Homefree

Out of the Ordinary

Month: February 2009

  • My kitchen smells like Kool Aid!

    IMG_8353
    Awhile ago the statement that a kid's drink could be the predominant scent in one's  kitchen would have puzzled me.  Now it makes perfect sense and I wonder if it might get to the point of being able to say, "Ah, the subtle but unmistakable fragrance of lemon lime with a hint of grape and – maybe….could it be…..watermelon…?"

    The adventure of dyeing fibre with Kool Aid continues!!!

    Here is the latest bunch.  Grape, orange and cherry were the flavours of the day.  A variety of yarns – gray Buffalo on the very left,  amber Buffalo on the very right,  amber wool third from left, the rest ivory.  The same technique of loosely winding the fibre into a ball and dripping the dye down from the top. 

    I got impatient (in the sense of "wonder what would happen if….." ) and did some without first soaking in water and poured off excess dye from some before putting in the microwave.  Worked just fine.

    IMG_8364
    This is my second saori weaving  on a loom at Knotty by Nature (you can rent time on looms or wheels – what a great idea!) and I've used the yarn from the first dyeing in it.  It felt very good to weave with wool I had dyed myself.  I imagine it will be even more so when I use fibre I have spun as well.  And creatively carded!  And wrapped onto a linen base!  And 'shorn' from sources other than sheep!  The possibilities are only limited by imagination.

    As for the actual dyeing, what I like most is coming up with a colour or combination of colours that are unique.  The gray Buffalo has promise of this and I am waiting for it to dry to see.  I'm making some 'clothing for hangers' and this yarn may be the next to 'speak' to that project.