I have always been terrified of dyeing roving. You hear all these horror stories about all the things that can go wrong when dyeing roving. Things like OH MY GOD FELTING!!! Our roving is super-nice and extremely expensive to produce, so I never want to take a chance on wrecking a lot of it during the learning curve.
But then I decided it was time to man up and face my fears. Here is my first attempt:
I managed to dye about 12 ounces of our Cormo Top without any noticeable felting. The thing is though, I don’t spin. So I had no idea if I had done a good job with the dyeing or not. Luckily, my friend Kris came to the rescue. I gave her four ounces to spin up last Saturday and on Sunday she gave me this:
Isn’t it lovely?
The moral of the story: don’t let other people’s horror stories keep you from trying new things. I will definitely be dyeing more roving for our shop but I want to celebrate my initial success with a giveaway.
To enter to win 4 ounces of my inaugural roving, just leave a comment on this thread telling me something that you have been afraid to attempt, why, and when you are going to take a stab at it. Two winners will be chosen at random from all comments posted before midnight on Sunday, February 21, 2010. One comment per person please.
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so something I am scared to try? Ummm, nothing really. The reason I haven’t tried things is because money or because of safety. Like scuba diving. Not scared, just when we have the money it seems I am always pregnant (which is unsafe for the baby) orwhen i am not pregnant, we are not in a location where I can easily. I am not scared to try it, I am sure I will one of these days, but until then… well… I would rather have healthy babies.
For me, it was freelancing. Relying on myself for my own income is scary, but I know it’s the right move for me now. So my desires outweighed my fears and I went for it!
I have always been afraid to knit fair isle! I’ve done every other advanced technique in the book, but I am so scared to try colorwork.
I’ve always been afraid of dyeing with acid dyes, but I hope to give it a shot after I return from deployment, and transfer out to Whidbey Island, Washington.
Building a house! It’s taken us almost five years to finally take the leap, and I’m still terrified–a few weeks before we are due to break ground!
Baking bread. There’s just something about it that seems too easy to mess up.
With that said, I attempted my first loaf of “real” bread a couple of weeks ago. It took all day, but it came out SO GOOD.
I been putting off knitting myself an afghan, but I have decided this will be the year to do it, knitting for myself and some charity knitting. Sorry no knitted gifts this year.
I am afraid to spin with a long draw. Stupid, I know. But I know what I will get with worsted and I just can’t bring myself to “mess up” my fiber. I have GOT to get over this, and soon.
I was probably afraid to have a kid–afraid might not be the correct word, but it was an overwhelming thought to be sure. But I tackled that one recently, now I just have to raise the kid–perhaps another terrifying thought!
Hmmm, learning how to drive a stick shift… But, not because I haven’t tried – just because I’ve failed at it every time I have.
Must keep at it….
Yum- Roving goodness!
I have been afraid to submit and article to a journal. But I have just created a great partnership with another person in my field and I think our research will be captivating!!
Dyeing yarn and fiber (although I’d say I’m hesitant rather than afraid).
I haven’t tried it yet because I don’t want to ruin beautiful yarn or fiber. However, I purchased supplies and will give it a go in the spring.
Socks on DPNs, definitely intimidating to begin.
The same thing you did-I want to dye some roving. I have been afraid of felting it-it comes from my own sheep , so I know all the work that geos into it!! I plan to do it this summer-likely will use acid dyes.
That is gorgeous! I’ve been putting off chain-plying. I have singles ready to go and a great video, but somehow my brain hasn’t been ready to try it. I want to do this before MDS&W.
Spinning merino — but I’m doing it now as part of Ravelympics. Nice dye job!
Nice job!
My fears at the moment aren’t so much about trying things, more like not knowing what is appropriate to wear to an interview, being able to get an interview/ job, having to move somewhere because the only job I can find is far away. I’m a little preoccupied by this right now.
Finally launching my own pattern line… gearing up for first trade show this Spring!
I am afraid of dyeing roving too! I have dyed yarn and cloth but not roving. I am afraid it will felt. Your roving is lovely and the yarn is gorgeous. The next sunny day is when I will try, it looks like rain now.
It’s intimidating for me to consider weaving with fine threads. After the 3 wool scarves I have on the loom right now I’m going to try something like linen or cotton.
I’ve been knitting for a few years and always been absolutely afraid of big projects, lace and charted directions that are more complicated than a two or three row repeat. This year, I’ve decided to ‘man up’ and jump into a huge circular shawl… lace no less. I’m in the process of starting now… scared to death – but I’m doing it!
Beautiful roving… I love the colors!
Wow! I would sure love to spin that up on the wheel I’m getting next week!
Fears: admitting that I need help when I do, and then asking for it. You’ve been an inspiration here, and I’m slowly getting better. Also I’ve been afraid of dyeing yarn and roving, so maybe that will be my next fiber adventure once I get school out of the way!
I’ve been putting off learning how to crochet (I knit a lot), because everyone tells me that you can only do/enjoy one. I bought a hook and am looking forward to getting started!
Jogging. It sounds dumb, but I’ve never been the athletic type, and I never wanted to start because I knew I’d look stupid. It’s well past time to get over that and get healthier. So, in the early hours of the morning I now lace up my shoes and head for the treadmill. I can’t say that I love it, or even like it some days, but I’m proud of myself for tackling this challenge.
I’m scared to go sledding. I loved it when I was younger, but since an accident (tip: it’s not safe to go sledding in a place where there are trees at the bottom of the hill) I’ve been to scared to try it again! I will probably try it once I have little nieces and nephews who will want to go sledding with their cool aunt–you can’t say “no, I’m too scared” to a little kid!
