Thanks for everyone who attended my dye demonstration. We were pleased with the results of our "Algonguin in the fall" colourway. My daughter was especially happy that we used her mood board.
]]>This interests me as I've always had troubles dyeing pink. It needs nuance as it is easily turns into a Barbie Bus colour, or putrid pale baby pink if dyed without considerable attention. It often just feels like a failure by itself. I wonder if this is some sort of subconscious reaction to the interplay between red and violet. Or maybe I just haven't hit my pink stride yet.
Regardless - Rose will be back in the colour cards this year. I will have to come to terms with my prejudices.
]]>
Thanks for everyone who attended my dye demonstration. We were pleased with the results of our "Algonguin in the fall" colourway. My daughter was especially happy that we used her mood board.
]]>This piece was knit in white, then painted after. The painting makes this a challenging piece, but as suggested by Lynette, can also be knit in dyed yarns with beautiful results. Suggested a subtle series for the Fleece Artist Montegue, with a matching variegated colourway for the Maiden Hair.
Vogue Knitting Early Fall 2011, photo by Rose Callahan
Designer: Lynette Meek
For Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large
Yarn Information:
Hand Maiden Fine Yarns Maiden Hair
3 (4,) hanks in undyed
Fleece Artist Special Montague - a kid mohair and Silk blend. Ask your retailer.
3 (3, 3, 4) hanks in undyed
This unbelievable beauty called Victorian Falls is a wrap and sheath combination in Fleece Artist Montague (baby kid with silk) and Hand Maiden Maiden Hair. Lynette has hand painted rose details and has also provided instructions for hand dyed yarn. We look forward to the Vogue issue.
Congratulations Lynette
Pictures to follow
]]>"I just completed an infinity scarf using Handmaiden Fine Yarns’ “Flaxen” and I think it is lovely. The Flaxen is luminescent! Thank you for a beautiful yarn with which to complete this special gift for my daughter-in-law. "
But we now have the solution.
Bess is soft. Bess is lovely. Bess is the Best.
We are pleased to introduce our new merino/cashmere blend Bess. This machine washable yarn has been treated with the totally new BEST wash process. No chlorine is used in the treating of this merino making this much better for the environment. Perfect for shawls, baby clothes, camisoles and the like. The hand of this yarn is soft and still feels alive. And it takes the colour so well. 88% BESTwash merino, 12% Cashmere. 100g /275m 24sts/4"
]]>How did they get the cat to stay put and not chase the yarn all over the place, I wonder?
]]>
The next one is the making of video. Notice how everyone is wearing parkas indoors? Mom's theory is that they couldn't turn on the heat as the radiators were covered in wool.
I'm thinking that most of this was machine knit, wrapped and taped to things rather than hand knit to form. Then unraveled and played in reverse. But there seems to be someone doing some crochet too. I wish they put a bit more of the knitting this "making of" video for us knitters.
But all that unraveling - it breaks my heart.
]]>Sorry about the blog glitches. I know that there have been troubles downloading patterns and such. I'm working on it as I've got a really scrumptious new yarn that I'm dying to preview. Coming soon.
]]> 
Butterfly Moebius from the Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes in Swiss Mountain Tussah [in hummingbird] Knit by Pamela Subotincic.
Mara writes -
"In playing w/ it during a try-on session, I determined the center spot between my shoulder blades hosts the twist detail best. I reworked things a bit by stringing an elastic thru one edge for stability. This stabilizes the draping, effectively injecting a bit of collagen into the flipped over part where the moebius turns. So now I’ve resolved to wear it w/ the flat span across my chest, instead of across my back. Showcasing that ikat effect on the front of the piece makes it totally stunning. "
The striping is particularly wonderful in this one, don't you think?
Top Row: Topaz, Ocean, Berry, Ruby, Amethyst, Wine, Chocolate, Ebony
Bottom Row: Ivory, Smoke, Salt Spray, Straw, Pumpkin, Cedar, Moss
We've also added three new variegated colourways to our collection.
from left to right
Orchid - creams and corals
Cezanne - rich golds, reds, turquoise with hints of greens and purples.
Labrador - dark brown, grays and blueberry
in Fleece Artist Merino Sliver, Mugs by Laura McLean
Cross section with interior
I'm envious. hint, hint. (Valentines day is coming up and I don't need any chocolates, honey)
My husband makes felt by layering wool sliver in a grid. This piece had a core of cheese cloth in the middle with 4 layers on each side in a plaid pattern. Then he rolls it up in a piece of non-felting fabric and sprays it with very hot soapy water.
Then the fun begins, the part that 10 year old boys get a kick out of. He beats the crap out of it - first rolling it gently and by the end thumping it heartily. Every so often he unrolls and changes the direction of the log, adding more hot soapy water.
After a loose fabric has been formed, he carefully places the piece in an old fashion washing machine and runs a load. It's important that an older style washer is used as the fancy new HE washers don't agitate the same way.
Voila! - inch thick, indestructible felt.
]]> We recently visited felt Artist Sanna Rahola whose exquisite landscapes give a whole new meaning to Felt. She uses wool, silk and linen in her work giving it great depth and texture that I can only described as luscious. Her partner Doug Drdul carves and together they create the most extraordinary work.
I adore this one. (honey - are you catching this??? It could be valentine, birthday, anniversary and christmas presents all in one lovely piece of art! )
You can check out their work here.
]]>