Knitting and dyeing stories, experiences, solutions, and original pattern designs by Jessica LHeureux
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Tutorials!
I've been very busy dyeing this month's Patreon yarns, yarns for the exclusive Patreon shop, and yarns for my trunk show at Unwound in September, and, unfortunately, the weekend got away from me and I didn't get to podcast. I did however finish the tutorials I've been promising.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Leaving a Void
I'm a busy person. I don't mean necessarily that I have a lot to do, but rather that I do a lot. I fill voids.
I work full time. This takes me away from my true calling - yarn - about 50 hours a week. My household is simple, just my husband and I, two dogs and four chickens. Not a large home, not a lot of laundry, little need for complex gourmet meals... simple, and yet, I stuff my life full. You rarely catch me simply sitting quietly, breathing. Nope. If I have time to sit, I have time to work on a pattern, knit, film, practice yoga, dye yarn, write, cook, read, check email/form responses/forum posts/weather... whatever. And sometimes, two or more of these activities as once. This past weekend I edited my podcast while dyeing yarn and knitting a shawl, simultaneously.
While I find comfort in "busy" because I'm "achieving" or "completing" or "fulfilling," it's not healthy. I recognize this. The billboards are all there. Headaches, body aches, sleeplessness, forgetfulness, belief I finished things I only thought about doing...etc.
But filling voids does just apply to my daily and work routines. It applies to my art as well. I struggle to leave negative space or simplicity whether in my knitting patterns or yarns. If there's a field of stockinette, surely there is room for a cable, stripe or bit of lace. And yarn? Well, if white is showing, I must not be done.
Are you nodding? Does this sound like you? You aren't alone.
I know voids are healthy and necessary. Yup. I have even put mechanisms in place to build in voids. I started to practice yoga again, but often there's an excuse not to do it. And I'm plotting yarns with more "voids" but I'm struggling and feel like embracing voids should be easier than this. It should be natural. Like breathing. A habit even.
So I'm going to make a "mini-habit" of it. My BREATHING habit.
Making a new habit, even a mini one, isn't easy either. It take commitment and practice. Implementation is incidental if not for repetition. I need a trigger; something that forces me to stop and take time for myself. But what?
I recently stumbled on "Modern Mindfulness - How to Be More Relaxed, Focused, and Kind While Living in a Fast, Digital, Always-On World" by Rohan Gunatillake. To be honest, I haven't read it all. I haven't given it the time it deserves, but the premise hits home and one of the meditations the book suggests to help make you be present and in the moment is Stop Signs.
Brilliant! I commute. I run into MANY stop signs each day. This I can do. I'm going to actively take that marathon red light at the corner and turn that into "me time." I'm going to turn inside, breathe, and simply observe while under that mandatory 70 second stop (yes, really I counted, feels like an hour!) I'm going to pay attention to the feeling of my breathe, the weather, the color of the vehicles around me, while releasing judgement and negative thoughts.
And then, I'm going to go home and dye every inch of that yarn in every color I can think of, because self improvement is a continual work in progress ;)
I work full time. This takes me away from my true calling - yarn - about 50 hours a week. My household is simple, just my husband and I, two dogs and four chickens. Not a large home, not a lot of laundry, little need for complex gourmet meals... simple, and yet, I stuff my life full. You rarely catch me simply sitting quietly, breathing. Nope. If I have time to sit, I have time to work on a pattern, knit, film, practice yoga, dye yarn, write, cook, read, check email/form responses/forum posts/weather... whatever. And sometimes, two or more of these activities as once. This past weekend I edited my podcast while dyeing yarn and knitting a shawl, simultaneously.
While I find comfort in "busy" because I'm "achieving" or "completing" or "fulfilling," it's not healthy. I recognize this. The billboards are all there. Headaches, body aches, sleeplessness, forgetfulness, belief I finished things I only thought about doing...etc.
But filling voids does just apply to my daily and work routines. It applies to my art as well. I struggle to leave negative space or simplicity whether in my knitting patterns or yarns. If there's a field of stockinette, surely there is room for a cable, stripe or bit of lace. And yarn? Well, if white is showing, I must not be done.
Are you nodding? Does this sound like you? You aren't alone.
