A Colour to Dye for.....

Soooo.... the artist in me wanted to try dyeing some yarn. Recently, a girlfriend of mine got three skeins of yarn gifted to her which were not her fav....  So, I asked her if she wouldn't mind parting with them. She gave them to me and then the fun began!


On a recent trip to the United States I picked up some Kool-Aid  as I heard and read that it was good to use for coloring or over-coloring yarn. The yarn I started with was a blend of acrylic and wool so I was a bit afraid that the yarn would not take the color,  because of the percentage of acrylic.  I decided to still give it a shot!

I began the first dye bath using the microwave method. You use one cup of  hot water with each package of Kool-Aid. I used 2 packages of blue Kool-Aid and soaked three skeins of yarn but quickly noticed I didn't have enough liquid. So, I went to blue food coloring and vinegar and added more hot water and coloring to the already soaking yarn. I used 2 teaspoons of food coloring with about 3 cups of hot water and about 2 tablespoons of vinegar. When the yarn was completely saturated I gave the solution a few minutes in the microwave to bring it up to temperature and let it sit until it cooled.  When I went to rinse it I realized that the yarn wasn't completely saturated and the coloring was uneven.

So,  let's try this again! I gave the yarn a second bath in a dye solution. Using instant hot water I added the remainder of the small bottle of blue food coloring with hot water and vinegar.  Then  I took the yarn skeins and untwisted them so that they were large oval shaped bundles.  Then I slowly submerged each of the three skeins into the blue solution. I heated them in the microwave for a few minutes  at a time with stirring and submerging  between each two minutes in the microwave. After about 6 minutes,  I let the yarn bath sit and cool. When the process was finished and cool, the dye water was completely clear and all the dye had gone into the yarn. I was super excited!

 Here is a picture of the before and after. The yarn on the left was the original and the yarn on the right is the finished product:

Crochet Pattern - Dragon Flap Hat - Child Size

It's been a while since I posted on my blog. However, recently I have been crocheting hats. I've been using patterns from the Internet and have finally gotten brave enough to create my own. I couldn't find a pattern for what I wanted so I figured how hard could it be? So, below is the pattern for my latest creation.

The Dragon Flap Hat - For Children: 

Materials: Loops and Threads Impeccable - Choose 2 colors. A main color, and a coordinating color. (This yarn is available from Michael's in Canada and the USA and comes in many great colors - I used Lavender and Lime).

Legend:
Ch - Chain
SC - Single Crochet
St - Stitch
DC - Double Crochet
TRC - Triple Crochet
DHC - Double Half Crochet

Hooks:
The main hat - J - 6.00 mm
Trim and Embellishments - I - 5.50 mm

Main Hat:
Ch 2
Round 1 – Work 6sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
Round 2 – 2 sc in each st around. (12)
Round 3 – *sc in next, 2 sc in next; repeat from * around. (18)
Round 4 – *scin next 2, 2 sc in next; repeat from * around. (24)
Round 5 – *sc in next 3, 2 sc in next; repeat from * around. (30)
Round 6 – *sc in next 4, 2 sc in next; repeat from * around. (36)
Round 7 – *sc in next 5, 2 sc in next; repeat from * around. (42)
Round 8 – *sc in next 6, 2 sc in next; repeat from * around. (48)
Round 9 – *sc in next 7, 2 sc in next; repeat from * around. (54)
Round 10 - 24 - sc - continue working the 54 stitches until 24 rounds have been achieved.

Ear Flaps:
Ear Flap 1:
Row 1: Decide where your are starting your ear flap, SC 12 then chain 1 and turn
Row 2: SC decrease, SC in next 8, SC decrease, chain 1, turn
Row 3: SC across, chain 2, turn (10 SC)
Row 4: SC decrease, SC in next 6, SC decrease, chain 1, turn
Row 5: SC across, chain 2, turn (8 SC)
Row 6: SC decrease, SC in next 4, C decrease, chain 1, turn
Row 7: SC across, chain 2, turn (6 SC)
Row 8: SC decrease, SC in next 2, SC decrease, chain 1, turn
Row 9: SC across, chain 1 and turn (4 SC)
Row 10: 2 SC decreases, chain 2, turn
Row 11: SC decrease, fasten off leaving long tail.

