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.
{ 148 comments }
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →
OMG! Susan! That yarn is simply stunning! The prettiest I’ve seen. And the previous post photos are the loveliest flock portraits I’ve seen anywhere as well.
This is so exciting. I hope you’ll put some of your roving or the above sort of yarn in the JMF shop!? I’d love buying some.
I have inertias more than fears. Inertia to do things outside of my familiarity. I am afraid of freeways & plane flights but then, I think I’m right to be. I’m afraid to make gyno exam appointments because if I have a problem I don’t want to know.
I need to call a handyman to come and help me secure my stop motion movie set. You’ve inspired my to call the number I’ve had for months right this minute.
Greta – if you’re afraid – just start small. There’s several places online that will allow you to easily setup a store for free (or a small amount for listing or selling) like Etsy, Artfire, Folksy, etc and they all have great forums where you can ask questions and get answers. There’s even online accounting sites like Outright that help with the tax side! There’s no better time than now to start. Go for it dear!
I’m totally afraid to graduate from grad school and get a “real job” but I have a phone interview on Friday for my dream job! Of course, the dissertation still has to be written, but having a job to graduate to will up the motivation to get that sucker done!
Plus, this is some of the most beautiful roving I’ve ever seen so I got over my fear of commenting today too!
That looks lovely! One thing I’m afraid to attempt is making a seamed sweater in pieces. I’ll probably have some pieces to do with I do my Rogue sweater, and I plan on at least starting that once the Ravelympics are done. Eep!
Socks from the toe up. Everytime I see a pattern with toe up socks, I shy away from it. I think it’s because I enjoy knitting socks from the top down that knitting socks from the toe up might knock my flow out of whack. One of these days, I’ll get to it
Admitting to myself that I am an artist and to break out as a one! My life has just taken an unforseen turn, and I have found amazing strength. It is helping me realize that I have the potential to charge ahead!
I’ve been scared to get my feet back into the job market-working in a public school but I’m going to fill out the online application tomorrow. Cross your fingers-please
i have been afraid to talk to people about my profession
sounds silly, i know
especially for someone who everyone thinks is so outgoing
but really
it takes its toll on me
when i tell people i’m a holistic chiropractic doctor
they look down their noses at me
as if
i had just as plainly stated that i was a flying unicorn
in butterfly colors
no
i don’t
crack backs and necks
yes
really
i’m a doctor
i just don’t prescribe drugs or do surgeries
i’m no less trained
(see i’m defending again and it’s a very weak position)
why is it i have such a hard time with this? am i just too sensitive? perhaps. ok no doubt.
i’m afraid to just get over my angst at all this
because it’s so personal
and it hurts to constantly have to defend myself
i don’t want to defend myself or my profession
especially because i HELP people
i’m just ready to find a different way to approach my approach
to getting to help people help themselves
it’s been a big challenge.
ok enuf about me
i love the color of your yarn
you did a wonderful job
wow
I’ve been afraid to attempt dyeing fiber, too. I don’t want to ruin or waste any of these expensive things! Plus the mess, and the chemicals … But! I’m going to Yarn School in April, and I’ll try it then. And hopefully come home with the confidence and skills to dye fiber on my own.
I am totally, 100% scared of steeking. There’s something so wrong about cutting a sweater knit into the round to make a v-neck or a cardigan! I’m terrified that I’ll have done the reinforcement poorly around the cut and that I’ll end up with a pile of unraveled yarn. That said, I’m planning to knit a baby sweater that requires steeking around the neckline. I figure this is a small enough project that even if it’s a total disaster, I won’t have wasted too much of my time and resources. Still very scary, though!
Taking the LSAT. AGGGHHHH!
I am going to be taking a prep class that begins on Sat and it will take up every Sat and Sun from this weekend until June 6th. But I’m still afraid.
BTW- the colors are amazing! Great job!
I’ve done roving dyeing, it’s such fun! And the way it spun up is gorgeous. All butterscotchy.
My big thing is actually DOING the damn specialist cookbook that my friend has been pushing me to do for at least 2 years. I know I can, if I apply myself. But being a mom and doing indie dyeing and knitting and geek grrl? Too scary to add cookbook author to that too! BUT, for you….I’ll finish it by summer 2011. Deal?
I am going to knit socks this year. Last year’s goal was hats. I have so mastered them! Now on to socks…
Gardening. I really want to start growing my own veggies but I’m sooo intimidated. But I signed myself up for a class last night so I’ll start cracking that nut next week.
2 things I have been afraid to attempt: getting out of a bad relationship and living by myself again and giving up sugar in my diet. I did the first thing 6 mos ago and while it was _really_ hard, I now realize that being in a bad relationship is lonlier and harder than being by yourself. I am on day 2 of giving up sugar for Lent
My fear is dying the beautiful merino that I have here. I tried once with the wilton food coloring and it was a total disaster. First I had to use the vinegar which stunk the townhouse up and made my husband sick. So then it said (a website) that I had to microwave the roving after coloring wrapped in seran wrap for 10 minutes! It burned! I was so bummed that I haven’t tried it again. Destroying my merino was as heartbreaking as see ALL this SNOW in DC. I am from Florida and what a double whammy this was. I love your first attempt and hope that you enjoy doing it! I certainly would love to try some but I am not going down that road again with dying!!!!
