Niddy Noddy, Niddy Noddy...

...Two heads, one body.

I'm serious, that's the rhyme my Mom told me. (And she lent me her Niddy Noddy.) There is a good demonstration of the Niddy Noddy here, although the rhyme isn't timed very well. (You can also see demos of hand cards, the "Great Wheel" and tape looms on this site.) It's actually supposed to help you count.

I have two dying projects coming up, one for the Hand Dyed Yarn Swap and one for my Clapotis.

I have mixed feelings about Clapotis. It looks like fun to make and a good way to show case hand painted yarn. But I don't know if I'd actually wear it. So rather than plopping down a big chunk of change on fancy yarn, I'm going to make it out of Patons Classic Merino in "Aran" that I will dye with Kool Aid.

Speaking of, I've looked at 3 HEBs, 2 Walmarts and a Randalls and could not find the colors of Kool Aid I wanted. After reading this I decided that the colors I wanted were Lime, Grape, Blue Moon Berry and Strawberry Starfruit. I realize that my results may vary, but it looked like a good starting point.

I checked the Kool Aid Website and couldn't find a list of flavors. Mom suggested that I e-mail them, but I'm afraid of the evil things the people at Kool Aid will do if they realize people are using the drink mix to dye fiber.

So I'm going with the blue lemonade whatever HEB has a something else that will probably be pink. I'll pick them up tomorrow if I have a chance.

As you can see, the Patons came out fine, but I had some problems winding the Knit Picks Bare that I bought.

I took off the label and was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was already tied and ready to dye.

However, upon further examination, I decided I wanted to wind it on the Niddy Noddy anyway to get a bigger loop (and thus longer color repeats.)

So it started out fine. I used my knees as a "Swift" of sorts (as I often do.) But then I started having problems. I thought that taking it off my knees would help.

Big mistake....







I must remember to breathe. And that it's only, what, 462 yard in a hank. Right?