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This has been a week of organizing and re-organizing, packing and re-packing. And somewhere along the way I managed to do a bit of dyeing. I'm pulling it all together for Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend.
Who can resist Vermont in the fall? This event is held at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds in Tunbridge, Vermont. The Fairgrounds are nestled in the mountains - a very picturesque setting. While I don't expect the colors to be breathtaking after such a dry summer, I'm sure they will still be beautiful. If you're in New England, consider making a road trip. Last year we had an excellent turn out in spite of soggy conditions. I'm looking forward to another fun-filled, fiber weekend.
I finished les Abeilles.
Just in time to hit the road.
I made the smallest size, and already I'm plotting my next one only this time larger.
The pattern was straight forward and had a nice rhythm. Once I was in the groove this shawlette practically flew off the needles.
The yarn is Paula from Dirty Water DyeWorks; the colorway is Autumn Red. Paula is 100% Superwash Blue Faced Leicester. The yarn is durable, lustrous and blocks well.
If you're in western Massachusetts this Sunday, WEBS is sponsoring Knit and Crochet for the Cure. It sounds like a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and contribute to a worthy cause.
My color inspiration for the week is bright and cheery.
As the daylight gets shorter and shorter every day, it's nice to have an extra burst of sunshine.
It was a busy weekend with Dirty Water DyeWorks vending at Fiber Twist, an event that promotes local fiber artists. There was a little bit of everything - needle felting, rug hooking, plant dyed fiber, hand dyed yarn and wool fabric, ready made garments. It was impressive and inspiring.
I realized all too late that I didn't take many pictures. I do have this shot of the bag display in the Dirty Water DyeWorks booth.
These are project bags from Michele at Three Bags Full. Michele uses fun, colorful fabrics and coordinates them with clever linings. Each bag has a beaded zipper pull. The larger bags come with a small accessory bag. Stop by Michele's Etsy shop to see more.
Gail Callahan, aka The Kangaroo Dyer, was there with her beautiful hand dyed yarn and copies of her book, Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece.
Kristin Nicholas, the goddess of color knitting, had a booth with her books and more. Kristin is now offering patterns available in .pdf format. And she has some adorable sheep postcards. Be sure to check her website.
Woollies of Shirkshire Farm was on hand. Sorry, no website. They offer Coopworth wool both natural and plant dyed. If you ever get a chance, be sure to visit their booth. They have some beautiful colors. I fell for the pumpkin - probably because of the season - but could easily have selected any of others. The indigo is still on my mind.
On the needles . . . I'm picking up steam with les Abeilles.
I'm almost done with the hem and have made enough decreases that the rows seem to be zipping right along. Yes, that's another one of Michele's bags serving as prop.
Well, it's Monday and time to get organized. I'm on the road again this coming weekend.
Progress on my newest shawlette has been slow. I've moved on to les Abeilles. This pattern was recommended to me by more than one person, and I was anxious to get the project underway.
I had a couple of false starts. I started with one color that I love dearly but was sidetracked by another equally gorgeous one that I think will look stunning in this pattern. And then there was a slight gauge issue, but I'll spare you the details. So this is my third start with this pattern.
Third time is a charm, right?
My current run of shawlettes all started small and grew bigger. Les Abeilles is the other way around. I'm starting big and going small. I'm sure I'll appreciate that fact at some point, but right now I feel like I'm slogging through mud. Uphill.
The 6th annual Fiber Twist is this coming Saturday and is being held in Deerfield, Massachusetts at the Yankee Candle Company flagship store. Dirty Water DyeWorks will be vending at this event, and I'm really looking forward to it. While I worked many events for Dye Dreams, it's liberating and empowering when it's all your own.
The vendor line-up for Saturday is diverse and eclectic. I hope I can break away from my booth to see what others are offering. I'll report back next week.
Today marks the first full day of fall. It's no surprise that my color inspiration for the week is all about the season.
Green and red, the contrast between summer and fall.
Warm reds with depth and intensity. Is that the red les Abeilles yarn I see?
Happy fall!
Aestlight (Ravelry link) came off the needles and went right onto the blocking wires.
I love this part. This is when the magic begins.
You start with a limp, shapeless piece of knitted fabric that represents hours of work, sometimes mixed with a dose of frustration. You give it a bath.
Then you use wires and pins to shape and open it up.
It's like a bud blossoming to reveal its inner beauty.
The yarn is Bertha from Dirty Water DyeWorks. Bertha is a blend of 80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon. The colorway is Pixie, shades of green with occasional flecks of blue.
The blocking wires I use are HandWorks Dressing Wires. I can't recommend this company enough. Lisa, the owner, provides prompt delivery with great customer service. And part of the profits are given to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
I usually putter around for a day or so after finishing a project, searching out my next pattern. Not so this time around. Before Aestlight was even dry I had already cast on for my next shawlette. Next up - les Abeilles.
