...and the dyeing continues...

Well, I went to knitting group last night, and I almost sold out of yarn! How's that for an ego boost? The lovely and exuberant Gina purchased the Goody Gumdrops, as requested before it was even dried and skeined and then snatched up the Back Shore colorway.


Before she made it to the table, however, the fabulously sexy Amanda confiscated the red "Rock Lobster" colorway and promptly STUCK IT IN HER CLEAVAGE. The cleavage hug, for those who may be knew to the concept, is truly the greatest compliment given to any yarn by the Manchvegas knitters. I was humbled. It is, apparently, also good enough to eat.

So today, what to do? Dye more yarn! I had to make some more Goody Gumdrops (we'll see if this batch makes it to the Etsy shop), this time in sport weight. We also have (in order of appearance) What else? Watermelon, Sex on the Beach, and Gothic Rose. I also dyed up another huge skein of wool/nylon in the Gothic Rose colorway. It came out much lighter on this skein. We'll see how it dries and knits up. Personally, I think it will be a gorgeous choice for a shawl. I just may have to make one after all.



So that's it for now. I have pretty much decided that I will be working on products on a weekly basis -- this week was dyeing, next week I will sew, needles after that and so on and so forth. I'm hoping to stay on track that way and maybe -- just maybe -- get somewhat organized. yeah, here's hoping.

Much fiber content and many pictures

During the week of the monstrous server crash, my family and I were away camping with two of Hubby's work buddies and their families. Yes, more camping. I do love it, but I soooo need to be home! Only two more short trips planned, and then we'll winterize the old girl. Hallelujia. One delightful realization of the trip was the young knitters! The 12 and 11 year old daughters of each family were knitters! We soon had quite a cozy little clatch going around the campfire to be joined by more potential knitters as the week wore on including...my little Ladybug!


Doesn't she look like a natural? Don't get your hopes up -- she hasn't touched it since.




Also to be found around the fire would be the everpresent BBS#2 (that would be "Big Black Sock #2").


I have now gotten 1/2 way through the heel flap and hope to have it and it's counterpart mailed out to Socks for Soldiers by next week. Even with the 23 inches of solid black(mens size 10), these socks have been a joy to knit and the group is a blessing. The yarn -- Louet Gems Opal -- is luscious and I am really able to zone out on the stockinette. I encourage everyone to join this group -- you are really doing something nice for a soldier and the men and women int he group are just wonderful!

Now, as promised, some pictures of yesterdays dyeing -- I am not too thrilled with the Backshore self-stripe -- the sand color isn't right and def. too dark, and my grey was contaminated with drk. blue. Nice effect, but not what I was going for.
Not real sure what i am going to do w/ it -- sell or keep for me. I have to weigh it and/or measure the yardage, too -- I think I am shy of the desired 4oz. Now the Goody Gumdrops colorway, on the otherhand, is AWESOME.
Vibrant, bright, and oh so yummy. It is at least 4oz, maybe more, and I can't wait 'til it is dry so I can see it skeined up. I also kettle dyed a HUGE skein of wool/nylon yarn in a deep cataloupe color. This is an interesting yarn -- the nylon thead is woven in and resists the dye, giving it a slightly heathery look with great stretch and memory.
It is between a fingering and lace weight, and I'm going to try a small sock before I decide if I like it enough to sell it. My last skein was a double skein of a gorgeous bright red/magenta/orange/purple.
I have no clue what to call it yet. I was thinking maybe Raging Ruby? And suggestions are welcome! I don't know if I'm going to put both skeins of this up for sale, or keep one for myself! I love it!
I have also finally attempted to cast on two socks at once using the magic loop technique. I think I really like it -- I just have to figure out how to keep from tangling the yarn, esp. everytime I put it down! These will be Jaywalkers in Lorna's Laces Black Purl.

Sereknity.com

I am soooo happy to announce that A Crafty Kat has found a NEW NAME! Some have asked me why, and all I can say is that A Crafty Kat was used in haste and it just never felt "right" to me. Encouraged by my knit-folk at Manchvegas I pondered and mused and it hit me... Sereknity! After all, that is what knitting and fiber arts have come to be to me -- a peaceful moment, a respite from a complicated world, a retreat to simplicity. Since A Crafty Kat was destroyed in what shall forever forth be known as the Great Server Crash of 2006, followed immediately by the HaHa,We Got Your Backup,Too,Tragedy I felt it was fate. So, over the next month or so, the web-site will become a much more professional and user friendly place (all of your old links will still work, btw, web-master-hubby-man is handling that). I am also looking to make this something of a co-operative, although I'm not entirely sure yet how to work it. I would love to hear from other artisans interested in placing products on Sereknity.com. Please contact me if you think you might want to join me in this venture! I am really ready to take this to the next level.
Also on that note, I will be making some exciting changes to my current products. I will now be making my own needles upon which to create my Knittles polymer clay knitting needles. I am working with both oak and maple right now and am very pleased with the results! I will also be adding hand-painted fiber to the line of hand-dyed items and will soon be previewing a new name for my hand-painted, super-wash sock yarn. (Yes, I really am into names!) One more exciting tidbit? (Well, at least it is to me!) I made a warping board today and will be dying the first skeins of self-striping yarn tomorrow! The colorways will be Backshore, in honor of my hometown of Gloucester, MA, and Goody Gumdrops, a rainbow stripe. They will both be put up for sale in the etsy shop, provided my little Ladybug doesn't see the rainbow yarn! Could get nasty...lol. I will post pictures tomorrow. Have a great one, and thanks for sticking by me through all the madness. The wheels are turning for a contest soon as a great big THANK YOU, so please stay posted! lovingly, your favorite Yarnophiliac

OH! PS -- Please keep my dear little bro, Jason, in your prayers today and always. It is his 21st birthday, and he is spending it bravely doing his duty for our country in Iraq. Jay -- I miss you, love you, and salute you. XOXOXOXO

AAAAAARRRRGG!!!

OK! I'm new to blogger and I CAN'T FIGURE THIS DARN THING OUT!!! I am desperately trying to put everyones buttons back on, and I CAN'T!! HELP!

Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated

In actuality, it was just my web-site that died. I am in the process of rebuilding, but until then, we must blog on! More to come later...