Sock Summit - Now with Photos!

Finally I got my photos together! I didn't take a lot of photos because so much was going on all the time. It was totally crazy, but so much fun!


Here is our booth while we were setting up. I'm always amazed how chaotic it all looks before it is all setup and put together.

See! This is the finished left side. I really like the setup this time. It's so pretty!


Next, the finished right side! Mmm...so pretty. It makes me happy when it is all up and organized!

One of the cool things at Sock Summit was we got name badges! Name badges that we could decorate with swag. I made sure to fill mine with Toe-Up buttons for Chrissy's new Toe-Up book and Ravelry buttons. I finally got a Ravelry button from Jess and Casey in person! It was so cool. I put my sheep sticker on it, but Blair thought that I should have one with my username so he got me another one at the Ravelry meetup.

I didn't buy a lot of things in the marketplace. It was just so overwhelming I couldn't decide. However, I did have my heart set on a couple of mugs from Jennie the Potter. She also had awesome buttons! She was right across from us, so I knew I was in trouble. I limited myself just to these things so Blair and I can drink tea this winter out of them. I just love them!

On Sunday all of our group went to see the Luminary Panel. It was simply extraordinary. These wise women shared their lifetime of information and advice to all of us who would listen. I could listen to them all day.


Oh, and I did get a little knitting in. I thought maybe I could knit some baby socks out of some leftover sock yarn to use it up. I managed this one itty bitty cuff throughout the entire weekend. The booth was hopping the whole time, which meant very little knitting time. I guess I'll just have to finish them sometime at home!

Sock Summit Highlights!

I thought I would post a few highlights from the weekend before I get my photos together. It was such an incredible show. I feel very lucky that I got to be a part of it and here is why:

-I met Jess, Casey, and Mary Heather from Ravelry and received a Ravelry button directly from them!

-Our booth was directly across from Jennie the Potter, so I scored 2 of her special edition Sock Summit mugs, before they all sold out, and some pretty buttons. I will picture them later. So very awesome!

-Saw baby Hazel from Twisted in Portland. So cute!

-Got to spend a very awesome weekend with Donna and her sister Colleen. Both are simply hilarious and a lot of fun to be around!

-Got to see Chrissy Gardiner. She is turning into a regular celebrity with people lining up to have her sign her new book. They are all super excited to meet her in person.

-I got hugged by a serious LavenderSheep fan, who couldn't believe she was meeting me in person. First time that has ever happened.

-I shook hands with Ann Budd. I didn't realize who she was at first, until I read her tag, then went a little fan girl. I hope I didn't scare her too much.

-Saw Amy Singer of Knitty walking around the market.

-Cat Bordhi came into the booth to make sure we were promoting Chrissy's book properly. From the amount of people that were buying it I think we were doing alright.

-Had a class with Anna Zilboorg. Her life is so amazing I could listen to her all day. I am definitely in awe. I got up the nerve to ask her to sign my book. Now I need to track down the rest of her books, especially her ones on socks and mittens.

-Barbara Walker came into the booth and looked at a couple of shawls. Both Donna and I froze, which is definitely a first for Donna, but really we didn't want to gush over her as we are sure she was getting from all over.

- Went to the Ravelry meetup where I met many more wonderful and creative people that are doing many wonderful and creative things.

-Went to the Luminary Panel. It was simply amazing. It was an incredible, dynamic group of ladies that I would love to hear more from. They were so inspirational. I definitely would love to take a class with just about any one of them just to hear what they would have to say.

It was just a wonderful and incredible weekend. I can't emphasize that enough. I definitely would do it all over again. I think my brain is still trying to process it all. I'm sure I'll have a lot more to say once I get my photos together.

Reminders...

I am winding yarn for all I am worth in preparation for Sock Summit. So, I thought I would just pop on here with a couple of quick reminders.

1. Tomorrow, August 1st is the last day to vote for your favorite Dye for Glory yarns on Ravelry.

2. I am going to close preorders for Chrissy's Toe-Up! book on Tuesday morning, August 4th, for Sock Summit. I'll leave the preorder button up for those that want it shipped to them until after Sock Summit. I'm so excited to see the book in person. Sock Summit is almost here!

Dye For Glory! - Socks Edition

Just so you can see my Dye For Glory yarns all knit up into Socks. Here are the previews of the new patterns being released by Gardiner Yarn Works at Sock Summit:

The first sock pattern is Forest Park out of my Panda Sock yarn in color Moss. The subtle changes of this yarn make it a perfect match for textured pattern.

Next up is the Ripple Sock in Tencel Sock yarn in color Vineyard. I love how these colors knit up together. They are just spectacular!

Lastly, the Peace Lily Socks out of my Silky Sock yarn in color Peace Lily. This sock appears in Chrissy Gardiner's new Toe-Up! Sock book. This yarn was designed specifically for this book and this pattern. I think the combination is simply phenomenal!

All of these yarns and patterns will be available in the Gardiner Yarn Works Booth #815 at Sock Summit!

There is still time to vote on Ravelry for your Dye for Glory yarn choice! Make sure to vote if you haven't already!

Also, if you are not attending Sock Summit and you would like to get these yarns they will be available in my shop after Sock Summit. Probably after I have time to dye up more. If you would like to order a skein to be shipped to you after Sock Summit feel free to leave a comment here with your email address or email me directly at: lavendersheep(at)gmail(dot)com. I will put all custom orders as top priority!

All images used with permission from Chrissy Gardiner of Gardiner Yarn Works!

Vote!

