Lightside Cowl

The Pattern: Darkside Cowl by Sarah Fama 
The Yarn: Sundara Aran Silky Merino in Tulip about 2/3 of a skein
Needle size: 7

Started: 6/13
Finished: 6/28

I've been wanting to work with the yarn for quite some time. Luckily in a recent swap I received a skein of this. The yarn is very soft and silky. I'd love to make a sweater out of it, but at $32/skein it is a bit spendy for a larger project. The color is beautiful, pink over a pale yellow.

Since I only had one skein I needed a small project. This cowl was perfect, the pattern even recommended using this yarn. The pattern is very simple. A repeat of the same stitches that gets bumped one stitch over every two rows.

The pattern is reversible too. So I'll never have to worry that my cowl is inside out.

I also finished a larger project recently and have been meaning to post details. But I've lost the paper that I wrote all my revisions on. I'm planning on going over the sweater with a fine tooth comb so I can remember what I did. I'll post the details later next week.

Until then have a great 4th of July!

Yarn Makeover

Twice now I've bought camel colored yarn only to discover that I don't really like the color. So instead of leaving it in my stash to collect dust I decided to have a go at Kool Aid dyeing.

There are a lot of how-to's out there for dyeing yarn with Kool Aid. I chose to use the instructions from thepiper.com. She has a color chart to help you choose which flavor to use. And it shows both white and natural tan color (very similar to the camel I was starting out with).

I used the Blasts Berry Cherry flavor. It was the only Kool Aid that wasn't presweetened that I could find. Luckily I wanted red :) Of course you don't have to use Kool Aid brand, you're free to use any brand of drink mix. Just make sure you get the unsweetened kind, you don't want sticky yarn. From what I saw in the store the stuff in tubs all has some sort of sweetner, so look for the packets.

First I wrapped the yarn into loose skeins rather than balls so that it would dye evenly.

Then I had to soak the yarn for 20 minutes in hot water.

While my yarn was soaking I prepared the Kool Aid dye. The instructions call for 1pkg of Kool Aid per 8oz of liquid (6oz water, 2oz vinegar) for each oz of fiber. I had 3 balls equaling a total of 5.25oz. I decided to use 7 packets of Kool Aid, because I wanted the red to really cover up the camel color.

There are other recipes that don't use vinegar. But I was afraid that if I didn't use the vinegar to set the dye that it would bleed.

Next step calls for removing the excess soak water from the yarn and placing it in the dye mixture. The liquid should cover your yarn. If not add more water. Then you let it simmer for 45 minutes.

The heat helps the fibers to open up and suck in all the dye.

After its done cookin the water should be clear of dye - either clear or milky white. When I turned of the heat, my water still had a slight pinkish tint. But it cleared up as the yarn cooled down.

It takes a while for the water to cool down. But don't try to rinse your yarn in cold water to get it cooled down, it'll cause it to felt.

When it was cool enough to handle I wrung it out and then hung it in the bath tub to dry.

Voila! Yarn make over complete!

Chakra

Pattern: 'Chakra' by Alysa Joaquin
Yarn: Noro Kureyon in 240 about 2/3rds skein and Ella Rae Classic in white 01 less than half a ball.
Needles: Knit Pick Circ US 7/4.5 mm

Started: February 1
Finished: February 9

Joaquin describes the pattern as:

Inspired by the art of Alex Grey, this hat is decorated with a representation of the crown chakra.

Since the colors of the crown chakra are white and violet I chose a natural white yarn for the main color and a violet colorway for the colorwork.

I loved the way this turned out. The pattern includes two variations and was very easy to follow. This was my first colorwork project and my first time using Noro.
I found that the colorwork wasn't as complicated as I'd thought. You just have to remember to keep your knitting loose and to spread out your stitches. This will allow color that you are carrying along to not get too tight, preventing your project from puckering. It also helps to work with a wool or other scaly yarn so that the floats will sticks to itself on the inside.
The Noro yarn is so beautiful. I love how saturated with color some of the areas get. I was concerned about the violet bleeding onto the white when I blocked, but I didn't have any bleeding problems at all.

