Day 2 of the Project Kool-Aid did not involve any actual dyeing, but it did involve drying! My yarn took forever to dry… even after most of the day outside (Maryland humidity could have something to do with that, though!). For the skeins that were completely dry, I started the winding process.

I need to repaint my toes…

I find this process pretty relaxing and I get to see the multitones in the yarn. I think it should knit up quite nicely.

As I was surfing around other knitting blogs, I noticed many people had the same design that I had–one of the regular Blogger templates. So, daring to be different, I created something a little different with the argyle theme in the background, nothing special or really technical, but more of a personal touch. I hope it does not make anyone’s eyes cross… Let me know if it is too busy!

I also finished the neverending sleeve… wow, this thing took forever! I don’t really know why either.

So, here is the sweater so far…

One more sleeve (I hope this one goes faster) and the neckband and we are DONE!

Thanks to everyone who checked out my blog and my Kool-Aid yarns! I really appreciated your comments!

I woke up early this morning, and started the day by joining Project Kool-Aid, where the participants post their progress and creativity with Kool-Aid dyed yarn. I had never dyed yarn before, and I was really looking forward to it after I picked up the skeins of wool on clearance a few weeks ago!

After buying my supplies (32 packets of mix, and a baster), I started on the project!
(These are abbreviated steps–please check here for the full directions!)

Wind ‘em up…

…into hanks…

…and put into a large stainless steel pot and soak for 20-30 minutes…

…and prepare your dye mix (these are Strawberry Lemonade and Lemon Lime).

Put yarn in pot and stir immediately and watch it change colors!

Here is the first skein (drying phase)

… and here is all of the first batch (2 8 oz. skeins)…

… and I was a little more experimental with the second batch.

Overall, I am really happy with how they turned out! My favorites are the purples and the reddish pinks. Those colors take the dye best. My little orange/yellow/green creation was completely experimental… I am still not decided whether I like it. I tried some different techniques, like gradation, which may be evident in the above pictures. I like the effect. If you want to know what flavors (colors) I used, drop me a line, and I will try to remember!

I still have one and a half skeins that I will dye in the near future. I want to pick up a blue color (I could not find one at Safeway!) and make at least two hanks with that.

I plan to make some felted things with these revitalized yarns–but I don’t know what yet. Anyone have an especially great felted item to tell me about?

I have been thinking of future projects, and I was looking at some patterns online and in mags/books. I have such a difficult time deciding what I want. Sometimes I absolutely fall in love with the yarn, and then try to figure out what to make with it… and other times I see the pattern and then seek out the yarn, or try to see if something in my stash will do the job.

I am planning on making this sweater for Kris

and this cardigan for me, (bad picture out of the Fall FCEK)

but I did not plan to buy the yarn yet…

HOWEVER, I stopped by Michaels to pick up one pair of 17s and use my 40% off coupon… lo and behold, huge sale… lots of yarn and notions… and I walked out with all of this…

Notice that I did get the needles…

So, the tally is:

• 2 skeins of Chunky USA (green and red Christmas stuff for the nieces)
• 2 skeins of Chenille Thick and Quick (undecided)
• 7 skeins of Wool-Ease (for the cardi above)
• 7 skeins of Bernat Denim Style(for the Kris pullover)
• Fall 2004 Vogue Knitting International (great issue!)
• Boye size 17 aluminum needles
• Boye row counters (Bella ate my other one!)

Some sleeve progress to report… a lot slower than the front and back…

Now I am off to read the new Vogue Knitting!

So I received my new issue of Lucky, and there are so many great knits on the fall forecast. The front page of the Lucky website features a cute cardigan with a nice satin ribbon around the collar. I love that little ribbon, and I am thinking about working some ribbon into some of my knits. You can see some cool stuff on their site, but I also took some pictures of my favorite knit-related things in the magazine. It is a great issue if you want to check it out! There were too many to scan in, but here are the highlights.

There is a layout on vests and the mag includes some runway shots, but here are three that I liked:

Capelets
Not huge, but may take a few seconds to load…

Cardigans
I saw a similar pattern on Digital Yarn.

…And on my knitting needles… the sleeves of the Cable Sweater. I rushed through the front and back of that sweater, but I am going a little slower on the sleeves. I should be done soon though.

I just found out about the Knit-Out & Crochet 2004 in DC! It sounds so fun! Has anyone ever been before?