I know voids are healthy and necessary. Yup. I have even put mechanisms in place to build in voids. I started to practice yoga again, but often there's an excuse not to do it. And I'm plotting yarns with more "voids" but I'm struggling and feel like embracing voids should be easier than this. It should be natural. Like breathing. A habit even.
So I'm going to make a "mini-habit" of it. My BREATHING habit.
Making a new habit, even a mini one, isn't easy either. It take commitment and practice. Implementation is incidental if not for repetition. I need a trigger; something that forces me to stop and take time for myself. But what?
I recently stumbled on "Modern Mindfulness - How to Be More Relaxed, Focused, and Kind While Living in a Fast, Digital, Always-On World" by Rohan Gunatillake. To be honest, I haven't read it all. I haven't given it the time it deserves, but the premise hits home and one of the meditations the book suggests to help make you be present and in the moment is Stop Signs.
Brilliant! I commute. I run into MANY stop signs each day. This I can do. I'm going to actively take that marathon red light at the corner and turn that into "me time." I'm going to turn inside, breathe, and simply observe while under that mandatory 70 second stop (yes, really I counted, feels like an hour!) I'm going to pay attention to the feeling of my breathe, the weather, the color of the vehicles around me, while releasing judgement and negative thoughts.
And then, I'm going to go home and dye every inch of that yarn in every color I can think of, because self improvement is a continual work in progress ;)
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Knit Up and Dye Episode 79 - Definitions
I share a little about my design process, talking about gauge, how I found the right stitch definition and drape for my latest design and the edits I'll be making as I move forward with its development. Reminders for the Design Along, Ornament Exchange and Knit Together Community Mixer.
Knit Up & Dye
Host: Jessica L'Heureux
Ravelry: jesseknits
Ravelry Group: Knit Up & Dye Podcast
Instagram: dyemonkeyyarns
Blog: www.dyemonkeyyarns.com
Email: jesse@dyemonkeyyarns.com
Etsy: http://dyemonkeyyarns.etsy.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/knitupanddye
Theme Music:
"Throw the Hammer Hard" - Bob Log III
Thank you, thank you, Bob for letting me use this!
Buy his music at www.boblog111.com
Give some podcaster love to:
Scott & John @ Sweet Tea No Shade
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLVrcYgv-67UsT7tcVv-0sg
Lee-Ann @ Southern Colonial Dyeworks
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9GJuPQ78_XMEhdvwMdfKoA
Daniel & Patrick @ Daniel & Patrick Craziness!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc3HgYHDerurptDN3s2aQMw/videos
Online Events!
Design Along!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group.
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on any of the "Design Along" threads.
Deadline is September 1st
Two Prizes – Voted Favorite and Random Drawing
Pack One:
Pink Drawstring Bag by Faye Jones
Yarn: “Robins Egg” courtesy of Rosalee Millet of Yarn Matrix
www.yarnmatrix.etsy.com
Stitch Markers from Neetsey’s Porch
www.neetseysporch.etsy.com
Coca Cola Progress Keeper courtesy of Capi @ The Yarn and I
www.theyarnandi.etsy.com
Collection of Silk Road Socks Hunter Hammersen Coloring Postcards gifted from Jenna
Pack Two:
Blue Floral Zip Bag by Faye Jones
Yarn: ”Party in the Pot” courtesy of Rosalee Millet of Yarn Matrix
www.yarnmatrix.etsy.com
Stitch Markers from Neetsey’s Porch
www.neetseysporch.etsy.com
Namaste Hand & Elephant courtesy of Capi’s Mom Marsha @ The Yarn and I
www.theyarnandi.etsy.com
Pattern of Choice courtesy of Carmen Nuland of A Simple Homestead Designs
https://www.ravelry.com/stores/asimplehomestead-designs 32 designs to choose from!
Ornament Exchange!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on "Ornament Exchange" for details and registration OR Visit www.dyemonkeyyarns.com
and click on "Ornament Exchange" to register.
Registration is open until September 1st. Open to U.S. only - $7.00 participation fee
Knit Pals Community Mixer!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast and click on "Knit Pals Community Mixer"
Registration CLOSES August 24th.
Please join this fantastic, loving, supportive community.
We'd love to have you.
Contact Unwound to reserve your spot at the brunch and/or your class space!!
See you next time!
Monday, August 13, 2018
A History in Needles
Have you ever questioned your possession of certain needles?
