Garter Island

I like to think I have been a rather disciplined knitter this summer. I’ve kept my stash growth to a minimum. (I think buying 50 pounds of yarn to dye has suppressed my stashing needs.) I’ve stayed relatively focused on projects. (Until recently.) And I’ve even managed to finish a couple too.

Recently I’ve noticed some serious similarities amongst my projects. Generally I consider myself to be a diverse knitter, using a variety of different colours and stitches with the projects I knit on simultaneously. But apparently this isn’t so..

Exhibit A

Silk Cashmere Lavalette

The Lavalette by  Kristen Kapur.

Through the Loops

The first Lavalette I had made was quite a bit heavier and I really wanted to experience knitting loosely with silk cashmere. I love it so much and I can’t wait until it’s cool enough out to wear it. Knitting with my own hand-dyes has given me a lot more confidence in my dyeing. Seeing the colours knit up is so exciting. And seeing that they don’t pool is even better. Lately I have been experimenting with subtle shifts of colours. You might not be able to see it here, but the grey blue gradually shifts back and forth from a light lavender. I’ve found a lot of pleasure in dyeing greys with little hints of colour. It’s rather magical, I think. There isn’t really anything out there like it, at least not that I have seen. Maybe this is where the obsession started.

Exhibit B

Silk Cashmere Aestlight

The Aestlight Shawl

by Gudrun Johnston

The Shetland Trader

I couldn’t resist starting this unusually constructed shawl. Rather than working with a dense material, I decided to loosen it up a bit and work with a fingering weight on larger needles. I’m almost done the straight garter section and think I might have enough to do a full size. Originally I thought I may have to modify the pattern a bit so that I’d be sure to have enough left

Silk Cashmere Aestlight

to finish the border sections. I was planning on doing less garter and more open lace work, but we shall see.

Doesn’t it have a pretty drape? A brown-grey choice is definitely an unusual one for me. I’ve tried to keep the tonal value of the colours more or less the same, that way one doesn’t end up with the jarring contrast that commonly accompanies variegated colours. There’s something soothing about this knit.

Exhibit C

Top Secret

This project is a secret.

I shouldn’t really be sharing it. But it’s necessary I do to further my point. It’s the first project on my list of Christmas knits. It’s also one of the most important. I wish I could tell you why but there runs a risk of the recipient reading this post and so I will have to save that story for another time. I will however give you a hint. (You could of course look on my Ravelry project page. No secrets there.) Using a very special pattern by Ysolda Teague I will be spending many nights knitting row after row of garter stitch. Yes, more garter stitch. Yes, more grey and blue.

Exhibit D

Garter Stitch Scarf

Somewhere along the way of projects I thought it would be a cool idea to start a garter stitch scarf. I long for Fall. I’ve been eyeing the Mericash at the shop for quite sometime now and I finally gave in.

It’s a beautiful blend of merino and cashmere from Uruguay. Alternating colours every two rows I plan to make a simple striped scarf. I started a couple days ago but it was too loose. And rather then begin again on smaller needles, I became distracted by yet another project.

More garter.

More grey.

Exhibit E

New 100% Silk yarn

I’m excited to be releasing a new 100% silk yarn in the coming weeks. It’s loosely spun and slides through your hands effortlessly.

I like to knit with my yarns before I begin selling them. And so, this project is strictly business, or at least that is what I tell myself..

Look at how it shines in the sun.

I plan to have some ready for sale in time for the Pic-Knit at the Surrey Museum on August 8th. As a result I was in need of a rather quick and simple knit that would show the yarn off beautifully.

The Milkweed Shawl by Laura Chau

Silky Milkweed

The Milkweed Shawl

by Laura Chau

Cosmic Pluto Knits

I absolutely love this. And Laura has done a wonderful job writing out a pattern that everyone can read – giving you the option to read a chart or line by line. It takes a bit of concentration but it’s worth it. The thickness of this yarn helps define the simple garter and makes the streams in between the yarn overs stand out quite beautifully.

It’s official, I’m on Garter Island. And if it had a colour, there’s no doubt in my mind that it would probably be blue and grey. Maybe this sudden obsession for garter and grey and blue has been sparked by my recent infatuation with the projects of some of my favorite knitting guys. I even found a group on Ravelry dedicated to the garter stitch called FLOGS (For the Love of Garter Stitch), I thought it was fitting that I join. I think it’s strange how all of my current projects match in one way or another. But maybe it’s more common than I think.

*waves to mom over on purple island*

-Melissa

The Joy of Cashmere

There’s nothing better than being amongst 80 skeins of silk cashmere.

It’s pure heaven.

I spent all day Thursday experimenting with my new dyes and the lovely yarn you see above. I  was able to recreate the soft blue-grey violet colour that I am currently knitting my second Lavalette with, along with many new colours. Knitting is truly effortless with this stuff. Check it out below!

Specs:

Name: Silk Cashmere Fingering

Weight: 3ply Light Fingering

Yardage: 366 meters (400 yards)

Texture: Incredibly soft

I plan to dye the remaining 40 skeins on Monday, and then have them listed on etsy and available in store at 88 Stitches by Friday (July 17th).

