I gave myself quite the silly little chuckle as I was daydreaming my way through dinner tonight. I was thinking about writing up tonight’s blog post, and into my mind popped this image of myself in a top hat and carrying a cane, shimmying out onto a shiny black stage to up-tempo circus music to unveil this week’s blankie pictures from behind a velvet curtain. Don’t ask me where this image came from, but there it was. The results this week really aren’t all that stellar, but compared to my blankie-knitting performance of late, they’re not that shabby either. There are 21 new squares this week, and I have to say that I really did knit on the thing just about every single chance I got. At least I ended up right on target to finish in plenty of time. Must. Keep. Knitting!
I think I’ve finally assembled everything I need to get started with the yarn dyeing project again…
I’m not sure exactly when this is going to happen. I need to wind off some yarn, and I still have to decide exactly how I’m going to go about the first step, which is to sample a bit of each color. There are nearly 40 colors here. I’d like to do it in such a way that I end up with both a sample card and a skein of useable yarn. The cogs in my brain are cranking away, so never fear! Possibly I will even be re skeining a hank before bedtime tonight.
I have to share this piece of artwork that Julie brought home from school last week. I think it is hilarious. Do you know what it is?
It’s a mud puddle! I got a very good laugh out of that one. Maybe I will take a picture of Julie’s wall of art while I’m down in the basement winding yarn up later. I love the little projects her teachers think up.
It was a bit like a three-ring circus this morning at our house. We babysat our little friend H. while her Mama went and had some one-on-one time with big sister M. H. is a month younger than Sophie, and she has been walking for a few weeks now. She gave Sophie a little lesson in how to climb the stairs. Everybody made it up safely.
Finally, I want to respond to a little reader mail.
First, thanks to everyone who suggested various undyed yarns. I’ve been trolling around looking and I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to finish experimenting with what I’ve got before I bite the bullet and buy a bunch more. I think I may end up trying this one next. All of this stuff is kind of expensive when you’re buying it giant cones at a time, and I don’t have all that much room to be adding to my stash willy-nilly.
Second, I want to thank Shannon Okey for linking to me, and especially for using one of my photos the *right* way. Shannon e-mailed me and asked permission, then posted the picture along with a statement that she had permission, and a link to my site. Really, if you’re going to post a picture from any site on the internet, even if you have copied it to your own web space, that is the proper way to do it. Also, thanks to whomever was reading Shannon’s site and informed her that I’m picky about copyrights.
Hey, Loopy-Ewe Sheri – I wanted to respond to your comment via e-mail, but you didn’t leave an e-mail address! Can you e-mail me at shellyk at shellykang dot com?
Someone wanted to know how long it takes me to knit up a square. I’ve never timed one exactly, but I think on a good day it takes me about 20 minutes to half an hour. I think I’m a moderately fast knitter. I knit a lot, and am very comfortable with the motions. I know I am not the fastest knitter around by any means, though. It’s rare that I get through more than one or two in an uninterrupted sitting, though. Someone always needs something.
Alright, inspiration is striking. Must go fiddle with striping plans!
great progress on the blankie! good for you. are you planning on selling your hand-dyed yarn, or are you just having fun? hope you have a nice weekend.
The blankie is lovely, as always.
I have a bunch of that Wilton dye lying about from cake decorating – I didn’t know you could dye yarn with it. In retrospect, my fingers should have told me that. I end up looking like a rainbow Smurf more often than not.
Do you have any recommendations for books that specifically go through this dying method? I’ll need to order them through Interlibrary Loan, so I won’t be able to peruse them first. Thanks!
I can’t wait to see your dyed yarn! I think I am going to try the koolaid thing first, but I am also very interested in the cake icing dye method too!
Hey that’s my cousin in the comments! LOL the blankie love is spreading! It looks great! I also wanted to comment yesterday or the day before to compliment you on the beautiful photos of the girls, but the word verification thingie wasn’t showing the text so I couldn’t save my comment.
I don’t dye yarns, but have on one of the first Knitting Cook podcasts she talked about her experiences dying her handspun with Wilton cake dyes. Have fun!
The blanket is wonderful! I saw it on the Harlot’s site and thought “hey–I remember that…”
Shelly, your blankie looks great. Mine is not nearly so large.