Indigo Moon

As some of you may now, my dye area has been out of commission for a bit due to unforeseen circumstances so…I’ve been spending the bulk of my time weaving. 

Some towels in 2/8 cotton.  I haven’t woven towels for a few years and have been quite enjoying it….even the 500 strands that need to be threaded then sleyed

And this scarf was sent off to The Port Theatre in Nanaimo for display.  It was handwoven using my handspun yarns with hand dyed silk….then I heavily fulled it in the washing machine.  I really like how it turned out.

I think I need to wear my glasses when I take pics as most seem kinda blurry…sorry about that.

And some towels I just cut off the loom….

And some more….

So that’s how I spent the holiday season….how about you?

cheers

www.IndigoMoonYarns.com

Well on this amazingly gorgeous Spring day…I was inside taking photos.  R came over and graciously modelled some pieces for me.  These will be part of my submission for the Circle Craft Co op in Vancouver….cross your fingers that I get accepted!

Indigo Shawl handwoven  with wild Muga silk that I hand dyed with real natural indigo. (Also available as a scarf.)

This scarf (also available as a shawl) is handwoven using the merino wool that I hand dyed with madder roots….I so love the smell of madder roots cooking!..though no scent is left on the yarn, just a vibrant red brick colour.

This scarf was handwoven in the wild Muga silk and is also hand dyed with natural dyes - fusticwood, cochineal, indigo and logwood.

And this is a ruana handwoven using natural brown Rominey wool - it’s great worn with a belt too!

All pieces shown here are avaiable for purchase on my site at www.indigomoonyarns.com just click on “handwoven textiles”.

cheers!

What have I been working on now….hmm actually way to much to write down..so I’ll mention just a couple projects.
Well they aren’t really knitting projects, but they are projects with yarn.

The first project involved overdyeing a Ruana I wove in a natural brown Rominey wool a couple of years ago.? I’ve been wearing it but was a bit tired with the colour…I wanted a richer chocolate brown.? So yesterday I got the big pot out (24″ diameter) and decided enough is enough…stop the whining and dye it!?? Sometimes I forget that I can simply overdye wool garments and silk ones as well (though silk is a bit tricky since no matter how clean you think it is there is always some stain you can’t see and it inevitably won’t overdye!).

For those of you unfamiliar with a Ruana,? it is basically a poncho with a front slit.(you can definitely knit one too!)..so it’s kinda like a shawl that stays on your shoulders, and that you can pin to the side over your shoulder, wear like a poncho and belt it (just over the front panels not the back or it would be far too bulky) or when travelling use it as a pillow or blanket!….I’ll post photos? once it’s dry (it’s hanging around the woodstove right now).

What else…well I was talking about knitting a sweater a while back, started on a couple but my tension it too bloody loose…and I’ve bought more than enough bamboo circulars for now…I refuse to buy any more for a bit….one a week is just too much for the past month!? So I’m holding off on the fingering wt sweater.

I did do a bit more special dyeing with the sport wt.? Yes I know I don’t carry the sport wt any longer, but I looked in my stash and found 9 skeins of the sport wt in Blue Jeans - and since I was looking for a very very dark indigo blue colour for a trip I will be taking, I overdyed it….so that’s overdye project #2!? The yarn is a really really deep indigo blue (though I forgot one skein till the very end - we don’t need it but I felt terrible I left it out)…again I’ll post a photo when it’s dry.? The pattern I chose is Cable Love pattern…it will be perfect for me and easy to knit up.?

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?Though I had to do a reality check before casting on…I need this jacket/top for a show in April so there’s no way I can knit it up that fast - someone nearby will knit it up for me….I will however do one later in the colour I really want in a yarn I really want to use…but that’s a surprise for the future…you’ll have to wait on that.

That’s about it for now..and for overdyeing for a while!

Happy knitting!

The snow is finally gone and the propane tanks thawed so I was able to dye some silk and merino over the past couple of days!? Those of you waiting for Charcoal silk, will be happy to know that the silk is dyed and drying…so hopefully next week you will receive your order.

