Here's a good read and a good knit for your weekend. The book, Knitting Ephemera by Carolyn Sulcoski is crammed full of interesting knitting facts you need to know. And you'll enjoy its engaging format. I've been leafing through a few pages here and there to avoid finishing it too quickly. It's lots of fun — you need it now.
The knit is Purl Soho's free Seed Stitch Mittens pattern. This pair was knit up by Raveler Kipperdawg in Elliebelly Pixie Merino. The yarn is part of what has become my annual summertime binge of natural dyeing, which always starts of with a vat of black bean dyed yarn while I'm waiting for the dye herbs to grow. This is the first time I've been able to achieve this soft brown, and I'm grateful for all of the natural dyers who share their notes and processes on line! Black bean dyeing is fun and easy and I strongly encourage you to try it if you've been playing with koolaid or easter egg dyes and are ready to move on or even if you're an experienced dyer interested in experimenting with natural process. The results are slightly unpredictable and always fun, as these lovely mittens prove.