Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece

Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece
by Gail Callahan
Storey Publishing, 2010.
ISBN 978-1-60342-468-4

Heard from Alee, publicist at Storey, Friday morning last week and promised her I’d get this review up before she got in Monday morning. I still have time on the clock! It’s only half-time of the Vikings-Saints game.

I always find it interesting when I meet a knitter, as many times they are spinners and weavers. And vice versa. How interwined our fiber crafts are! My assistant Vickie is a weaver and a knitter and a spinner. Laura Bryant, owner of Prism Yarns, is a master weaver, knitwear designer, and dyer of her owns yarns.

Gail Callahan, the author of Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece, states at the very beginning of her new book, that she is a weaver who was “dragged kicking and screaming” to dyeing, as she could not find the color of fiber she wanted for a weaving piece. However, she is also a knitter because after she teaches you several methods for dyeing, there are patterns for 8 projects: mittens, 2 baby cardis and one with a matching hat, a delicate lace ruffle scarf, leg warmers, lace scarf (my fav), a hat for a guy but I’d wear it too, and socks. The patterns not only include the regular materials list but also the dyes and methods she used for the fiber used to knit the photographed sample.

Gail will lead you through all the steps, answer all your questions (including safety and environmental concerns), introduce you to dyes, fibers, and methods (dip-dyeing, hand painting, tie-dying and other creative techniques), even teaching you how to dye in the small spaces of your house. The simple handpaint method needs only a shallow pan, a plastic bag, gloves for your hands, and your microwave. You really don’t need a lot of space with her methods.

There are a ton of photos and step-by-step instructions so you can’t mess this up!  The most interesting method is the Parking Meter Yarn dye method. I had to read it twice to believe she really means it when she says to warp your fiber between two parking meters and then dye it. No parking meters near you? No worries — skein up that yarn between two parked cars as long as you can wrap around the bumper and be able to drive the cars closer together to lift the skein off the bumpers. 

No excuses for supplies as Gail presents a list of resources in the back of the book for yarns and dyes. You’ll feel very confident with the book in hand as you set out to dye that special color yarn you’ve been looking for and just can’t seem to find. Give it a try! 

Until next time – enjoy your knitting!

- Penelope

Nicky’s New Closures

I am going to deluge you with lots of good stuff over the next few days (God willing). You’ve all been on my mind for weeks. The publishing company was shut down for the holidays (10 days away from the office) but for an editor, we can’t really completely leave the office (if you know what I mean). I MEANT to post this as the package arrived before I left for holiday. These buttons and closures have been carried back and forth for AGES and tonight is the night! 

Tomorrow I am headed out the door at 5am to get on a plane and be in Long Beach CA for the TNNA trade show. We are looking forward to the Fashion Show presented by the Yarn Group members tomorrow night. I’ve volunteered to work backstage so it’s super to get to see all the garments up close and personal.

Back to Nicky!

These beauties arrived via Nicky Epstein (www.nickyepstein.com) and JHB (www.buttons.com). This is her entire BRAND NEW collection of buttons and closures. I have to tell you, the corset had me going … so Nicky, you want me to knit a WHAT and keep it snug with THAT piece of hardware??? And then I decided it would make a fabulous belt closure. Or you can be as creative as you like!

There are six types of closures. The largest is the corset (3″ tall x 3″ across at the widest part in the closed and locked position) and the hearts are 3″ tip to tip closed. All the closures have 2, 3 or 4 shank type backs for secure placement on your project.

Nine buttons are also part of this collection. They are all shank-backed buttons. The largest, The Castle, measures 1-1/4″ in diameter. Another fav of mine are the sheep (of course). There are 4 different sheep and views of them (up close and full body).

These pewter cast pieces with antique black are solid and have some heft to them. Do not consider them for “light weight” knitted fabrics!  They would look stunning on worsted-weight and up projects, especially accessories!

Another interesting design element is how dimensional these pieces are. Take The Knight button. The facial armor protrudes 1/2″ from the circle.  A buttonhole would not dare creep around that guy!

Here is a close up of the Lilies closure and the Corset. The Lilies use the same “hook” method as the Corset. Please note that the Corset isn’t closed in this photo but the pieces meet as beautifully as the Lilies.

There is a lot of attention to detail in each of these pieces from the designer. Nicky seems to have this endless wealth of creativity in all her work. You can just imagine each one in her sketchbook! Turn over the closures and you will find her initals “NE” on each piece. Very nice touch.

Watch for them coming soon at JoAnn’s and your local yarn shop. Or you can go to Nicky’s site (www.nickyepstein.com) for more info as well as Nicky’s teaching schedule and her blog.

