Sheep Shots

The color of the dye liquid has gotten deeper and it's definitely hot sitting in the sun all day. I'm wondering if the full 10 days is necessary (like baking/nuking/steaming Kool-aid dyed wool is) so that the color sets.

I'm also giving passing thought to skeining up another ball and poking it into the jar.

The directions say to stir daily. So stir I did. (And I dipped it out for a little look-see, too.)

It's really pretty!







Kind of a soft yellow. (The color on my monitor is pretty true.)

Note all sorts of VM mixed in with the wool. I am hoping for a blotchy kettle-dyed (think Manos) look.

As more flowers bloom, I'll be adding more petals. Or not.

Did I ever mention that yellow and orange are my favorite colors?

And to answer some questions:

Yes, larjmarj, very much like sun tea. I am hoping that it will be relatively easy to strain out the "stuff," though. And there are directions for dyeing with beets (fresh or canned) here .



dragon knitter asked about washing soda. You can find it in the laundry aisle of most supermarkets. Arm and Hammer is the only brand I've ever seen. (One pound baking soda box shown for perspective.) Look high or low on the shelf. It's a "granny" sort of product--kind of like 20 Mule Team Borax.

It's relatively cheap stuff and nothing beats it for getting the teenage wrestler stink out of gym clothes!

Cream of tartar, the other mordant mentioned in the article, is also found in the supermarket with the spices. It's used to make egg whites beat up stiff. Look for alum in the same aisle. It's used in pickling.


Jane and etoile both asked about the little blue sweater. If I were a real beeyotch, I would just say that I posted the name and a link to the source when I cast on. Instead, I will tell you that it is from Kids to Grown-Ups Seamless Sweaters by Mary Rich Goodwin. I got my copy from Elann. The patterns are all top down. Sizes range from baby-size 1 to adult XXL. All (I think) are made with worsted or DK weight yarns.

And now for something completely different: Is it the heat? The alignment of the planets? Or am I speaking a whole different language? Everyone I've encountered recently seems to be in one seriously pissy mood. Face to face or car to car. No courtesy, no patience. What's up with that?

I should send them all out with a big basket to gather "stuff" for dyeing. That would improve both their moods and mine.

I wonder what color the Rose of Sharon and the Queen Anne's lace blooms will make. . .

I decided to just bite the bullet and use a pattern I already have for the Christmas Tree Ornament, Santa, and selected a really lame one I found in Knitting with Bits and Pieces (House of White Birches (c) 2002).

The picture didn't do much for me and when I had the pieces knit, but not sewn together, I decided that major adjustments were in order.

For example, the feet (boots) were sort of flat and sewn on, while the rest of the body is stuffed and 3-D.




I decided that ol'' Santa needed 3-D feet as well, and a body under that tunic thing wouldn't hurt either, so I picked up some stitches from the underneath side (sort of like adding a pocket, but from the back) and knit the old guy a body, attached the feet to it, gave him some shape,

and, well, here you go:







I had to hang him from one of the last remaining evergreens in the yard.

I'm pleased, even though, technically, he isn't a "right jolly old elf" seein' as how he's got a permanent scowl, and he's thin as a rail.

Both of my single Santas are on the thin side. It's the new healthier look.

Think anyone will buy that?

Me either.





And here's the real "mad scientist" part! I've been "dye"ing to do a little more natural dyeing, but being the cheapskate that I am, I refuse to pay a lot of money for dyepots and such.

I mean, $4 for a smallish, slightly dented enameled pot at the Humane Society Thrift Store? What were those folks sniffing when they priced their stuff? And where can I get me some? [coff]

But I have this great white supewash (only 3 balls, not enough for much of something, but if this works, I'll have some great sh*t to knit)!



I found this site with directions for solar dyeing. I have all the stuff I need:



Marigolds and other yellow flowers (that's yarrow and coreopsis in there with the marigolds) Check!

Big honking glass jar (I knew I was saving this for something) Check!

Alum (left from the sassafras experiment) Check!



So, using my sorta-swift (tm), I skeined up my wool. The directions call for 3/4 gallon of blossoms/petals in a gallon jar to dye 4 oz. of wool.

