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Saturday, November 21, 2020

Crochet Giant Granny Square Throw Progress

Crochet Giant Granny Square

Crochet Giant Granny Square

Crochet Giant Granny Square

Crochet Giant Granny Square

Crochet Giant Granny Square

Crochet Giant Granny Square

At the begining of this new lockdown I started searching my stash of yarns with the aim of creating a new multicolor giant granny square blanket.

I picked up all the colored yarns I found for needles or crochet number 4, keeping the brown, grey and beige for another project. 

Here I used the brand Fonty quality Ambiance 100 % superwash Woll superfine SW.

This is a very simple and pleasant project. It is never boring as you change colors. I love playing with varigated colors when I work on a project, that is quilting or knitting. 


Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Monette's Shawl with a TUTORIAL

Beige knitted shawl

Beige knitted shawl

Beige knitted shawl

This is the third time I knit a shawl with the pattern I created five years ago. I love this pattern because it is so simple and the shawl turns out to be so comfy and beautiful!

I offered the two previous ones : the brown and The green, but I'll try to keep this one for myself... It is ideal to throw on my shoulders when I go outside to fill my basket with logs for the fireplace. As well I feel so warm and comfortable wrapped up in it, reading or watching tv on the sofa!

If you wish to knit such a shawl, you will find the TUTORIAL here : CLICK

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Tea Dyeing Tutorial

Fabric dyeing in hot tea

Tea dyeing

Tea dyeing

Tea dyeing

To progress with my scrappy Giant hexagon quilt,  I needed more reproduction style fabrics. Instead of ordering new fabrics I thought of dyeing some from my stash with the tea method, in order to give them the appearance of old fabrics. This was my first attempt to dye using this method, and I must say that the result was very satisfying. 

Here is what you need if you want to turn your modern fabric into a vintage one :

For one yard fabric :

1 large saucepan
1 Litre water
2 tablespoons salt
5 black tea bags

Here is the method :
  1. Bring the water to boil with the salt,
  2. Stop the boiling and put your tea bags into the hot water. Let them infuse for 10 mn,
  3. Throw the bags away,
  4. Rince your fabric under the tap, press out the excess water,
  5. Put your fabric in the saucepan of hot tea and leave it for at least 15mn.
You should move the fabric with the help of a wooden spoon so that it is completely covered by the tea.
The longer you will leave the fabric in the tea the darker the result. 

When your fabric gets the color you wish, take it away from the saucepan, press out the water and put it in a bowl filled with cold water. Add a little vinegar, and leave the fabric to soak for about 10 mn, in order to fix the color.

Press out the excess water from your fabric and let it dry flat, if possible outside.