MORE NICKY NEWS

In today’s mail came two of Nicky’s books now available in paperback: Nicky Epstein Knitted Flowers and Nicky Epstein Crocheted Flowers published by Soho. The press release indicated a February 2010 launch but I just looked on Amazon and they are taking pre-orders or pester your local yarn shop to get copies. It’s a great price point and a GOTTA GET for your knitting library.

Until next time – enjoy your knitting!

- Penelope

Do You Have a Fabulous Feline?

Look what appeared on my desk this week!

Deb Knight, from Yarnmarket, sent a hank of yarn from their newest line called Fabulous Felines.

The inspiration for this new yarn, soon to be available at www.yarnmarket.com came from furry, four-legged household companions: yes, cats! 

Yarnmarket is running a contest over there and your cat could be a star! Send them a shot of your kitty, assign it to one of the nine color groups (the photo here is for the yarn that is now called Abyssinian), and if you win, your cat’s image and name will be printed on the label.

But wait! There’s more!

If your tabby is immortalized forever, you will receive a free skein of your cat’s gorgeous chunky-weight hand-dyed yarn.

Yarnmarket collaborated with Iris Schreier of Artyarns to create these hand-dyed beauties. The 100% merino wool has a long dye print and the twist of this fiber is relaxed just enough that the yarn is super soft to the touch. The gauge is set at 3.5 sts to the inch on Size 10.5 US (6.5 mm) needles so your projects will work up f-a-s-t.

HURRY! Deadline is Tuesday, December 15 for entries.

To submit your purrster (Deb loves cats – just send her a shot!)  and check out yarn interpreted from a photo of a Siamese (it is amazing), go to http://yarnmarket.blogspot.com/2009/11/casting-call-for-pussycats-new-yarn.html

Fabulous Felines debuts in December at www.yarnmarket.com

Knit on!

-Penelope

Socks a La Carte 2: Toes Up!

Heard from Jonelle, owner of SWTC, this week to give us the sneak peak at the cover of her second sock book. Co-authored with Katherine Cade, it is the next in the series of their brilliant socks a la carte. As with the first book, the idea is to mix the leg, foot, and cuff patterns to create your own designs.

The book is laid out as a “flip” book so you can really SEE your potential creation. You’ll find 14 foot patterns, 20 leg patterns, and 20 cuffs patterns. Remember – the patterns in this book start at the toe and you work the sock up to the cuff!

Estimated ship date will be sometime in June 2010, but you can reserve a copy NOW … more info at www.soysilk.com. Pester your LYS to make sure they pre-order enough copies for their shops. I can’t WAIT for June!!!

In case you still don’t resonate with the name SWTC, think great sock yarn in great colors—Tofutsies!

Knit on!

-Penelope

HeLP Helmet Liner Project

I have no idea how long this project has been in existence, but it did not come on my knitting radar until a few weeks ago.

The helmet liners that our soldiers are issued are part acrylic. Acrylic fiber melts when exposed to high temperatures. The knitting community has recognized this need and have dedicated knitting time to making liners that are 100% wool.

This project really pulls at my heart strings. Our soldiers have volunteered their time to protect me. I certainly can devote time to protect them.

In an effort to make this project as easy as possible, we at Knit ‘N Style have gathered web sites for our readers to view, many of which include patterns. These websites along with patterns are posted on our website www.knitnstyle.com under Knitting for Charity.

The sample in the photo was knitted using Plymouth Galway yarn. Not only was this a wonderful fiber to work with, one ball makes two helmet liners.

Please join us. Let a soldier know that we back home have not forgotten them and we care enough to send them some hand-made protection.

Best stitches,

Vickie

Tuesday Book Reviews

OK! Here we go. The first of what will become a weekly write up. Enjoy!

Knit ‘N’ Felt Bags
20 Quick-and-Easy Embellished Bags
by Bev Beattie
2009
Trafalgar Square
www.trafalgarbooks.com

Those of us who felt know that you need to use wool, because felting happens in a washing machine with hot water. Bev Beattie has discovered the most amazing thing. Certain wools will felt in water that is cool—a mere 40 degrees! In this book, she will introduce you to low-temperature felting which means you can incorporate acrylic and novelty yarns into your designs. The projects in the book are divided into three sections: bucket bags, flat-bottomed bags, and shaped bags. She combines texture, colors, and embellishments throughout that will surely inspire you. The book is well photographed and there is a source of supply in the back so that you will be sure to find the exact yarns that Bev used to create her bags. The projects are worked on needles ranging from Size 10 US (6mm) up to Size 15 US (10mm) so they will work up fast.

