I'm Johanna, owner and dye goddess behind Potion Yarns. Join me in my regular podcasts all about hand dyed yarns and all things fiber, including knitting tips, color theory, and project ideas!
You can shop my hand dyed yarns and fiber on my website: www.potionyarns.com Join me on social media!
Do you have a video or advice to prevent color bleeding from cotton yarn? I've crocheted a multi-colored queen size blanket for many months. At one point, a little of the yarn got a little shmutz on some of the yarn. As I came to it I just put some water on a little cotton and slid the yarn through it about 10 times and the cotton with the water totally took on the color of the yarn. Yikes! I was only 2 skiens from finished, so I just went ahead and finished it. So now I'm terrified to wash it! So what do you recommend please? Will any of your suggestions here work for cotton?
I just came across this video, again, and I still think it’s a great video! I just set the twist on a two ply yarn, but I used a slightly different method. I started with hot water and switched to cold water, and I put half a cup of white vinegar in each bath to help the color stay fresh. Then I put it in my salad spinner to get most of the water out.
Polwarth reminds me of BFL but much softer. Im new to drop spindling and so far its been my favorite. I mainly crochet garments (sweaters, socks, and shawls) and cant wait to make my first polwarth sweater. It feels amazing in my hands.
a tip for if you don't have a niddy noddy. I don't have one because I'm working with a really small budget for spinning. you can do just about the same thing with no tools except your body. the way I do it is that I take the end of the yarn in my non dominant hand, stick that arm straight out with the elbow locked and then I wind the yarn between that hand and the back of my neck. you can also do the same thing for measuring yardage that you do with a niddy noddy. mine comes out at a little under a yard and a half but everyone's will be different since we all have different bodies
Two comments here: 1) That stitch that you bring the tail around, why not just reverse it so the working yarn is captive of it's self? 2) Why don't you knot in your tail there so you will only have to trim it when you are done? If you don't get me, please feel free to ask about it.
This episode and the next are super informative. I actually used these tips to intentionally bleed yarn. Using the color catcher is a such a simple and ingenious solution. PS I love the cat trying to take the spotlight.
Thanks for the video. I love your energy and passion! Do you use this technique for art yarn that has a variety of fibers in it? I’ve had trouble steaming it.
Yes so far I've used it for all my yarns, even when mixing fibers. I'm not the most experienced spinner, so someone may have a better suggestion but so far it's worked for me!
Thanks a lot for this video. this is my first temp blanket and i took notes on how to get started. i am starting in the second week of feb. so i am going to that website for the beginning of the month temps. wish me luck
I know this video is a little old now, but what kind of wool wash/detergent do you recommend for finishing handspun yarn? Any particular brand/kind? Is there a kind to stay away from?
Great questions! I personally prefer to use wool wash that is gentle and specifically for protecting the properties of wool. My favorites are Eucalan and Unicorn Wash, but Soak is another one that's really good. If you don't have that, I would use a very gentle, eco-friendly laundry detergent for delicates: I like Zum laundry soap best but anything that's gentle will work. Just remember to rinse well if using a laundry soap instead of a wool wash!
Thank you for this video!! I'm just starting mine for 2022, but I'm not sure if I want to do 1 or 2 rows for each day. I'm using size 6 needles in a 2x2 rib pattern. Almost all of the information I have found says that it will end up being extremely long, but no one ever says how many rows they did each day or what size needles they used :/
I always recommend using cold water with hand dyed yarn and fiber. If you watch the video, it explains how there's not a surefire remedy as crocking most likely has to do with the pH of your skin which is constantly shifting due to a variety of factors.
This looks amazing! I haven’t tackled the TAAT yet, but I keep telling myself I will! So, I like to use the German Twisted CO… Will that work with TAATas well?
I don't see why not! I'll be honest, I've never tried that cast on with two at a time socks so I'm not sure what tips to give you. But I think it could be done!
Oh, your cable cardigan looks absolutely amazing!! Good for you for sticking with such a challenging project! And the colors for your Comfort Fade Cardi are gorgeous!! I say Aran the way you say it😂
Thank you! And thanks for the input... Maybe I'm saying it correctly and other ppl are wrong? 🤷♀️ Oh well, it's not how you say it, it's what you make with it, right?!
Just found you here after leaving Instagram. So love your videos ❤️ I just sent a friend to you for yarn for a gradiated faded sweater knitting project. She texted me to say she was blown away by your attentive customer service. You’re just so fab! Hugs to you! xo
@@PotionYarns you are so welcome!! I haven't had the extra budget lately. But when I do, I would love to order some of your gorgeous yarns <3 Can't wait for more episodes! xoxoxo
Also, if the pattern is maybe busier than you'd normally wear, it is maybe worth picking some colors that don't have the big contrast so only a few of the visual elements really stand out!
