STASH DIVING!

Stash Diving again!!  There is such a wealth of goods in that fiber closet--always something 'new' to discover, even though it's not loved at the same time it was spun or left to fend for itself for years!

Yes, it's nice to have these yarns at your fingertips, although sometimes, it's not what you want or need, nonethe less, there will be a way to utilize  'aged' yarns or fiber. 

These two spun fibers started out as socks! Then my mind yielded to fingerless gloves--Yes!  these are easy and quick to knit and could be giftable!.  Only problem, there is 'second sock/mitten' symptom!  Really hate to knit that second item--that's a good reason to begin them both at the same time.

Found another small ball of the same yarn--so, if my fingers will acknowledge there is the fiber, you could knit a second glove!

The same thing goes for patterns that have been stock piled.  Another lean to is only one sock, one glove, one mitten==lots to learn from different patterns, not alot of time to knit==Who said you have to have matching items!  I'm liking the idea of choosing a different one for each hand or foot.

My friend, who was a knitting instructor and author of sock knitting books, only knit one sock!  Yes, only ONE sock for her patterns!  I'm going on that notion!

This is an aged pattern--yes, it's time to place stitches on the needle for this sock.  Might even shorten the pattern too. Nothing wrong with ankle socks!

Spinning blue silk is a wonderful feeling; then, this fiber was in the stash closet and was begun this week

check back next week and you'll see the results!  Until then

HAPPY STITCHING!

 

Yes! I Didn't Rememer!

I'm sure you have never done this!  Put something away and think to yourself--"I'll remember what that is" or  put it in a safe spot--so safe, can't find it when you want to find it!

Well, I put fiber away and sleeps in my fiber closet for months, years--it's a safe spot for fiber to 'multiply ' for future days.

When I was searching for a book and a different fiber, I found this jar

Wow! such lovely fiber!  nice handle, I said to myself as I pulled the fiber from the jar.  Wonder what fiber this is?  Of course, there is no label or note about the fiber--I'm sure I told myself--"I'll remember what this is"  NOT!

And it's even dyed--so, I must have dyed this too!

Pulling the fiber from the jar, I grabbed my spinning wheel--let's see how this spins.  Could it be wool?  Silk? Acrylic?  Natural?  There are so many times, I've been given fiber from someome who doesn't want to spin anymore or doesn't like the fiber--I'm a sucker to take over for that spinner.  Maybe, it was from an estate stash.

Spin! Spin!  It spins like a dream!

So?  what is this fiber?

Nice!!

I remembered the Burn Test!  Took a piece of the fiber and set a match to it!

Yes!  I thought that was what it was........

If you need to figure out about your 'forgotten' fiber, just do the burn test!

I'm so excited!  This forgotten fiber is SILK

 

Logwood

Earlier this year, we gave a slice of Logwood to our wood working friend.  He turns handles for fishing rods and likes to use unique and exotic wood.  I had a chunk of logwood from my natural dyeing days--haven't done any natural dyeing for years. 

 After he turned the small chunk, he collected the tailings and gave them to me in a jar.  I don't even remember when he gave it to me.  I placed some wool yarn in the tailings, filled with water and placed the jar on a shelf in the garage and there it sat for weeks, months--who knows?  Not me!

The other day as I was rummaging through my fiber stash, I found a roving of dyeable cotton--it is well aged for sure!  It was time to put this cotton to the test. 

In the jar I placed another hunk of dyeable cotton to sit for weeks just to see what happens.

 Usually, it's hard to dye cotton--it's a long process for regular cotton.  After I had pulled the yarn from the jar (that had sat for many moons), I decided to place in some of the dyeable cotton sliver in with the tailings--it sat overnight in the heat outside.

the dark brown in the middle of these cotton slivers is the yarn I pulled from the jar that had been siting for long time-what a color!  was hoping for black!  I didn't add any mordant or chemical to enhance the dye--it's just natural dye experiement.  So surprised to see the color develop overnight.  

I'm excited to spin one of these slivers;  it's not a lovely glowing color but it's interesting.

Now, I've got the itch to do more natural dyeing!   I found a jar filled with osage orange tailings--now, that should be a lovely color. 

National Project Jelly Roll Day

 Saturday, Septembe 19 is National Jelly Roll Day!  

Check out Moda Fabrics for free Jelly Roll Patterns

Here is the pattern I chose to use with my Jelly Roll and below

is the Jelly Roll I chose to

use with this pattern.  Hope to finish before Christmas, 2027!!

National Sew a Jelly Roll Day is an annual celebration held on the third Saturday of September that encourages quilters to use pre-cut fabric strips.  National Sew a Jelly Roll Day stitches up on the third Saturday of September, inviting quilters to transform their beloved pre-cut fabric bundles into stunning projects. Grab your sewing machine, choose a pattern, and let your creativity flow. It’s the perfect occasion to finish a long-awaited quilt or start a new one.

