Ignorance is Bliss & All That

In her Thursday post, Dr. B talks about Testing it Out. About not just racing ahead with something willy-nilly*, but actually planning and carefully preparing for projects, thereby minimizing the chances of turning your project into a muddled less-than-perfect mess.

Normally, I am a testing-it-out sort of girl. (I've told ya'll about my cautious nature plenty before so this should come as no surprise to anyone who's read more than, say, two posts on this little blog.) Normally, I would not have purchased yarn and then, within 24 hours of first opening the package, have the yarn out in my kitchen, mistreating it. I guess right now does not qualify as "normally" because, also as previously mentioned, I've attempted to overdye my Lisa Souza yarn.

See, I was having a weak moment when I decided to futz around with this yarn. I was contemplating how to remedy my color issue on Tuesday and then on Tuesday evening, I had a bit of a bad crafting experience. Katy and Lori (not normally known for their craftiness) have decided to embrace their inner Jackie Guerra and have taken up beading. I say this with all sincerity: they are both quite talented with the beads. They both have an eye for the color combinations and the do-you-use-wire-or-do-you-use-stretchy-fishing-line type decisions. I got caught up in their enthusiasm and agreed to go with them to Michael's...where I spent $56 on beads and paraphernalia (I know! I know! Consider the yarn budget!) We eagerly headed to Katy's house for a little quality sisterly crafting time.

It was a disaster, ya'll. I wish I could say that I enjoyed the beads. That I was happily surprised and this new little adventure. It didn't happen. After 7 straight hours of beading, I was in tears (surprise, surprise) and using all sorts of unladylike words. I am kidding, it was really only 2 hours, I think, it just seemed longer...but I'm not kidding about the tears or the unladylike words. By the time the crafting was done for the evening, I'd sold all of my newly procured beads to Katy and vowed never to bead again.

So when I got to the house, I was in desperate need of comforting so I turned to the warm, soft arms of my beloved yarn. I looked up the Kool-Aid dying instructions on Knitty, grabbed my yarn and set to work. That first go ended in mediocre results but last night was a different story.

(Bottom skein is the original color, top skein the doctored version.)

It isn't illustrated well by this picture but the color is quite a bit darker. I am really happy with the results. It is a deep red, with the slightest hint of a rust undertone. It is now wound in a tidy center pull ball and ready to become socks.

This evening, I was doing some additional reading about Kool-Aid dying. Nearly everything I read emphasized that Kool-Aid dying only works on protein fibers. In fact, one tutorial I read said absolutely this method wouldn't work on superwash yarns or blends. This yarn is a 75%/25% superwash wool/nylon blend. Had I read this tutorial earlier, I wouldn't have even tried.

For once, I am glad I threw caution to the wind. In fact, I am considering ordering some Bare yarn from KnitPicks soon. I am a sucker for a new magic trick.


Today's Quote

"Here's to those who wish us well, and those that don't may go to hell." -Patsy Cline, attributed


*Have ya'll read Izzy Willy-Nilly by Cynthia Voigt? I read it the first time in junior high and then again late just because. I think it is a young adult novel but it is an excellent book. If you are looking for a quick read, this is a very good story and well written, as is standard for Cynthia Voigt.

Friendship

In my lifetime, I have had many friends. Friends that I have known so long, I can scarcely remember how we met. Friends that have come and gone, never to return. Those in my life that ebb and flow like the waves. Those who are constant, steady, enduring. Those who have been like comets in the night: beautiful, spectacular but fleeting. There are those who have bruised me and, sadly, those who I have bruised. There are friendships that I have clutched too loosely and lost and those I’ve clung to too tightly and crushed.

It is a rarity, indeed, to have a friendship that at once uplifts you and keeps you grounded. That warms you, heart and soul, while journeying with you through the cold, dark night.

In my sister-in-law, Lori, I have a friend like that. A friend who both sympathizes with my struggles and forces me to face reality. A friend who embraces me for what I am without letting me forget what I can become. It is a blessing to call her friend and an utter privilege to call her family. It is no understatement to say that marrying her is absolutely in the top 3 things my brother has ever done. She is a gift to all of us. If you have a moment, please pause in your day tomorrow and say a prayer for her – for both of them. At 31, Lori is having a hysterectomy tomorrow (Wednesday). While it isn’t her idea of the ideal route to take, it is the best thing for her and she is ready…but not ready, as I am sure you can imagine. She talks a little about it on her blog, so I won’t say any more about that. Please stop by over there and offer her a well wish or a kind word. If anyone deserves it, it is Lori.


Today's Quote:


“Sorrow comes in great waves…but it rolls over us. And though it may almost smother us, it leaves us. And we know that if it is strong, we are stronger, inasmuch as it passes and we remain.” Henry James