Category: Tutorials, Tips and Tricks

Pie dish dyes: Quick and easy stovetop dyes to make your scrap projects sing

August 17, 2022

In my previous post about my serial Barn Raising blanket projects, I spoke about dyeing up leftovers of solid coloured yarns to make fun variegates and speckled yarns. Today I want to show how I do this using just kool aid, a pyrex pie dish, a few small glasses and a tea strainer to create fun colour effects. In the past I’ve shared how I used microwave dye methods to create tonal and long colour … More Pie dish dyes: Quick and easy stovetop dyes to make your scrap projects sing

Low intensity natural plant dyeing in Winter: A simple, step by step, anyone can do it, guide

March 31, 2022

In my previous natural dyeing post I talked about using a new to me method of low intensity dyeing that used the heat generated by our woodburning stove and time. Today I thought I’d share a quick guide to this approach so you can easily see how you could adapt it to suit your circumstances, and integrate elements of it in your dyeing practice should you wish to do so. If you’ve never dyed before, … More Low intensity natural plant dyeing in Winter: A simple, step by step, anyone can do it, guide

Afterthought Booties Revisited: Origami fun for Knitters

March 1, 2021

It’s been a while since this free pattern was available to knitters so I’m really pleased to be able to rectify that. Pleased in no short measure because it’s reminded me what fun these booties were to knit and make up, and to recall the serendipitous route they took from failed swatch to successful project. Since the pattern was originally released 2013, I’ll take a few moments to explain. Following the publication of my Lovely … More Afterthought Booties Revisited: Origami fun for Knitters

A Little Colourplay: Brightening lockdown life

June 19, 2020

Whether it be a complete brightening up, a bit of overdyeing, or trying to blend with an existing yarn, a bit of DIY yarn dyeing can turn what you already have but don’t love into something you do, and that you can’t wait to use. It can enliven your stash making it more flexible and more aligned to the projects you actually want to make. We all have those yarns that we don’t quite remember … More A Little Colourplay: Brightening lockdown life

Winging it with Afterthought Pockets

September 27, 2019

Following on the heels of my make it up as you go along yoked cardigan which I’ve worn so much because it filled that ‘wardrobe staple go with anything’ remit, I decided another such cardigan was required. Again in fingering yarn, of which I have rather a lot. It’s mostly vintage and woollen spun and in some of the most striking heathered colours that I really want to be wearing it. This time I decided … More Winging it with Afterthought Pockets