I have a few more West Coast musings - they are still drying and have yet to be named so it’ll be a bit yet.

The merino shawl I posted about last time is now?finished…I need to press it before showing you the finished piece….and I’m not to big on ironing so…

And within the next 2 weeks, I should have a new site with a new look.? The site has not been the easiest to navigate on (and thus not everyone that wants to buy yarn has been able to!) so I’ve approached a guy that has done work for me before and he said he’ll fix everything up.? If there is a particular site you find easy to navigate, or you really like the look of, please let me know? - I have to do a really simple site though so no flash, animation or music…it would be lovely to have, but not right now.

And the link for today is?http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/44.html? I found this amazing stuff…I’ll say no? more….

Please visit the website at www.indigomoonyarns.com and hit “Shop Now”….only a few more days left on the semisolid?merino sale!? Happy shopping!?

Well I just cut her off the loom!? Wow what a joy to weave with this yarn - so smooth, great tension is easier, the weaving was wonderful…thought I’d write a post before I go through PPW (post-project withdrawl).? The shawl is about a foot shorter than I wanted but that is ok? - someone shorter than me will love it.? On the loom it’s 30″x78″ - so a bit shorter by about 10″ under tension…but I knew this could happen going in so it wasn’t a surprise…though I was hoping for a Hannukah miracle (ie stretching the yarn out to finish to the correct size) …but the Universe likes to keep me humble?…

Since I still had warp left I grabbed a skein of Purple Posies and did a fabric swatch, this way the 2 feet of warp left wouldn’t be a total waste.? And wow! it looks far better than I thought it would!? That’s the thing about weaving, you really never know until it’s over…or as Laura Fry says, “it isn’t finished till it’s wet-finished.”

So all in all I’m quite pleased with how everything turned out, and can’t wait to twist the fringes and wet-finish.

As I was rushing (just a bit since I had scissors in my hand!), I looked outside to see if it was still light enough for my daily walk….and the name of the yarn came to me….”December Night Sky” - so that’s the colour of the warp and weft for the shawl!….”December Night Sky”…yes I know it’s January, but during all those snowy days and nights, that was the colour of the sky at night…..

Now off for my daily promenade!

ps And one more thing…the tape held throughout the whole shawl but broke near the end of the sample fabric piece…pretty good timing eh?

Here are some shawl pics:

It’s quite amazing….our normally temperate climate is getting a bit more snow as I type, and the snow from Dec 12 is still here….our little island received a dump of 24″ since then,? in the 60 years records here….that is the most snow we’ve ever had - and so early!? So with the cold and snowy weather my dyepots are still cold.? It has, however, ?allowed me to do other things that need?doing…but I’d really like to get some more Bombyx silk dyed in Charcoal - Syvia Harding really loves this colour and is working with it right now, so I was hoping to have it at 3BF before they reopen next week….stil there are many colours to choose from - and they have them all! Knotty in Victoria has some as well, though only a couple skeins of each.
I receive a lot of daily mailings - and would really like to share them with you - so I thought I would post a link each time, or most times, I post.? This weeks link is http://december18th.org/?please visit and sign if you are so inclined.?

Unfortunately there were no sales for Jan 1, 2, 3 etc …so no donations to make to Dhanna Metta Rescue Society…that is really too bad as I was really hoping to send them a check on their 1st year anniversary?- we’ll feature them again one month, and hopefully we’ll have some sales!? And the online prices were amazing since all semi-solids (until Jan 15) are 20% off - what a perfect time to stock up on some kettle-dyed yarn for that sweater or shawl you’ve been wanting to make for yourself.? http://www.indigomoonyarns.com/index.php

I? was happily knitting along at quite a steady rate, and had about 7 more inches knit up on my organic top…..when I realized they wanted SS 7 inches from the start not 7″ from the end of the lace…which is what I thought…..so I had to rip-it back…arrgghh! all those hours of knitting!? but it had to be done, otherwise the top would have been more like a mini dress…and that wasn’t the look I was after!

