I didn't take any photos at the show but I thought you might like to see what I bought.
Two balls of Wensleydale Longwool in blue and natural, I've got a pair of mittens in mind for this yarn. I picked up yet another ball of West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply, this time in their Bullfinch colourway. Mick's really taken to his hand knitted socks so I thought I'd knit him another pair. I'm a big fan of West Yorkshire Spinners as I can just chuck the socks in the washing machine and they come out fine, they have some great colours too, and most of them can be mixed and matched so that you can add contrasting heels and toes if you so wish.
I've seen so many scrappy blankets around, made by knitting up left over yarn from socks, or from mini skeins, and I'd resisted the urge to start one myself but I've finally succumbed and bought myself both a pack of mini skeins and a single one, all from Rosie's Moments. I've got lots of yarn odds and ends in my stash so I've now got plenty to get me going.
The skein of yarn on the right is by Love Handyed in the Autumn Fallen Leaves colourway, it was in their bargain bin so I couldn't leave it behind, it will make a lovely pair of socks. The skein on the left is by Third Vault Yarns in the Oncoming Storm colourway. I bought a skein of yarn from this same dyer at Spring Into Wool last year and I knit my Dragon Scales Shawl with it, it was lovely to knit with and is so soft and squishy.
I've been buying hand dyed yarn for about seven years now so I thought it was about time that I had a go at dyeing some yarn myself. Professional dyers use acid dyes but I thought I'd start off with something which requires less equipment and is less harmful. Kool-Aid is a powder which, when added to water, makes a fruit-flavoured soft drink. Considering this has the capability to be used as a dye I don't think it's something I'd fancy drinking myself. I bought seven flavours which should make seven different coloured dyes and then I came across a stand where undyed yarn was for sale for just £1.50 per skein so I picked up two to practice on. I'm looking forward to giving this a go and even Mick has expressed an interest so I might get him involved too.
This year's haul is with a range of projects in mind so there'll be lots of new things started in the very near future. I shall let you know how I get on.
Hi Jo, what great purchases, I love all the colours you chose. I will look forward to seeing what colours you come up with when you have a go a dyeing, i bet that will be great fun, and what a bargain price too!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about having a go at dyeing for a while now and was debating whether to get acid dyes or food colouring to start with first but when I saw the Kool-Aid at Spring Into Wool it made up my mind for me. I'm looking forward to giving it a go.
DeleteOoh lots of lovely scrummyness there. I´m sure your fingers and needles will be flying with all those projects. I agree with you rather scary that you can drink the same stuff, don´t think I would. Great to have a go yourself, lovely to experiment and Mick is up for it too. Haven´t done dyeing as I am concerned about the septic tank and the amount of water, it was the same at the farm, but look forward to seeing your results xcx
ReplyDeleteI've got so many projects just waiting for my attention that I don't know what to start first. Mick usually takes an interest in things I'm doing but he's expressed an interest in actually having a go at dyeing yarn so who am I to stop him, it will be nice doing something yarn related together.
DeleteWow good selection, can't wait to see the results of the hand dyed wool.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to giving yarn dyeing a go. I think it's good to try something new and I'm quite excited about this.
DeleteThere are so many Yarny events these days, we're spoiled for choice.
ReplyDeleteYou've got some lovely yarns there Jo, I especially like the look of the Wensleydale Longwool, it's a beautiful shade of blue.
I'm looking forward to seeing the results of your hand dyeing, and no, it wouldn't be something I would fancy drinking either. X
There seem to be more and more yarn shows popping up every year but I couldn't miss this one as it's so close by. I had a red in mind for the mittens but I didn't like the shade they had in this Wensleydale Longwool range so I went for the blue instead, it's a really lovely colour and it has a sheen to it. Thinking about the Kool-Aid, I suppose food colouring is just as bad as that can be used to dye yarn too.
DeleteOoh, what a joy for you to visit a Yarn Show. We don't have any out here & you certainly picked up some great skeins of wool. Look forward to seeing what they become & I'd love to be there to see how the dyeing goes. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThere are more and more yarn shows popping up throughout the country, I'm pleased we have a few around here that I can visit easily. Spring Into Wool has a very reasonable admission too, just £5 whereas Yarndale has increased its admission fee to £15 this year.
