Dyeing Class

Ok, I've had some sleep, my feet don't feel like lead bricks anymore... I can write a little more about this class.

I should preface this by saying I had a good time. BUT...

I was a little disappointed. I really don't feel like the class was worth what I paid for it. My disappointment started very early in the day when we were locked out of the building and had to wait for someone to let us in. Then, we spent a very long time setting everything up. I really felt that since I was paying money for this, everything should have been set up long before we got there. I mean really - I was lifting 400 pound tables (that shit was HEAVY!) and carrying stuff out of the instructor's car. The class was supposed to start at 9, but I think with the getting locked out and the set up, we didn't start doing anything until 10.

Then the class itself....
I don't feel like I learned anything. I felt like the instructor said "here's the dye, have at it." and that was it. She talked about different kinds of dye, she gave us a bunch of handouts that she downloaded off the internet (I could have done that at home), she showed us how to mix some of the citric acid presoak stuff, and I mixed some dye - but again, I could have read all that on the internet. I wanted her to show us different dyeing techniques, I wanted to see how to use a warping board, I wanted to make self striping yarn on purpose instead of by accident - there was none of that. It was "here's a paint brush, go paint your yarn." Then she wandered around the room and said "oh pretty colors" a lot.

I enjoyed painting my yarn, I enjoyed meeting new people, but I don't feel like I learned anything.

Oh... and where is my yarn? She still has it. She called and said to pick it up today, then she called and said pick it up tomorrow. So, I am picking it up tomorrow. I'm a little worried because I know that some of my dye leaked. (Another complaint - they said to bring a roll of paper towels. They should have said bring several rolls of paper towels. I ran out very quickly - so I did not do a good job of getting rid of excess dye.) So, I'm not sure if there is going to be blue dye all over my yarn or not. Hopefully the other packs of yarn were wrapped well enough to keep out the leaks.

Ok... enough complaining!

Sheep and Wool is in 2 days! Hoorah!!!! Actually, in 15 minutes I can say "Sheep and Wool is TOMORROW!!!"

I have been knitting a bit.



I'm plugging along on Calla. I hadn't worked on it in a few days, but went back to it at work this evening. There are soooo many mistakes on this little band of yarn. So, I think this will be the back! If it's in the back, I won't be able to see where messed up, right? I'm learning though... I am writing myself little notes to remind myself where I am in the pattern so I'm not confused when I pick it up again. That's one of my big problems with any knitting I do - I forget where I am a lot!

Oh course I've also got a sock on the needles...
Sorry for the blurry pictures. This is Elfine sock in my fabu Lime Fire Colorway from Spunky Eclectic.

I love how the stripes look on the back. (the sole)
There has been some contemplation about ripping these out and just doing a plain old toe up sock with no lacy pattern. Can't decide. I am open for suggestions and opinions.

Hey! Guess what!!!
Sheep and Wool is TOMORROW!!!


Morty is waiting for us!!!