Wooltopia - Feast of colours

We can do bigger dye lots!!

2011-06-28T16:24:00.001+10:00

100pureWOOL-choc-berry-skie, a photo by funknitter on Flickr.

This one is 400 gm of the same colourway handpainted on 3 Ply Worsted 100PureWOOL. This wool is just amazing, you have to be careful how to handle it while dyeing rinsing as it is really soft and delicate, but I really love knitting it. especially for my newborn knits. No wonder that 30 more skeins are coming my way from a 100PureWOOl co-op :)

First Gradient Club

2011-06-14T16:41:00.001+10:00

surprise-gradient-colourway, a photo by funknitter on Flickr.

I am so excited !!
I am launching tonight my first gradient club at 8 pm QLD (Eastern Australian Standard Time)
I have created a beautful girly colourway not quite a rainbow as I left out some colours.
I can't show a picture with real colours just a teaser pics as it is a surprise colourway!;)
Hope my clubers will love this colourways as much as I do !! Especially on Licorice Twist it looks especially nice. Gonna knit my baking bubba girl a beautiful Tikki rainbow dress!

Socks that rock!!

2011-05-29T17:28:00.001+10:00

Happy-Rainbow-4-Ply-Sock-fu, a photo by funknitter on Flickr.

I have dyed up some Happy Rainbow yarn for socks which hopefully will create a beautiful pair of socks for toasty warm feet. Each listing will be for 2 balls of 50 gm of the same rainbow gradient ending either in blue or green

Rainbows, rainbows rainbows...

2011-04-11T20:46:00.001+10:00

Happy-Rainbows-Silky-Merino, a photo by funknitter on Flickr.

I have dyed the first time lots of gradients in the same dye pot. *Phew*
I was a bit nervous as they are the first for the LYS (Local Yarn Store- Yarn Over in Brisbane) on 4 Ply Silky/Merino in the Happy Rainbow Colourway which is a girly rainbow . Very happy how they have turned out!! ;)

http://www.yarnover.com.au/

WOOLganic stocking

2011-04-03T21:40:00.002+10:00

WOOLganic-April-stocking, a photo by funknitter on Flickr.

After a quite long break of very little dyeing I have my mojo and parts of my energy back to create some new and some of my old favourite colourways! This time I had so much fun to dye the first time on 12 WOOLganic which is just such a plump, scrumptious yarn. I have not done any boys colourways this time as we are expecting a bubba girl in August and I am just thinking girly or gender neutral colours at the moment...;) Stocking will be Aprl 5, 8 pm (Easter Australian Standard Time)

http://www.wooltopia.com.au/category.php?SC=6

Cotton Semi-Solids

2011-02-22T14:21:00.001+10:00

Cotton-Semi-Solids
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I asked in my wooltopia rav group what would be the preferences for my new Organic Cotton and I saw that Semi Solids were wanted so I decided to create some bold semi solids in aqua, purple/pink and electric blue!

Organic Gradient Cottons :)

2011-02-22T14:16:00.001+10:00

Organic-Gradient-Cottons
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I have dusted my dye pots after a long break and that's what I came up with this last week. I wanted to dye cotton gradients for such a long time and was really itchy creating some.These are dyed on my new Worsted Organic Cotton colour ranging from purple /pink into salmon peach into buttery yellow, flowing into lime green into blue tones

New Logo & new home!

2011-01-31T15:35:00.001+10:00

banner
Originally uploaded by funknitter

One week ago I was told that Yarn Collective would be closing down. I panicked a bit and decided that I want my own domain name for my independent store. I looked into it and decided to go with congocart as my shopping cart as I am familiar with the system. We are now found under http://www.wooltopia.com.au.

We will have more changes this year!!Stay tuned!!

Our beautifuln new logo was created by the very talented Sam from Cherry Fresh Art- http://web.me.com/sam_cr/Site/Welcome.html

Blackberry on Cotton/Bamboo

2010-12-21T22:25:00.001+10:00

Blackberry-pale-trim-Cotton
Originally uploaded by funknitter

A customer asked me for a variegated colourway of my Blackberry Gradient, so I created this one which was handpainted in the shade varying from from pale pink into darker pink, bright raspberry into the dark purples. I really love ihow it has turned out especially as it was handpainted on my oh so yummy soft Worsted Cotton /Bamboo!! :)

Organic Eden's Adam

2010-12-21T22:21:00.001+10:00

Eden-Adam-deck
Originally uploaded by funknitter

This is my Organic Turquoise Gradient knitted up into an Eden's Adam.(from the talented lovely pattern designer rav id tikki)

First Gradient on Worsted Organic Cotton!!

