Latest Lace

This yarn was dyed and given to me by my talented and lovely indie dyer friend, Heidi Iversen of H-Luv and HIJK.  I started to make socks with it, but the yarn was too special to wear on my feet.  It was dyed with very special indigo grown in California.  

So the sock was unraveled, and this lacy cowl materialized 48 hrs later after a marathon of watching House of Cards.  It's the Appia cowl pattern from Craftsy.  I love it, and may never take it off... 

Here is the sock moments before it was unraveled:

It was a great sock, actually.  It fit perfectly, was accented nicely with grey alpaca on the toe and heel portion, and materialized from a simple pattern I made up in my head.  But again, in the end, the yarn was just too special to wear hidden on my feet under shoes, and had to be liberated and showcased around my neck.  I am quite pleased with my decision.   RIP wonderful sock.

Next up, Goldenrod!

Goldenrod is blooming in full glory all around me!  How could I not clip a bundle for the next round in the dye pot?  

I only needed about 2 lbs, but ended up with about 4 lbs altogether.  I sorted the ripest, most vibrant yellow flower flowers from the rest, and started the dye vat early this morning before the sun came up.  

Again, for the sampler, I will dye 2.5 oz of my 2-ply chunky handspun.  

Pokeberry results.

I am so pleased with the pokeberry!

The color shown here is very true to what it looks like in natural light.  It's a deep, vibrant crimson red.  The color is more complex and nuanced than words can describe, and this is what attracts me most to natural dyes.  Nature's palette is far more interesting than flat commercial dyes.  Every color tells a rich story of the plant and it's journey to the dye pot.  

This color reminds me that Fall is upon us!  

Prairie Dye Days.

  If I've been quiet here lately, it's because I've undertaken a big move from coastal California back to my homeland in the Midwestern Prairie!

  I have set to work right away discovering the natural dye plants in my immediate surroundings, and have been pleasantly overwhelmed at the variety and abundance within walking distance from my home.  I am working on a sampler of my local dye palette.  

First up:  Pokeberry!

I dyed 2.5 oz of my 2-ply handspun, which is currently drying in the shade.  I will post pictures of the brilliant crimson red when it is dry!

Adventures in lace-making.

Making this...

...on an airplane.  

Because when you have 4 hours to sit on an airplane, the only logical thing to do is work on your lace knitting!  Yes, that is a tiny tin of beads that are being added to this shawl.  I plan to have it blocked by this weekend. This project has been a labor of love for the past two months, and I'm really excited to be finishing it.

Georgiana Darcy's Fancy Shawl from Jane Austen Knits 2013.

Spinning.

I've been back in the saddle at the spinning wheel.  This is a chunky-weight, 2-ply pile of heaven, made from a blend of silk and Blue faced Leicester.  It's a special enough blend that I probably should have held onto until my skills improve, but I couldn't help myself.  

50 grams of a luscious blend of silk and Blue faced Leicester.  Next stop, the dye vat....

I'm excited to be sharing a studio with my amazingly talented friend Heidi of H Luv Fabrications!
She was chosen to be showcased in Martha Stewart's American Made.  Take a look at what she's doing!  See the cute clouds on the back wall?