Just Had To Try It.

No matter how old I am, I love dyeing Easter eggs!  I do the standard dyes that you buy at the store;  I've used cake dyeing stuff; marbling techniques, but when I read about this, I just had to try it!

Does it work?  I'll see for myself.

It takes silk ties--so, I hurry to my hubby's tie selection (he doesn't bother to wear ties anymore) to see if he has any silk ties.  There are plenty to choose from but here are the four I chose.

I'm thinking these will be more colorful for this experiment

These don't look too bad either

So, I take 6 fresh eggs, wrap the tie portions around them tightly.

And not to let the silk dyes run onto the other eggs, I tie up with plain muslin.  Put the eggs into a pan, cover with water, add 1/4 cup vinegar and set to simmer on the stoves for 20 minutes.

Here's the outcome after letting the eggs cool and dry.............

Not bad, not good either

I liked this one

I thought this tie would give more color, so did two eggs--it's okay

Here is my favorite--I was right, this Beatle tie covered the eggs with color!

Okay, I tried it and it sort of worked--it was fun to experiment; now,

back to getting out my store bought dyes--

Amy Is Turning 60--

Amy is turning 60 this year and she is doing something very special to celebrate and we are invited to come along on this adventure.  Amy is knitting socks, creating a series of socks using each of the divisors of 60. 

This is February Sock.  Amy is using this set of rules:

All of these socks will be knitted from cuff to toe.

I plan to knit most, but not all, on double pointed needles, my choice will depend on the stitch pattern I choose.

The main part of leg and foot of sock must be 60 stitches around.

There will be no shaping of leg, so the leg on all of these socks won’t be terribly long, likely all under 7 inches from cuff to beginning of heel.

The main part of leg must contain a stitch pattern using the chosen divisor; the foot must contain part or all of the same stitch pattern.

The cuff, heel, and toe can stray from the divisor rule.

I must use a yarn that is already in my stash; it does not need to be “sock yarn”.

Here is March's pattern--join in this year long celebration of turning 60, even if you aren't 60!

SYNC Is Coming....................

Every year I write about this absolutely wonderful adventure in reading--all free, delivered to your door step--but, you must sign up to get each week's book.  It's all audio for the young and old alike.

SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+.

The 2016 season is May 5th - August 17th 2016.
SYNC 2016 will give away 30 titles - two paired audiobook downloads a week!

What I like about this program--I can enjoy the books right along with the YA group--some books I would never have read or listened too.  So, head to the the home page and sign up.

Wednesday--Yarn Along!

Come Along on the Yarn Along!  Each Wednesday, post a photo of your yarn project.
I'm liking this idea--will keep me motivated to keep yarn on my needle, fiber on my wheel and maybe, reduce that stash that is lingering in the closet and aging.

This week I'm taking the brioche knitting workshop on Craftsy

!

I've learned how to knit (brk!) and purl (brp!) 

You can see where I changed from knit to purl in this sample

Then, I learned how to increase--notice the branch off on the left.

This has been a good learning experience.

It's About Time

Yes, it's about time I picked up some knitting needles and began work on the 2016 Lace Shawl designed by Elizabeth Ravenwood (found on Ravelry).  This will be the third shawl I've knit with her directions and patterns.  Of course, I was little behind--well, three months behind isn't too bad.

I rather enjoy knitting along on this type of thing--only small portion of the pattern is revealed each month and by year's end (if you keep up!) you will have a completed shawl to wear to that end of year party.

This year, I needed to spin my yarn so that took some time--wasn't too sure which fiber I wanted to use--finally decided on this wool/silk blend

This month's pattern is called Tides of March or Water on the Moon

Easy knitting, even adding beads along the way.

Let's hope I can continue to keep up--now, that my fiber has all been spun.

Short on Time And/Or Money?

If you are like me and short on time and money, then this Mini quilt along is just right for you!

Quilt Addicts Anonymous is sponsoring this summer sew along and it's FREE!

Just hop over to her website to sign up to receive each month's patterns.

She also has other interesting tidbits she shares on occasion.

Weave a Plaid? Knit a Plaid?

Franklin Plaid Collar--knitted!

Read the article and then tell me

would it be easier to knit a plaid

or weave a plaid?  

of course, if you are a knitter--you'll save knit

but if you are a weaver--you say weave