Delete15 pound is a bit steep, but then most of our quilt show cost around the $20 mark, with a discount for us oldies (lol), but I'm lucky that I can at least get to one trade show for free. Maybe next year we can get to one????
DeleteYarndale has increased its admission fee year on year, I think £15 is a bit much really, especially when you're spending once you get in. It's a very popular show though so I'm sure people will pay it without much thought. Are you back in the UK again next year?
DeleteI have been thinking about having a go a dyeing myself for awhile so I will wait with interest to see how you get on. I was thinking more natural dyes from plants and such.
ReplyDeleteThe stand where I bought the Kool-Aid from had natural dyes too as well as acid dyes. It's certainly big business at the moment.
DeleteYour choices are great, Jo. Like you, I wouldn't fancy drinking something that you can dye yarn with! I'm looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to having a go at yarn dyeing. I shall be doing a bit of reading up on it as it's something I haven't done much research on.
DeleteI had no idea you could use Kool Aid as a dye, that's rather scary.
ReplyDeleteFood colouring can be used to dye yarn too, it's something you don't really think about when eating or drinking but when you realise how it dyes yarn it does make you think more.
DeleteThat looks like a wonderful selection - and that is really a drink? And it can be used to dye wool? Yuck!
ReplyDeleteI had some projects in mind this year before I went to the show so I was looking for a couple of specific things. I find it does help when you go with a project in mind. I'm glad that Kool-Aid isn't something I drink, it's really quite scary what these things must be doing to our insides.
DeleteI remember many years ago working in a shop when the freezer broke. We had to empty the ice cream into a skip but keep the cartons for insurance. My hands were stained for a week from the dye used in raspberry ripple. I have never touched it again. Love the wools you purchased.
ReplyDeleteYou have to wonder how some of the things in our foods were ever registered safe. I'll stick to using Kool-Aid for dyeing, not a drop will pass my lips.
DeleteI rather like the woo undied, my sort of colour. However I think it is great to add another skill to the list. The thought of that being a drink that I suppose children drink is scary !
ReplyDeleteGill
I like undyed yarn in it's natural colour too, it's interesting to see the different colours from different breeds.
DeleteI did see several advertisements over social media for Spring into Wool glad you had a good time. Look forward to seeing the end results of all your projects.
ReplyDeleteMitzi
Spring Into Wool seemed to be much busier this year than it was last time, word has certainly got out. One of the things I dislike about Yarndale is the hustle and bustle and these smaller shows make it easier to actually see the things on offer. It's really convenient for me being in Leeds too.
DeleteSuper goodies you came home with. WYS is one of my favourites for just the same reason - washing machine proof!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your adventures into dyeing.
I love WYS yarn and they've got a great range of colours and prints too. They wear well and it's always a bonus when they can be washed in the machine.
DeleteOoh that sounds exciting, I wonder how it will all turn out. Looking forward to having a look.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to starting some new projects. I think these yarn shows are really inspiring.
DeleteHow did I miss a local show? D'oh.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of Kool Aid to dye your wool. BUT if it's water based won't it just wash out when you wash your garment? Am I being silly????? Can't wait to see how your dying goes Jo.
It's a shame you missed the show, we have a few close by, we're quite spoilt. The dye has to be set, I believe it's done with heat in the microwave in this case.
DeleteYou've got some lovely yarns there Jo, all the best with finding nice things to knit. I look forward to seeing how you get on with the dying. One of the wool shops has had a session on wool dying once. Maybe one shop near to you have a course. At the moment they are doing a sock club £20 alternate months. £25 for a one off. I don't go, for me it's too much and it's a 45 min journey too. Some of the yarn included is hand dyed yarns. Cathy x
ReplyDeleteI'm quite looking forward to having a go at dyeing yarn myself and seeing what I come up with without the instruction, it's just a bit of fun really. There's lots of tutorials online too without having to pay for a class, though I know that some people find it easier if they're actually shown what to do.
DeleteKool Aid is something North Americans seem to love to give their children. They type you have needs a lot of sugar added to it to be palatable!
ReplyDeleteI used the green dye to dye my son's hair green when he had a Mohawk back in fourth grade. It washes out fairly quickly, so you might want to keep that in mind when you are using it on your wool.
Do you have instructions on how to make it colourfast?
I don't really know much about Kool-Aid at all, we don't have it over here. It sounds as if it's quite potent if it can dye hair. I was given an instruction leaflet with it but I must admit that I haven't looked at it yet but I believe you set the dye with heat in the microwave.