Next project - the sudoku tapestry - is at a standstill.? Tapestry is extremely slow going, and for the size of the panels I’d like to make, well getting 1/2″ done in 3 hours just isn’t cutting it for me…so back to the drawing board…I’ve got some other plans percolating in my brain…we’ll see what comes out.

And today (as soon as I finish posting) I’ll be working on this shawl.? It’s the fingering wt merino in the?new darkened colourway called….uh…I never named it before?balling it up!? It’s got shades of purple, blue and black in it ….any thoughts?? I’ll just be doing a straight twill as the loom is being held together by tape and I don’t want to get too fancy?in case the lamms and shafts break apart.? Last week?the loom was changed over from a jack set-up to a counterbalance set-up…and now I remember why I changed it to the jack set-up…some?screws are missing, cords?frayed, and hooks broken.? Last year at this time I changed it over, but never got around to ordering new parts…it takes quite a while to get them as the company doesn’t take visa and I have to send a check, after getting the total, clear across the country before they?ship out the pieces…and well with so much of a wait time, I get frustrated and move to something else.? This time the loom is at least taped together for a bit…depending on how?long the?tape lasts!

Here are the shawl pics:

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Now off to weave…have a great weekend and don’t forget to check out the?kettle-dyed merino on sale ?

http://www.indigomoonyarns.com/index.php

Namaste

Well it?has finally stopped snowing!? We lost our power for about 18 hours - other than that it has been a quiet and creative time.?

The pipe loom is up and warped for the first of three Sudoku tapestries.? I was initially going to knit a blanket in this pattern, but after a bit thought…and lots of stocking stitch on the top I’m knitting now…I realized that stocking stitch (or moss or anything that is row upon unending row!)..is best saved for knitted wearables such as sweaters, scarves and socks.?? I will be using the same colours as shown earlier? - all natural dyes except the black - on a cotton warp.? I chose cotton since it is very strong and won’t break with the dry heat of the woodstove and electric heater nearby…linen is best kept damp.?

??Here’s a pic of the loom:

?It’s not high tech…but then none of my weaving equipment is!? This is a simple frame loom made out of steel pipe that is thick enough to take the tension of the warp - even a 12″ wide warp like I have on it now.? The tapestries will be about 11″ x 31″…I’m just getting started and can’t wait to be finished and mount them…I can see in my minds eye just how I want them displayed…that’ll be months away…so patience is the key.?

This pipe loom is an “Archie Brennan” design with bolts on the two vertical pipes used for increasing tension if/when the warp loosens.? The warp right now?is taut? (sp?)?like guitar strings.? I was going to use Gert (a pic of her below in case I never posted one earlier) but thought?that much tension on just the middle foot of the warp beams could cause trouble?over months?…plus I wanted her free to accommodate more weaving.

Here she is:

And here is the certified organic merino wool I wove into a scarf at 15epi…unfortunately I ran out of warp (it’s been a while!) and the scarf is shorter than intended.? The beat is good and the edges straight, Gert really is a great loom to weave on…she’s slow to use, but the ergonomic benefits and the ease of weaving…make her a joy to use …though don’t?mention that to Col, she feels left out when I talk about her sister that way…..I love Col too - she’s the Leclerc I posted last time- she’s great for faster weaving and longer warps….every loom has her pros:-D

Here’s the scarf:

Yes I realize it looks like the other scarf…but it’s actually not…and I know how you all love pics:-D

Happy Solistice everyone!

