Craftyminx

My first dye job!

On yarn that is. haha!

I finally got the courage to try dyeing and it was fun! I kind of combined the tutorial on this page with the tutorial for the crockpot method in the new knitty. Since we are packing for moving there were minimal supplies; no crockpots were in the house, we barely have any big bowls, and there was nary a glove to be found. That didn't stop me though, because I'm a craftyminx and we use our resources!

Yes I should have been knitting on one of my three UFO's but I needed to be creative and there was leftover laceweight from Bri's shawl beckoning me.

I'll try to do a summary of what I did to combine these two methods.

I soaked my yarn in hot tap water and vinegar ( 1 tbsp vinegar to 1 cup water) for 35 minutes.

While that soaked I mixed up my dye. I poured about a half a cup of water into a mug and microwaved it to boiling. I mixed about 14 oz of hot tap water with a few more tablespoons of vinegar and divided that between two glasses. Then, I put 1/4 Tbsp. of leaf green wilton dye into the boiling water and stirred until it dissolved. I poured that into one of the two glasses. I rinsed out the mug and 1/4 tsp. and repeated this process with the teal wilton dye. I let this set to cool for a bit so it would be about the same temp as the yarn (I used a candy thermometer).

Then, I squeezed out all the water from the yarn and poured the leftover water into a pitcher.

I put the yarn into a pyrex dish with a lid and just willy nilly poured the dyes over it. This is where I made my mistake or "design feature" ( I threw out some teal dye that I thought I didn't need!). I had used all of the green and half of the teal and thought I had covered all the yarn. I was wrong, but I didn't notice until the end.

(I'm apparently in a green mood this month. haha)
Once I poured in all my dye, I filled up the rest of the bowl with the leftover soak water until my yarn was covered.

I put on the lid and microwaved it for 2 minutes and then took it out for 2 minutes (like the tutorial said) a total of 5 times until my water was clear.

I let it set for a little bit. Then I poured off all the water and drained it with my tongs.

Once it drained and cooled for two minutes or so I was able to squeeze out water from top to bottom with my hands. I wouldn't recommend this though, for some reason my hands are unusually manly and burning hot water doesn't hurt them. I believe its all that time I worked as a short order cook for my dad's diner, they're just used to the heat. I was going to use the spin cycle on the washer, but there were clothes in there.

After it was done dripping, I took it to the bathroom and rolled it up in a towel to soak up any more water that was left. Then I hung it up on a hanger to continue drying.
Here it is...

Like I said there were some spots that didn't get any dye. But I do like it and now know that I can keep that left over dye and pour it in when I notice some white spots still in the pot. I can't wait to see it all balled up and then knitted up!

Not having any gloves didn't go so well. But it was only my right hand so its not that bad.

All in all it was a very good experience and I can't wait to do it again!

Labels: dyeing, tutorials, yarn

Green's Corner how I love thee!

No one came to the Shawnee Sit and Stitch yesterday. I figured that would be the case. It was spring break after all and campus closes down. I went just in case someone decided to show up. My friend Heather and I met outside at an umbrella table and talked. I knitted on wicked. After an hour or so I decided I wanted to go to the greatest place on earth. An antique/junk store called Green's Corner. She had never been, but was willing to take an adventure so we packed up and went downtown.

I didn't take any pictures while we were inside, because frankly, I forgot my camera was in my bag. This place has room after room of stuff. And its FULL! You usually have to do some digging, but its well worth it because their prices are amazing and you can usually haggle them down quite a bit (especially the husband). I had always been afraid of going outside, because I knew there would be some amazing treasures I would have to take home that were too big for my car and I was right. I went outside this time.

They had tons of old windows perfect for craftiness. And some old rusted headboards that were to die for. I went back inside after contemplating how to fit a full or queen size head/foot board into the trunk of my tiny car.

The minute I walked in I saw this...

It came home with me. Its going to go over my craft area desk in the new apartment. Either that or over my knitting chair. I haven't decided yet, but I do have a little time. I'll probably give it a new light kit. He said it works but I don't like old electrical wiring, it makes me feel uncomfortable. I also found a lot of cool buttons (the picture doesn't really show it well).

