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Friday, May 12, 2006

Warning: Boring Post, No Pics

Yeah, honestly it is going to be a boring post and once again no pics! Sheesh, if I want to attract people to my blog and have them leave comments I am going to have to stop making boring entries and not showing any pics... (edited to say that I decided to post a pic so the post wouldn't look so bare again)

I started back to work on Monday, and my days are longer now than they were in school this semester. I get up 6:45-7:00 and end up needing a nap after supper, which of course throws off my sleeping at night because come bed time, I am not tired!

Needless to say...ok maybe it isn't needless...anyway, I haven't felt like knitting much this week. Well, when I'm at work I feel like knitting, or writing, but once I get home my mojo is go go...I've only done about 8 rows on the second sleeve of the Let's Party Cardi this week. I'm really hoping to finish it tomorrow though and get the blocking done.

Thanks to all who left a comment on the previous post with the suggestion of blocking first and then seaming. So, with regard to the blocking, do I just soak it in water and then let it dry flat? Do I wash it? What do I use to wash it with? The yarn says to handwash, but is regular detergent (we use Tide) ok to use, or do I need something special? Man, I'm such a dunce with this LOL - though I blame it on not having done any of this before...


Ok...I couldn't stand not having a picture in the post so I have included one of my furry baby, Tinker Belle, just so the post wouldn't look so bare.

I hope to get some pics of knitting to include soon, and hopefully I'll get that cardigan finished this weekend and have pics of it to include in the next post.

Off to try to find some knitting mojo again. Happy Knitting!

11 comments:

Karen said...

My daughter loves your Tinker Belle. She is so allergic to cats though, we would have one if she wasn't. Can't wait to see the cardi.

Catherine Kerth said...

very cute picture! i would read your blog pics or no pics ;) I use a little dishsoap when I handwash my wool. I always thought that was okay to use, b/c when dyeing yarn they always direct you to use that... I use very little though. I guess I could go out and by some fancy stuff ;)

Liz said...

Nobody's life is action-packed all day every day, so I'd forgive you for a picture-free post now and then ;-) Thanks for the comment on my blog! And do keep us updated on the cardigan!

Anonymous said...

Remind me what fiber your cardi is made in? If it's acrylic, you're probably fine with Tide. If it's wool, some people recommend dishsoap, while others recommend shampoo and conditioner. You can also get specially made stuff for handknits -- I use Eucalan and like it. It's no-rinse, which is nice.

There are lots of ways to block, but yeah, pretty much getting it wet and pinning it to the shape you want should do the trick. If you go to various knitting forums and stuff you'll be able to get infinite advice. Good luck!

Tina in Wonderland said...

Congratulations on Graduation!!

I love the cute new picture of Tinkerbelle!

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

Thank you all for your advice and comments!

Rachel, yes it is acrylic, but it is handwash because of the little "nubby thingies" that is woven into it (not sure what you call them).

Sherri said...

Congrats on your graduation! Your other website is just beautiful, too! Thank you, too, for the wonderful compliment on my Mother's Day flower, it will bless me for years to come, I am sure. He was soooo thrilled to see it on my website. :) Don't fret over what the future holds (Jer 29:11) and you'll feel like knitting again soon.

Rhonda the Stitchingnut said...

You're not boring, girl! You'll get into a regular routine before you know it and knitting will be in order when it happens. There's adjustment time to consider.

I handwash with a mild detergent ... dish soap or woolite. It softens the yarn and then I pin to the size required & let it dry. Acrylics can be pinned in place wrongside up & then using a damp pressing cloth, lightly hold an iron over it ... without putting the weight of the iron down on the knitting. The damp cloth will create steam. Other yarns can be left to dry and a steam iron can be used on it also if needed. (guess this is a LONG comment, lol)

Maggie Ann said...

Hi Shelley, I like your digital clock in your sidebar...thats just like a wrist watch! Hope work is going good for you.

kittensmittens said...

congrats on your graduation.

i know what you mean about not having the energy to knit, let alone post pictures on the blog. (I've been bad about everything.)
tinker belle looks happy to pose for you, very cute

Susan said...

Shelley I always like the cat pics. Tinkerbell is so photogenic!