So my Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sport, in “Blackberry,” arrived on Friday, less than 48 hours after I’d ordered it from Angelika’s Yarn Shop. Like I said, y’all, Angelika has lightning-fast shipping!
As I mentioned last week, I was ordering this yarn to use as contrast cuffs, heels, and toes for my latest pair of Cut & Paste Socks.
The thing is, the color of the yarn is softer than what I thought it would be. I think in terms of color “value” it is more of a medium value, when what I’d really like is a darker value, more like the yarn I originally was using for contrast. (The original yarn I had to hold double, and I’m just not crazy about how it looks/feels like that).
In these pictures, the new yarn looks brighter/deeper than it actually is. I contemplated just moving ahead with it, but I decided instead to try something new. So I’ve ordered some acid dyes and am going to give overdyeing a whirl. I ordered Dharma dyes in “Plum Dandy,” “Deep Maroon,” and “Teddy Bear Brown.” I’m not sure which one (or ones) I’ll use yet – we’ll see!
The socks are all done except for the cutting and “pasting,” so I’m eager to get on with the dyeing. I have a great book about dyeing (Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece), but I’m still interested in learning anything anyone wants to share about doing this, especially about overdyeing. For those of you who have done it, what tips do you have? If you wanted a soft medium purple to dye up into a deep brownish plum, what combination of dyes might you use? Anything else you want to share about dyeing? Hit me with your tips!
I figure if this doesn’t work out, I’ll just order more Shepherd Sport, this time in “Chocolate.”
Meanwhile, I’ve got 1.2 ounces of this handspun left, and I was hesitant to keep knitting my sock tube – it really didn’t need to be a whole 42% longer than it already is (as it is, it’s already the length of my original Cut & Paste socks). So I think I’m just going to store the rest of this yarn with the rest of my left over handspun bits, for another long-term project I have in mind.
earthchicknits 
I actually think the purple looks really good with what you’ve got so far.
But that’s just me. I tend to be less picky with socks!
I don’t think it looks bad per se, I just want a little more contrast than the purple gives. I still really love this shade, though.
I’m loving what you are doing with the Cut-n-Paste type socks. I wish I had tips to give you about the dying, but alas I’ll just have to wait and see the results.
Also, I’m not sure if you changed it a while ago or recently, but I like the new-to-me background on the blog. Very fall appropriate as well as coordinating with the socks.
I can’t wait to give these Cut & Paste socks a try. I have a full skein of Blossom waiting at home to become a pair. I plan on doing hat heels for the afterthought heels. Now, all I need is a weekend where I don’t already have a project I’m supposed to be working on….!