Saturday, April 1, 2017

Where does inspiration come from? Sometimes, irritation.

Where does inspiration come from? That is one of the most commonly asked questions of anyone producing craft or art. And the answer is almost always some version of "everywhere". This past week, my inspiration came from someone else's art... in an unlikely form... and advertisement jingle. But not just any jingle. Nope. A nagging, torture-some earworm of a jingle.

Do you remember? (If you are like me and catch earworms easily, you may want to stop here.) It was 1988 and California was apparently overrun with Blue's singing raisins. The California Raisin Advisory Board (yes, this exists) paid Buddy Miles to sing Marvin Gaye's classic "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" to help save California from its apparent raisin crisis and drive America's millions to munch away on this dehydrated delight.  This campaign was so successful, it launched these cartoon depictions to such vaulted heights as to make cartoons and even movies.

In my house, we are Roku watchers. We enjoy the myriad of free B-Movie streaming channels Roku affords us. Recently, one of these channels managed to get a hold of one of these classic raisin ads. (Insert tortured B-Movie actress scream here.)  

Three days. That freaking song was stuck in my head three whole days. I seriously though I was going to need to be medicated.

But good did come from it. With raisins on the brain, I created a new colorway. "Raisin the Bar" is available for your own fruity enjoyment now in my Etsy shop, with more on the drying rack just waiting to be listed.

Just don't tell me you "heard it through the grapevine".

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Knit Up and Dye Episode 25 - Give me strength



The weather and my sweater are taxing me...

Intention Knitting KAL socks are officially done, Tequila Sunrise sweater armhole pickup is vexing me, Phoenix Tears socks are almost done, Clown Socks are being working on a 9" circular needle (new technique to me!) and the One Liners Giveaway is coming up next weekend, so enter and be sure to tell all your friends as the prize gets bigger the more people enter.

Also, Happy Easter! Coupon Code PODCAST25 will get you 25% off any Dye Monkey Yarns purchase now until April 16, 2107.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Knit Up & Dye Episode 24 - Caffeinated Squirrel



Yup. I had coffee, so this is an experience. I talk about knitting wins for the week, disappointments (there is a rant), suggest podcasts I'm loving, show off my progress, show off my dyeing, and demonstrate three methods of joining yarns. Come along for the ride. Also, there is a giveaway! Enter! Drawing April 1, 2017
Featured Etsy Sellers: 
(they made my stitchmarkers!)
Featured Podcasts: 
(All on YouTube - All have Ravelry groups)
GIVEAWAY! 
Head over to the Knit Up & Dye Group on Ravelry and enter in the ”One Liners Giveaway” thread
This is open internationally - One entry per person. 
Please read post #1 for all details.

New Pattern Available: Rachel's Socks

Don’t under estimate her. Just don’t. She is so much more than you think. And if you give her a chance, she will exceed all your expectations by far. Nothing can hold her back; don’t even try. Like the women before her, she is a force of nature.  

Finished Measurement:
The directions are given for a woman’s sock worked cuff down.  Foot length is adjustable.  Leg and foot circumferences (stretched): 8 (11) inches.

Yarn Requirements: 
Necessary yardage will vary with foot length.
Approximately 330 - 367 yards were required for 10 ½” foot lengths in testing over several different yarns.

Shown in Wisdom Yarns
Saki Bamboo Solids
(230 yards per 50 grams, 50% Superwash Merino, 25% Rayon made from Bamboo, 25% nylon, color: Violet).

Recommended Needles: 
Size 2 (2.75mm) Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) or size required to get gauge.

Directions are given using 4 DPNs.  Pattern can easily be worked with two circulars or via Magic Loop Method.

Supplies:
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.  Stitch markers may be helpful.

Gauge: 
Approximately 32 sts = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette in the round

Pattern is BOTH charted and written for your convenience.

Purchase for $3.50 USD from Ravelry HERE or

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Episode 23 - Get the Fuzz Out!



I'm under the weather, but that's not stopping me (completely). I show off my progress on my Phoenix Tears socks, Good Vibrations socks and Laurie sweater and demonstrate use of the Gleener de-fuzzing a sweater.

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Episode 22 - Knitting to Heal



In which I show off my Intention Knitting KAL progress, Laurie sweater progress and finished Reyna shawl. You get to take a look at my recent purchase from KnitMona as well as one of my new Sweater Quantity offerings “Sand Dollar”. I also discuss the reasons why some of us knit and how knitting can contribute to and even be therapy, in addition to all its other benefits. EMDR therapy is discussed.
Featured Yarns:
“Route 66” colorway on Twisted Mona
400 yards/100g 80% SW Merino / 20% Nylon - 2 ply
by KnitMona on Etsy at www.knitmona.etsy.com
“Sand Dollar” Colorway on Boogie-Woogie Monkey
250 yards/115g 100% SW Fine Merino
by Dye Monkey Yarns on Etsy at
www.dyemonkeyyarns.etsy.com
Featured Patterns:
Laurie Sweater
Renya Shawl
Good Vibrations Socks
Featured Book:
EMDR - Eye Movement Densensitization & Reprocessing
The Breakthrough “Eye Movement” Therapy for Overcoming Anxiety,Stress, and Trauma
Francine Shapiro, PhD., & Margot Silk Forrest