Montana Made Trading Post ~Fiber Fanatics Unite

Knitting up a storm

Sat, 3 Jan 2009 10:01:15 -0700

I decided against a fiber resolution, although I'm planning a fiber-filled year. I have twin granddaughters due in January and yesterday the news was that if they don't come by January 16 they will induce. We're so excited about the girls and doctors estimate they are above 5 pounds. I'm teaching a class at Wild Purls, my lys, on my new pattern Almost Lace. I'm working away on a new version to test the pattern before the class. I figured out I better get hopping if that is going to be done within 2 weeks. So I'm just going to stick with my current plans until I see how much help my daughter and son-in-law needs with the twins. These will be my 7th grandkids. Lucky me life is good. I had to take my sister to emergency room the other night with chest pains. Fortunately it turned out now to be a heart attack and her tests came back good, but it does sure make you think. More snow and cold here. We'll be ready for spring when it comes. Fiber on Linda

Fiber New Year's Resolution?

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:24:59 -0700

I'm suspicious of New Year's resolutions. In my younger days, I resolved to lose weight and many other things, none of which happened. So many years ago, I gave up on New Year's resolutions. My birthday is in a few days too, which when I was young and stupid used to really depress me because I'd take stock and list all my failures. Fortunately I gave up on that quite a few years ago too and enjoy my birthday and New Years much more.

The last two days I have had a little time for reflection, however. I listened to my first podcast from Weavezine which was a recent one featuring the other Mary Black from the Seattle area. Ms. Black is a spinning and weaving old timer who was in the era when they started HGA. She talked about how she still spun almost every day and that spinning was her first love. Weavezine is a great weaving on-line weaving magazine http://www.weavezine.com/ and has a monthly podcast oo.

Like the "other Mary Black" My first love is spinning too, but since I've been on my teaching and pattern designing mission, I often have so many teaching or pattern deadlines I don't spin as much as I'd like. I love to spin very fine yarns, but I don't like to knit them much. Sometimes I obsess about spinning and take some of the pleasure out of it by trying to do it perfect. So now I'm struggling with "how I really get back to spinning" almost every day. So I'm thinking about a New Years resolution about spinning and also thinking about what I really want to do with my Fiber Art.

The big question is where do I want my Fiber Art to go in 2009? I'll keep thinking about that as 2008 draws to a close.

Right now I'm knitting on a new version of Almost Lace in an absolutely beautiful yarn I bought from Big Sky Quality Wool. http://www.bigskyqualitywool.com based in Broadus, MT. This is an angora, alpaca, cormo blend yarn. For me you can have the greatest pattern in the world, but without a special yarn it is not as fun. This is a special yarn I dyed and it feels like butter to knit. So the knitting is pure enjoyment.

Happy New Year all Linda

Punch Needle small class designs

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 08:58:15 -0700

The alpaca design uses alpaca yarn for the actual alpaca.

For my classes I use my hand dyed yarns in wool or wool/silk. I love the sheen of 100 percent silk in punch needle but it gets too pricey for class kits.

This summer for the MAWS conference, I designed a pattern that used their conference logo. That was fun.

I like to punch needle embroider and like to design patterns. I just get a little distracted. So it is fun to be back at punch needle again. Linda

Christmas punch needle

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 17:30:44 -0700

I spent the last few days with my Dad and had fun. Now I'm back with ANOTHER DEADLINE. I'm going to show my weaving guild how to make small punch needle ornaments. I'm busy designing several Christmas punch needle ornaments that can be completed in 2 hours. So far I've designed a Christmas tree ornament, a stocking, and a bell. They are simple small designs because we don't have much time at the meeting to complete them. This first punch needle item I designed for such a short task is a spindle

For that same class at SOAR I also designed an alpaca and a spinning wheel.

A word on dyeing

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 00:01:00 -0700

A word on dyes—Linda Shelhamer

I use Sabraset (Lanaset) dyes that I purchase from Prochem in Massachusetts. Prochem has an excellent website as well as a catalog which I have with me. They also give good technical advice on dyeing by telephone. Prochem sells many types of dyes and fiber paints as does Dharma in California. Sabrasett requires heat and an acid to set the dye (we are using vinegar).

Acid Dyes are designed for wool, silk, alpaca, mohair and other protein fibers. These use acid and heat to set the dye and have a long shelf life once mixed. Sabrasett is a premetallized dye, but can be mixed with acid dyes and use the same procedures.

The other main dyes I use are fiber reactive dyes which are ideal for cotton, linen and other cellulose fibers as well as silk. These dyes take no heat, but do require some alkaline additives. They take lots of rinsing. They have a short shelf life and must be used the day they are mixed.

Joanne Ryeburn from British Columbia suggests the following method to reduce the amount of rinsing needed for fiber reactive dyeing. She briefly rinses some of the excess dye out in cold water. Then she simmers the yarn in a stock pot with a little detergent for 10 minutes. I have tried this and it really helps the rinsing process. She says you can mix several different colors of yarn together in the pot. After simmering the yarn take it out of the hot water, let cool briefly, and then rinse with warm water.

