Organic Hand Dying Yarn!

A great and creative activity!

You can e-mail me for a pdf at natalie@nantucketknitter.com
You will need:
- a teaspoon
- a big enamel or cast iron pot
- a thermometer
- white, cream or light coloured wool yarn
- dye
- citric acid

STEP ONE: Wash yarn. Follow washing instructions on yarn.
STEP TWO: Fill large enamel or stainless steel pot with warm water, you want it about 100 degrees. Tap water should be sufficient. Add yarn and soak for fifteen minutes.

STEP THREE: Dissolve between 1/4 - 1/2 tsp (depending on how intense you want the color) dye in a small paper cup with warm water, and add dissolved dye to yarn bath. Stir to incorporate, and soak for ten minutes.

STEP FOUR: Slowly raise temperature to 175 degrees F, and soak at consistent 175 for ten minutes.
STEP FIVE: Add one teaspoon of citric acid and stir to dissolve. Slowly raise temperature and stir until water is cleared. If water is not cleared in a few minutes add another teaspoon of citric acid. If the water is almost clear, by the time the water is cool, it should be clear.

STEP FIVE: Once water is clear, remove pot from heat immediately. Let cool, then rinse with cold water and let the yarn dry.
CONGRATS! You have now dyed yarn!

A great yarn dying kit to start with

(This last picture was dyed one solid color following these instructions, and then it was repeated again on half of the yarn sing a darker color. It produces a long striping pattern.)
Photos © Natalie Gonzalez

Organic Tomato Plants!

I was at a local farm recently, and came across fairly cheap windowsill greenhouses. Every year I have tried to grow my own tomato, pepper, and other assorted plants. Well, it's only April 20th, but already, thanks to these awesome little boxes, I have grown better plants than I ever have before. (I say this knowing the plants are currently less than three inches. That says something about my gardening skills.)
Plus, without realizing it, I purchased organic seeds. I must be the only person in the world who doesn't wonder why a packet of seeds costs over $3.00.
And on another and completely unrelated note, we are making cloud pancakes this morning! If you haven't tried these, you must!

They certainly make someone happy!
Cloud Pancakes
PS, I was going to include more photos, but Blogger kept freezing. And I am too impatient to wait.

Favorite Things Friday

Well, I have had so much to be thankful for that I don't know what to be thankful for!

The weather has been so blissfully sweet. My kiddo was accepted into a free preschool program she loves. I have actually been getting work. Some friends are back for the summer. My ex father in law's health is improving. My computer is back upstairs and running. And it goes on.

I am just thankful to be alive!

favorite things friday

My tiny tumbler!

The Winner!

Thanks everyone for entering my Blogaversary giveaway. Using the random number generator, I chose the winning comment...

And that is...

Congrats Heather!

Sunday Snippets

ps- don't forget my cashmere yarn giveaway.

Foto Finish - Growing

Growing up and growing old:

PS - Don't forget my Cashmere Yarn Giveaway!