stash knitting
February 15, 2013
little balls of leftover handspun yarn accumulate at an alarming rate
in an attempt to get control I’m knitting bags
knit loosely on large needles with attached I-cord trim and handles
over-dyed and fulled
mordanted in alum and dyed in lac and madder
fulled – first in the sink, then a full cycle in the washing machine and finished in a hot dryer
different wool breeds full more than others
lined with commercial cotton (from my days as an interior designer!)
you would never recognize it as the same bag
I’ve already started the next one
19 Comments
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So nice and positive. You turn everything into a nice adventure 🙂
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Guillaume – thanks, I’d never quite seen it like that before but you are right. Life is an adventure – might as well make it interesting.
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the basket full of leftovers is quite fun! throw a couple bare branches or seashells in it and you could use it as a dining room table centerpiece. the blues and browns of the preshrunk bag is so calming; the felting and dyeing process are magical and unexpected (unless it was an unintentional accident in the washing machine). has spring begun up there? we have buds on the trees and even some flowers here in the south; i love this time of year and seeing what made it through the winter.
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Love your color combos on the first one. What a great way to use up leftover yarn!
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Veronica – thank you, I love to see what happens with over-dyeing and a more overall blending of colours
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Anastasia – the knitting is very loose so it will felt and I put it in the washing machine to deliberately speed up the process. Spring is definitely happening, my Japanese plum tree is just about to bloom!
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there is something terribly appealing about the non-felted bag… there’s something i just love about those loopy stitches. darned if i’m any good at all about being practical!
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Velma – you’ve given me an idea! try knitting a small one in shifu, Aimee could do one in hanji.
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oh, YES!!!!!
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Velma – all the time I was accumulating the stash I didn’t realize how it would influence future work!!
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Very cool! Is that your own pattern or something I could find online? I have a whole cedar chest full of leftover yarn…
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Heather – I’m not that bright! the pattern is from an old Interweave magazine. I’ll try scanning it and send to you.
Myra – it is knit in diamond shapes and the stitches picked up as you go. you can adjust the size by casting on smaller diamonds. this bag is a little like origami, you shape it as you go. 2 good books with this technique are “Domino Knitting” and Knit to be Square” both by Vivian Hoxbro.
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These are gorgeous, Jean! The cosy is just what I need for my beautiful teapot. Must have a try although I’m not very good at knitting. I’m better at crochet.
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Lovely bag! I want one! Mail order? ; )
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Ali – I sell them in the studio but I’m sure we could work something out.
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I like how overdyeing with one colour makes all those different yarn bits go together. It’s a good thing to remember! Love your final result!
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fibercrush – overdyeing can be a life saver!
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oooh! that is one of my favorite things to attempt to knit. i love the idea of you doing that to try and reduce the stash, especially when i have a feeling it will still keep growing (happily)!
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Aimee – it is very satisfying, easy to knit in front of the tv, doesn’t need to fit and is useful in the end.
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