Friday, March 30, 2012

FO - Fern Green Pimpelliese


A few days ago I completed my Fern Green Pimpelliese. It got to a stage where it was all I could think about, all I wanted to knit. I became obsessed. I was loving watching the color repeats change, the points of each little triange come out of the fabric, and the way the rows got smaller and smaller. I was so addictive.Everything else was forgotten. I knit on it in the mornings before work, during lunch breaks and when I got home. This only lasted a few days because then it was finished.


 

 I will admit I was a bit disappointed about the weighing of my yarn. I weighed it numerous times to ensure that I started the decrease section as soon as it hit 50g left. Exactly half way. But I still had a 15 gram skein left once I cast off that final stitch. Abit disappointing, but it will make a gorgeous mini monster when it grows up!

The yarn I used was Moda Vera Fern from Spotlight, and although I'm not too fond of most of the Moda Vera yarn range, I was very happy with this yarn. It is a light fingering and soft, and what drew me the most was the color repeats. Stunniing. From dark greens, to bright greens, maroons and purples, the colors all gradiate into the next creating what I think is a stunning piece of knitting. This has yet to be blocked, and 'm hoping that a photo in true daylight will better represent the colors in this yarn.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

February 2012 Socks, Completed Before April?

My February 2012 socks have been taking a while, I keep getting distracted by other projects, cardigans, shawls, scarves, and a test knit. Lately I have been taking them to work so they are my only choice during my lunch break. It has definitely provided much needed progress.

I absolutely live the colors, the navy, purple and green go so well together and the yarn is so soft, not even the littlest bit itchy. The yarn is King Cole Zig Zag and I can't remember the Colorway. I purchased it from my LYS, Knit'n'Purl in Dandenong. I have a few other skeins of king cole and I love all the colorways.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Starting a Shop

I have decided I want to go down the road of trying to sell my own wares, especially handspun, dyed fleeces and hand dyed yarns. I have played around with this a bit already and am very happy with the dyeing results I have had so far.

Handspun Hand Dyed


 Superwash wool, DK, pink, magenta and red 100g

75% Wool, 25% Mohair, 5% Alpaca, DK, purple, blue and pink 100g
 Superwash, DK, pink, blue, red 100g x2


But unfortunately like any new venture, you need to find the time and the money to start up. I have decided to start with what I have on hand, and then if I sell anything, put that towards buying new stock. I'm thinking of an etsy shop because that may be the best way to get some exposure and have people find my yarns and fleeces. But being in Australia, the popularity and knowledge of etsy is a lot less common that overseas.

But we all have to start somewhere. I'd love any advice anyone has when starting up. I know an important factor is good photos and I plan to work on that today.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Dyeing yarns

Over the last weekend I tried out some dyeing, and I loved it. I plan to sell them on etsy. Here are some samples: