Saturday, 24 August 2013

OPAM Finishes and some more woolly projects.



If anyone has wondered why I have not been blogging recently it is because I have received some critic from a regular reader that has basically informed me a few times over the last 12 months that I should ie not do long posts and make them daily or twice weekly instead and also just recently criticized the amount of wooly projects I have enjoyed working on and made me feel sick. She suggests I should get back to sewing instead.  That person will know who she is and as I have better manners than she does so I will let her remain nameless.  I was going to shut the whole blog thing down and not even bother with it but I had two lovely ladies email me in the last couple of days as they had not noticed me around and I really appreciate their comments on the issue and their continued friendship.  I have decided to keep blogging and just ignore this person.  I have blocked her email and I will be turning on comment moderation so I see them before they are published directly to my blog.  I cant stand nasty people who comment rudely on anothers achievements in such a way wether it is my work or that of others.  Basically there is an old saying that if you cant say something nice then dont say it at all.  I have also decided that I get a lot more done when I am not blogging as much too so I will become an infrequent blogger.  So basically if you wish to visit me and be nice about it then do so and I would love to hear from you.  If not go away and find someone else to pick on as life is too short for such rubbish.  Those that are friends know that I have a lot on my plate and will not let the likes of she-who-shall-not-be-named ruin things for me or others and that is the last that will be said on the matter.

Well firstly over the last month I have done a couple of trips with Mum to Ewe give me the knits in Tongala and picked up a couple of lots of lovely landscape dyes.


So these were then used to dye a heap of Bendigo Woollen Mills sliver that is a mix of alpaca and  the other is their machine wash merino/bamboo.

Moss

Heath

Barossa 

Mix of all dyes at various strengths

Saltmarsh
So that all happened on one sunny day and the next I overdyed some old stash wool. It involved skeining it all up, dyeing throughout the day and then a quick rinse and now it is all balled up back in my organised stash boxes.





So the pink is Heath that was used to overdye a very pale mottled green 14 ply.
Barossa overdyed the same pale green.
Two strengths of barossa to overdye some pink mohair 4ply.
Daintree to overdye more pale green.
Rust Bendigo 8ply leftovers were overdyed with mustard to change the tone. 
The next two are cheap 5ply cream and cream flecked like I rainbow dyed ages ago and I have used 2 shades of daintree on one and several shades of mustard and daintree on the other. 
The last is a darker green version of the same 14ply and it has been overdyed with daintree.

All this wool started life as jumpers for my brother or myself when we were about 5 lol.  I didn't take any photos before they were dyed.

The green on the top rung has turned into the crochet scarf.





The green at the end of the bottom rung is turning into a beanie.



I have also just last Wednesday joined a knitting group that meets at the local library for a few hours every Wednesday.  I enjoyed myself immensely and am waiting for next Wednesday to come round so I can go again.  I worked on the final sleeve of Lance's jumper and will hopefully have it finished in the next week after I finish the beanie as it has a finish date on it lol.


The other finishes I have are the red hat and scarf for Grace and another pair of socks finished for myself. 







I have also sewed on my xmas swap items and have them nearly finished.  I also made heaps of needle pouches of various sizes to tidy up this box of needles and crochet hooks.  I recycled a dress that I used to wear back in the oldtime dancing days lol. 







Finally I took all those jelly dyed bits of fluff over to Mums and made some batts for spinning.  This is the combed out bits and bobs from when I prepped it ages ago and we made an art batt!  Not sure what the heck I will do with it but it is lovely and soft and pretty to look at.


So I hope you all made it to the end of this post.  Maybe the others wont be so long next time. 




21 comments:

Monica said...

LOL, I have a very similar looking box full of knitting needles right here! Your needle roll is a good solution - I am still debating what will be best for me.

You certainly have been busy! I particularly like the green overdyed scarf. Great work!

barb's creations said...

Good on you!! I totally agree if you haven't got anything nice to say then shut up and say nothing....what a B@#ch!
I love seeing what you've been up to and I especially love to see what you've been working on in wool, you just keep on doing what you're doing because like any blogger me included I ultimately do it for myself and the pleasure I get from working on various projects....what a rude so and so!
(((((HUGS)))))take care of yourself and keep working on what YOU want to work on and keep blogging those long posts as I and I'm sure many of your other visitors thoroughly enjoy them :) Barb.

Claire said...

