Hey! It's Wednesday! Sometimes I do what I like to call 'Wool On The Wheel' on Wednesdays. Pretty much I share with you a yarn that I've spun up recently. Sometimes it's actually 'on the wheel' when I photograph it, and sometimes I share the end result. This week I want to wet your appetite a little bit for a shop update that's in the works.
This yarn was my first real experiment that turned into a new Collection called 'Medieval'. It's a sock weight 2ply yarn and completely natural! Dyed BFL fleece with natural dyes (here, Logwood, the purple!) is mixed with natural brown and grey BFL to create a more 'earthy' and 'old world' colour and texture.Originally I was inspired by the elaborate garments shown in paintings of Royalty at the National Portrait Gallery- but I also wanted it to be a bit more down to earth, so I started watching programs set in that era (and also fantasy like King Arthur and Game Of Thrones) and found that there were a lot more knitted and handmade looking garments in the lower classes. I love the big stitching on jackets especially.
Anyway, I digress. This yarn brings back all those feels. It's an absolute pleasure to spin, although because it is so skinny, it takes me AGES to get through one batt of fleece and even longer to fill up one bobbin. I like to imagine a slower pace of life and the spinning for a need (i.e. a family member needs a pair of socks because they got eaten by a dragon or something... haha) rather than a want. I usually listen to Shakespeare radio plays or watch Merlin while I'm spinning this.
Pictured above is the skein tied with some White fleece. I washed and fixed it with this in place so I could see if the dye ran. It didn't!
There will be four colourways of this wool up for sale in the Shop soon. Are you excited? I'm excited!Above is a close up of the yarn, with a little cheeky bit of turquoise that weasled it's way in to this particular skein. Naughty!Lots of Love, Kimxo
As some of you know, I hold a little Craft Club at my house on Wednesdays. And to celebrate some new features on Hobzy, we had Pizza and Wine and made some fun things out of felt. Here are some little snaps I got of our silly creations.Jazz made a brilliant headband with feathers!
And I created a little mask that I might wear if I were a superhero!Hehe! Sophie made a little creature and we posed for our buddies back in Bristol, to send them a little message. [:Negs was very lazy (as usual!)We've all got Hobzy accounts- come hang out with us there. [: Kimxo
Wow! These last two weeks have flown by in a crazy whirlwind of activity. I've been doing a lot of Markets & working on a big project (I will share all details as soon as the photos are edited). Those of you who follow me on Twitter and Instagram will know all about that. I have also been getting my shop organised- getting ready for a long overdue update. At the moment the only thing really online is the postcards. Please bare with me.
My Dad has been in South Africa visiting the Grandfolks, and he got back on Sunday- so the last few days have been catchup time (both with him, and with my body. My body is TIRED).
I am very thankful for all the tweets/e-mails/comments from you readers with kind words. It really does mean a lot to me, that you enjoy and get something positive from this blog. Blogging is still something I love dearly and don't worry, I'm not going to stop!
And to all New Readers that I've met at markets recently- HELLO! And welcome! Back to work, Love Kimxo.
This video was also made during my A-level animation course at school. It was a test for multiple processes like using acetate and filming something backwards as well as cutout. When I look back at this, it makes me just want to play with stop motion again. This was done in a few hours using very simple techniques. If you've always wanted to try animation but never have- I say go for it!
Love, Kim xo.
p.s. remember to like & subscribe on youtube if you haven't already. I'm making this a regular thing. New videos every tuesday!
Mmm. Delicious Madder Reds. Mmm. Bright Buckthorn Yellows. Let's put the second exhausts together and see what we get... ... some Pale Peachy Oranges:
I love it that Natural Dyeing is always surprising me with it's colour combos. Always blow away that these colours come from nature and plants. The earth really does provide enough. Some more yummy eye candy & experiements:
Okay, this is kind of a long video, but it's a Haul-type knitting themed thing. If you want to hear me chatting about the books, yarn and etc that I'm loving right now and see me pull stupid faces and say 'um' quite a lot... this is the vlog for you! Haha. Enjoy!