2010-12-21T22:13:00.001+10:00

Green-Blue-Gradient-Organic
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I thought this would be the first yarn of my life which would be undyeable. I really was fighting at the start of the gradient to get some colours on this yarn! I didn't give in and create a beautiful boy gradual gradient in turquoise-blue tones.:) The yarn took eventually the dye beautifully just needs lots of dyes and was not really bleeding a lot when rinsed. Have knitted it already up in an Eden's adam for my DS.It is not splitty even not when I had to restart my garment which was at first try far too big.

The Cotton is quite soft and has brown specks throughout the yarn which is not a quality problem, it just shows the husks and seeds of the cotton which are not bleached in organic cottons. The specks are not really noticable in the knitted garment! THe Organic Cotton will be my regular Worsted cotton as I prefer it to the 10 Ply Worsted Cotton which I have usually which is Peaches and Cream! I can source it from my LYS (Local Yarn Store) which will also stock my gradients in Organic Cotton and 4 PLy Kiama (Silk/Merino)! :)

A lovely Cottton haul!

2010-12-21T21:54:00.001+10:00

lovely-cotton-haul-2
Originally uploaded by funknitter

This was just one customer order of lovely summer knitting yarns.It is not very common that I have so many lovely colourways in stock at the same time and some are new colourways so that was best photo opportunity!! Just love the yummy Worsted Cottton Bamboo and also my NEW Worsted Organic Cotton has dyed up lovely!

Mosaic Element Scarf

2010-12-02T15:44:00.001+10:00

Mosaic-Element-Scarf
Originally uploaded by funknitter

My Elements mosaic scarf is done and I am loving it. I had maybe 3 cm of the blue yarn left and I was sweating the last rows if it will be enough. I am loving this colourway. It is good for people for love rainbow colours but don't want it too bright.It is nice and subtle.

Peach Pink Purple Sorbets

2010-11-29T17:42:00.001+10:00

Semi-Solid-Gradient-8-Ply-C
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Another cotton gradient finally balled up and already sold again. :)
They seem to turn out a bit semi solid, cotton dyeing is really a tricky business and especially the gradients seem to have a life by itself.
I'll have to dye some more over the next week...

Colours everywhere.....

2010-11-17T18:18:00.001+10:00

Collage-Nov-dye-ups
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I love the variety I am dyeing these days. It never gets boring and most of them are customs so what else can I wish for! Sometimes I don't have enough time to dye a gradient as they are so time consuming so I can just hand paint my cotton or cotton/bamboo blends and let them sit in the sun for a day or two. Love solar dyeing it is soo easy...
Kudos to my grea customers that I am a happy indie dyer at the moment...colours always around me...wouldn't have thought that colours would be once so important for me..nothing worse than a grey day...

Cotton-Bamboo Oasis

2010-11-15T23:17:00.001+10:00

Oasis-Cotton-Bamboo
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Looking again for a name and showing a friend on MSN a photo of it, she asked me if this was Oasis,\which is a colourway I had only dyed yet on wool, I looked for this colourway in my flickr pictures, and saw that it used the same colour combos just a different kind of blue so decided that this will be the version with fibre reactive dyes on cotton or cotton/blends.
I really love this yummy worsted cotton/bamboo yarn.....

Pink Unicorn

2010-11-15T23:10:00.001+10:00

PInk-Unicorn-Cotton-Bamboo
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I am not good with naming my colourways,I must admit.
When I showed a friend this picture of my new colourway which was a custom for my best and lovely customer who wanted lots of pink in a colourway she suggested unicorn. I was thinking immediately of "The last unicorn" and looked for images but only saw blue ones. Then I goggled pink unicorn images and I found a clipart of one which looked fairly similar to that colourway so it gots its name...easy ;)

http://www.clipartof.com/details/clipart/39227.html

Colour Wheel

2010-11-09T09:31:00.001+10:00

color-wheel-green-shades
Originally uploaded by funknitter

That's why I love dyeing. I just adore colours and mixing them to create other shades...
I wanted to test my new Worsted Kona Superwash how it takes the dyes and also wanted to give my favourite dyes Greener Shades a good work out.
These colours pick you up an a grey day , they are so vibrant and you just need use such a tiny amount for each colour.I am planning to use them more and more..as they are better for the environmet and for the dyer as they use almost no heavy metals in their dyes except the turqoiuse...

Happy rainbows go American- So stoked!!

2010-11-07T20:55:00.001+10:00

Bellingen-Happy-Rainbow
Originally uploaded by funknitter

well not quite that far, although I do have customers in the US and Canada...
The Happy Rainbows gradient will be stocked at American Yarns in Brisbane.Ohhh I was reallyl nervous when I went on Friday to talk business but it really went well... the lovely Gabrielle will be stocking them on my yummy scrummy 4 Ply Silk/Merino and if the cotton dyeing god will because cotton gradient are really tricky....on the new Worsted Organic Cotton

A little gradient goes a long way...