DeletePotent does not begin to describe it! I remember when my oldest was around 18months, he'd been given red koolaid by a neighbour when playing with their child.
DeleteWell, the next day he had the runs. I was terrified his nappie was full of red poop. Then I remembered the KoolAid.
I had a similar experience with Daniel when he was a toddler, he'd had red jelly and I was convinced he was bleeding when I changed his nappy. It's quite scary thinking what's in food and drink and what it's doing to our insides where we can't see it.
DeleteI can't wait to see how your dyeing adventure turns out.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be fun. I hope I can work out how to do it.
DeleteHa, I grew up on Kool-Aid and I'm okay...sort of. :) I haven't tried it for dyeing but I've seen it done and it can be really effective. I look forward to seeing what you do with it!
ReplyDeleteWe don't get Kool-Aid over here, as far as I know, so I jumped at the chance of having a go with it when I saw it. I think it will be fun having a go at dyeing my own yarn.
DeleteYou made some wonderful purchases. I managed to pop in on the Saturday morning. It was a great event. I shall share my pics on Friday. Look forward to reading about your dye adventures.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it too. I got there about an hour after it started and it was really busy but it calmed down a little after a while. I shall look forward to seeing what purchases you made.
DeleteOh wow some lovely purchases there, I must look out for this show next year. I am quite shocked to think that you can use cool aid to die yarn and it's sold as a drink! I can't wait to see how it turns out. :) x
ReplyDeleteIt's a very good show, there's lots of different crafts covered and some lovely things to buy. It's very convenient for me being in Leeds.
DeleteKool aid as dye is something I've heard of before! You got a lot of good wool, there. Yarn shows are fun for that aren't they?
ReplyDeleteI love yarn shows as they're so inspirational and it's good to be able to compare so much yarn side by side as it were. Spring Into Wool showcases lots of different yarny crafts so that's good too.
DeleteGlad you took the photos to show us your purchases. Love that autumn leaves one can quite understand why you didn't want to leave it behind.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting that you're going to have a go at dyeing your own yarn. I think it will be a really fab thing to do together.Looking forward to seeing the results!
Lisa x
I think the Autumn Leaves yarn will look lovely in a pair of socks. I'm looking forward to having a go at yarn dyeing, we just need to find some time together to give it a go.
Deleteoh - thanks for reminding me that I have some kool aid stashed somewhere too. I'd never make it into the real thing by looking at the obscene amount of sugar one needs to add to it for a drink! I think I've probably had it for 2 plus years too! Love all your wool purchases.
ReplyDeleteYou must give yarn dyeing a go with your Kool-Aid too, we can share and compare the end results. I think it's going to be a lot of fun.
DeleteHow exciting! I've always wanted to give dying my own yarn a go & even purchased a book about it last year (Hand Dying Yarn & Fleece). I haven't yet had the time to try it and it will likely be a while, especially with the gardening season just beginning. I will love hearing about your experience dying your own - it may just inspire me to give it a go sooner.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how successful my attempts at dyeing will be but it will be fun to give it a go. I know there's different techniques so I should really read up a bit before I start, I know there's quite a few tutorials on You Tube so I might start there.
DeleteSome lovely wool here, looking forward to hearing more about the dyeing process and seeing how the blanket evolves.xxx
ReplyDeleteI've been holding off starting a blanket but there's so many lovely mini skeins and my own little stash of leftovers is building up so I can't resist any longer.
DeleteYou got some very nice purchases. I like the colours too.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing more about the dyeing.
All the best Jan
I'll be sure to report back once I've had a go at dyeing, I think it's something which quite a few people are interested in hearing about.
DeleteI love that Oncoming Storm colourway - can't wait to see that knitted up. Will it be another shawl, do you think?
ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to seeing your first dyeing project. Kool-Aid is so easy to use, and so much fun :)
I really enjoyed knitting with the Third Vault Yarns I've had before so I'm looking forward to using the Oncoming Storm colourway. I'm not sure what it'll be at the moment, perhaps I can team it with something else and make a larger shawl, or perhaps even a garment. I'd been wondering whether to just dive in with the acid dyes but when I saw the Kool-Aid for sale I realised it made sense to give that a go first, especially as it was so cheap too.
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