String Theory Fiber Arts

Apologies

2010-04-26T05:38:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lack of updates- I'm currently dealing with a family emergency.

In the meantime, this is some of my favourite fiber from the last batch I dyed:

Fairy Ring - Orbit Superfine Hand-Dyed Merino

I paid my bills, now I can shop!

2010-04-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

I think I might go yarn shopping tomorrow. Much as I want to skip off to my favourite LYS, Uniquities, I think I will probably wind up on the cheap at AC Moore, since I'm buying yarn for a baby sweater. I don't feel a particular need to knit an heirloom-quality sweater, even if I'm hoping that the darling girl will get a few seasons out of it before it has to be relegated to the teddy bear wardrobe.

I haven't spun all week, and I have that itch of creation under my skin. I think tomorrow, after my massage (oh, the decadence!), I'll sit down at the wheel for an hour or two and see what I can get. It'll be prime time to catch up on my weekly allotment of "The Daily Show".

I hope your weekend plans are delightful!

What's in the basket?

2010-04-19T17:22:00.001-07:00

Pictures of my current spinning project! As mentioned, a lovely alpaca/silk blend, shining in a way that only silk can. It's more of a twist than a blend, honestly, and I couldn't love it more.

I think batts are really my favourite fiber prep to spin from. There are so many possibilities! You can spin from the fold, you can pull it into top, or (my favourite, if I'm not going for a particular colour blend) you can spin it right from the batt. Next up in my spinning basket is the first of my batts from DyakCraft's ColourWays Club. I've always loved Linda's batts, and these are shining examples of what someone with an eye for colour and a good blend can do with them. I got the club membership as a present, and it's like opening a jewel box every month. I can't wait!

Long time, no post!

2010-04-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

Things have been busy, busy, busy! I don't have pictures of my current spinning project just yet, but I suspect I will shortly. In the meantime, let me tell you all about it!

Saturday afternoon was spent partially being a douchebag hipster at the coffee shop, and partially spinning. I am working on the most luscious alpaca/silk mix right now! It's a rich fawn alpaca, and the silk is bright sky blue, and a light spring green. Combined with the sheen, it looks nearly otherworldly. I'm spinning it to a laceweight, with plans to ply it on itself (2-ply), and knit myself something ethereal and woodsy. An elf cloak, or a fairy shawl, or something earthy and a little magical. The pattern will find me when the time comes, I'm sure.

There has been so much writing, dyeing, and living going on, that my blogging has kind of escaped me.

What have I been up to?

2009-10-26T20:55:00.001-07:00

wholesale, originally uploaded by Reesa.

This is my first wholesale order, shipping out to Pocket Meadow Farm, in Berkeley Springs, WV!

Very cool things are happening! Not only is my fiber now available in a wonderful yarn and fiber store- I'll also be selling it at a variety of craft fairs this autumn and winter! A complete listing will be coming soon, but in the meantime, I'll tease you with this, a preview of some new colourways, and some old favourites.

Experiments in green.

2009-02-25T20:34:00.000-08:00

I believe I'm going to invest in a tester kit of Greener Shades Dyes. I want to see what kind of colour intensity I can get from them, and how they blend.

On the up side, they are available in several different base shades, and everything I've been reading about them says they are relatively easy to mix for a wide variety of different colours. They are heavy metal free (make your own Danzig joke, please), meaning there is no chrome involved, which according to their website makes them "non-hazardous". That's a pretty vague term, however, they also go on to state that the dyes meet the criteria developed by the Organic Trade Association and the Global Organic Textile Standard for Organic Fiber Processing and Handling.

On the down side, there are only 9 base dyes. That means a LOT of mixing to get back up to my standard array of about 35 different colours. They are also much more expensive than say, my Jacquard Acid Dyes.

If they are truly stunning in use, I will seriously consider making a gradual change to them, but they are going to have to wow me to outweigh both the drastic increase in price and the fiddly factor. I would find out about these after spending massive money on a full complement of dyes within the last 6 months.

Bordello Birthday Socks en pointe!

2009-02-19T20:25:00.001-08:00

Bordello Birthday Socks en pointe!, originally uploaded by Reesa.

Michelle's birthday socks, all done and tested and ready to block.

Can I just say how insanely cool it is that I have MADE SOCKS?

The rest of the pictures can be found here.

