,July '17 Taking Measurements for Proper Fit / Dyeing 101 / Intro to Knitting Machines / and of course.... pot luck lunch!
10 Attending [See photos of the day in the slideshow at the bottom.]
This all-day event, at Kristina's home, started with the joy of taking our own measurements. No need to dwell on that delightful thought. Kristina provided a handy ring card tool for recording those oh, so forgettable numbers, with a few helpful stitch reminders included as well. Once the deed had been done, she proceeded to advise on how to use the dread reality to adjust patterns to meet those dimensions. Mathematics is involved, which would take this recorder too long to explain, as it's really not clear to me yet. Suffice it to say that ratios and formulae are involved, as well as the gauge for the pattern. Contact Kristina for personal tutorial, as that task is beyond my skill level. One valuable tip that did sink in, was that all shaping should take place between the hip and waist portions of a garment.
After that less than inspiring beginning, the really fun stuff began. Since many attendees had already had a preliminary session on dyeing prior to this day, Kristina decided to start us off with some reverse action. She provided already dyed cotton towels, that we proceeded to imprint with stencils using bleach sticks to remove the dye color [blue].As soon as we were satisfied that the design was complete, it was off to the sink to rinse out the bleach. A final wash in the machine at home would still be needed. Some experimentation is needed to get the sense of how much bleach needs to be applied, depending on the size of the stencil and the intricasy of the design. Those first results weren't exactly gift-worthy, but it was a great opportunity to learn what, after much practice, could potentially result in some pretty cool items. Quick tip: move quickly when applying the bleach stick [the bleach spreads] and keep a consistent pressure on the pen.
Next we moved on to dyeing yarn. There is a difference between dyeing plant base versus protein based yarn. Different dyes are used, as well as, different dye bath temperature and ph levels. We were all using protein based fibers. Protein based fiber, i.e. animal wool, use acid based dyes, with a pre-wetting with vinegar infused water: 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water. Kristina recommends cake decorating dyes! Wear gloves!!!!!
1. loosen a hank of yarn, leaving just 2 ties to keep it under control;
2. in a large bowl filled with the vinegar & water mix, at room temperature, dip the yarn to thoroughly wet, then wring out the water;
3. mix dye into very warm water in a large Ball canning jar, dissolving it completely, set aside 1/2 the water w/dye
4. slowly lower the wet hank into the large Ball jar of dye, it will start to absorb the dye immediately
5. after the hank is completely in the jar, add the remaining set-aside dye water, so that the last part of the hank that went into the jar, gets as much dye as the first part into the jar
6. wait & watch the yarn take up the color....when the water has gone clear, that indicates that all the dye has been taken up by the fiber.
Now, microwave the Ball jar full of water + dye + fiber on High for 5 minutes. Use mitts to remove from microwave, drain the water, and remove the fiber. Rinse the yarn continually under cold running water until no more color runs out. Squeeze out as much water as possible, then roll in a towel and twist to wring out more water, finally spread out on a drying rack until dry.
Some thoughts about colors and dyeing:
We all learned in elementary school that mixing colors results in new colors, i.e. red & yellow make orange. Well, the above dyeing process, in a sense, releases back the chemicals, that make up the colors, to their origins. Thus when dyeing something orange, the reds and yellows separate. Some colors, some fibers, absorb at different rates, consequently, using an orange dye may produce an item with some areas more yellow, some more red, probably not ever pure, even orange. This is the exciting part of dyeing fiber.....never knowing exactly what the end product will be. This can also be the frustrating part, if you have something particular in mind! It is also why, when we buy already-dyed yarn, it's wise to buy the full amounted needed to complete the garment all from the same dye lot! If you need to get more later, even buying from the same source, the color with the same name, may not be identical in hue and tone to the first skeins you bought.
We noted that most of the resulting colors were not terribly intense. Red dye yielded shades of pink when finished. Kristina advised that the stove top kettle method of dying, were the water is at boiling temp and the yarn is in the bath for a longer time, will produce stronger colors. We just didn't have time for that method at a one-day workshop.
After a delicious lunch, which resulted in totally skewing the measurements we recorded on arrival, Kristina introduced us to her knitting machines. She had brought 3 types down from her upstairs studio. They take up a considerable amount of flat surface.
We learned that the machines can do all sorts of patterns, even with different colors, but only in stockinette stitch unless a special extra carriage is used. [For carriage....think of the old typewriter carriages that moved back and forth.] However, no project can be wider than a specific number of stitches per machine. Her demo model could go up to 200 stitches wide. Though they are machines, they are not automatic. Surprise! The operator must manually move the carriage back and forth for each row of stitches. Very good exercise for the upper arm muscles! We each gave it a go, so no further need of the gym was required for us that day.
It was also interesting to note that each machine uses only a particular weight of yarn. So a machine that works with worsted weight cannot be used next to make something from baby-fine lace yarn.
Some of the machines have a pattern entered into the carriage via a punch card, very much like the old key-punched computer data-entry cards; other have pins that are adjusted to set the pattern. Very technical. As if that's not tricky enough, many of these machines are no longer being made, so getting replacement parts is difficult. Even worse, there are no repair technicians.....the buyer must also be a mechanic to do repairs themselves. Though very interesting to observe, and an understandably useful tool for a professional knitter like Kristina, I think the vast majority of us will be quite content to do our knitting by hand.
