Cottage Dyeworks

Wabbits

2013-03-25T07:42:00.000-07:00

We live in a somewhat suburban setting - the Clarkston Heights. There are select properties around us that have animals rights and the landscape is very lightly peppered with horses, goats, sheep and the occasional cow. The property I live on, however, happens to be just small enough that the Animal Rights Fairy skipped us - that and the fact that my husband and I rent our home here pretty much excludes me from possibly having my own fiber animals... or so I thought.

Then I got an idea. Angora bunnies are "Backyard Pets." And, they are not just bunnies, but fiber animals. I did hours upon hours of research and looking around for breeders and resources. And, as luck would have it, I met a breeder in my town who raises Satin Angoras. And, she just happened to be looking for a home for a couple of them.

We have a really nice landlord, and when we asked him if he had any objection to bunnies in the back yard, he said, "Go for it!" So, guess what I have now? Two sweet, fuzzy bunnies.

Here is Buddy getting his daily exercise in the pen:

And then it was Buster's turn - he's very active, and was running and hopping,
munching on grass and having fun:

Since I am a new bunny owner, there is lots to learn. Janie, the breeder I mentioned earlier, gave me "Bunny 101," which I added to my information banks from my reading and researching. It was awesome to talk to someone with experience, and she told me she'd help out with any questions that cropped up. Local support = awesome.

I ended up with two boys, which is good in one respect (no babies) and kind of a pain in another respect (boys get aggressive with each other and try to fight.) I started out with them in the same hutch, separated with a plywood board (to make one big cage into two.) That didn't work real well for the simple reason that they could hear and smell each other and "Buster" decided that maybe he could make it over the top of the divider (there was a 2 - 3 inch gap way up at the top) to make good on his macho threats to "Buddy." So, Buster ended up in my temporary cage while I make arrangements to get another hutch. Yep, I am learning as I go...

I have learned that Satin Angoras are not shorn - they are plucked. Their hair gets a thin spot at a certain point in the growth cycle and you can then just gently pull the hair and it pops off - kind of like a perforated piece of paper that you can just easily tear off. My boys have been plucked thoroughly just recently. It sounds odd, I know, but they enjoy it! As a result, their coats might look a bit sparse in the above photos.

After further research, apparently many experienced Angora spinners prefer plucked fiber to shorn fiber for spinning. Maybe it has something to do with guard hairs not being present in plucked fiber? If you are an experienced Angora breeder/owner, and you have some answers or input, please feel free to leave some comments for me below! I would love to hear from you!

I am looking forward to learning all about it. I can tell you this - their fiber is really, really nice. Approximately 3-inch staple, incredibly soft and has a really nice handle. As soon as my fiber sack is full I will start spinning. I can't wait.

Until next time, Happy Spinning!

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Spring has Sprung Batt Contest

2013-03-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

Spring has Sprung at Cottage Dyeworks, and to celebrate, we're giving away TWO FREE BATTS! Comment on this post with your favorite item from our shop and on March 20th we'll draw a WINNER! Make sure you subscribe to our blog so that you see the winner announced here and on our facebook page. Good Luck!

Prize Batts are: (2) Mermaid Blended Batt, a blend of super soft, luxurious fibers including rambouillet lamb's wool, merino, polwarth, falkland, huacaya alpaca, kid mohair, latte (milk) silk, tussah silk, mulberry silk, pulled sari silk, firestar and angelina for sparkle.

A Spinning Day in Pend Oreille

2013-02-22T07:33:00.000-08:00

I'm packing up a truckload of fabulous wooly goodness this morning and heading to Coeur d'Alene - staying with a friend, Shirley, who is new to the fiber scene (but wants to learn, muahaha.) We are all going to drive to the Pend Orelle Spin-in at Bear Paw in the morning and I will set up as a vendor. It should be fun - I am looking forward to a day of vending, spinning, recognizing some folks I know and meeting lots of new peeps.

I'm fully prepared for a weekend of fibery fun.