2010-11-07T18:35:00.001+10:00

Mosaic-Scarf-WIP
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I had just dyed up a small ball to try out a new colourway..an earth rainbow gradient which I called Elements and I wanted to knit a swatch to see how it knits up...
On my search I found this beautiful mosaic scarf pattern from

http://www.skacelknitting.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.51616/.f

and I knew exactly that I wanted to knit it up with my tiny 50 gm ball of gradient..

Summer Gradients are coming.....

2010-11-03T17:02:00.001+10:00

8-Ply-Cotton--Peach--Pink-G
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I wanted to test my gradient dyeing technique on Cotton yarn for a loooooooooooong time but just have no time as I am so busy dyeing all these customs up.

Last week I was asked by a LYS (Local Yarn Store) if she could stock my gradients in her store to sell.

I am thrilled by this opportunity to maybe get some more fame lol and maybe a new customer base.

She asked especially about cotton ones so I did a quick test up on 8 Ply Cotton, It is a bit paler as I wanted it to be but still really pretty....

I will dye the cotton gradient on yummy Worsted Organic Cotton....can't wait ....

The elements

2010-10-27T15:25:00.001+10:00

earth-rainbow
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I had another colourway in mind, but my dyes had something else in mind and created an earthy rainbow. colourway....my gradients develop their own dynamics and that is the fun of creating them.. sometimes you never know what you come up with..like this a new colourway was born :

Elements Fire Water Sky and Earth...;)

Dramatic Lavenderfields!!!

2010-10-24T00:15:00.001+10:00

lavenderfield-dram-10-Ply-B
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I have a few customers who want a Lavenderfield Ombre Gradient and I decided to finish them with a darker purple to make them more dramatic! Here is the first one of them might dye another 5 Ply on Silk/Merino/Bamboo when I dye the next one...;)

Byzantine - Noro Style

2010-10-23T15:46:00.001+10:00

Byzantine-WIP-blue-limegree
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I love these Noro scarfs but unfortunately Noro yarn is too scratchy for my liking...a good alternative is my gradient in 4 Ply Silk/Merino which is soooo incredibly soft and alternating it with undyed yarn for a mosaic pattern like the Byzantine http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/byzantine

Summertime = Cotton time!!

2010-10-22T20:35:00.001+10:00

Cotton-8-Ply-Misty-Berries- Spring Fling
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Summer is approaching fast and I have lots of cotton customs on the list.
I really like dyeing with fibre reactive dyes it is sooo easy.. just let it sit in the sun and rinse it after a day or two....voila!

This one is 8 Ply BWMCotton, left is "Misty Berries" with matching blue trim and "Spirng Fling" with pink trim.

New kids on the blog(ck)! ;)

2010-10-21T21:38:00.001+10:00

new-kids-on-the-block
Originally uploaded by funknitter

My fingers were itching to try some new colour combos at the beginning of the week!
I have used 4 different brands of dyes and still mixed some colours myself.

I have certain colours which I love of different brands of dyes so I mix and match dye brands these days!

Yarn base is 10 PLy WOOlganic and the lime/teal colourway which I named" Boys will be boys" is 3 Ply 100pureWool.
I was inspired by a new t-shirt for my and I knew it had to be a new colourway...it was just screaming at me.....

Ohh so shiney!!

2010-10-08T17:12:00.001+10:00

Blackberry-4-Ply
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Two Blackberry gradients which just show the beauty of thlis silk/merino. Nornally I don't like bling stuff but knitted up into a shawl it is just indulgency and pure luxury!! I just love this yarn!!

Cherry Blossom Diamond Shawl.....

2010-09-19T12:33:00.001+10:00

Cherry-Blossom-Diamond-Shaw-1
Originally uploaded by funknitter

knitted in my own Blue Seas colourway on 4 Ply Silk/Merino.
This yarn was sitting so long in the to be untangled corner as I dyed 4 smalls balls together and it took me ages to untangle it.
Finally I had a motivation to untangle it.This is my favourite shawl, it is quite big and I had to frogg a few rows of the chart 1 twice, as it was a big as tent.
It is so feather light and just beautiful!
Amazing what 2 needles and some yarn can create.....

For Chris

2010-09-17T11:15:00.001+10:00

neopolitan-skies-close-up-
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I have created this colourway for a friend on ravelry who has lost her Bubba boy last October. I am very grateful for this group who has helped me a lot over the last year getting over my own losses.
I asked for her favourite colours and I thought they might look interesting in a gradient. They are sage, brown and magenta.
I really hope she like it as the magenta is not a pinkish as I wanted it to be....