I have cast aside my wooly shackles!

2009-01-28T12:13:00.001-08:00

I'M DONE, I'M DONE, I'M DONE, I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9.5 miles of yarn, all in skeins I can dye and sell.

I'm REALLY excited about some of the new yarns, too. The Alpaca/silk/merino blend is soooo drapey, and the 500+ yard skeins of super soft, squishy merino singles are going to be PERFECT for felted bags. In fact, I'm thinking of either trying to come up with a nice pattern myself, or holding a contest to design one.

19.7 pounds, 9.5 miles, and it's all sitting in a box in my dining room.

HOORAY!

Feeling semisonic.

2008-08-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

I am brewing up a batch of yarn that has fabulous hidden depths of colour. Every time it moves, you catch another shimmer that you didn't see before. All semi-solids, all kettle-dyed in 3-4 stages, and all based on songs, albums, or bands.

I'm not sure I'll be able to give it up.

pidgeonroof

2008-07-27T18:13:00.001-07:00

pidgeonroof, originally uploaded by Reesa.

Look, I'm alive, and I'm going to remember that I have a fiber blog!

The yarn I spun this weekend. The stripey colour changes and silver and pink make me happy.

4 oz. BFL, pidgeonroofstudios, in...erm...Lady Heather colourway? Not entirely sure on that, since I bought it on destash from a friend.

Once More Into the Basement...

2008-02-24T07:48:00.000-08:00

I can put it off no longer. My gonna-be dye studio has languished long enough, and it's time to admit that until I do some actual WORK down there, it will continue to resemble nothing more than storage for some old photo equipment and the home of the litterboxes.

Wish me luck. I feel faintly disgusting already.

Love is in the...okay, silk, but whatever.

2008-02-07T12:53:00.001-08:00

DSCN0101, originally uploaded by Reesa.

I adore this colourway. It makes me think of hippy busses, tie-dyed clothes, and flowers.

I really should remember to dye some for myself one of these days!

Adventures in Bookbinding

2007-09-23T19:37:00.001-07:00

front, originally uploaded by Reesa.

For Tom's going away present, I made him a book and a mix cd. It was my first bookbinding project, but I'll definitely be doing more.

(The rest of the photos can be found here: Goodbye gallery )

Secret Stash Fiber Exchange Questions

2007-09-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

1) When is you birthday?

September 19th. I'll be 28.

2) How long have you been spinning?

Almost 4 years. I started with a cheap Ashford spindle, and bought a wheel within 2 months.

3) How long have you been blending your fibers?

About 2 years. I started with hand cards, but now work with a drum carder.

4) What types of blends do you like to make and spin?

I really love to create blends that include luxury fibers. I adore blending silk and cashmere with things like alpaca or BFL. BFL is probably one of my favourite wools to play with, because it creates such bounce in a blend. I make a lot of merino/cashmere/silk blends.

5) What types of fibers do you NOT like? Are you allergic to any kinds of fiber?

I'm not really a fan of soy silk, although I've never tried it in a blend. *suddenly has mad ideas* I LOATHE spinning it alone.

I'm allergic to angora. *sob* No tiny fluffy bunnies for me!

6) What are your favorite colors?

Blues, greens, black, purples, silver, copper- I'm partial to jewel-tones, and robins egg blues.

7) What are you least favorite colors?

Lime green (though I've seen it look great in a mix), some oranges, mustard yellows, camo colours, pink. (I have been known to enjoy all of these in the right blend, but they aren't "me".)

8) What type of yarns do you like to spin? (singles, plied, novelty, fingering, bulky, ect.)

I like to spin singles, plied-sock yarns, laceweight, and I love to ply yarn with thread for that cool pearl/bumpy look.

9) What type of blending equipment do you use?

A Patrick Green drum carder with an extra-fine cloth. Occasionally I break out the handcards, but I don't have the time for them when I could be making LOTS of stuff on the drum. I luff my carder.

10) What type of wheel or spindle do you spin on?

I have two wheels, an Ashford Elizabeth II, and a Lendrum DT folding wheel. I love the Ashford for the look (I am shallow! Whee!), but the Lendrum is my workhorse, my baby, and the wheel I would hands down save in a fire.

11) What do you do with your handspun yarn?