I paid a little more than I wanted to ($6), but only because they were in drawers and you pick out what you want. I felt better knowing that I loved every button that I picked up. I like that a lot more than many places where they put a bunch of buttons in a jar and charge you $10 and you only really like half of them.

And while waiting in the front to pay I found something else. This ALWAYS happens to me.

My first and only owl. I had to have him even though I'm not super keen on the owl craze. I guess they've grown on me after seeing them everywhere. He wasn't marked. I think someone had just brought him in because he was lying on top of a box of random stuff. I asked how much, she said "two dollars" and he ended up with a new home. I really like that its a luminary.

Backtracking... Friday night I finished the increases for Wicked. And it fit! You don't get a face. It was 2:00 in the morning.

The arms look bigger than they are because I didn't pull the strings tight enough. I think it will look nice when its finished.

I also started the Swallowtail shawl this week for my mom. I figured I could get that one done faster than Icarus. Its going pretty quick right now. I'll post pics of it soon.

Labels: knitting, thrifty buys

Family Treasures

There have been many treasures uncovered in the moving process. One of which has been in our kitchen for about 13 years or so. Mom handed it to me the other day and I just started grinning, because I had kind of forgotten it.

My great grandmother was a major crafter. I have tons of toys that she made me when I was little, most of which are still in storage boxes out in the garage. But this little guy has been sitting on a shelf in our kitchen very happy to be a part of the family. This monkey is unlike any other toy she made me. He has a story that I know.

Mini monkey was definitely a labor of love. My great grandmother lived in a very small town in Oklahoma. Her local store stopped carrying the red heel socks so she asked my mom to get her some from the city. She especially wanted the baby socks. My mom had to go to a few stores before she found any. She bought a few packages of the big socks and the one or two packages of baby socks they had. We took them to grandma and she turned out the monkeys. The next time I went to see her she gave me this wee monkey and a note.

After receiving the socks, she called the company to ask if she could order more of the baby socks. They said that they had discontinued them and were no longer selling the baby ones. As far as I can tell they still no longer carry the red heeled baby socks (they have white heels). Not only weren't there any more sock monkeys because of the discontinued socks, there weren't any more because of my grandma's failing eyesight. She started losing her eyesight shortly after this bout of crafting and didn't really sew much afterwards. She lived until I was a freshman in college. Great Grandpa and her had outlived my grandparents by quite a few years. They passed on the same day. Grandpa first from failing health, Grandma later in the evening from a heart attack. There was a joint funeral, it was truly a beautiful day of remembering a wonderful man and woman that enjoyed life to its fullest.

I remember my grandma every time I see this monkey and I can't wait until I move and find all of the other treasures she made me. They will be predominantly displayed for everyone to see her fine work. All except the scary clown dolls which will have to be a story for another day.

Labels: family, life, sewing, sock monkey

Must hold off knitting...

Don't you hate it when you have to stop mid-project to do something else? Ok I know there are some of you freaks out there that can have a million things going on at once and not have a problem with it. I don't know how you can... I can't do it. I have to finish a project before starting another one and if I don't it eats at me until I can't stand it. I've put down my violet's pink ribbon socks for about 2 months or so. I just started Wicked this weekend and have to put it down to make things for the punk show garage sale that I'm participating in for April. I'm making some jewelry and other fun things so that means I have to lay my knitting down. I have serious problems with this. But I guess I will continue to take it to work for knitting on break time, but its not the same.

Here's the progress I got on Wicked this weekend. I'm a lot further now, but still on the shoulder increases.

I'm still kind of worried that its going to be too heavy and that the color is going to be to loud, but I like it right now. We'll see.

The non-crafting part of my life is just as crazy as the crafting part. My mom is moving at the end of this month. The house has still not sold. I'm looking for apartments that I can possibly afford on the pittance the library pays me. I received an email from the library school saying that they had accepted me, but its not official until I get a letter from the graduate college. I'm still awaiting the letter. My best friend may or may not be going out of state for grad school and won't know for sure for quite awhile. I'm trying not to stress, but grand life changes are hard for me to deal with.

