Another week gone by in a blur…  I was going to say how crazy it is that January is already half over.  I missed my chance—as of tomorrow January is two-thirds over.  Spring is around the corner!

This past week was a calm but busy one.  As the weather warmed up I was able to get outside for a walk.  It’s always uplifting to get some sunshine and breathe in that crisp air.  I believe I sleep better on those days that I am able to get outside.

Even my pup loves sunshine, and of course, soft beds.  I think he is missing his “sissy”.

I completed my first doll ensemble this week, and it is on its way to a special little girl.

I have a couple of newer fabrics that have this shade of green in them, so I decided to knit a “Light Cardigan” for the Little Darlings in the longest length with elbow length sleeves.  It is now blocked and waiting patiently for me.

Yesterday I dyed a skein of merino worsted weight yarn for a cowl I’d like to make.  I made these two color palettes on PicMonkey, but the end result doesn’t really look anything like the palettes I made.  Hmm, an unnecessary step?

I started with 5 basic colors: yellow, warm red, cool red, warm blue, cool blue.  I mixed up a concentrated bit of each, then used those to mix four colors to be used on the yarn.

This is the first time I “cooked” my yarn in a pot and used citric acid instead of vinegar as a mordant.

The dye “stuck” to the yarn immediately.  I thought it would get diluted and bleed into the other colors.  That didn’t happen.  I guess because of all the citric acid.  I find many different “suggestions” for the amount to be used.

This is how the yarn looked after I finished applying the dye.  I used the smaller cups and slowly put it on the yarn.

When I lifted my skein out of the pot I discovered the underside had lots of white.  I actually like it better this way, so yay!  You can see how clear the dye bath is; all of the dye is on the yarn.  When I washed the skein I had no bleeding whatsoever.

The end result was a surprise.  I was going for a much more muted and pastel version of these colors—not so violet-y looking  Oh well…  I have a LOT to learn about dyeing yarn.  Nevertheless, it was fun and perhaps addicting.  I am anxious to start knitting with this skein.  I hope it doesn’t knit up looking like a mess.

This yarn is Preciosa from Knit Picks—a 100% merino single ply.  I’ve discovered that merino wool is not scratchy on my skin—even on my neck.  I’ve believed for many, many years that I could not wear any animal fiber whatsoever.  I see many cowls, socks, scarves, and shawls in my future.  And perhaps, when I am really confident, a sweater.

Also, from this week.  Wendy, who makes porcelain dolls and repaints others, has kindly shared photos of her work with me and you, too.  Wendy has resized some of my knitting patterns to fit her specific dolls.  She is one multi-talented lady.  She also does other crafts.  If you’d like to follow her Facebook page it is called Wendy’s Doll Collection.  Here are her photos.  The first and last are from Dianna Effner molds.  The middle doll is a German antique reproductions which she repainted and dressed.

From start to finish… beautiful!  Don’t you agree?

Well, I think that’s about it for me today.  I hope you all have a great weekend.  Thanks for stopping by, my friends.

❤