With all dyes you have to be careful when mixing powders. I bought a pretty cheap mask with filters from Sherwin Williams, a paint store. Professional painters have to wear these when priming. Sometimes I just use cheap medical dust masks.

For protein fibers I use Sabrasett (Lanasett) dyes because Deb Menz has a great book “Color in Spinning” has many color formulas. Deb, Sara Lamb, Lynn Vogel (from Twisted Sisters) and many others use these dyes. I prefer to start with Deb’s formulas rather than recreate the wheel. I have found that her mixes are more usable than the straight dyes alone. For instance her browns are livelier than the Sabraset Brown.

When Vicki Jensen from Pro-Chem came to ANWG conference in Bozeman, I asked her why some dyers use Sabraset dyes and some use acid dyes such as Jacquard or Prochem’s Wash Fast Acid dyes. She said that mostly it was history. Most of the dyers on the west coast were using Lanaset and most on the east coast other brands. After these expert dyers got used to one type of dye and figured out how to mix them for great colors, they did not want to change and start all over again.

Although I use Deb Menz’s formulas, I have combined directions from various sources to keep it as simple and non-stressful as possible. For instance I always mix my dye powders with teaspoons and tablespoons rather than a gram scale in a formula of 1 teaspoon to 2 cups of water. Not quite as perfect as by weight, but as Lynn Vogel says in “Twisted Sisters” as long as you are consistent when mixing your powders, you results will be consistent. My one concession to the metric system is that I do mix my liquid dyes by milliliters because Deb’s formulas are in percentages and I don’t have to convert. For instance if a formula says 80% sun yellow and 20% black. Then I pour 80 milliliters of sun yellow in the bottle and 20 milliliters. Modern measuring cups and spoons have metric measurements on them.

I try to use plastic implements whenever possible because if I drop something with dye in it, it will be bad enough cleaning up the dye without broken glass too. I dye in a small basement bathroom 5’x8’ that I replaced the regular sink with a single kitchen sink. Dyes clean up well with normal cleaning stuff like Comet, 409. I have used acetic acid and citric acid for the acid, but I normally use household vinegar because it is pretty harmless and available everywhere. I use an underbed plastic organizer over my sink to extend my work counter and also contain dye. I have recently stumbled on getting my supplies at a beauty supply place which has great supplies for hair dyes. Your hair dresser can get them from her supplier for you too. DOS Range of Sabraset Dyes0.1 Pale pastel 0.2 Medium pastel0.5 Deep pastel 0.75 Light medium 1.0 Medium1.5 Deep Medium 2.0 Deep 2.5 Deeper

3.0 Very deep (Intense)

There are a few times I mix a heavier dye solution than a 1 percent. Nancy Roberts suggested using a 2 percent solution when dyeing knitted blanks to get deeper tones. It seems like the knitted blanks don't let as much dye in as plain yarn. I often mix black at a 3% solution for use in applying like paint or for very dark black immersion dyeing.

Dharma Trading Company in California. http://www.dharmatrading.com/ Phone: 800-542-5227. They have a very cool catalogue and sell acid dyes for protein fibers and also fiber reactive dyes for cellulose and lots of other dye stuff including fabrics, clothes and Silk Ribbon tc.

Pro Chem provides all sorts of dyes including the two chemical dyes I use the most Fiber Reactive and Sabraset, an acid dye. They have great information on their website and great directions in general and answer all sorts of technical questions by phone. http://www.prochemical.com/ PRO Chemical & Dye P.O. Box 14, Somerset MA 02726 Orders Only 1-800-228-9393 Technical Calls (508) 676-3838

Dye on Linda

Dyeing silk scarves with acid dyes

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 12:31:59 -0700

Need a quick Christmas gift. Someone asked me for my directions for silk scarf dyeing. Silk scarves are so fun and quick to dye. I usually use acid dyes because I always have them premixed and they are so easy to rinse. Fiber reactive dye works great too, but here are my acid dyeing directions.

Dyeing Silk Scarves or Handkerchiefs with Acid Dyes

Soak silk scarves for 30 minutes in 50 percent vinegar, 50 percent water. It will take approximately 10 minutes to dye your item. Then you will leave it to steam for 30 minutes and come back.

Pull scarf or hankie out of 50% vinegar water. Squeeze out excess vinegar water. I dye my items in plastic under bed organizers so that if I spill it doesn’t drip on the car. But you can put a cheap plastic table cloth down too. I premix my dyes in a 1% solution (1 teaspoon to 2 cups of water) . If you want darker colors use 2 teaspoons of dye. I use Sabrasett Dyes. I either steam my scarves in a pot with rack or in a roaster with water in it.

Use one of the 3 methods below

A. Hill and Valley Method

1. Put fabric on in underbed organizers--in hills and valleys

2. Squirt a maximum of 5 colors on this. 3 is more doable. Very little dye is needed on silk,

no more than a total of ¼ cup

3. Suggestions Use 3-4 analogous colors (right next to each other on the color wheel)

and one of the primaries (red, blue, yellow) that already in those colors.