I am scared to have shoulder surgery. And as long as I can still use the arm (and knit) I intend to put off going under the knife…yes knife and minumum 6 months rehab and a year to recover. I will wait.
I faced a big one last summer when I bought a coffee shop! Now I don’t have much time to spin and knit, but I would find some if I won that beautiful roving!
After reading your tweets, I think you need to take a minute to watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk
I want to quit my day job and be a potter full time. The mortgage will be paid off when I’m 83, so maybe then.
This is really lame, I know, but I’m afraid to get my hair cut. I’ve had trouble finding someone good and the last few times have been unbelievable disasters. Seriously! The last time I had it cut was 4 years ago. So, it’s getting really icky. My son is coming home from Afghanistan the end of next month, so I want to look nice when we meet his bus, so I think I’m going to suck it up & get it cut before he comes home. I had great plans to do it this afternoon, but I chickened out. So, I’m going to try again, tomorrow!
I,ve been afraid to learn to spin the roving i have. maybe reading this will start me on my way.
building something-like a chicken coop or just a gate for our garden. i have many books, i just tend to think about things instead of jumping right in. my neighbor said he was going to build me a chicken coop, so I guess it’s time to start on that gate!
love this. i have been looking at yarn like this and wondering how it was done. thanks for sharing. love the colors.
what i want to do is release my blog. i have been writing it inconsistently and not sharing it with anyone. i am looking for the courage to put myself out there. i will do it by march 1st! there it is. thanks you love your blog. you really inspire me.
I have been afraid to try fair isle knitting I am going to start knitting a fair isle tam next week
Crochet. I literally broke out in a sweat the day in class that I tried to crochet an edge even though I had such wonderful support among my knitting friends. I am not inclined to try it again (especially after the one class where the teacher kept telling me “You HAVE to lossen up!”), but it does give a pretty edge!
Your results are beautiful! Keep up the good work and the fun blog.
Colorwork. I fear colorwork. I am afraid it will look a right mess and that I’ll waste a lot of yarn trying to learn it. Silly, I know.
Also afraid of falling, because my permanently damaged leg makes it hard for me to get up, and I fear hurting it again and losing it this time.
What fun! I ust came back from a spinning retreat where i bought a fleece – unwashed, mostly unskirted. A great big smelly fleece! I am going to skirt it, wash it, and then comb it to make a big, fat, hopefully mostly authentic (except for the whole using a spinning wheel part of the project…) yarn for a Cowichan sweater. A whole big mess of stuff I’ve been afraid to do – from the fleece part to the big-fat-yarn-spinning part.
I have been out of college for 15 years. For 10 of those, I have regretted not getting my degree in education and becoming a teacher. I haven’t had the money or the courage to go back to school…until now.
This September, I will be entering Cabrini College as a student – over 20 years since I stepped foot through their doors the first time.
At age 45, I will be changing careers (radically!) and finally realizing my dream!
I’ve been a little afraid of starting a sweater, since I hate worrying about gauge and that’s a lot of frogging if I mess up. However, I did start it recently and have just forced myself to be diligent about keeping even tension and even doing a gauge swatch!
I’m afraid of teaching young kids, but as I am studying to be a school librarian, it’s something I can’t avoid for long.
I am so afraid of driving. When I attempt, I always have the fear that I will lose control of the car. I have no choice but to try between now and March so I can have my license before going off to university.
fear of deep water. why? I suppose watching frantic rescue of older bro during swim lessons at the tender age of 5. want to dive into 13 foot diving well this summer! (lifeguard present, of course)
oddly, i’ve been afraid to spin my spring 2009 share of cormo top. i’m a reasonably competent spinner and it’s so buttery soft that i’m sure it will draft beautifully. but it’s so gorgeous and special that i want to be able to spin it perfectly and i’m terrified that i’m going to screw it up somehow. i’ve been spinning the cormo/kid mohair blend and haven’t f’ed that up yet, so i’m gonna pull myself together and do it soon. and i’m sure it will turn out great.
i washed cria fleece i purchased to make my daughter a bear, after she fell in love with the little guy at a petting farm. no felting for me either.
Ooh. Interesting question! I guess I’ve been scared of telling people about the creative writing I do, lest people ask things like, Why haven’t I heard of you, then? Or, why haven’t you published a book? Though I know those questions say more about my inner critic than the people in my life…I’m slowly stepping out of the closet. (And I recently published a short story, so at least I have that to say to that critic of mine!)
I was terrified of spindle spinning, but have a good spindle and have fallen in love with it. I am afraid of colorwork, but plan on knitting the Reindeer hat from the US Olympics wardrobe as soon as I finish my last Christmas gift;-D I love your first attempt!
Your yarn is beautiful!
that yarn is soooo lovely! it looks so crazy before being spun! im so glad it worked out for you, i wish i had a friend to spin my roving! lol.
I was afraid of trying lace, because of the small needles and thin thread. but searching on the internet i saw the best pattern EVER, and i needed to make it…it happened to be lace, so i did it. it took me from sept. to jan.! but its done and i wear it everywhere!
I am afraid of bungee jumping, and I am not sure that I will ever get to try it. . .is there an age limit? I mean, I am not ancient (yet), but I can only imagine that I would be pretty sore after that experience at my current age! However, I have done several things in the past year that used to make me break out in a cold sweat. . .like blogging, meeting people in person (knitters) that I first met online. . .and opening an online store. . .so, good for you, I say! I am proud that you ventured outside your comfort zone! And may I say that I think the results are jsut LOVELY!?!
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