some truly stunning yarns in this photo gallery, many spindle spun (spundle?). if i ever produced something as beautiful as this i could die happy.

The Knitting & Crochet Guild of Great Britain

brought to the site by this wrist distaff for handspinning, there’s a slew of articles as well as a fantastic blog (that sadly stops in dec 04) covering just about everything fibre based. inspiring.

i’m really pleased with it, it’s got a fantastic drape and it’s yummy and soft. ideally i’d have liked it to be bigger but that would have meant unravelling all the 3-ply yarn into singles which was more work than i could be bothered with. it’s still a reasonable length, just below the bum, and the ends are long enough to tie behind my back so i can wear it more like a shrug. i really like the stretch and give in the fabric, it clings gently but has plenty of room to move.

rasta wool i thought it would be really hard to work up but it was nice and springy. good job i had a 9mm hook though, it averaged out around 5 or 6 wpi. there were a few spots where it wasn’t plied properly but generally it was okay. it’s too small to be much use, just over 6in dia (using nearly all the 30 yards total), might stand my flower vases on it.

16oz dock leaves
8oz wool
Rusty iron water (water in which rusty iron has been soaked)

“Tear the leaves into small pieces and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for an hour. Strain off the liquid and add the clean wet wool simmering for about an hour. Lift out the wool and add rusty iron water stir and gently replace the wool. Simmer without stirring for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse in soft water with a cupful of vinegar added. Wash and rinse thoroughly. Using this recipe substitute Ragwort for the dock leaves. I have found it gives similar colours as the dock.”(green, browns & yellows)

from diary of a west cork dyer

edit: my horticultural correspondent says nuh-uh to the the ragwort. apparently it’s really toxic to horses and prolly not much better for people. there’s even laws against it. blimey.