I have a passion for ethnic handmade fabrics whether they are woven, knit, embroidered or hand-dyed. When I was in college, I learned an intricate dye technique called Ikat Dyeing. For those not familiar with Ikat, the warp is wound for the loom and then the threads are dyed in a particular pattern. The warp is then used to dress the loom and the threads are woven into a beautiful fabric. It is rather painstaking, to say the least. After I dyed and wove a few pieces of ikat fabric, I realized the skill it takes to produce the incredible patterning of these fabrics.
Above is a photo from the Author Susan Meller's website and newish book Silk and Cotton (which I'm asking for as a birthday gift M & J!) of hand-dyed IKAT fabric on a loom. Isn't it incredible? If you have time and the interest, check out Susan's website full of gorgeous fabrics. There are some beautiful hand-dyed and woven ikat fabrics here.
When Regia asked me to design another collection of colors for sock yarn, we began with the idea of ikat fabric. Although this sock yarn is spun and dyed in a factory, it has the shifted, mottled look of ikat. There are 6 colors in this line and you can see them knit into socks below.
Here is a photo of how the yarn looks in a ball. As you knit, an ikat inspired pattern will appear on your knit fabric. How very cool. Below you can see the 6 colors without the balls bands. I have included the names and numbers too in case you would like to order them.
To celebrate the world-wide launch of these 6 new shades, I am hosting a giveaway. SIX lucky readers will win 2 skeins of the new Kristin Nicholas Design Line - enough yarn for a pair of socks.
Here's how to enter the contest....
Answer the following question in the comments...... Facebook readers, please go to my blog, don't comment on Facebook. Type in getting-stitched-on-the-farm.blogspot.com on your browser to get to the blog to comment. Thanks!
What are your upcoming crafting, stitching, knitting or creative plans for this fall?
Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday September 15th.
US and Canadian addresses only.
Please leave an easy way to get a hold of you - Rav id, blogger id, or email. Thanks for entering everyone. Good luck
Don't forget to check out the new Regia Kristin Nicholas Design Line colors at your local yarn store.
215 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 215 of 215I'm finishing up a shawl then plan to knit my granddaughters skirts for the holidays, then a sweater for myself, then some gifts....think there's time?
Great giveaway, thanks.
ROCknit rav id
I am traveling to Taiwan to see my son (who is working there for 6 months) and planning to knit socks on the 14 hours plane ride. In addition to this fall Christmas, baby gifts, new items for my brand new (first) grandson.
Ettenna
Whoops -above comment -Ettenna is my Ravelry ID
Preserving the bounty has gobbled up my hours lately but I'm looking forward to knitting a couple of sweaters. One for me. One for my husband...or maybe my son. Then again there is the yarn put aside for a sweater for my daughter (that I can't manage to get gauge on). For now I contentedly knit on socks when I finally sit down at the end of the day!
Omg I love your sock yarn. I am pulling together a little collection of garlands, felted candle holders, and cards. It's been way too long. xo
louise@linesofbeauty.com
My husband recently got a new job, and one of his co-workers is pregnant and almost ready to have the baby. He has requested I quickly knit something for the new baby. There is a second baby knit for a baby that's already arrived, and I would like to tackle some mittens (the idea of having mittens that fit my freakishly short pinkies is appealing).
I love these colors! My plan is to start working on Christmas presents for family & friends.
I'm fishing an afghan for a weeding gift, making a scarf for a Chrismas gift and starting a circumnaigated sweater for my husband
I am working on a variety of crochet blankets that are all currently WIPs but will be holiday gifts.
I am also analyzing the results of the big crochet health survey I ran over the summer and will be working on publishing that information.
I'm on pair 10 of my 2014 goal of 12 pairs of socks, and all of them are gifts for friends and family. I'm having fun alternating with toe up and cuff down. Your new colors are gorgeous.
I've been learning tablet/card weaving and I intend to master that this fall! My husband built an inkle loom for me as a Christmas present and that has been so fun. I love the ikat-in-progress photo and thanks for book rec. I'd love to win the yarn!
Finish knitting a Tomten coat for my 3'year old twins, (to share, I am not doing another right now! ) make a quantity of preschooler mittens and a hat or two, do some spinning and maybe produce a new knitting pattern or two ...and get back to my freelance work. I have big ambitions now that we have full day preschool!
Joanne Seiff (ravid as well as my name!)
Love your new sock yarn design. I bet they fly off the shelves! I've got plans to make two Gudrun Johnson cardigans out of Quince & Co Chickadee, a lacey vest for my new DIL and I'm very tempted to join the upcoming Kaffe afghan KAL using the Rowan worsted. In between all these are socks and baby sweaters as the baby's come along. Thanks for the generous give away. I learn so much from your blog, books and patterns......thanks!
ravid: emrubin
On the needles is the "Luna" scarf, designed by Carrie Bostwick Hoge, for my daughter-in-law (don't tell - it's for Christmas!). Then a cardigan for me, maybe "Greta," which I found in a Rowan book. But between larger projects, I always make a pair of socks. Your Regia colors are great!
WOOL = WARM
TO COMPLETE ONE OF MY SWEATERS "WORKS IN PROGRESS" so I will have a warm sweater this winter!! I can't wait to have a warm sweater this wintear as I need it now at work - the A/C is so cold (apologies to those who are experiencing very hot weather now)
Here's to a warm covering for this winter.
Post a Comment