Goin' To Madrona!

We are doing the last minute dyeing before we leave for Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat.  We leave at the crack of dawn on Tuesday.  It is a 800 mile drive and we are doing it in one day.  I am really looking forward to Madrona.  Stop by and visit us if you are coming. 

Tactile Fiber Arts will be selling wonderful naturally dyed yarns and spinning fibers.  We have expanded our selection and there is some great stuff in there like yak and suri alpaca fibers and merino-silk and alpaca yarns.  We have also added organic merino and cotton yarns.  So much goodness.

Speaking of natural dyes (and we are because I haven't used synthetic dyes in at least a year), I have been meaning to point out a post on our Tactile store blog.  There are a lot of misconceptions about natural dyes and we are trying to set the record straight.  Stop in and read this post if you are interested in learning more about natural dyes.  Please feel free to ask questions there for us to answer in future posts.

To keep my sanity during this last push, I am still working on the BFL spinning.  I am Navajo plying now.  I want to finish the skein before we leave so I can knit the socks during the trip.

There is also a lot of progress on the North Roe shawl.  I am into the second chart and probably about 65-70% done with the knitting.

Here is a close-up of the  chart 2 pattern.  The bottom part (from the knitter's perspective) is lacier.  There is one more chart that gets  really lacy.  I am looking forward to that one.
With the shawl getting close to being down I am starting to wonder what I will wear it with.  I can't think of anything that will work with those colors.  It would look great if I overdyed it forest green.  I wonder if Ronni would be offended if I dyed it?  It is such a generous gift and a wonderfully soft merino yarn. 

I am really feeling the lace and scanning the horizon for the next piece to make.  On a whim I decided to join the Mystic Light Mystery Shawl KAL.  Sign-ups are open until March 25th.  I may need something else before the end of March.  Maybe the #3 Flower Shawl by Hitomi Shida or the Cleopatra Wrap in Sensual Knits by Miriam L. Felton (Ravelry links).

Think happy travels for us on Tuesday! 

Comments

[LaurieM]

The shawl is lovely. I think it would look good with natural colors, cream, brown, forest green or blue. I bet it would even look good with orange!

Good luck at your sale. I'm sure you'll have a ton of fun.

[Ronni]

It was a gift. It is now yours. If you want to over-dye it, by all means do so. If it helps any, I've got a similar issue with the color not being one I would wear as is, so I have been considering over-dyeing a skein of it that I have. Only I'm still debating what color I would want to over dye it with in addition to whether or not I really want to do that at all.

That shawl is looking very gorgeous by the way. If you do over-dye it forest green be prepared to keep an eye on me anytime it and I are in the same place. ;)

[ck]

Have a great time at the festival!

[michelle]

Pretty, pretty, pretty!

The shawl looks gorgeous! I say overdye if you like - me I would probably go shopping :) It looks like it would go wonderful with something brown.

You two have a safe drive and here's hoping your a huge hit at Madrona! And please stop the teasing until you actually open that darn online store :)

[Kristine]

I love the shawl. It is so pretty. I hope you have a great time in Madrona -- can't wait to hear about all of your adventures when you return.

[Jessica]

The shawl looks wonderful as is, but if you want to overdye I'd say go ahead. If you're really worried check with Ronni.

Have fun at Madrona and sell lots!

[angelarae]

Your shawl is looking lovely! Can't wait to see it finished:)

Ang

[Naomi]

Maia, it was nice to meet you at Madrona. I'm glad I made the connection about having purchased some of your yummy fibers awhile back. Have fun at stitches! I look forward to the opening of your on-line store! Good Luck!