I’ve been afraid of finishing the very first sweater that I designed for myself. I’ve had the body completed for a year, but I was absolutely stuck on what sort of collar and cuffs to make. I agonized for months! Now I’m leaping in to finish this beauty, and it’s really not as hard as I thought it would be…
Two years ago my mother bought me a drop spindle and a spinning wheel. I started reading up on spinning. After listening to this person say it was hard, this one was saying it was easy…I put the items aside.
A couple of weekends ago, I woke up early and could not go back to sleep. Raverly had a thread for beginning drop spindles. People offered links for toturials and videos. I started watching and thinking hey I can do that…
I pulled out the drop spindle and started watching the videos again and working with my drop spindle.
I now have a small amount of yarn from the Jacobs roving I had. The yarn is visiable and I am starting to believe in myself and the jacobs wool. I will end up with some very uneven lace wieght/sock weight yarn..
I was afraid I was going to waste time, not have the eye hand cordination or worst case scenerio break the spindle. So far the spindle is in tack,, it was better watching and praticing spinning then watching infomercials and eye/hand cordination came with pratice.
I am glad I was able to work through the being scared thing and attempt to spin.
Still have a few things that need to be worked through with the spinning but that will come in time ,
I would like to open my own arts and craft shop to focus on classes and sharing my information with others. Scared because I’m always afraid I don’t know enough. Does anyone every know enough though? I don’t know if it will ever happen, maybe when I am done paying off my school loans.
Scuba diving – my husband dives and loves it. But I’m just so scared of sharks that I can’t manage to “take the plunge”. Perhaps this summer I’ll look into an intro course!
We’ll stick with fiber related things, I think–less embarrassing. I have yet to spin cotton. I’ve heard it’s finicky and has a short staple and is all-around hard to do. I have four beautiful ounces of it sitting in my stash. Maybe once we’re moved, I’ll try it.
Making cheese! I love cheese, I’m fascinated by cheese, I’ve read about making cheese, but somehow actually taking the plunge seems very risky (rot! decay! horror!). I think what will happen is that some weekend we’ll be feeling reckless, and we’ll…just do it! And maybe it will turn out great, and maybe it will just be a (big, messy, stinky) learning experience. No matter what, I’m sure the second time will take a lot less courage.
Your roving glows! bravo for jumping in!
I hate speaking in front of groups of people but have agreed to give a spinning demonstration at the next meeting of our local knitting guild, so I’m practicing with my drop spindle so I can master it and demo it as well as my wheel.
I’m afraid of the same thing – roving. I’ve done superwash, but felted the first non-sw that I tried and have been afraid to try again.
OK, I’ll try it.
But not with my JMFF spinner’s share. I’m not that foolish.
Knitting socks. Cuffs I can handle easily. It’s the darn heel and gusset and picking everything up that intimidates the beegeezuz out of me. I’m just starting my heel right now on JMFF Cedar sock yarn for our ravelympics project. I’ve done too many other great, just as difficult projects, am conquering spinning, and yet a little pair of socks can make me cry… I will be bigger than the pair of socks by the end of this week! I want to wear them proudly to Stitches West.
I’ve been afraid getting injured running & entering a 5K race. I’m a super slow runner,I know some speed walkers would pass me.I’m training for a 5K; I hope to run one by April or May.
It’s great to read the other posts- some same fears & different ones.
I’ve been afraid attempt knitting a sweater because I’m afraid of putting hours and hours of time into something that might not fit and/or look good when its finished. I actually just cast on my first cardigan this week. Wish me luck!
I really want to do a triathlon, – I so admire those who do – but I am terrified of doing the running part. I know I can bike, and I am a competitive swim coach, so I’m in the water all the time. But I keep having this huge wall of fear surface anytime I think about running. I just see myself collapsing in the attempt. I did make myself a promise that I would do a sprint triathlon the year I turned 50 – oh yea, that’s 2010. Time to lace up my shoes, start walking and see where it takes me! : )
Knitting socks on dp’s. It has been a real bugger for me. I have decided to actually give it a whirl by the end of the summer – honest I am. I was totally afraid of knitting many years ago, but I was spinning up a storm. Decided I was sick of everyone else using my yarn so made a similar declaration and taught myself to knit. The rest is history…..sort of – socks are still my big phobia. Have I mentioned that I am afraid of knitting socks!?!
Remodeling the kitchen, especially after the horror stories I heard from two of my neighbors who did it last year. One took over a year for her kitchen to finish after her contractor’s wife died midway, and another had to have her half-finished custom limestone floor ripped out after they didn’t match the tiles properly and ran out of the lighter color. We’re ordering the cabinets next week though.
I’ve been afraid to attempt dyeing, mostly because I want it to turn out perfectly the first time and I know it won’t! But I have purchased some dyes and dye equipment, so I hope to try it out over the next couple weekends!
