More math

Another experiment with natural dyes. This time I took this:

12 oz. of Parmelia Sulcata (tree lichens) from the tree we took down in the front of our house.

Plus

4 oz. of handspun angora I brought back from Argentina (along with several other kilos of yarn!) two years ago. I didn't think to take a picture until it was in the bowl of water. The brighter white at the top is the still dry fiber. There was also a tablespoon of alum and a teaspoon of cream of tartar added to the dye pot.

Equals this

Not particularly brilliant.... I don't think the work of scraping all those lichens off the downed tree was really worth it. Now I know to pass them up next time. I knit this for my friend J, who does have two hands, as part of an offline swap.

My dye garden was officially a bust, but there are still things in my yard that are plentiful and possible dye plants: yarrow, tansy, hibiscus and turk's cap.

This post has been sitting in draft form for over a week! I'm off tomorrow for the East Coast to spend time with friends and family. I've had some realizations this week about things that have been holding me back, things I have determined I will overcome. I have a plan and that is a good thing. Until I return here are a few things I've finished recently; gifts for others that I will deliver in person this week.

Veronik Avery's Prairie Tunic

Mari from Hip Knit Hats in red onion skin dyed handspun merino

Twins

These are thank you gifts for two little girls who kept Sofia company in California. As always my sewing method is slapdash and less than perfect, but they work and it seems they coveted Sofia's pencil case while she was there. I don't think they'll critique my craftsmanship!

A Texas kind of day....

My first outing today was to pick up my meat order from Paidom. I saw Staci there waiting for her box.

What would you decide to do if you were in Texas on a day where the heat index is over 100? Go to a State Park, of course. This guy was not shy...

Immature Black Crowned Night Heron

These were sharing the same bush. Dewberries are another Texas treat I didn't know I was missing. They are a bit smaller than blackberries and I think sweeter.

I finished Veronik Avery's Prairie Tunic last night it just needs to be blocked. I'm also in the middle of helping Sofia make a doll for a swap. I'm amazed at how adept she is with scissors and she draws very well. We'll see how the construction comes together. I'm not worried about her sewing, she is very good on the machine...my construction skills are the concern!

I also finally finished spinning up almost 500yds of incredibly soft merino superwash for the ubiquitous Clapotis. I just need to dye it first. Last night I cast on for the Bella Blouse. Kudos to all my knitting compatriots who enjoy lace, but I HATE it. What was I thinking when I decided to buy yarn to make this top? It is possible that I may turn the border into something cabled. I have done hats before with a cabled border that is then picked up. Maybe I just need to get through something I don't really want to...isn't that supposed to be character building?

Gotta fly!

A little math

425 grams of this (hand spun superwash merino mordanted with alum):

Plus 200 grams of this (red onion skins):


Equals this:


Not the color I was expecting. I don't really eat tons of red onions; a fringe benefit of working at the co-op is being able to empty 25 lb. boxes of red onions of loose skins.