Marvellous Maribel !!

2010-09-14T20:08:00.001+10:00

Maribel Coral Pink Purple
Originally uploaded by funknitter

What a stunning shawl which was knitted up by a customer of mine.!!!
It is one of my colourways on a Silky Ombre Gradient on 5 Ply Ultiimo in the coral pink purple colourway! That's why I love dyeing these gradients.. they just make such stunning shawls /garments and knitting is never boring...;)

What a difference ...

2010-09-11T12:14:00.001+10:00

Greener-Shades-difference
Originally uploaded by funknitter

dyes can make.
An interesting comparison between dyes,
1/2of the left rainbow gradient from peachy orange to the blue part was dyed with different dyes and the rainbow looks somehow brighter than the right rainbow gradient...

Bright Happy Rainbow!

2010-09-11T12:08:00.001+10:00

Happy-Rainbow-Greener-Shades
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Half of the rainbow from peachy orange to blue was dyed with environmentally friendly dyes which I want to use more and more. I really like the more brighter shades.

Lavenderfields

2010-09-11T12:04:00.001+10:00

Lavenderfields-5-Ply Silk/Merino
Originally uploaded by funknitter

A custom Silky Ombre Gradient on 5 Ply Silk/Merino /Bamboo, reminds me of lavender fields in France.

Collage of Ombre & silky ombre gradients!

2010-08-04T12:22:00.001+10:00

Gallery-Ombre-Gradients
Originally uploaded by funknitter

This is a hommage to all the beautiful creations knitted with ombre or silky ombre gradients! I can't really say which one is my favourite they all pretty gorgeous.Would you like to pick out your favourite one? ;)

Mermaids

2010-06-09T15:50:00.001+10:00

mermaid-gradients
Originally uploaded by funknitter

A mermaid for a customer in the US the big skein, the other one is 10 Ply on Superwash Bellingen Getting almost everyday day inquiries about custom dye ups from o/s. And still not getting tired as really every gradients turn out a bit different as I am not following a strict recipe just using the same dye for each colourway.It is really fascinating how you can you manipulate the colours! ;)

Worsted 3 Ply 100PureWool heaven !!

2010-06-03T23:00:00.001+10:00

100PureWool-Collage
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Wow what an amazing yummy soft yarn!
This is pure heaven!!
New at Wooltopia. I was dying to get my hands on some great and thanks to my dear friend I was able to finally to get some! I dyed these ones for a little stocking on Saturday June 5 6pm (EAST)

Opps the no name yet was named "So fudgey"

Happy Rainbow days....

2010-06-02T09:06:00.001+10:00

Happy-Rainbow-Bellingen-2
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I haven't posted any updates lately, I am flat out with customer orders for gradients. My (Silky) Ombre gradients are going now to overseas customers aswell like US or Canada which I am really chuffed and I was approached by a lovely US lady of running a small co-op!
It couldn't be any better !! :)

Happy-Rainbow

2010-04-24T18:26:00.001+10:00

Happy-Rainbow 4 Ply Silk/Merino
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I dyed a custom rainbow gradient for a friend at playgroup and thought I should dye another rainbow on 4 Ply Silk/Merino in the same dyepot

I tried another dyeing technique and went through all the colous and had so much fun.

It is screaming to be another shawl , I can't part with it and I need to see how the transition to the other colours look with the new dyeing technique.
I just need to find the perfect pattern for it!!

I'll dye more for the store soon I promise !!

Ombre gradients Sneak peak!!

2010-03-29T07:20:00.001+10:00

ombre-gradients-sneak-peak
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I am addicted to dyeing gradients and I am fascinated about mixing colours. For my next stocking which is on March 31 7 pm QLD at
http://www.yarncollective.com/store.php?SS=29
All of them are on yummy 4 or 5 Ply Silk/Merino blend.

Gina-shawl

2010-03-15T11:35:00.001+10:00

Gina-shawl-tree
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I am addicted to knitting lace shawls with my gradients silky ombre gradients at the moment. This one is the Gina shawl http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-gina-shawl
, I love how it has turned out! I am busy dyeing up lots of these gradients for my store!

Brangian shawl

2010-03-02T15:41:00.001+10:00

shawl10
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I am very proud of my first gradient dyed Brangian shawl which I dyed in the Just Blues gradient on 5 Ply Ultimo, which I have donated to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) auction to raise money for a very good cause.

http://www.wahmnaps.com/store.php?VS=46

Ultimo Gradients

2010-02-13T18:46:00.001+10:00

Ultimo-Gradients
Originally uploaded by funknitter

If yarn would be edible, it would have to be Ultimo which is a silky 5 Ply merino blend. I just love it , it is soo amazing buttery soft and especially gradients looks so yummy! :)I am hooked and can't stop dyeing them. Have developed now the perfect technique where the yarn doesn't get tangled when dyed! So much easier and no sweat and tears anymore!

