More Funny For Your Week -- Mel's T-shirt

Yup, this is the shirt I'm wearing at the moment. It made me laugh so hard in the USA when I saw it that I knew I'd have to get it and wear it often. It's a rotten colour, but I still like it. And those of you who know me personally will know just how bloody funny this shirt is for me to wear.

As for the book, The Cat in the Hat? It was the first book I read myself cover to cover. I loved it. Still do.

Biz Update: the contest details are posted to the SIOz Ravelry group. Avva look! If you have been unsure about whether to join an SIOz fibre or knitting club this year, don't sit on the fence! Come and join us.

The first pack is called Practically Magical -- and it's been a huge hit. Thank you for the positive feedback re the colour and the sock design. Thank you heaps! The packs were posted on the 15th and already 1 knitter has finished her pair!

melissa

Catching up on fibre and knitting in April

Time to spin? I've posted some recent results on my spinblog. Hard to believe how little spinning time I've had recently, but no matter; a few minutes here and there still added up to a nice hank or two!

This week is filling with special orders, including a few people who've been patient waiting for banana palm silk. The Robin Hood colours had to wait until the banana silks were going. Why take so long Melissa? Weeeellll....

As with all things SIOz, I like to do things right. The banana silk is a personal mission on my part. Thanks to Michelle Moriarty, who got me hooked on the stuff, I've been working with this yarn for a while and have come to the conclusion that if I want it to be worth working with, I have to process it myself. WHY?

First, it comes from Nepal in need of a wash. I buy it directly from the spinners and ask that they don't dye it or do anything to it before I get it. Yes, it has been washed, but it has a long way to go, is sometimes stored for periods, and, well, it needs a professional scour in commercial-grade textile detergent. So that's my first step. If you've ever scoured fibre, you have an idea of the process. This stuff gets scoured in a very hot wash, by my own hands.

Once that is accomplished, I set about the dyeing process. After a lot of experimentation, I've gotten a process I can live with -- lower water use, longer curing time. The whole process takes a coupla days. If the weather cooperates, the yarn is dry is a reasonable amount of time. That said, I'm at the tail end of the sunny weather, so am hurrying to get my lots done before the grey weather approaches.

OK, sure, you could buy your banana palm silk from other stockists in Australia and beyond. But it won't look or feel like SIOz banana palm silk, hand-painted or vat dyed by yours truly, right here in Oz.

Here's my fave from last week:

Banana Palm Silk, hand-painted by Stranded In Oz - Parroty

Then there's a water colour (with 2 more being processed this week):

Banana Palm Silk, hand-painted by Stranded In Oz - water

These colours are available already online.

Designs from SIOz -- there are two new ones -- a shawl and a wrap -- on the way -- from a fave yarn company. Will post when available. Until then, the latest club happenings go out next week. NO PEEKING! Only hint this week: autumn colourways. The yarn? Well, it's Merino 4 Premium, low-micron wool ready for socks, scarves, shawls, and all sorts of lovely knitted things for the winter.

Not a member of the knitter's club? Waddayawaitin' for? Come on and join the fun! Questions? Feel free to email me at melissa AT strandedinoz DOT com and I'll be happy to get you started. I've been inspired by some of the FO photos in this colourway previously and can't wait to see the 2011 version.

It's back to the needles and the occasional peek outside to check the dyelots. CU online and at the Port Markets, melissa

Club Packs, Thanks SWTC and thoughts on Soysilk

The club packs for Feb are in the post. This is happiness all around. For knitters, your pack includes preview yarns of what is coming your way down the track -- knitable samples to get you hooked on SIOz. Hey, you already are, but I know I love samples, and you seem to too. So enjoy!

For the spinners, you have a nice chumpy pack of this month's fibre, along with a sample of the next fibre on the schedule, SA coloured sheepwool. OK, I was a stinker and included something un-dyed. You didn't think I'd spoil the fun and tell you the April colour did you?

