June 24, 2005
hey, there's merino in my oven!
Yesterday I spun this lovely purple wool/mohair mix. Little Bit helped me dye it a few weeks ago. And when I say he helped me dye it, I mean he picked out the colors and stood across the room while I did the mixing and pouring. I tried to get him to put some other colors in it but he insisted purples and blues only, so that's what I did and it's just freakin' goergous. He thinks it's his though, and I let him, 'cause I'm good and generous mama. Of course, anyone else try and claim my fiber and your lookin' for some scrappin, sista!
My plan was to do it thick and worsted-ish as practice for this large chunk of merino I also dyed yesterday. I want to spin it (the merino) up and knit a variation on Cleaves from knitty. Little Bit's is hanging on the rack in all it's blue/purple goodness. I post pics and details later.
As for the merino, it was my first experience dying merino, and like the fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants gal that I pretend to be, it was also my first time dying it in the oven. I followed little miss hello yarn's step by step instructions, kept my colors in the same value range and general mood, and jumped offa the cliff, holding tightly to 2 lbs of fluffy merino top. Yeah. I was unsure about how much liquid was supposed to be in the pan when it went in the oven and I think I may have used a bit much dye, like always, because I poured quite a bit out. It was like little merino mush when it emerged all hot and steamy after 25 minutes, and I have to admit I was a bit scared. However, once I layed it out and then up, it dried up just like I wanted. 
Now let's just hope it spins up the same. I usually don't use so many colors in such little sections but I've been reading this book, spinning with color (which I'll tell ya about soon), and it seems like this will get me the final result I want. I split it 2 times, wrapped it in balls and am ready to start spinning like the motherfuckin' wind. werd.
Real quick before I head to air and space for a day of free rockin' fun with two three year olds, for those with eyes that only see knitty-goodness, all my secret knitting is ovah! so keep your eyes peeled for lotsa knitting ahead!
Posted by jacey at June 24, 2005 08:42 AMThat is so funny. I took one look at that pile of Merino and thought, "I have seen that somewhere before!". Heh. Coming out of my oven!
For the liquid amount, I usually have it at about half the depth of the wool so the wool is soaked but not floating or anything.
If you strip it and ball it up all at once and mix all the balls up and spin randomly, you should be good for color. I know that sometimes one particular section will get tons of one color and you just need to be sure it's spread out over the dyelot of yarn.
Werd.
Posted by: Adrian at June 24, 2005 09:01 AMI heard from a little bird that you're alive and kickin' and doin' well. Me too!
I don't have much time to peruse, but I like that you're lovin the needles and yarn.
We need to touch base, we do.
Um, I'm going to a baby shower outside MD, sans K (he's at J's for the weekend). How's that for serendipity? Maybe you'll be around for a drive-by.
Call me.
908.268.1557
xo, miss ya, give the tribe big hugs, hope to catch up soon.
a
Posted by: Amber at June 24, 2005 03:36 PMHello, I'm your Spinning Wheel next door neighbour! Thanks for your comment on my blog. I love the merino you've dyed....why not try some super slubby yarn! Go on you can do it! :-)
Posted by: Lisa at June 27, 2005 02:01 AMHY, thanks! that's exactly my plan.
Lisa -- lol, I'm just past where I HAVE to do the super slub, you know, the time in a spinner's spin cycle where you just can't help it. I think I'll wait a few weeks before i try it as a design element;-) I'm gonna spend some time enjoying actually being able to make some even yarn. I shouldn't wait too long though, I hear lotsa spinners forget what came naturally in the beginning.
Posted by: jacey at June 27, 2005 08:33 AM