Phat Fiber for December

December's theme is "Music Box". I had some difficulty with the theme as all I could think about were those pink and white ones with the ballerinas in them that little girls get for their jewelry.




As I read the threads about it on Ravelry, I realized that I had some yarn I'd dyed over the summer that I'd called Tequila Sunrise. While some days I feel like I could strangle the DJs for playing the Eagles yet again, the yarn would work.



I'll be listing this soon on both etsy and artfire.

I've had some really great ideas for January and February. I'll start working on those in this next week to get them ready in time.

Artfire Studio

I getting my Artfire studio set up! Yesterday I added the first two yarns. I'll get more added as I edit the photos.

Stop by and say hi!

I will also be updating my etsy shop with some of the same yarns where I have multiples.

SAFF 2011

It's official. I'll be at SAFF in 2011!

I'm quite excited to see my name in virtual print online. I'll be in the Sales Arena, so start praying for cool, dry weather.

Solid Lotion Bar

Until I get pictures taken and uploaded, here's something fun to do. I've made this recipe for solid lotion bars, and I really love them. I used coconut oil, olive oil and beeswax. Enjoy!

More dye challenges

The most fascinating and annoying aspect of dyeing is how the colors change from one yarn base to the next.

I've been working with two other bases that say they have the same fibers as Chris sock - 75% superwash wool and 25% nylon. All I can say is "huh?"

The way they take the same colors in the same concentrations is beyond strange. I'm sure other, more experienced dyers have gone through much of this and found what concentrations work for what wool, but for the novice dyer like myself, it's an exploration that some days confounds and frustrates us.

That's not to say I'm not getting some wonderful and beautiful results. Sometimes I do. Other times I think thank goodness I can overdye this crap!

Anyway, I've been actually working with dyes and not spending as much time here on the computer. That's why you've not seen much here lately.

I do owe you some pictures, and I'll get around to it. I've got some other, more pressing stuff going on today, such as visiting a friend with cancer and a cat at the vet for several days, so it will take me a few more days to post some pictures. Bear with me!

Be back soon!

I've been at SAFF, and now I'm playing catch up with all the household stuff. I'll update the blog soon. It's funny how the hubby actually wants to eat and complains if there's no food in the house. (and yes, he can get some himself, and he's picked up food quite a lot recently. While Publix makes a mean rotisserie chicken, homecooking is still usually better.)

Another installment of same dyes, different yarns

I see the end of the Chris Sock Yarn in the near future. No, it's not bad yarn, but I purchased it from another dyer who was shifting to a different knitting related venture (Blackthorn Needles) with the intention of practicing my dyeing skills while I searched for base yarns.

This past week I had some unexpected demands on my time which cut into Fiber Charmer time much more than I liked. I was unable to do much dyeing, and I'm hoping for fewer time-eating surprises this week.

However, I did find the time to get in a little dyeing, and I'm finding the other yarns don't dye at all like the Chris yarn did. They've all grabbed the dye and don't let me push it along as the Chris does.

You can see by the pictures that it looks like I'm starting at square 1 again. The Steampunk yarns in the top photo went into a dye bath yesterday to see if immersion could even out the splotchiness.

The thick/thin yarn in the bottom photo took the dye beautifully. I'm really sorry that type of yarn isn't in fashion right now as it was a dream to dye. The other yarn in the photo is Baaamboo, which I need to reorder. It's a merino and bamboo blend, and it dyes wonderfully too. It has a frosty sheen to it since the bamboo doesn't take up the acid dye.

I'll rinse the overdyed yarns today and see how they turned out. Later this week, when I have an undisturbed dye day, I see that I have to refine my techniques and experiment with dye solution strengths for these other yarns.

As for the bases in the top photo, I like them both. One is 100% merino while the other is a merino/nylon blend. I do have a merino nylon blend from another source that I want to try also. It's truly astounding how similar bases from different sources can feel differently.

I also plan to get the etsy shop updated and get the artfire studio set up in time for the Phat Fiber Box. Boxes go on sale pretty soon. Go sign up for the email if you haven't already!

edited to add that I'm working on managing my time better. Not only am I setting aside dye days, I'm working on setting up a dye schedule. I've got colors I need to restock. Contact me with any special requests!