Yeah . . . the challenge . . .

You know that blog challenge I set for myself on August 1? You know the one where I stated I'd blog every day during the month of August? Yeah . . . it didn't turn out so well, did it?

I was doing great until I hit August 18. The following day I posted a post where I was out of ideas. And them blammo! No more posts. Not a single one for the rest of the month of August.

Although I did come up with more appealing blog posts than I-don't-have-any-ideas-so-here's-a-lovely-and-colorful-yarn-photo, I just ran out of steam. August 20 was the start of the week from hell. And this past week I was on vacation recovering from the week from hell. There was simply no wind in my sails for me to write more posts.

So I'm back. I'm not going to write a post every day as that's simply crazy talk, but I will be posting regularly from here on in.

And before I go, here's a photo of the latest yarn that came out of the dye pot. It took three times to get it this red.

Out of ideas

So it's day 19 of the blog challenge and I'm simply out of ideas when it comes today's blog. Maybe it's Sunday. Maybe it's because I'm still fuming over encountering so many cheap people at yesterday's garage sale. Or maybe it is because it's pretty grey outside and I'm a bit annoyed that I haven't been able to use my clotheslines for the last week.

So I leave you with a photo of yarny goodness, taken during Tour de Fleece. Enjoy!

Out of the dye pot

Since it's a holiday Monday in my world and I'm not that eager to write today, I leave you with this photo. Ain't it pretty? Unfortunately I've give it up as a prize for the Ravellenic Games. I hope the lucky winner enjoys knitting with it. Although it reminds me of a blue Freezie, I call this colorway electric blue dreams.

Since I was such a keener, I made a ball band. 

Everyone loves variegated yarn

I can't get over how bright this skein is. I absolutely love it. And I think this skein has initiated my interest in yarn dyeing. Although this is hand painted with three different colors, Everyone loves variegated yarn. It's bright, it's colorful and it's eye catching. However, it can be a pain to knit with, especially if you encounter pooling issues. Also, variegated doesn't work well with patterns with certain stitch patterns, like cables.

Trying to find solid or tonal sock yarn is a pain. Locally, it is hard to get. And if you do find some the colorways are limited. Since learning the basics of yarn dyeing, I've come to the conclusion that I'm quite capable of dyeing my own yarn to match my projects goals.

But there is a problem. Again, variegated yarn is bright, colorful and eye catching. This is why I have so many of variegated skeins in my stash. Yesterday I was practicing with Easter Egg dyes and ended up hand painting three skeins. I couldn't help myself as I love variegated yarn.

Photo Fridays

Check out my dyed beauties dyed with acid dyes. (Note the bright skein on the end. Can't wait to cast on that colorway). The green skeins were dyed in the oven in a turkey pan; the periwinkle skein was dyed in the crock pot; and the mult-colored skein was handpainted. Thanks to my friend L, who gave me a tutorial.