I have 1) a half-gallon jar and 2) about a pint-and-a-half of petals. I downsized accordingly and skeined off only 1 of the yarn balls (1.75 oz, 50 g) even though I was really, really tempted. I have learned my lesson!




So, after figure-eight tying the skein, I soaked it in hot water with a little dish detergent.

When the water cooled, I changed water, this time dissolving a little alum in it.

It's still soaking.






Meanwhile, out in the yard, I added a little alum (less than a quarter teaspoon) and some washing soda (ditto) to the petals and some warm water, swooshing it all around to dissolve the powders and wet down the VM.

Then, I set it in the sun to steep.

Later today, I will add the scoured wool and fill the jar with hot water.

I have been assured that cutting all the flowers off my marigolds will force more blooms (or kill the plants, I'm nothing if not honest). As more petals become available, I'll add them to the jar, sort of like making that brandied compote stuff that bubbles forever on the counter, fermenting.


The whole process takes 10 days--like I can be patient that long!

Stay tuned.

It's hot! It's so hot here in eastern US that things are melting on the sidewalk. And so, how do I amuse myself?

I sit in air conditioned comfort in my jammies bottoms with the polar bears (no pictures!) and knit up wooly little fair entries that look a whole lot like winter!


Here's the latest creation.

This one is of my own design, essentially starting with 8 stitches in the round on dpns,

increasing at the end of each needle every other round (8 stitches increased in the increase round) until there are 40,

then knitting even about that far (4", maybe),

decreasing 8 stitches over 4 rows (*decrease at each end of each needle, knit 1 row even*, twice), (24 stitches)

then increasing 8 stitches the next round, (32 stitches)

knitting another bit (about 3" this time) even,

repeat the decrease twice, (16 stitches) increase once segment (24 stitches)

Knit about another inch or so even, then decrease down to 8 stitches, draw up, fasten off.

* note, you will want to fill lightly with fiber-fil as you go so that when you get to the "draw up, fasten off" part, you aren't sitting there saying "how the f*ck do I stuff this d*mned thing?"

** I used the bottom of a plastic margarine tub to make the bottom flat. Cut into a circle, insert into the very bottom before stuffing.

*** I used faceted black plastic beads to embellish (eyes and buttons). If you are making this as a toy for a small child, leave out the plastic bottom and embroider the eyes and buttons (French knots work well for this).

The body is Red Heart With Wool, washable blend. I think I used size 4 dpns for the body. The scarf and hat are Elann Sock It To Me! sock yarn in variegated crayon colors. I just winged the hat (48 stitch cast on, I think) and lengthwise gartered the scarf on size 1s.


And here, lined up in "size order," are the fair entries so far.

I still need to finish my Santa Ornament (almost done) and decorate a wreath (not even started).

Initially, I was planning to make a bunch of little socks and mittens for the wreath. Indeed, I have cast on one sock. hmmm. The plan was that I'd make them in pairs in Christmas colors with stripes, checks, perhaps snowflakes, then, after the fair, I'd disassemble and donate the socks.

Now I am thinking flock-o-sheep with one black one, of course, or nativity scene (if I can find my copy of the Knitted Creche) kind of snuggled at the "bottom" of the wreath.

Heck, I still have 3 weeks. :eep:

And a visitor to the garden.

I'm working on a number of small projects. Hope to finish the second last fair entry tonight, then move gratefully along to the last one.

Ever feel like there was little time and much to do?

I've been reading a lot of blog entries describing pain, suffering, and illness. They're out there, so I'll spare my readers the details. Took a header at work (my own dumb fault, not work related) and messed up my knee.

No pictures.


Send chocolate. And alpaca. Both will ease my pain.

There was a package for me at work today. I never get packages at work (at least not packages of "good stuff"). The package was full of work-related booklets. BOR-ing!

Then, when I got home, there was a box on the kitchen table.

The home box was much better than the work box (work box= boring crap; home box= good stuff).








Look at the great mittens that Kymberly sent!

They are all washable ack, so, rough and tough and totally indestructible.

Perfect for kids!

I really like the ones with the aqua cuffs! Look! There's a green one with a blue thumb and a blue one with a green thumb! Tres creative!


Thank you Kymberly! Your name is in the hat.

That's seventeen pairs at my house in case anyone's keeping track.