Tonight, I've been busy working on a new design. Yes, I know... What about the six other unfinished projects you promised to work on Jesse? Hush! Strike while the iron is hot or the muse runs away. Beside all that, my mum wanted a pattern designed for her with certain specifications, and I aim to please. (HI Mom!)
For this particular project, I'm reworking an already familiar shape and structure with a significant shift in gauge, moving from a fingering to a worsted weight. This took swatching. Gauge swatches are important, and if you question this, check out the epic hat from my last podcast.
I started out on a US 8, but found myself disappointed in how poorly the texture was showing in the fabric I created. My natural response to poor stitch definition is to move to a smaller needle. I don't really understand this tendency. My thinking was that smaller = tighter = finer = more emphasis on texture. I guess I thought I could torture the look I wanted out of this yarn by pressuring it into submission on small needles. Sadly, a smaller needle was also going to cause a denser, less draping fabric, which was not going to work for this design, so I opted to go up a needle size before scraping the whole design.
An interesting thing happened. When I went up to a US 9, the stitch definition improved. The drape still wasn't quite what I wanted, but the result was encouraging. I soldiered on and moved even further up the chain to a US 10. We have a winner! The textured stitch was even more defined and the fabric had drape. This little experiment, of course, had me studying the stitch structure to understand why the definition improved. The answer is simple: with the larger stitches, there is more yarn with more room to move, and thusly, the purls can pop further in relief from the stockinette background. But, I digress. This wasn't the most interesting feature of this exercise for me.
What interested me most about this little swatch exercise was my collection of needles. I was working with circular needles. I'm proud to admit to a significant and broad collection of tools. I love my needles; they make knitting a joy. However... When exactly, and for what project, did I obtain a 60 inch US 10 needle?!? I cannot think of ANY project in my past that required such a needle. I even took a minute to troop through my Ravelry project pages to try and identify what triggered that acquisition, and although I was unable to exact a history, tonight I'm thrilled to have it among my tools as it's the right tool for this job.
Clearly, it's past my bedtime when my curiosity is peaked by the history of an acquisition over the science behind an accomplishment.
Tonight, I've been busy working on a new design. Yes, I know... What about the six other unfinished projects you promised to work on Jesse? Hush! Strike while the iron is hot or the muse runs away. Beside all that, my mum wanted a pattern designed for her with certain specifications, and I aim to please. (HI Mom!)
For this particular project, I'm reworking an already familiar shape and structure with a significant shift in gauge, moving from a fingering to a worsted weight. This took swatching. Gauge swatches are important, and if you question this, check out the epic hat from my last podcast.
I started out on a US 8, but found myself disappointed in how poorly the texture was showing in the fabric I created. My natural response to poor stitch definition is to move to a smaller needle. I don't really understand this tendency. My thinking was that smaller = tighter = finer = more emphasis on texture. I guess I thought I could torture the look I wanted out of this yarn by pressuring it into submission on small needles. Sadly, a smaller needle was also going to cause a denser, less draping fabric, which was not going to work for this design, so I opted to go up a needle size before scraping the whole design.
An interesting thing happened. When I went up to a US 9, the stitch definition improved. The drape still wasn't quite what I wanted, but the result was encouraging. I soldiered on and moved even further up the chain to a US 10. We have a winner! The textured stitch was even more defined and the fabric had drape. This little experiment, of course, had me studying the stitch structure to understand why the definition improved. The answer is simple: with the larger stitches, there is more yarn with more room to move, and thusly, the purls can pop further in relief from the stockinette background. But, I digress. This wasn't the most interesting feature of this exercise for me.
What interested me most about this little swatch exercise was my collection of needles. I was working with circular needles. I'm proud to admit to a significant and broad collection of tools. I love my needles; they make knitting a joy. However... When exactly, and for what project, did I obtain a 60 inch US 10 needle?!? I cannot think of ANY project in my past that required such a needle. I even took a minute to troop through my Ravelry project pages to try and identify what triggered that acquisition, and although I was unable to exact a history, tonight I'm thrilled to have it among my tools as it's the right tool for this job.
Clearly, it's past my bedtime when my curiosity is peaked by the history of an acquisition over the science behind an accomplishment.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Knit Up and Dye Episode 78 - Reflections
This episode is a reflective look at the podcast, how designs have developed and lessons learned, with a responsive projection of things to come.