I’ve been dying to spin! I have a wheel and all I
need is someone to show me how. I will start when I get my hands on some of that Cormo!
I have been afraid to go on a road trip by myself hours away. I am going to take a stab at it in the spring when I do a fiber show 4 hours away…alone! That yarn is a gorgeous color. Isn’t amazing to see how the roving comes out when spun up? I am always in awe of how beautiful it becomes!
This has been the year for me to meet my fears head on. As a South Florida girl who moved to the PNW 10 years ago, I took up skiing for the first time ever in January and am in total love with it (why did I wait so long!) And this summer I will be learning to row crew. Just have to get through the float test first (float 10 minutes fully clothed.) I can do this.
ooh! I’ve never spun cormo before – your first fiber dye job looks great though!
I’ve been afraid for a few years now to leave the career path I started on when I was 15, but I’ve been making plans to leave NYC in June and pursue the masters degree that will be required for my new career!
I have more fears of life, things happening, more than a fear of trying things. Does it count if I say I fear I will not win this beautiful roving? And if I do, I am afraid I won’t do it justice???
Fear: Starting a Dale of Norway sweater. I have the yarn, I’ve inquired about the accessories kit and now I just need to start the darn thing. It will wait until after the Olympics as I already have a sweater on the needles for that.
Fear: Buying a spinning wheel. I will probably over research this but I hope to overcome this one this year.
(I don’t think some of that beautiful roving will make it happen any quicker but it might.)
I lost my husband three years ago, and suddenly had to handle EVERYTHING on my own. Talk about scary!! Since then little things don’t seem nearly as intimidating. I’m still kind of hesitant to dye my own roving though. Yours turned out beautifully, and inspires me to jump in and try it. I’d love to win your roving to remind me that good things can come from taking chances.
I’m afraid of finishing a particular piece of jewelry I’ve been working on for over a year. Since I began it, I’ve finished several pendants and earrings, but this bracelet I keep fussing with. The joints fall apart, the stones sit all cattywompus, and finally last month I decided to make earrings and a matching pendant out of the bits that are in good shape. My studio coach is crestfallen that I won’t “man up” and put the whole thing together, but let’s face it: some things aren’t meant to be! I need to fill in some resin sections, decide and manufacture the bale, and put a final polish on it. I’m going to do it NEXT WEEKEND! There must be something in the air because I decided yesterday, before I read your post, that I was going to make this happen no matter how it turns out. Let’s just not analyze why I haven’t been able to let this one go. That’ll be for after I’ve worn them for the first time!
(The other thing I’m scared to do is DYE! Isn’t that a hoot? I’ll save it for another challenge, hahaha)
I have been afraid to try spinning, but with beautiful roving like this how can I continue to resist?
I have been afraid to try knitting patterns that include lace, but after ready your post this morning, I think my next project will include at least a little bit of lace…I have to try it sometime! Thanks for the push forward!
I’ve been afraid to start spinning – not because I’m afraid to try the craft, but afraid of what my friends and family would think and say – but I’ve ordered and paid for a spinning wheel with my tax refund and I’m so excited to get my wheel I can’t wait! Your roving is beautiful and so is the yarn!
So gorgeous…I want to just wrap myself up in those colors. Maybe someone I know that likes to knit and has a lot of it will make me a sweater or a hat or mittens or something…hmmmm…..
Knitting I know scary huh? but I have been knitting steadily for 3 years now and will tackle just about anything now. I figure there are no knitting police if I am happy with it than that is what matters. The funny thing is I think that attitude has transfered over to my life as well. I am definitely more willing to tackle other things I have never tried.
I guess I would have to say that I was a little afraid of spinning. I would go to fiber festivals and see all of the beautiful wool roving & tops, and I just knew that if I got my hands on it, it would be ruined. I am slowly learning to spin on a drop spindle, and I am getting over my fear of ruining the beautiful wool!
I have lusted for an Alice Starmore fair isle sweater. I received the kit and started to wind the beautiful skeins of yarn into balls last night. Now I have to actually learn a bunch of new techniques like corrugated ribbing and steeks. Eeks, Steeks! I am afraid, very afraid!
I used to be terrified of cables. I knew there was no way I could ever do them. They always looked so beautiful and tricky. Then I took a weekend long course with Melissa Leapman and lo and behold, um, well, it’s actually pretty easy. Ok, not really go out on a limb there. There’s not much I won’t try at least once.
I have 2400 yds of what I think is about a DK weight alpaca yarn that I am absolutely terrified of using. I’ve had it for almost a year and I’m still not convinced I can do anything with it that will do it justice….
Hopefully it will one day become a sweater…
The roving and yarn are absolutely beautiful! And I love the photos of your sheep. I am changing jobs — actually changing from a job to a real career, as a technical writer. I am excited but also somewhat fearful of starting over not only at a new company but in an entirely new position. However, I’m determined NOT to retire from THIS job! Next, I have to overcome my fear of networking events.
Fear stops me from doing a lot of things. Particularly the fear of looking stupid. How lame is that. It was hard to submit a comment for that very reason.
← Previous Comments
Next Comments →