And please remember to check back for the January specials by the end of the week - 10% of all online purchases will be donated to a local rescue organization (can’t remember the name).

www.indigomoonyarns.com? and click “shop now”

Well we are still snowed in…though the sun is trying to peek through the clouds.? No one is really moving around on this little island, so it’s a good time to create.? The dyepots are empty but the knitting needles are full of projects…and so are the looms.?? I wove off a scarf which is too long and way too dense…I missed a calculation and made a warp for?15epi rather than 12epi…but if I would not have made that “mistake” I would not be confident than 15epi is the wrong density for this yarn.? I just resleyed the rest of the warp at 12 epi - and took off the extra warp yarn rather than make it wider than I wanted - hopefully things will be perfect…and if not…I’ll weave off the cotton towels instead!

Back to the loom…and stoking the woodstove.

Keep warm!
www.indigomoonyarns.com click “shop now” to see all the yarn

If you have been following my blog, you probably figured this out even before I did that “Yes, I am one of you!”…I have succumbed to the black hole of knitting and now am forever changed.? This morning I was finishing up sock #2 (yoo hoo!) - just doing stocking stitch and some simple decreases - when I noticed I kept making mistakes…..ok, partly because I started knitting at 5 am, but I had enough green tea in me that I should not have been too groggy…what it was…….was that my mind kept wandering to the next project …and the next…and the next….

Oh, and to make matters worse, now that I know how nice this merino is to work with, my mind is reeling with weaving projects as well!? A few weeks ago I ended my 9 month sabbatical - I didn’t realize the significance of the duraation - but now I get it….9 months…it couldn’t be more perfect!? Nine months ago Gert came down and was packed away under the table and against the wall, and Col was jammed into a corner with all kinds of paraphenalia slung over her - boxes packed around her - she was obviously put away for the duration.? I changed my weaving lists to “no mail” and?immersed myself 100% in my dye work, with the intention of learning to knit by the end of the year…..Well without getting too?detailed (this is a public list you know!) I was working and learning full-time….I couldn’t be more immersed in my work!? Nothing else got done, even my garden suffered from lack of attention (well not total lack, but less than optimal).? It’s taken three weeks to get a functional teatowel warp on the loom…yes 3 weeks (ok I do have to work as well you know!)..for 3 towels.?

So now that I’m weaving again I’m toast!??It seems that my artist’s mind is back full tilt.? And it’s not chaos.? It’s wonderful how everything is coming together…another change with me is that I meditate every morning (well maybe not every morning the odd one gets missed…though I pay for it!)…and I truly believe that the meditation has calmed my mind - and my work has become even quieter and calmer than ever….it’s really wonderful.

Ok that’s enough talking now…I could ramble on and on…here are some project pics.

Here’s sock # 2 done this morning!

It’s not blocked (obviously) but it’s done.

And here’s sock#1, I had to rip-it back since the foot was not long enough (though I did follow instructions!)…of course?I neatly sewed in all the ends before I had to rip-it.

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And yes I know the colour is different….I get the leftovers for socks….you guys get the good stuff! (this is the clearance-priced sport wt)

Here’s a pic of a top I started in the organic merino wool …hmmm nice and soft and cozy.? The pattern is a?free download http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTsoleil.html?. It is designed to wear as a tank but I thought for my first project, since it is winter, I would make it into a top to keep me warm under a sweatshirt or sweater….plus any major mistakes on this, my first lace project, will not be a concern

And here is the yarn in skeins, ready to ball.

This yarn can be found on my site in the undyed natural colour only (for now) at http://www.indigomoonyarns.com/index.php?cPath=29&cart=vb0uj5bvq4m7rsa9htsfdlobf2

I?plan on?doing a Sudoku pattern blanket out of the sport wt merino in the Nature’s Harvest series ?(sorry for the plastic bags but I just numbered and bagged it before I realized I needed photos…I’ll take more pics as the project comes along).? This yarn can be found at http://www.indigomoonyarns.com/index.php?cPath=25? I’m using the sport wt for knitting the blanket, and am thinking about the fingering wt for some weaving …a tapestry (geesh could I do something more time-consuming!!!)

These sport wt yarns are not clearance-priced but if you decide to knit or crochet a blanket, I’ll definitely give you a discount.

Have a happy fibre-filled day!

www.indigomoonyarns.com