Parting with the Hand-Dyed Yarn

It was a fab Sunday, though I'm sure most of the shoppers were down in Rundle Street waiting for the Tour Down Under.

Not to worry, as intrepid knitters found their way to my market tables and did some damage to the 2ply yarns. I sometimes hate to part with a particular hank -- and then I remember... I can make MORE! Well, most of the time. Oftentimes, I have dyed something truly unique and rare, like the blues/greens single-ply handpainted laceweight alpaca that was snatched from the table. Yup, the one at the left-hand side of the photo. Can't wait to see what gets knitted up.

Pictured are also some boldly-coloured cottons and viscose yarns. I mix my colours myself and am enamoured at the moment with the purple I've been mixing. I'm aiming for the perfect Phantom purple.

The hank that almost didn't go on the table is some reclaimed wool-blend machine yarn that dyed up just the way I wanted: pale salmony pink, seaweedy green, and seaweedy purple. Yes, it left on Sunday. But I just had to dye some more -- and it's just as lovely.

I've just received the new Tofutsies sock club colour for Feb. It's a CORKER! Stay tuned for more re Tofutsies.

Merino Laceweight: replacement stock. This weeks are pinks/golds/purples/silver. 100grams enough for an ample triangular shawl project.

Artwear Out There

Thank you to everyone who came by on Sunday. It was lovely to meet you all, especially the out-of-towners. Look out for SIO artwear vests in Brisbane, as that is the place where people are wearing 'em. I had to say goodbye to Fairy Floss (see prev. post) -- this was hard to do, as I was quite attached to it.

Due to the popularity of watermelon-coloured lace yarn, I've dyed up a few more. (at the top o' the heap above) It's 2ply merino and enough for a decent-sized shawl. Doubled, it would make kickin' socks or a scarf.

The Tofutsies sock-clubbers are into their beautiful purple/blue sock yarn and groovy pattern from Deb Lake, the resident sock designer at SWTC. The next month's allotment is for Feb. Please visit the Market or email me for purchase.

In the yarn basket at the moment: gothy, slick, funky all black sari silk. It shimmers in an almost metalic way. Great for making jewelery, tassles, embellishments of all kinds.

Should be a great Sunday this weekend, what with the cricket and the Tour Down Under. Get to the market early and have a coffee and a chat.

Happy Knitting. Melissa

From Mel's Dyepot And Sock Club Update

Thank you to everyone who came by on that glorious Sunday we had. It was great to see you all.
Fresh from the dyepot this week... a new purple (deep pinky purple) and some kickin' green. In the mix: a few very lovely hanks of corn fibre, ready for knitting. They're a subtle shade of lavender and I've held my resolve not to knit them myself.

Sock Club Update: The Tofutsies sock club packs are ready for pickup or sending. Email me at strandedinoz AT gmail Dot com to arrange your receipt of your first pack. I've snagged the December gorgeous colour I thought we'd missed out on, so don't be shy, come on by.

See you at the market.

Never too hot to knit?

Summer Blues and Greens *sigh*

When It's Too Hot to Breathe... 

'Lest you think that it's too hot here knit... Au contraire! It may be too hot in Adelaide for knitting that alpaca project you started two years ago, but it's NEVER too hot to knit a sock or two.

The Tofutsie yarn is steadily disappearing. That's right. A few intrepid knitters got in early and snagged some gorgeous balls of yarn. I'm really looking forward to seeing some very well-clad feet in Adelaide in the not-to-distant future.

If you are not able to get to Adelaide, as some of my customers have mentioned, I am happy to mail a ball (no extra charge). Colour preferences welcome -- I try to keep a variety of colours on hand. Right now, I've got a variety from Sample Packs I and II, so if you want to have a look, see links at the right.

Colour pack 4 is coming soon, as well as a few surprises from SWTC that you won't want to miss.

For customers who've purchased soy yarns: more is on the way. If you aren't sure about the look and feel of it, I recommend buying one hank to start. I've got some random colours left, perfect for a summer wrap done on large needles.

Confession: I've been playing with the banana palm silk and must admit went a little crazy! I call it the thinking person's novelty yarn. Snapped the photo below at the market.