This week I experimented with combining two of my favourite things: slow cookers and yarn!
I didn't take a "before" photo, but the base is some undyed BFL aran that I picked up at Unravel. I put it in one of my 6.5l slow cookers, covered it with water, added a splosh of vinegar to open the fibres and some leftover saffron from the kitchen cupboard, and left it on low for a whole day.
I was concerned that saffron wouldn't catch so well as the synthetic colourings I have used before, since I don't use chemical fixatives. Everything in my house has to be child friendly, especially with Bob on the prowl. That boy gets into everything! After washing the yarn is a lovely warm honey colour, which may or may not be a little clue to what it is intended for, but it will be a Christmas gift hopefully, so I will say no more.
In retrospect I should have steeped the saffron in the water overnight then sifted out the stamens, since now there are a few caught in the yarn, but it isn't that many and really it's no bother. I'll work out the yardage once the skeins are dry, but at 200g of aran weight there should be plenty for my purposes.
Boring old knitting and reading this week. This is a much better colour representation of my Old Shale, sitting on my chair in the study. It's under the window overlooking the garden, and is a lovely place to sit. Unfortunately not even this back up shawl was finished in time for last weekend's wedding, but since I wore Bob in a sling all day it really wasn't needed. I have made a mistake somewhere, and ripping back a pattern repeat doesn't seem to have helped. I'm still reading Breast Intentions, and still struggling with the negativity. Dixley points out that our propensity to be kind and give people the benefit of the doubt is a fundamental part of the process of sabotaging breastfeeding, so I guess my discomfort only confirms her thinking. Hm.
Make sure to pop over to Ginny's and Nicole's to see what everyone else is crafting and reading, and do let me know what you are busy with!
E
The saffron gave it a great look. I love experimenting like that.
ReplyDeleteMe too, it was just the bit of fun I needed!
DeleteI think the honey color is lovely! How fun! I live your gray for your shawl!
ReplyDeleteThank you. It's more purple in real life, funny how some colours are so much harder to capture!
DeleteThe honey color came out quite pretty. I don't know how you do such exacting work with two little boys!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad that breastfeeding is still a fraught subject. My youngest is 25 and I assumed it would all be worked out by now!
Do you know what, the breastfeeding angst breaks my heart.
Deleteoh!! (hee hee)....that first pic---I thought you were going to talk about your spaghetti recipe in the slow cooker! What a great yarn color! :)
ReplyDeleteSomeone on facebook did tell me that it made them go and eat super noodles...a neon yellow fast food rubbish over here! I think the yarn would probably taste better!
DeleteWow, the colour is great! And from just a small amount of saffron?
ReplyDeleteBTW, thanks for visiting my blog :)