Let's knit together!

I learned how to knit in primary school. The girls learned knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing and other useful needlecraft twice a week, the boys did woodwork and carpentry. At the time I would have loved to join them, but now I'm delighted to know these practical skills.

In my community people often see me knitting socks during meetings. I have made many socks in my life, so for me this is a no-brainer; something I can easily do whilst still participating in the meeting. People who never knit socks don't understand this: they think it's highly complicated!

More and more people asked me whether I could teach them how to knit or crochet. So every now and then we gather in the lounge with our yarn and needles. We chat, drink tea, I rescue dropped stitches and help out with new techniques. I love it: being creative together feels very connecting and relaxing.

This post was linked in http://www.commonsensehome.com/

Random Acts of Kindness

I discovered Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) on knitting community Ravelry and am completely blown away by it. The idea: they have a forum where you post your wish(es) and then people who feel like it just grant them! It took me some courage to just post my wish (leftover sock yarn for my Blanket); it's a bit weird to ask for something without giving something back! At the same time I started reading other people's wishes and sending them what they need. Such a great thing to do! It just reminds me that there are so many lovely humans out there and it is so simple to connect and be friendly to each other.

This morning a parcel arrived and look what I got! Kate, you made my week. Thank you!

Making a blanket (or a scarf...) from leftover sock yarn

It's not a good picture, but it has been so dark today, that there just wasn't enough light! Still, I want to show my new project: a blanket (or, if too ambitious, a scarf) from leftover sock yarn. You can find the pattern of this Blankie here.

I have lots of leftover sock yarn and will need lots more. Soooo, if you want to destash, please let me know!

Happy New Year!

May we all see the beauty around us and in ourselves

Dyeing with lichen

Now I know about dyeing with lichen, I see them everywhere in the garden. They simply drop off the trees! At first there seemed to be two kinds, but now I see more. I've been gathering them and put them nicely together in the dyepot. They are simmering at the moment, for at least one hour. The smell is getting stronger...

Later, when it has cooled down, I will take the lichen out and put the wool in. Then I will reheat until simmering (again for about one hour) and then leave it overnight. It doesn't need a mordant. Can hardly wait to see the result!

Dyeing wool with henna

Yesterday I've been dyeing fleece with henna. I bought a package of mahogany colored henna and made 30 grams of the powder into a paste with some boiling water. Then I added cold water and the soaked wool, 60 grams. This has been simmering for over an hour. I didn't use a mordant.

I'm quite happy with the result; so far I had mainly yellowish colors and this one is more orange. The picture shows a more yellow color then it actually is. By the way: this is what our shower often looks like!

Make your own tinctures

This afternoon I have been making tinctures from what is available in the garden at this time of the year. That is mostly roots and bark. I found roots of dandelion, meadowsweet, and lady's mantle and bark of willow and barberry. The procedure is dead simple. I strip the bark off the branches with a sharp knife. After digging up the roots I give them a good rinse and scrub and then I cut them up. Each plant root or bark goes in a different jam jar and then I pour vodka on. The first week I shake them every day, to make sure the material is covered in alcohol. Then I put the jars in a cupboard and leave them for a few weeks. When they're ready I pour out the jar in a sieve lined with a piece of fabric and the tincture is ready to use. I will tell you more about how to use it and what to use it for later!