I went grocery shopping with my firstborn Sonja yesterday. She only lifted her eye brows when I collected onion peels into a plastic bag when all the other people around me were collecting salads, tomatoes, carrots and such. I told her to get some greens for our salad while I was treasure hunting by the onions. With a happy grin on my face I told her that the peels would make beautiful colors. She was not impressed.Today early in the morning when she came into the kitchen she saw this:She took one long look at me and said in a sarcastic voice: "Go buy a sheep! Wouldn't that be neat?!"
I was given a piece of advice not to use my best yarn for these dyeing experiments. But being the one who dances with fool, I did not take the advice. Instead I took out of my closets some natural white Gems Pearl and Opal. And turned them into these:
On the top is Gems Opal after being dyed with madder with some lemon added to the dye bath. Actually Opal went to the after bath but the color is stronger there because when preparing the first dye bath I did not let the madder roots boil enough to let out good color. So Pearl is a lot lighter. I used alum with Pearl but not with Opal.I'm fine with these colors (the colors in the photos are sligthly off), not thrilled but fine. And have plans already for Pearl. What I was worried of a great deal beforehand was turning the beautiful soft yarn into stiff and hard material but that did not happen. I have tried the yarn already and it is still very soft and nice.
There was some snow on the ground in the early hours. It was gone shortly but winter is creeping closer. Warning of slippery roads was given to the areas north and east from us.Some of the trees look sort of sad. Very little of summer is left...
Yesterday while I labored with Katariina (she has become a big and heavy girl) I listened to podcasts. I just love this internet. I have admired BrooklynTweed's knitting and photos for some time and now I got to "meet" him. He was interviewed by Purlman. Warm thank yous to you both. And finally I got to meet Yarn Harlot as well. Have you seen Cat's Let's Knit 2gether? Go and see her site!
PS. Miina sends her sincere thanks for each one of you for being so caring. She does have a coat, it is pictured in the archives in October 15th, 05.