My Turquoise Project

So, here is what I am doing with my hand dyed yarn. I tried out a few patterns, but since I don't usually knit with tonal/variegated yarns, it took a while to find something I was happy with. And, I think this really looks great, as the colors are interesting, plus the pattern really brings out the softness and squishiness of a DK weight merino.
This shawl might remind you of the Icelandic Sunrise Shawl, and at first, that was what I tried to knit. But, the purling part was not coming smooth to me and it was a bit of a struggle. I admit, I did not try the Norwegian Purl method, I went for a more easy option. So, my version doesn't have a single purl stitch in it, and each cluster has 5 stitches instead of 4. The effect though is very similar, shawl will be very very warm, it looks interesting and has a great texture. One minor problem - I ran out of yarn. Yes, I used both skeins and I still have a couple rows I'd like to do for finishing and a FRINGE. I think this one really needs a fringe for a nice, finished look. So, I am up to a challenge to repeat my dyeing adventure... we'll see how that goes...

Trying out some acid dyes

I could not resist, I just had to try it.... I had ordered some undyed yarn as well as some professional dyes. The yarn I used is extra fine merino, DK weight. It's not superwash, so I was being really careful with it. I used turquoise and I think it came out pretty nice. I wanted to try the graduated dyeing method and I learned a few things - although I had placed the whole skein in dye pot, the color did not set immediately, and later washed off completely, leaving the lightest part almost completely white. I kind of like it anyway. I think I should probably place the whole skein in microwave to set next time, as a lot of color came out in general. I was reading it is to be expected with this dyeing method, but still, maybe there is a way around it...
I have started a shawl with it, and I am sure I'll use both skeins for it.

A dyeing adventure on a moody day

I just finished a project yesterday (that I am still processing) and I was feeling kind of down this morning. In other words, I needed a new project. While going through my stash, I found this yarn that I've had for ... at least 7 years. That is nearly as long as I live in Greece, one of the oldest yarns in my current stash. Beige, but not pretty beige. It's a 50/50 mix of wool and acrylic purchased in a LYS (local yarn store). I hardly ever use acrylic anymore, but I decided to play around with it. And here is what I got:

Thanks to acrylic, the colors are slightly dull, and a bit... melange? I love it! Now I surely will knit something with it!