4. Carefully place in baggie. Clean up excess dye in underbed organizer with paper towel

5. Put in steamer. Write down time put in. Take a break and come back in a ½ hour or more

B. Resist with PVC Pipe

1. Fold your scarf in half first end to end so symmetrical

2. Put in underbed organizer

3. Tie scarf onto pvc pipe with string. More string means more white spaces.

4. Pour on dye like hill and valley method.

5. Carefully put in a baggie. Clean up excess dye in underbed organizer with paper towel

6. Put in steamer. Write down time put in. Take a break and come back in a ½ hour or more

C. Resist with garbanzo beans

1. Put in underbed organizer

2. Tie as many resists as desired using string and garbanzo beans. It is effective to put

several garbanzo beans in each end of a scarf

3. Pour on dye like hill and valley method.

4. Carefully put in a baggie. Clean up excess dye in underbed organizer with paper towel

5. Put in steamer. Write down time put in. Take a break and come back in a ½ hour or more

Things must steam for 30 minutes. If in doubt, go longer. After time has elapsed remove from steamer, take out of baggies, and when cool enough remove any resists and hang to dry.

Hand wash these items in a mild soap or hand dishwashing detergent Also ironing your silk scarf or hanky on low heat really improves it.

Happy dyeing and creating. Linda

Knitting can be solace, inspiration, adventure

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 17:17:30 -0700

Knitting can be solace, inspiration, adventure. It is manual and mental therapy. It keeps us warm, as well as those we like and love. From Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Just finished up a big family weekend, complete with baby showers and Thanksgiving dinner and lots of kids home. All in all lots of fun, but not one stitch knitted for 6 days. I really need my knitting daily. Linda

Studio finished this week?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:10:12 -0700

I hear the rumor that my carpenters might be back this week now that all the parts have arrived. Although I'd like the last of the trim done and the doors back on, I'm perfectly content as is with the studio. I do have a complaint about blogging, however. I do not have a complete friendship with my camera or my photo editing software. The camera and software work fine, but the operator is unsure and makes lots of mistakes. So although I like documenting my fiber art, I hate this picture stuff. It took me 2 hours to take pictures of studio and various yarns I've dyed and then get them on computer and cropped etc. I'd so much rather be dyeing, spinning, washing wool, knitting or even doing accounting work (gracious I'm sinking low) than messing with these photos. I did it, but I'm complaining.

My studio is marvelous, I have this great area plus 2 cleaned-off tables that I use to either do fiber things or my "paying job". It is great. An artist friend of mine says my fiber art will change now that I have this studio. We'll have to wait and see. It certainly was nice this weekend when friend came by for yarn she wanted to buy for a weaving project and I knew immediately where it was. To get everything somewhat organized, I have had to buy a zillion see through containers, but it is nice now that is done. Linda

Knitting as a metaphor for turning chaos into order

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:58:28 -0700

"Knitting seems to be a metaphor for turning chaos into order--one long thread into a useable garment. " from Zen and the Art of Knitting by Bernadette Murphy.

I must need some knitting badly because I'm feeling chaotic. Working away at cleaning off that last table in my studio. Linda

Fiber friendly week

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:10:07 -0700

Fiber activities in the last 8 days include Montana Fibercrafters meeting where we started working on a punch needle rug (or in my case a 11" mat). I have a sunflower design, enlarged it and have it ready to transfer to the back of the monks cloth. I've already washed and zigzagged the monk's cloth to prevent fraying.

I dyed some sumac , cutch, and cherry tree bark on various yarns and a scarf. I also dyed a graduated yarn fin blue greens from chemical dyes to use in my next version of Almost Lace. It is a very pretty alpaca lace weight blend from Big Sky Quality Wool in Broadus. I have batteries in my camera now so I can take pictures of things to post.

Then I spent 2 full days cleaning up my office and studio from the combination of studio remodel and a huge accumulation of stuff put here and there. I can see the top of that table where I dropped off all the little things for the last 2 years. I still have some more to put away so I bought some more see through boxes today, but this is a lot better than I've seen in that area in about 1 year at least. It took me an amazing amount of time to deal with all those little dibs and dabs so I know why I hate that part.

I have read quite a few articles about studios and really want to try keeping my new wonderful area a little more organized. Just "having" to clean up the one corner for the dye area had made it so much more fun to work down there.

Today Sarah Pilgrim came from Wilsall, MT, to teach the Billings Weavers Guild about designing stripes in weaving, but it also applies to knitting, dyeing self striping yarn etc. Sarah and I are going to try a collaboration of sorts, she wants me to custom dye some yarn for an afghan she is weaving. I'm am very excited about that because she makes beautiful things.

And I even knit a little this week. So a busy week (because I had to do a lot of non-fiber stuff too), but lots accomplished. Linda