Two socks make not a pair!

It was nice to have a break from knitting. I didn't know how much I can get done, when I don't use every free minute to knit. Of course I could not go totally without fiber related projects, not even for one day! I brought some order into my stash,and general order in my living room, which really is my fiber room. I ripped out and wound the wool for the mitts I started. I thought they might make a nice chevron scarf - maybe. I wound all six skeins of Koigu for my upcoming shawl KAL, and the most fun was dyeing yarn with turmeric. I found the idea here and information how to go about it here. This was a lot of fun. I like the smell of turmeric, and use it in cooking as often as possible. I love how the yarn turned out. This rich yellow, with some lighter spots. I like almost solid colors. I've used Knit Picks Bare, superwash fingering weight yarn. It's merino wool though. Might knit some socks with it, even though I'm not a fan of merino socks, but I hope they will hold up with wear and tear.

Now I want to dye some more with natural dyes. I'll see what I can find in my kitchen. The thing is, turmeric does not need a mordant, but pretty much all the other "dyes" do. I read somewhere that one can boil a tin can in water for a few hours to get a bath for the yarn you want to dye later. So I'm boiling some tin cans right now. I know there are rules about dyeing, but I don't care. As long as I'm not using toxic ingredients I don't care much, if the color will fade, but for good measure I'm always including vinegar. If it does no good, so be it. If the color will hold, great. You can get a lot of yellow, orangey, redish colores, but I want some pale green. No idea where I can get something like that. So, my next best thing is tea bags or red cabbage or better yet, beets! I like to eat them too. Two days ago I managed to get a little knitting done. It helps when the yarn is thick, the project is a sock, and the needles are 3.25mm. The right sock is the secret (only to my son) sock for his birthday. I can only work on it, when he's not around, and I have to hide all evidence of it, because he's real good in guessing, when something's for him. You might ask yourself, why it fits on my right foot so well? We have almost the same shoe size, his a tiny bit larger, but his feet are WIDE! This is a funny sock. The cables down front, and the ribbing pattern all around make this a VERY stretchy sock, and it morphs back and encases everything you stick in it. I'll let you know more about it as soon as the pair is done.

My left foot is showing off the "Woven Ridge Sock" by Cat Bordhi (page 98 for those who have the book). It's the same yarn she used in the book, but the sizing was real trouble. More about that later too. Just wanted you to know, that I have not thrown away my knitting needles!


I thought this paw was just too cute. The evening, when I didn't feel so good, I was sitting and watching TV on our love seat. Nobody else but the dogs at home at that moment. There's also a really big leather sofa, which seats three giants if need be, and it was empty. Normally her favorite spot to curl up and snooze.

Not so that evening. She came, "asked" if she could join me (she pauses, and waits for me saying "up"before she climbes on a sofa). I was surprised (she's not a cuddly dog ususally), but it's nice to have your furry friend beside you (even if still slightly damp). Anyway, Biko curled up beside me, which was not easy, and started to "purr" almost like a cat (have never heard that from another dog), her paw resting on the big gymnastic ball.

This picture shows you how "in tune" Sam is with me! Ha! I was all wired and uncomfortable, while he was relaxed as can be. OR he thought Biko was taking care of business anyway, and he was off the hook. OR maybe he didn't like Jane Fonda in the movie "Mother-Monster- in Law" (or something, I'm so bad with titles).

It was actually a funny movie, mindless. I was very glad to see Wanda in it, she's very funny. My least favorite in this movie was/is JLo. Anyway.
It rained over night, I'm very happy about rain these days, even if it's humid afterwards. I don't think the temps will go back up to over 30 C this year. I'm welcoming fall with open arms.

Now, off to do some house work, and hopefully some knitting later. By the way, I'm a still a little scared of my spinning wheel, after last times disaster! I still have to decide if I keep going with the Lincoln or get it off the wheel and resume my mohair/wool blend. Oh, and I picked up a huge bag (5 different colors of mohair/wool blend each 250g) of roving the day before yesterday, this will keep me busy for the next two years or so. ;o)

Have a nice day, you all!