Socks, lace, ball it up and stare at it in wonder...the usual. I like all kinds of knitting. I kind of love little teeny projects like cupcakes and toys, and I have a special weakness for bags (all kinds, not just knitted!) and socks (also not just handknit! I love novelty socks, and wear them almost every day. Just not the toe-y kind. *shudder*)

12) What are your interests outside of spinning?

Writing, reading, music, television, swimming, playing the hammered dulcimer, tapestry weaving, cooking, beading, my pets, altering books and making art journals, and taking baths. I'm ever so slightly hedonistic. *grin*

13) What types of music do you like?

I LOVE music. Almost all kinds. Jazz, rap, and R&B aren't my thing. I especially love fusions of traditional folk styles/instruments/songs with rock, Celtic music, punk, and just about anyone associated with Pete Wentz and the Decaydence label. Favourite bands/artists include The Tea Party, David Usher, Fall Out Boy, Flogging Molly, Bain Mattox, The Clash, My Chemical Romance, Heather Alexander/Alec James Adams, OK Go, Muse, and Carbon Leaf.

14) What types of movies do you like?

Ones that make me laugh. I'd say comedy, but that's different. I loved the South Park movie, but I can't stand anything with Adam Sandler, I hated There's Something About Mary, but thought American Pie was pretty funny...not helping, am I? I also like fantasy and sci-fi, and the occasional (not terribly violent/gory) action movie. I like the Bourne movies, and I can't wait to see Shoot 'Em Up. (Clive Owen has a LOT to do with that. Heh.)

15) Do you collect anything?

Other than yarn, music, and books? Heh. Little sheeps in many forms, art nouveau bits and bobs, and unfinished projects.

16) What types of candy and snacks do you like and dislike?

CHOCOLATE! *grin* I love dark chocolate, though more on the semi-sweet side than the truly bitter. I have been known to enjoy the odd Hershey bar here and there, when I am in no mood to be picky. Not too fond of nuts, though I like pecans and macadamia nuts. (Mac nuts remind me of growing up in Hawaii.)

17) Do you have any food allergies to common "goodies"? (ie: chocolate, nuts, etc.)

I am allergic to walnuts and papaya. (No trail mix, please...*grin* They tend to slip both of these things into it.)

warped

2007-09-10T10:02:00.001-07:00

warped, originally uploaded by Reesa.

I wonder what could be going on here? Is that a warping board? And some WARP?

Goodness. I wonder if actual weaving will occur!

Abalone silk

2007-09-10T10:01:00.001-07:00

abasilk2, originally uploaded by Reesa.

You thought I was dead, didn't you?

I don't blame you. I was beginning to wonder myself.

This is some luscious tussah yarn I've dyed up in one of my new colourways, Abalone. I've also got new batts, new sock yarns, and some stuff going on clearance! Check it out!

The Sock on Vacation

2007-08-20T08:08:00.001-07:00

The Sock on Vacation, originally uploaded by Reesa.

Fleece Artist's Sea Wool Bordello socks make great vacation knitting. The pattern is easy to memorize, and they love a good strawberry daiquiri!

Here, the sock and I enjoy an interlude of fruity drink on Daytona beach.

New yarns, studio revamp, picture taking

2007-07-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

I really need to have a heavy-duty, my-arm-is-gonna-drop-off skeining session. I have SO MANY luscious new yarns that I want to get started dyeing! Merino/tencel, merino/silk, superwash merino, alpaca lace, pure silk lace...I could build a fort out of my yarn cones and boxes.

Before I can do that, I have to finish the revamp of the studio. It's nearly there. We are up to the "putting things into pretty boxes" stage, and we're planning to hit it for one last big swoop this evening after dinner.

I have also decided that I'm in need of an indoor, all-weather photo spot, where the light is the same (and good) all the time, and I can take pictures of my wares in a controlled setting at any time. This may neccessitate a trip to IKEA and the purchase of either some cheap white sheets, or a roman blind that I can pin to the ceiling in the appropriate spot.

Sale! Friday, July 13th - Sunday, July 22 at String Theory!

2007-07-13T19:43:00.000-07:00

Now through 11:59 EST, Sunday July 22nd, all yarn and fiber at String Theory Fiber Arts is 10% off! Yes, I'm having a Harry Potter sale, and no, I feel no shame.

As always, all orders of $40 or more will receive free shipping! just place your order and wait for your updated sale invoice before paying!

