Back to the dye pot!

In the run-up to Christmas every spare moment was filled with craft fairs and preparation for them. My trusty dye pot sat forlornly on the shelf, and I was itching to get back to it!

Now that we're firmly in 2013, I have time to replenish my hand-dyed Perran Yarn stocks. Only a small amount of time, but regular. Here's the first lot for this year.

I've gone for more of the deliciously soft chunky baby alpaca. It soaks up the colour beautifully, so what better shade to go for than Teal Temptation!

The only downside that I've found is that this is an incredibly difficult shade to photograph accurately! 

I've learned quite a lot about GIMP from the last few hours spent playing around with hue, saturation, brightness, and contrast settings.

This yarn also looks fabulous when knitted or crocheted; for example just 1 skein of it makes my Tassel Stitch Button Cowl pattern. 

If you prefer something different but not sure what, take a look at the many options here on Ravelry!

It's addictive...

It seems that knitting is catching on in our household.

Here's my eldest daughter with the gorgeous baby alpaca scarf she finished this evening - her first ever designer knitting project!

I bought the yarn, needles, and pattern for her when we went to the KnitExpo last November, and she's finally finished it.

It's her first experience of ribbing, eyelet increases, casting off, and following a pattern. Quite a learning experience!

Job well done I reckon. Go knitter girl!

Toffee Fudge - yum!

Back in November I blogged about how I'd spent a great day at the KnitExpo in Exeter.

I bought some fabulous yarn there, including the gorgeous Wow! hand-dyed alpaca/silk aran yarn. 

It looks like Toffee Fudge to me.

The number of shades is endless and the colours are so vibrant. Just Wow!

How I wish I'd bought more of this. It's always the way...

Anyway, I got around to knitting it up - before a year has even passed! Will miracles never cease?!

The yarn is, as expected, a dream to knit with. The finished mitts feel just glorious on your hands.

I only have enough yarn for 2 pairs of these mitts, so go ahead and treat yourself before somebody else gets all the luxury!