Dyeing silk caps

The dyed caps before fixing

Dry and catching on everything they touch! Predrafted and extra drafted

Singles

I thought I'd have a go at dyeing and spinning some silk caps which I bought a while back. I already tackled some silk hankies a few months ago and got on pretty well with them. Well, I dyed the caps first, and when they were dry, I separated a few of the layers and predrafted them. These produced a rather lumpy yarn, so I resorted to completely drafting it into very thin strips. This worked better although there are a lot of slubby bits. I could only do this much before my hands were complaining. Pulling silk around is quite hard work, the fibres are very long and stick to anything they come in contact with. I tried wearing some vinyl gloves, which helped for a while until static built up and then they were useless. It must have been quite a sight, me shaking these lengths of silk about trying to make them let go.

Knitting wise, I've done a few rows of the third clue for the Secret of the Stole, and my mindless knitting sock has grown a bit. I'm using my new Knitpicks circulars, 2.75mm, for these and they are marvellous, the points are nice and pointy and the cable join is excellent. I was so pleased to find a supplier in the UK. I'm seriously tempted by the Options set.

I'm ahead of the game

My Secret of the Stole is coming along and I'm ready and waiting for the next clue. So far this is going well. I've been undecided about starting any more lace projects, but for now I'm going to keep going with those already on the go - this decision may change at any time of course!

Textured hat done

The hat is done. I knitted it top down on two 7mm circulars. There wasn't enough yarn to do a turn up brim, but that would have made it too warm anyway. It's very organic looking and very warm. I'm going to reserve this for the coldest days yet to come. This yarn isn't quite Colinette Point 5 but it cost a lot less and it was fun to make.

I made a start on the Kaalund scarf and then ripped it out and started over with a different stitch pattern and different size needles (3.75mm) . This is a variation on feather and fan and it looks pretty good I think. Strangely, the colours in this are very similar to the cushion - different proportions, but similar. I'm obviously going through a yellow, orange and reddish purple phase.

I'm more than three quarters through the second clue of the Secret of the Stole, so should be done in time for Friday's instalment. This design seems to be mainly stocking stitch with lace motifs, rather then allover lace, which means it goes quite fast.

Different effects

This is the completed first clue of the 'Secret of the Stole', the next clue was released earlier today. I'm using 3.75mm Addi lace needles and some anonymous wool laceweight I bought on eBay. I'm not using beads, I think that would be asking for trouble!

Pictures really are worth a thousand words. I'm still waiting to get a cushion pad, but here's the cover ready and waiting. The same fibre, very similar colours and each side completely different to look at. I really like the stripes, but the colour distribution of the second side surprised me with it's symmetry.

Finished objects

The bedsocks were done yesterday, the second short row heel went smoothly, so I'm a convert to the YO method whenever short rows are required. The first photo shows I'm more supple than I thought I was! These will be put to use straight away.

Dropping in to my LYS yesterday, I was pretty restrained, but this came home with me. It should make a pretty lacy scarf, maybe for a gift. If I can bear to part with it . It's Kaalund Classic Two wool in Guava. Each 50g ball has 356m. The knitted sample in the shop was soft and had lovely drape. I'll be looking for a pattern stitch for this soon. Further to my dilemma the other day, I cast on for the Secret of the Stole and have finished the first clue. I'm using some nameless mauve laceweight I have, I don't know the yardage, but I'm optimistic I have enough. No picture yet, but it's looking good. The long awaited cone of cashmere and silk blend should be mine tomorrow when I collect it from the sorting office. I missed the postman this morning, very annoying.

Decisions, decisions

I plied the green merino and finished up with 190m of roughly DK weight. I think I should have put a bit more twist in when I plied it, but I'm happy with it overall.

I've finished a sock with a short row heel which is going to be a bedsock. It's not a conventional bedsock, but so long as it's warm I don't care. Now to knit the other one! I've used short rows now and again, but never got on well with wrapping and turning in sock heels, I'd miss the wraps or drop stitches and generally mess it up. This time I used the YO method and what a difference that made, I wish I'd tried it before. The yarn is pure wool Jojoland Rhythm worsted weight on 4.0mm needles.

I've been driving myself nuts by getting caught up in a couple of knitalongs, the Secret of Chrysopolis stole and Secret of the stole - both lace projects and so far as I can tell so far, quite different styles. I signed up quite late for both of these and am frustrated that the yarn I bought is held up in the postal strikes we have at the moment. I really don't know why I should even think I can cope with two more lace projects, but the temptation to do both is great.

Slow going

I divided my shades of green merino tops in half and predrafted strips of the different shades before spinning them in a repeating sequence. I'll do the same for the other half, but I'll vary the sequence. It should be quite interesting when plied.

Sorry to say that not much substantial progress has happened with any of my knitting. I've been adding a few rows here and there. That's one of the drawbacks of having several projects on the go at once. The ripple cushion is the one with most growth. You can start to see where I changed yarns from the dyed and then spun to the spun and then dyed (the 2 or 3 inches nearest the needle). I was a bit worried that this singles yarn would cause biasing, but there isn't a hint of it.

This is definitely an improvement on the biased neckband I had before. I worked a twisted rib back and forth, so now I have a seam to sew. I'll do the same for the other bands too when I get to them.