It was historic over here as well!

So, like many of you, I was glued to the tv today watching the inauguration of Obama.

What a truly historic day.

We Canadians need a great leader...need some hope...thankfully this 44th president will affect our lives as well.



So history was made...

and

history was made in my kitchen as well!



I decided to celebrate Obama's inauguration by dyeing some yarn!!



This yarn my sister surrendered to me a while back. It was gifted to her from her boss who was visiting Ireland. I have no idea what it is...I am pretty positive it is wool...definitely not merino...I had no idea how much. So, I had to measure it out. After measuring everthing in the house, I decided to use the bottom front legs of a chair. I measured one skein (which was approx 8 oz)..it turns out I have about 1450 yrds between all four skeins.



I was hoping (key word hoping) to dye it a brown...but my fear of colour...well...let me tell you what I did.



I have wilton icing dyes in the house. The brown was not full...but I had atleast a teaspoon or so. I knew it would not be a deep brown. I mixed it with water giving me about 2 cups of colour.







With so much yarn I had to work in batches.

I soaked 2 skeins in the sink for 1/2 hour.







Then I added 1 cup of the colour to a full pot of lukewarm water.

I started heating it on medium high until it reach around 150 degrees F and then I added 1/2c of vinegar.







I brought it up to 180 degrees F and simmered for 1/2 hour. This was the scariest part for me. I stood there the entire time making sure the temp didn't rise above 180...the fear of felting was real!

I then had to dump the pot into a sink to cool.







I refilled the pot, soaked the next 2 skeins and went through all the steps again. You can see the colour...not brown. Looks almost tea soaked. Well, anything is better than the natural for me, so I will call it a success!

I'll hang it to dry, wind it, swatch it and come up with something to knit....hmmmm.