Ohh so gradient!!

2010-01-30T18:26:00.001+10:00

gradient-dyeing-Bellingen
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Yesterday I woke up and thought I should give gradient dyeing another go. I had done it before but the colours didn't turn out as bright as I wanted them to be. I was sweating all day at the dye pot, but I was really quite happy with the result. Planning on doing some more!

GIrly Cotton Frenzy

2010-01-12T20:07:00.001+10:00

cotton-custom-Nat-RS-FF-PS
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Three very girly 10 Ply cotton dye ups I did for a customer!
Fairy Floss, Rasperry Swirl and my new colourway Purple Surprise!

Purple Surprise :)

2010-01-11T16:16:00.001+10:00

Purple-Surprise-Cotton
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I wanted to recreate the recent so popular Vintage Rose, but my dark red which I mixed myself turned out to be purple. Seems that the best colourways are accidents. I guess that's why I love dyeing so much...;)

Playtime

2010-01-10T13:30:00.001+10:00

self-striping-playtime
Originally uploaded by funknitter

with self striping sock yarn, this time tried my own developed skeining technique....

Changing background...

2010-01-08T23:37:00.001+10:00

vintage-rose-bellingen
Originally uploaded by funknitter

makes really a difference...

I decided to get some professional photo equipment so I can take pictures with a white background to highlight the colours of my wool and I am pretty happy how well it works, makes me wan to keep this yarn as I just adore these colours.

Self Striping Socks!

2010-01-07T17:49:00.001+10:00

Hyacinth-_Limes-self-striping
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I wanted to try this for ages finally I had a go at it. Hyacinth & Limes on Fingering Sock yarn. Not too bad but still not perfect!
I see a new lines of yarn coming up ...my colourways self striped!!

A photo a day

2010-01-03T12:41:00.001+10:00

Nov-Club-Bamboo-_Cotton
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Although it is already the 3 rd of the year oh well!
Decided to post more pics to my blog to share some yummyness.
My girly colourway for the Nov cotton club. Just listed at http://www.yarncollective.com/store.php?SS=29

Mountain Meadow love!

2009-12-17T16:09:00.001+10:00

vintage-Moutain-Meadow
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Gosh I am so thrilled, first time that I got my hands on some Rambouillet and I love it. It needs a lot of dye and is sometimes unpredictable ...but It has created for me the most gorgeous colourway for me by accident.
It is Worsted Mountain Meadow Merino which is from a small green farm in the US!

Wool/Silk frenzy

2009-12-02T08:17:00.001+10:00

silk-merino-dye-up
Originally uploaded by funknitter

OMG this is such a beautiful new yarn base which such an incredible sheen!!. It is a 4 Ply 50% Wool/ 50% Silk! Just gotta love it!
IF you love my Ultimo which is a 5 Ply Merino/Silk/Bamboo blend then you 'll love this too!

Gonna dye up a storm over the next days!!

I was thinking the other night that I would like to promote my yarn more and was thinking if I should join Brisstyle to get my name out there and sell on the markets.
On the other hand my yarn hardly gets to a big stocking as it is snapped up pretty quickly. I am just too excited to not show pics of my dye ups on ravelry! Hmhh what to do!!

Ewe-beaut-Sample-Xmas

2009-11-21T08:00:00.000+10:00

Ewe-beaut-Sample-Xmas
Originally uploaded by funknitter

My contribution to the Ewe Beaut Sample Box dyed on cotton/bamboo blend! http://www.etsy.com/shop/EweBeaut
I just love this yarn!!

My inspiration

2009-11-02T09:27:00.001+10:00

Jasie-and-me-beach
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I don't have really lots of pics of me and Mr J so I thought I just show the reason why I started to dye wool ! When he was in cloth nappies I decided to start knitting soakers , bought my first handdyed wool and decided to give it a go myself. I was very reluctant to start dyeing because I thought it would be a very smelly business , but I was soon very hooked on it... and still am!

Cotton/bamboo dye ups!!

2009-10-13T04:40:00.000+10:00

cotton-bamboo-dye-ups
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Here is a pic of my recent dye ups, of course it is on my favourite yarn 10 Ply cotton/bamboo. I could just dye dye dye and roll in it......

Left is Cherry Blossom, middle Hyacinth & Lime and right is Raspberry Swirl

Need to order more more more .....

Many many colourways.....and more....

