A Lesson Before Dye-ing

A more apt title would be A Lesson Before Washing...as in, I need a lesson before washing.

We are back from one of our summer trips - we went to Florida. First, I went to the G for a family wedding the weekend prior to departure for Florida. We were planning to leave 2 days later; so, I had all the wash caught up and the pack lists ready. The stinky thing is that there is a flurry of wash before leaving for a trip, and a flurry of wash upon returning home.

Yesterday, I threw in a load of lights, mostly comprised of turquoise, with few tans and pinks thrown in.

I pulled out my wash, and thought that it looked a little funny.



The clothes on the left were not in that wash cycle. The clothes on the right were.









The top on the right side looked worse right out of the washer, but since it has dried, it looks closer in color to the one on the left.

The panties, however, are a lost cause. They don't look darker just because they are partly obscured by shadow.




Here's the culprit. It's a top I knitted a few years ago out of Elsbeth Lavold's Cotton Patine in a turquoise shade.









I thought it would be safe to add that sweater to my wash, since it was a delicate load, in cold water with like colors.

I thought wrong.

MK out.

Vacation - Had to Get Away

Been gone for a couple of weeks...

Early in June, my Monkeys were looking more like pedicure socks. Sherrie - a new friend from Ravelry sent me her leftovers.









I was able to finish the Monkeys before departure. Here's the picot cuff that I use a lot.













And now. my toes are hidden, thankfully.









The Monkeys are my April 2008 socks. Remember how I knitted up almost to the toes on size 0's and how they didn't fit and all? So, I had a good reason to be tardy. I practically knitted them twice.

Project Specs:
Yarn - Colinette Jitterbug in the Fire colorway.
Needles - Knit Picks fixed circulars in size 1 (times two - two socks on two circs and all that...)
Modifications - I used the picot cuff instead of the twisted rib, and I used Charlene Schurch's garter edged heel flap.
Notes/Comments - Jitterbug has 320 yards per skein. I usually knit socks on size 0's or 1's, so, be warned, because I ended up being a few yards short. I like about 6 inches of cuff, and just by following the pattern, that's what the cuff length turned out to be. Had I known that I would come up short, I probably would have shortened the cuff by one pattern repeat. My Ravelry Fairy bailed me out; so, all's well that end's well...

MK out.

It's in the Bag!

First, the yarn porn as promised so long ago - I bought these yarns from Lucy Neatby when she was at the Woolie Ewe last month.










My Constant Companion is packed and ready to go!










Pattern: My Constant Companion by Janet Scanlon in Knitter's Stash
Yarn: Cascade 220
Needles: Size 11US as suggested in the pattern. I got gauge with them, but I think that there is still too much stitch definition after felting. I could felt for longer, but I like the size of this bag. It is nice and roomy.
What I learned: I think I will use bigger needles next time to provide bigger holes for better agitation.
Would I make it again: Yes.

MK out.

What I Will Do Over Summer Hiatus

Summer Hiatus??? Not Summer Vacation???

Yup, hiatus, because now all the good shows have screened their season finales, and we must wait all summer to see:
1. Who is that man that Susan came home to on Desperate Housewives?
2. Where did the island go to on Lost? And will Desmond and Penny live happily ever after?
3. Will Lindsey and new boyfriend (I suck with names sometimes) survive their long distance relationship on Women's Murder Club? - Hey, I heard a rumor that this show was cancelled. Is that true? Just when the chemistry starts clicking between the characters, they go and cancel it? Seriously?
4. Speaking of Seriously? Now that Mer and Der are back together, what will keep us watching on Grey's Anatomy?
5. Since Men in Trees was cancelled, how will Anne Heche come up with the $15,000/month in family support that she has been giving to her ex-husband and kids? Are there any shows left to wrap up any loose ends? Like - now that Patrick got his memory back, will we get to see him get back together with Annie as the coming attractions hinted after last week's show?
6. In Back to You, will Chuck and Kelly ever get together and raise their child and have more?
7. Who got on the ambulance in ER?
8. Who is the real other sibling in Brothers and Sisters?

In the meantime, I will be knitting and travelling and getting together with friends and watching a lot of movies...

What about you?

MK out.