what is this? could it be? a real post???

I really plan on getting you good pictures but it's going to take time and I'd rather blather about other things than spend forever taking pictures so before you harass me any more...

That's the border finished on Spring Shawl and a bit of the eternal edge started. I looked back to see when I started SS and it seems May 7 was the official start date and that's only three and half months ago. Doesn't seem too bad for the amount of progress I've made considering that I'm not knitting all that much.

This is where I will also confess that I've started this...

But if Sue Ann's looked so good on me, how could I not...

   

The real purpose of today's post is to talk about Kool-Aid and yarn and how happy they can be when combined. Saturday night found Sue Ann, Tina, and I ready to embark on a quest for yarn dying excitement. We spent gads of time winding yarn into dye-able hanks - yarn that came in balls (much Ella Ray and other good stuff) and yarn that had already been wound from cakes because we wanted to knit it natural before realizing the error of our ways and yarn that had already been knit into socks that weren't meant to be. (Sue Ann, Tina, me. You may also note that in the picture of Sue Ann, there was a bit of adult beverage consumption to aid us in our creativity.)

     

We even had a mascot for support, our good friend Scrunchy whose tongue didn't always stay in his mouth and who sleeps with his eyes open in a mildly creepy (but oh so lovable) fashion:

I don't have many in progress photos, alas. We were too busy with our kool-aid and yarn to snap photos. There was much mixing of colors and unique application of said colors by all involved. Tina did one batch of RIT dye in fuchsia that turned out absolutely beautiful. Hopefully she will post pictures soon seeing as I beat her to it and that's waaaay impressive considering my track record...

Here's Sue Ann's fabulous accomplishment of the evening. This was what she was hoping for with this yarn:

   

Earlier in the day, an accident of the worst sort occurred. Apparently, if you leave a can of soda in a car in 100+ degree weather, said can of soda will explode. Assuming that the owner of the vehicle in question is a knitter, it is possible that yarn may be damaged in the explosion. If the yarn is a natural yarn that was accompanying said knitting owner of afore mentioned vehicle to request opinions of friends about what the yarn and it's compatriot skeins of luscious, only-available-at-a-wool-festival wool would like to become, the tragedy is further compounded when said wool is irreparably damaged by a shower of Diet Cherry Vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper (the world's longest named carbonated beverage ever). The only possible course of action was to immerse the yummy yarn is many packets of Black Cherry Kool-Aid and hope for the best:

       

Then, there was the yarn sausage (a big hit, let me tell you). I'm hoping that it will stripe because the color repeat is rather long. I'll let you know when I knit it up!

   

My three prizes (two KnitPicks sock yarn skeins and a 350 yarn {I think} yummy lace weight):

Everyone's results:

And finally because Jody asked last time about how much weight I've lost, a comparison from August last year. I've lost 60 pounds from my recent highest weight, though I don't know when exactly that was. I would say 40 - 50 lost since the beginning of the year.

   

Love to you all.

Comments

[JessaLu]

How did I miss this post? Ohyeah, I was in the seventh level of Hell - aka DisneyWorld with the in-laws. bleh.

The dyeing looks awesome - and you look GREAT!! (I think you're even smiling in the 2nd photo - did it hurt? *g*) :o)

[Tina]

No, the one in the trailer seems quite a bit different.

The opening credits are here:

http://www.hbo.com/carnivale/behind/credits/index.html

A couple of images from the deck used in the credits:

http://www.uemedia.net/artman/uploads/0912carnivale8_big.jpg
http://www.corrinekenner.com/photos/uncategorized/carnivale_tarot_cards.jpg

They use the standard Rider-Waite deck in the show, for readings, but I'm interested in the one from the credits.

[Jessica]

Both you and the knitting look great and I'm so glad to hear you are well and happy! Is the wheel getting any time?

[Nancy]

How very wonderful to hear from you again and see what you've been knitting and dyeing! And my, oh my, 60 lbs.! What an inspiration! You look wonderful!!!!

[Cookie]

Damn, you're looking HOT in those knitted goods! I can't wait to see what becomes of all that yarn.

[Tamara]

It all looks great and fun, but you look best of all.

[suna]

Thanks for the photos! Now the whole world knows what my kitchen looks like, but at least it was neat other than the dye stuff. I would like to point out that I usually do brush or comb my hair, but was intent on dye. All my yarn is now back in little yarn cakes and I hope to post a photo of it on my blog today or tomorrow. I didn't have the camera out during Dye Fest 2006, so rely on Jody and Tina's great images.

Suna who is the Sue Ann in the pictures

[Cordelia]

Wow!!! 60 pounds??? That is AMAZING!! Congratulations!!!!!

The yarn is really cool, and I'm glad that the (ahem) cola-colored yarn turned out to be such a nice pink.

What's the new shawl you just started? Inquiring (and shawl-ignorant) minds want to know!

[Sea Anemone]

yea! for yarn dying. Kelp and I have been doing some recently and with some success. You look fantastic! I need to start my diet. Good inspiration. :)

[Alison]

Wow, you are looking great! The haircut really suits the new you!

Great dye job and Spring Shawl looks fabulous! (Thank you for FINALLY showing some progress. I now know it's not just a figment of your imagination:)

You and I really do like similar lace; I've started Icarus as well! Mine's in pink though.

[jody]

wow! i have to say (again) that you look AWESOME!!!

the yarn dyeing sounds like a great time. i've only tried it once and it was on cotton. i think i need to try an animal fiber. the cotton was difficult.

btw, i just started a diet myself. your pics are really encouraging and inspirational. i will visit (often) when i have a craving for those french fries and chicken fingers :)

[Tina]

FYI, your link to Jody is actually a link to me. And I should have pictures up tomorrow. I felt really crappy today, and Bryce doesn't give me enough time on his computer to post on weekends (my computer is currently running Linux, and my camera doesn't play well with Linux).

[kelp!]

I've caught the dyeing bug recently, too... Both that yarn and you are looking good!