Knit Up & Dye
Host: Jessica L'Heureux
Ravelry: jesseknits
Ravelry Group: Knit Up & Dye Podcast
Instagram: dyemonkeyyarns
Blog: www.dyemonkeyyarns.com
Email: jesse@dyemonkeyyarns.com
Etsy: http://dyemonkeyyarns.etsy.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/knitupanddye
Theme Music:
"Throw the Hammer Hard" - Bob Log III
Thank you, thank you, Bob for letting me use this!
Buy his music at www.boblog111.com
Online Events!
Design Along!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group.
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on any of the "Design Along" threads.
Deadline is September 1st
Ornament Exchange!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on "Ornament Exchange" for details and registration
OR Visit www.dyemonkeyyarns.com
and click on "Ornament Exchange" to register.
Registration is open until September 1st.
Open to U.S. only - $7.00 participation fee
Knit Pals Community Mixer!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on "Knit Pals Community Mixer"
Registration is open until August 24th.
Please join this fantastic, loving, supportive community.
We'd love to have you.
See you next time!
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Knit Up and Dye Episode 77 - Let It Be Enough
This time I explore being enough.
Stop letting yourself judge yourself against your idea of other people's standards and let you, your life, your work and your experience be enough. Be kind to yourself.
Also, announcements about the Ornament Exchange, Design Along and Knit Pals Community Mixer.
Knit Up & Dye
Host: Jessica L'Heureux
Ravelry: jesseknits
Ravelry Group: Knit Up & Dye Podcast
Instagram: dyemonkeyyarns
Blog: www.dyemonkeyyarns.com
Email: jesse@dyemonkeyyarns.com
Etsy: http://dyemonkeyyarns.etsy.com
Patreon: https://patreon.com/knitupanddye
Theme Music:
"Throw the Hammer Hard" - Bob Log III
Thank you, thank you, Bob for letting me use this!
Buy his music at www.boblog111.com
Online Events!
Design Along!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group.
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on any of the "Design Along" threads.
Deadline is September 1st
Ornament Exchange!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on "Ornament Exchange" for details and registration
OR Visit www.dyemonkeyyarns.com
and click on "Ornament Exchange" to register.
Registration is open until September 1st. Open to U.S. only - $7.00 participation fee
Knit Pals Community Mixer!
Join us on Ravelry in the "Knit Up & Dye Podcast" group
https://www.ravelry.com/groups/knit-up--dye-podcast
Click on "Knit Pals Community Mixer"
Registration is open until August 24th.
Please join this fantastic, loving, supportive community.
We'd love to have you.
See you next time!
Knit Pals Community Mixer
At long last, it is finally here and I don't think I could be more excited!
This fall, I'm hosting a virtual community mixer event. The premise is simple. I'm going to dye up two skeins each in a variety of colorways. You register online HERE so that I have a head count and know how many sets to dye. Then, after registration, I open up an exclusive mini shop to the registrants, and you each get to purchase one skein of yarn at 30% off. When I ship your yarn out to you, I'll be sending you the contact information of whomever purchased the skein that matches yours. Likewise, they will receive your contact information. From there - may a new friendship bloom! You'll each have the opportunity to reach out to your "Knit Pal" to email, chat, share and interact as you see fit, with a common colorway as a jumping off point.
Want more information? Details are HERE and questions are always welcome.
Register HERE until August 24th!
Yarns will be available to purchase no later than September 9th.
Come, enjoy some yarn and make a friend! We'd love to have you! OPEN WORLDWIDE!
This fall, I'm hosting a virtual community mixer event. The premise is simple. I'm going to dye up two skeins each in a variety of colorways. You register online HERE so that I have a head count and know how many sets to dye. Then, after registration, I open up an exclusive mini shop to the registrants, and you each get to purchase one skein of yarn at 30% off. When I ship your yarn out to you, I'll be sending you the contact information of whomever purchased the skein that matches yours. Likewise, they will receive your contact information. From there - may a new friendship bloom! You'll each have the opportunity to reach out to your "Knit Pal" to email, chat, share and interact as you see fit, with a common colorway as a jumping off point.
Want more information? Details are HERE and questions are always welcome.
Register HERE until August 24th!
Yarns will be available to purchase no later than September 9th.
Come, enjoy some yarn and make a friend! We'd love to have you! OPEN WORLDWIDE!
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