2009-10-10T17:06:00.001+10:00

Colourways-for-Gallery-Oct final
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I thought I should update the gallery of my colourways...the world is full of beautiful colours and I don't run out of them as yet.....so it seems ;)

Order Update

2009-10-09T04:11:00.000+10:00

Have been away for a few days and got back to more order, woohoo!

Need to do a list what I need to do next:

Karla - Licorice Twist, done, dye trim =- posted
Julianne - wind balls of Frogpond and matching trim - posted
Fiona - Choc Kisses on Gaia and Raspberry Swirl on Cotton/Bamboo blend
+ matching trim for Hyacinth and Limes
ETA dyed rapsberry swirl
Margie - Cherry Blossom on Cotton/Bamboo blend + matching trim

Kelly - wind balls of Happiness and Big Blue and post
Rae - matching trim for Gaia Pralines

Bamboo Cotton Love!!

2009-09-30T12:53:00.001+10:00

cotton-bamboo-goodness
Originally uploaded by funknitter

OMG , I have just received the most amazing cotton which I have ever seen, felt on planet earth!
It is a worsted weight and it is Cotton/Bamboo blend. I am blown away, I am gasping for air!

You will love it and if you don’t like cotton normally you will be surprised.
It doesn’t feel like cotton at all , it is sooo soft even softer than Gaia Merino!!
It is better thanmy Ultimo which is Merino/Silk/Bamboo blend!

You need to try it, I would give it the cotton blend of the century award, will do a test dye today!

Cotton Club is here.....

2009-09-27T23:31:00.001+10:00

Cotton Club 2
Originally uploaded by funknitter

My love of dyeing cotton gave me the idea yesterday arvo to create a new club in my store on Yarn Collective.

It will start in October and will go for 3 months.

Customers can chose from 4, 8 and 10 Ply and a blend of Cotton/Bamboo slot.

One slot is 100 gm and there will be additional skeins and matching trims available to purchase

More infos on http://www.yarncollective.com/product.php?VP=1419

I am so excited and hope there will be lots of people who will share the fun!!

Fairy-Floss 8 Ply Cotton

2009-09-24T16:10:00.001+10:00

Fairy-Floss-8-Ply-Cotton-Vi
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I can;t say it more often I love dyeing cotton at the moment. and I love this new colourway, very girly even with some light blue in it.
Fairy Floss!! It is for a lovely customer of mine hope she will love it as much as I do!

Cotton love!!

2009-09-20T16:28:00.001+10:00

all-cotton-snuggled-up
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I love dyeing cotton at the moment can't get enough!
It is yummy 8 Ply cotton, I think the softest cotton I have ever felt and takes the dyed beautifully!!

Carribbean-NB-longies

2009-09-09T06:30:00.000+10:00

Carribbean-NB-longies
Originally uploaded by funknitter

For a very special friend's brand new bubba hatched last Thursday in my Carribbean colourway on Gaia Bulky!!Hope she will like them!
I was a bit emotional when I was knitting them as I wish I would have a new bubba as well but I am still hopeful it will happen one day!

Cotton mini skeins for Ewe Baut Sept Box

2009-09-09T06:00:00.000+10:00

cotton-ewe-beauty-samples-1
Originally uploaded by funknitter

All are destined for the Sept Ewe Beaut Sampler Boxes.
It was hard parting with the blue one as I just love how vibrant it is, but I am getting new cotton so I can also dye more of the Carribbean Colourway.
Other colourway is " Choc Kisses"

Frst try at wool top dyeing!

2009-09-08T10:45:00.000+10:00

corredale-before-dyeing
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I always wanted to try it , now that I am learning how to spin with a drop spindle I thought it would be more inspiring to spin with some colourwool top so I dyed some of my Corriedale top !!
I was really gentle to it and dry to handle is a little as possble!

THe picture on top shows how it looks when set and rinsed!I wanted that it looks a bit brighter or vibrant but it was my first go at dyeing so I am quite happy with the result!

For the sample box!

2009-08-13T15:21:00.001+10:00

for-the-sample-box-2
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I was asked to contribute a sample box of my hand painted wool and here are the mini skeins each around 25 gm!
Soon to be in the sample boxes on etsy!

Going green!

2009-07-27T22:15:00.001+10:00

frogpond
Originally uploaded by funknitter

My first test dye up with the new line of dye, Greener Shades!
I love that they smell less than Landscape dyes, need less dye and still have produced a pretty vibrant colourway even on BFL which normally just drinks the dye and is a bit muted!!
I wonna dye more of it and then order bigger jars of them, can't wait to try the other colours!

