Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
What Do You Smoke?
Okay, so we've been dyeing yarn for what, a month and a half? It was in the works long before that, but our first skein of yarn went up near the beginning of August. Well, over time and because we have solemnly sworn we will not hock our wares at our pal Jami's shop, we have formed our own little gathering afterward at a coffee shop 'round the corner. We're not the only ones who knit there - we've seen other groups gathered there before us, and we've heard tell of a group that outgrew the place and moved to the grocery store across the street.
At one of these gatherings, my dear friend Stef asked, and I quote:
"So, are you guys like drug dealers? You can't sample your own stuff?"
Okay, I think that's how she said it, but at any rate, you get the gist. And then I started thinking about why it is none of the three of us has jumped on knitting up our own sock yarn.
There have been many skeins in this process that we've all expressed a great deal of interest in. We've redyed several colorways that have sold because we liked them enough to want to knit socks with them. I carried around Sonrisa for days before I realized I should probably put it up on the site instead of hoarding it.
So why not? We could certainly benefit from having pictures of our finished yarn as socks or some such as "shop samples". All yarn stores do this sort of thing. I personally would love to wear some of the insanely bright things I've dyed. I don't care if you could see my feet from Jupiter - I love bright colors.
Again, I thought to myself in the shower, while doing dishes, and sitting there next to Stef and Em and Jess on Wednesday, why not?
Seriously? Well, actually it's not serious, it's rather silly.
I'm a 401(K)nit Stasher. I have more sock yarn than I need finished socks or than I could reasonably give away (finished socks). Okay, I'm not as well stashed as this nice lady, but give it time. If I am really jonesing to cast on another pair of socks, I can stash dive, or crawl through Ravelry and find something that inspires me. All of my stash makes me want to cast on - that's why I bought it - so often it's a matter of keeping myself from casting on like a crazy person.
Our sock yarn has a whole different feel to me. The creative process is in the dyeing so when a colorway finishes drying, that is a finished object to me. After that, it's up to someone else to take the baton and move the yarn through to the knit-up object phase. I wonder if it feels this way to yarn store owners? Or spinners? Or the folks herding and shearing the sheep?
Really, though, it's a matter of time until I succumb to some lovely skein or other. Our newest base yarn is just fantastic. I think it would compare to Lorna's Laces in plied texture and fineness, but smoother and tighter. It doesn't get all loopy like 100% merino as you dye and dry. When I have a chance, believe me, you'll see what I'm capable of. Vanilla socks, of course, but something fun color-wise. Clown vomit, maybe.
Just a couple more things...
Check out the widget on this sidebar. Usable only in Wordpress, but how totally cool anyway! Okay, so I'm considering switching to Wordpress and establishing my own domain name and this is just one more piece of motivation. If you're already powered by Wordpress, you can find the coding for the widget here. Brilliant.
Happy birthday, Em!
Sweet. A blogger who loves dictionaries. And the Harlot.
That's all. Carry on.
At one of these gatherings, my dear friend Stef asked, and I quote:
"So, are you guys like drug dealers? You can't sample your own stuff?"
Okay, I think that's how she said it, but at any rate, you get the gist. And then I started thinking about why it is none of the three of us has jumped on knitting up our own sock yarn.
There have been many skeins in this process that we've all expressed a great deal of interest in. We've redyed several colorways that have sold because we liked them enough to want to knit socks with them. I carried around Sonrisa for days before I realized I should probably put it up on the site instead of hoarding it.
So why not? We could certainly benefit from having pictures of our finished yarn as socks or some such as "shop samples". All yarn stores do this sort of thing. I personally would love to wear some of the insanely bright things I've dyed. I don't care if you could see my feet from Jupiter - I love bright colors.
Again, I thought to myself in the shower, while doing dishes, and sitting there next to Stef and Em and Jess on Wednesday, why not?
Seriously? Well, actually it's not serious, it's rather silly.
