Freshisle Fibers

Man Socks

Another pair of socks are completed and off the needles.  I loved knitting these.  Usually I'm tired of the pattern and/or the yarn by the time I get to the heel.  Not on these.  Even though they are huge man-size socks, I could have kept going.

The pattern is Escher Socks by Lorna Miser from the book, Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn.  It was an easy pattern to follow and mine were knit with 60 stitches on 2.75 mm needles.  I did add a k2, p2 ribbed cuff before I started the pattern.

The yarn is Cat's Pajamas from Lucy Neatby and is 80% wool, 10% cashmere, and 10% nylon.  I loved the yarn and the finished socks are very squishy soft.  Perfect for my dad's feet!

It might not be the best yarn to show off the pattern, but it was lovely to knit.  I was also a little worried about the yardage when I started.  The yarn band says 100 grams/328 yds.  I thought that the socks might have to be a little short or I would have to add another yarn for the cuff because I tend to think that 400 yards is necessary.  Amazingly enough there was lots of yarn for the entire project.

We still have cool weather and today we had rain.  I'm slowly trying to plant some flowers but the weather isn't cooperating very well.  I'm guessing we will still have at least one more frost, so I'm telling myself that the weather slowing me down is a good thing! 

Dye Plants

Every spring I consider the possibilities for new flowers for my flower beds.  Some of the flowers I choose are simply because I love them - like pansies and nasturtiums.  Some are for the hummingbirds - like fuchsias and nicotiana.  But most of the flowers I choose are for dyeing purposes.

 

Lily of the Valley is for a soft, lime green, Black Eyed Susans are for yellows and greens, and Marigolds for the strongest yellows and oranges.

I've tried both orange and yellow marigolds but didn't see much difference in the colour they gave and since I prefer the yellow flowers, now my marigolds are all yellow.  Hopefully these will be out of the trays and into the beds by the end of the weekend.

 

Coreopsis is for the best golden colours.  I haven't had much luck getting anything but a pale beige from holly hocks even though mine are a deep, dark colour.  Maybe this year!  Lady's Mantle is for a lovely yellow.  Coreopsis are one of my favourite dye plants.  I never feel bad cutting off their beautiful blooms for dyeing because they just grow more and more and keep blooming all summer long.

 

The Yarrow I have has beautiful red blooms and gives a lovely yellow dye.  Dyer's Chamomile has yellow flowers that yield another shade of yellow.  It also loves to be cut and will bloom all summer.  The Blood Root is a very precious transplant from a forest and I've used the roots very sparingly to get a pink.

This spring I'm looking at my beds and wondering if there is room for some Russian Sage. The lure of a blue dye is very tempting.  I don't think we have a warm enough zone for Indigo, although maybe someday I'll at least give it a try!  I haven't had much luck with Dahlias.  Perhaps they should go on my list again.  I love the planning, the possibilities.  We're making another trip to a local greenhouse this week.  More dye plants ahead!

Yard Sale Score

Saturday of the long weekend was yard sale day.  It was cold and rainy with super strong winds. Not the best day for cruising for bargains.  But crazy people that we are, we set off and did not come home empty handed.

I found two wonderful baskets.  They are in great shape and will hold lots and lots of yarn!  I filled them with yarn at one of the sales.  I purchased cones of yarn for knitting with my sock machine and some skeins that I suspect are Briggs and Little.  The wool is absolutely filthy!  But I know how to wash it and I think it will be lovely once that job is done.

I also came home with a box of little booklets filled with articles on dyeing and the history of textiles.  They are from the 1930's to 1970's, from Switzerland, and called CIBA Review.   I knew I would enjoy reading through them,  I knew they were old, but I didn't realize until after I got home and did a quick search on the Internet that they are also quite valuable!  Wow!

It's going to take me some time to sort through them and read all of the information they hold.  There are 146 journals altogether in as new condition.  From what I can tell there is almost the complete set from when the journal was first published in 1937 to when it ceased publication in 1971.  The more I read, the more I realize why they are so prized.  They are full of fascinating and well researched facts.  Real treasures.

So Far, So Good

I have these ideas.  Sometimes the ideas are completely ridiculous or unrealistic, but sometimes, a few times, the ideas work.

This one is working.  So far!

