Red Scarf Project is part of Foster Care 2 Success, an organization that helps foster children who have aged out of foster care and are heading off to college on their own, with no family support. Red scarves are sent to these young adults each year on Valentine’s Day to let them know that people do care.
I will be hosting a Red Scarf Project 2012 Project-along (Knit, Crochet, Weave, whathaveyou) to start around January 3rd and running through October 2012. Any unisex patterned scarf in Red Dk or Worsted weight yarn. Join us anytime during the year, so that we can send off our scarves by December 2012. Sign up and share your progress at the Ravelry Group.
Current Projects
Knitting: On the Side Scarf for the Red Scarf Project (Scarves for Foster Kids going to College due Dec 15th) – 48″ done, 60″ needed. Emotional Socks – One toe done in coordinating color, a few rows done with main color
Currently Reading: A Dance with Dragons (Book 5 of A Song of Ice and Fire) by George R R Martin Claymore – A Japanese Manga (ie Comic Book) available online
You can find me on Plurk and Ravelry as Kiarapanther
You can also find me on Shelfari and GoodReads (GoodReads currently only shows what books Ive been reading since joining GoodReads. Shelfari has a more complete reading list, though I will be slowly updating GoodReads as well)
Deviating from my regular format to bring you my version of small batch dyeing with a microwave. I dyed the faux cashmere I had spun up, using Cushing’s acid dye in the color “Lavendar”, though I got more of a magenta color.
Dyeing Safety:
Old Clothes
Face Mask – Even non-toxic dust can cause health issues if inhaled.
Gloves
Seperate bowls, utensils, slow cookers and microwave that will only be used for dyeing and NEVER for food use.
Oven Mitts – You will be working with hot water and hot containers!
Natural Dyes are NOT inherently non-toxic! Do thorough research if you choose to experiment with them.
Three Types of Dyeing:
Food Coloring (Kool-Aid, Food Dye, Cake dye)
Commercial Dye (Acid Dyes, Plant dyes)
Natural Dyeing (plants with mordants such as copper, chromium, etc)
If you have any questions about this episode or have any dyeing questions I didn’t cover, please contact me on Ravelry or at kiarapanther at gmail dot com. If I don’t have the answer handy, I will help you find it. I love to do research!
You can find me on Plurk and Ravelry as Kiarapanther
You can also find me on Shelfari and GoodReads (GoodReads currently only shows what books Ive been reading since joining GoodReads. Shelfari has a more complete reading list, though I will be slowly updating GoodReads as well)
Red Scarf Project is part of Foster Care 2 Success, an organization that helps foster children who have aged out of foster care and are heading off to college on their own, with no family support. Red scarves are sent to these young adults each year on Valentine’s Day to let them know that people do care.
I will be hosting a Red Scarf Project 2012 Project-along (Knit, Crochet, Weave, whathaveyou) to start around January 3rd and running through October 2012. Any unisex patterned scarf in Red Dk or Worsted weight yarn. Join us anytime during the year, so that we can send off our scarves by December 2012. Sign up and share your progress at the Ravelry Group.
Movie Review: Goonies. We went to see this at the Dragonfly Cinema in Downtown Port Orchard, which shows classic and independent movies.
Trip Itinerary – Portland to Canada Loop:
Victoria, B.C. to Portland via Olympic Peninsula: Black Ball Ferry from Inner Harbour, Victoria, B.C. to Port Angeles Hurricane Ridge
or
Route Two:
Take Hwy 101 West and then South along the Pacific Ocean Forks, WA (If your a Twilight fan) Westport, WA (At Aberdeen take SR 105 to Westport and then continue on SR 105 South to hook back up with HWY 101) Astoria, WA (wear part of the Goonies was filmed and the movie is set) McMenamin’s Sand Trap in Gearhart, OR
Take Hwy 26 back to Portland
Current Projects
Knitting: On the Side Scarf for the Red Scarf Project (Scarves for Foster Kids going to College due Dec 15th) – 41 1/2″ done, 60″ needed. Persephone Cable Fingerless Mitts – Recharted cable pattern, reswatching to check for accuracy. Went down two needle sizes. Scarf Portion of Dragon Tail Hood – Done with one repeat of chart 2 for 1st of two scarf pieces to be grafted onto hood piece. Emotional Socks – One toe in progress using handspun faux cashmere dyed during tutorial
Currently Reading: A Dance with Dragons (Book 5 of A Song of Ice and Fire) by George R R Martin Claymore – A Japanese Manga (ie Comic Book) available online
You can find me on Plurk and Ravelry as Kiarapanther
You can also find me on Shelfari and GoodReads (GoodReads currently only shows what books Ive been reading since joining GoodReads. Shelfari has a more complete reading list, though I will be slowly updating GoodReads as well)
Faux Cashmere spinning report: While attempting to navajo-ply the singles, I had a lot of areas that drifted apart despite overspinning. So if you plan on spinning faux cashmere, overspin, overspin, overspin! Also, do not ply directly from a lazy kate, as this may produce too much tension. Instead, make a plying ball and then add twist with your wheel.