Enjoy!

-Melissa

PS

Look what arrived at the shop today!

Zauberball!!!

I can’t wait to start a new project with mine.

The Sweet Fiber Factory

Dyeing in the summer comes with few obstacles and many advantages. The weather is relatively dry and somewhat warm. And sometimes there’s even a gentle breeze. It’s what I like to call perfect dyeing weather.

Today however is an exception. I awoke to dark, grey skies and spitting rain, finding that the yarn I dyed yesterday is not yet completely dry, or even close. Lately I’ve been wondering what I will do come fall and winter, when the weather makes it too difficult to dye and dry my yarns. Rain I can handle, even high winds, but snow? I’m not so sure..

While at work at the yarn shop today something very special and exciting took place at home.

Not only did my Dad find me an awesome Dye Studio, he had it lifted by crane, transported from South Surrey to Langley AND managed to document it all for me. Aren’t Dads the best?

It's a mini house! Functioning windows, electricity, insuluation. And it's very roomy inside.

Elevating it, one block at a time...

The crane peaking over the fence, driver caught doing a rather triumphant pose.

That's my Grandfather in the left corner, he's always ready to help. The siding is made of concrete - it must weigh a ton.

It's getting pretty high..

And over the fence it goes. You're free little house!

Freedom's over, you're mine now

"Wide Load"

After several bridge and overpass closures it's here.

Welcome home.

Thank you Grandpa.

"The Sweet Fiber Factory"

Sweet Fiber now available at 88 Stitches & online!

Thankyou to all of those who came to the opening last Saturday night! And for those who couldn’t make it, here’s a few pics:

The pretty set up.

The Super Sweet Sock was a favourite of the night.

It’s been a busy month, but I am please to announce that Yarn Candy, Sweet Fiber is now available in shop at 88 Stitches and online at Yarn Candy, Sweet Fiber.

*Roll credits…*

Now for some much needed thank yous!

Thank you Ina for being my first customer, wrestling those first few skeins out of my hands and refusing to take no for an answer.

Smockies by Bente Barosen / Knit by Karen / Super Sweet Sock

Thank you Karen for all your time and effort that has gone into test knitting and making samples. They are beautiful and I couldn’t have asked for more. Aren’t those Smockies the prettiest things?

Thank you Uli for being my test spinner! I look forward to seeing your pretty creations.

A bouquet of flowers in my favourite colours. Thanks Dad!

Thank you Crystal for making the mitten because you knew it’s what I wanted, frogging it because you knew all along it wasn’t right, and then designing the Swedish Chef. I hear it’s the next big thing for Fall. (For both cooking and playing in the snow…)

Thank you Judy for your lovely sample, and for always having answers and insightful input.

Thank you dad for those endless days of ball winding, for always thinking of me and for always offering to help.

Thank you mom for the encouragement, the opportunities and for introducing me to the wonderful world of fibre.

And most of all, thank all you guys for your endless support and for keeping me tangled in yarn & fiber.

Sincerely,

Melissa

P.S

The next addition to the Yarn Candy, Sweet Fiber family is coming very, very soon. And boy, it’s a good one! Stay tuned for some upcoming pics..

Yarn Candy, Sweet Fiber Launch Party

Did you hear? Did you hear? I’m having a launch party!

You’ve probably heard about it already, it’s been posted everywhere except here. And I’ve probably told you, at least those of you close enough to come. But I figured I should probably officially “blog it” so I don’t have to explain the photos later. And because I’m really, really excited…

When: Saturday, June 20th 2009 – drop by anytime after 6pm

Where: 88 Stitches Yarn Shop in Langley, BC (www.88stitches.com)

About: I thought it would be cool to throw a party as a way to introduce my new hand-dyes into the yarn world. I’ve been working super hard this past month and am inviting you all to come see what I’ve been up to! It’s sure to be a night of knitting, laughter and fibery goodness. Oh, and there will be a special prize draw too!

A glimpse of what's to come..

Woolie Lavalette

When I’m not dyeing yarn I’m designing labels, weighing, packaging, reskeining, making and packaging stitch markers and (if I’m lucky enough to have finished everything else) knitting! Sometimes I forget that there’s another world out there. But right now, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m excited to share with you a project I have been working on for the past couple of weeks. I was given the opportunity to test knit a new summer shawl by Kristen Kapur of Through the Loops! It’s a simple pattern that is easy to memorize and has potential to be adjusted to fit almost any (lighter) weight of yarn. It also has a lot of space for personal modifications if one wishes to do so. Mine was knit exactly as the pattern is written in my own hand-dyed yarn, Woolie One Ply. The yarn is 100% merino wool and is quite stretchy. I didn’t block it as severly as I could have, partially because I didn’t want to make it too large and also because of the limits of my blocking pad.

It’s slightly surreal knitting with a yarn you’ve dyed yourself. There’s definitely a stronger connection, especially to the colour. The one I used, a vibrant orange salmon with subtle tonal transitions, is one of my favourite colours. It was also one of the first skeins I ever dyed and I think it captures summer beautifully.