Drag out those odd balls and join the fun!

Snake update: Dez has identified my snake shed (from an earlier episode) as being from a ribbon snake (Google image is your friend), a harmless, pretty reptile. I am relieved, because I am certain he is still out there somewhere, watching, waiting, for the opportunity to sneak into a suitcase and stow away as one of those Snakes on a Plane!

Tonight, while watching TiVo'd versions (no commercials) of House and The 4400, I did a little finishing up.


Here's an up-close and personal view of the litte blue sweater (TM) that I started a few days ago.

It's called "Twizzled Rib," but I'll be damned if I can see any reason for the "twizzled" label. Looks like plain ol' 2X2 ribbing to me.

The yarn is well-aged Plymouth Encore worsted, left over from a sweater I made for the Older Kid when he was a freshman in college.





In the flesh, all finished with nice buttons from the stash, this is a sweater I might make for me.

Isn't it just perfect for a little boy? (The buttons are on the "boy side.")

And truthfully, I made the size 2, but it's very s-t-r-e-t-c-h-y. Should fit for a good long while.

The pattern comes in my size. I have some wonderful rough-spun wool (the stuff I bought in Ireland a couple years ago) in a lovely natural brown. I need to check if there's enough.

I finished my 4th 7" square for Ship Support, too!






And the last "finish" of the night: here's the "big guy with the "little lady." Stop gagging!

They are knit in Dollar Tree find Bernat Ping Pong which is genuinely nasty stuff to knit, especially at a tight gauge (to keep the stuffing in). Hats and scarves are Red Heart Supersaver.

Pinf Pong is multi ply ack and nylon. It has little spakly fibers sticking out all over. Very frosty looking.

I have a few balls of brown and black in the stash. I was planning to use them for a bear or two, but they also have the sparkly stuff.


So, back to the drawing board!

Still to finish for the fair: Snowperson, single; Christmas ornament, Santa; Wreath, other.

I've had so many requests for info on the Mitten Challenge that I am reposting a very abbreviated version. For the full poop, check the June 11 archives.



Are you ready?

Here's the Summer 2006 Challenge!

MITTENS!

It gets cold on the Northern Plains and little kids (and big ones, too) need warm hands! Warm hands for walking to school, warm hands for doing chores, warm hands for playing outside.So, this challenge really is about warm hands.

This is a GRAND OPPORTUNITY to use up odd bits of yarn and try out new patterns.

Who can play? Anyone with a soft spot for kids and a hook or needles and yarn.

Sizes for toddlers through large teens. Plain or fancy. Stripes, checks, flowered with little animal faces embroidered on. The only restriction is that they must be WARM!

Make 6 pairs and send them to me by the end of September. My re-mailing for the Mitten Blitz will be THE FIRST WEEK IN OCTOBER.


Prize drawing. To be included in the random prize draw, mail 6 (or more) pairs of gloves or mittens to the address you'll receive by email if you contact me (clicky-thing on the sidebar for "view my profile" then click on "email me", or amcmanus@ptd.net )


Decision of me is final and not open to scrutiny ;-)

Some prizes already received look like this


and include sock yarn in a bright and a sedate colorway (2 balls of each), bulky stuff (Cervinia Oslo and Lion Brand Kool Wool, two balls and 4 balls in 2 colors, respectively) a great book of knitting patterns, and a pompom maket for the Lover of Poms.

Not shown: stitch markers.

Goodness, that's a dark photo! Rest assured that the yarn is much nicer in person!

I will be so glad when I get my fair entries finished. In the (in my mind) "compulsaries," I have a lopi cardigan, some lacy socks, a chulo and mitones from Andean Knits and my steeked baby sweater.

Now I'm working on the "freestyle" and this dipsh*t knitting of leetle novelty crap is making me nuts! D@mned knitted top hat for a 15" tall snowman and such.

The fair permits 10 entries in what I consider the "serious" stuff (sweaters, hats, mittens, baby garments) department and pretty much unlimited entries in the "novelty" ( tissue box covers, holiday decor) department.

"Novelty" is where I am right now. Thus the whine about the top hat.

I still need:

"Creative Christmas Wreath-grapevine"--I have the form. I'll wrap it with wired ribbon, create a bow, then cover it with socks and mittens, I think. Or maybe little balls of yarn. Or maybe fruit (grapes, apples, pears), knitted, of course.

