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Wednesday
Jul222009

Glory, glory hallelujah!

So, as most of you know by now, I'm attending this nifty, small little soiree called Sock Summit, which is actually quite nifty, but far from small.  I'll be in booth #315, and I will have on a raspberry colored T-shirt.  You can't miss me, I'm the one with the yarn.


Dublin Bay Knitting Company, booth 827, will also have a large selection of our things.

I'm entering a competition specifically for people whose yarn is being sold at the Summit, called Dye for Glory. It's a bit like a State Fair competition, you enter your item in a category, and then it's judged against others in that category. Except instead of Mabel winning a blue ribbon for her boysenberry pie, Yarnista is attempting to win for her Sea Anemone yarn. If you win, you win exactly what the contest title suggests: Glory.

Never one to shy away from a little friendly competition, except for all sports, mathlete events, invention conventions and anything related to physics, I decided to enter.

There is one thing you can rest assured of when you see something I've made: I never just throw some sugar and milk in a bowl and call it creme brulee. I don't know how to type accent marks, but I'm sure creme brulee needs some.  I never just buy some brandy, splash it on some cookies, and call it tiramisu. Does tiramisu need accent marks? No matter, I can't type them anyway.

Perhaps this is my overly perfectionistic nature in things that are not related to inventions, math, physics, or athletics, but colorways take me a long time to perfect. Have I mentioned this before? I feel like I have. A colorway has to strike the right note for me in order to be offered for sale in any way, whether it be a club colorway, something for a spring fall collection, or for a competition.

Many people have asked about what happens to all of my rejected yarn, or if they can buy or have my rejects.  Let me just be clear: THE REJECTS ARE REJECTS FOR A REASON. You don't want them, just trust me.

Veering abruptly back on course: here are my long-labored over submissions to the Dye for Glory contest. These are all in different categories, so they're not competing against each other, they're competing against other entries in the same categories. Mabel's boysenberry pie doesn't compete against Edith's pickles, it competes against Millie's strawberry-rhubarb pie.

Starry Starry Night. Inspired by the synonymous painting. This is dyed in a new technique that will result in a highly varied finished product. The skeins are all one of a kind and very labor intensive to make -- they probably take ten times as long to make as a regular skein of yarn.

I stumbled upon this technique and finished product after making yet another blue and purple colorway that was completely uninspired and just picking up my tools and adding things to the yarn in a random way. That led to further ideas and prototypes, which led to the yarn you see now.

starrystarrynight4.jpg

Several of you have already asked where you can get this colorway. I've decided to offer it here in an extremely limited edition of 20 skeins. This yarn will also only be available on superwash yarns, because that's going to give you the best result with the most dynamic color variation.

I've added a button for purchasing below. Please get this colorway while you can, it's very special, I promise. You may notice that the price is higher than our usual prices -- this is due to the extremely labor-intensive method of dyeing these skeins.

This is a pre-order. The skeins will be available to ship in September.

starrystarrynight.jpg

 

SOLD OUT -- thank you, everyone! I hope you'll enjoy your Starry Starry Night!







 

 
My other baby is Sea Anemone. This was inspired by a book I was reading to my young daughters, and I fell in love with the illustrations -- they were so vibrant and whimsical but retained some of the characteristics of the real under-sea creatures they depicted.
seaanemone5.jpg

seaanemone.jpg




Take note of the marbling in the pink and orange sections. This is also a very labor intensive process, as the marbling has to be created by hand to ensure two distinct colors, and not just the by-product of bright pink and bright orange mixing together (red). We're taking limited edition pre-orders of Sea Anemone, for shipment in September.

SOLD OUT -- Thank you, everyone! I hope you'll love your Sea Anemone!












 
Zephyr. I love the sound of the word, and I love the colorway.
zephyr5.jpg
 
It has some touches of grey. Does this look turquoise to you? Because it shouldn't. It's a medium blue. Adjust your monitors.
zephyr6.jpg
 
Want some Zephyr for yourself? It will be available for a limited time, and then it will go back into the vault.
 
Click here for Zephyr.
 
Next is Alchemy. Alchemy definitely has a magical feel with its deep purples, touches of green, and mosaics of black.
 
alchemy4.jpg
 
Alchemy should pool very little when you're knitting. If you're familiar with our dyeing techniques, this is similar to Madigan.
 
 alchemy6.jpg
 
If you want some Alchemy for yourself, please visit this link.
 
Masquerade uses another technique to mitigate pooling, a phenomenon that I love but some people loathe.
 
Deep cobalt blue, purple, pink, and amber gold.
masquerade4.jpg
 
I used blue instead of black to accent these colors.
 
masquerade5.jpg
 
Here's where you go to get some Masquerade.
 
This is one of my favorites. Georgia Peach. I love foodie colorways.
 
georgiapeach7.jpg
 
Mmmmm.
 
georgiapeach5.jpg
 
Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Georgia!
 
Father Time reminds me of something very retro-mod masculine. I heart it.
fathertime4.jpg
 
It looks quite different twisted this way, doesn't it?
 
fathertime6.jpg
 
Here's where you can find Father Time.
 
And finally, Estuary. Because I think it's Estuary-ish, don't you? I love the melding of these shades.
 
estuary4.jpg
 
 
Anything with aqua makes me happy. Perhaps you feel differently. You're entitled to your wrong opinion, that's OK with me. Whoops, did I say what I was thinking again?
 
estuary5.jpg
 
To see more about Estuary, visit this page. 
 
