the blue blog archives: candy striper

I couldn't help myself. I started the cute candy cane striped sweet heart sweater that I mentioned last week. What fun! It's so cheery. I'm having a heck of a time readjusting everything from sport to aran weight though. Especially since I'm also simultaneously reducing the pattern down from 2-3 year to 1 year size. Oh yeah, it's also a raglan! But with a little help from other patterns here and there, I think I can manage it. By the way, Rebecca recently posted that the color from her all seasons cotton tank bled quite a bit when she washed it in Woolite. When I heard that I got pretty nervous about my candy cane stripes. So I made one sleeve and immediately washed it to be sure that this sweater would work. I used Eucalan and thankfully had no problems whatsoever. Whew. New project on!

I picked up the yarn for this sweater and started fiddling with it because I finished the knitting on Smooch and was having a typical how-to-avoid seaming-and-darning moment. But with the help of my Knitsmith buddies yesterday, I made it through all the finishing. Smooch pictures tomorrow. Watch this space!

posted by alison at 7:17 am | in pipsqueaks , tank girl kisses

Comments

I was advised by a veteran yarn shop owner never to use Woolite. It actually has a bleaching agent in it to "brighten" your clothes. I'd have to think it might make an otherwise colorfast yarn maybe bleed?

Posted by: Bonne Marie at June 23, 2003 6:39 AM

Thanks for the info, Bonne Marie. I found the Eucalan at one of my LYS's and the woman who was helping me there mentioned that Woolite can cause problems. Was I ever relieved when that water stayed clear last night!

Posted by: alison at June 23, 2003 7:19 AM

I started Smooch on Friday, so please switch me to pink. It's going to be a reallllllly long time before that changes to red however--I've ripped out several rows and can't seem to get the hang of the lace pattern, but I'm doggedly carrying on.

Posted by: Deb at June 23, 2003 8:44 AM

Woolite is bad, bad stuff. I actually use the same shampoo I use on my head to wash my projects.

Posted by: claudia at June 23, 2003 9:00 AM

I second the vote for Shampoo...

Currently my favorite is coconut scented Suave protein shampoo. Smells good and is gentle!

Sometimes if Mane & Tail Shampoo and Conditioner are on sale, I get those and use both.

Posted by: Bonne Marie at June 23, 2003 1:48 PM

Good to hear about the shampoo -- I'll be trying that next time! I can't believe the problems with Woolite! I don't think my local shops carry the Eucalan.

Posted by: rebecca at June 23, 2003 4:32 PM

I love Euclan too - especially since you don't have to rinse it :)
I never cease to be amazed at how productive you are Alison!

Posted by: kathy at June 23, 2003 7:12 PM