"Christmas Tree Ornament-Santa"--I'm thinking a variation on the star ornament in Knitter's Almanac.

"Mr. or Mrs. Snowman-other" --Tiny, please lord, let it be tiny!

Then, I'll start a gansey or another Lopi. Something that doesn't involve any ack! At all.



I am reduced to knitting 7" squares for Ship Support (not that this task isn't important), just to have something that requires thought.

The squares are combined with those of other members of the group into afghans for the Points of Contact (POCs)--the service members willing to accept and distribute handmade "Hugs Froom Home" to their fellow soldiers and sailors.









Oh, and does anyone remember Branching Out?" I was able to put an end to the incessant whimpering. It was all for a good cause. The three pristine balls are on their way to delight someone in need of a pick-me-up. This last one will become a baby hat or booties, probably.




And speaking of booties (or baby socks), the Regia self patterning stuff that I used for mittens makes pretty good socks, too.

Mitten Challenge update: Joan has joined in the fun and offers this pattern for those who like to crochet. She offers this endorsement: "I love making these and they are so warm which is exactly what you want in a mitten." and says that they size up or down just fine!

Yesterday marked 2 years since this drivel first dribbled over the 'net.

I have made many new friends (waves to them), started many new projects, and did not manage to get my ass fired or my person jailed (though there's a rumor that someone at Homeland Insecurity checks in daily).

So, break out the cake.

Happy yesterday to me!

The long and tedious trip along PingPong road is over. Snowguy is finished and stuffed and of course, I forgot that the eyes and buttons go on before the stuffing, so I will have different issues this time with getting the eyes in the right place. Cross fingers that I won't be sewing and ripping as much as I did with the li'l' gal!

I am going to have to dive into the button stash for more coal-looking buttons for this one.

I don't think it will be an issue, though (see previous posts about the gignormous button stash).







He's getting a striped and fringed scarf (lengthwise garter stitch--you know the pattern).

I am still debating the hat.

Either it will be a top hat (probably red with a green band or vice versa) with some holly leaves and berries (check the bead stash for red!) on the hat band.


Or it will be a striped beanie.




And there's some progress on the little sweater. Fact is, I could finish it today.

The buttons I picked are perfect. Except that they are too small. I'm looking at tightening up the buttonholes and using them, or going back to the "drawing board" and diving into the button stash for something appropriate.

This is such a great pattern. I made the size 2 (22" chest), but because of the ribbed pattern, and the lack of constricting seams, I'm betting it would fit up to about a 30" chest. The sleeves are nice and long (with turned back cuffs) and the raglan shaping is deep. I'm going to add an inch or so to the length so that it will be a long sweater on a toddler and probably fit right on to kindergarten as a "bomber" jacket on the right kid. (Yep, it will probably be donated.)

I'm working on getting my mind around making one for myself! The pattern booklet covers chest measurements from 22-45" and based on what I'm seeing with this one, 45" will easily stretch to 50" or more. The onlything is. . .all that ribbing.

Landscaping continues in the back yard. Today we decide what to use to replace the trees. I really don't want that much view of the neighbors' house! We're thinking rhododendrons or laurels, both of which bloom and are evergreen without having needles and cones.

The first 2006 Challenge mittens arrived today! Amy from Israel sent them from Maryland (you probably are curious as all heck, no?)

They are very nice! Wool and Alpaca, I believe. (because Amy said so! I only know from soft, warm, and animal). The ones in the middle will be perfect for a toddler and the other three, just right for about elementary school age.


I love them! Thank you, Amy!

It's not too late to join in the fun. You can get the whole low-down by checking the June 11 archives.

I bet we could!

And so, I am holed up here in the "studio." Where there's a window air conditioner. (There's one in the bedroom, too, or I'd be sleeping in my car with the motor running. Who cares about a little CO poisoning?)



I'm moving into the home stretch on the fair entries. Cast on the other half of the snowpair tonight and got some good headway while working out on the "stepper."

Think "snow," think "cool." This one will be a taller and skinnier version of the squishy snowgal. Probably with a red top hat (green hat band) and a striped scarf.