Specs:

Yarn: 2 Skeins of Woolie One Ply

Yardage: 311 m / 340 yrds

Needle: 5mm / US 8

It’s important to knit this shawl loosely (on larger needles than the yarn calls for), which creates the airy openess that allows it to drape so beautifully. Also, in the future I’d like to make another (or two!) in various silkblends, for a more luxurious result.

The pattern isn’t available yet, but it will be soon! Be sure to keep your eye out for it on Ravelry or Kristen’s blog.

Thanks Kristen for another lovely pattern.

Barbra at WWKIPD, modeling (and attempting to steal) my Woolie Lavalette.

New yarn!

I spent the other day experimenting with my new, shiny stainless steel pans. They’re nice and roomy and give me more control when experimenting with colour – resulting in beautiful transitions between colours. No more over dyeing and no more splotches!

Some new yarn also arrived. Mmm silky merino lace! Check it out:

Name: ???

Weight: Lace

Yardage: 725 meters

Texture: Unbelievably soft & smooth

70% Superfine Merino, 30% Silk - Lace

70% Superfine Merino, 30% Silk - Lace (SOLD)

70% Superfine Merino, 30% Silk - Lace (SOLD)

70$ Superfine merino, 30% Silk - Lace

70% Superfine Merino, 30% Silk - Lace

It begs to be knitted, doesn’t it? I have been debating what to call this luxurious yarn. It’s the perfect marriage between superfine merino and mulberry silk and becomes illuminated with colour. I was thinking about a name that has to do with pearls or gems or something along those lines. If you have any ideas please share, I’d love to hear them.

Also new to Yarn Candy, Sweet Fiber:

Name: Woolie Lace

Weight: Lace

Yardage: 725 meters

Texture: Woolie Merino

Woolie Lace - 100% Merino (SOLD)

I hadn’t planned on selling any, but when you take yarn to the wool shop to show your friends it’s hard to say no. Plus, it brings me great joy to know knitter out there want my yarn, even if they are my friends.

In the next couple of weeks I’ll begin posting items for sale on my new etsy shop, letting a few trickle out here and there as I have been doing in the shop. I’ll be sure to post here/twitter when I do.

Hope you’re all out enjoying the sunshine!

-Melissa

Fresh from the dye pot

Presenting…..  the new, superwash merino fingering weight!

Specs:

Name: Super Sweet Sock

Weight: Fingering

Texture: Soft & squishy

Some new favourites:

Enjoy!

-Melissa

P.S

More tomorrow!

Dyeing Sunshine

When I begin dyeing I don’t have any intentions, expectations or ideas of what it is I wish to produce. Instead I rely on spontaneity and make intuitive decisions. I have read several books over the past few weeks about dyeing, each of them stressing the importance of record keeping. I’ve always thought that the purpose behind hand dyeing one’s own yarns was to achieve unique and consequentially unrepeatable outcomes, the absolute opposite of what is done by mass producing machines. Part of the beauty lays in the chance and the surrounding influences of the time and day in which it is made.

Here is some of today:

The weather was perfect for dyeing. The bright sun kept the soaking baths warm and the gentle breeze helped dry the yarn almost instantly. And just before the sun began to set behind the trees I managed to grab one last picture:

Sadly, I’ll have to wait until Monday before I can dye some more.

Goodnight,

Melissa

P.S

Last night at sit & stitch I made my first sale! Check out what Ina is making with it on Ravelry: Purple Rain

Impatient Attempts

My pans still haven’t arrived.

Rather then wait patiently I decided to pick up a couple stainless steel pots at Liquidation World so that I could begin experimenting with the dyes. They are perfect for solid and tonal dying, however their small size makes it difficult to dye more than one or two skeins of yarn at a time.

Setting up

While the yarn was soaking I was contemplating which colours to use first, how many to mix together and how much to make. I picked some pretty blues and purples to begin with, and of course made way too much dye. I should have known better. Mixing dyes is a lot like mixing paint, certain colours – depending on their darkness and saturation – can be pushed further than others and require less pigment. I had the same problem with the green dye. Also, I found that the blue/purple dyes absorbed the fastest and the green/yellow dyes took the longest.

A pretty blue skein in the making.

I though it would be easiest to start with subtle tonal variations adding in a few compatible colours here and there (i.e purple to red, yellow to green).

After the yarn had cooled I let it soak in a warm bath of water and lavender Eucalan.

A couple single ply skeins soaking after being dyed.

Almost dry! Hanging in the breeze, over looking the vegetable garden.

The skeins hanging above took me about 8 hours on Monday to dye. It’s a lot harder to do than one might think. (Especially when you jump in to it without knowing what the heck you’re doing.)

Single ply - Tonal Pink

2 ply - Lime Green

2 ply - Dusty Periwinkle

2 ply - This one turned out really cool, a mix of green, watermelon and yellow!

One ply - A result of my dad's"wrapping" idea

A day of hard work & lovely results.

Thanks for looking and I’d love to hear what you think! As always, more photos available in my flickr.

-Melissa

P.S

Look what arrived this morning!

Teach yourself visually - Hand Dyeing by Barbara Parry

I can’t wait to try out some of the different techniques Barbara explores in her book!