Spinning with self dyed fiber is a marvelous thing.

Here is my latest spinning creation.  I've been a little slow with my spinning and knitting lately because I have been enjoying the last week of summer vacation before I start the second to last semester of my undergraduate career (!). Somehow I still managed to finish spinning up some lovely BFL.

• Spun August 2011 
• Fiber: 100% BFL Wool (The Woolery)
• Colors: Self-dyed with Jacquard Acid Dyes
• Spindle: Schacht 3" Hi-Lo drop spindle (2.2 oz.) 
• 2 Skeins, each: 2 ply, ~50.4 yards, 4 oz., 11 WPI (DK (3))

I somehow managed to dye and then spin this fiber into two separate dye lots.  I'm thinking that maybe I added more vinegar to one of my stock dyes, but I'm not sure. They both look great though and I think that they will make a wonderful knitted project for someone on Ravelry's RAK board. 

Dyeing in the Intense Heat

The weather here in Kansas has been almost unbearable.  It has been a least 100 degrees almost every single day of July and we haven't had rain in my area since the 3rd of July.  So, I have been having a difficult time finding inspiration because everything outside has been brown and dead.
What did I decide to do? Dye roving! I ordered some superwash merino, which after some trouble I ended up being able to wangle into several braids for storage.  Despite the uncooperative nature of the fiber, I'm pretty happy with the product.

My mother declared this colorway "crazy", but I rather like it.

Finally Spinning with Silk Merino

I finally got my hands on a silk merino blend of fiber to spin with.  So far I am loving every second of it even though I only have time to spin about 10 minutes every other day.  I dyed the fiber myself with decent results, it isn't my favorite attempt at dyeing but it isn't bad either.  It is a little too light because I dyed with egg dye tablets.  I'm also a little suspicious of the brown...

 I also quickly mastered the two main methods of braiding fiber.  I'm on the go a lot and free fiber is often a recipe for disaster.  Regular braiding is nice, but doesn't work if you want to keep most of it in the braid.  The chain braiding method is way more practical for me and it still looks great.

In the Middle of Nowhere

I'm currently visiting my parents in the middle of nowhere.  Because it is very difficult to get internet here I will not get to post very frequently; however, I'm getting a lot of serious dyeing done!