Oh Katherine! I had wondered why you hadn't blogged and now I know why. I am so sorry that this has happened to you. There are some very miserable and mean-spirited people out there. Ignore her because there are people like me who love reading your knitting posts and you inspire us. You are clever and talented and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. I love all that you post about yarn - makes me think that I too could do things like you do - just not as fast, lol.

shez said...

so good to have you back Katherine sounds like you have had an aweful time,shame there are horrid people about,just as well there are not many of them.
Look at all the amazing work you have been doing,love seeing what you make with your wool,have a lovely weekend my friend.xx

Bev C said...

Hello Katherine,

Thank you for sharing what you have been up to. I do enjoy seeing how you dye your items. Though I couldn't knit them up to save myself.

Have a wonderful weekend and most importantly, do what you want to!

Happy days.
Bev.

Noela said...

Don't let negative people stop your enjoyment of sharing what you are doing. I think if people can't say something nice then don't comment or stop following the blog. I blog for me as a record of what I am doing and I am guessing so do you. I love that others visit me and comment but a negative comment is not acceptable. Keep blogging Katherine, there are plenty of people who enjoy your posts, I am one of them. Hugs.....

Melody said...

I love reading your posts too. Please don't let one bad person spoil things for you. Take care. Big hugs

Mistea said...

Beautiful as always. I never know where to look first when I come here, you always have lots of lovelies of the every kind. I think you are a bit like me and enjoy creating with a variety of fibres which is fun.
Your spinning and dyeing are gorgeous. I love the scarves you have been creating, perfect for this last month of winter.
Those needles holders are not just beautiful recycled pieces but ever so useful too, now that my machine is back I may just make myself a one for my crochet hooks so next time I'm looking for a 4.5mm hook I may be able to locate one of the three that I own.
Great to see you here whenever you want to share.

Jillian said...

Great to have you back - I love keeping up with your projects. They are really interesting and stretch my boundaries and imagination. I also love being part of a community of common interest. Your projects are great and your over dyed wool is fabulous. I am in awe!

Life is far too short and precious to give oxygen or time to people who can only boost their confidence by putting others down.

A post from you brings joy to my day - always.

Rachelle said...

She sounds jealous to me, ignore her and post what you want to; after all it's your blog. I know I post what I want on mine, if people are looking for quilting and I'm in a knitting mood then they'll just have to put up with knitting.

Deb R said...

Don't let one negative comment spoil the hundreds of positive comments...keep blogging, we all love reading our blog!!

Fiona said...

oh my goodness... your blog - you write what you want and however much you want.... the rest of us love what you are doing so keep it up... you have made some stunning items and I am in awe of your home dyed wools...
Hugz

Maria said...

Your blog and your post sew write what you wish....
You have turned your old wool into some amazing colours.

Jindi's Cottage said...

You've been sooo busy...your dyeing produces such beautiful colours...good use of an old dress...

Sharyn T said...

When a friend told me to start a blog, it was explained that it was a personal diary that you write for yourself first and if others are interested, great. This person is not worth worrying about.
Your wool are lovely colours Katherine and your finishes look great. Sharyn:)

Anita said...

Good on you for sticking to your guns girl. If someone doesn't like what you have to say then they don't have to visit....we will enjoy you without them. Love all your knitting projects, they're fun.
Cheers, Anita.

Charlie and Wendy said...

Oh Katherine, I am so sorry for you that you have had to go through this. Your blog is lovely and I always enjoy my visits. You have so many lovely projects this time and I love all the pretty colours!! Hugs Wendy

Araignee said...

I had to start moderating my comments for the same reason. No one is forced to read any particular blog so if it's not your cup of tea- move on. I just don't get the haters. And don't get me started on the thugs that troll Ravelry. I don't comment on anything over there unless I know who I am talking to. Sad.

Cheryll said...

I just cannot believe some people! What business is it of theirs what you write/display on YOUR blog! It's YOUR blog not theirs. If they don't like what's on the page isn't it simple- just don't visit! Why the nasty criticism? I just don't get it!

Anyways I like to visit and I will continue to do so... bring on the
L-O-N-G woolly posts...yeah!
Great projects on todays post! :)

retdairyqueen said...

Very obvious that the nasty lady had little to do
I for one enjoy your posts
So pleased you are going to ignore her

Radka said...

Hi Katherine! You really are into this in a big way! :-)