Whoosh! That year went quick...

Punk Rock Parakeet on Folk Monkey Fingering

Well, here I am. I've been back at the dye pots for a year now. I'm sorry you haven't heard from me sooner; life has been full of surprises this past year. It's also been full of lots of fun yarn dyeing and crafting.  

I've got a number of new colorways, as well as a couple of old favorites in stock over at Practical Stitchcraft.  Be sure to check out Heather's site. She is a force of nature. Despite her full-time job, she is still offering in-person classes, occasional virtual classes (with more to come), pop-up events, all while still working the tech-editing side of her business, helping designers produce patterns that are size inclusive and fully comprehensive.  

Phew! Like I said... force of nature.  

And my yarn is only a small part of her shop's story. She offers a full line of notions, accessories and several commercial yarns, with more to come, as well as tools, kits and supplies for the embroiderers out there.  It's a lot, and I'm very proud to have my little space in her world.

And... yup, you guessed it, there is more: Meet-ups! Check her site, get connected and join the public meet-ups. Generally, there is one (often more) meet-up per month in Albuquerque, open to the public, open to ALL crafts, and featuring in-person deliveries of orders and often even a full shop pop-up to let you get your hands on the yarns and see them side-by-side in person.  

I love the meet-ups. Locations vary, often have food opportunities near-by, and I'm yet to attend one that was in a poorly lit venue.  This crafting community is friendly, generous, and supportive. Bring your project, share your craft, or just hang out and chat if you need communal time.  There is never pressure or obligation.  All are welcome.

I'm back and so's my yarn!

Wednesday's Child on Tap Monkey

I'm very proud to announce that I've been pulled back out of retirement, and will be dyeing yarns exclusively for Practical Stitchcraft!

Yarns will become available online beginning Saturday, April 8th at 10am MST 

I'm creating lots of new colorways, so be sure to follow @Practical.Stitchcraft on Instagram and bookmark the website. 

In addition to my yarns, Practical Stitchcraft carries a wonderful assortment of tools and notions including a full line of hooks and needles. 

If you are local to Albuquerque be sure to check out upcoming events and if you're interested in learning to knit, or just need some help with a particular project, be sure to check out the class offerings. 

Have you ever heard of a whisper campaign?

Okay, so, it's like this...

On the down low, under the table maybe, or even something someone might have said to someone else that you happened to overhear, but certainly not a rumor, because really, we are above those things...

There was a monkey spotted recently placing a large order for yarn base. Another monkey was overheard placing an order for dye chemicals. Perhaps a third monkey - or maybe they were all the same monkey, was seen in communications with an industry business owner about stocking product. Wait, WHAT?!?!?

Watch this space. Follow DyeMonkeyYarns on Instagram. Be in the know.

Organized or Obsessed?

 

I recently purchased a couple circular needles for a project and upon receipt, employed them immediately. Not too far into that project I discovered that I needed to change needles due to a gauge issue. When I checked my needle stock, I found I was going to have to purchase needles again to fill that need. I found this really frustrating and decided it was time to update my inventory list on Ravelry, and, if I was going to have to place another order, should really use my inventory list to ascertain gaps that needed filling.

To be sure I was getting an accurate inventory, I cleared the needle list I had in Ravelry and started from zero. I went through all my needle cases. I gathered project bags. I listed each needle, even designating brands. I then created a separate spreadsheet for my circulars that I could color-code and manipulate to get a better handle on gaps and my needs.

I placed my order - a Christmas gift to myself - and purchased needles.

When the needles arrived, I pulled out my handy spreadsheet, filled in the newest additions and calculated how I could store them to make best use of my needle cases. I color coded my inventory spreadsheet and pulled out my handy label maker and went to work re-organizing my entire circular needle collection. 

Approximately two hours later, very proud of myself, I had one complete, hyper organized circular collection, complete with laminated reference charts. I was never going to buy duplicates again, I was always going to know not only that I had the needle, but where to find it. I rewarded myself with a little knitting time on the sofa. I settled in, pulled out my project bag and immediately found two circular needles I'd missed, and recently replaced. 

Spreadsheets are editable and there is always a knitting friend who can make use of your duplicate needles if you can't find another project to cast on.

Until it's right...

Recently I posted about this sweater. If you look closely, you'll quickly notice that the picture to the left shows a very similar project, but this one lacks a section of ribbing.  Why?

Well, there was a gauge issue. A big one. My swatch and the actual project were one stitch per inch different. 

One stitch. Per inch. 

One stitch never sounds like a lot, but when you do the math, for this project it meant a difference of 7 inches in chest measurement. Those 7 inches meant my 2" of positive ease were actually 5" of negative ease, effectively creating a wool sausage casing. 

Not the goal.

I ripped the entire project back. Swatched again. Went up TWO needle sizes. Swatched again. (Can you tell how dedicated I am to this *!@&* project?!) 

I cast on again. This time instead of starting with the neck ribbing, I'm opting to go back and pick up for the neckline. On the last iteration, I found I wasn't entirely happy with the gauge of it against the colorwork and think I'll be better served being able to work it and rip out if necessary later.