I'm a 401(K)nit Stasher. I have more sock yarn than I need finished socks or than I could reasonably give away (finished socks). Okay, I'm not as well stashed as this nice lady, but give it time. If I am really jonesing to cast on another pair of socks, I can stash dive, or crawl through Ravelry and find something that inspires me. All of my stash makes me want to cast on - that's why I bought it - so often it's a matter of keeping myself from casting on like a crazy person.
Our sock yarn has a whole different feel to me. The creative process is in the dyeing so when a colorway finishes drying, that is a finished object to me. After that, it's up to someone else to take the baton and move the yarn through to the knit-up object phase. I wonder if it feels this way to yarn store owners? Or spinners? Or the folks herding and shearing the sheep?
Really, though, it's a matter of time until I succumb to some lovely skein or other. Our newest base yarn is just fantastic. I think it would compare to Lorna's Laces in plied texture and fineness, but smoother and tighter. It doesn't get all loopy like 100% merino as you dye and dry. When I have a chance, believe me, you'll see what I'm capable of. Vanilla socks, of course, but something fun color-wise. Clown vomit, maybe.
Just a couple more things...
Check out the widget on this sidebar. Usable only in Wordpress, but how totally cool anyway! Okay, so I'm considering switching to Wordpress and establishing my own domain name and this is just one more piece of motivation. If you're already powered by Wordpress, you can find the coding for the widget here. Brilliant.
Happy birthday, Em!
Sweet. A blogger who loves dictionaries. And the Harlot.
That's all. Carry on.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Yarn Harlot (W)rides Again
First, you should know, I have no idea what I plan to do with post. Mostly, I feel like writing.
A while back, I was fortunate enough to get an interview with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, which was posted here. Okay, so that site is run by my husband, Joe, and his business partner and good friend, Dan, and occasionally I feel like I should contribute to new content, as that helps keep the numbers running. A little bit like new blog posts, though I can't say that I'm very good at that on my own. Their site is a bit more of a geek site and a whole not-a-lot of the knittery, so I tried to keep the interview about writerly, and geeky, stuff. It was fun. And terrifying.
She (the Yarn Harlot) is on tour again. Right now, as we speak, she's probably (smartly) getting some zzz's in a comfy Seattle hotel. The place she was to appear this evening, Third Place Books, is a top-rate independent used and new bookstore that has way more to it than just books and magazines. I mourn my lack of residence in my home town on nights like tonight, although if I were several years younger and unleveraged by a young child I would have made a bonsai trip up and back just to be there.
I have this wild idea that I might have a few more questions to ask the illustrious Harlot. Wisely, we haven't contacted her with such flights of fantasy because I have yet to read the latest book. I know, I'm a bad little fan. But if I were honest, I would have to admit that, English Literature near-degree not withstanding, I don't read much anymore. Knitting books are great - most of the words are about patterns or techniques - but not this most recent of YH endeavors. No, Free-Range Knitter is ". . . a sort of David Sedaris-like take on knitting--laugh-out-loud funny most of the time and poignantly reflective when it's not cracking you up." according to Library Journal. Essays. Oh crappers, I'd have to actually think while reading. Having at least some familiarity with YH's personal style I'm sure that means not only funny, but thoughtful, intelligent, conscious writing. Yup, too brainy for this momma.
Well, not really. I should give myself a tiny ounce of credit - I did used to read smart books. The list of things I read and absorbed at University is pithy, and I still own every bleeding tome. But that part of my life, and my brain, seem to be on hold for at present. I am present, but in a different way.
I don't know if this means I will try down the road a bit to read the book and then ask for an interview, or if I should just bag the idea altogether. The woman writes darn well on her own. And she would choose to fly over any other super power. How can you top that?
A while back, I was fortunate enough to get an interview with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, which was posted here. Okay, so that site is run by my husband, Joe, and his business partner and good friend, Dan, and occasionally I feel like I should contribute to new content, as that helps keep the numbers running. A little bit like new blog posts, though I can't say that I'm very good at that on my own. Their site is a bit more of a geek site and a whole not-a-lot of the knittery, so I tried to keep the interview about writerly, and geeky, stuff. It was fun. And terrifying.
