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?

Yarn Pr0n: Knit Picks, Sea Silk and More...

In the tradition of so many other knit bloggers, I am posting my latest yarn purchases. I actually have two, because I got a package yesterday, and didn't get to post before today's yarn store trip. So let's get started.

Last week I made my very first purchase from Knit Picks. I was a little worried about the 5-14 days shipping, but it only took about a week. I got my order yesterday.

I started with supplies for the Hand Dyed Yarn Swap. I got five hanks of Knit Picks Bare. From the top, there is one hank of Superwash Merino/Nylon Fingering, three hanks of Merino Fingering and one hank of Superwash Merino Worsted.

After hearing that superwash actually holds the dyes better, I wish I had bought more. But eventually I plan to try them all. I started with these because I wanted enough for myself and my swap partner, with some leftover for gifts and for Etsy.

I plan to dye it all at once, possibly this weekend. This depends on how much energy I have, and whether my neighbors decide to smoke in their dying studio on their porch. (I don't want my yarn to smell like smoke.)



The dye I bought is Jacquard Acid Dye. This is serious stuff, not Kool Aid (although I plan to do that soon.)

And the reason it's in black and white? The colors are a surprise, of course.




For a mystery project (I seem to have a lot of those recently) I bought two balls of Knit Picks Panache in "Dusk." It is a nice blend of Baby Alpaca, Silk, Cashmere and Extra Fine Merino. (Stash and Burn calls it "the kitchen sink of luxury fibers.") I'm hoping it's chunky enough for my plans. If not, I'm sure I'll put it to good use. (Expect some swatching soon.)




Finally, I got a color card for Knit Picks Shine (since I plan to eventually get all the color cards) and a copy of The Magic Loop from the book sale. I am one of a dying breed, a knitter who loves dpns. However, I still want to try magic loop, just to try it. Although I admit part of me is scared of going over to "the circular side" and losing my mad dpn skills.











Today, Hill Country Weavers had their monthly first Thursday sale. They always have creative themes. Check out this month's theme:

ARK BUILDING 101

Folks, it looks like it's time to take serious action and start STASHING YOUR ARK!

NOAH'S APPROVED LIST FOR ARK YARNS
1. FELTABLE wools (should be plenty of water and agitation on the high seas for 40 days and 40 nights)

2. "RAINWATER WASHABLES" yarns ( should work well while hanging out on the deck with the animals)

3. SEASILK ( to ease your sea sickness)

4. Noah has also approved any YARN that is 50% GREEN ( MRS.NOAH uses it to camouflage the mold)


SPECIFIC FELTABLE WOOLS ALLOWED ON BOARD
BROWN SHEEP
CASCADE
KUREYON
AURACANIA
NATURE WOOL
MANOS
ELLA RAE CLASSIC
BERROCOS ULTRA ALPACA
NASHUA CREATIVE FOCUS
NASHUA JULIA
NORDIC
RIO DE PLATO


20% off in honor of NOAH!

I think it's an homage to the unusually rainy summer we're having. I admit, I was confused by the "rainwater washables." I thought it meant hand wash only, but it turned out I was being too literal. It was machine washables.

And the green thing worked out nicely, because the Morrigan I'm planning to knit "wants" to be green. Lime green. Or maybe apple green. Well, look at the swatching yarn and check for yourself.

Clockwise from the top left: Rowan Calmer in color 485, RY Cashsoft DK in color 509 and Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in color 29.

I'm in love with this shade of Calmer, which is not on sale on eBay, but the "Refresh" also looks promising. But there is something about the green.

Anyway, I promise to keep you posted on my Morrigan yarn search.




I have another "mystery project" that needs to be green. Enter Misti Alpaca Chunky in color 652.
















And now the finale. Drum roll please.....

Not one, but two hanks of Handmaiden Sea Silk, one in Blackberry and one in Capri. I just couldn't decide. One of these will become the Lacewings Amy Singer talked about when she came to Austin.




One last note before bed: there are only 179 people in line in front of me on the Ravelry waiting list.