Saturday, March 30, 2013

Dyeing part 4

Ok - here I go again. Trial Number Four.

Wrapped my drying rack in plastic.

Making small hanks for dying

Each hank will be dyed a progressively darker color.

Wrapped and ready microwave - steam

After steaming

Rinsed and lightly wash to get out all the excess dye.

Separated back to the original hanks to dry.

Tomorrow - this will be knit into another soaker. I think this is the way to go.

Dyeing part 3

In my quest to get what I want in a dye job I moved onto attempt 3.

I had a soaker already made in bare wool so I tried my

hand at painting directly to the garment.

Soaking in vinegar and water

Garment is weighted down so it stays continually in the water.

Color left over from 1st dyeing.

Darkest bottle is applied to leg cuffs and crotch area.

After steaming in the microwave.

Nice color but that's because my camera is finicky.

Partially dry.

Finished product. I wanted more gradation from light to dark but it's ok.

I think I should have started with stronger dye stock.

Thrift Stores Along the Mohawk

I LOVE going to thrift stores, finding that bargain, a feeling a satisfaction, but my schedule doesn't make much time for it. Never the less, I still try to stop in to one once in a while.

Money Matters: Holiday shopping at thrift stores can lead to merry bargains

I Love the Mohawk Valley: Wink and The Clinton Coffee Cup

New York Thrift Shops - that's correct, the entire state of NY.

NEW 2 U Thrift Store

CNY Veterans' Outreach Center and Parkway Senior Center
726 Washington Street Utica NY 315-724-6600

Mon & Fri 10 - 3; Tues & Thurs 10 - 2 Wed 9 - 3
All proceeds benefit Veteran and Senior Program

The Walk-In Closet on Facebook

8010 State Rt. 12 Barneveld, NY 315-896-2050

Wed 10-4; Thurs 10-6; Fri 10-4; Sat 11-3
Consignment Shop

Revolve Consignment Shop

2051 Madison Street Rome, NY 315-336-7467
open daily 11-3 - call for summer hours

Wink and the Clinton Coffee Cup

11 ½ W. Park Row in the village of Clinton
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday

Salvation Army

Rome 1184 Erie Boulevard West
Utica
Ilion

Bittersweet Pines Pre-Owned
4900 State Route 233
Westmoreland, NY 13490

Comin' Around Again
101 Mohawk Street
Herkimer, NY 13350

Cornerstone Consignment Shop
68 Morgan Street
Ilion, NY 13357

(315)894-0477

New York Connection
163 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501

(315)733-8008

The Sellers Avenue
190 West Main Street
Ilion, NY 13357

(315)895-8929

Things You Like
6754 Martin Street
Rome, NY 13440

Phone: (315)339-5560

Thread of Life Thrift Store
100 Oriskany Boulevard
Whitesboro, NY 13492

Phone: (315)736-9956

Friday, March 29, 2013

snowman in august

(found this in my draft files - how did I ever not post this)

While visiting this summer Tyler decided to built us a snow man.

Thought you might like to see what a summer snowman looks like.

It all started with a plan.

Gathering snowballs.

Working hard.

Viola - Mr. Snowman - he kept dropping his pipe.

a happy little boy

Dyeing Wool part 2

My attempt at hand dyeing my hank of yarn was quite satisfying so today I am going to do the same colorway but this time with a finished product. This BETTER come out right.

gloves (didn't use them this time). acid dye - already knitted soaker.

(which wasn't the first one I used cause I got nervous - glad I did)

The pot for the water bath and the insert that the dye jar will set on.

soaking the soaker in warm water.

Note - how the soaker lays on the top of the water. That is because it is

hydrophobic and doesn't absorb water easily.

Another squeeze to work the water into the wool

You can see it is starting to sink into the water.

Entire soaker has been gently squeezed and kneaded to get all the wool wet.

Soak in bowl for about 30 minutes or until wool is thoroughly soaked.

If any part of the wool isn't wet it will not take up the dye.

Finished soaking and ready to remove it from bowl.

Gently squeeze out the water being careful not to stretch the fabric.

Glass Jar with 4 T. white vinegar, 3/8 t. dye and 4 cups of warm water.

Garment is ready to dye.

Garment in dyeing jar that has been placed into water bath.

Immerse one inch sections at a time.

Dye for 5 minutes then add warm water (about 2 cups) mix

Lower garment into dye jar.

Continue until entire garment has been immersed.

Remove from dye jar and rinse.

(for precise methodology go to Knit Picks tutorial as these are abbreviated instructions)

My first attempt is ok. The turquoise is darker than the photo and I don't have

the gradient that I want. So glad I did a test run before doing the garment

I really need to do for an order.

Ahhh - Good Friday and the county I work for gives us the day off. So, I have a lot planned.
First on the agenda - something needs to go into the crock pot for dinner.
Husband took chicken out of the freezer Wed night so that's a start and there is the other onion I peeled two days ago and the half a qt. container of diced tomatoes with garlic and basil. Let's see what else I can find.

Put in bottom of crockpot

1 large sliced onion
1 chicken breast - cut into 6 pieces

Mix together and pour over chicken.
some diced tomatoes
can of tomato past
can of v-8 juice (single serve)
2 cans mushrooms

top section of a bunch of celery - chopped
4 cloves - minced
italian seasoning
salt
pepper
some olive oil
and a 1/4 cup (or less) of some pickly type

juice with spices from some pickled peppers that was left in the fridge.

(If I had some peppers they would have gone in or fresh mushrooms)

Set on Low for 8 hours and over something -- pasta, rice, bread.

I love making a meal out of what I have around the house. It really gives a sense of satisfaction that I can do anything. Now we will see how it all tasted