Rage and hopelessness are trying to snatch it from me, but I refuse to let that happen.
It all started this morning, when I rolled out of bed and thought I would block my Whippoorwill shawl before heading into the office.
I've been working on this one since August, using a cream for the main body and wine for the trim. It's not a complicated shawl--actually quite the opposite. It's a lot of stockinette, so it was a slow slog. But I finished it up last night and was eager to see it pinned out.
I bet you figured out where this was going, right after you read "cream" and "wine."
And if you thought, "That wine colored yarn is totally going to bleed all over the cream and ruin the whole thing, and boy is Kristen going to be pissed," you'd be right.
Pink splotches. Dancing all over the cream section.
They're not dark, but they're there.
See?
Ok, maybe you don't see, because apparently the splotches are paparazzi-shy and didn't want to be photographed.
But they're there.
And I have no idea what to do about it.
If I soak it again, the wine will bleed more. But how can I only wash the white part? Impossible. I already tried blotting, it didn't do much good.
I tried crying, and not only did it have no effect on the splotches, it didn't really make me feel any better, and it made my face puffy to boot.
But as I said, I'm reclaiming this day.
I'm releasing a pattern!
October 11, 2011 will NOT go down in history as the day I ruined a shawl, but as the day I released my 3rd pattern.
Pattern: Son of a Sailor socks
Sizes: 9-12 months (5" foot circ) and 12-15 months (6" foot circ)--size are (very) approximate; measure your baby! More notes on sizing available in the pattern download.
Yarn: Fingering weight in contrast colors, 75yds of each (I used The Loopy Ewe Solid Series in cerulean and navy)
Needles: 2 US sz 2 24" circulars (or size needed to obtain gauge--and I'm a tight knitter, so be prepared to go down to 1.5 or 1!)
Gauge: 8st/inch
When my friend Catherine (hi Catherine!!) gave me a tour of her darling baby Tyler's nursery, all decked out in sailing motifs, I immediately started planning sailing-themed socks for the little man.
And then about a year later, I actually got around to knitting them.
This pattern is a great way to use up leftover fingering weight yarn from adult socks, since you need just 75 yds of each color (although I actually did not do that myself, because I wanted marine colors).
They are knit toe-up, and feature a short row heel and small colorwork motif--so they're also a great way to practice all of those possibly-new-to-you techniques without committing to a pair of full-sized adult socks.
(This project boasts the 2nd most colorwork I've ever completed in my life, if that gives you any idea of my colorwork skills.)
(As you can see, Tyler's socks are a wee big on him, but he's sure to grow into them...I hope!)
And even if you don't have an adorable baby of your own, you could always knit one and toss it on the Christmas tree!
(Sock, that is, not baby.)
Pattern available for free here, and soon to be up on Ravelry as well.
Take that, lousy day!
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5 comments :
I immediately said out loud "oh no" when you you wrote "I bet you figured out..." I'm sorry your wine is leaking :o(. Try those color catching sheets (not sure what brand makes them). Maybe spray the cream areas that are affected and blot with the color catcher. I've never used them so I don't know if they actually work but it's probably worth a shot. Go over the wine parts with it too to try to absorb that excess dye.
I would try the color-catchers - you may be able to blot with them.
Maybe you could over-dye the whole thing?
Omigosh, I am so sorry about your shawl! But at least you salvaged the day by releasing an adorable sock pattern. Love the little boats!
Kristen, your day is NOT ruined. It is redeemed by the utterly gorgeous sock pattern.
You are creative and talented, and I am sure that you will sort out the shawl - which is lovely, BTW.
Keep on creating.
Alison (from the UK)
Just an FYI- Next time you knit in contrasting colors, soak in plain white vinegar when you are done. vinegar sets the color and you should be fine to wash in cold water after that.
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