New Colours

Finally managed to add some more colours to "Pure Alchemy". This one is Suffolk Sky, inspired, (not surprisingly) by the pale blues; dove grey and soft whites of the sky above.

Planning to spend the whole day dyeing tomorrow. Can't wait!

Creative Week

This week has been all about getting the creative juices flowing - not just in terms of what colours to dye the next lot of "Pure Alchemy" but about where I want to take the business next and how to go about it. I know for sure that I don't want to lose the "personal" touch which we can currently offer - answering individual queries by e-mail or phone (even if it doesn't lead to a sale!); sharing expertise and tips; learning new skills myself and developing my own knowledge.

On Tuesday my dream of having a purpose built "yarnsmith" space took one step closer to becoming a reality. The 17' x 13' base was laid in the garden. I keep joking that by the time I've moved in with the yarn; laptop; spinning wheel; the sofa bed; dog's bed; kettle and microwave the family may never see me again! I wonder?

Wednesday presented a first with a networking event at Frankie and Bennie's in Haverhill organised by Womenta - the women's arm of Menta, (the Mid Anglia Enterprise Agency). Women across a range of careers and businesses; from a luxury soap maker to a health and safety expert, met to exchange thoughts and ideas on what it is to run your own business, often whilst juggling a family and all that that entails. However, even here I managed to sneak in a quick "knitting on circular needles 101" lesson and came away with further thoughts on developing the advice section of the website.

Friday saw the first session of the St Andrew's Knit and Yarn Group - primarily aimed at the parents' of St Andrews Primary School, Great Yeldham. I've teamed up with another school governor (and avid knitter) to teach the basics, and for those interested, a bit beyond. We are lucky enough to be using a fabulous workshop belonging to Rosie, a friend of the School. The venue overlooks the beautiful North Essex countryside, her fabulous kitchen garden and flock of Jacobs sheep. We turned up with homemade cakes and chocolate brownies (a must for any knitting group), toys for the pre-schoolers and a random selection stashed yarn and needles. Our two beginner knitters really got the hang of it and took their first projects home to practice on - both turned up at the school gate at the end of the day exclaiming that they hadn't put their knitting down all afternoon! I call that a successful class.

Saturday was my monthly fix of the Guild. Another fabulous meeting with a talk and workshop from William Jefferies of the "Kew Studio" who talked about what inspires his wonderful tapestries. I also had some great feed back on "Pure Alchemy" and lots of suggestions about refining my dyeing technique. (Along with, a round telling off for not keeping a "dye book" so I know what I did, when and how!) I came away feeling very positive and marvelling about just how much I've learnt about textiles over the past three years. (I then went straight to a great rehearsal of the Faure Requiem which an add hoc choir from the North Hinkford Benefice is singing on Good Friday - a really uplifting day! )

So this has been a really varied week - we've also fitted in ballet, swimming, Beavers, a trip to the secondary school and running a mile for Sports Relief. Spring is sprung with daffodils finally appearing in the garden and the dog venturting out unbidden - and I feel a definite rejuvination - long may it last!

Pure Alchemy Launched!

I am delighted to launch "Pure Alchemy", our very own hand-painted yarn. You've no idea just how much I've enjoyed doing this - so much so that it's now going to become part of our standard stock. Made from soft 100% merino wool, this is technically a 2 ply yarn but it knits pretty much to a 4 ply gauge so is great for socks, shawls and scarves. I don't intend to dye more than 3 skeins in any one colour combination and indeed some skeins will be "one-offs". However, this wool has a very generous meterage/yardage of approx 375m (about 410yds) per skein so a little goes a long way.

If you would like us to dye a specific colour combination please get in touch! Just a further excuse to play rather than iron!

The results are in!

The results of the "crock-pot experiment". Fabulous funky colours and really easy to do!

I used my newly purchased vintage (1950's - thanks to ebay) ball winder to produce this wonder! My 11 year old is now trying to attach a lego-motor to it to make the winding-process automatic. Kids!

Play Day

Yes, I know there is a lot of ironing and the dog needs walking but just couldn't resist having a go at "crock-pot dyeing" with the odd packs of Kool-Aid I had lying around. I have used Kool-Aid to dye single colours before and found the results a bit insipid and the process, to be honest, a bit boring - just a prolonged version of making up the drink and sticking a skein of yarn in it. However, on the plus side, doing this with an inquisitive 5 year old doesn't hold the hazards of more conventional dying with acid dyes or mordants! So far the results look pretty much as they should (see picture) and the sickly-sweet smell is being contained within the pot! Proof will be in the knitting up I suspect.

NB: For those fortunate not to know, "kool-aid" is a drink-mix from the States which comes in sachet form in a variety of lurid colours (and flavours!) As I've managed to dye my finger orange by dipping it in the dye-bath I just wonder what it does to your insides!

Melford Green Sweep the Board

Just in from Melford Green Alpacas;

"Alpaca breeders from right across the country travelled to Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire to take part in the British Alpaca Futurity 2010, the UK’s premier alpaca show last weekend. Over two days the very best animals in the country were judged by Jude Anderson, who had flown in from the US especially for the event. Animals entered by Melford Green Alpacas from Long Melford led the way from the start, with Claudia, winning a first place rosette and taking the grey championship. This success continued throughout the whole weekend with the team eventually taking 7 rosettes and 2 Championships. Once all of the points had been tallied up at the end of the show, Melford Green were awarded the trophy for “Most Small Successful Small Breeder 2010.”

However, the success didn't stop there! We entered a number of exhibits in the craft show and not only did we come first and third (lace shawl and toddler Gurnsey) in the knitting show (knitted by yours truely!) but Shirley Simpson's handspun yarn, spun from Melford Green's top grade suri fleece, gained best in show. Way to go Melford Green team!!