And just in case I got the urge to work on Branching Out, (not a chance in hell I'm touching cashmere, even blended with silk in this heat) I cast on a cute little top-down cardigan with some Encore I unearthed in the stash re-org.



Please tell me what's wrong with this picture.

Miles of 2X2 ribbing is what! And shaping (on the sleeves) in that same ribbing!

What was I thinking?

Fortunately, it's a small size (2) so I won't be at it terribly long. Pattern from Kids to Grown-ups Seamless Sweaters by Mary Rich Goodwin.

This will give me the chance to use some cute buttons. Maybe bright yellow smiley faces. (More likely the white ones with the blue sailboats if I can figure out where I stowed them.)

And on the work-front, my first day back didn't suck too badly. There are some things to deal with, but that just makes me feel needed.

I really need another vacation.

Every once in a while, I get the urge to downsize! Friday it was plantlife (I almost said "shrubbery," but those were honkin' big shrubs!); today it was jewelry.




I had this vision of Mrs. Claus in one of those cool Swedish shawls that wrap around and fasten in the front at the waist, sort of a wooly chest protector, and what it really needed was a drop-dead shawl pin, sort of like these Designs By Romi ones (note to family: any of them, thanks!) that seemed like just the thing to finish off the tiny Mrs. that I was working on for the fair (Mr. and Mrs. Claus-Pair, Other).

Yeh, we can miniaturize it! No problem!





It's a lot harder than it looks, dudes!

First off, Romi's is hammered! And she's got real tools that are meant for this sort of work (unlike moi who is working with wrenches and pliers and such from the 80s with rust and such). And it doesn't hurt that she knows what she's doing.

The first go-round was ugly, let me tell you. That which works so well on the real ones (light weight, doesn't pull, pretty, for lord's sake) just wasn't happening.

I did manage to fashion a pin, after a fashion. (Like that? That was an attempt at humor. Laughing through the tears.) Unfortunately, it fought me all the way. I finally got it in, got it fastened (thanks to the rusty needle-nose pliers, that sucker's permanent!), and quick took a picture before it could pop free again! I debated glue and decided against it.

Bottom line, leave the jewelry making to the pros.


The Clauses, however, are now ready for their grand entrance at the fair.

Looking dapper in cotton (Patons Cotton DK), Mr. and Mrs. have stepped right from the pages of Jean Greenhowe's Knitted Toys. Mrs. Claus's coiffure is some sort of spoingy stuff from the Elann samples that I was commenting on in an earlier post.

I seem to have discarded the little tag (and I'm not digging through the nasty wet stuff in this trash can to find it, sorry, dudes!) and I used it all, but like much Elann stuff, it's discontinued, so don't set your heart on getting your own unless you hang out on ebay and can figure out what it is from that lame description.


But I digress.

:again:

Still to be accomplished: 2 more snow people and a Christmas tree ornament, Santa, and maybe a wreath (but probably not).

It's not even August and I am nearly finished. I am not panicking! What is this world coming to?

Yesterday, I finished my sixth mitten pair for the 6 in 2006 Challenge. How is everyone coming on this?

I've heard from Amy who is currently traveling in my part of the world (sorry to miss meeting up, Amy) that she has finished 4 pairs.

A couple of friends from Native American Support have passed the goal and are still knitting!

Marilyn hasn't written it to her blog, but I know she's finished 8 pairs! Mariella and Anami both have great patterns posted to their blogs.

I feel really good about how this blitz will play at the other end. And there will be a random draw for prizes at this end.

It's not too late to join in. Just pledge to make and mail 6 pairs of mittens or gloves so that I can re-mail them to the Cheyenne River (Lakota Sioux) Reservation by the first week in October. There's still more than 2 months to go in this challenge. Many cold hands are counting on you. You can contact me via email for the mailing address.



Cats have built in mittens.

Besides, it's 100 degrees in the shade.

If you can find any shade.

Mike would like everyone to know that his name is really Mack.





He arrived with his big honkin' cherry picker thingie truck at the crack of 8:45 in the ay-em and set right to work.










That thing is slick !

He had this gas-powered chain saw and whacked those branches off to beat the band.


I do love a man that knows how to use power tools!













His partner in crime ran those suckers through the mulcher chipper thing like a scene right out of Fargo only bigger and faster and with less blood.









