Dye Job News

Hi Everyone

I had a great day yesterday dying some cotton yarn (read back yesterday for more on this). 

                                  

I knew things would be different dying a cotton yarn (plant based material) rather than a wool yarn. However, I failed to consider how much fixer I would need for the cotton and almost lost all my colours. Everything started so well and initially I got the colours mixed just as I wanted.

                                 

                                  

I loved the deep shades (bottom right). After washing lots of dye came out and although the colours are very different they are very pretty. Here they are drying on the line (bottom left). 

I have a plan B. I'm not sure if I will re dye the same cotton yarn or go for a wool ? I like the deep colours and want to make my cowl/ neck warmer in the deep colours but may still make a second in the pale colours.

When I get my techniques sorted out, I will post some tips and images of both cotton and wool material.

Thanks for calling in.

New Dye Project

Hi Everyone

Another little treat for me today - I've found another dye project. This time I'm going to dye some cotton yarn which will become a cowl/neck warmer. It's a lovely item when it's knitted up. I don't think the photo does it justice. I've seen a completed version at my Knit Group. The item should come together quite quickly when I've done the dye bit. This experiment is just that - I'm hoping to develop some colours inspired by my little mood board -

                                   

The colours I'm going for are a blue/grey colour along with navy,burnt orange and a deep claret. I'm hoping I can mix the right colours and make a good job of the dye process. My photo shows the current colour of the yarn (bottom left). After dying, I will knit up the design, however, I'm not hugely taken with the long fringe and may leave it off altogether ? The yarn (top right) will eventually become a poncho - more on that at a later date.

This dye job is quite a challenge for me. Wish me luck. As usual I will report my outcomes.

Thanks for calling in today.

Presenting new socks

Hi Everyone

Today, I'm sharing my latest sock make. Last Monday, I delivered the bad news that I'd run out of my lovely hand painted yarn (read back for more on this) while making my latest pair of socks. My solution was to use a constrasting yarn for the toe part of the socks but I couldn't decide on the colour to use. Eventually, I came up with a lovely ginger/burnt orange colour. Having added a toe to each sock (had to undue one first !! ) with the ginger colour , I felt the sock needed a bit more ginger elsewhere on the sock to balance the design. I tried a few ideas and settled upon a few stripes for the leg of each sock.

                                

I love the effect of the ginger and the green colours together. I've used something called Swiss Darning or Duplicate Stitch to make the stripes. It's a very easy way of adding surface design to knitting - look it up if it's new to you.

Generally, I'm really pleased with how the socks have turned out and think the contrasting yarn adds to the design. I bought the yarn while on holiday, staying at a place called Dirlton, so I've called this design the Dirlton Sock. I will think of our holiday each time I wear the socks.

Thanks for calling in

Bye for now.

Fabric Portfolio

Hi Everyone

I've been a little off focus today - my Miss Mitchell doll has been left behind ! (read back for more on this). Instead, I've made a fabric portfolio. The portfolio will form a project for my book (FROM SCRATCH)  which is undergoing a bit of an edit ! I'm hoping to use the portfolio each day for my rewrites and will enjoy seeing the actual print from the book cover on the portfolio.

                                 

The idea is to make a number of these portfolios in different sizes with different purposes as part of the project. I'm hoping to use varied fabrics, sizes and different embellishments to make very different  items.

This portfolio will get a fabric label (to be sewn top right of the cover)  and I've made some progress with it. I've used some quilting techniques and machine embroidery to develop my label - this item will also form part of a new project in the book. Here is a look at how far I've got :

                                   

I have an idea of dying part of my label and adding colour to the edges of the house element. All this is a bit of an experiment and I'm not quite sure how things will turn out ? However, I've had a lovely time making the stuff today.

Thanks for calling in today.

Have a great weekend.

Paper mâché heads

Hi Everyone

I've been experimenting with some paper mâché heads for Miss Mitchell. I have three inner core heads using various combinations of newspaper, glue and tape. Having made the first three core heads, I will also go for a paper towel version with Modge Podge. The more wet glue, the longer it takes to dry and I want a much quicker way to build the dolls . Number 1 took a couple of hours, number 3 is instant and number 2 will probably never dry !

                                  

I like number 1 the best (so far), it's scrunched  up newspaper with a second film of glued newspaper. Number 2 is lots of layers of wet glued paper and number 3 is dry newspaper wrapped in tape. All 3 heads are about 6.5cm across and quite round. These little balls are the first stage in the head development.

I quite like the idea of making a paper paste substance to act like a type of clay which will cover all the body parts, including the head. Ive decided to make each body part separately and join the body parts together with short wooden pegs and a glue gun. The idea is then, to cover the joined structure with my customised paper clay.

Today, my plan is to keep going and produce the body. I've decided to go with bigger feet (read back for more on this). When I get the body sorted, I'm going to experiment with printing fabric for a dress.

My plan,at this stage, is very loose. I have approximate measurements and an overall shape. I want the doll construction to work so will keep going with that.

                                  

                                                                                                                     and I'm happy to change things as the doll evolves. 

Thanks for calling in.