Oh... and the Etsy shop will be on vacation until I can get back and assess the current stock - at which time there will be a nice big update!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone - and stay warm!

What's Looming?

2013-01-11T17:31:00.001-08:00

I got a call today from a friend in Moscow, Idaho, and she had some exciting news for me. She has a floor loom that is looking for a new home, and... that home is going to be MY home! As soon as her storage door can get itself un-molested by snow and ice we will assess the situation and get this wonderful thing hauled to my place. Then begins a great endeavor - I am going to learn to WEAVE! Goodness. I am so excited!
I wonder what kind of mischief I will get into? Hmmm. Stay tuned and I will post updates of my new adventure!

Spin Job... Off my plate!

2013-01-01T20:06:00.000-08:00

Satisfaction. That is what I am feeling. Why? Because I have finished spinning the order for Red Ghost Alpacas. Take a look:

I'm not entirely sure I can fit all that yarn into that box! Where there's a will, there's a way. I'm packaging this up tonight and getting it ready to be mailed tomorrow, along with a happy grouping of Etsy shop orders...

In the meantime I have been hatching up (scheming in my busy mind) some new yarns that need to be created, along with some new dye jobs that are begging for a chance to say, "Look at me! I'm gorgeous!" I also have some photos to shoot so that I can get some new completed stuff listed in the shop. (An update is coming up soon.)

I better get back to work!

Happy New Year everyone!

Feather and Fanfare

2012-11-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

Every year, right about this time I generally have several knitting projects that I would like to finish before the end of the year and I cycle from one to the other with dreams of completion and productiveness. As usual, almost all the projects are gifts for other people. Right now I have a bulky "Adult Surprise Sweater," a beret hat and cowl set (my own design,) an afghan, a freeform crochet project, two lace scarves and a couple pairs of socks in the works. It probably sounds unproductive, but I find that I have to go back and forth because, although I dearly love knitting, I get tired of working on one thing for too long and I have to change it up. Hey, stuff gets finished eventually, right? However, one project in particular just lately has stolen my attention away from my other projects.

Feather and Fan. I know many of you have done this pattern before, but I hadn't until recently. For those of you who have not tried it - you should! For ratio of ease and simplicity to beauty this pattern can not be matched. It is so easy - I can easily watch a TV show or movie and never loose my place or make a mistake. If you can count to 6 you can do this. You have one row of shaping (yarn-overs or k2tog), then a purl row, knit row, another purl row and repeat. Easy.

Here is my project, a wonderful, soft and drapey scarf - I am using the yarn I spun on my Russian Spindle, which is spun from a BFL/Silk blend.

Also, I have recently been working on a SAPGAP order (Spin-a-pound, Get-a pound) from Redghost Alpacas in Beech Creek PA. I love alpaca, and Brenda's alpacas produce some wonderful fiber. Take a look:

The above photo is some gorgeous cria fiber that she sent me. These skeins were spun on my Babe production wheel.

My spinning wheel is whirring every spare moment to get this order done. There is a huge sense of satisfaction when I can present the owner with a gorgeous box-full of handspun yarn.

The Little Carder that Could

2012-09-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Cottage Dyeworks Smooth Artisan Batts

My carder has been working so hard that I should put an odometer on it. Literally! These are semi-smooth batts available in my shop and will spin up easily into lovely random colorways. I have been having fun blending some awesome colors (suppressing my own fiber-lust - I want to spin them all myself!)

Upcoming Event

2012-09-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

For all my friends in the Inland Northwest area: Come on out to the OPEN FARM DAYS + FIBER FEST WEEKEND, Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 29-30, 2012, at Sweet Pines Alpacas. I will be teaching two spinning classes (Beginning Spindle on Saturday, and Beginning/Intermediate Spinning Wheel on Sunday) - it should be fun!! They are planning a fabulous, fiber-filled weekend. Check it out here: http://www.sweetpinesalpacas.com/flyer.html

My New Treasure; The Russian Spindle

2012-09-08T00:26:00.000-07:00

As we coast into the Fall season, I am pledging to turn over a new leaf in regards to my blogging habits. I have been reading about marketing. There is a thing called the "blog update" that I apparently need to do every month (or more often, if I can.) Ok, so I need to share my fiber-y activities with all my blog-y friends, and do it more often. I can do that.

