Thursday, November 29, 2012

FO: Jose's Everyday Socks

I have a lot of friends whose significant others don't really appreciate hand-knit gifts,

I don't have that problem. In fact, I have the reverse. I knit Jose a pair of socks a couple of years ago before I was an experienced sock knitter. The yarn didn't really suit the socks, I knit them on size US 2 needles (I prefer 1s now for longer wear), and I kitchenered the toes incorrectly, so the seam popped rather quickly.

I decided this year that he needed a proper pair of socks after several reminders that his first pair was wearing out. I got some Louet Gems fingering weight from Webs, but it was kind of pink when it came in the mail, so I overdyed it a semi-solid light brown. These shouldn't have taken me so long, but I have so many other projects on the needles, they got pushed aside often.

 

I came home from knit night last night to a grumpy Jose. He was wearing one of his first socks on one foot, and his other foot was bare. He said, "Do you see that I am wearing one sock?"

I said yes, and asked why. He informed me that his other sock had completely burst at the toe seam. I asked him why he didn't put on some other socks, but I think he just wanted to make a point. So, today I finished his socks. He doesn't even know they're done yet (although they're wet and blocking right now), so I was able to snag a photo before he takes them from me.

Specs:
Pattern: Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder
Yarn: Louet Gems Fingering
Needles: US 1
Ravelry Project Page
Modifications: Cast on 72 stitches to fit his foot.

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Dyer's Notebook - Episode 10

Episode 10 - Safety



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Shownotes
  

Week in Review
Lazy Thanksgiving week
I went Black Friday shopping

Knitting
Vitamin D – Body done. Not excited about fit so far.
Wallpaper Cowl – Holla Knits Accessories KAL

Spinning
Hasn’t happened (but did purchase fiber!)

Stash Enhancement
Black Friday haul
Yarn for:

Dyeing
Have not dyed the past week.
Safety – MSDS

Ask A Dyer
No questions!

Shop Update
Studio Ghlibi Club – I’m dyeing this week
Holiday yarns still in stock
No update this week

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Holiday Yarns and Black Friday Plans.

Holiday Yarns

As you might have seen, there are three limited edition, self striping colorways this season. I’ll only be able to dye them up a couple more times, but if what you want is out of stock, contact me and I should be able to take care of you. To check is any is available, holiday yarns will be kept in the first row of the first page of the shop all holiday season.

The first colorway is Elf. With equal-sized red and green stripes, this colorway looks great on both the Glitz (438 yds) and Strong (400 yds_ Sock bases. If you would like this on the Merino (400 yds) or Luxe (435 yds) Sock bases, let me know and I’ll do a custom order. I will only be dyeing this colorway in Glitz Sock and Strong Sock for the shop.

In Glitz Sock:

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In Strong Sock:

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The next colorway was born from my favorite Christmas decorations, which are always silver and gold. These equal-sized stripes of gold and silver also happen to be a great New Year’s colorway, or if you are just fond of bright, shiny things. The colorway name “Party Dress” comes from all of the bright, shiny, metallic party dresses that are in the stores for the holiday season. This colorway only works on the Glitz Sock base.

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This last colorway was a suggestion from a customer, and I am in love with the result. “Winter Wonderland” is equal-sized stripes of silver and light blue, and is a lovely winter colorway regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas. It was even suggested that these colors could be a possible Hanukkah colorway?

This colorway is only available in Glitz Sock as well.




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Black Friday

 
Hey guys, I’ve already had a few people ask me about Black Friday plans, so I thought I’d go ahead and let you guys know what’s up.

I will be having a one day only sale (Friday, November 23) on all of the discontinued organic merino yarn. I need to make room for all of the new stuff, and figured this would be a good time to give you all a little deal for the holidays. This will include all organic self-striping and the already discounted colorways. This will not include any of the new bases (Gynx Sock, Gynx DK, and Gynx Aran only), which means that holiday yarns will not be included.

I will announce the specific amount of the discount on Friday in this thread and all of my social media sites. This will be the last sale I have this year, so now is the time to stock up!

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Dyer's Notebook: Episode 9

Episode 9 - Drowning in Holiday Yarn



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Shownotes
  
Week in Review

This week I met up with ponkie from AnotherCraftyGirl!
There is now a thread in the Ravelry group to post your dye projects.
 
Knitting/Spinning
Hasn’t really happened (fiber monster)

Dyeing
What I’ve been dyeing this week – Christmas yarn

Ask A Dyer
What to do with waste dyes
 Organic/natural dyes

Shop Update
Studio Ghlibi Club sign-ups are closed!
Three holiday colorways
This week’s update – November 20 at 1 pm Central
 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Photobomb.

When I was taking photos for yesterday's shop update, a lion jumped up and attacked the photoshoot!


Check out that action shot of the yarn as it bounced up from the impact.

Monday, November 12, 2012

The Dyer's Notebook - Episode 8

Episode 8 - Shibori



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Shownotes



Week in Review
Happy Veteran’s Day!
Augustus update

Knitting

Spinning
 Unwind Yarn Co Corriedale

Dyeing
What I’ve been dyeing this week – Shibori

Ask A Dyer
Resist methods - Episode 3

Discharge: Thiourea Dioxide, iDye Color Remover

Shop Update
Studio Ghlibi Club sign-ups November 1 – November 18
This week’s update – November 13 at 1 pm Central
 

Monday, November 5, 2012

The Dyer's Notebook - Episode 7

Episode 7: Epic Self-Striping Tutorial of Doom



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Shownotes:

  
Week in Review

Dyeing
Self-Striping Tutorial

Ask A Dyer
sablee – “I recently bought gray merino roving and want to dye it another color. Any suggestions as what color dye I should use to over dye.”

woolleyblue – “I would like to hear about other tools that you haven’t yet mentioned such as what you use to skein/reskein, etc. I’m not sure how you go about getting the yarn in a cone and putting it into a long (?) skein to dye it then reskein it. Is that correct? thanks!”

Shop Update
Studio Ghlibi Club sign-ups November 1 – November 18

This week’s update: Tuesday, November 6 at 1 pm Central

I’m now on Plurk

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Studio Ghibli Yarn Club!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know that sign-ups are now going on for my first ever yarn club. This time around, the theme is Studio Ghibli movies. If you're a fan of my Totoro, Spirited Away, or Ponyo colorways, you don't want to miss out on this club. Full details are available on Etsy here. Sign-ups end November 18 or until spots are gone, so get a spot for yourself (or a loved one) today!