Sewing and Dyeing

I'm playing with dye, encouraged after my day at Toft I bought dyes and yarn and I have been playing. The skein on the right was the first one I did. I 'painted' it in magenta and blue on cling film and then I put it in the microwave. It was a bit hit and miss as I wasn't sure how long to cook it for, when I took it out quite a lot of dye came out of it as I rinsed it, this could have been as there was too much dye or because I didn't cook it long enough. I'm not sure whether to wash it again or over dye with another colour. The skein on the left was dyed with the left overs of the first skein. I love this one, how the colour changes are so subtle, there is a true lavender colour and mixes.

Having done that I got bored waiting for the yarn to dry so I made this knitting bag from a pattern from Emma Garry. The fabric was from the Fent shop in Skipton, the outer is John Lewis and the lining is Liberty. The Fent Shop is fantastic for fabric and notions, all brands, pieces, bolts etc. 12" zips only 50p! I always visit when I go to Skipton, sadly they don't have an online shop so you have to visit. What's not to love about a visit to Skipton I say!

I had a good day creating yesterday, and now I'm off to Derbyshire for the Wensley Yarn Workers Exhibition in Cromford. I'm doing socks! 

I think I may have found my blogging mojo!

Summer Time Socks

So named as the colours of the yarn are the pinks and blues and yellows of the flowers and the greens of the grass and leaves.  

These knitted socks are ideal inside wellies or hiking boots. Also great for snuggling on the sofa on a cold evening. So on those cold winter nights there is a breath of sunny gardens on my feet. That is of course if they don't get sold as they are in my Etsy shop :-(

Lavender Socks not Bags.

I did originally buy this yarn to make lavender bags for Christmas presents. Changed my mind though and made this lovely pair of socks. The yarn is King Cole Zig Zag and knits up into a nice soft knit. On washing I'm sure they will get even softer. I couldn't resist using the garden as a background to the picture and these crocosmia fitted the bill perfectly. Have I said before how much I love handknitted socks?