So far, I'm much happier with the fabric. It's less dense - did I mention I went UP TWO needle sizes? - and at the larger gauge it's knitting up faster. 

My plan is to work down to where I divide for sleeves and try it on. I'll make decisions then. Until I reach that point, I'm carrying all twelve lines, loosely looping carry ups rather than cutting just yet, so as to keep each line fully intact. If I rip back, I'll have full yardage rather than scraps. This means a lot of yarn management. I keep telling myself it's a worthwhile investment and not self inflicted torture. I tell myself a lot of things.

It's going to be amazing.

The Knitmare Before Christmas

We've all done it... ambitiously decided to knit gifts for the holidays for family and friends, then realized somewhere around Black Friday that there actually aren't enough hours left to complete all four blankets, six sweaters, and twelve hats. I refer to this as the Knitmare Before Christmas.

How about hats? Maybe socks? A quick shawl instead. Or maybe, surprise your loved ones with the gift that keeps on giving - a knitting pattern they can make themselves!

If this seems like a better path, I've got a treat for you!

Every one of my pattern designs listed for sale on Ravelry is 30% OFF, no coupon code required, until December 31st.

65 designs to choose from!

Many attempts and much math...

Once upon a time ago I saw a beautiful sweater online and decided it was something I wanted in my life. The Sea Glass Sweater by Wool & Pine captured my heart, however, the original design is a circular yoke,  which doesn't fit my body type well.  No problem. It wasn't the pattern but the look of the colorwork that I wanted. I knew I could readily recreate that look on any pattern, and so I shopped both my stash and online to create a palette of 12 colors for the sweater of my dreams. I selected a pattern from my library from a designer I trusted, created a spreadsheet of the 66 possible color combinations, gauge swatched, and cast on.

This particular glory is achieved by using different two colors in every row. I quickly discovered this meant each round would have four ends. This was going to mean a LOT of weaving in. More weaving in than is desirable in any garment. More weaving in than is desirable in my lifetime. Something had to change.

I did some research and discovered that many people knitting this project used magic knots. It is important here to note that I don't believe in any "magic" related to knitting. Harry Potter, David Blaine, sure. Knitting, no. Still, four ends to weave in every round of a sweater sure isn't magical, so, why not knots?

I learned how to make the knots. I practiced said knots. I tested the join. I cast on again and made wonderful progress. Then I cut my tails and worked two more rounds. Disaster!!

The minor tensions put on the fabric working those last two rounds was just enough to make all my yarns wiggle out of their knots. All. Every round. Unraveling rainbow of Ramen hell. 

Stepping back was imperative to my mental health.

I assessed the issues:

• I had to have a sweater that emulated this look.
• Short rows had been an issue in my first attempt causing a lot of bulk along the neckline.
• Weaving in four ends every round was undesirable.
• Magic knots do not work with superwash yarns, as learned in my second attempt.
• I own 12 skeins of superwash dedicated to this project. 
• I do not own the desire to replace the yarn.

I concluded I needed to find a raglan pattern worked in the round, top down, that doesn't have short rows, and I needed to slightly rework the yarn color changes to make use of each color for two rounds, changing alternately, carrying yarns when the sequence allowed to reduce ends and weaving as much as possible.

Months passed.

This past week I stumbled on a pattern that fit my requirements, and, bonus, was free.

I swatched. I did math to determine which size to work at my gauge. I worked with a friend to determine a repeatable color sequence making use of as many of the 66 possible color combinations as possible (thank you Elizabeth - you are fantastic!), and today I cast on.

If my math holds true, and the knitting gods look favorably on me, having gone so far as to have swatched repeatedly, this might just be spectacular.

Stay tuned.

A whole new direction...

Well, this wasn't what you were expecting when you went to my site today, I'm sure. Things have changed, in some cases quite dramatically, and in others, not really all that much.

Dye Monkey Yarns has closed. I am no longer producing yarns. This is the biggest change. That doesn't mean that from time to time I won't be doing exclusive dyes. In fact, I'm looking forward to new adventures with fewer daily demands, which should make more room for fun things. Basically, I'm refocusing to make more room for blogging about my knitting and crafting adventures, more room for pattern design, and more room for enjoying the best crafty life possible.

I hope you will join me on this new journey.

Best,

Jesse

5th Anniversary Sale!

Dye Monkey Yarns is Officially 5 Years Old!

Let's Celebrate!

Get 25% off your entire order until May 31st with Coupon Code: DANCEMONKEY

Patrons be watching for your exclusive coupon code worth 35% off.  Interested in becoming a Patron and getting extra bonuses, discounts, exclusive content and more, visit me here!

Ravelry Pattern Sale - 50% OFF

Times are tough and money is tight, but you've got stash. How about a new pattern?

Visit my Ravelry store - 50% off ALL patterns.

No coupon code required.

No membership or sign up required.

Just good knitting patterns at half the price.

Sale!

I'm doing a little spring cleaning, and that means... Yarn is ON SALE. I've marked down EVERY 100 gram skein of yarn as well as many other products. No coupon code is required, and US shipping is free with a $50 minimum purchase.

Also, be sure to click on the Patreon link from my website for the latest knitting adventures.