Some Ideas for Using Hand Dyed Yarns

I continue to be hooked on dyeing yarns but the problem remains of what to do with it when you are only doing 1 or 2 skeins at a time (in other words, non-professionally). I have begun to look at patterns with an eye to using some of my hand dyeds.

This is Tempest from Spring 08 Knitty.com using 2 skeins of hand dyed Trekking. I really like the contrast and it will be fun to create some beaded or polymer buttons to go with it. I think next I will dye some fingering for Shetland Shorty from Knitty Summer 08.

This weekend we are doing an Intarsia Christmas Stocking and I decided to use some of my hand dyed in this pattern.

The first color is Aracania Nature Wool in a kettle dyed red.

The contrast is my hand dyed Licorice Twist in shades of green (you know I can never do anything in all solid colors!).
And here is the beginning of the pattern. I'm really liking the way it is coming out and there will probably be enough of the Licorce Twist to do something else, maybe a hat.

I have some other dyeing pictures to post but I did want to show my first effort at dyeing 100% silk. This is a boucle from Henry's Attic and I was very pleased with the way it took the dyes.I think there is enough to make a lacy shrug so I will be looking for a pattern to use for this.

Can't wait to dye again now that I am finding some great uses for them! Would love to hear from others as to what they are using their hand dyeds for.

Entrelac Projects

OK, what are your thoughts about Entrelac? And who the hell ever thought it up? I design basic things but this is convoluted! Having said that, I do love the process once I get the rhythm going.

So, this is our Entrelac Messenger Bag that we do as a class every few months. The same process can be used for a scarf or wrap as Tiernie demonstrated beautifully using black & white cashmere from Jade Sapphire. Very Stunning! Anyway, this is a technique that is very fun to learn and we hope you will join us.