Happy Sunday!

I have been at this for over 16 years, and I have always struggled with creating solid dye jobs.  I realize it is foolish and vain to want to make yarns that look almost as good as commercially dyed yarns, because, let’s face it: commercially dyed yarns are produced by the thousands each batch and are much less expensive for the consumer. But even so, I was frustrated when my attempts came out splotchy and grossly uneven. I just wanted to master the technique, even if I don’t often use it.

So, yesterday I decided I would try once again, using a layering (dipping) technique similar to how I have done some other dye jobs.  All of this week’s BRS collection were dipped at least three times, but most were dipped four or five times each Twinset.

WOW!!  They appeared slightly more saturated fresh from the steamer because wet yarns always look better (I wouldn’t recommend wet yarns for knitting), but even hanging outside to dry, they are rich and fairly even.  Definitely my best effort so far toward producing an overall solid dye job.  Ten of the Twinsets were dyed with unblended dyes, straight from the jar.  The last two Twinsets I dyed were created by blending leftover dyes into single jars. Sometimes this works, but sometimes the dyes break apart; this week the results are fantastic and everything turned out as expected.  By the way, the yarns are not hung in the order they were dyed; I hang yarns for photographing so they are each distinct from their neighbors to show up better.

The one issue I had is with Twinset #233-234.  It is supposed to be blackety-black, but it came out as a deep, dark, saturated charcoal.  But even this Twinset is well saturated and even.  I need to replenish my supply of black dye powder.

While I would love it if all of this week’s Twinsets were claimed, If they are not I will split the unclaimed yarns into half-size hanks to combine with other previously dyed Blog Reader Specials to be used as a contrasting solid against various multi-color yarns as bundled sets.

These are all Phydlbitz Sock (75/25 Superwash Corriedale/Nylon, 430 yards) and will be $27.50 each on the Blog Reader Specials page later this coming week.  For today and tomorrow (Sunday and Monday) you can have any of this new collection (BRS23 – #229 – 252) for  $25.50 each.

I expect to have these ready to ship on or about Thursday.

To claim the ones you want, just email me with your numbered requests.

Available Yarns
Rack 1 – 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240
Rack 2 – 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252

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