Naming the lines

2007-07-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

I've decided that I should really come up with names for the different varieties of yarn and roving I'm selling.

Now I just have to have a brainstorming session.

Score!

2007-07-10T12:38:00.000-07:00

I managed to get some of the books I wanted from the Interweave "Hurt Book" sale. Basically, brand new with some minor scuffs or nicks, a folded page, or a shop mark. All of them were at least 50% off.

I got:

Hands on Rigid Heddle Weaving
Hands on Spinning
Colorworks - Deb Menz
A History of Hand Knitting

Yaaay! Nothing like getting four really cool books for a little less than you would have paid for two!

Studio peek

2007-07-09T08:06:00.001-07:00

Studio peek, originally uploaded by Reesa.

A peek at the studio re-style in progress. When I got up yesterday morning (7/8), those walls were white, the cabinets were oak, and there was no shelf. I had a busy day.

Officially Official!

2007-07-06T15:51:00.000-07:00

I got my business license in the mail today!

It'll be framed with my first dollar on Sunday.

HOORAY!

P.S.

Dear Ashland Bay,
May I have some yarn now pleasepleaseplease?
kthnxbi.

Beach Knitting

2007-07-05T06:48:00.000-07:00

The Collective will be going away on holiday to St. Augustine in early August. I can't wait. Though the sun and I aren't the best of friends, I adore swimming, and love walking along the beach. St. Augustine, in addition to being the site of the supposed Fountain of Youth, is over 15 miles of continuous beach, with a good 20-50 yard sand shelf that keeps the water about 4-5 ft. deep and WARM. (It all depends on the tides, of course, but sometimes I think you could walk forever.)

Once in awhile, we brave the possibility of sharks and swim out over the deeper part to the sandbar another 10 feet out or so. Walking on that is a trip. It's only about a foot deep, even at high tide, and you can watch fish swim back and forth over it, disappearing into the deep water on either side. The far side, the ocean side, drops suddenly and drastically- it's probably 8-12 feet deep, depending on where you are on the sand bar. I don't go on that side, because I have a healthy fear of the things that occasionally drive the huge schools of tiny fish to swim away very quickly.

As a matter of fact, I have a pretty healthy fear of just about anything I can't see swimming past me, which is why I'm a fan of the shallow water and tide pools. Even more, the house we've rented has a private pool and spa, and I can REALLY get behind that!

As vacation approaches though, I am faced with a true dilemma. What knitting do I take with me? I'm hoping that I'll be done with the little cotton baby shirt by then, so that's right out. I know I won't be done with Wicked, but do I really want to take a huge wool sweater with me? Not particularly. Nevermind the sand factor!

I'm tempted to take the Bordello socks. For one thing, the syncronisity of taking Sea Wool to the beach amuses me. (I am easily amused, and proud of it!) They are small, portable, and I have a couple of sock bags that would do nicely to keep the sand out. But they're small. What if I ran out of knitting? I haven't found a yarn store in St. Augustine!

Finally, there is no small part of me that wants to take a wheel with me. Rodney folds! Sitting there on the beach (on a beach mat!), spinning in the sun and fresh air....it holds a certain appeal. But again, there's the sand factor, and what fiber would I take, and would the rest of the Collective understand that it wasn't kosher to drip on my beloved Lendrum?

Such choices.

Update at String Theory Fiber Arts

2007-06-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

All kinds of nifty new roving, as well as some beautiful silk/merino sock yarn, superwash sock yarn, and silk/merino laceweight!

Update!

2007-06-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

String Theory Fiber Arts has updated with new handpainted yarns in sock and lace weight, and new luxury spinning batts!

Autumn Leaves

2007-06-19T08:33:00.001-07:00

DSCN0511, originally uploaded by Reesa.

I -lovelovelove- the way this yarn turned out. The red is not as purpley as this picture would lead you to believe. It's going to be a hard sell for me not to keep this.

Laceweight silk. Yum.

Drying the Dyeing

2007-06-19T07:48:00.001-07:00

DSCN0504, originally uploaded by Reesa.

The fruits of the past two evenings of labour, all drying on my warping board. Because really, what else would you USE a warping board for?

You can also see a ton of the clutter of my studio in the background, including my carder and the mess I've made playing with altered books.

Rainwood

2007-06-19T07:42:00.001-07:00

DSCN0507, originally uploaded by Reesa.