If you've gotten to the end of this tome, thank you for reading. And thank you for voting in Dye for Glory, a competition which involves neither physics nor athletics, but a good competition all the same.
(Voting has started and lasts until August 1st! Click here to vote for your favorites.)

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    Response: 42nd street photo
    yarnista - imported 2010-04-02 - glory, glory hallelujah!

Reader Comments (32)

They're positively gorgeous! Well done, and best of luck! (Now I'm off to see how much my hubby is going to let me spend...)

July 22, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCrystal

Order placed. Not that I've been stalking you, or anything. :-) But hey--what about poor Father Time? He was one of my favorites!

I ordered Georgia Peach, Father Time, and Estuary (and, by the way--the colors do closely resemble the estuaries in Corpus Christi Bay! We used to read about them whenever we went to the aquarium). I passed up on Sea Anemone, although I loved that one, because I saw it was a limited edition and I know others loved it more. :-)

July 22, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJen

Very damaging to my wallet! Yikes! :)

July 22, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAbigail

Very damaging to my wallet as well. ;) I've ordered one of each, except for Georgia Peach (and I'm getting two of those)!

Wonderful work indeed!

July 22, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSandy

Yes, VERY damaging to the wallet!
I ordered Starry Starry Night and Sea Anemone already, and am thinking about what base to order Father Time...

July 22, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterArlin

My heart is broken...the Sea Anemone is already gone and it was the one that I most wanted...apparently I was not alone in that desire.

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterPatty

Oh man. I'm so disappointed that Sea Anemone is already gone. It was my favorite. So vibrant and girly.

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJenna S

Bummer, I missed Sea Anemone:(

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterWendy (scwendy)

OK.. who grabbed all the sea anemone. Many photos of what you create from this are now required.

Georgia Peach is going to be mine. bwaaaaaaaaaa hhhhaaaaaaaaaa. haaaaaaaaaaa

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMaria

Could there be more Sea Anemone in the future? 'cause add me to the list of those who wished they gotten some! It's gorjuss!

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterTina

Zephir... you are mine... MINE!!!!
And my husband is falling in love to Father Time. It's just him.
It 's a great job. I usually hate the pink but Georgia peach is BEAUTIFUL.

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered Commenter3pommes

If there is more sea anemone in the future, add me to the list too. I wouldn't mind some Starry Starry night too... Beautiful yarns all!!

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKaren Odle

Sea Anemone is GORGEOUS. They're all gorgeous, but I really love that one and Georgia Peach. I just finished voting for all of these beauties over on Ravelry. Good luck!

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMichaela

Yes, Yarnista, please consider adding Sea Anemone in the future.... we adore it!
You really outdid yourself - your Dye for Glory entries are absolutely stunning, every single one. You are a lady who has found her passion, and it shows. Thanks for your hard work!

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterguinevere

The Sea Anemone is beautiful!!! I love it...I wish that I had gotten some of that but unfortunately, all sold out...oh well, maybe next time...

Or maybe...in the future...maybe?!?!?!

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMonet

I completely adore every one of your submissions. You're very talented. (I'm another one who'd love some Sea Anemone if you bring it back in the future: that colorway makes my heart happy.)

July 23, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterVismajor

I missed out on Sea Anemone! I'll never recover!

July 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKathleen Chabot

I wanted both Sea Anenome and Georgia Peach. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL and unique!! I guess for now I'll just have to let the beautiful warm tones of Georgia Peach console me over missing out on Sea Anenome. I think I voted for all your submissions in the Dye for Glory contest. Please don't let Sea Anenome sit in the vault for too long, it is just too lovely!!

July 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterLauren Vander Zanden

I'm so sad I missed the Sea Anemone! If you decide to dye it again, please save a skein or two for me!!!

July 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterConchita Newman

Hello! I voted for some of your colorways on Ravelry, and then I checked out your site. Your colorways are SOOO awesome!! I bookmarked your page, and as soon as I have the funds I'll be placing an order! I SO wish that Sea Anemone and Starry Starry Night weren't sold out... I just hope that Estuary, Father Time, and Georgia Peach don't sell out before I can get my hands on them! Awesome business you have here, that's for sure. :) Keep up the great work!!
~Trudy~

July 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterTrudy

It's kahlua that goes into tiramisu....just sayin'. But I want to know if you've ever made your own lady fingers when you put your dessert together?

BTW, your Dye for Glory yarns are BEAUTIFUL, and I voted for you!

Sharon, check out Yarn Harlot's blog--she posted about the Dye for Glory voting, and a lot of people commented about your entries! Weird as it may sound (I'm not your mum or anything), but I have to say this: I'm proud of you!

July 25, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterArlin

No more Starry Starry night. How sad, but easy to understand. It is too, too beautiful!

July 25, 2009 | Unregistered Commentersusan adams

Your Dye for Glory entries are beautiful! Georgia Peach is my favorite and a couple skeins said they wanted to come home with me. :)

July 25, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterBev

Come on, you must be able to dye more SSN... unless you're being cruel. Perhaps in a few months you'll add it to your other colourways??

Personally, I think your dying has "come of age"; the sophistication and complexity just stood out.

July 25, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterCornelia

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