Proposed Project-along (Knit, Crochet, Weave, whathaveyou) for the Red Scarf Project 2012 to start around January 3rd and running through September (or October) 2012. Give feedback or sign up at the Ravelry Group
Trip Itinerary – Portland to Canada Loop: Travel to Vancouver Island and Victoria:
To get from Vancouver to Victoria, you have to take a ferry. I love these ferries as they remind me of floating airports. You know all the kiosks, stores and restaurants in the airport terminals? Well, that is what your going to find on the various decks of these huge car carrying ferries.
Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay Ferry – This will get you from Vancouver Mainland to Vancouver Island/Victoria. Ferry Amenities – This is what I’m talking about when I say its like a floating airport terminal.
Once you leave the ferry, the first thing I would do is go to Butchart Gardens before continuing on to Victoria and getting settled in your hotel. Anytime of year, its beautiful. And if you can’t see everything in one day, its only $3.50 for re-admission the next day.
Things to Do in Victoria:
Victoria is probably my favorite city to visit in the whole world. I have traveled there again and again, and I am chomping at the bit to go back.
Royal British Columbia Museum – My Favorite Museum!! (I think I could live here *laugh*) The Empress – You might not be able to afford to stay here, but the building is gorgeous and it is the jewel of the city. A lot of tourists like to have Afternoon Tea at the Empress. Miniature World – If you like miniatures, this museum is the place for you.
Make sure you start at the corner of Humboldt and Government and head North to catch all the neat shops.
Including Merchie’s, especially if you like tea. The Bay Centre Shopping Mall – Maybe its because they saved the facade of several old historic building but I love this mall. I just like walking through it when heading towards Old Town. Old Town Victoria Chinatown Vancouver Island Brewery – Three Words: Hermann’s Dark Lager. I would buy stock in this company if I could. Or just buy all the Hermann’s. Craigdarroch Castle – Beautiful old mansion.
Pacific Undersea Garden – I have yet to make this but it sounds fascinating. The Wax Museum is fun too, but its closed until they finish the new location. Not sure how long that could take.
Delta Victoria Hotel – I stayed here once for my Mother’s birthday (back when my sister worked for the Victoria Clipper and got discounts on all things Victoria). Its pricey but VERY nice. We ate at both restaurants, one very formal with a limited, every changing, menu and the other a bit more low key with a decent menu selection. Everything was good, including the wine. The view of The Empress Hotel lit up at night is the main reason for staying at the Delta. If you don’t care about having a harbor view, the basic rooms during the Off-Season are fairly affordable.
Wheel Spinning Projects:
Undyed Faux Cashmere (100% Nylon) – Halfway through Navajo Plying, many breaks in the single CJ Kopec Creations Sparkly SW BFL – 1oz spun 2 years ago, 3 oz to go, Currently spinning yellow
Currently Reading: A Dance with Dragons (Book 5 of A Song of Ice and Fire) by George R R Martin Claymore – A Japanese Manga (ie Comic Book) available online
You can find me on Plurk and Ravelry as Kiarapanther
You can also find me on Shelfari and GoodReads (GoodReads currently only shows what books Ive been reading since joining GoodReads. Shelfari has a more complete reading list, though I will be slowly updating GoodReads as well)
A Cat and Her Yarn 