4 skeins, 3 types, 1 dyebath

The above photo shows four skeins of three different types of yarn that were all dyed in the same dyebath. Pretty crazy huh?

From left to right: two skeins of silk lace, one skein of 100% silk, single ply DK and the aforementioned 50% silk/50% merino DK.

It's fascinating to me to see how different yarns take dye completely differently. Most of the differences come from how varying fibers react with the dye and how the yarn is spun. For example, I frequently dye batches of superwash merino sock yarn and silky merino sock yarn together. The silky merino always comes out much lighter and more muted than the 100% merino, while the superwash sock takes the dye in a way that is very vibrant and rich.

Another factor is just where the skein is, physically, in the pot while the dyeing is happening. Did it get poked and stirred a lot? Did it remain relatively untouched by me? Was is at the bottom? The top? Stuck in the middle somewhere? Skeins at the bottom of the pot tend to be much lighter than skeins at the top, so I try to rotate them frequently during the first part of dyeing, before the dye has had a chance to completely set.

Sometimes, who really knows why two skeins came out so differently! The two skeins of silk lace above, for example. Yeah, they're pretty close. But far from identical! This is why when a customer orders multiple skeins of one color from me, I make sure to go through the whole batch and pick the ones that most closely match each other.

I, for one, love the variation. Indie dyeing doing what it does best - being unique!

to stock, or not to stock...

That is the question!

Well, the question is this - would you rather pay more money for really spectacular yarn or less money for still-great-but-not-quite-as-great yarn? I encountered this question the other day when I realized I was considering carrying two types of merino/silk DK weight yarn. (Which totally throws off my naming schema, but whatever.) And I thought, "Do I really need to have to two types of merino/silk DK weight yarn?" They are very different. But...do I really need to have both?

So this is where you come in! I'm going to describe both yarns and if you could kindly pop over to the poll in the sidebar over there and let me know what you think, that would be fantastic!

Here they are! Please pretend like they are the same color. The one on the left, the greener one, is a 70% merino/30% silk blend. It is exactly the same as my ever-popular silky merino sock yarn, just thicker. The one on the right, the bluer one, is a really luscious 50% merino/50% silk yarn. I have never carried this yarn before but I test-dyed a batch and it is so nice. Like, I want to knit a giant blanket out of it and stay cuddled in it all day. (Or maybe that's just because it is freakishly cold today...) As you can see, they have completely different looks to them. They are definitely different enough that I don't mind carrying both.

Why don't I just do that?

Well...cost. The 50% merino/50% silk is quite expensive. As in, a finished skein would cost you, my loyal customer, approximately a full $20 more than a skein of the other yarn. Yep. You read that right. It's wonderful, wonderful stuff. But should I bother?

 Cheaper, though still lovely, yarn. This stuff is great. I'm currently knitting a sweater out of it.

 Expensive, frighteningly nice yarn. Gorgeous stuff. Were I not the dyer, I could never afford to knit a sweater out of this.

Aren't they lovely? So tell me what you think! If you don't see an option you like in the poll, leave a comment here!

simple things

I promised a while back that I'd share a project I knit with my superwash merino sock yarn. (A long while. Ahem.) It happens to be one of the same skeins of yarn that is pictured in that post - the wonderful grey/black color. I've been on a real grey kick for the past year or two, which means that most of my wardrobe is now grey or black. I love it, still, but I think I'm starting to feel ready to add some color... Anyway, this isn't it! But it's lovely nonetheless.

It's the Simple Things shawlette and the pattern is just delightful. It is, indeed, simple. I managed to knit the entire thing in...only...two and a half months. Which, honestly, is pretty darn good for me these days! Had I not had a wee babe to care for, I probably could have knocked the thing out in just a couple days. But it was perfect baby knitting - easy enough to pick it up and put it down due to the simple stockinette stitch. Even the eyelet motif was nothing complicated - an excellent introduction to a cute little lacy bit for beginners or a nice, easy, mindless (yet still cute!) bit for more experienced knitters. Or those with tiny children about.

