A few have asked, and I think it is a  good idea to post the best method I know of for setting any hand dyed yarn once finished knitting. So Here is what I do, and I never forget. Even my Merino Tencel purchases never bleed.

Once i’m done knitting and weaving in ends, i put my socks in a plastic container and add a 1:10 ratio of vinegar and hot (130F)-out-of-the-tap water. Microwave for 2 minutes, let it rest for 4, microwave for 2 minutes, rest and repeat 1-2 more times. That will set the colors and any bleeding afterwards is excess dye and will not cause the sock colors to fade. then i rinse and wash in mild wool detergent in warm water, and block as usual.

 Feel free to print, share and whatever. I want everyone to have lovely knits forever!

Hello all my sock clubbers (and lurkers)…

My lovely base, waiting for its inspiration….

My base soaking, waiting for its color…

Its destination in color (no close ups on color)…

The pattern is being tested as we speak, and the skeins are being reskeined (or balled depending on your request) and getting ready to meet the goodies and go out in your special shipments…

count down, 5 days till International take off, and 10 days till US take off.

 ta-da! Again, I really love this color and my hat, it is so pretty! Thanks! (Hayden)

“Thursday, August 23, 2007

Finished Sock

This yummy super soft sock is finished!

It was done in Tiffany colorway from http://knitterpated.com/. She generously let me test her handdyed yarn, and I love the resulting sock! Its so warm and soft:) Of course now that I made one sock, I need to buy another skein to complete the set!!!

The pattern is Groovy Socks, found here on Sock Pixie’s blog http://www.sockpixie.com/catalog/item/4635135/4736175.htm ”

courtesy yarnrogue.blogspot.com

“mmm…sexy yarn

September 1st, 2007

wow… so, i was basically going to wait to play with this yarn until after i moved. but it’s GORGEOUS.

The red is deep, the yarn is pretty much saturated (there’s ONE tiny spot where the color didn’t go all the way though, but it adds character).

The red reminds me of Christina Aguilera’s red lipstick stage, a bowl of washed cherries, and red wine… all in one yarn.

Seriously.

The yarn also seems to have some sheen to it, but maybe it’s the glow of the light off the red?

Anyway, the color’s hot. I wanna lick it. (But I won’t).

If this were one of the 7 deadly sins, I’d have a hard time choosing between lust and wrath. It’s a sexy blood red. I really can not tell you how beautiful this is in person, my cell phone pictures do it no justice, but atleast you can see the intensity of the colors (even though it’s out of focus).

pretty isn’t it? i really want to find a worthy pattern. i was thinking of making a pouch thingy like in knitted gifts. or maybe a small pillow so i can nuzzle it. lol. it’s like precious commodity.”

courtesy of nicomara.net

AND….

“Review Part 01: Shipment Received

August 22nd, 2007

I was pleasantly surprised by a request to be a yarn reviewer for Knitterpated’s yarns. All I had to do was hop on over to the temporary store on etsy and pick a color!

So I did some homework. Of course, I immediately went for the fingering weight yarn (can’t help that sock loving compulsion) and picked an lovely red in Nanette (which happens to be my ninang’s name… that’s god mother to non filipino folks). I noticed that one skien would 175 yards. That’ll make one sock for an adult. (See I’m stuck on this sock thing.) I figured that if I got one skien, it would force me to knit something non sock.

Anyway I was curious to see what this yarn was like. And today, my curiosity was eased. The yarn is wonderfully not rail thin. I am very happy with the medium of yarn she choose. It’s not super thin where a US1 would be the mid-large size needle. A US2 would work beautifully to make a nice even fabric (at my gauge).

With the skien wound up I can tell you I am pleased with the color. It’d deep. It’s rich. It’s like a nice red wine. I’m curious if she used a dye over dye technique?

Anyway, I’m excited to knit with it, problem is, I don’t know what to freaking make. I was thinking about socks for my mini-me-but-male nephew, but my sister doesn’t really think knitted stuff is all that great. (i know i know, the horror!) and this is after i made her a first son a baby sweater (so the sleeves were long, it was my first kid sweater… she just laughed… ugh)

i’m thinking a hat, but they have big heads (the kids, from the dad)… so i’m going to have to measure mini-me-but-male 1 year old. I’m thinking I can get away with ribbed though.

any suggestions would be cool remember 175 yards fingering weight yarn. and red, don’t tempt me, i just may make you one sock! ”

Courtesy nicomara.net

  Click here to purchase the Pattern for $4.

So I made an effort this morning and unhooked the camera cable from my poor dead computer and got it hooked up to my fiance’s. I think there were 50 misc. pictures in there from the last time the kids were over. (Molly has took over the camera and took a ton of all of us, mostly when we didn’t know she was going to take a picture.)
First two shots are the nearly finished sock made from http://knitterpated.com/ yarn. It’s 100% Merino and so soft and squishy! I’ve really enjoyed working with it
Yes, sorry, the camera strap got in the way. Almost finished…probably be done by tonite or tomorrow night. Such cute colors! Black, white and aqua. I’ve never worked with black yarn before, the dye seems to come off a bit on my finger tips, but maybe that is usual with such a dark color. It washes off right away, but I think I’ll wash in cold water right away to cut down on color transfer. Oh and these socks are so soft, I’m going to love, love, love em! Even my finance (er, fiance) thought they were soft….and he’s usually very non-commital (”Nice, honey!”)

                .courtesy of www.yarnrogue.blogspot.com

Knit Me Up’s physical location is about to change to Lafayette NY. We are moving this week, so shipping will be suspended till September 1st. Look for reviews and comments to be posted on the blogs listed to the right. Once relocated, I will be approaching local shops in syracuse, and online about carrying my yarns as well.

Welcome to my humble store blog. I have worked hard to get as much yarn dyed, and markers made, to justify opening a shop. While my main store site is under construction, I will be using Etsy as my store front, to sell my hand crafted items. So feel free to click to the right on my store, and find out what all I have been up to.

As far as what the future holds, I have a store in the works, that will knock your socks off. A spot for blogs to be consolidated, a spot to find help for beginners and those expanding their knowledge, a place to find a listing of local yarn shops, and local knitting groups, as well as current knit-a-longs, online yarn shops, and a comprehensive pattern directory. A one stop shop for all your knitting information.

To kick this off, I want to get my yarn out to experienced knitter/bloggers so that there can be some real reviews for our purchasers. I have already enlisted the help of poormissfinch. Any other takers for a skein of fabulous 100% superfine merino hand dyed - for the price of a post with a photo of the finished product? Well thats it for now…more to come soon…

Gabby out