I love Kogepan

The only modification I made was to omit the duplicate stitching. I didn't like the way it look on other projects and since I was using a multicolored yarn I didn't see the need.

For any first time colorworkers here is a good video tutorial from knitpicks:

Winter Solstice Yoga Swap Part 2

On the swap questionnaire 3littlebirds said she liked purple/lavender and since lavender is one of the colors of the crown chakra I decided to make that the theme of the package. So most of the items are some form of lavender or otherwise related to the crown chakra.

Here is the package I assembled for 3littlebirds:

Back L - R:
Handmade Journal in Lavender
Magnets of yoga poses
ignore the white box and light lavender yarn. I was using the box to prop up the hat and the yarn to tie things together.
Chakra Hat
Tapestry needles

Front L - R:
Lavender take out box holding yarn and decorated with 2 stitchmarkers
Juniper scented candle - the scent is supposed to help open the crown chakra
Yoga Mat Spray Wash
Dr. Bronner’s Magic organic lip balm- orange & ginger and lemon lime
6 “fat quarters” of quilting fabric


I put the yarn inside this lavender takeout box so that it would match the color of the theme.
Tied to the handle are two stitch markers. I meant to make a set, but I was having trouble with the shrinky dink material. These two were the only ones that weren't too warped.


Inside the take out box were two balls of Madil Eden Bamboo in Red. I chose red because 3littlebirds said she also liked this color and I didn't want to overwhelm her with lavender.


I also knit this hat, the pattern isChakra by Alysa Joaquin It is a representation of the crown chakra.


I also made this journal

I really glad that 3littlebirds was happy with the package.


Coming Soon details on the Chakra hat and making the journal.

Dear Charcoal Blue Gedifra....

I'm sorry we could not meet. If you should ever return I will be here waiting.

Forever yours,
marn

Unresolved

I had this new year's resolution:
I will not buy any new yarn without a specific pattern in mind.

My first slip was January 31 when I bought this:

I was at Knit NY purchasing yarn for my yoga winter solstice swap project and it called to me from the sale bin. It wasn't until after I walked out of the shop that I realized I'd broken my new year's resolution. January wasn't even over yet! Well I couldn't turn around and return it right away, I'd look like a weirdo right? Anyway, one skein of yarn isn't that big of a deal.

Then not even two weeks later along comes this:

Well that would just be perfect for a cardigan right? Maybe I don't have a specific pattern in mind, but I still have a purpose: CARDIGAN.

Hmm I think I'll have to get this too:

I've always wanted to try bamboo and it's on sale! If I can just find a pattern to justify it: chevron scarf (or not, I'm still undecided). Well I better get it before its sold out right?

Oh wait what about this:

I find the colors just yummy! Well there is only one skein of the Venice colorway left, I better call and see if I can add it to yesterday's order.

Finally the next day this color of the Gedifra Shetland DeLuxe became available again:

Well I had to get it. It was the color that drew my attention to the Gedifra Shetland and I'd been kicking myself for not ordering quick enough after it first sold out.

So less than two months into the new year I'm 25 skeins heavier and $110 lighter, crappers.


Here're the stat's on the above yarns:

Purchased at LYS: Knit NY knitnewyork.com

Noro Kureyon Sock
Sock 100% wool
Colorway: 164


Purchase online: WEBS yarn.com

Gedifra Shetland De Luxe
Worsted 50% Wool/25% Baby Alpaca/25% Mohair
Colorway: 9293 Med Brown

Plymouth Royal Bamboo
Worsted 100% bamboo
Colorways (left to right): 01 Taupe, Blue, & Silver, 24 Blue

Jo Sharp DK Wool
DK 100% wool
Colorways (left to right): 356 Venice, 911 Maple, 910 Oak

Gedifra Shetland De Luxe
Worsted 50% Wool/25% Baby Alpaca/25% Mohair
Colorway: 9202 Charcoal Blue