The superwash merino sock yarn works very well with this pattern. It's super soft and has a wonderful drape. I wear it around my neck when it's cool but not freezing and it has never bothered me. It's quite stretchy and takes abuse well - my daughter has pulled on it multiple times and it doesn't get disfigured! The softly changing color ranges from dark grey to light grey to nearly white in places and matches just about everything I own.

Head over to see my project on Ravelry or check out some of my sock yarn!

sneak peek

Some "new" yarn I've actually had dyed for quite some time, but have only just been able to photograph! The stars and planets aligned yesterday and I managed to get a napping baby, sunshine and little else to do...all at the same time! Hallelujah. It's one of my favorites - the silky merino worsted - and in such a gorgeous color! I will admit that I was more than a little secretly pleased when I discovered a weird orange spot on one skein and had to keep it for myself. (Quality control is very important!)

blankets

This is completely copied from my other blog...but it had occurred to me that I hadn't posted here about it. So! Without further adieu...

Some of you may know that some friends of friends lost two of their beautiful daughters in a house fire a few weeks ago. I cannot imagine going through such loss and I know that simple knitted items can't possibly make up for it. But! My friend forwarded me this message about knitting and/or crocheting blanket squares for them and it would be such a lovely gesture. She said that the goal is to gather enough squares to make a blanket for each of the 6 remaining family members. Here's the message:
Handspun with Heart · A Portland, Maine nonprofit dedicated to fundraising and community building through fiber arts · handspunwithheart@gmail.com · Facebook: Handspun with Heart · (207) 332-6217
Patchwork blanket project for family in Maine
Please deliver or mail your squares by May 7, 2011
A family in Maine lost two of their children in a house fire in March 2011. We are collecting knitted and crocheted squares to be assembled into a blanket or blankets. Squares need to be delivered or postmarked by May 7, 2011. Questions? Email us at handspunwithheart@gmail.com or call us (207) 332-6217. Like us on Facebook for updates: Handspun with Heart. Please spread the word—thank you!
Making Squares
1. Choose a color or colors of yarn that suggest healing, peace, love, respect. Wool or acrylic, commercial or handspun, are all fine.
2. Knit or crochet one or more 5.5 inch squares in any pattern of your choosing. Finished dimensions need to be 5.5 inches square. A basic knitting pattern is included below if you need it. Have fun!
3. Send your finished square(s) by May 7 to Handspun with Heart, c/o JVW, 37 Westminster Ave, Portland, Maine 04103. You can also hand-deliver — place in bag on front porch marked “Patchwork Blanket Project.”
Assembly
Assembly will occur Saturday, May 14, 2011 starting at 10 a.m. If we receive enough squares we will make more than one blanket. We need volunteers to help with assembly--experience helpful but not necessary!
If you would like to volunteer please RSVP:
handspunwithheart@gmail.com / (207) 332-6217. We could use a few people with experience assembling this sort of blanket!
Easy Knitted Square pattern
You can use any pattern you enjoy so long as the finished dimensions are 5.5 inches square. Here is a basic knitted garter stitch square pattern as a starting place if you need it. Choose colors that suggest healing, peace, love, respect.
Materials: worsted weight wool or acrylic yarn; size 7 (US) needles, or needles needed to obtain gauge
Gauge: 3.5 stitches / inch
Pattern: Cast on 20 stitches. Knit every row for 38 rows or 5.5 inches. Bind off loosely.
Alternate for heavy worsted weight: Cast on 18 stitches. Knit every row for 34 rows or 5.5 inches and bind off loosely.
About Handspun with Heart: Handspun with Heart is a nonprofit fiber arts organization based in Portland, Maine, dedicated to the betterment of the planet by fundraising for local and international charities and building community through fiber arts activities. Like us on Facebook: Handspun with Heart. Email: handspunwithheart@gmail.com / (207) 332-6217