All in all, the day was a very enjoyable venture, with great thanks going out to an outstanding teacher!
10 Attending [See photos of the day in the slideshow at the bottom.]
This all-day event, at Kristina's home, started with the joy of taking our own measurements. No need to dwell on that delightful thought. Kristina provided a handy ring card tool for recording those oh, so forgettable numbers, with a few helpful stitch reminders included as well. Once the deed had been done, she proceeded to advise on how to use the dread reality to adjust patterns to meet those dimensions. Mathematics is involved, which would take this recorder too long to explain, as it's really not clear to me yet. Suffice it to say that ratios and formulae are involved, as well as the gauge for the pattern. Contact Kristina for personal tutorial, as that task is beyond my skill level. One valuable tip that did sink in, was that all shaping should take place between the hip and waist portions of a garment.
After that less than inspiring beginning, the really fun stuff began. Since many attendees had already had a preliminary session on dyeing prior to this day, Kristina decided to start us off with some reverse action. She provided already dyed cotton towels, that we proceeded to imprint with stencils using bleach sticks to remove the dye color [blue].As soon as we were satisfied that the design was complete, it was off to the sink to rinse out the bleach. A final wash in the machine at home would still be needed. Some experimentation is needed to get the sense of how much bleach needs to be applied, depending on the size of the stencil and the intricasy of the design. Those first results weren't exactly gift-worthy, but it was a great opportunity to learn what, after much practice, could potentially result in some pretty cool items. Quick tip: move quickly when applying the bleach stick [the bleach spreads] and keep a consistent pressure on the pen.
Next we moved on to dyeing yarn. There is a difference between dyeing plant base versus protein based yarn. Different dyes are used, as well as, different dye bath temperature and ph levels. We were all using protein based fibers. Protein based fiber, i.e. animal wool, use acid based dyes, with a pre-wetting with vinegar infused water: 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water. Kristina recommends cake decorating dyes! Wear gloves!!!!!
1. loosen a hank of yarn, leaving just 2 ties to keep it under control;
2. in a large bowl filled with the vinegar & water mix, at room temperature, dip the yarn to thoroughly wet, then wring out the water;
3. mix dye into very warm water in a large Ball canning jar, dissolving it completely, set aside 1/2 the water w/dye
4. slowly lower the wet hank into the large Ball jar of dye, it will start to absorb the dye immediately
5. after the hank is completely in the jar, add the remaining set-aside dye water, so that the last part of the hank that went into the jar, gets as much dye as the first part into the jar
6. wait & watch the yarn take up the color....when the water has gone clear, that indicates that all the dye has been taken up by the fiber.
Now, microwave the Ball jar full of water + dye + fiber on High for 5 minutes. Use mitts to remove from microwave, drain the water, and remove the fiber. Rinse the yarn continually under cold running water until no more color runs out. Squeeze out as much water as possible, then roll in a towel and twist to wring out more water, finally spread out on a drying rack until dry.
Some thoughts about colors and dyeing:
We all learned in elementary school that mixing colors results in new colors, i.e. red & yellow make orange. Well, the above dyeing process, in a sense, releases back the chemicals, that make up the colors, to their origins. Thus when dyeing something orange, the reds and yellows separate. Some colors, some fibers, absorb at different rates, consequently, using an orange dye may produce an item with some areas more yellow, some more red, probably not ever pure, even orange. This is the exciting part of dyeing fiber.....never knowing exactly what the end product will be. This can also be the frustrating part, if you have something particular in mind! It is also why, when we buy already-dyed yarn, it's wise to buy the full amounted needed to complete the garment all from the same dye lot! If you need to get more later, even buying from the same source, the color with the same name, may not be identical in hue and tone to the first skeins you bought.
We noted that most of the resulting colors were not terribly intense. Red dye yielded shades of pink when finished. Kristina advised that the stove top kettle method of dying, were the water is at boiling temp and the yarn is in the bath for a longer time, will produce stronger colors. We just didn't have time for that method at a one-day workshop.
After a delicious lunch, which resulted in totally skewing the measurements we recorded on arrival, Kristina introduced us to her knitting machines. She had brought 3 types down from her upstairs studio. They take up a considerable amount of flat surface.
We learned that the machines can do all sorts of patterns, even with different colors, but only in stockinette stitch unless a special extra carriage is used. [For carriage....think of the old typewriter carriages that moved back and forth.] However, no project can be wider than a specific number of stitches per machine. Her demo model could go up to 200 stitches wide. Though they are machines, they are not automatic. Surprise! The operator must manually move the carriage back and forth for each row of stitches. Very good exercise for the upper arm muscles! We each gave it a go, so no further need of the gym was required for us that day.
It was also interesting to note that each machine uses only a particular weight of yarn. So a machine that works with worsted weight cannot be used next to make something from baby-fine lace yarn.
Some of the machines have a pattern entered into the carriage via a punch card, very much like the old key-punched computer data-entry cards; other have pins that are adjusted to set the pattern. Very technical. As if that's not tricky enough, many of these machines are no longer being made, so getting replacement parts is difficult. Even worse, there are no repair technicians.....the buyer must also be a mechanic to do repairs themselves. Though very interesting to observe, and an understandably useful tool for a professional knitter like Kristina, I think the vast majority of us will be quite content to do our knitting by hand.
All in all, the day was a very enjoyable venture, with great thanks going out to an outstanding teacher!