Orange Milo vest

This was one of those dye effects I was not too happy about.

It happens.

I had expected warmer deeper colours but it did not work that way. 

The dye pot had a different idea.

There was also quite a difference between the colours in the separate skeins. 

What to do with it.....????

I love love the Milo Vest and have made several of them now. 

You'll probably will see a few more.

But finishing this vest has made me happy. 

Regardless of the fact the yarn had aquired a dissappointing colour after dyeing; 

It turned out a nice and chirpy vest.

Nothing lost!

 

Wooly jewelery

This is an other one of those projects that has taken a long time to complete.

Firstly because I had no idea what to do with the fiber that is quite harsh, and had felted a bit in the dyeing process.

The Dye result was disappointing to me.  

But I don't like wasting so waited patiently for an idea to brew.

This came to me while attending a weekend retreat with our local creative Fibre Group.

Someone was creating jewelry with fiber.....Felting little balls, needle felting items.

All new to me, but I liked the idea and thought I would use this disappointing dye result so if it would not work out well, nothing would be lost.

A Dye in the bag method with acid dyes. Fiber, soaked in water/vinegar, added to a bag, dyes added, bag sealed and steamed in a large pan with boiling water to set the dyes. 

 

The photo isn't great but the colour wasn't great either.....

I tried spinning some of it but it had felted and was hard to draw.

But I had enough to knit a course bag that I then felted in the washing machine.

This gave me a felted 'canvas to work with.

I crocheted some flowers from left over yarn, used beads in matching colours and made some felted baubles for added interest.

More felting was done to create long enough strands to make 

both a necklace and a bracelet with.

And voila... a set was born.  

Its a bit course and bulky. But it has some artistic flair.

I think I have overcome the disappointment of the dye result 

and am quite happy with the end result right now.

Now when to wear something like this???

 

Frog socks

Sometimes people give me things and I think okay what am I going to do with this?????

This started out as a 'frogged jersey', balls of frizzled white wool from a pulled out home knit jersey, bought in a second hand shop.

 

I had several skeins of it that I decided to dye each with random colours.

They turned out quite cool and the yarn was sturdy enough for socks.

So my frogged yarn, became frog green yarn and From Socks eventually.

How upcycled is this???

Colours for a friend

You know once you enter the Fiber crafting community you make friends. Its so lovely.

Often there are events, fairs or exhibitions organised to attend, classes, courses and weekend retreats to share.

There are trades days and special magazines, clubs, national organizations and local groups. Its a whole new world that opens its doors to you.

There is so much to learn from each other and so much fun.

And if you share your craft with others who enjoy it it gives extra stimulus to find motivation, enthusiasm and joy in what you do.

These scrumptious fiber bits I dyed for a spinning friend. 

I'm sure she'll use it in a great little project.

I just love to give some pretty colours away for someone to have fun with.

Spindle spinning

Spindle Spinning is a fun thing to do.

Its a cheaper option as a wheel takes quite some investment if you wish to purchase new.

Like spinning wheels, spindles come in all sorts of designs.

They also are unique design pieces handcrafted with love.

Spindles can be Top-Whorl, Bottom-Whorl, Supported, Turkish, Navajo and other stiles, and this decides how you operate them. All slightly different.

But all portable, light and compact. You can carry one with you with some squishy fiber to spin, basically anywhere you go. 

Loads of YouTube video instructions.

Of course it takes a wee bit of practice but once you have caught on....

Its quite an addiction I tell you.

If you want to start spinning with little space and a small budget; this may be an option for you!

Maeves Baby Surpise Jacket

 

Baby Meave Rose arrived in September.

 

A great reason to try knitting a Baby Surprise Jacket

Here is the pattern;

 

This Jacket is knitted in one piece in such a way which leaves you thinking; How on earth is this going to be a Jacket???? And then it does....surprise surprise! 

 

 

Isn't it gorgeous?

 

The little bonnet is kitted from this pattern

 

I am so happy with how this turned out.

 

The colour pattern is very striking!

Tokoroa group Colour Day

 

 

In Dec '14 The South Waikato Fiber Twiddlers held their first ever colour day.

Which was enjoyed by all.

 

 

 

We had great fun and lovely results as you can see.

This time we used only Acid dyes providing us with vibrant colours.

 

First long draw spinning effort

 

In spinning fiber one can use different techniques to draft while spinning. There is a difference in the resulting yarn resulting from the technique used.

 

In short;

With a short draw technique the yarn will look very controlled, sleek and tidy and usually is more dense and heavy.

With a long draw technique the yarn ends up being more fluffy, light and lofty which creates a light and airy yarn that could trap more air and be more warm in for instance a jersey.

 

I have until recently only spun using the short draw technique. But am experimenting with and starting to enjoy and appreciate the long draw technique and resulting yarn.

 

My big Grace Wheel I have found to be ultimately suitable for the longdraw, with its relaxed action and big fly wheel. So I am using her more again. Also because I can finally, finally with this technique easier produce thicker yarn again. Yippee!!!

 

This photo shows the quality of the long draw spun yarn well, I think.

Kiki's shawl......finally

Kiki's  pet lamb called Barney grew big and strong

And his wool was used to dye and spin and make her a shawl.

You can see the yarn here as I posted about this quite some time ago

A summer surprise dye experiment resulted in a lovely colour combination mix of yarn and has finally, finally made it into this shawl.

 

It is done!

Pattern used but bigger needles;

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/girly-shawl

Little yarn scraps dolly

No need to waste left over bits of yarn. There is a little girl waiting for this doll I'm sure.

Fancy Fair

 

These photos say it all.

Merino fibre Hand dyed by me and spun. I Navajo Plied it into a 3 ply yarn and think I'll use it for a "Milo" baby vest.

 

 

It became a Milo vest for a little girl. 

Modified with lace pattern instead of cable panel.