+ A sock blank - we have prepared Annapurna sock blanks so that they are ready for the dyeing process (in other words they are pre-mordanted.)
+ Flowers and leaves like marigolds, cosmos, purple plum leaves, onion skins, maple leaves, etc.
+ Strong thread and a dowel: pressure is required to print with flowers and leaves, so the sock blank is wrapped around a dowel and then wrapped tightly using button and craft thread.
+ A dyepot - get one made of stainless steel or enamel coated and big enough to hold the sock blank warpped around a dowel (like the photo above) at Ikea, your local hardware store, or the goodwill.
Eco-printing is a fun and wonderful way to celebrate Summer! Try it out!
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Whereas most of our yarns don't come knit for you - this is a special case! The yarn has been knit into a piece of fabric which is commonly referred to as a 'sock blank'. (Most likely because dyers use this put-up to create self-striping yarns commonly knit into socks.) All of that being said, this can be knit into anything!
There are two ways to go about it:
1. Knit (crochet or weave) directly from the piece of fabric. This is a fun way to watch the flowers and leaves morph into new patterns and designs at your fingertips. It is quite mesmerizing. However! Your yarn and resulting fabric will have a slight kink in it. So expect a slight crepe texture. You can always make a swatch and block it to see if you like the effect.
2. OR you can completely unwind the piece of fabric and make it into a skein making sure to tie the two ends together, and securing the skein in two more spots with ties to keep the skein from tangling. Because from here, you will submerge the skein in a bowl of warm water, similar to when you block your knitting. After about 10 minutes, once the yarn has been thoroughly wet, remove the skein from the bowl of water, and gently press the excess water out, and then hang the skein to dry in your shower.
Of course you don't have to make it into anything, you can simply admire the piece of fabric. Set it on your nightstand or side table.
