Big Time De-Stashing

There's some big time de-stashing going on around here!  I went through my yarn bins a couple weeks ago and pulled out a lot of leftover yarn and full skeins that I've had for a while and didn't think I would use.  There was a big bag full when I was done.  Instead of letting it sit and later putting it back in the stash (like I did a few months ago), I took it to my stitch group meeting and gave it away.  Everyone seemed excited to get new-to-them yarns and it felt so good to lighten my load.  It was like taking things off my to-do list.  No longer are those yarns sitting in bins causing me to try to figure out good uses for them.  Now, I have a lot less yarn and only yarn I really love.

I've been doing quite a bit of yarn de-stashing over this past year by using it for projects.  I just finished up another one last week.  I had a skein of Wool Ease Thick and Quick left over from a scarf I made for my daughter a couple of years ago.  One skein is all I needed to make a matching hat.  I found a pattern on Ravelry that went well with the scarf.  It's a pay pattern but lots of Ravelers have put such detailed notes that I didn't even need to buy it.  I felt kind of bad but it was super easy and the directions were right there.  So, I used notes from several and made one.  It was easy and quick.

I sent off to my daughter last week and she loves it.  I knew she'd like it a little slouchy and it turned out to be just the right amount of slouch.  When she received it, it just happened to be cold enough to wear it that day.  She got lots of compliments.  That makes me really happy.

Have you been doing any de-stashing lately?  What have you made?  Or...have you done some drastic de-stashing like I have and gotten rid of lots of yarn all at once?

Gap-tastic

My Gap-tastic Cowl is all done!  I finished it last week but have hesitated to post it because I haven't been able to get good pictures of it.  I'd like to show it being worn but can't seem to get a picture of myself with it on because the camera is always in the way.  I took photos of it laying on a table...

It looks pretty good but doesn't show how it looks when it's worn.  So, I tried taking some with it on my dress form. The dress form is purple and I couldn't find anything to put on it that would cover the purple (including the neck part at the top) and look good with the cowl.  This is the best I could find.  I don't think the color looks very good with the cowl.  But, here it is...my finished Gap-tastic...

I love it doubled up.  It's so squishy, cozy and warm...

The color in the bottom two photos is more accurate.

I knitted this with size 13, circular needles.  And, I used two skeins (248 total yards) of Loops and Threads Select Wool yarn in the color, Taupe.  I really like this yarn but it's almost impossible to find.  When my daughter initially bought some, she could only find it at one Michael's store.  At that time, we could view it on their website in lots of beautiful colors.  When she bought it for me, it was still only available at the one Michael's store.  But, we could no longer find it on line.  I can't even find it listed on Ravelry.  I hope it hasn't been discontinued all together because I'd like to use it again.  

This was such a fun project!  I loved knitting with big needles and chunky yarn for a change.  When I finished this and went back to working on my blanket project and size 8 needles, they seemed so small!

Cherry Sheep

What do you get when you mix fruity scented Kool Aid and wool yarn? Something that smells really weird...like cherry sheep! It's not a good combination!


But, you also get some pretty yarn...


I played around with Kool Aid dying last weekend for the first time. I've seen yarn dyed this way by fellow knitters for a couple years now. I'm not sure what took me so long to try it. It's easy, quick, cheap and fun!

I found some directions on Knitty. For yarn, I used an eight ounce skein of Lyon Brand Fisherman's Wool in the natural color. I split it into two four ounce skeins, tied them, washed, rinsed and soaked them. Meanwhile, I mixed 3 packages of black cherry Kool aid, 1 cherry, 1 pink lemonade, and 2 lemonade in a pot with some water. I placed the yarn in the pot, added water to cover the yarn (although, it kind of floated), turned on the heat, stirred and pressed the yarn down occasionally, and let it cook until it was almost boiling and the water was clear. That was the amazing part...the water became CLEAR! From deep, dark, red to clear! At that point, I turned off the heat, allowed it to cool down and washed and rinsed it in water that was the same temperature so I wouldn't shock and felt it. Then, I squeezed out the water and hung the yarn to dry.

The directions called for one package of Kool Aid for each ounce of yarn. Being the stubborn person that I am, I only used seven packages for my eight ounces of yarn and it turned out a lot lighter than I had hoped. But, it is very pretty. It has some variation in it too. Some of that might be from the skeins being thick and the color not getting all the way into the sections that were tied (even though they were kind of loose). I'm not sure about the extra dark parts or how to avoid that next time. I'm hoping the variation will add to the "prettiness" factor when it's knitted up.

I'm excited to try this again. There are so many possibilities!

Cottage Socks

I recently ran across a chunky sock pattern on Ravelry that I HAD to make! I thought they were cute and would be great to keep my feet warm around the house. I had no idea when I got started how cute they'd look with my wellies...


They're soft, warm, and make my wellies feel and fit better!


The "Cottage Socks" pattern is free on Ravelry and the Lion Brand website. I knit them with two skeins of Michael's Loops and Threads Charisma yarn and size 10 1/2 double point needles. I made them long enough to go up to my knees and fit me perfectly. However, when my daughter modeled them for pictures, I found it interesting that, even though we're the same height, our leg proportions are very different...they don't reach her knees!


They were super simple and quick to make...except for the gussets. I had so much trouble with them and I'm not sure why. But, I was determined to make these and just kept working until I got it! The pattern was a bit confusing on the toe part. So, I tweeked them and made them work. I finished the toe with about eight stitches across (eight in the front and eight in the back) and kitchener stitches.


I love 'em!