Here is a shot of my first experiment -- quick dyed with Kool Aid. I used Mango, leaving about 25% white space on the pre-soaked yarn and sprinkled dry Raspberry powder over it, patting here and there while I flipped the skein around to get good coverage. The yarn used in the shawl in the background was done the same way, but with acid dyes. (It is Kona Superwash and the pattern is Charlotte's Web.)
I found a source to skein up the BFL sock yarn and will take cones to a farm in the western Shenandoah Valley at the end of the week. Another opportunity to meet a new fiber person.
Today the shipment of the As-Yet-Unnamed-Blue-Faced-Leicester yarn arrived! My first impression was 'soft!' and my second impression was 'there's a lot of yarn here!' (That's what makes my little business fun.)
It is a three ply in superwash, and the Blue Faced Leicester wool makes it so soft, but the twist of the plies also adds to the airy, light look. This is a lightly twisted yarn and I think it will knit up beautifully. I will be doing a few experiments on it in the next two days.
It comes in cones of a little more than one pound (half-kilo cones), with 2,000 yards prox. to the pound. Actually, there is a little more. Using two counting methods, I measured out five skeins of 400 yards, and there were about 70 yards left over, but I am going to advertise it as 2,000 yards per pound to be safe.
Cost: $45 per cone.
Soon it will be skeined into 8 oz (1,000 yard) skeins ... but not yet.
I need some help naming a new yarn that will be coming around the end of June. This yarn is exclusive to Wool2Dye4 and comes from England and the Blue Faced Leicester folks from whom we import the three BFL yarns and roving.
Description: Blue Faced Leicester, 3-ply yarn in a superwash sock weight.
Here are the rules:
1. Suggest a name for this new yarn by June 30.
2. Submit your name on this blog. This way others can see your ideas.
3. If chosen, you will receive the very first shipment of this new sock weight yarn in a one-pound cone. Value: $45
I'll give you the names I am already thinking of ...
Wool2Dye4 BFL SuperSock
Wool2Dye4 Wee Woolie
BF Super Wee Woolie
OK, OK. They're not so great! That's why I need some help!
I have added an item on the SPECIALS page ... Instructions for Dyeing with Kool-Aid. This is a three-page set of instructions and suggestions for taking off into your imagination, a great starting off point. If you are new to dyeing yarn or fibers with Kool-Aid, this is a good place to get started.
E-mail me to order. (info@wool2dye4.com)
Cost: $3.00.
This week there are some changes on the website, and there is one more to come. First, I'll tell you about the coming change which is to introduce a true e-commerce element to the payment mechanism of the site. This means that later this summer there will be a shopping cart which can be updated as you choose your yarns. Payment will be made by credit card and shipping will be calculated by weight.
For the customer, it will soon be easier to review your shopping cart and to change your mind without being routed to PayPal to pay. Right now, customers are taken away from my website when it is time to pay, and as the business owner, I don't want you to be taken away from my site! Also, if you are not a PayPal member, you will not be forced to sign up just to buy my yarn. PayPal will still be available for those who choose to use it.
For me, handling incoming orders will be simplified considerably and I will be able to generate reports to help me run my business better. So! Easier for you and easier for me! Sounds like an act of efficiency to me.
But, I digress. I was going to tell you about the current changes on the site. There are now pages for my newest BLUE FACED LEICESTER yarns and for KAREN ALFKE's UNPATTERNS. Now, you can click a couple of places on the HOME page to get to a page where you see the sock yarns -- which are very popular -- as well as the BLUE FACED LEICESTER.
In an earlier blog post I listed the yarns which are being discontinued: Big Ben, Cuddles, Newport, Noko Bonjour, Silk & Ivory (new name 'Carrera'), Toaga, and Twirly. These yarns have been moved to the SPECIALS page, and I still have stock of all except the Silk & Ivory/Carrera. That one is sold out, but is always available by special order.
In late summer, two new Blue Faced Leicester yarns will be posted -- a true bulky yarn in this soft, luxurious yarn and a new sock yarn! Just to tantalize you sock knitters a bit, I'll give you a preview. The new Blue Faced Leicester Sock Yarn is a three-ply in superwash BFL. I expect lots of interest in this one and can't wait for the shipment to come in. BUT I get ahead of myself. This yarn is an exclusive for Wool2Dye4 and is being milled and spun for exclusive distribution in the States.
I must ask you to help me catch any mistakes on the site as the new pages are integrated. If you find anything that doesn't work or give you the information you need, please e-mail me immediately. As always, I thank you for your wonderful support and kind words for Wool2Dye4.
This week there are some changes on the website, and there is one more to come. First, I'll tell you about the coming change which is to introduce a true e-commerce element to the payment mechanism of the site. This means that there will be a shopping cart, which can be updated as you make your decisions about which yarns you want. Payment will be made by credit card and shipping calculated by weight.For the customer, it means that it will be easier to review your shopping card and to change your mind. Right now, customers are taken away from my website when it is time to pay, and as the business owner, I don't want you to be taken away from my site! Also, if you are not a PayPal member you will not be forced to sign up just to buy my yarn. PayPal will still be available for those who choose to use it.From my end, things will be simplified considerably and I will be able to generate reports to help me run my business better. So! Easier for you and easier for me! Sounds like an act of efficiency to me.But, I was going to tell you about the current changes on the site. There are now pages for my newest BLUE FACED LEICESTER yarns and for KAREN ALFKE's UNPATTERNS. Now, you can click a couple of places on the HOME page to get to a page where you will see the sock yarns, which are very popular, as well as the BLUE FACED LEICESTER.In an earlier blog post I listed the yarns which are being discontinued: Big Ben, Cuddles, Newport, Noko Bonjour, Silk & Ivory (new name 'Carrera'), Toaga, and Twirly. These yarns have been moved to the SPECIALS page, and I still have stock of all except the Silk & Ivory/Carrera. That one is sold out, but is always available by special order. In late summer, two new Blue Faced Leicester yarns will be posted -- a true bulky yarn in this soft, luxurious yarn and a new sock yarn! Just to tantalize you sock knitters a bit, I'll give you a preview. The new Blue Faced Leicester Sock Yarn is a three-ply in superwash BFL. I expect lots of interest in this one and can't wait for the shipment to come in. BUT I get ahead of myself. This yarn is an exclusive for Wool2Dye4 and is being milled and spun for exclusive distribution in the
