I Dyed!! and so did #6D =)

Well, Peggy (with the help of a few others like Susan and Christina) really turned the heat up under me with all those lovely rovings being dyed. Then I joined in on the Gallery of Sock Blanks discussion, and that was the end of me!! LOL

I had purchased this little knitting machine several years ago at a garage sale, thinking my children could be crafty with it. At the time too many of them were unable to really handle crochet hook or knitting needle.

This is supposed to be used to make knitted circles (like fabric yo-yos) or tubes that can be sewn together to make projects.

It was too difficult for the children to work easily so it went into a 'closet'. I'm not sure how or why it survived 4 moves without being sent to the thrift store, but it did. Then a few years ago I read an article in an issue of Spin-Off about how a woman used a knitting machine to knit up her yarn, dyed the flat knitted piece, and then ravelled it and knitted it into something else. (The story of the 'sock blank'.) I thought then that we could use this machine to do the same thing, only we would have a tube rather than a flat piece, but, like so many of my ideas, the time for testing the idea kept being put off. The other day, during a discussion on the DyeAlong, I decided now was the time. (Read the thread here.)

The next thing to do was to go looking for some handspun yarn to use. I found I didn't have any white, probably because I'm partial to grays, so I only spin white for specific projects.

I found this yarn in my handspun stash and decided it would do. (Sorry for the glare!)

This is wool from a fleece that was given to me. I think it is Jacobs, or at least a Jacobs cross.

The next step was to knit it up on the machine.

This is the knitted blank. I think it looks like a piece of 'knitted roving'.

Then we had the dying process. #6D is in the pink shirt. The other pair of hands belong to #7D, who can't be left out of anything!! (She's two in case you couldn't guess!)

Here's the finished dye job.

I wrapped it in plastic and steamed for 10-15 min. I don't remember exactly how long because I was getting children ready for bed at the same time.

The rinse was clear and we hung it up to dry.

Here's the final product.

I ravelled from both ends and wound it into a traditional ball (aka Didomum style =), then wound it the opposite way with the fold at the center and both ends at the outside.

I will be knitting fingerless mitts and an earband for #6D out of the yarn. PS She got to choose the colors. =))

Tons of fun, and now we are motivated for more dyeing. Thanks Peggy, and all the rest!!

Happy Fiber!

Nutty

Tags: blanks, drink-mix, dyeing, knitted-roving, knitting-machine

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Comment by wendy on September 30, 2010 at 10:57pm: You're right. I'd never embarass him on purpose. He is a real sweetie.

Comment by Nutty4Knitting on September 30, 2010 at 10:56pm: Probably the kind you would not want to embarass by telling that story publically. =)

Comment by wendy on September 30, 2010 at 10:27pm: You sure do, on both counts. Today is his birthday. He has grown up to be a fine young man.

Comment by Nutty4Knitting on September 30, 2010 at 8:59am: OH, YUCK!! =)) But you do gotta lave those kinds of kids! And then watch them like hawks!

Comment by wendy on September 30, 2010 at 8:35am: A very Happy Birthday to your son! My oldest just turned 22 last Thursday. Where does the time go??? I grew up in a family of 5 girls and only have daughters, so I really don't have much experience with boys. I do remember a certain incident when my nephew was about 2 though. He was very interested in everything and everyone. He had his hands into everything. One day he found a worm out on their back porch, picked it up, looked at it intently then promptly put it in his mouth and ate it! I love that kid.

Comment by Nutty4Knitting on September 30, 2010 at 8:05am: Thanks, Wendy. We do live a life of adventure and discovery around here. And this time around it's full of the boy kind of discovery, bugs and worms and such, you know. =) But I can still manage to interest them in the fiber, too. Especially when it involves making a mess! My oldest son (22 this Sat but mentally slow - only 4-5 that way) wasn't into the bugs, but he does want me to teach him to spin.

Comment by wendy on September 30, 2010 at 6:04am: Nutty what a fun blog! I am so amazed at how involved your children are in activities you love to do, (and maybe even some that you don't - lol. You have the right philosophy, I sure do wish more parents did. Your sock blank/dyeing project sounds and looks like it was so much fun. It makes me wish my girls were little all over again.

Comment by KnitWhich? on September 21, 2010 at 7:32am: EttR -- good one! I'm afraid all my wips are EttRs -- and they don't seem to be getting done! I'll definitely have to adopt your philosophy.

Comment by Didomum on September 20, 2010 at 9:52pm: Great job that's a neat little machine you have there. Great idea. I see you round the ball the smart way lol. Can't wait to see the finished items. I been so busy I almost missed this blog.