Ear Flap 2:
Leaving 23 stitches along the front, begin second flap
Row 1: Attach wool again - Chain 1, SC 12, chain 1, turn
Row 2: SC decrease, SC in next 8, SC decrease, chain 1, turn
Row 3: SC across, chain 1, turn (10 SC)
Row 4: SC decrease, SC in next 6, SC decrease, chain 1, turn
Row 5: SC across, chain 1, turn (8 SC)
Row 6: SC decrease, SC in next 4, SC decrease, chain 1, turn
Row 7: SC across, chain 1, turn (6 SC)
Row 8: SC decrease, SC in next 2, SC decrease, chain 1, turn
Row 9: SC across, chain 1, turn (4 SC)
Row 10: 2 SC decreases, chain 1, turn
Row 11: SC decrease, fasten off leaving a long tail

Finish Trim - Contrast Color:
Starting at the tie end - leave a long tail SC up the flap, along the front and down the other flap - fasten off leave long tail Starting at the tie end - leave a long tail and SC up the back of the flap, along the back and down the back of the other flap - fasten off and leave a long tail

Eyes:
 Eye Socket - Main Color: Make a magic circle and chain 1 Row 1: 8 SC inside magic circle join Row 2: 2 SC in each of 8 SC and join (18) Row 3: Change to contrast color and SC 18 stitches and fasten off

Eye Ball - White: Make a magic circle and chain 1 Row 1: 8 SC inside magic circle join Row 2: 2 SC in each of 6 SC and join (12) Work in the ends - Place the Eye Ball inside the Eye Socket and fasten with a black button. Place the eyes on the hat where desired and fasten in two places (Side and almost center) to secure the eyes. Use yarn the appropriate yarn so it will blend.

Spikes: (Make 4 of these) With Contrast Color:
Chain 2.
Row 1: SC, Ch 2, SC in 2nd Ch
Row 2: Ch 1, turn; 2 SC in first st, (sc, ch 2, sc) in the Ch 2 space from previous row, 2 SC in last stitch (6)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn; 2 SC in first st, SC in next 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next Ch 2 space, SC in next 2 sts, 2 SC in last st (10)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn; 2 SC in first st, SC in next 4 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next Ch 2 space, SC in next 4 sts, 2 sc in last st (14)
Row 5: Do not turn, ch 2, work 6 SC evenly spaced along bottom of spike, ch 2; Join with sl st in first SC of Row 4. Fasten off.

Join 4 Spikes and Attach to the Hat:
With right side of one spike facing you but upside-down, join with SC in second chain on the bottom corner of spike and work along lower edge (R to L) until 2nd last stitch; SC in same space in each spike and SC in each SC across lower edge. Join all 4 in this manner. Fasten off and leave a long tail for fastening. Pin the 4 spike string in place. Sew the spike to the hat on both sides of the spike by catching the single crochet stitches. Start at the back of the hat and work to the front and back down to the back again. Work in the ends.

Winged Ears:
Make 2 of these

Row 1: Ch 2, SC in first chain. (1)
Row 2: Ch 1 to turn, 3 SC in st (3) Row 3: Ch 1 to turn,2 SC in st, SC in next st, SC and DC in last st (5)
Row 4: Ch 1 to turn, 2 SC in first st, SC in next 3 sts, 2 SC in last st (7)
Row 5: Ch 1 to turn, SC in next 6 sts, SC and DC in last st (8)
Row 6: Ch 1 to turn, 2 SC in first st, SC in next 7 sts (9)
Row 7: Ch 1 to turn, SC in next 3 sts, HDC in next st, DC, TRC, DC in next st, HDC in next st, SC in next SC, HDC in next st, DC, TRC, TRC in last st (13)

Fasten off and leave a long end to attach to hat. Fasten about 3 cm behind the eye. Work in all loose ends. Tie: The ties on each end have 3 strings already. Take 6 long strings, 3 of each color and slip them through the and fold in half. You should now have 12+3=15 strings. Divide into 3 equal chunks (5 per chunk) and braid until they are a desired length. Tie off and trim. Do this to both sides.

If you like this pattern please use it for free.  I would appreciate it however if you referenced me if you do share it.

Look for me on Ravelry - My user name is Knit-Nix.  Find me here:
Knit-Nix on Ravelry

Snow in May... Are YOU Kidding Me?

