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Tuesday 16 November 2010

The rose (and the mushroom)

After a (long) summer break I went back to dyeing.

In summer most plants are dry, and there is nothing worth harvesting, but with autumn comes rain and with rain comes life. The new mushroom season has provided a lot of inspiration and new things to try.
The fibre on the following picture I could have dyed anytime because I used an exhaust bath of cochineal wich of course I didn't harvest myself

The fiber on the last picture was dyed with mushrooms, the paler beige is from clitocybe nuda and the darker is from lactarius sanguifluus . I had expected a more exciting result from the first one, violet maybe? But still, it's ok. Before anyone says anything, I have to say that I didn't pick up the delicious lactarius sanguifluus just to dye with them, I only used the stem and rotted parts to make the dyebath, and we ate the actual mushroom.

All mordanted with alum and cream of tartar.

Tuesday 9 November 2010

Windschief


The yarn is handspun and hand dyed by me. The pattern is windschief.

It was meant to be a hat and a cowl. The hat is finished and I like how it came out, but I didn't have enough yarn to make the cowl as long as the recipient wanted it so I have it on hold until I find a yarn that I like to finish it.

It's a very simple pattern, but very often the most beautiful stitch is simple stockinette stitch, and you only need a couple of details to make the design special.

Sunday 7 November 2010

Sea jewels

I got quite a cold. At this point I already wear my winter clothes but I went to the beach yesterday, is a long walk to get there and the hot sun was shining, the water was calm and so clean I couldn't resist. It was fresh but it felt nice, in the nordic countries they swim in the icy water and nothing happens to them, unfortunately, I got a little cold when I went out.

I picked up some sea shells with holes that I made into stitch markers,

I don't know if they will be very useful, they seem fragile.
And also a pair of earrings.