper towel in a strainer), the water was instantly yellow and I probably could have used less then a tablespoon to get similar results. After squeezing the yarn out, I threw it in the really hot turmeric water and let it sit twenty four hours. When that was done, I squeezed out the yarn, and washed it in cold water with a little more vinegar, then hung it to dry. I'm really impressed with the color that the turmeric produced, it's way more saturated then I thought it would be, and so far hasn't rubbed off on anything. Most natural dyes fade with exposure to life and washing. I'll be curious to see how the color holds up, and what felting will do to it.

Now to go figure out my camera!

Sick Day

I woke up this morning and thought I was going to puke, but after sitting on the edge of the tub for a while nothing happened. I called in sick to work and crawled back into bed, and slept on and off and ate some super bland food. At about one I was feeling good enough to get out of bed, and it was all up hill from their.

Around three, I went to the store got white yarn, and some Kool-Aid. Yes folks, I did it, I dyed yarn with unsweetened drink mix! I rolled off a couple oz and did one red and one purple. The wool dyed a little uneven but I think that's because i didn't soak it long enough. anyway, when it's dry I'm hoping to make more felt bowls (OMG Colors!).

I also have another oz soaking in the turmeric, which I'm hoping will produce a bright sunny yellow/orange. Turmeric is less colorfast, and my fingers are crossed that it wont turn everything it touches bright yellow. That has to soak overnight so maybe tomorrows post will be about the dangers of natural dyes.