My new love

2009-07-10T16:10:00.001+10:00

Gaia-dye-up
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Now I know why everyone raves about Gaia and especially the bulky one. It is divine. Dyes beautifully and is soooooooooo yummy and soft. Need to get 20 kg of it , dye it all up and lie on it!! :)

My first etsy sale!! :-)

2009-06-11T03:10:00.000+10:00

Indian Skies
Originally uploaded by funknitter

This beauty is going to the US, I am so proud I made my first etsy sale and it is going international!!
Thought I would upload a few and see if they would sell and yep I was right.
Nornally good things don't happen on a Tuesday as I had my D&C three weeks ago so this has cheered me up after a very awful day!
Hoping for some more sales!!

Worsted 100% Wool -Siesta!!

2009-05-15T11:57:00.001+10:00

A dye up with a new type of yarn, it is worsted Merino , anti-felt treated!

siesta-1

Took the dyes beautifully and it was not hand "painted"!!
It is incredible soft!!
Asked DP about a name and he said Siesta so that's what the new colourway is called!!

YC Soaker Club Reveal! - Now in colour!

2009-05-06T05:35:00.000+10:00

soaker-club
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Ok as lots of ladies have now their soaker club set I am posting a picture of the whole lot in colour!

YC Soaker Club

2009-05-03T16:00:00.000+10:00

YC Soaker Club
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I still won't reveal colours just a teaser pic, everyone should get their wool and surprise next week!!

Oh so silky......

2009-04-12T23:31:00.001+10:00

silky-merino-Jacaranda
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I asked a lovely lady and customer of mine to test knit this new yarn for me. It is so yummy soft and silky and has a lovely sheen! Silkino!! I bet she will love it , I do!! It was love at first feel ;)

A day in woolly heaven

2009-04-08T14:09:00.001+10:00

A day in woolly heaven
Originally uploaded by funknitter

OMG I thought I was already in woolly heaven , can I actually get better.
Yep it can got my parcel from overseas with another 5 kg of wool and my knitpicks set. I think I will be quite busy this month and won't order more wool I promise!!

Cestari goodness arrived

2009-04-08T10:42:00.001+10:00

Jasie-sitting-cestari
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Yeah my Cestari arrived today and it was sooo fast.
Almost missed the postie, he wanted to drive away already , wouldn't have been good with a 9 kg parcel.
Mr J always get very excited when I take out the wolly cones, they are so soft!

Speckle dyeing - Fun, fun fun!!

2009-04-07T11:38:00.001+10:00

speckle-dyeing
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Was trying some speckle dyeing yesterday and that's the result. It was on a light grey base so will try it on some undyed yarn so it will be not that muted hopefully.

Before dyeing if was pretty vibrant not after setting it !

Test Dye - Up

2009-04-06T17:37:00.001+10:00

test dye black/white
Originally uploaded by funknitter

Got my fabrics today and have done a test dye today, still need some tuning but almost there....won't reveal the colours on here.....;)

Knit-a - Thon Longies

2009-04-04T16:19:00.001+10:00

wigwam-longies-finshed-fron
Originally uploaded by funknitter

This gorgeous Licorice Twist in Wigwam dyed by me was just screaming knit me up when I got kindly the matching brown from WOOLganic for free when my order of dyers hanks was delayed.
So I did a three days Knit a- thon with two blisters on thumb and middle finger and unravelling it a few times as I was not happy how it was pooling before the increase and with the colours of the stripes.
I really love how they have turned out.
I wanted something funky and no bring legs.....

I think Mr J loves them too , was modelling for me and went napping in them....;)

Spiced Plums for now!

2009-04-02T06:50:00.001+10:00

Spiced Plums for now!
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I am still not happy with the name of it, for the store I have called it Spiced Plums.
I was really sad parting with it as I adore this colourway....but I will dye myself some up when my Cestari will arrive after all the YC Soaker goodness

Drooling over some wool....oops another 5 kg

2009-04-02T06:20:00.000+10:00

why oh why can't i never stop to buy more wool!!
I am drooling over some new kind of yarn where I got the sample card from.
Actually it will 3 new types I am trying out....
It will be delicious!!

Cestari ...wohoo I can order again......;)

2009-03-27T22:36:00.000+10:00

I'm so happy the soaker club is falling into places.... Will order my Cestari for club and store this week-end , I need 3.5 kg for the club, rest will be back -up and for the store.Oh gosh I love my Cestari!!!

All my colourways

2009-03-27T16:08:00.001+10:00

Updated-Colourways-Feb-2009
Originally uploaded by funknitter

and I can add this week already some more.... maybe I should do one gallery for girly and then boyish colourways...but then it wouldn't be so colourful anymore....

The world is full of colours and I can see them everywhere, on bags on Jasie t-shirt just anywhere I look... sometimes I think I just go nuts....;)

My love for crimson rosellas....