Gather We Must

 One of my Southern natural dyeing/spinner friends is one of the best to do research for any topic she wants to follow.  If you think of a fiber that needs to be explored--she’ll do it!  So, it was interesting when this popped up on my feed recently.

if you live in the South, you know the plant--it's that wicked Kudzu!  It grows everywhere it is left to fend for itself.  my dedicated friend went out to gather Kudzu vines to see what is was made of.  She learned to process the fiber to produce a useful fiber.  Actually, this invasive vine is good for some things! who knew?!!  

Watch the video to learn about the processing of Kudzu--maybe, you'll want to try this fiber preparation.

This and That

 Winter or cool weather is a-comin' !!  How can I tell?  First off, when you shop--everything is becoming fallish colors!  Yes, I purchased an autumn throw with lovely warm colors.  That's not the only sign —at the grocery--fall foods pop up--pasta in the shape of fall items--adverts are spilling out with 'pumpkin spice latte' !  Then, the first sign------- Ravelry's new patterns are mostly warm clothing--sweaters!  sweaters! sweaters!  I'm not one to knit a sweater--that's a lot of knitting! 

And the county fairs begin--lots of parades, rodeos, judging of different foods--some receive blue ribbons even.

I find myself pulling out fall quilts to hang, to sling over the bannister rails, throw on beds, etc. etc.  And then there is the music!  Yes,  toe tapping music.  Okay, it's still warm outside.  Your recipes even want to lean towards hot warm meals instead of cool weather foods.  There is the slight idea we will be enjoying the patio again soon.  

Let’s talk lists.  On our road trips our ears are tuned to podcast “This is Vinyl Tap”—recently they mentioned —1000 albums you should hear before you die!    We jumped on that list!  So far, we’ve knocked off five albums on that list as we go top to bottom. There is an app that will spit out an album randomly too. 

  My list of books to be read is growing by the day--so many good books being released.  As I type, I'm listening to an audio book--yay!!

So what are we knitting to wade into fall?  Quick and easy is my go to!  Fall dish cloth for the kitchen knit in fall colors 

This September dishcloth fromThe Kitchen Sink Shop

Garlene also has an offer for these short socks.  Going on my needles soon too.

My sewing has been limited lately--trying to finish a quilt--slow and easy is the rule of the 

But, from Quilt Fabrication comes a good list of fall themed quilt blocks--this would be fun to create--just what I need, something else to add to my list!

Needing a stitching pattern?  Here is a cute fall theme for your needle!  This comes from pinker N pumpkin quilting

 Warping the loom is on the list as well.  Son asks for tea towels--so the warp is being prepared.  

Do you need a list?  Best to write it down! So, you can check it off!!

Knits and Etc.

 Recently, we took a road trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I've always wanted to attend the Santa Fe Opera and we did!  We also took a backstage tour--Awesomeness!  The Opera is like a football game for some--tailgating before hand--tables covered with fancy cloths and chairs set up behind car trunks--champagne corks popping, small tapas consumed before hand  then  comes intermission that allows you to partake again in more bubbly!  It was a great treat!

The docents wore these beautfiully fashioned handwoven tabards which are returned after each performance for the next opera event.  Just fabulous all around!

We had great seats for the evening!  Full orchestra and a view of the area; the sound was perfect too!!  In front of each seat is a screen that gives you the words of the song in your language

On our drive around the area, you would find the 'coyote' fences built as privacy.  Just an awesome sight!

One Saturday we ventured to the large farmers' market held at the Railyard.  I remember years ago, it was sitated outside of town along a side portion of the road===we were late arriving and most of the green chilie varieties had been purchased.  We did find a few to take home to roast, along with fresh ground red and green cilli powder, 

although, we didn't find many green chilies, our senses were filled with the aroma of roasting green chilies!  A good reason to visit the market in the first place!

Our condo was situated on the top of a mountain, facing west--perfect for evening sunsets!  we had a few nights of colorful display but a few nights of rainy skies--the colors are still spectacular!

And the food!!  Should I talk about all the delicious food we satisfied ourselves with--I think not!  My mouth waters just thinking about it.  and my brother was really jealous when he saw the photos!

onto the Knits now

Never, never ever take a road trip without yarn, knitting needles, a few patterns and the willingness to KNIT as you travel those long boring roads.

finished one red hand spun cotton dishcloth!

Another handspun cotton dishcloth

a crazy hat--based on 80 stitches!  adding novelty yarn is fun way to break up the plain SS

And this one using 'eyelash' yarn--someone will love all these frilly twigs hanging out

With this hat, I decided to do some color work (not my favorite) but was fun for a change--alternating yarns over other stitch--try it with weird color yarns to make an interesting hat.

These beings started out a socks--but, as they progressed past the border, they took on a life of fingerless gloves.  I have  small bits of leftover handspun yarn knit on size one needles--maybe I'll finish this year!

It was a great road trip--good food, beautfiul scenery, great companion and finished knits!

Planning our next road trip and the yarns I'll take...................