The idea was to match a specific knitting pattern to a specific dyeing pattern, to have at least two different colours, self-striping, and interesting knitting.  I sorted out the pattern repeats, I calculated the dyeing lengths needed, wrote up the pattern, dyed the yarn, cast on, and crossed all fingers and toes.  And wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, so far it's working and I love it!

I wore a hole out in the heel of my curling socks this winter and am in need of some new ones for next year.  My latest curling outfits are all pink and grey or pink and black.  My curling broom is pink and silver.  So these socks were also designed and dyed to be the ultimate curling socks.  To bring me good luck!

The yarn, our own Mixed Breed single ply, and the free pattern will be available once these socks are completed.

I am needing toasty warm wool socks and clothing.  It's not warming up very much here in the Great White North, and last night around 11:30 p.m. as we let the dog in and headed off to bed, there was white stuff on the deck.  SNOW!  Can you believe it???  I remember as a kid having the first swim of the season on Victoria Day weekend.  It's supposed to be warm.  I'm supposed to be able to wear t-shirts and sandals now.  I'm supposed to be thinking about starting to plant flowers.  Not a chance.

Manitoulin Island on Film

Warning. Another Manitoulin promotional post.

A movie review.  A must see.

Island of Great Spirit - The Legacy of Manitoulin

It is so well done and just full of interesting information about Manitoulin.  From native legends, actual historical facts, re-enactments to interviews and present day economics and development, this project has it all.

I thought I knew the history of Manitoulin but there were many new-to-me facts.  It's also nice to be able to select specific topics from the DVD menu and re-play certain scenes again.

Of course, it's always fun to see people you know in real life on film.  My mother-in-law does the interview regarding Misery Bay.  A cousin, two students I teach, and a friend have roles in different re-enactment scenes.

Fibery content returns in my next post! 

Happy Mother's Day!

We've had a beautiful day for Mother's Day here on Manitoulin Island.  A perfect spring day.

We journeyed a little further west on the island to Meldrum Bay for a wonderful Mother's Day dinner at the Meldrum Bay Inn.  My mother is on the right and my mother-in-law on the left.  We are so lucky, happy, amazed (I'm not sure what the right word is?!) that they are still both in relatively good health and with us!

I know it's all a matter of perspective because anyone from Toronto thinks Gore Bay is in the middle of nowhere, but I always think Meldrum Bay is the middle of nowhere!  However, it's definitely worth the  trip.

Meldrum Bay is very small, very quiet, very quaint, and absolutely gorgeous spot.  The Meldrum Bay Inn has had numerous owners over the years and the latest owners are doing a wonderful job.  The meal was excellent and I think those that stay at the inn must have an enjoyable and relaxing visit.

It's another long work week ahead but with the Victoria Day long weekend coming up, I think I'll make it!

Multiples

This week has been the usual busy, busy, busy, no time.  Tonight is our annual spring concert at school and that always means a little extra work, a little extra hyper kids, a little extra tired me!

When I'm extra tired I tend to 'waste' more time cruising the web.  Look what I found.

Multiple patterns.  Or very, very close. 

My own Watermelon Wedges Socks (September 2008). Sunrise Chevron Socks (February 2009).  Chevron and Feather Anklet Socks (Fall 2006).  Sock It To Me Toe-Up Chevron Pattern Socks (? date).

I hadn't seen the others when I did my socks and I'm betting there are more that I didn't stumble across.  It's a small world, made even smaller thanks to the power of the Internet. 

Edited later to add -

OMG!  I need to stop coming across these.  Ravelry links - Cobblestone Walk Socks (newer) and Ripple Weave Socks (older).

Copyright issues indeed.

Progress?

I've been knitting on the XO vest.  A few rows on most evenings.  I'm trying to stay motivated.  I'm trying to see progress.

Last night I reached the division for the armholes so I know it must be growing.  Now that the sections are smaller - the back, each side - I'm hoping that the progress will be more visible and the knitting will be faster.

There have been other distractions this past week to keep me from my knitting.  It's finally warm enough to enjoy being outside in the evenings and start cleaning up the flower beds.  I have one lonely daffodil blooming, with more to come.  It's a start.  Progress.

And I've been dyeing.  One of our orders from the mill arrived last week.  I've been so low on the Mixed Breed single ply that I've been only dyeing the self-striping with it, mostly watermelon and kiwi yarns.  I can finally start re-stocking the solids and dyeing new colours.  So much fun.  The dyeing has been happening, but it takes time for drying, re-skeining, picture taking, and updating.  Itty, bitty progress.