One More Skein
30 Quick Projects to Knit
by Leigh Radford
2009
Stewart, Tabori & Chang
www.abramsbooks.com

The projects in One More Skein will take one or two skeins of yarn and just two needles. The four sections of the book, Put It On, Dress Up Baby, Take It With You, Make Your House a Home, give you a taste of what’s inside. Favorite projects include the Felted Vase Sleeve, the Albers Stash Blanket (worked in 9 panels of 2×4 ribbing), six different types of totes/bags/clutches, and Nash’s Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan. Great scarves and wristlets are also included. The instructions are good and the materials list extensive. The projects cross a variety of yarn weights and needle sizes. The photographs of the projects are large and clear (in focus!). You will find the projects in this book make great gifts and are quickly executed.

A Case for Lace

I have the best job in the world.

My editor, Penelope, asked me if I would like to knit a scarf for our February 2010 issue. That is like asking Paula Deen if she would like to use some butter in her cookie recipe. Of course I would.

She then produced a box filled with the most beautiful 100% kid mohair yarn from Wagtail Yarns. I chose a beautiful shade of lavender. Now for the tough decision, what pattern? 

This year, I have knitted such wonderful patterns as enterlac, mitered squares, and moebius, but this fiber is sooo pretty. The pattern must be too. That only leaves one choice: lace.

Quite honestly, lace has given me trouble in the past. I remember a gorgeous leaf pattern that I tried. After three attempts I decided that maybe lace knitting was not for me.

The wisdom of my editor prevailed, “Why don’t you take home a skein and sample?”

So I did.

I know that true lace means you work pattern on both sides, and this is an appealing feature for a scarf.

But what about my lace anxiety?

This fiber is so beautiful that too much texture will detract from the beauty of the yarn. The answer is simple.

Literally, use a very simple pattern, such as Knit 1, yarn over, knit 2 together. A little too simple? How about Knit 1, yarn over, purl 2 together.

That’s it. Simple lace, straight knitting, no row counts, no right or wrong side. Just enjoy the knitting.

Best stitches,

Vickie

An Editor’s Office

The bookcase is full...

I was pondering the state of my office recently. I seem to vascillate between extraordinary amounts of patience and also snapping like a twig. I can handle “a mess” for long periods of time, and then, without warning, I have to clean up. The big clean up takes precedence over food, family, health, appointments, and football.  I didn’t put it on the “To Do” list. I didn’t nag myself into it. For me, it is a spontaneous act. 

We solved the problem of coping with, at times, over 80 projects spanning two issues. Vickie gets the issue we are getting out the door, and my office gets the incoming newbies. 

However, books from publishing companies around the world are another matter. We are inundated with almost every title available, in the hopes we will let our readers know all about it. You must understand. I am a book person. I love books. I love reading books. I can’t throw out a book.

But this is a SMALL office. I have an L-shaped desk, a bookcase (see above), a chair for a guest, a credenza, a set of steel wire shelving (reminds me of the college food service racks), and a window. Not much space is left.

The credenza is full...

I can’t entertain in here, so no table for 4. There was a dead CPU under my desk that I used as an ottoman, but now I just use the “live” CPU.

Things get dicey when boxes start arriving with sweaters for the next photo shoot. It can be like Christmas and birthday rolled into one.  But these BOOKS are just arriving at the rate of the squirrels to a newly-filled bird feeder.

The floor is covered ...

I’ve been stacking them on the floor in front of the bookcase, however, now I can’t reach anything on the bookcase.

They are carefully organized. The ones on the floor have been reviewed, the ones in the bookcase have been there since I arrived, and the ones on the credenza need to be reviewed.

And therein lies the point of this blog. As a rule, we review four books an issue. That leaves out a ton (see the credenza) before the next issue 8 weeks from now, and new ones to yet to come.

In the effort to uncover carpet that needs to be vaccumed, open up some space in the office AND be timely about getting the word out to YOU, I will start to review books here on the blog as soon as they arrive in my office.

Stay tuned — there are some wonderful books that have arrived here and I wouldn’t want you to miss out on a single one!

Until next time … Enjoy your knitting!

Penelope

Gauge Rules

Confessions of the Knitting Obsessed Or Why I Love My Job 

One of my favorite jobs as assistant to the editor of Knit ‘N Style magazine is to answer reader’s questions. Usually, I hear from knitters who are in the middle of a project and found a glitch in the pattern. It is my job to find out what went wrong and what needs to be done to correct it. To me, this is like doing a knitting puzzle. Some people like crossword puzzles, I like knitting puzzles.