The first thing I will share is my happiness at having helped form a fiber group here in the Lewis-Clark Valley area. Finally. Yes, we have a fiber group here now. And, we are having fun. We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. If you live in this area (Lewiston, ID or Clarkston, WA) get in touch with me for more info!

But, now, let me redirect to the main subject of this post - my newest acquisition: the lovely and ever-so-graceful Russian Spindle. I never thought that something so simple could be so... enjoyable. I find the Russian Spindle to be very comfortable to use while sitting on the couch (or in a moving vehicle, on a friend's porch... virtually anywhere,) spinning in a little bowl in my lap.

I love how easy it is to spin very thin and even laceweight. I ordered mine from Tina's Angoras, a shop on Etsy. It is quite light - only 1 oz.

At first, I felt like I had about 6 left thumbs. You will drop it and it will feel like it just won't really spin when you first try it. The trick is to LET GO of it once you spin it. Simple concept, but easier said than done when you are learning. Once you get the hang of the "flick" and "spin" it is a lot of fun.

Here is a video of the famous Fleegle spinning on her Russian supported spindle.

Ahh, she makes it look so easy, doesn't she? She is a very graceful spinner, and I will admit it was she who first inspired me to try the Russian supported spindle. Thank you, Fleegle!

I am currently spinning up a BFL/silk blend that drafts smoothly and easily. This is one attribute you should look for in your fiber when spinning on a small supported spindle like the Russian Spindle. You are basically doing long-draw spinning. As you can see in the above video, you need the fiber to draft easily and smoothly. It needs to be well-prepared, and it needs to slip easily (no tangles!).

Here is the result of my Russian Spindle adventures so far:

BFL/Tussah Silk blend dyed by Cottage Dyeworks

When spinning, I pull off a length from the combed top - about a 6-inch length. I split that in half down the middle and take each half and I kind of fluff them up just a tiny bit. At that point it drafts pretty well.

It's just pure joy all plied up and wound into a skein.

I don't know yet what I will do with it - I am waiting to be inspired by a delicate knitted lace pattern. (Keeping my eyes peeled on Ravelry.)

That's about it for now. 'Till next time, Happy Spinning!

Available in the shop...

2012-04-26T14:51:00.003-07:00

Here is a sample of the fiber available at Cottage Dyeworks!

Lacing the Louet

2012-04-26T11:45:00.002-07:00

Have you heard it said (or maybe you have told yourself) that the Louet is not good for spinning lace weight yarns because of the strong uptake of the Irish Tension?

I have great news! You CAN spin lace weight on your Louet! With a bit of "creative tensioning" called LACING.

I spin lace weight on my Louet and it works like a dream! Depending on what I am spinning, I sometimes lace mine up to 5 times! Lacing helps tremendously. I have heard some folks complain about having to lace on the Louet - but I don't mind at all and I can get a fine control on the uptake. I can spin cobweb-fine on it.

Believe me, you can spin as fine as you possibly would ever want to on your Louet. If you run out of room to lace it down towards you just lace it back up away from you.

When you look at your flyer on your Louet, unlike some other types, the Louet has all the hooks on both sides of the flyer facing you (facing up.) Here is what you do: lace your single from side to side, kind of like lacing your shoe. Back and forth. You get more drag incrementally with each "lace," or with each "point," meaning each time you hook your single on another hook. Sometimes you will need to lace only one additional hook. Sometimes you will need to lace two hooks, or points (meaning one, and across to the other hook, then out the orifice). If I am spinning lace weight I usually lace over three hooks (back and forth over the top of the bobbin) then out the orifice. But if it is really fine lace I use up to 5 points!

Here are examples of how to lace up to 5 points (or hooks) if you are spinning really fine.

