Baby Sweater on Two Needles

Well - it was one circular for me, but the Knitters Almanac says differently. I almost gave up on this sweater quite a few times. For something that seemed so easy I had a challenge. And I wasn't calling it quits.



I knit up a matching hat. I was pleased with the end result. Lisa made some matching buttons for me. Aren't they the cutest??


Baby Nora's mommy just loved it. She will have to grow into it but I know it will be worn well. I would like to make the adult version of this, but I'm not up for the challenge now! I'm off to keep knitting on the Sprout cardi!

Dyeing........Naturally

I have had lots of fun with synthetic dyes (remember my solar dyeing experiments?). I have dyed in the crock pot, on the stove, in the oven, in the microwave. Some methods were more fun than others and got better results.

I never had much interest in natural dyes. I just couldn't get excited by the colors that I was seeing other people get. Until now. I got bit by the bug. How can you not fall in love with these colors?



Lisa said it best today - it's like you just relax when you see them. They just give you that peaceful feeling. Heidi was nice enough to offer up her house to use and Ellen Stone came and guided us as we experimented with some natural plants and roots.
We dyed with some goldenrod

There was some cochineal

There was also marigolds, indigo, walnut, and madder root. We had pots going all over the place!

I had to leave a bit early but some of our yarn was done before we left.

The pink is the cochineal and the blue is the indigo. I can't wait to see what the rest of them turned out like. I'll find out Wednesday when we meet up again and pick up the skeins we dyed.

September.....

I have been in denial that September is actually here but the chilly weather that is forcing me to wear a jacket is slapping me back into reality. And it's also forcing me into knitting on my cardigan again because I will need it very soon! I can't believe that only a few short weeks ago I couldn't bear to work on it because it was too hot to have laying on me.

I have been doing other knitting though. I finished the EZ baby sweater and a matching hat for baby Nora. No pics though - need to do a nice photo shoot hopefully soon. It just needs buttons (thanks Lisa). I am hoping to give it away this weekend.

I checked this out of my local library (and let me tell you - here in RI that is not an easy task)


I just love her. I want to make the Adult Surprise Jacket. I will have lots of hand spun in possession that needs to become a jacket one day. Another winter project I am thinking.

Spinning has been slow. Not much more on the wheels than last time. I have been spinning on my favorite drop spindle though


Isn't it pretty? I think I ordered it on etsy from Spinsanity (Debbie remembers those things better than I do). I don't know if you can see the colors so good (darn indoor pics) but I am spinning the last batch of roving that I solar dyed. I love the way it is turning out.


Some people buy shoes, others clothes. Me - besides fiber - it's bags. I am a bag lady. My secret is out of the bag. All kinds of bags. My last purchase was from my local Barnes and Noble. Look at how cute this is.


I even bought the matching notebook so I could write down important knitting stuff. What kind of knitting stuff - I don't know. I'm such a geek.