She (the Yarn Harlot) is on tour again. Right now, as we speak, she's probably (smartly) getting some zzz's in a comfy Seattle hotel. The place she was to appear this evening, Third Place Books, is a top-rate independent used and new bookstore that has way more to it than just books and magazines. I mourn my lack of residence in my home town on nights like tonight, although if I were several years younger and unleveraged by a young child I would have made a bonsai trip up and back just to be there.
I have this wild idea that I might have a few more questions to ask the illustrious Harlot. Wisely, we haven't contacted her with such flights of fantasy because I have yet to read the latest book. I know, I'm a bad little fan. But if I were honest, I would have to admit that, English Literature near-degree not withstanding, I don't read much anymore. Knitting books are great - most of the words are about patterns or techniques - but not this most recent of YH endeavors. No, Free-Range Knitter is ". . . a sort of David Sedaris-like take on knitting--laugh-out-loud funny most of the time and poignantly reflective when it's not cracking you up." according to Library Journal. Essays. Oh crappers, I'd have to actually think while reading. Having at least some familiarity with YH's personal style I'm sure that means not only funny, but thoughtful, intelligent, conscious writing. Yup, too brainy for this momma.
Well, not really. I should give myself a tiny ounce of credit - I did used to read smart books. The list of things I read and absorbed at University is pithy, and I still own every bleeding tome. But that part of my life, and my brain, seem to be on hold for at present. I am present, but in a different way.
I don't know if this means I will try down the road a bit to read the book and then ask for an interview, or if I should just bag the idea altogether. The woman writes darn well on her own. And she would choose to fly over any other super power. How can you top that?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Betrayed by Sock Yarn
As happens every so often, I recently did a reorganization of my stash. It helps me get a clear picture of what holes I have in my stash, and what projects I bought yarn for that maybe I've forgotten about. I also get to play with color, which is fun and enlightening. Oh, and who doesn't love the manhandle a whole bunch of cushy, sweet-smelling wool?
I found out two things about myself in my last yarn reorg that I thought I'd share:
1. I am a fetishist. Can you see a common thread in those colorways above? The same can be seen in the bin where I keep my greens, blues and purples. I like particular color combos and tend not to deviate from them very widely. This is not good news for our dyeing.
2. I like pink. Wait, what? I've told people outright (Emily, I can hear that smirk all the way over here) that I hate pink. I used the word hate. That's a pretty strong word, right? Well, I stand contradicted.
If anyone would like to find out just how OCD I am about sock yarn and particular colorways, you can check out my stash on Ravelry. The whole thing should be up there, as I've found it to be an excellent dose-of-reality tool. Here's the link.
We've been dyeing away in anticipation of our Ravelry ads going up. Here's a sample of what we've come up with in the last week or so:
We've been working with a new wool and nylon blend sock yarn that is absolutely fabulous. Nicely plied, very soft, very little halo (unlike some of the other wool/nylons we've worked with) and takes dye like a sponge. I can't wait to see how it knits up.
Here's a bit of a laugh to end with, especially if you're a Trekkie.
I found out two things about myself in my last yarn reorg that I thought I'd share:
1. I am a fetishist. Can you see a common thread in those colorways above? The same can be seen in the bin where I keep my greens, blues and purples. I like particular color combos and tend not to deviate from them very widely. This is not good news for our dyeing.
2. I like pink. Wait, what? I've told people outright (Emily, I can hear that smirk all the way over here) that I hate pink. I used the word hate. That's a pretty strong word, right? Well, I stand contradicted.
If anyone would like to find out just how OCD I am about sock yarn and particular colorways, you can check out my stash on Ravelry. The whole thing should be up there, as I've found it to be an excellent dose-of-reality tool. Here's the link.
