Category Archives: Dyes

My Dye Broke!!

Posted on by September 14, 2017

We’ve all had the experience of dye ‘breaking’ during the setting process — some dyes set faster while other dye molecules wander around a while.

This evening I was dyeing up some of the new Luxury Fingering aiming mostly for nearly solids, or monochrome fades.

But this Twinset….. well, I have NO idea what happened because I was using ONE jar of dye.  Granted, it was leftover from *that* jar (which was a mix of a mix of a couple other mixes, so thoroughly blended), and leftovers from *this* jar, which was a tiny bit of blue-gray, into which I put a bit of pink.    So, anyway, I remixed ALL of this leftover stuff, added a little supplemental citric acid for good measure, covered the jar, shook it thoroughly and it was a single oddly sexy musty dirty green…..  I poured it onto the yarn …. and

OHMAHGAWSH!!!!

How the hell did that happen?  It broke even as I poured it!      I mean, it IS sort of cool-looking, but I am mystified completely.   Even so, after almost eleven years doing this (Yeah, for real — October 1 is my 11th anniversary!), I still say, “If I knew what the hell I was doing, I might could get a job somewhere.”    Hahahaha  🙂

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Socksy Weekend, Part Two

Posted on by August 7, 2017

ETA: The unclaimed yarns of this batch are now posted on the Blog Reader Specials page. Click through for individual presentation photos and to see which are available at the time of your visit.

Yesterday I dyed up the 2nd batch of Phydlbitz Sock, as promised.    They are all dyed as Twinsets, but you don’t have to take both hanks of a set if you don’t need both.  I dye them and show them together as a convenience for those who like to knit larger projects — scarves, baby blankets, summer sweaters, etc.  🙂

For each Twinset I have rotated one of the hanks so you can see all the colors within both hanks.

Anyway, it’s the same deal as the previous racks:

Phydlbitz Sock are normally $26.00 — claim any of these today or tomorrow (Saturday or Sunday) for just $22.00 apiece for your Early Bird discount.

To claim the ones you want, just send me an email with your numbered selections. Be sure to let me know your destination state or country, so I can calculate correct shipping.   I’ll write up your PayPal invoice, and when that is paid your order to will be lined up for the next available package pick up.  These will be ready to ship on Monday.

Already Claimed:  510, 511, 518, 519, 521, 526, 527, 532

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Silent Auction begins!

Posted on by July 30, 2017

This will be a Silent Auction for the Tropic Stole. Bidding open now through Sunday at 12:00 noon, Houston time. Hand-knit of Phydlbitz (75/25 Superwash Corriedale/Nylon) and Superwash Merino Fingering (100% Superwash Merino).  Hand-wash, dry flat.  Blocks out to approximately … Continue reading →

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oh! Surprise!

Posted on by July 27, 2017

Well, sort of a surprise ….

My Cousin Ruth lives in Alaska and among her other fiber artist activities, like quilting, she also raises sheep.   Lots and lots of sheep.

Lookie what just came in the mail today!   A box of yarns spun from her own sheep.  How cool is this.   Some of it goes back to her of course, and she said I could keep back some for myself or to sell.    

There are 5 of the 3 ply (on the left) and 12 of the 2-ply.    And 2 of the two-ply are definitely lighter in color than the rest (the two top-most on the right hand pile).  I’m so long dyeing up lace and fingering and sport that I’m not good judging if this is worsted or bulky, and not sure how to tell, BUT I will do wraps-per-inch to get a start on figuring it out.   Usually I can tell approximate ranges with the yard counter (basing on average yardage-per-weight), but these are not 4 oz hanks, so I’m not sure how to go about it, other than to put it on the skein winder and measure it.  🙂

Anyway, this feels very much like it has to become a fisherman’s scarf of some sort.  Or nice wooly cabled cap…   We shall see.   I will definitely dye some of it, and give her as many as she wants off the top, and sell a bit of it, but hold those two off-color 2-ply hanks for a winter hat for myself.   Or I might use a couple of them for drawings or something special for you guys.  🙂

The cool part — she says she just sent off the black fleeces for processing, and that will definitely be interesting to dye up.   I’ve dyed black wool before, and it really is interesting.

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A mixed collection this week

Posted on by July 16, 2017

While i’m waiting for my latest order of yarns to arrive next week, I pulled together some available yarns for dyeing and came up with 8 Primo Lace and 3 Phydlbitz Sock.

These will go to the Blog Reader Specials page on Sunday, after they’re all dried and processed, where they will be regularly priced as shown in the picture.

BUT (because I have run out of money before I ran out of month), if you claim these today or tomorrow (Friday or Saturday) you’ll get this deal:

You can claim ANY Blog Reader Special (these new or previously posted) Phydlbitz Sock for just $22.00, or Primo Lace for just $28.00.  Only valid for this Friday and Saturday, and ONLY if you include the words “EARLY BIRD” in your email request.

Several of these were glazed — colors layered on top of a base dip-dye, a combination technique I enjoy.  I particularly like #460 and might have to keep that for playing with a new knitting technique I found recently.  I mean, if nobody claims it right away.  🙂

Be sure to include in your email request all the BRS numbers you want, from the new and the previous yarns.  These new ones will be ready for shipping on Monday.

All the Unclaimed yarns are now posted on the Blog Reader Specials page; click through to see which ones are available at the time of your visit. 

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