During the course of the last week I heard from two knitters before they even began. Both had questions about gauge; which brings me to the topic of this blog.

Gauge Rules

When you decide to knit a garment, you become its creator. It is your desire and your hands that make this project a reality. Gauge is the measure of your knitting. Now don’t be scared. I know I just used a math word (and for some of you math is a four letter word) but I promise it will be simple (and worth your time).

If you are making a sweater for a man in your life, you need to know how wide the garment needs to be. If his chest measurement is 44” then the distance around the sweater needs to be 44”.

To insure fit, it is imperative that the knitting that is coming from your hands equals that amount. If the pattern says gauge is 20 sts = 4”, I divide 20 stitches by 4” to know that 5 stitches that I knit must equal 1”. I want 44” so I need to knit (44 x 5) 220 sts, making each side 110 sts.

What is YOUR gauge?

I grabbed a ball of yarn and needles from my drawer and knitted a swatch. Another reason I love my job, I remember jobs where I was banned from knitting.

 

 

 

The information on the ball band told me that the gauge is 20 sts x 26 rows = 4” on size 7 needles. I cast on 20 sts and knit 26 rows using size 7 needles.

 

 

  

 

 I placed a pin in my swatch counted 5 stitches over and placed another pin, then I measured. As you can see I am knitting on gauge for this yarn. I can proceed confident that after I finish knitting this garment, it will fit.

 

 

The two knitters that I corresponded with this week questioned the gauge that was printed with the pattern that they wanted to knit. They were wise to do so.

Just because a manufacturer (or magazine) tells you gauge, this does not mean these will be the numbers that you get from your needles.

You are the creator, and you need to know your gauge. Take the time to knit a swatch and measure your stitches. TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

Don’t be afraid of the math; be an empowered knitter!

Best stitches,

Vickie

The December Issue

Ta-da!  The December issue of Knit ‘N Style… Advance copies arrived just before we left for the long holiday weekend. A little bit of a different look for the cover… the shot isn’t our usual flat-lighting, and we color blocked the logo.  It’s the holiday issue so we went a little snazzy different.

This issue is always a challenging one to bring to fruition. We work six months ahead of cover date, so this issue is put together from mid-June until mid-August. Brings new meaning to the phrase, ”Christmas in July.” Try mustering up holiday enthusiasm in weather conditions of 90 degrees, 90% humidity.

There are twelve other publications at All American Crafts Publishing Co and all the editors are well Christmas-ed out by the time we go to press. Not a soul can muster another “ho ho ho” except this year, a new publication was launched called Christmas 365. ACK!  We’ll forever more be surrounded by Christmas 24/7!

Back to the December cover… The cover ensemble was designed by Sandi Prosser, a brilliant knitwear designer from Toronto, Canada. We love Sandi a lot – even though she is very tall, has a gorgeous figure, and lives in very expensive Italian shoes with 3″ heels.

I love to work with Sandi on a concept, discuss yarns, and let her needles fly. Her execution and finishing are total perfection. Vickie and I always marvel at the evenness of her stitches and seamless piecing. We are never disappointed in her creativity and technical skill set.

The halter top is worked in Plymouth Yarn Co’s Ecco Silk (100% silk) on size 5 needles. The Ecco Silk is a smooth, soft fiber. Sandi worked the stole and the matching bag in Plymouth’s Ecco Silk Boucle (100% silk) on size 7 needles. The texture of the boucle gives contrast to the halter yet doesn’t overpower. We were hoping for a fabulous New Year’s Eve Party outfit, and I think this timeless ensemble is an instant classic. Sandi will be wearing it to ring in 2010 with cigarette pants and her famous 3″ stilettos. You go girl!

Hats are the new socks. How we managed to schedule a tech workshop article about hats for this issue was pure luck genius. When discussing the concept with Margaret (Radcliffe) ages ago (I write contracts with freelance writers 18 months ahead of cover date), we thought it was a great quick gift idea as the December (holiday) issue goes on sale at the end of September. Since then, scads of books have crossed my desk regarding the topic of hats. I am sure there are more to come. Margaret’s article focuses on how to make custom hats with lots of variation for personal creativity.

I am heading off to Seattle on Thursday for some get away time. The cameras are coming with me, of course. I have hopes of catching Mt Rainier out from under the clouds, taking in a Yankees/Mariners game, and cruising through the San Juan Islands on a ferry just to feel the breeze in my hair. And if it rains endlessly, then I will head to the Art Museum and yarn shops (of course)!

Until next time … Happy Knitting!

Penelope