We've been dyeing away in anticipation of our Ravelry ads going up. Here's a sample of what we've come up with in the last week or so:
We've been working with a new wool and nylon blend sock yarn that is absolutely fabulous. Nicely plied, very soft, very little halo (unlike some of the other wool/nylons we've worked with) and takes dye like a sponge. I can't wait to see how it knits up.
Here's a bit of a laugh to end with, especially if you're a Trekkie.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Pile It On!
I would love for there to be a good time to do things like oh, start a business. But apparently, I get to test the waters of several pools all at once.
Black Trillium is getting noticed here and there. It seems we're dyeing as fast as we can, but the real work is in all the setup. I'm so thankful to have gotten the orders we've received thus far, and I'd love for us to keep moving forward.
I've also finally gotten an actual writing credit at my husband's website. Check out this review I wrote about Eagle Eye, Shia LaBeouf's new flick. I did a couple other interviews for the site a while back, and now I finally get an official credit for them!
Can you tell I'm not shy about self-promotion? I figure if people come back for more, then you're doing a good job and doing a good job dyeing and writing is what I think is important.
OFFF is this weekend, and I think we'll be taking my mother and checking out the animals with my son, and the sock yarn for me. I'd love to have a booth there next year, and at Sock Summit 2009, if possible.
More yarn pr0n:
Black Trillium is getting noticed here and there. It seems we're dyeing as fast as we can, but the real work is in all the setup. I'm so thankful to have gotten the orders we've received thus far, and I'd love for us to keep moving forward.
I've also finally gotten an actual writing credit at my husband's website. Check out this review I wrote about Eagle Eye, Shia LaBeouf's new flick. I did a couple other interviews for the site a while back, and now I finally get an official credit for them!
Can you tell I'm not shy about self-promotion? I figure if people come back for more, then you're doing a good job and doing a good job dyeing and writing is what I think is important.
OFFF is this weekend, and I think we'll be taking my mother and checking out the animals with my son, and the sock yarn for me. I'd love to have a booth there next year, and at Sock Summit 2009, if possible.
More yarn pr0n:
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Ways of Movement
Five years ago, I moved from one coast to the other to live with my best friend while her husband went overseas. We kept her business going until we could sell it - a full week before she had her first child. Now, her second child is about to have her first birthday and the business we sold is officially closing its doors because the new(er) owner hasn't been able to make it work.
Four years ago, I had my own first child. Today, he had his first full day of mom-free preschool. He was excited to see me when I came to pick him up, but he wasn't phased that I hadn't been there for several hours.
Three years ago, we moved back to the coast we belong on. My husband and I moved our family back here without a job to come to or a home to live in, but we found work immediately and we're definitely happy to be settle in our community of fantastic liberals, knitters, and pirates.
Two years ago, I started working outside the home for the first time since I had my son. I have never been so happy in a job. This spring, I had to leave that job because everything had changed about being there. I still don't know if I want to go back to a similar job.
One year ago, plus a couple months, I started going to Knit Night at a fabulous little place I happened to find in an internet search for a yarn that I never got around to buying. Now, I'm quite pleased to say, several of us that have gotten to know each other through knitting together have decided to go out on our own and start dyeing yarn.
There is nothing constant, eh?
You can find us here.
Four years ago, I had my own first child. Today, he had his first full day of mom-free preschool. He was excited to see me when I came to pick him up, but he wasn't phased that I hadn't been there for several hours.
Three years ago, we moved back to the coast we belong on. My husband and I moved our family back here without a job to come to or a home to live in, but we found work immediately and we're definitely happy to be settle in our community of fantastic liberals, knitters, and pirates.
Two years ago, I started working outside the home for the first time since I had my son. I have never been so happy in a job. This spring, I had to leave that job because everything had changed about being there. I still don't know if I want to go back to a similar job.
One year ago, plus a couple months, I started going to Knit Night at a fabulous little place I happened to find in an internet search for a yarn that I never got around to buying. Now, I'm quite pleased to say, several of us that have gotten to know each other through knitting together have decided to go out on our own and start dyeing yarn.
There is nothing constant, eh?
You can find us here.
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