Thursday, September 1, 2011

When in danger or in doubt.... (and a colorful giveaway)

Run in circles, scream and shout. Actually, we did none of that, although some crankpants sniping started happening.

I am, of course, referring to the recent visit from Irene. We lost power for 3.5 days, and since we have well water we were without electricity and running water for the duration. Otherwise, we came through unscathed. The gravel driveway looks a bit rough as parts of it are partially washed out, but the worst of it was fixed either by the neighbor who happens to be resurfacing right now or the county when they fixed the (dirt) road on Monday.

All in all, if I have to have some sort of storm inconvenience to handle I much prefer a power outage compared to all the horrible flooding going on in the region. I did have a small nervous breakdown on Tuesday when we were told it could last for a week, but it came back yesterday and I could get back to work.

In more cheerful things, I am up to my eyeballs in hot, wet wool since the Garden State Sheep Breeders' festival is in just over a week. And, since it's Sept 1st I have a giveaway! I am now 3 days behind schedule in my festival prep courtesy of a tropical storm, so I've decided to spread the wealth a little. Namely, I have assembled a little kit so that whoever wins this giveaway can try their hand at dyeing, too.


This is one package of concentrated gel paste food coloring in color primaries, 40g of citric acid, and one 400yd/4oz skein of 100% merino sock yarn. It's the Jackrabbit base, the really sproingy 2ply. All you need to do is add the water and the heat! And since it's food safe, you don't need to worry about special equipment.

I'm going to let this run through Wednesday the 7th, and pick someone at random on Thursday. To enter, comment to this post with what kind of colorway you'd like to make with this skein of yarn. Now I've got to race over to the Rav group. Have at it!

12 comments:

Zibu said...

Wow, I had no idea the was a Garden State Sheepy Fest! Thanks for the info! And thanks for the giveaway too! I'd love to see something in fiery yellows/golds/oranges.... not enough of that in my stash!

cookalotje said...

That is awesome. I've been thinking about taking up dyeing yarn! Hope I win, so I can try it out!

Anonymous said...

Oh, man ... I don't know! I like purple, so I'd probably go for something like that ... but purple is so difficult to get right, I might just stick with something more like Red Desert (which I'm working with right now), mainly red with some other delightful parts.

danielle h. said...

Ooooohhh...exciting! I'm feeling Fall colors right now, so I'm thinking changing leaves on the trees....yellow, orange, red...all mixed together.

lorraine said...

awesome! i love dyeing yarn but have never tried gel based food dyes..id love to make an orange yellow and blue stripey sort of yarn...and i think the blue and yellow would make a nice green..thanks for the giveaway! raineoc@yahoo.com

InJuneau said...

Whoa, you're busy! Good to hear that you came through the storm with little damage. I've been seeing photos of all the wreckage and am amazed at the scope of it, esp. in places where it wasn't expected (VT, upstate NY).

Oh, I'd prob. go for something in the blue-green range, though maybe I should branch our into fall colors!

rinebird said...

I have been on a run of shades of yellow..if i win I would like to see a lavender & a green flower colorway.rinebirdATgmail DOT COM

Knitmish on Ravelry said...

I recently went to my first yarn dyeing workshop, it was so much fun! I would love to try and get some fall colours, such as a burnt orange or a warm yellow. Cheers!

cthulhulovesme said...

Not surprisingly, I'd do something with a lot of yellowy greens, with maybe a touch of red for contrast. :D

Fran D said...

I can't wait to see your yarns in person on Saturday. My favorites are the blues and tourquoises.

sockrat on Ravelry said...

I would try for a mix of yellows, blues, and greens, in different strengths, with the yellow being very bright. At least that's what I have in my mind. What I would end up with is another is another matter entirely, as I have never dyed yarn (yet)!

Mary aka Knottymare said...

I'd dye mine Orange, however, it would never be as nice as the beautiful yarns you dye. I've been a huge fan since my first skein of Crispins day that I got from you after the first Sock Summit

Glad to see you growing!