On my bobbin:

BFL / Tussah Silk combed top in the Royalty colorway from Cottage Dyeworks

You might have to get creative - just go with your gut feeling regarding how you lace it back and forth. If you have neared the end of your bobbin just lace it back where you have some room to lace. It really doesn't matter much as long as you don't let it strain (like lacing on a weird diagonal or something like that.) Just use your common sense and get creative - it is easy to control the uptake!

I hope that helps - the most basic Louet spinning wheel can be so versatile!

Have fun, and Happy Spinning!

This Year's Plans...

2012-03-26T11:20:00.001-07:00

I finally have my 2012 itenerary for events I plan to attend as a vendor. Better late than never, right? This year is looking exciting and next year's schedule to kick it up a few notches more! Check out my 2012 here.

After a Dye Session...

2012-03-11T19:28:00.003-07:00

A few Downton Abbey episodes, my collection of Jaquard dyes, a bunch of merino top and a dye pot - and here is the result! These will be added to my shop in the coming days.

I really "mottled" the colors in this batch. They will spin up a bit muted, and they will be just lovely - I can't wait to try one!

These are fun because you can just spin - nothing fancy, and do a 2-ply... quick and "brainless" and end up with plenty of color and interst in your yarn.

I also like to mix and match - spin a singles out of two different colorways then ply together. The results can be unexpectedly great!

An Alpaca-filled Weekend!

2012-03-03T22:14:00.002-08:00

What is happening at Cottage Dyeworks this weekend? Alpaca, in a big way. I just washed four alpaca blankets and threw in a Llama for good measure.

Alpaca is on the left and the Llama is on the right in the above picture - washed and drying.

Buttery-soft alpaca all clean and ready for the picker.

The same alpaca after it was picked. It is now ready for carding. I am putting some in my shop in case anyone is looking for some gorgeous soft alpaca to work with.

Big Shop Update

2012-02-29T22:29:00.004-08:00

I am seeing double from working on my shop all day. That being said, it is satisfying seeing the items listed after the hard work that went into them. Mosey on over to Etsy and check out my shop!

I have more to do as well - I have some nifty gradient yarns that will be listed soon.

Here are some photos:

I enjoy creating my gradient yarns. They are spun from hand-dyed Wool Top that I dye myself. Very fun and colorful, and they will be up for sale soon.

Shop is finally up and running!

2012-02-22T23:42:00.002-08:00

Well I am happy to announce that my shop is finally up and running. You can visit it here.

I have been busy dyeing and I have blue, green and pink fingers to prove it =) I have emerged from my dyepot as a phoenix rises from its ashes, and I hear a faint sound of someone asking "What's for dinner?"

Back to the real world...

You can view all these and more in my shop.

By the way, this wool top is a BFL, Corriedale and Merino blend, 24 micron. It is squishy, warm and next-to-skin-soft! At $11.50 for a 4 oz braid (plus postage) it's a great value.

A Scarf for Keri

2012-02-08T01:04:00.000-08:00

The other day while chatting with my sister, Keri, she let me know that she would like me to make her an infinity scarf. After discussing it for a while and pouring through some of the free patterns on Ravelry, she put her order in for a green and tan moebius scarf.

After digging around in my stash I found some Merino-blend wool top that was next-to-skin-soft and would work great for a scarf. A length of green and a length of neutral brown tones - perfect.

About 5 oz. all together, I pulled them into lengths of about 10 inches and planned to spin joining from color to color.

Once spun into singles I wound it off into a cake.

I then plied from both ends, producing a two-ply yarn.

I also did an auto-wrap with a pretty green sparkly thread - intermittently. Here is what I got:

I cast-on using Cat Bordhi's moebius cast-on. You can see it here.

It took me a couple days to knit - in and amongst everything else I was doing.

When I finished the edges I threaded little glass beads every so often - It turned out really pretty.

I think it will be warm and comfy.

Now to get it packaged and mailed. To the post office I go...

How to knit a two-color Brioche Stitch; Two-color Brioche Scarf

2012-02-07T23:43:00.001-08:00

The Brioche Stitch is a combination of stitches that makes a nice, thick, fluffy, squishy, double-sided fabric.

