Hello! I hope everyone is having a good week. This week is flying by for me, as my husband had Monday off for our anniversary, so Tuesday feels like Monday and so on. Anyway, great news today is that I can actually get to all of your WIPW posts. I'm so sorry for last week. I wasn't able to visit all WIPW and FO Friday posts. Life got in the way. This week and next, I don't have to watch my nieces, so that won't happen. Thanks to all of you who continually post for WIPW/FO Friday. I can't believe we're up to 60+ people on Wednesdays. That's maddening!Thanks to the kind comment about the new Candy Skein Delicious lace yarn. This coming week, I'll have a few more skeins of it, along with two skeins of Yummy lace. I've also ordered a whole box of sock yarn (75% merino/25% nylon) and a box of fingering weight Delicious yarn (70% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 10% cashmere) which should arrive at my house July 5th. Looks like I'll be busy in the dyeing factory the next few weeks!
I should get on with WIPW 47 (can you believe that? FORTY-SEVEN!!!)
Not much going on for me as far as WIPs that I'm actively working on. The socks have been pushed aside for The Age of Brass and Steam shawlette I've been working on. This isn't a great pic, but that's on purpose. You see, I'm only a few rows from finishing/blocking and don't want to show it all spread out before Friday (let's hope it dries in time!) I'm a little nervous on the blocking front, as I have yet to do it. Any tips/tricks? This is 100% merino superwash, and is Candy Skein DK in Ripening Blueberry.Well, that's all for today from me. After all, I did just start this shawlette last Monday evening (pretty much Tuesday since Monday night I didn't get much past the first few rows once I learned how to knit/pick up the garter tab). I have to have more exciting stuff to share next week! I hope everyone has a great Wednesday and Thursday and I'll see you on Friday!
Please remember to use the new link to your post from this week, overriding the one that Mr. Linky saves from the previous. I've had quite a few links still linking to their old posts, or links that go straight to their blog's URL instead of the actual posts URL. Thanks!
For those that are new to WIPW, to share your WIPW post with us, just fill out the Mr. Linky below. Despite it saying you must comment, don't feel as if you do. That is something Mr. Linky automatically adds. I just ask you to check out a few of the links posted to see what everyone else is working on and comment there if you can. Everyone loves feedback and a little encouragement on their projects! Also, please link back to this post in your post to get the word out! The more the merrier!
Don't be scared of blocking. Just go for it! I was wary of it at first, but the results are worth it. I've not had to do anything with straight edges yet though, so no handy tips on that from me!
ReplyDeleteYou need more pins than you think you do, though.
No WIPs for me today, have done an excellent job of clearing them all to make way for the year of projects.
Blocking is made of magic and fairies - even on simple things the transformation is worth the time spent pinning! Can't wait to see it :)
ReplyDeleteYour shawlette looks gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'm not strong on blocking front either, so I will just keep my fingers crossed for you :o)
That blue you've used is lovely, it reminds me of raspberry slushies :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the colour, can't wait to see it finished on Friday, and good luck with the blocking :) x
ReplyDeleteI'm really new to blocking too. I teated myself to a set of blocking wires which helped greatly and kept my edges nice and straight. I blocked my Hitchhiker, which was made with 100% merino by pinning first and then spraying with water. There's a really good article on Knitty - here's the link for you
ReplyDeletehttp://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/FEATdiyknitter.html
Your shawlette looks fabulous - the colours are gorgeous. Have fun blocking!
Love the color of your shawl and can't wait to see it finished! I don't have a pic of my current work in progress and since I left it at the office I'll have to bring it home tonight to take a photo.
ReplyDeleteIt is looking gorgeous. Did the colour change happen by chance and the lacy section? It must be great working with your own dyed yarns x
ReplyDeleteThe shawlette is gorgeous!!! I love that blue! Do you have blocking wires? I love to use them for things like shawls so you can get an even line. Pins are great but if you aren't careful, you can get an unwanted scallop effect. So, if you are using pins, keep them close together and as Tink said, use lots of them!
ReplyDeleteI also found that to get a straight edge with pins, you're better off pinning first and then using a spray bottle to wet the shawl. For some reason, when you soak it first, it's harder to make it lay out straight... just a trick that worked for me before I bought the wires. Hope that helps!
I know what you mean about time to get online - I am working at a camp for the summer and have no computer so I can't check anyone's blogs or Ravelry until the evenings or in the early mornings! It's putting me through withdrawal!!
Ooh looks pretty all in a heap, but I bet it will be gorgeous blocked. As others have said, blocking is magical, especially when there is lace involved.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful blue! I second pinkundine's comment: blocking is sparkly magic fairy time. Just be gentle when squeezing and drying. No twisting. But you knew that I'm sure. I think the Yarn Harlot did a post about blocking. Of course, I can't find it now.
ReplyDeleteSrsly. Love that blue!
I'm a new blogger so am excited about WIPW. Hopefully it keeps me motivated. Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteYour candy skein is working up so nicely! Thank you for the dye tip earlier, I can't wait for my yarn to get here so I can start playing.