Okay, that Pink Fizz is AMAZING and I know you said "Mauvelous Darling" is too purpley for you... but oh my goodness. I can imagine it, and it's gorgeous. I love "Mademoiselle" as well. I can't believe you reverse-engineered that blouse from a grainy black-and-white photo! I'd be so frustrated I'd never pick it up again. Props to you!
I'm behind on a few videos from you so I'm sorry for all the comments you're going to receive from me. I always love your videos, your colors, and your energy! Your colors work together so well on your Seedlings Greetings shawl. SUPER PRETTY and sunsetty. The pooling yarns are so cool and are working up so nicely. And also, your shawl by Stephen West! I love it and am so tempted to make something of my own like that.
I'm glad you're back! With all of the sock knitting I've been doing recently, I'm starting to build a collection of little fingering merino/nylon scraps. The "knitting game" asymmetric shawl using different stitch patterns appeals to me most. I know you've done video(s) before about choosing colors that work together, talking about contrast and that sort of thing, but I'd like more. Sometimes I feel like I'm so conservative in my color choices. The way you paired the Dorian with all of the bright colors in the Stephen West shawl is the sort of thing that will stretch my comfort zone. And to have moved house with a toddler, set up your dye studio - with a toddler, and been setting up/painting, moving furniture etc - with a toddler - whew! I'm impressed.
Good to see you back on RU-vid. The basement studio is coming along and love the stone walls, which we also have in our 100 yr old farmhouse. And I’m in love with that Seedlings Greetings shawl!! I have a Christmas in July advent from Trilogy Yarns which has 30 gradient mini skeins and I’ve been searching for patterns. That just moved to the top of my list!
Thank you so much for this video!! I’m a 59 yr old artist and photographer and mom of 4 grown kids, and have knit and designed knitting every spare moment for 25 years, and decided last night it was time to finally begin researching this craft more seriously… And after watching yarn dying/business videos non-stop for over 12 hrs (while knitting of course!), I had to take a moment to tell you how much I enjoyed and appreciated your video, and how it was the one that made me realize that this is indeed the path that makes the most sense for me, since many of the things involved in this business I already had been doing for years as a self employed photographer, but mainly because color has always fascinated me, and has been music for my soul! I also love working hard, and working with people, and inspiring them to make beautiful objects, through teaching, etc! I just subscribed to your channel, and look forward to watching more of your videos! Thanks again for putting this out there! You have definitely made a positive difference, in this life right here! Thank you thank you thank you!! ☺️
hi, I just bought a drop spindle today after talking with an advanced spinner. I'm very excited about trying it. I love your video. You make it fun and you have a great personality too!
Thank you! I'm excited for you to try your spindle... Spinning is such a lovely, relaxing and enjoyable art form. Just remember, have fun with it and the joy is in the process!
@@PotionYarns Thanks :) that's what i told my husband when he was watching part of the video and said, boy that looks like a ton of work to get some yarn. LOL
It is tricky! I think that's a common issue with handspinners. I just typically hold onto the end of the fiber as I finish and allow it to overtwist a bit ago that it's got a little extra twist to lose (as it inevitably does). The other trick that helps a lot esp with non-superwash fiber is to lick your fingers and roll the ends between your fingers just a little to help it stuck together (that is done after spinning it).
You might be sneezing because you're annoyed by colors bleeding. I learned about sneezing from annoyance from my acupuncturist. (That's what my guy does. I, on the other hand, sneeze when I think about the future. LOL!) Terrific video! Super helpful. Thank you!
I always enjoy seeing what other's are knitting, you have definitely inspired some of my sweater knits. I did start posting knitting video's on my channel, so maybe I can inspire you in return :-)
Very enjoyable episode. Brilliant work on the vintage sweater. You have gotten quite a bit done with all the things going on. I love to see what others are working on. Each maker has a different approach and skill level. When I first started knitting, there weren't many podcasters with videos, but I tuned in to as many as possible to keep learning from them. Now we just have so many and I am still inspired. Love your skirt, too. Do you sew and did you make it for yourself? I need to dust off my machine and get to making some skirts for Spring/Summer. Love to you and looking forward to more inspiration for your dye pots. The peachy-pink colors are dreamy!
Thank you! I didn't make my skirt: it's from a really cool company called The Oblong Box Shop. She designs her own fabric and has limited editions of shirts, tops, pants, etc. I recommend her clothes as they are very cool and feel amazing and comfy when you wear them! You can buy them through her website or I got this skirt from a shop in Salem called Modern Millie Vintage. They sell online so you can order a wide variety of cute, girly, retro outfits.