Hello to the people at SWTC - who posted a hot shot of the Feb Tofutsies. Thanks for posting the piccie. I'm an unapologetic, shameless Tofutsies addict. And the knitters coming to the Port Markets are too! I've restocked the Port Shop with more variety of Tofutsies balls as well as the new Dark Orchid. The colours available change weekly. If you're online, it's best to email me if you have a colour group you would like -- trying to always keep a blue, a purple, a red, and greens available.

Also from SWTC -- the new Treisur Infatuation is a winner -- and also a terrible distraction while I'm under deadline. FIE! Here's a lovely shot of the colours in stock at the moment. My fave is the Southwestern- Americanish red, purple, green, and gold blend

Nearly everyone who touches a ball of this yarn buys it. The bright mix is perfect for a baby gift. Or a girlie pair of socks. I'm working on a shawl in this yarn as well. Well, while I'm designing a shawl in Jezebel, my other favourite SWTC yarn.

SOYSILK -- ok, I will say a few words regarding soy fibre for spinning. There are a few online vendors selling soy fibre -- beware. All soy fibres are not SOYSILK. You only will know the difference when you start spinning with the other stuff. Why? Because genuine Soysilk fibre is processed in a way that is just superior to other soy fibres out there -- it's a smooth, superfine top. Your fingers will know the difference.

Sure, you'll save some money, but it's not worth it. I have not been asked to write this, nor do I get any money from writing about it. I just want to put this out there in cyberspace for people to read. When I hand-paint soy, it's genuine Soysilk.

Feb 2010 Club Yarn and Fibres - Way Over the Rainbow Club Mixes

Way Over the Rainbow Knitting Club Mix Feb 2010

For those of you who've already joined the SIOz knitting club, your packs will be sent out this week. Thank you to those who've already joined the fun. I couldn't help but post a photo of the first yarn for the year. I don't often mix Way Over the Rainbow, as it is one of my specials, but it is appropriate that we start off the knitting year with a splash, non? Your pack includes 100gms of this yarn (3ply merino, superwash), assorted goodies (natch) and a pattern for the project bag. 

Way Over the Rainbow organic merino

Fiber Club Mix Feb 2010

NOTE: the mix for the spinners is not the same rainbow as for the knitters. Some people are in both clubs and well, I thought I'd mix it up a bit. :-) Yeah, I've got a few rainbows up my sleeve.

For the fibre club, your packs are ready to go -- most of you guys are picking yours up, so they'll be ready for you this Sunday at the Port Markets. If your plans change, let me know so I can arrange delivery. Thank you to everyone who advised colour preferences for the gemspindle. It was fun making these to suit the spinner.  All the spindles have oak shafts, have been hand-sanded, coated, sanded, coated and finished with a nice little hook for spinnability. 

Regular Drop Spindle with glass whorl (Fibre Club Feb 2010)

I've mentioned previously that I'm not limiting membership to my clubs this year. Yup, after some great feedback from customers and a lot of reading online, not to mention my own experiences, I came to the conclusion that if you want to knit or spin with SIOz yarns or fibres, you should be able to get what you want. 

Recently: I was placed in a lottery for a sock club and was told I 'didn't get in.' My initial reaction was, what? My $$ not good enough? And why am I feeling left out? This struck me as ridiculous. I mean, the last thing I neeeed is more sock yarn (I have only knit with 2 other brands for my own personal knitting in like, the last 3 years, so why would I care?) My reaction had been so hard-wired into me by Madison Avenue that I had to really think about it.  I'm still irrationally irritated that I didn't get into that club -- 2 weeks later. For no real reason. 

I don't want my customers or potential customers to have that feeling. 

So you are all welcome. If you are a member and want more than 1 hank of yarn or instalment of fibre, do let me know in advance, as I need to account for the numbers in each lot. 

Happy Knitting and Spinning -- M