2009-03-27T16:00:00.001+10:00

crimson-rosella-reskeined
Originally uploaded by funknitter

has inspired me too dye this one up on WOOLganic.
We saw some on the week-end near Stanthorpe and DP and I always freak when we see these beautiful colourfu birds...I wish we could have some here in Brissie...and not just crows....;)

Raspberry Swirl

2009-03-27T15:38:00.001+10:00

raspberry-swirl
Originally uploaded by funknitter

A custom for the lovely Erin. I created this colourway when I got some new dyes, that always very dangerous when I get new ones as I am itching to try new dyes out....first I thought it was a flop and now I actually do love it....

Chilli and Green Tea

2009-03-27T15:27:00.001+10:00

Chilli-and-Green-tea
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I need to dye some more of this colourway, finally posted it off to the lovely Fiona after mixing her wool with Annas up! All a bit much in the last weeks!... Everybody was in awe when I presented this new colourway, it was actually an accident I was after another green but now I actually do love it. I was so eager like always to wind it up and see if I will toss it or love it. That's what I love about dyeing that it always looks so different when balled up....

Indian Summer .....

2009-03-27T15:21:00.001+10:00

Indian-Summer-bfl-and-colum
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I don't know why I chose this name ....it stuck in my head and I can't get rid of it. I dyed on BFL and on Cestari Columbia to see how different the same diluted dyes will turn out, it looks very similar
I have just found my love for Aran BFL, so will get some more to dye some more silky yummy wool

Bright Peacock on Sockino

2009-03-27T15:17:00.001+10:00

peacock-sock-original
Originally uploaded by funknitter

My first dye up on Merino sock yarn....
Next week I want to try some self striping sock yarn as I have bought a warping board some time ago.....

What to call....

2009-03-27T15:13:00.001+10:00

Ocean-Flames
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I have my dyeing mojo back after my early miscarriage and all the hassles another WAHM has caused me accusing me of using other and just copying colourways.
I am still looking for a name for it, the lovely ladies on rav suggested so many name but I haven't decided yet.

Long time no blog

2009-03-27T15:05:00.000+10:00

I haven't blogged lately, I just forgot about it but I think it could help with my emotional healing process. I have suffered another miscarriage a very early one at 4 wks 3 days. I was so happy to be finally pregnant again and then on Friday 13 I started bleeding in the evening. On that day I actually felt really pregnant as the lovely Jen sent me a digital HPT which really said PREGNANT.The whole week I got just BFaintP, just thought this was early days
Maybe next time luckier??

Lime-Light-Cotton

2009-03-27T14:57:00.001+10:00

Lime-Light-Cotton
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I have dyed up the cotton for Vicky in Lime Light. love how it has turned out! I should dye this one up next time on Cestari, anting to do this for a long time already!

wigwam-reskeined

2009-01-07T22:34:00.001+10:00

wigwam-reskeined
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I am so drooling over this colourway, it looks so different to other ones. I sold it to a good home but I can't wait to dye one for myself to knit with and of course on beautiful Cestari!

Wigwam!

2009-01-07T22:31:00.001+10:00

wigwam
Originally uploaded by funknitter

I don't know why I had this colourway so long in my head...
I just know I need to try it and I was itching to do it.
In between several rainbow customs I squeezed this one in.

A combo of gold, olive, brown, crimson red , blues and turqoise.
At the end I knew there is still something missing so I added a patch of darker blue to give it the perfect touch.

I am drooling over it as I would like to keep it, but it has found a new lovely home already. I will dye some for myself and knit Jasie some lovely longies out of it

Boney rainbow!

2009-01-07T22:22:00.001+10:00

After doing this custom below I thought it would be time to dedicated my passion to a blog.

Almost each of my colourway has a story to tell and even if it might be not very interested for other readers I would like to keep an online diary into my ventures of colours and wool! It is my first try of blogging so please be patient with me!

I love playing with colours, it was the best therapy for me when I had to experience last September my molar pregnancies and a D/C which followed.This blog will be a part of my healing journey as I feel better when I write things down! In my teenage years it helped me to get over failed love stories and other bad things what happened, of course I also shared good moments and happiness with my diary.

Sorry for rambling on lets dive into it....

Today I wanted to do a custom where I had to match this colourful fabric.
I had to postpone this dye job already so long because of all the gastros and cold over Xmas and New Year and I was also a bit scared if I would master to match the green perfectly. After a little arvo nap I ventured into it.
I love the challenge of dyeing from a pic and trying to match the colours!
Here is the pic of the fabric

I mixed a special green and that what I came up with

bernie-bone-rainbow
Originally uploaded by funknitter

That's the rainbow feast I came up with! I think it matches quite well if I may say so....