Snow in May.... I guess I shouldn't be shocked, because I have seen snow in every month. That's the joy of being an Albertan. "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute!" But seriously, who isn't sick of the white stuff? I thought I'd be regretting a trip we have planned to Palm Springs over the May long weekend. I thought that maybe our own Calgary weather might be beautiful by now... Well, I won't hold my breath. I have made some brave attempts to do yard work but they fail. As soon as I have the patio table wiped off and the seedling plants I am growing outside, the wind comes up, the sun goes away and BAM!.... It's winter again!! I know all the tricks to bring on BAD weather (wash your car, step on a spider, etc.) but I need to learn the tricks to bring on the good weather. (Maybe plan a ski trip or an Olympic event!?) I think the snowman in my picture better watch his back... I'm about ready to get out my hairdryer! xox Carla

Insomnia....

Sleep seems to have escaped me.... I woke up at 3ish AM this morning when Tim got up to go check on things and go to the bathroom. Alas, since that time I am unable to sleep. We had a nice dinner out last night but it was late and the food was rich and that doesn't help the situation. When I wake up like this my mind kicks in and all of a sudden I am planning, redecorating, rethinking, evaluating, conniving, solving, formulating, concocting.... scheming.... The next thing I know my head is two inches off the pillow and my neck muscles are tense. Then my body gets restless and I roll over, and over, and over..... So why fight it? I'm up.... It's now past 6am and I am wide awake, writing on my blog. I wonder if it's hormonal (menopause may be around the corner) or if I have too much on my plate? Whatever it is, I hate it when this happens. I will probably spend the day in a daze, or cranky... poor Tim.... Oh well, I think I'll go make a pot of coffee and start my day.... and end my night.... Carla xox

Living in a House of Girls - Poor Tim

Okay, so our household changes constantly. Sometimes it's just Tim and I at home while Emma is at her dads... but most often Emma stays here with us... Tim's daughter Lisa has moved in twice... once over Christmas and now she's back with us over the summer months. As well, Staci has moved in after her college has ended for the semester. Needless to say there's a big demand on bathroom time, lots of giggles and music, and let's not forget the refrigerator door is constantly opened and closed! Life with three daughters at our home is interesting... needless to say.... Many people say that combining households and families can be stressful. We can probably relate to that as the days unfold. Today however there is peace.... Two girls are downstairs giggling about something while waking up on the hide-a-bed they pulled out last night, one is still snoozing in the big cozy bed upstairs, the dogs are both looking at me in hopes that I might feed them and walk them, I'm relaxing with my 3rd cup of coffee thinking about what my day will hold.... and oh yes Tim, let's not forget the the 'Alpha Male' that has to put with us all..... He's out quoting awning jobs and meeting with our web designer.... Smart man that Tim.... busting his butt with work instead of entering the realm of estrogenville. In the picture here is Emma and Staci... two of the four women in our home! TTFN... Carla xox

Girl Trip - Easter Break in Palm Springs!

Here I am in Palm Springs with my daughter. It's our Easter break and we are here shopping for her graduation dress. Her friend came too... Adrienne Shumlich. They get along great and it makes me think that their travel plans to go to Australia together next year might be successful.... Adrienne is easy going and the two compliment eachother in personality. Tim and I purchased a condo on Palm Springs after we'd been here on our honeymoon (Pt. 2) and fell in love with the area. The flight here is direct and takes under 3 hours. With the Canadian dollar doing so well, and the real estate market in Palm Springs in the dumps... the timing was perfect! The weather is supposed to be hot hot hot today so a trip to the outlet malls might be a good idea in the heat of the day. So far it's been a great trip. I love laughing with 18 year olds! Back to reality on Monday.... and back to the job of teaching on Tuesday.... xox Carla

We Did It!

On December 20th, 2008 we were married in Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in British Columbia. The wedding was small with our immediate family in attendance. It was DARN cold, so the hot springs were the only thing warm about the weather! We were married in our blue jeans and the ceremony was casual. Best of all, I married my best friend....... To me, it was a perfect start to a great life. This post was written over a year since this date and I still look back on our wedding day as the start of a new chapter... Each day Tim and I shake our heads and reflect on our lives and what God has given us.... Wow.... We are so blessed..... xox