Beyond the pale

I'm hatching a plan this week, I have a strategy worked out
and expect to be head down bum up working my little heart out.

I got off to a head start on saturday - spending a couple of hours
playing with natural dyes

I am always amazed at the depth of colour that can be acheived with sawdust, crushed bugs and the contents of the baking shelf.

The lipstick pink on the right is my favourite - cochineal overdyed with the remnants of the purple dyepot, I twisted the skein into a tight knot and let the dye get in where it could - resulting in a riot of pinks and reds.

The crimson is cochineal and citric acid - don't tell Flash that I used the big mortar and pestle to grind up the dried bugs - he just doesn't understand!

The pale pink on the felted single is the ever lovely rose madder, unfortunately I do not have enough yarn for a little Roaring Meg - I think the pairing would be delightful.

The deep mauve and pale lilac were the result of mixing brazilwood with bicarb, the shock of colour when the bicarb hits the brown/orange liquid in the dyepot always gives me a thrill. The purple is not known for it's permanence, but it lasts a long time then slowly fades - I would be happy with that for a baby garment - knowing that it is non-toxic and won't lose all of it's colour. The pale lilac shade was created by diluting the dye to 20%.

More info on dyeing with natural dyes is in my tutorial here

Coming attractions: over the next few weeks I hope to have available

• kits containing yarn dyed by me - using natural and manmade dyes, pattern and accessories for delightful wee items for the littlies in your life.
• Clipper - seriously people this pattern has been a pig, it looks gorgeous - but there is so much going on in some of the rows that it has been a nightmare!
• more tutorials and techniques on the website
• a vest for every male in your life from teeny weeny to big and hairy

fingers and toes crossed!

Now back to work - 1 secret project ready to send and lot's to do while waiting for another to arrive.

tread carefully

we visited the NZ Jewellery show yesterday - I was overwhelmed by the level of skill, imagination, wit and humour of our indie jewellery designers, my favourite items were created by Nadine Smith little anonymous fragile dolls augmented with mechanical devices demonstrating how we are supported by medical science, breathtaking.

then there were the delightful Social butterflies not jewellery, these are a set of 9 butterflies which you attach to a wall, 2 or 3 sets would make for an eye-catching display on a fence or wall.

In knitting news, there has been progress on Flash's vest as the secret skirt if finished awaiting a final conference on embellishment, the little sister blanket is 1/2 finished as it is very portable, and I have ideas falling out of my head all over the place at the moment - just not enough hands or hours! KnitRangers was inspirational, rollicking fun as usual yesterday, but I didn't manage to get much actual knitting done!

Kikkie

a new pattern for sale, here is a sweet, plain little relaxed fit sweater for girls aged 5-12 years. I love how the tucks distort the front to give a scooped border. The sleeves are bracelet length with a sweet scallop made by more tucks. Cute and little bit different either over jeans or teamed with a pretty blouse and skirt.

for sale on the website

The family is getting bigger

Nick proposed to Holly (my eldest) at Cardrona overlooking Queenstown, on his knee, in the snow.

The ring is beautiful, handmade with a champagne diamond - they are a darling couple and I know they will build a beautiful life together, they are young - but Holly has always been one to grab life with both hands and wring exciting experiences from it - she won't be stopping anytime soon.

and she's wearing my hat

Updating

Some of my patterns use techniques that you may not already have in your knitting toolchest, so I have a page on my website devoted to explaining these, I have just added "applied i-cord" feel free to have a look, you never know what you may find useful.


I'm working on more pleats and tucks, they help to give the garment a rounded organic look that is difficult to find usually when you are working with straight edges.

and the applied i-cord makes for a very nicely shaped neckline.

Aviatrix Baby Helmet

Here is the pattern for those who have not yet joined Ravelry (you know you really should...)

download now

a few notes:

- work more rows at the back for a snugger fit

- thinner yarn smaller hat, thicker yarn bigger hat - adults have made these for themselves!

- 2 buttonholes mean the strap will fit longer

- knit the wraps or don't knit the wraps, I really don't care, it is your preference (btw, I didn't)