Give a Craftsy Class for Christmas

Right now you can Gift Any Craftsy Class and save big while you're doing it! Want to give someone a Craftsy class, but not sure which one to pick? With our "Gift Any Class" cards, you can buy a loved one any Craftsy class of their choosing for $30! It has never been easier to give the gift of crafting fun!

Gift 1 Craftsy class for $30 (save up to $30)
Gift 2 Craftsy classes for $55 (save up to $65)
Gift 3 Craftsy classes for $75 (save up to $105)

Features
• Gifted classes never expire
• Give one, two, or three Craftsy classes
• Deliver on any date (up to three months in advance)

Giving handmade gifts? Use the super cute gift tag below from Craftsy on your gifts this year and let your friends and family know their gift was handmade with love! 
*Please note that you must register in order to print the Gift Tag below. 

Dorset Batt,

When I began this Dorset journey I had no idea where it would lead. Dorset was a new fiber for me to learn about. I have to say that I really like it. As I have posted before I went back to a colorway that I used a long time ago, but this time I used Jacquard dyes and was very please with how everything turned out. In fact it took the dye amazingly well.

 

So then it was time to knit. Since I have read and been told that Dorset is great for socks, of course that was the direction I went. I just wanted to find out what everyone was talking about. So on size US 1.5 circulars the test started.

 

The knitting experience was different. The Dorset makes a very solid fabric, because it grabs and clings to the stitches beside it. That makes a warm sock. To make gauge I did have to adjust the tension in how I let the yarn run through my fingers. After that, it was smooth sailing. The stitches are defined, close together and exactly what I was hoping for. Now I don't know if I would wear these in the Summer, but anytime it was chilly or cold, a Dorset fiber sock would be the way to go.

 

I had planned on just knitting one sample sock, but after finishing the first one, and enjoying the sock and it's fit, the second sock is on the needles as we speak. :-)

 

So I'm encouraging you to try some Dorset, I have several 4 oz bundles in the Etsy shop waiting for you to enjoy.

 

Dorset Batt, The Process I've Been Wanting To Share

A few months ago, Smoky Mountain Colors met a wonderful local woman who raises Dorset Sheep. We obtains one of her cleaned and processed batts and I couldn't wait to start spinning it. Here is a photo of what the batt looked like after I divided down to 4oz bundles.

As you can see it has a beautiful color, it's clean and a lot can be spun from 4oz. I've found it be airy and a little stretchy (which is fantastic for nice warm socks). Now I have to be honest and say that almost everything I spin has some silk or bamboo, or something in it to made it super soft. This is one of the few things that I have spun straight up, not blended. So with that said, I feel comfortable saying that it's a little softer that Lamb's Pride wool. If you have never used Lamb's Pride I guess it's comparable to Cascade 220 and maybe Galway.

So here is the next photo. I spin a little on the thin side, mostly fingering to sport weight. I spun this so that I could knit some socks since everyone has been telling me what great socks this fiber makes. :-) There is about 400 yards, 2-ply.

So my next step is to dye see how this yarn handles dye. I have changed the dyes I use and this gave me an opportunity to try out my new "goodies." Needless to say I was pretty excited about both learning how the new dye worked and seeing how the Dorset took the color. Let me insert a little side story, when I first started dyeing I did a colorway that I loved but sold it. So I've been looking forward to dyeing it again, and this was my opportunity. There is nothing like bright reds and yellows blending into a clean crisp orange, then that fading and then adding a touch of green and lightening it up to a lime so it will the blend into the color pattern. So here are my results.

 

Two days ago I started the socks and will have photos for you when they are finished so you can see how they look.

 

www.etsy.com/shop/smokymountaincolors

 

The Perfect Home for my Hand Dyed/Handspun

 

 

Many of you know that I have a real attachment to this year. I thought for days whether I would list it on Etsy shop or not. Well I did, and after a couple of weeks I am so happy to say that it found a good home. :-) I know for a fact that this yarn will be knitted into something beautiful, and will be well taken cared for. One of the things that makes this purchase so special is that it was purchased as a gift.

Now I have to dye some more roving for me!

Once I shipped the yarn and heard that it had been a huge success, it hit me that I wonder if other hand dyers and spinners out there get feed back about their work. I know I try to let the people that I order special yarns and roving from know how much I appreciate it and sometimes send a photo of a finished yarn or knitted project. Do any of you do that? Ravelry Groups give us a great opportunity to share our appreciation and photos. Next time you finish that special project, drop an email to the designer or dyer or spinner and let them know how you feel about the project. I am sure they will love it. Sometimes a kind word will make someone's day. :-)

Out Of The Normal

If I had to title the month of January, it would be 'Out Of The Ordinary " This truly has been a strange month. Our weather has had, let's say multiple personalities and even on a more personal level things have been odd. Here is one of them. Yes, the avid knitter is crocheting. I can't remember the last time I did a whole crochet pattern. I've taught it several times in the past few years but actually doing a project is a different story.

The pattern is actually part of the Kollage Yarns 10/10 kits. You get this awesome yarn a pattern and learn some new techniques. Pretty cool idea. The shawl that I am crocheting is the bonus pattern in the kit. Which means for you knitters there is the knit version in the kit also.

We've had a pretty good response to the kits in the shop and since we are getting more and more crochet ladies in I thought it would be nice to have a display for them.
If you are interested please let me know. I'd be happy to hook you up.
So be blessed today!