All gone!

If you live in eastern PA, Mack's your man!










I think that these images are quite similar to ones I posted earlier. The only difference is that the gap had widened and well, this tree's gotta go!

That which was merely split looking wood now clearly has daylight coming the whole way through!




All it's going to take is one really wicked wind!











And this is going to be on my garage. Or bedroom.


















To put things into perspective, that's a two story house (our neighbors') in the background.


I'm really glad we decided not to wait for Really Big, Really Professional Tree Guy to "find the time.!"

Yep, Mack's your man!

Still going for the sensational!

We were cleaning out the rain gutters earlier today. I think that's where it came from. (I hope that's where it came from!)

Before that:


I was making an effort to redecorate the "studio."

I had bunches of these mesh squares and the connectors left and had already decided to remove the desk that is in here and replace it with more yarn bins.

Funny back story: The mesh cube system was on sale at Sam's back when we still shopped there. I knew how many I needed, but the Other Half insisted that I get extras (like enough for 12 more cubes extra) because "You might get more yarn." (As if!)



Anyway, the desk holds my knitting machine, which is fine, but I disassembeled the Bond many months ago and stowed it in the closet. The desk had become an enormous catcher-of-crap. So I was ready to get rid of the desk and add more bins, because, Hot Damn! I have acquired a bit more yarn!

So, I'm putting together these cubes when the Other Half decides that this would be a good time to drill a hole through the wall behind my original yarn bins. Said hole would allow him to run the network cable from the computer in his "studio" through the closet and through the wall (rather than along the baseboard and under two doors, across my rug, and into the router.

Sounds like a plan!






Of course, there's the problem of 80-something pounds of yarn, the weight of the bins (not insignificant) and the fact that there's very little moving space in the "studio," seeing as I have removed the pile-o-crap from the desk and placed it on the futon, and then assembled another batch-o-bins which is sitting in the middle of the room.

And the original bin set full of yarn weighs, oh, probably about 120 pounds. And you want me to move it where?


Okay, I'm nothing, if not intrepid.

So I moved all of the crap off the top of the wall-o-bins. (Didn't want it falling on my head!)

Damned thing wouldn't budge.

So I moved some more stuff (ooo, shiny. I don't remember buying that!) and tried again.

Eventually, enough yarn littered the floor and desk chair, and futon and new bin batch so that I could move the original bins enough (12") so that the driller could do his thing.


After:


Then, I put everything back.

It is amazing to me that the yarn that fit in the 18 original cubes (the ones on the left)
e-x-p-a-n-d-e-d
to fill 6 more bins!

I was able to get up close and personal with some wooly stuff I haven't seen in many moons. Yummy sheepy smelling stuff. Yummy hand-painted stuff. Some good old basic stuff that will make a very nice sweater.



Update on our tree:

Mike the Tree Guy is doing work up the street. The Other Half corrals him and asks for an estimate. He comes over, looks at the tree and says "good grief* , it's gonna fall if we get any wind."

He'll be back at 8 tomorrow morning!

(George, the neighbor, doesn't want him working in his yard that early and Mike likes to get an early start. George will get over it a lot sooner than I will if the tree falls on my house.)

The Other Half figures we'll tell the first Tree Guy (the one who said he'd get here when he can) when he calls to schedule.

*[Actually, the word he used is going to be a blogiversary gift to Rabbitch if I can figure out how to spell it--& before $ except after @.]

Well, not exactly.


Santa-In-Pieces would probably be a better name, but working off the success of yesterday's "Rabid Schnauzer" title, I'm going for the Yellow Journalism Blogging Award and sticking to sensationalism .

All of the pieces of my Santa ornament are knitted and now need to be stitched and stuffed.

I must make a short trip to the Next-Town-Over for a small hunk of felt for the base, too.

Of course, as I look at this, I'm wondering if I shouldn't make another, slightly more feminine version (without the beard) and call them Mr. and Mrs. and look for another pattern/idea for the ornament. Something to consider.




And to make her fans happy, Penny agreed to an abbreviated photo shoot.

She doesn't enjoy modeling, but agreed to "just one" for today, only.

Shannon, this one's for you!

(Immediately after the shutter snapped, she wandered away.)