The new batch of Rainwood yarn- this time in a silk/merino 50/50 blend, and much more of the celadon colour that I've been trying for. I am -pleased- with this lot.

Updates coming soon!

2007-06-18T21:12:00.001-07:00

There will be a huge update to String Theory on Wednesday. Yarn will be posted then, fiber will be posted on Thursday. I can't believe it's taking me a whole week to get my dyeing done, but hey, what can ya' do?

I've got some amazing new silk lace weight coming in, and 7 lbs. of sock yarn that should be in tomorrow.

I'll try to snag a picture of some of the new stuff on my way out of the house tomorrow. I really love the new colour combos I've got going on some off these.

06-16-07_1151

2007-06-16T10:22:00.001-07:00

06-16-07_1151, originally uploaded by Reesa.

Crappy cellphone pictures of my current spinning project, the City Lights batts from Franquenmont Fibers.

Yes, I -am- spinning at work. It's very boring here on Saturdays right now.

Connections

2007-06-15T12:51:00.000-07:00

Borrowing a page from Zero at Sock Pr0n, I thought I'd share a few places I've shopped on etsy this week.

First up is French Knitting , a new seller based in France. She and a friend of hers are offering hand-dyed mohair, alpaca, and various small breed wools. What I love best about her stuff for sale is the richness of colour. My favourite items, hands down, are her Create A Yarn Kits, which are just awesome! Loose locks, fleece, and bits of gorgeous fluff, all dyed up in the same colour, but the variation you get with the different materials is really spectacular. I can't wait to play with mine!

Next, there's Lena Brown Designs, who make some of the most attractive needle rolls I've seen in a long time. I couldn't resist ordering the one that has been popping in and out of my shopping cart since I first discovered etsy, so now this lovely is on it's way to me!

Last, but not least, we have Pixie Rolls, who also make lovely needle rolls, knitting bags, and other cool accessories. I am a sucker for bags of all kinds, so it's not surprising that I love these guys. I bought two of their sale items, the Wristlets, which look just the right size for a phone, a couple cards, and some lip balm. Or, you know, maybe a sock project...

Officially Official

2007-06-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

I'm now officially a business! At least according to Fairfax County. I don't have to file quarterly taxes or anything, but I'm official, and now I can set up an account for yarn from Ashland Bay.

As you can see in my last entry, I also got my dye order in from Dharma Trading Company. I'm fully stocked on blues now, and I can't wait to do some skeins this weekend! Roving too- I'm running low on everything. (Thanks for the orders!)

weekend

2007-06-13T19:07:00.001-07:00

weekend, originally uploaded by Reesa.

I've got 15 pounds of dye (some not pictured), silk, merino, and superwash yarn, and umpteen pounds of merino roving.

Anyone want to take a wild guess as to what I'm doing with my weekend?

In Which Reesa Can't Do Math

2007-06-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

Those lovely skeins of sock yarn I've been selling as 233 yards each?

They are actually 310 yard skeins. Don't ask me how I managed to screw the math up THAT badly, but I've just weighed and measured another one, and unless the yarn has magically changed weights since I did those last skeins, I've been underselling my yarn.

Even with all the cool tools, I am a danger to myself and others.

New Skeinwinder!

2007-06-07T19:35:00.001-07:00

New Skeinwinder!, originally uploaded by Reesa.

Truly, it is a thing of wonder!

Skeining Just Got Easier!

2007-06-07T18:22:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of hooray! at my house. When I got home from work, my new freestanding Taylor skeinwinder had arrived.

This thing has already earned its place it my heart. I wound up two 300+ yard skeins of yarn in under 10 minutes. Before this I'd been using my swift, which worked, but which required me to poke it with my finger and watch it spin haphazardly 'round and 'round. To say that it wasn't a fast process is putting it mildly.

I had to go play with it again before I could go to bed- 2.5 lbs of merino/silk fingering weight sock yarn in about an hour of skeining.

Now I just have to hold out hope that my dye order will get here before the weekend. 13 lbs of dye, 5 lbs of yarn, and however many wads of roving I can manage before my new faux-Crocs give out and my feet fall off.

Welcome!

2007-06-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hello there! Thanks for taking a look around. Things are changing rapidly around here, and you should soon see pictures, accounts of weekends spent elbow-deep in dye, and copious amounts of fiber pr0n.