"Wild yarn," you say? I've got it.

A few years ago, I photographed a washtub full of (bobbing-for-) apples at my sister's Halloween party for the kids.

At the time, I had lamented the absence of a "watercolor" app for Android, as iEveryone and their iSister were Waterlogue-ing everything (iEnvy). But! My wonderful friend Margene had just pointed me in the direction of an app called SketchGuru, which had a "watercolor" feature... I loved the result! In fact, that manipulated photo was hanging in my kitchen until very recently -- and I only removed it because someone in the vicinity was on a cleaning jag and I didn't want anything to hinder progress.

Anyway, a week or two later, inspired by that photo, I dyed three hanks of yarn -- saturated, colorful, and as WILD as they come!! I loved them then and love them now, but they are WILD (i.e., challenging).

It was this yarn that immediately came to mind when I saw the title of the MDK Field Guide No. 3 was "WILD YARNS."

Oh, also a Colorwash Scarf KAL?? I'm so in...

I'd used three different bases when I did that dying, and the one pictured above is a merino-silk single, similar to the yarn Kirsten used when she designed the pattern. I hadn't dyed any other color and... well, what color would even go with this? I decided to try pairing it with a natural/undyed hank.

I wound it up and set to it on Friday morning.

I posted on Instagram:

This is two repeats. I had a feeling that the contrast would be too much, and I think it is. I love that crazy dyed yarn but, among other things, it is SUPER saturated! I think it would rather be paired with a dusky light purple-gray. #frogginginchicago

Then Kate messaged that she was on her way to pick me up, so I stuffed it in my bag and we headed home.

A tiny little voice whispered that maybe 2 repeats was not enough to let this pattern & yarn combo develop -- and I listened. (Because how many times have I ignored whatever that voice was saying -- even when it was practically SHOUTING -- and kept on going with something that was just.not.right??) (Countless!) (It's a fine line...)

On Saturday:

I lied... did not frog this yesterday. I liked how it looked in the photo better than in person... that and some encouragement from Kym @awayfromtheedge made me keep going. It's looking like a rainbow, bright & happy. For now, onward! This is into the 6th repeat.

That was basically the point of no return.

This morning. I am currently on nearly finished the 13th repeat, and I like it more and more. It's happy. It's bright. It's colorful. It reminds me of fun times and special people, and also of a rainbow.

Close up!

If it turns out I don't like it in the end, I can a) give it away or b) over-dye the whole thing!

I'm anxious for the finish -- border, blocking (it'll open up quite a bit), and wearing!!

READING? Same...

Joining Kat & friends again this week for Unraveled Wednesday!