Here is a pattern for a 2-color scarf that is soft and very warm.

Two-color Brioche Scarf

Materials:

1 Skein (approx. 50 gr)/Yarn no.1
1 Skein (approx. 50 gr)/Yarn no.2
Size 9 circulars or double points (or whatever size you want to work with) - try a needle one or two sizes up from the recommended needle size for the yarn.

Abbreviations:

k1- knit one
yf - bring the yarn forward between your needles as IF you were going to purl
sl 1 - sip one as if to purl
yo before a knit stitch - lay the yarn over the top of your right needle. Make the stitch from this position
yo before a purl stitch - lay the yarn over the top of your right needle and bring it between your needles to the front. Make the next stitch from this position
k2tog - knit two together
p2tog - purl two together

Important tip: You always change yarn EVERY ROW

Pattern:
Using Yarn no.1 - LOOSELY cast on 17 stitches
DO NOT TURN WORK - Push the work to the right tip of your needle.
Using Yarn no.2 - k2 *yf, sl 1, yo, k2*
TURN WORK

Row 1 Yarn no.1 - k2, p2tog *sl 1, yo p2tog* until 2 stitch remains, end k2
DO NOT TURN WORK - Push the work to the right tip of your needle
Row 2 Yarn no.2 - k2 *yf, sl, yo k2tog* until 3 stitches remain, yf, sl 1, yo, k2
TURN WORK

Row 3 Yarn no.1 - k2, k2tog *yf, sl, yo k2tog* until 2 stitch remains, end k2
DO NOT TURN WORK - Push the work to the right tip of your needle
Row 4 Yarn no.2 - k2 *yf, sl, yo p2tog* until 3 stitches remain, sl 1, yo, k2

Repeat rows 1-4 until desired length, ending with row 4
Using Yarn no.1 bind off as follows:
k1, *k1, pass the 1st stitch over the 2nd, k2tog, pass the 1st stitch over the 2nd.*

Helpful Tips:

I would suggest you follow the pattern very closely for a few inches, at least until you get the yo pattern down. What helped me not have to rely on the pattern was this little trick, I've included pictures to help a little bit.

When this side is facing you, you can see the knit stitches made by the Yarn no.2. It helps to remember that you ALWAYS start with the Yarn no.1, and you don't turn your work until both yarns are on the same side of the scarf. The only other thing is that when this side of the work is facing you, you purl with the Yarn no.1 and knit with the Yarn no.2. This is Rows 1 and 2.

Now, with this side facing you, you can see the rows of knit stitches made by the Yarn no.1. When this side of the work is facing you, you knit with the Yarn no.1 and purl with the Yarn no.2. This is Rows 3 and 4.

If you are doing this pattern for the first time, choose two yarns that have high contrast, it makes it much easier to do. Be careful while knitting this, as it is hard to correct a mistake and successfully unravel your work. It would be a great idea to put in some "life-lines" every now and then for safety's sake.

Fun at the Insubordiknit Workshop

2012-02-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

We had a great, jolly time learning textured spinning techniques at the Insubordinknit workshop in Moscow, ID on the 28th and 29th of January 2012. We were at the 1912 building in Moscow - an old brick building that has been beautifully restored.

Here we are, gathered in a large circle, spinning wheels at the ready.

Jacey is such a great teacher - sound in technique and with a friendly, patient teaching style.

It was a thrill to watch her execute the spinning techniques that I have read about in her book, and we reviewed almost every technique in her book, Spin Art.

Some examples of her yarn:

In this Interweave interview, Editor Anne Merrow discuses Jacey Boggs's fascinating work with textured yarns in Spin Art:

She is a hoot and a half - she shared all kinds of stories with us ranging from cute to downright hilarious. The black sweater in the above photos is dubbed "The Sweater of Death" because... well... I will let you read about it here.

I would highly recommend Jacey's book and if she is ever in your area her classes are a real treat. You can find here website here.