the blue blog archives: it's a blue blog afterall

I guess it's only fitting. Blue blog, blue fingers. This is how my fingers looked after knitting up a couple of zipper facings for the ribby cardie (yes separate facings, I can't stand picking up stitches!). The blue dye in the Manos yarn really left its mark. I looked like one of my boys after eating a popsicle. Luckily Claudia (dye queen extraordinaire) was at Knitsmiths on Sunday when this happened to help. Apparently turquoise is hard to set. Who knew? And I need to give the yarn a little vinegar bath to set the color completely. Hmmm.

And since we're all about blue today, here's my latest kids chemo cap - a blue's clues joe hat!

I found these leftovers in my stash and the blues coordinated so well, it reminded me of the great colors in Joe's shirts. And I'm sure you remember what a kick I got out of the idea of making Joe sweaters for the boys some day. So, a Joe hat was born. I hope there's a little Joe fan at Children's Hospital who'll enjoy it.

One more reason to be blue today, this week is the one year anniversary of the blue blog. Wheee - what fun it's been! I'm proud to note that I finished the two major projects I was working on when I started blogging last year (native and elizabeth I). But I think I've most enjoyed the knit-alongs and getting to know so many others out there through knitting together with them.

I guess it's appropriate that the ribby will be my next finished project since it will be the blue blog's first blue sweater!

posted by alison at 12:17 am | in chemo caps , just blogging 03 , ribby cardie

Comments

When I first saw the photo I thought you had jammed your fingers in a door. I'm relieved to learn it's only DYE :-)

I love these hats you're knitting, and I know they will be very much appreciated. Your personal touches make them even more special and beautiful. Thank you for knitting them!

P.S. I must remember Claudia's tip for the future. [Thanks, Claudia :-)]

Posted by: Becky at September 12, 2003 1:47 AM

Vinegar huh? That might help me with the star sweater I'm knitting for my son. Can you do the vinegar bath after everything is knitted up?

And, Happy Anniversary!

Posted by: Sharlyn at September 12, 2003 8:34 AM

Alison, Did you knit strips to attach lengthwise to each side? Is it ribbed? I am not sure how I will do mine but I did consider alternatives to picking up stitches.

Another great kid cap.

Happy Anniversary.

Posted by: Melissa at September 12, 2003 8:35 AM

Thanks for adding me to the ponchalong! The hats are adorable!

Posted by: Carrie at September 12, 2003 8:58 AM

BLUE is the one color Caroline identifies with confidence, so let's just say it's in your honor! And as I found two pattern options (the one in The Knit Stitch and one on knitlist.com), yes, I'll make a poncho for the wee one -- and guess what color? BLUE!

Posted by: Maggi at September 12, 2003 9:02 AM

I've got a blue kitty...well, that's the what they call the shade of grey he happens to be striped in, though it's more of a silver-grey blue ;)

He's here. :)

Posted by: Amber at September 12, 2003 9:27 AM

Blue, well yes I have something blue. I plan to get some Merino Light in Denim Blue to make my Eldest a poncho! Blue for me means jeans and denim shirts, my daily attire in winter.

Posted by: Chris at September 12, 2003 9:48 AM

Sharlyn, I hope Claudia will stop by here and remind me of the specifics with the vinegar bath. She said I could put the finished bands in the vinegar or skeins. I'm sure she can answer your question better.

Yes, Melissa, I knit the bands to be sewn on lengthwise. Not sure if that was a good idea yet, but I thought I'd like the look better. We'll see...

Yay, blue ponchos all around! I'm so glad you're joining the ponch-o-long, Maggi. :0)

Keep the blue things coming - I'm loving it!

Posted by: alison at September 12, 2003 10:10 AM

I can't help it, I keep thinking of that tv show CHiPs whenever you mention the Ponch-o-long. :-)

Love the Joe hat!

Posted by: Leigh at September 12, 2003 10:15 AM

Happy anniversary little blue blog.

I've loved reading about your knitting adventures and seeing your fantastic projects.

Posted by: Emma at September 12, 2003 10:29 AM

PS--Happy one year! Keep on knittin'

Posted by: Leigh at September 12, 2003 10:33 AM

Happy Anniversary!!
You've been an inspiration.

Posted by: michelle at September 12, 2003 11:11 AM

you've only been doing this a year? are you sure? :)

p.s. i'm giggling over your suggestion in the fluffa comments.

Posted by: carolyn at September 12, 2003 11:13 AM

Happy Blog Birthday! May you have many, many more. :)

Posted by: Kerstin at September 12, 2003 1:14 PM

ALison,
The hand therapist in me thought you were showing your Raynaud's syndrome, old instincts die slowly! Glad your hands are okay and doing their thang!! Hope you have a BLUE sky weekend. deb

Posted by: deb at September 12, 2003 2:47 PM

I've been oh so BLUE over having to PICK UP STITCHES..but everyone kept saying, oh go over to the blue blog,alison's avoiding it altogether :)
Did you go down a needle size to knit the facing?
Happy One Year....so glad you are here!
and courtesy of the Allman Brothers....
"You're my BLUE sky, you're my sunny day...."

Posted by: greta at September 12, 2003 4:03 PM

Uhhh, how do you manage to complete a finished project PER DAY? You are SUPERWOMAN. Very adorable hats, by the way.

Posted by: Mariko at September 12, 2003 6:05 PM

Blue. Hmm. Alison darlin' -- you may have ALL OF MY BLUE. Happy Blog Anniversary!

Dye on the hands.....is bad. This means that the skein wasn't probably rinsed off and the excess dye is still on there. What I would do is skein the yarn with at least 4 ties (ask me how I know this). If you have a crockpot use that. If not a big pot of water on the stove will do. Put in some water. Heat to just below a simmer (no big bubbles girlfriends -- felting time). Add several healthy slugs of vinegar. Put in skein(s). Keep at temp for 20 minutes (3 hours for crockpot set on LOW). Turn off heat. Put on the lid and let cool overnight. Then rinse out the cooled skein in hot water and a little dish detergent (don't agitate -- FELT!), then hot water final rinse. Hopefully no more dye running.

You can try this with a finished object too. Though for a finished object, I might try a rinse in Synthrapol before subjecting a sweater to the simmering pot. Get it at Dharma Trading or ProChem.

Posted by: claudia at September 12, 2003 9:09 PM

Well, let's see. There's something old. that's me. something new. That's the blue hat. Something borrowed. That is. Um. That one's harder. Okay, I could borrow your beautiful kids. But I would return them very fast. They outnumber me. And finally, something blue. You. Your hands and your wonderful blog! Happy blue anniversary! Blog on!

Posted by: Sandy at September 12, 2003 9:16 PM

Oh, and you're frenzying, I presume??

Posted by: Sandy at September 12, 2003 9:16 PM