Summer Class Survey

We are working on our summer class schedule and we want to hear your opinions! Please take the survey and/or shoot us an email with an idea.

We are looking forward to your responses!

The Work of Human Hands

Yarn. Books. The two things I could happily collect more and more of for the rest of my life. Book people tend to have a similar relationship with their collection as knitters and crocheters do with their stash. I prefer to think of myself as someone who doesn’t just buy for the sake of buying, someone who isn’t wasteful, someone who understands that “stuff” isn’t what makes this life grand. People, not things.

On the other hand, I see a value inherent in items created by fellow humans. The story held in a book. The hours and hours of the author’s life spent telling them, working it all out on a page (literal or figurative these days). The thrills of a new story begun, the persevering spirit as it works out all of the characters and details, the trust as it’s sent off to the publisher. The designers taking the author’s work and laying it out with cover art and fonts that support the writing. The joy of first proofs. And, of course, a box of freshly printed and bound books. The work of the mind poured through the hands.

Wolkenspiel, hand-dyed by Zitron

Yarn is the same thing for me. Handspun yarn. Hand-dyed yarn. These are really special items in a stash. The touch of the spinner or dyer so evident in what we hold in our hands. The colors they choose say so much about them. Some dyers work in bright, shocking hues. Others in earthy, subtle shades. There are the self-striping dyers, turning out skeins of colorful madness to become our wildest socks. 

It isn’t only the hand-dyers, though. Each yarn range has its unique aesthetic. There are the workhorse yarns (Simpliworsted comes to mind) that come in every color imaginable and all the slight variations in between. Is this red really different than that red? Then, we hold them close under a good light and see that, yes, they are two different red...very close, but different. There are people behind those colors, as well. Making decisions, comparing colors, watching fashion trends, making sure to keep alive the old standbys. Of course, there are always entire new ranges of yarn, with fewer colors than the workhorses, but oh do they shine (Rylie, for instance)! Your favorite jeans vs. the perfect dress, bought for a sparkling night out.

Simpliworsted

Rylie

Again, the work of the mind poured through the hands.

So, yes, I have books I may never read. I have yarn I may never knit. They are more than things, though, more than “stuff”. They are the work of the human spirit, creativity made tangible. They are about the people behind them…and where they might take me.

-Betsey

Spring 2014: Outfit Inspiration

Effortless Lace Tank: Spring 2014 by colorfulpurls 

John Lewis sleeveless tank, / J.Crew cuffed shorts / Keds plimsoll sneaker / Oasis white face watch / 14 karat gold ring / Kohl jewelry / Blue jewelry / Leighton Denny nail polish / Effortless Lace Tank / Kimono20 Colors / Kimono20 Colors / Kimono20 Colors / Kimono20 Colors

[Ahh spring is here] We've been experiencing a few warm days around the Seattle area, and it almost feels like summer (well, at least before the next day when it's cold again). Regardless I'm thinking ahead to lightweight knits and crochet that I can wear when the weather heats up. One of my favorite designs is the Effortless Lace Tank. So named because the lace pattern is easy to memorize. It can be easily dressed up for a night on the town with sleek jeans and boots (throw on a sheer cardi for brunch with the gals), over a fitted maxi dress with summer wedges, or paired comfortably while still being chic as shown above.

[Colors] Visions of an orange/tan PNW sunset near the cool blue water and gray rocks inspired this outfit. These cool neutrals are offset with a bright pop of Celosia Orange with a relaxed pair of shoes and a bauble necklace or a striking watch.

Speaking of colors, have you seen Pantone's Spring 2014 Color Report? It's so fun to find yarn that matches around the shop!

[Trends] I'm seeing for spring and summer: Oversized tops with drape and lacy or sheer, mesh/simple lace, sheer layers, white garments edged with a pop of color like Radiant Orchid, Cayenne, or Dazzling Blue.

What are YOU making for the warmer season? Lightweight garments? Featherweight shawls? Or perhaps you continue making for cooler weather?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Jessica

Daydreaming...Sunshine!

Daydreaming…Sunshine!

I love this time of the year when it starts to get lighter out earlier in the morning and later in the evening.  It makes me start to daydream…ice cream cones, snow cones, lemonade, iced tea, and summer time knitting!!!!  Skacel has a new yarn from Schulana called Cottonshine, it is 70% cotton and 30% polyester and comes in five fun neon colors blended with white.  It knits up at 3.75 stitches per inch.  Cottonshine is only available at Makers' Mercantile for a limited time.

I knit up "Ginger", a sexy sleeveless top, a free pattern that you can find through Ravelry.  I am daydreaming about all the fun items that could be knit in Cottonshine...lightweight cardis, shrugs, baby sweaters, baby blankets, headbands, and slouchy hats!!!  You should come in to Makers’ Mercantile, no, better yet, run in and pick up a ball or two to start your own daydream!!

Hope to see you soon, happy daydreaming!

Liz

Natural Dyeing Series: Dahlias, Geraniums & Marigolds

   Last spring I planted a bunch of my mom's dahlia bulbs in my garden. And they loved it there, I had so many! They were still blooming into september, so I picked some to use for this blog. I also had about 4 marigold heads from my sister's garden in reserve. But since I was worried it would be too similar, I also picked some bright pink geraniums. I wanted to attempt a 3-colored yarn, but in two ways. So I got two yarns.

Yup it is as cool as it looks!!!   

   For my first yarn I chose Accordion by Schulana. I am planning on knitting a cowl, so I grabbed two balls. But to dye them, they needed to be in a skein. So I pulled out my vintage swift (best garage sale find ever!) and skeined them both into one.

   The second yarn I chose was American B.R.A.N.D. American Brand is actually a yarn that is sourced, milled and dyed all in the US, and all the colors are natural dyes! :)

   With the American Brand, I split the yarn into four skeins (without breaking the yarn). A gradient attempt!

   I mordanted both yarns with alum, and while they cooled, I prepped the flowers!

Can you imagine how excited I was about this bright pink??

   I strained each of the three flower dyes into three jars. For the accordion, I made a lil pie plate with foil, with three equal pie pieces, and placed the yarn in. I then poured half of each jar into each pie piece, turned the stove on, and let it heat. Almost immediately, the pink faded to a grey-brown. I whimpered, thinking the tin foil affected it somehow! It is aluminum after all??

Bottom left corner = Geraniums :(

So for the American Brand I just laid it down in my dyepot, one section after the other. Right to left, I poured in the marigold, then the dahlia, then the geraniums...

Top: Boy oh boy the pink!!!
Bottom: DANGIT! (Marigold and Dahlia still lookin' pretty though)

   What a bummer! I didn't find ANYTHING about dyeing with geraniums in my research, and now I know why. But don't worry, there's a happy ending!

   Both yarns actually turned out really lovely. When I rinsed them, the geraniums washed out quite a bit, leaving a pale sage-y green. It's a nice, subtle contrast to the gold and orange.

Accordion on the Left, American B.R.A.N.D on the Right.

   So all in all I am happy with these! :)

   The Accordion will eventually be a variegated cowl, and the American Brand will be a shawl of some sort. I am open to suggestions! I am hoping for something that will show the drama of the gradient I may have achieved.

  

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   Previous in the series: Marigolds, Marigold FO

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