ReplyDeleteJust to say hello and let you know I'm joining in this week! Your shawlette looks lovely and squishy and snuggly - look forward to seeing it finished!
ReplyDeleteWow, such gorgeous work. I want to buy your yarn so bad, but I don't have it in my budget. Especially since I just dropped $50 on cotlin for a skirt. XD
ReplyDeleteLove love the blue, looking forward to seeing it all spread out, good luck with the blocking. I've not done something with fine/thin yarn and know that's more tedious. With ghans, I just wash them (or spray them with a spray bottle of water), and lay them on the floor. Sometimes I pin them, sometimes I'm able to tug a bit here and there, depends on the item.
ReplyDeleteI leave your badge on my blog all the time and so use the linky to the blog url. Is that a problem? Is so much easier then messing with the longer post urls which can cause problems.
I actually linked today...it's been awhile
ReplyDeleteit is lovely. most blocking i do is wash gently with Soak, lay flat in towels - roll up and squish water out. lay flat on dry towels, stretch gently to shape, and pin. don't touch again until very very dry. voila!
ReplyDeletefor big lace things and shawls, blocking wires are a big help.
Tink, thanks for the tips. I may have to run out and get more pins then. I only have one package I think.
ReplyDeletePinkundine, that's what I've heard. I love love love the before and after blocking photos on Ravelry.
Paula, thank you!
Vivianne, thanks! It totally looks like Blue Raspberry slushy, doesn't it?
Natalie, thanks! I hope it dries in time!
Carole, thanks so much for the link! I'm going to go read it now.
Fofo, looking forward to seeing your project later on then!
Clare, it would have happened in the row above in the middle, so I just cut it there so it happened a little earlier. I figured the light blue to middle blue was more of a dramatic color change. When it changed from the middle to the dark, I just let it happen (which you can't see in this pic because there isn't much of the dark blue used unfortunately, even when I added two rows.
witchyknits4ewe, thank you for the tips and nice comments! I don't have blocking wires right now. I'll have to invest in a set.
Leah, thank you!
Sara, I'll check out to see if I can find the Yarn Harlot link. Thanks for the tip. Fortunately, I'm used to dealing with wet yarn with the dyeing so that part doesn't make me too nervous. It's the pinning!
Yarn Changer, thanks for joining us and welcome! I'm looking forward to visiting your site. You'll find WIPW helps a ton with trying to finish off projects.
Dutch Hollow, you're welcome! I can't wait for you to try it! Be sure to share it with us when you do.
tintocktap, welcome and thanks for joining us!
Delusional Knitter, thanks!
Calophi, aww, well I'm always here with yarn, so if you ever have any extra in your budget, be sure to stop into Candy Skein. :)
Sandy, thank you. This yarn isn't too thin actually. It's DK weight.
Gracey is not my name, YAY, welcome back!
Marushka, thanks! I don't have Soak, but I do have a product like it. Do you think it's better to mix that with water and soak it rather than spray with a water bottle?
ReplyDeleteI don't see what's wrong with that photo -- I can tell it's going to be GORGEOUS. I just love how the color is changing on that yarn. :)
ReplyDeleteBTW, I participated in another link up a couple weeks ago. . . Got ONE comment off it, and maybe one or two extra hits. Your link ups exemplify successful. :D Thank you for hosting!!
The colours in your shawlette are so tranquil and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth I have a set of knit picks blocking wires as well. I think you can do just as well with pins, it just takes a little longer.
I'm looking forward to seeing your dreamy blue masterpiece in all it's glory on Friday!
Contessa, thanks! I love how so many WIPW/FO Friday folks not only add their link, but try to make it around to as many blogs as possible. And you're very welcome. :)
ReplyDeleteNikki, thank you! I doubt it will be dry by then, but at least it will be blocking in progress on Friday!
Tami, it's GORGEOUS!!!!! And blocking really is a miracle - go for it!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week x
The colours in your shawlette are delicious! It look so fluid, I love it. Don't be nervous with the blocking, it's fun! Just take it slow and gently pull everything into place. The hardest part is waiting for everything to dry :)
ReplyDeleteWould love it if you come back and share with us how the blocking ends up going. It's something I almost never do but enjoy learning more about as I understand it's important for some projects.
ReplyDeleteoh can't wait to see it blocked... I am currently knitting one too although it is nowhere near finished so maybe seeing yours on friday will inspire me :) good luck!
ReplyDeleteHard to believe we are approaching a year!
ReplyDeleteSarah, thank you! It's blocking right now. :)
ReplyDeleteelephantJuice, it's wet now and I keep going over to touch it. Since there isn't a lot of lace with this pattern, it doesn't look TOO different blocked, but it just kind of straightened it out.
Crochetblogger, thanks. I'll show pics on Friday. :) Let's hope they're happy pics and not ones in frustration. LOL
Unconventional Us, thanks! I found it a very fast/easy knit!
Dina, isn't that crazy!? I can't believe it myself, but we sure are. In fact, I know we are, as I have to soon pay for another year of Mister Linky. LOL
Happy late anniversary! I can't wait to see your shawl all finished. It's sure to be stunning!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Faith!
ReplyDelete