And just for randomness... I have a funny and interesting tip to share. Last night I went out with some friends to celebrate a birthday. The birthday girl told me about one of her drunken experiments with putting febreeze in her hair after going clubbing and waking up the next morning without smelly hair. She said it worked so well she was able to sleep in and go to classes the next day without anyone knowing she had partied the night before. This made me wonder. When I got home last night my hair wreaked of cigarette smoke and my allergies wouldn't allow me to sleep. I found the febreeze, sprayed it in my hair... and by God it worked! After running my fingers through my hair, it no longer smelled of smoke. And when I woke up this morning it still smelled fresh and looked rather clean. Crazy!

Labels: knitting, life

A wedding!

One of my best friends got married yesterday. There are a lot of pics on my flickr. But I'll just talk briefly about some crafty stuff. I love Bri and I had to make her something special, the myrtle leaf shawl which I blogged about previously. Here's and action shot, or two.

I was soo happy that it didn't clash with her dress, because we never actually matched up the two. She was just always certain that it would look great. Never doubt the bride.

She had quite a bit of handmade things for her wedding. She made the flower girls' bags and her grandmother had her earrings made from a great grandmother's ring.

She ordered her veil from a lady online. Not sure of where yet. I'll add it in when I find out. She picked out all of the components herself and then it was made for her.

The day before the wedding, Bri was making the flower girls' bags and began the garter. She had a ton of other things to do, so I stepped in as crafty bridesmaid and made the garter. I had no idea what I was doing, and as we all know, not much sewing experience. But I think it turned out well. She went to Walmart the morning of the wedding to buy a garter to throw so she didn't have to give this one away.

Here are a few more pics of my friends, since I don't share those on here very often.

Isn't she a beautiful bride?

Labels: friends, knitting, life, sewing, wedding

Take that Adjective Queen!

Its done! I did the happy first lace shawl done tribal dance and everything. No I didn't video it, you'll have to use your imagination.

May I ask why no one told me how awful the blocking process is? I'm in pain! And its still not straight! Oh well, I can always use the newbie excuses. "Its my first shawl. I followed the directions. And no, I didn't swatch."

"My God, it takes up the whole living room!" is what my mom is surely thinking. She's still having a wee bit of shawl coveting. Plus she really wants the house to sell and is afraid they will just have to show the house tomorrow. I'll kill someone if they walk anywhere near my precious!

As promised...
New yarn!
Gypsy and I went to Happy Cat on Saturday before meeting friends for dinner. He seemed to really enjoy it for a yarn store and all. He picked this out and twisted my arm until I caved and promised to make him something out of it. Ok... I might be a little bit of a pushover... he picked it up with a tad bit of longing and I bought it for him. His birthday is in August and he is damn hard to shop/knit for.

Patches is growing up so fast!

She is almost the greatest dog ever. Especially when she's sleepy.

Mom says shes hilarious around the cows. I'll have to get video of her next time I'm at the farm.

Ok that's it for now. The wedding is this weekend so I'll be sure to get plenty of action shots with the shawl.

Labels: knitting., life, yarn

WOOSH!

I think I am actually going to finish the shawl! I only have about 24 or so pattern repeats on the border and blocking before its finished. I would try to finish tonight, but my arm is starting to hurt very badly. I would say NO MORE DEADLINE KNITS, but I can't... not just yet. Mom's birthday is April 1st and I desperately want to surprise her with an Icarus shawl, she wants socks but there's no way I can finish those in time. I'm a fast knitter when I want to be, but deadlines make me dislike projects more than I want to.

Ok tomorrow and/or Thursday I will have the following to share...

1. Tales of my first lace blocking process (it could be scary)
2. Pictures of said lace shawl
3. Pictures of newly purchased yarn from Saturday
4. Pictures of the growing puppy (Patches)
   

Labels: knitting.

Media musts....