Voting has opened on Ravelry for Dye for Glory: http://www.ravelry.com/socksummit

There are so many pretty yarns! Sock Summit is going to be so awesome!

Dye For Glory!

I have been a little busy in the dyelab coming up with brand new colors! Part of this is because Chrissy wanted a couple of new colorways for a couple of brand new patterns that are going to be released at Sock Summit and the other part is because the wonderful people on Ravelry have come up with a contest! The contest starts tomorrow, so I thought that today would be a good day to talk about the colors I am entering!


The first one is Peace Lily (rav link)! I was first asked to dye this yarn by Chrissy Gardiner of Gardiner Yarn Works, who also named this colorway. I thought about the simple colors in a Calla Lily. I came up with the soft yellows of the center, the pure white of the flower, and the subtle green where the flower meets the stem. Lilies are a symbol of hope, purity, and renewal. This yarn will also be featured in Chrissy's new Toe-Up! Sock book in the pattern Peace Lily, which can be seen here!

The second yarn is called Moss (rav link)! It is dyed using the new panda superwash sock yarn. I was inspired to dye this yarn from the softly draping moss and lichen on the trees near where I live. I love the subtle changes of color throughout the skein. I just simply love this yarn. Every time I dye it the yarn turns out a little different. Chrissy is also designing a pattern for this yarn, but I haven't even seen a peek of it yet!

Lastly there is Vineyard (rav link)! I was inspired by the soft baby green to dark adult green leaves of the local vineyards. The purpley reds of the grapes shining through the sunshine dappled leaves. Chrissy has a small preview of the pattern she is releasing at Sock Summit with this yarn in this blog post. I love this yarn dyed up, but I think I love it even more knit up! I can't wait to see the sock in person!

All of these yarns will be available at Sock Summit on a first come first serve basis. I've dyed up a number of each colorway, so hopefully it will be enough. I'm also going to take custom orders there on site with free shipping, if I happen to run out. After Sock Summit the yarns will be available in my shop and I will dye up even more if I happen to run out. I'll post more details about the contest tomorrow when it is up!

Dye Day on the Mountain

I had a simply wonderful time up in Welches for my dye day! Eight people signed up so we decided that instead of splitting the class all of them would learn natural dyeing in the morning and then acid dyeing with me in the afternoon.

Here are the students dyeing away over pots of natural dyes. Stevanie, the one in black, was their instructor.

Blair found a shady place on the lawn to sit and read while all of this was going on. The place was simply gorgeous. It was delightful just to be there and soak up all of the greenery.


Here are a bunch of the natural dyed yarns hanging up in the sun to dry. I was really impressed with the colors they were able to get from a few plants, bugs, vinegar, and baking soda. Still I don't think I'm quite ready to give up my acid dyes.

We also got to visit all of the animals while we were there. This is the goat and chicken yard. Deb's husband Mark is there in the middle. He let the ladies feed the goats treats, which they were more than happy to receive. The goats were so soft and sweet. We also saw the itty bitty baby angora bunnies, but Blair wouldn't let me get one. He thinks that one bunny is more than enough and he is probably right.

We also enjoyed a lovely three course lunch. I should have taken pictures, since each plate was simply a work of art. It was also really cool to think about how the eggs in the quiche were laid by chickens right there that morning. The berries in the dessert were picked fresh. The corn in the salad was fresh from the garden. It was a very amazing experience.

I also forgot to take pictures while I was teaching. The group was wonderful and a lot of fun to teach. They came up with some awesome color combinations and unique points of view. I love teaching because I always learn something new from my students. I definitely would do this class again.

Have a Color-Full Day!

This is the last week before the Color-Full Day dye workshop in Welches, OR! I'm really excited! In fact I am spending all this week winding white yarn for the workshop. It is on this Saturday! There is still room to sign up! So if you are free this weekend and want to learn how to dye yarn in a picturesque mountain setting then make sure to sign up!


In other related news, I finished my Brick Rib Socks in Superwash Sock in color Day at the Fair. The pattern is Gardiner Yarn Works Brick Rib Socks. I love these socks. Well, I love all of my socks! Hand knit socks totally spoil your feet for other socks. I am knitting as fast as I can to get socks ready for Sock Summit. I'm also dyeing lots and lots of sock yarn too. Also, have you seen the Dye for Glory contest on Ravelry? Well I have dyed up a couple of really special colorways, here and here, if you would like a sneak peek! I'll also be talking about them here on the blog. I think I have come up with some really special colorways.

Ok, now back to winding, dyeing, and labeling yarn!

Garter

Lately there has been nothing but sock knitting in preparation for Sock Summit. However I managed to finish off this pretty:


I made this garter for my cousin that is getting married in August. I think it is the perfect wedding present! I really love how the blue ribbon accents the creamy lace of the garter. The pattern is Eloping from Knitty. The yarn is some leftover bit of Silky Sock, which is so soft and so perfect for a garter. I'm also getting some ideas of making my own garter pattern. I think a bit of time with a lace pattern book could come up with something pretty cool!

Happy July!: Recycled Silk

Ack! I am running late this month! We had an awesome 4th of July party! However, it kept Blair and I busy cleaning and cooking. Still totally worth it! We had lots of good friends and family over. I can't wait until next year to do it all over again!

Ok, so onto this month's special: Recycled Silk Yarn! This new yarn is a whole lot of fun! It is handspun by a women's cooperative in India from the leftover waste from silk saris. Then the white fibers are handpicked, but still not completely white. There are little bits of colors or sparkles leftover from the saries mixed with the fibers. Then I when I paint it those bits of color and sparkle still show through. This yarn would be excellent for scarves or bags.