question

Does anyone recall whose blog, months and months ago, talked about using smooth stones as a resist? She placed one stone at a time on the fabric then tied it. I can't recall if the fabric was then submerged or if the dye was painted on. I see pro's and con's for each. I thought I'd never forget whose blog had featured this! Help!!! Either email me or answer here. If you don't recall the blog I'd love to hear your opinion on the appropriate dye application.

I have two new sarongs to play with. One is silk and one a gauze cotton. I have a pvc pipe for a shabori application and the other sarong will undergo the rock technique. No idea which will be which.

New Ducks and a Nesting Pea hen

Pea hen is nesting under the back porch

Two baby ducks in a temporary pond.

One duck

Two ducks

Escaping duck

For Sharon

So you want details. Well, I used discharge paste that I got from ProChem. I poured, or glopped about an inch into a small bowl and added a little less than half the paste amount of water. I used a sponge brush and "sponged" all of the protruding root-like appendages. I then hung it on the clothes line to dry, as per the bottle instructions. Today I cut off all the strings and found it was still slightly damp. I threw it into the dryer, didn't blow up, and heated up the steam iron. The iron is set at the lowest steam setting. This is where the discharge becomes apparent.

For the Retro-Hawaiian-esque shirt, it was tied in the same way but color was added, shirt batched, washed and dried.

Just play!

Root Vegetable or Shirt?

Discharge paste applied to tee shirt.

















Interesting tie dyed shirt?












I've completed two of the three panels for Andy's blanket. Now I just need time to do the final panel. Company x's 2 coming tonight. The "other" company left Sunday.

I'm half way through the next clue to the MS3. It's being knit during Yankee games. Luckily they're (finally) on a winning streak so the knitting is going smoothly.

No further lies to tell.

Busy Bee

Yup, I'm part of the MS3 Lemming Gang. I happened upon this when there were under 800 participants. I'm amazed that it's now over 7000. I'm about 10 rows into clue 3. Not bad considering I've had company off and on for the past 4 weeks. More coming tomorrow and again next week, then I think we're done. For awhile. Then I'll catch up. Maybe.


I'm using Mondial, a fine Merino wool. It is a two ply,
2/25. The stole is being knit using a size 3 needle. Beads are size 6. Size 8 would have been better but I used what I had on hand, including the yarn. I bought the yarn years ago at Knitter's Day Out, maybe 8 years ago. I suppose the color is teal, not my favorite, but it was the most appropriate yarn for this project that was available in my stash of yarn.







A silk sarong for my daughter. I used both string and plastic bags as resist. It was dyed with Sabracron F, navy, 4% DOS.

I have another silk and a cotton to dye. I'm noodling some new ideas for resists. Perhaps not original ideas, but new techniques for me.

Andy's Blanket

all warped up!

Panel One on the cloth beam.

Slaving over panel 2

I finally twisted the fringe and I think I'll keep this shawl for me.

I had hoped Andy's blanket would have looked more like this. I have only painted one other wool warp which I've yet to use. I had debated what sett to use for the blanket and feared that if set too close it would become upholstery fabric. I think I'm correct in this case, using this particular wool. Next time I'll go finer. And softer.

In other, animal news, we just got 50 broiler chicks. I was going to take pictures but it's raining out and I don't want to melt like the Wicked Witch of the West. The other chicks, now teenagers in chick speak, have been moved to a new pen (with the two wee turkeys) and are much happier there since they can now venture into the outside world.

Big Dog has had his fur buzzed off and is feeling very summery now. He's even smiling these days, poor 'ol man.

And that is what is new at The Funny Farm.