Ok lets face it... we all have some kind of media musts. It might be a tv show you Tivo every week or a podcast you have to subscribe to and download the minute it comes out (you're of course subscribed to their blog as well so you know when they miss and episode and why). If you're not like this, you want to help out an addict?

I have a lot of media musts. The word musts is starting to look really goofy now. I am going to go ahead and claim that it is indeed a word. Musts musts musts.

TV
the shows I would tivo if I had a tivo.

Gilmore Girls - I've been watching it since the beginning and I can't stand to stop, even when the plot gets really stupid sometimes. No one in my presence is allowed to talk while watching this show.

Lost - Again--getting really stupid but I'm hooked.

Heroes - OMG the greatest show ever! I have to tape this one every week because of Handbells and I usually end up watching it twice. If you haven't watched it, shame on you.

The Dresden Files - I'm on a Sci-Fi kick right now. This show is pretty good, but I would like to read the books.

Supernatural- Another one I've followed since the beginning. I maintain that it hasn't gotten stupid, Gypsy maintains that it has. I still like it.

What not to Wear - Its a Friday night staple, and any other time its on. My remote always finds it, even the UK version. Gypsy and I used to watch this together every week. We've become lazy home bodies so we usually watch it then talk about the new episodes the next time we see each other. Sad I know, but we enjoy it.

Two other guilty pleasures - I don't watch these regularly, but I do enjoy them immensely: Campus Ladies, and the Sarah Silverman Program. They are just too funny. Gypsy insists that I am just like Sarah Silverman. I don't know what to think about that.

Podcasts
I listen to my ipod at work so there are a lot. Here are the staples:

Lime and Violet - Is there really any way of describing why to love L'NV? Bathtubs full of gin, yarn pron, and crazy dogs. That's all you get now go subscribe it you haven't already. These gals are awesome!

Pottercast - I've been listening to this one since they began and I love them. Melissa, John, Sue, and the rest of the gang are a weekly joy. Its also a very professional listen, which I enjoy.Squeeeeeeeeeee!

Mugglecast - I've listened to them from the beginning as well. They have matured a lot. Its crazy how discussion is so different from Pottercast even though they talk about the same news and a lot of the same book conundrums.

Craftsanity - An interview show about all kinds of crafts. I love it!

Cast On - Brenda Dayne rocks and her voice is so pleasant to listen to.

Craftborg - Rosemary and Julie had a great idea on this one. I just wish they would update more often. I love the potter-themed socks!

Those are my musts but here are the other ones I'm subscribed to and listen to as well: Craftcast, Craft:magazine, Crafty Chica, CrochetCast, Its a Purl Man, Knitting Psychos, KnitWit, LetsKnit2gether, Lifechurch.tv podcast, PixiePurls, PodcastFondue, Sticks and String, The Mosh Knit, and last but not least The Princeton Review Vocabulary Minute(yes its meant for youngsters, but I get a kick out of the songs hehe).

Video Games
yeah I like games too, but I don't do too much gaming. I am very easily addicted to games and I have to limit myself. I only get to play one until I finish it and that's in hour increments or so. So it takes me a long time, but I enjoy making them last. I usually play a level and then look at awalkthrough to make sure I didn't miss anything. I don't know how anyone can play a lot of the games with out a walkthrough. Props to you if you can.

Kingdom Hearts (ps2)- I am behind the times I know, but I am really into this game right now as I have blogged about before. The only thing that really annoys me is that you can't skip cut scenes that you've already seen. Some of them are really stinking long. I don't have instructions to this one, so if you know how to skip them tell me please. I can't wait to play the second one (jack sparrowrawarrr)

I have also played all of the PC versions of the Harry Potter Games. I'm now wanting to get them for PS2. They are pretty inexpensive right now. That makes me happy. I'm ready for the OotP game! WOot!

Guilty Pleasure: The Sims (And every variation of it known to man). I don't know why, I just like it. You can make fun of me if you want, but I will assume you've at least never played it or you have been addicted to it at some point.

Print
we'll have to talk about magazines and blogs later. Too many to mention right now.

Now that I've shared mine...What are yours? You don't have to be exhaustive, although I always enjoy a good read.